Portales public works to seek grants to reconstruct street

Portales' Public Works Department received authorization Tuesday to seek grants from the New Mexico Department of Transportation to reconstruct a section of South Chicago Avenue and resurface a portion of West 18th Street to improve access to Roosevelt General Hospital.

The Portales City Council voted unanimously to authorize the Public Works Department to seek both grants.

The South Chicago Avenue project would include reconstruction of South Chicago Avenue between Second and Third Streets in Portales, along with drainage improvements, sidewalks and other enhancements, according to John DeSha, the city's public works director.

"It's impossible to repair," DeSha said of tbat stretch of Chicago Avenue, so it must be rebuilt..

The city would apply for $426,000 from the state's Transportation Project Fund and would seek a waiver of the city's $23,300 local share, bringing total project funding to more than $466,000.

For the West 18th Street project, there is a need for resurfacing and adding concrete pads to handle the pressure from trucks braking at intersections, DeSha said.

The city will apply for $290,000 in state Transportation Project Funds, as well as for a waiver of its $14,500 share of the project costs to raise the estimated total cost to $304,500.

The council on Tuesday also approved an intent to adopt an ordinance that would amend the city's recreational cannabis ordinance to allow drive-up retail sales to occur.

City Attorney Steve Doerr said the original ordinance intended to allow such sales, but did not due to oversight.

The amended ordinance must now be published and subjected to public hearing before final passage, which may occur as soon as the council's May 4 meeting.

In other matters

• The council learned that the annual audit of the city's financial records for fiscal year 2021, which ended June 30 resulted in an "unmodified" rating, the best available from the state auditor's office, and no "findings," which are faults in financial procedures, according to Dahlia Garcia, an auditor representing Beasley, Mitchell and Co., which conducted the audit.

• The council authorized De Sha and the Public Works Department to seek candidates and negotiate contracts with companies for property maintenance and nuisance abatement on an on-call basis, and for maintenance and repairs for city vehicles, including cars, light trucks and heavy equipment. De Sha said nuisance abatement services would be called in when property needs to be cleared because an owner disregards orders to clean it up, but would not include building demolition or vehicle removals.

• A storage unit at Rotary Park, next to portions of Rotary, Morrison and Lindsey Park and Softball Complex ball fields, was added by a unanimous council vote to facilities included in the city's rental of baseball fields for the Roosevelt County Little League.

• Mayor Pro Tem Michael Miller was named to represent the City Council in negotiations with Roosevelt County on matters involving shared services and mutual assistance agreements.

• The council approved intents to adopt ordinances that would allow two properties belonging to K&S Rentals to be annexed to the city. The properties are located at 1520 S. Industrial Dr. and 1600 S. Industriial Dr. Ward C Councilor Chad Heflin abstained due to potential conflict of interest.

• The council approved a special use permit for a daycare establishment owned by Brenda Olson, to be located at 613 S. Avenue B.

• The council approved replatting of properties located at 113 and 115 S. Main St., and an unaddressed property.

• The council accepted budget adjustments for the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 that included $136,430 in revenue changes and $604,088 in expenditure changes for a net decrease of $468,658 in changes for all funds, but leaving a balance of just over $1 million in all funds.

• Declared April as Autism Awareness Month in the city.

• Presented an award to Ward D Councilor Dianne Parker to recognize her 30 years of service to the city. Her service includes 18 years on the city council as well as volunteer service and involvement in community service organizations including the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce board, Altrusa, the Portales Woman's Club, First United Methodist Church board of trustees, Juvenile Corrections Committee, Public Safety Committee and Beautification Committee.

• Joined Fire Chief T.J. Cathey in recognizing 10 years of service for Fire Battalion Chief Jarded Shearer, five years of service for Battalion Chief Randy Soto, and a Challenge Pin award to Fire Lt. Joel Gershon.