Police Chief Kirk Roberts reported a new focus on speeding and aggressive driving at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Roberts also said the Artesia Police Department will be working to increase the visibility of lane signage in large intersections, enforcing the buckle-up programs, and trying to fill field officer job openings in the department.
Fire Chief Kevin Hope reported he is anticipating breaking the monthly record of calls in November at 300 calls.
“It’s been an extremely busy November,” he said.
John Anguiano, Facility Maintenance, provided the infrastructure report. Anguiano reported The Wells apartments on Richey Avenue will be opening two new buildings next week, with 16 apartments each. There will be a third building opening in a couple weeks and three more buildings opening in coming months. A representative of The Wells said they have 100 people currently on the waiting list.
Anguiano also reported on multiple water leaks throughout the city, including two recent leaks at Central Park and the completion of a water leak at Eighth Street and Richardson Avenue Monday. The leak that occurred last Saturday near Harvest Fellowship has been fixed, is drying out, and will be put back together soon.
City crews have completed the dry pad done near Fenn’s Country Market, are working on the leak at 20th and Main streets, will finish the leak in front of the Chase Foundation, and then will be coming back to focus on the leak under the bridge near Fenn’s.
Artesia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Haley Klein reported surplus funding in the Lodgers’ Tax fund that needs to be spent down.
The Lodgers’ Tax Committee would like to donate $70,000 toward the disk golf course at Jaycee Park and make improvements to the exterior of the Visitors’ Center building and signage. The committee would also like to use the excess funds to market the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the discovery of oil and gas in Southeast New Mexico June 14-15, 2024.
Klein also shared the Chamber will be working with a local committee on a project to create videos with corresponding QR codes highlighting the sculptures and murals throughout Artesia.
As part of its consent agenda, the council granted permission for:
• the hiring of Crystal Montes, Wastewater Assistant, at a pay rate of $2,920 per month and Stephen W. Drake, police cadet, $4,049.06 per month.
• the setting of a public hearing for Dec. 12 for consideration of a special-use permit for the proposed Bulldog Billiards, which would be located in the Abo Shopping Center.
• the setting of a public hearing for Dec. 12 for consideration of a zone change from SA2 to SU1 for the property at 2613 W. Richardson Ave., owned by Clark Memorial Methodist Church.
• the setting of a public hearing for Dec. 12 for consideration of a 9-foot variance from the curved property line setback and 21-foot variance from the front property line setback for the property at 2109 W. Currier Ave., owned by James Randall and Dena Crouch.