Meetings watch: Portales City Council

The following were actions taken at the Portales City Council meeting Tuesday in the Memorial Building:

• Portales Police Department Executive Assistant Myriam Pallares was recognized as employee of the fourth quarter of the 2016-2017 year by Mayor Sharon King.

Portales Police Chief Pat Gallegos commended Pallares for her strong work ethic.

“She’s done a very good job for me, and I probably would be lost without her. I’m very appreciative,” he said.

• Counselor Diane Parker presented the Clean Campus Traveling Trophy to James Elementary Principal Deanne McKinney and custodian Beatrice Martinez.

According to Parker, community members judge each campus in Portales and award the school that has the best appearance.

• Councilors approved the ratification of the finance department’s actions on bills for December 2016.

According to Finance Director Marilyn Rapp, the city spent over $1,700,000.

“It’s a little bit higher, but we did pay worker’s comp and our insurances, and that’s why it’s a little bit higher than normal,” she said.

• Councilors approved a beer and wine license for Mark Vigil of Mark’s Restaurant after entering a public hearing.

• Councilors approved an ordinance amending and modifying existing Portales city code pertaining to the purchases of real property by the city.

According to City Manager Sammy Standefer, the ordinance would reduce the amount of appraisals required for purchasing property to one.

• Councilors approved two requests for approval of summary subdivisions in Roosevelt County.

The first request was by owner and developer Hector Arana to subdivide his subdivision, according to Planning Director Donna Rutherford.

“It’s 10 acres of property, and he’s subdividing it into four lots. He’s going to be giving these lots to his two children,” she said. “They’re putting a 50-foot private easement access into the property. The county will not maintain that road. Each individual owner will maintain their section.”

The second request, by owner and developer Billy Price, was also being subdivided into four separate lots.

“Water’s already there, electric’s already there. They will have septic tanks put in by each individual owner,” said Rutherford.

• No action was taken by councilors after they convened in closed session to discuss matters related to the purchase, acquisition, or disposal of real property or water rights.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Eamon Scarbrough