CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission tonight will consider a resolution supporting a playa lakes joint venture and a request for $3,500 to help a local job fair.
The 5:15 p.m. meeting at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library will include a request commissioners approve a resolution to work with the Playa Lakes Joint Venture on education programs about the significance of the lakes in recharging the Ogallala Aquifer.
The city, according to the resolution, will seek partnerships with Curry County, the National Resource Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, landowners and others on playa restoration.
Regarding the job fair, the request is for the same amount as last year to defray expenses. But organizer Ray Mondragon said he wants to discuss the award amount, and if it's in everybody's best interests to continue the fair — tentatively scheduled for April 12 at the Clovis Civic Center.
The job fair was created five years ago through the Local Growth Management Committee to primarily serve military spouses and dependents, veterans, retirees, students, the underemployed and people wishing to build on existing skills.
Last year's fair was aided by sponsorships of $3,500 by the city, $1,400 by Curry County and $250 by the Cannon Spouses Club. Not counting vendors, the fair drew just 167 people and had expenses of $4,839.64. In a report supplied to the commission, organizers pin the low turnout on a glut of other local job fairs.
Once booth rentals and sponsorships were factored in, the job fair ended $1,500 in the black. Mondragon said he wasn't opposed to the city lowering its sponsorship level on that basis.
Other business on today's agenda includes:
• A 4:45 p.m. executive session to discuss the acquisition or disposal of property.
• A memorandum of understanding to take over construction inspection services for the city of Portales. Clovis would be paid for any permit and administrative fees related to inspection work. The State Construction Industries Division is currently handling inspections for Portales.
• Final approvals of separate 10-year franchise agreements for Plateau Telecommunications and ENMR Telephone Cooperative.
• A waiver of Clovis Municipal Zoo admission from 9 a.m. to noon on the Saturday following the annual city Easter egg hunt.
• A request by Rooney Moon Broadcasting to hold a family fun day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at Hillcrest Park, along with a waiver of fees for the park, splash pad and zoo. The company is requesting the fee waivers in return for its work supporting the city on cleanup activities, the Easter egg hunt and employee recognition programs.
• A partnership with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott LLP to collect delinquent municipal court fees with warrants. The law firm would receive 20 percent of all monies paid to the court on any account it helps clear.
• Declaration of a property at 1548 Thornton St. as an unsafe structure and designation for its abatement.
• Economic development summaries from Gavilon Grain and Cherney Microbiological Services.