Richard Perea

The City Council meeting commenced with the approval of the current agenda and the minutes from the August 12, 2025 Regular Meeting and August 26, 2025 Special Meeting. Public comments focused on municipal elections, funding for tennis court restoration requiring a Memorandum of Understanding with the schools, the need for an updated Affordable Housing Plan, and various community service initiatives. Department reports detailed significant updates on capital projects, including applications for Water Trust Board and Quality of Life funds covering pedestrian bridges, park facilities, and convention center additions. Infrastructure projects noted include progress on the Power Lake Dam Reconstruction and the Citywide Lighting Project. The Police Department reported on staffing, criminal activity statistics, and the intended purchase of new vehicles. Action items primarily involved approvals for municipal purchases utilizing Capital Outlay and Law Enforcement Protection Funds, such as two Dodge Chargers, one Ford F150 truck, a dual-purpose K-9 dog, and ten rugged notebooks. The Council also approved the repair of the sewer plant lift station, payments for pond surveys and SCADA system troubleshooting, and resolutions related to the 5th Street Project funding.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda for the December 9, 2025 meeting. Public comments focused heavily on the need for community services, specifically addressing proposals for an Assisted Living Building, a managed program facility for the unhoused requiring $1 million in funding, and the need for a Food Pantry due to a lack of basic services. Department reports detailed numerous ongoing and upcoming capital projects, including construction starts for the Ilfeld Parking Area and Bike Pump Track, updates on funding applications for the Blue Hole Access Trails and Quality of Life projects, and progress on the Power Lake Dam Reconstruction. Action items involved the approval of several resolutions concerning City Council meeting rules, the 2026 Open Meetings Act, and the 2026 Observed Holidays. Other approvals included payments for police department renewals (Flock Safety, Body Armor) and sewer plant equipment, as well as the purchase of a replacement transmission for a Fire Department truck and a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System. The Council also approved entering into an agreement with the NMDOT to upgrade city lighting to LED, and authorized the intent resolution and notice of sale for City Short-Term Bonds totaling $1.25 million.

The key discussion item for this special meeting was the action item pertaining to Resolution 25-32. This resolution involved entering into an agreement with the State of New Mexico for a Capital Appropriation Project (Project No. SAP 25-J4147-GFR) related to the acquisition of a Vacuum Truck, valued at $350,000. The agenda for the meeting was approved prior to proceeding with the action item.

The Special Meeting agenda was approved. Key action items included the approval of several resolutions: Resolution 25-28 (Budget Adjustment Resolution FY 2024-2025), Resolution 25-29 (DFA 4th Quarter Financial Report Resolution FY 2024-2025), and Resolution 25-30 (Final Budget Resolution FY 2025-2026). The Council also approved an agreement for the 'The Story of Art in America: Route 66 Edition Project' with Legit Productions (China Elite Focus Magazines LLC), pending review by the Lodgers' Tax Board prior to payment. Additionally, the installation of new RV spots at the Rodeo Grounds by Zamora's Electric was approved following a tie-breaking vote by the Mayor. Finally, Resolution 25-31, authorizing the submission of an application for Financial Assistance through the NM Finance Authority (Water Trust Board/Technical Assistance Program), was approved.

The City Council meeting addressed several key agenda items and reports. The agenda was approved with one item removed and another tabled item brought forward. Public comments covered topics including a Work Order System, grant funding for trails, housing development services provided by Souder Miller, and landscaping plans for a new pump track. Department reports highlighted updates on the Merit System Ordinance revision, the finalization of a Grant Anticipation Note (GAN) up to $1.2 million for startup funding of grant projects, the transfer of the Outdoor Recreation Trails Plus Grant for the Perch Lake Project, and discussions regarding the development of city-owned property on the east side. Action items included the approval of budgets for Route 66 Centennial Celebration Events, payments for system renewals and testing (Work Order System, Fire Hydrant Testing), purchases for the Sewer Plant and City facilities (Actuator, Fire Protection Systems), a budget adjustment resolution, the purchase of a utility trailer, approval of the Concrete Skate Park Proposal, approval for the Trails + Grant agreement, renewal with NM Mainstreet, and approval of a proposal for technical services for the New Housing Development.