The Artesia City Council passed a resolution to add a new Communications Coordinator position at their meeting on Tuesday.
Communication duties are currently being handled by the administrative assistant, but the duties need to be expanded, according to Summer Valverde, city clerk/treasurer.
“It has become a vital piece, and we wanted to expand into a Public Information Officer type person,” said Valverde. “If we have any type of disaster, they will also be a spokesperson.”
The Communications Coordinator will report to the mayor directly and will work on social media content and any campaigns, along with the outsourced marketing company.
“Our vision is to possibly make videos to put on social media and educate the public and information on how local government functions,” said Valverde.
Councilor Jarrod Moreau questioned having this person report to the mayor, since the mayor isn’t on site full time. Valverde said the clerk’s office would work with that position closely. The position is a level CA22 and may require working some odd hours.
“It is a unique job and high visibility and will take a self-motivated person with little supervision,” said Valverde.
Councilor Sam Hagelstein added, “This is something we are growing in, but I am concerned about adding another salary. I have high expectations for this position.”
The council also passed resolutions to hire a Fire Division Chief of Operations and amend the Classification Plan to add positions and reclassify an existing position, as well as approved an over-hire of a building Inspector II (Electrical Inspector) in the Planning & Zoning Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Youtsey reported the Government Committee met with the Senior Center Advisory Board on Monday night and came to a resolution on potluck dinners.
“The committee believes they came to an agreement that would satisfy all parties,” he said. “We came out with a list of recommendations that will be sent to the full council in the next packet and be on the agenda for the Feb. 27 meeting.”
Youtsey also reported an accidental fuel spill at the fuel truck loading area at the airport recently. The City of Artesia hired a third-party contractor to clean up the spill properly and notified the state environment department.
Some safety issues were discovered during the investigation of that incident, said
Youtsey. The necessary changes include replacement of the cement pad and extension of the access ramp. A $52,000 quote for the work was received and approved by the budget committee. During her closing comments Valverde added it looked the cost would be covered by insurance.
Police Chief Kirk Roberts reported three residential burglaries and eight auto burglaries in January.
“Today was a good day for that, as we had a break in some cases and are getting a fair amount of property back,” said Roberts.
Youtsey shared he had visited the Artesia Animal Shelter the previous day and they had 54 dogs in 40 cages and no prospective adoptees in a few days. He also reported ArtesiaComprehensivePlan.com is published and contains great information.
The council passed a resolution to work with the Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association (MDWCA) to provide water services to rural unincorporated communities and to identify funding to complete and implement an Asset Management Plan within three years which identifies asset inventory, level of service, critical assets, life cycle costing, and long-term funding strategy.
The board passed a resolution to create a new fund to accept and disburse funds from the Laws of 2023 Retention & Recruitment Fund.
Community Development/Infrastructure Byron Landfair reported that the pond lining for the treatment plant will be completed in the middle of March, so sprinklers won’t be started in Eagle Draw and Jaycee Park until mid to late March.
Landfair also reported they are getting ready to put in a security wall in the Recreation Center by the end of March, bids open on new bathrooms at Jaycee Park this week, the dog park is still in progress, and recent vandalism occurred at the John R. Gray Girls’ Fastpitch Complex at Jaycee Park.
Human Resources Director Jerry Conde reported three accidents involving city vehicles in the month of January 2024.
The council passed a budget adjustment resolution for $751,537 and passed the following items in the consent agenda:
- Ratification of Mayor Jon Henry’s approval for the 2024 LERF Grant for disbursement of funds to the City of Artesia from New Mexico Department of Public Safety
- The appointment of Trinidad Malone to the Planning and Zoning Commission (term to expire February 2026)
- The Resignation of Heather Navarrette, Executive Administrative Assistant, effective Feb. 23.
- The setting of a public hearing for March 12 to consider and approve an ordinance for Case No. 23-103: Final Plat for Johnson Family Land Division 3 Line Adjustment Tract F1- 1 Summary Plat. Request to subdivide 21.74 acres into three (3) tracts; Location: North of 2877 Johnson Rd: Legal: Tract F1-1, Family Land Division 3 Line Adjustment Section 28, Township 17 South, Range 26 East, N.M.P.M.; Owner: Georgie E Johnson
- The setting of a public hearing for March 12 to consider and approve an ordinance for Case No. 23-104: Final Plat for Hocker & Sons Commercial Park. Request to subdivide 40.319 acres into eight (8) tracts: Location: Champion Street Legal: Section 32, Township 16 South, Range 26 East; Owner: Roy Glenn Hocker & Adia Hocker
- Permission for one police employee to attend the Legislative Municipal Day in Santa Fe
- Permission for three police employees to attend the Sig Sauer P320 Armorer-Armed Professionals training in Odessa, Texas
- Permission for one police employee to attend the FBI-LEEDA ELI conference in Lubbock, Texas
- Permission for five streets employees to attend the Pavement Preservation Workshop in Ruidoso
- Permission for the city clerk to attend the 35th Annual Municipal Day in Santa Fe
- Permission for one fire employee to attend the 35th Annual Municipal Day in Santa Fe
