Meetings watch: City council

The Portales City Council met Tuesday night and took the following action:

• Opposed taking actions to hire a lobbyist in a 4-3 vote.

Ward C Councilor Leo Lovett opened a discussion to hire a lobbyist for the city. The benefits he cited to acquiring a lobbyist for the city included, awareness in legislative sessions and stopping money being taken away from the city.

The service contract for the lobbyist would be issued on a yearly basis and the fund set aside for this position is in the amount of $25,000.

Lovett suggested Mike Miller, Roosevelt County's lobbyist, to be considered as the city's lobbyist. He said it's typical for a city and county to have the same lobbyist.

City Manager Tom Howell suggested they hire someone who is available year-round.

Ward D Councilor Dianne Parker agreed that Miller would be a good choice because he attends the state's legislative session and would serve as an advantage to the city.

Councilors then voted on drafting up a contract for the lobbyist position, opposing the motion by a 4-3 vote.

Lovett, Parker and Keith Thomas voted to draft up the contract. Councilors Michael Lucero, Antonio Salguero, Matthew Hunton and Ronald Jackson voted against the motion.

• Heard an update on the U.S. 70 construction project from construction officials.

John Guldemann, project manager with Constructors Inc., said last week's rain has put them behind schedule. Construction workers are waiting for the ground to dry before they pour the concrete.

He added he plans to get avenues K and J open in the next couple of weeks to clear up the congestion around Eastern New Mexico University.

• Approved the ratification of the Finance Department's bills for July in the amount of $1.3 million.
• Approved the ratification of Mayor Sharon King's signature on a New Mexico Department of Transportation agreement, funding the PAT Program.

NMDOT Transit and Rail tendered a Memorandum of Agreement for the 2013 fiscal year to fund the PAT Program, totaling $148,438. The city's match is $48,390.

• Adopted changes to a city ordinance, The Lodgers' Tax Ordinance.
• Authorized the mayor to execute an agreement with the state of New Mexico Department of Environment for Capital Appropriation Project for water system improvements.

Legislators allocated $110,000 to the city for planning, designing and construction of water system improvements to include water lines, valves and fire hydrants.

• Tabled a resolution amending and superseding the city's Utility Administrative Policies.
• Approved waste discharge permits for Hampton Farms and Western Dairy Transport and renewed a waste discharge permit for Southwest Canners, Inc.