Street project takes step forward

A long-awaited street improvement project took a major step toward becoming reality on Tuesday with a unanimous vote from the Portales City Council.

The council on Tuesday authorized acceptance of a contract with Constructor’s Inc., of Carlsbad, to resurface Kilgore Avenue from State Route 88 to 18th Street.

The contracted amount for the project is a little more than $1 million, which will be covered by New Mexico Cooperative Educational Services (CES) and state Department of Transportation (DOT) funds, according to documents presented to commissioners, but the contract must now receive clearance from CES and DOT authorities.

Councilors expressed concern about routing of traffic for residents of the construction area, and Public Works Director John DeSha said the contractor will work with the city to develop a plan that will minimize inconvenience.

In addition, DeSha said, public works will keep residents informed of potential problems in advance.

The project’s urgency prompted Mayor Pro Tem Michael Miller to declare, “Doing nothing is not an option” before he moved for acceptance of the contract, which received unanimous approval.

The council approved a contract for another CES and DOT project, resurfacing of 18th Street to Avenue I, with Desert West Enterprises, LLC., of Roswell. This contract is also subject to approval from CES and DOT officials, DeSha said. The project cost is $54,773.71. DeSha said the plan is to use “microsurfacing,” which improves traction, on the roadway.

The council also authorized the public works department to apply for DOT funding toward four other street projects, including:

• $300,000 for improvements to Avenue A from First Street to Second Street to prevent flooding, DeSha said.

• $55,000 for resurfacing Avenue A from Second to Third Street.

• $55,000 for improvements to the intersection at Avenue O and 18th Street.

• $120,00 for improvements on Main Street from First Street to Third Street.

DeSha said the funding applications will include asking for waivers of the city’s 5% share of the costs for each project.

In other action Tuesday, the council:

• Passed a resolution declaring property at 921 S. Ave. A to be “dangerous and a menace” to public comfort, health and safety, and requiring the owner to clean up the property within 30 days before the city cleans up the property and puts a lien on the property to cover the cost. Photos of the property shown on a projector screen showed material stacked up to the fence line and as high as the fence.

• Authorized the Portales Fire Department to apply for $218,920 in annual funding from the state fire marshal’s Municipal Fire Protection Fu9nd for fiscal year 2023, which begins on July 1. Fire Chief T.J. Cathey said the funds would be used to pay a loans on Fire Station 2 and for a ladder truck, as well as other apparatus and equipment, maintenance, training and other operations.

• Approved changes in the city’s policies related to travel expenses and procurement and purchasing policies to comply with changes in New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration requirements, according to City Manager Sarah Austin.

• Re-elected Ward C Counselor Michael Miller to another term as mayor pro tem.

• Recognized the Portales High School Choir under the direction of Maggie Mendoza for winning the Class 4-A State Choir Championship on April 9.

• Heard a proclamation honoring emergency communications dispatchers as a “thin gold line,” which represents “those who are rarely seen, the calm voice in the dark night. Dispatchers, the golden glue that holds it all together.”

• Ratified $2.5 million in spending for the month of March. Marilyn Rapp, the city’s finance director, said payment of $1.3 million for debt service, made the monthly spending higher than usual.

• Recognized Kelly McClellan, planning administrator, for qualifying to become a New Mexico Certified Floodplain Manager.

• Recognized Susan Baysinger, the Public Works Department’s planning administrator, as employee of the month.