Street market idea tabled

CLOVIS — During Thursday’s regular meeting, the Clovis city commission voted to table a request for street closure between Purdue and Commerce on Main Street during the spring and summer months until more information can be obtained.

“We would like to start a Main Street market for the purpose of allowing citizens of Clovis to come and set up vendor spaces,” said Lisa Kia, a Clovis business owner who initiated the idea for the market, which would be in operation during the first Saturday the months of April through September. “In Clovis we have a lot of talented people and there really is no place for these people to showcase what they’ve made. We just wanted to set up a time, through the spring and summer, where people could set up a tent, canopy or space to sell their wares.”

Kia said non-profits would be invited to participate, in addition to the police and fire departments, as well as other city divisions. Additionally, she said the effort would help keep local dollars in the Clovis community.

The closing would be from the crosswalk to crosswalk near Marshall Junior High School, per Kia — who would pay for the street closure and provide liability insurance, naming the city of Clovis as an additional insured party.

During the course of the discussion, various questions and scenarios were raised by commissioners.

“Is this a safety issue for police and fire by having this stretch of Main Street closed?” Commissioner Tom Martin asked. “There are alternate routes, but in the case of police and fire, is that adequate for them? For fire and police that could be a big deal. And what will the traffic count be?”

Other queries from commissioners referenced parking, permission to use lots surrounding the proposed venue and vendor permits. Mayor Pro Tem Juan Garza motioned the requested action be tabled until questions could be addressed. The vote to table was 6-0, with Commissioners Ladona Clayton and Fidel Madrid absent.

In other meeting actions:

• The commission granted approval to the city’s audit report for the year ending June 30, 2016.

• Commissioners voted to waive dumping fees at the Clovis Regional Landfill for Clovis/Curry County residents from noon, May 5, 2017, to noon, May 8, 2017, for the Great American Cleanup.

• The commission approved a budget transfer to install a concrete basketball court at Pat Sandoval Park.

• Approval was granted to rename the Clovis-Carver Library Southwest Room the Don McAlavy Southwest Room and have the Genealogy Room renamed the Harold Kilmer Genealogy Room.