County commission goes ahead with lawsuit talks

STAFF WRITER

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Roosevelt County Commissioners are moving forward with negotiations in a lawsuit filed by former jail inmate Erik Pena.

Commissioners approved a request Tuesday allowing County Manager Amber Hamilton to enter into negotiations with Pena.

Pena, represented by Portales attorney Eric Dixon, filed a civil complaint arguing that Pena’s rights had been infringed by a detention center policy restricting attorney contact with inmates to 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday only with 24 hours advanced notice.

Dixon said in an April 14 report the policy was retaliation for a tort claim file on behalf of Pena and two other inmates concerning a September 2013 incident. The three inmates said they were indiscriminately sprayed with a pepperball gun, according to the April report.

Dixon said Tuesday that he could not discuss settlement terms Pena is seeking.

Hamilton said she will be contacting Eaton Law Firm, which represents Roosevelt County, to notify them that she has been authorized to begin negotiations with Pena.

Also, commissioners:

• Heard a report from detention center contractor Sandra Stewart. Stewart said the center has hired three new detention officers and is about to hire a fourth. Stewart said the hiring of the new officers was necessary after three of the centers officers were promoted to sergeant. Stewart said the detention center also hired Lt. Mark Gallegos, who starts work Monday.

• Heard a report from rural addressing technician and Floodplain Manager Johnny Montiel. Montiel said he has been correcting addresses on N.M. 114 and sent updates to the state for the month of May. Montiel said he is also actively looking for new floodplains following recent rains.

• Heard a report from Road Department Superintendent Ricky Lovato. Lovato said his department has lost three workers. Lovato said recent rains caused potholes, road erosion, and weeds to grow around the county. He said his department is working as fast as it can to fix road problems. Lovato said his road blading crews have been slowed from 8-10 miles-per-day to 4-6 miles-per-day due to the road conditions.

• Approved a special commission meeting for July 28

• Approved filling five full-time detention officer positions. Hamilton said once the positions are filled, the detention center will be at full capacity.

• Approved a contract renewal with Moises Espinoza. Espinoza will spend 80 hours providing on-the-job training for the Roosevelt County Detention Center June 1-12. The contract is for $1,600.