Clovis to consider pilot program

CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission will consider a pilot program with the state that will allow the Clovis Area Transit System to operate outside of city limits on a limited basis.

A memorandum of agreement will be discussed at the commission’s 5:15 p.m. Thursday meeting at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library. It would provide $186,000 in state dollars for transportation services targeting senior citizens on Medicare without mobility options. The award, which requires no local match, would cover a vehicle, a driver and maintenance expenses through June 30, 2021, to take senior citizens from Curry and Roosevelt counties to medical appointments in other cities.

Senior Services Director Barbara Riggan and CATS Director Mary Lou Kemp discussed the item at the Feb. 27 meeting, noting they would likely try to set up a fixed-route system for the program but would need cooperation from area physicians on appointment scheduling.

Funding for future years would depend on data acquired from the pilot period. The program does not otherwise change the CATS requirement to only provide transportation services within city limits.

Following adjournment, the commission will hold a study session on a potential October application to the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program offered by the Department of Defense to help with interim groundwater banking.

Other items on the Thursday agenda include:

• A 4:45 p.m. executive session preceding the meeting to discuss property acquisition or disposal.

• A report on updates to the city’s personnel policy manual.

• Economic development project updates from Gavilon Grain, Quality Liquid Feeds and Southwest Cheese.

• A courtesy car rental agreement for visiting pilots at the Clovis Municipal Airport.

• A review of the city’s audit of the 2018-19 fiscal year. The city had a finding on late data collection regarding federal awards.