Clovis to consider Dillard's motion

CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission will consider a motion asking Dillard’s department store to rethink its planned closure, and possibly work with the state to incentivize a reversal.

On the agenda for the Thursday commission meeting is a resolution focused on the North Plains Mall anchor store. The resolution has language that could be leveraged to help other retailers impacted by public health orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 5:15 p.m. meeting at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library will only allow virtual public access due to state health orders regarding mass gatherings.

The meeting will be broadcast on Suddenlink Channel 10, cityofclovis.org and the city Facebook page. Questions can be called in to 575-763-9200.

The resolution regarding Dillard’s, which announced its planned closure last month, notes the branch employs 50 area residents and the next nearest location is in Lubbock and not easily accessible to residents of the Clovis area.

The resolution, if approved, would be sent to Dillard’s corporate headquarters to “respectfully seek reconsideration” of the choice to close the Clovis location and seek a meeting to discuss ways it could remain open. Also, the resolution would have staff work with the state’s economic development department to incentivize retail potentially impacted by the pandemic.

Other items on the Thursday agenda include:

• Appointment of representatives for a metropolitan redevelopment area steering committee.

The city has come to terms with Consensus Planning of Albuquerque to create a plan, which would incentivize developers to eliminate blight. The firm recommends a committee of up to 10 people, including representatives who own businesses in the redevelopment areas. The redevelopment areas are located in Districts 1, 2 and 3.

• A participation agreement with the Eastern Plains Council of Governments for the 2020-21 fiscal year at the rate of $9,152. The measure also includes appointment of Commissioners Fidel Madrid and Helen Casaus as the representative and alternate.

• Acceptance of $69,000 in CARES Act funding for the Clovis Municipal Airport.

• An interest-free loan of $552,139 to the Clovis Fire Department to purchase a brush truck and a rescue truck.

• A recommendation to retain RBC Capital Markets for financial advisory services.

• Election of four members for the Clovis-Carver Public Library Board.