Clovis approves airport name change

CLOVIS — City commissioners on Thursday approved a name change from Clovis Municipal Airport to Clovis Regional Airport.

Airport Director James Harris said the airport was already operating as a regional airport, with no other commercial flights offered within 100 miles, and the name would help drive more business to the airport.

Commissioners voted 7-0 with Commissioner Helen Casaus making an offhand remark about possible flights to Dallas. Harris said staff was working on it, with Howalt noting an asterisk is needed because they’re at the mercy of the Federal Aviation Administration that runs the Essential Air Service program.

“We’re looking to see if it’s something we can change; no promises,” Howalt said.

Howalt also noted the airport would hold a ceremony for Denver Air Connections bringing in a 50-seat jet — a first for the airport’s EAS routes.

In other business at the meeting:

• All votes during the meeting were 7-0, with the commission meeting for the second time since the Jan. 20 resignation of District 4 Commission R.L. “Rube” Render.

The commission is tasked to pick his replacement by Feb. 19 from a pool of applicants who reside in District 4. Render said he planned a move to Texas to be closer to family.

Applications were due to the city manager’s office on Feb. 10, but Howalt said applications with a Feb. 12 due date were mistakenly sent out and the city will honor any applications sent in by then.

Citizens who apply will be able to make their case during the commission’s Feb. 18 meeting.

• Commissioners gave final approval to an ordinance removing voting positions for the city manager and the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation on the Economic Incentive Board.

The rationale for the move was to eliminate conflicts of interest for the positions, which make recommendations to the city commission on economic development projects.

Howalt clarified to commissioners that the ordinance wouldn’t take effect for five days, and he was tasked to chair the Friday EIB meeting.

• A proclamation was read for 211 Month in the city. Erinn Burch, executive director of the United Way of Eastern New Mexico, said 96% of Americans can reach some type of help by dialing 211.

Locally, those calls go the United Way office, which answered a record 2,333 calls in 2020 and distributed more than $100,000 from COVID relief grants and donations.

“When times are tough,” Burch said, “finding the places that help can be a challenge.”

• Morris encouraged those watching the meeting to keep track on a trio of bills — House Bill 139, which provides a larger role for legislators during emergency declarations; Senate Bill 74, a largely similar bill to HB 139; and Senate Bill 49, which would allow municipalities of 35,000 or more to use economic development tax dollars for recruit and retain retail business.