Portales terminates current joint powers agreement

PORTALES - The city of Portales and Roosevelt County will soon be tasked with developing a new agreement to share services. The Portales City Council formally terminated an existing joint powers agreement between the two entities during Tuesday's meeting.

Since 2000, Portales and Roosevelt County have had an agreement covering the law enforcement complex housing the Portales Police Department and Roosevelt County Sheriff's Office.

According to the agreement, the city covers the cost of water, sewer, telephone and other services while the county provides the office space, janitorial services and other utilities.

Mayor Ron Jackson said with the Portales Police Department planning to move out of the complex - scheduled for Feb. 14 or 15, according to City Manager Sammy Standefer - now is a good time to re-examine the agreement.

The JPA required 90 days written notice to terminate the agreement, which the council unanimously approved.

Councilor Veronica Cordova said it is important for the city and county to come to a new agreement before the existing JPA expires.

"That's the intent of giving them notice now, not as a threat or anything, just simply saying 'we have 90 days, let's work and try to resolve all these issues and do it all at one time so we're all set," County Attorney Steve Doerr said.

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Miller and councilors Chadrick Heflin and Jim Lucero were absent.

Also at Tuesday's meeting (all votes 5-0):

n The council approved a resolution identifying arts and cultural districts, cultural facilities and retail businesses as qualifying entities for gross receipts tax funding.

Bill Hendrickson, economic development director for the Roosevelt County Community Development Center, reiterated the organization's support for the resolution in the lone comment during a public hearing held before the council's vote.

"This is going to be a key tool to support retail, both our existing retail and potentially the enticing of other retail stores into our community," Hendrickson said. "I think it's a very important opportunity to provide this new tool to our city."

The proposal will now go before the voters during a special election scheduled for April 4 to be conducted via mail ballot. Voters must register with the Roosevelt County clerk by March 7 to be eligible, according to a separate resolution approved by the council on Tuesday.

• The council approved an updated citywide Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan.

Planning Director Donna Rutherford said the changes to the city's 2011 plan included updates to the city official names, public hearing and adoption dates and an updated intersection count.

Rutherford said the plan includes the prioritization of some areas of town for future ADA updates. High prioritized areas include any projects funded over the next five to 10 years, intersections near public facilities such as schools and Eastern New Mexico University and three streets located in the city's business district: West Third Street, South Avenue C and South Avenue D.

• The council approved a resolution selecting the first Tuesday in March of even numbered years to hold elections for municipal officers.

n Equipment operator Randy Lee was recognized for his retirement following 25 years with the street department.

• Winners of the city's cleanest yard contest were recognized by Deputy City Clerk Veda Urioste including Robert and Maryann Garcia for ward A, Kasey and Nadine Vaughan for ward B, Thurman and Alta Elder for ward C and Alan and Rena Garrett for ward D.

• An update on the Roosevelt Soil & Water Conservation District was tabled until the board's next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 5.