Portales council takes step toward inspections

PORTALES — The city of Portales may have a way to perform building inspections as early as April 1, City Manager Sammy Standefer said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

After forming a committee to investigate the viability of partnering with a neighboring city to use its building inspectors, Standefer presented a memorandum of understanding with the city of Clovis.

Council members approved it unanimously on Tuesday night.

The committee was formed to find a potential solution to restrictions put in place by House Bill 219, which requires cities to hire four separate inspectors, each one certified in electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and general inspections.

Committee member Jessica Smith said the committee saw the MOU “as a way to at least temporarily expedite the inspection process.”

“Of course, permitting through Clovis would be a little more expensive, so that is gonna come at a cost, but I think we have the support of a lot of the general contractors,” she said, adding that the committee may explore other options for conducting inspections in the future.

The MOU will be considered for approval at the Clovis city commission meeting on March 1, and is currently awaiting approval by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Construction Industries Division, according to Standefer.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

• In his annual water conservation and use report for the city of Portales, water consultant Charles Wilson advised the council to reduce water demand by 4 percent (or 40 million gallons) per year.

The new goal was based on the closing of “major water user” Southwest Canners in 2017, as well as the potential expansion of the city’s wellfield, and was suggested by Wilson until the city learns how much water will be made available through these occurrences.

• Councilors approved an application for funds to use at the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s annual surplus equipment sale.

The application is for up to $25,000, pending approval by the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration, according to Public Works Project Administrator Susan Baysinger.

• Councilors approved an application for $87,595 in DWI grant funding for the Portales DWI Grant Program.

• An application requesting state funding for assistance in the fuel farm at the Portales Municipal Airport was approved.

The grant is for $326,478 in New Mexico Department of Transportation funding, with a $36,275 match by the city, according to General Services Director Mike Parkey.