By: Rebecca Hauschild

In response to community concerns Community Development/Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair provided a detailed explanation of recent City water test reports at the September 24 Artesia City Council meeting.

“It was an annual test for Tetrakis (hydroxymethyl) phosphonium Sulfate (THPs),” said Landfair. “It’s a chlorination by-product. We see it in systems that have been chlorinated over a long period of time. All of our tests have tested well below the non-detect level. So in other words they haven’t been able to pick it up. On that particular occasion that test was supposed to happen on the first of July and the testing bottles didn’t make it here until the second of July. So we went ahead and did the test just to make sure and then we fell into the next cycle. The water quality bureau changed the way their systems work and the testing schedules get a little fuzzy,” said Landfair.

“So we didn’t miss multiple tests,” clarified Mayor Jon Henry. “We didn’t miss this test by weeks or months. We missed the test by a day and all samples were correct.” Henry continued. “We want to make sure folks understand and have confidence in the water. I want to have confidence in the water as well,” said Henry.

“We didn’t start chlorinating here until 2017 so for the chlorination business we’re fairly new,” said Landfair.

Landfair also reported the indoor pool at the Artesia Aquatic Center is currently closed because the NinjaCrossTM retractable obstacle course is being installed. The NinjaCrossTM course will use two or three lanes of the pool, will hang from the ceiling above the pool, be lowered during certain hours, and raised back up when not in use.

Landfair also reported the Grand Street waterline, and the 2nd Avenue and Richardson rehab project bids have come in under budget, and the 26th Street project will likely start in January 2025.

Artesia citizens are invited to attend a town hall meeting on Thursday, September 26, at 5 pm at the Council chambers to discuss the operation of the local animal shelter. Summer Valverde, City Clerk/Treasurer, reported Paws and Claws Humane Society, inc., and possibly a consultant, will be in attendance to discuss what we want to do going forward. “If you’re an animal lover or if you have concerns with our animal shelter or if you’re just interested in the process there’s going to be a lot of discussion, so we invite you to come join us,” said Mayor Proterm Jeff Youtsey.

In the closing comments District One Council Raul Rodriguez offered the following comments in response to a visitor’s comments at the beginning of the meeting.

“Citizens need to understand there is a process they can go through if they’re having difficulties and things like that,” said Rodriguez. “We don’t just shut people down. We’ve listened to many cases that come before us and we do due diligence in our decisions and recommendation that we make to Byron (Landfair). We recommend citizens come in and ask for the process to get leniency for their water, sewage and garbage bills. If they have any issues they can contact Jennifer. We do meet and listen to those cases and take that to heart.”

“Part of what you’re paying in the garbage fees is the transfer and landfill fees,” explained Landfair. “I think I had it figured out at one point that it was like $5 to go pick up and the rest of what you’re paying is the transportation and landfill costs.”

There are going to be changes coming to the fire code, reported Youtsey during Police and Fire Committee report. The fire department is ramping up their recruiting to fill six positions and they recently passed the fire marshal inspection.

FLETC is no longer allowing the Artesia Police Department to use their shooting range according to Police Chief Kirk Roberts. He shared police officers must meet qualification once a year on each weapon system both day and night, and they are required to attend one firearms training per year, which is not nearly enough. Roberts reported their current crack down on speeding is going well.

The council approved an amendment to the safety incentive program for City employees called Safety Pays with a goal to increase participation in safety training. The incentives for full time employees are amended as follows beginning in 2025:

$100.00 – no preventable job injuries in the last twelve months

$100.00 – no preventable incidents involving a vehicle/equipment in the last twelve months

$200.00 – fulfilled the required safety training hours for the position in the last twelve months.

The Council approved the 2024 Recommendations and Comprehensive Plan. A Comprehensive Plan is a long range, general policy guide that provides a written and graphic description of existing conditions, community aspirations, and a “road map” to ensure the community vision is achieved through sound decision making regarding future growth and development, and capital improvements.

There was a lot of community involvement in the creation of the comprehensive plan, according to Valverde. “We sent out a questionnaire and those suggestions had a lot of impact on what the consultants felt the community should have,” she said. “We have to have this plan to apply for state money,” said Youtsey.

The Council approved the consent agenda with the following items:

Contracts, leases and agreements:

·         Agreement with DFA/LGD and City of Artesia for Capital Appropriation Project 24-I2953 $125,000.00.

·         MOA between NM Energy, Mineral & Natural Resources Department and the City of Artesia, NM.

·         Service agreement between Tyler Technologies, Inc. and the City of Artesia, NM.

Resignation:

·         Darcee Carlile, Firefighter, AEMT/Fire, effective September 14, 2024.

Travel and training:

·         Police – one employee to attend the Fort Bliss-Military Community Hiring Event in El Paso, TX.

·         Police – one employee to attend the ICS For Expanding Incidents IC 400 in Artesia, NM.

·         Police – one employee to attend the FEMA Type 3 AHIMT in Artesia, NM.

·         F&A – two employees to attend the IPRA Connect Conference in Albuquerque, NM.

·         Police – one employee to attend the (ICS) for Expanding Incidents ICS 300 in Artesia, NM.

·         Fire – one employee to attend the ISO Grading Schedule in Red River, NM.