First responders, others recognized at meeting

CLOVIS — First responders, Cub Scouts and Mr. and Mrs. Claus were part of the full house in attendance Thursday evening at the start of the Clovis city commission meeting at the public library.

Most attendees turned up for the awards and proclamations at the start of the meeting. Officers of the Clovis Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department were recognized by Clovis Police Chief Doug Ford for their performance in the Aug. 28 shooting at the library.

Many others were part of groups receiving awards from last weekend’s Christmas Light Parade, which Clovis MainStreet Executive Director Lisa Pellegrino-Spear said was one of the largest such events in the program’s history.

The most significant agenda item following the announcements was a presentation from Commissioner Ladona Clayton on the Water Task Force’s revised and updated Clovis Master Water Assurance Plan. The project heard input from public forums and was adjusted somewhat in the months since its first presentation to the commission in August, but its objective was unchanged: extending the life of the Ogallala Aquifer and reducing water use in Clovis, an intermediate plan pending the completion of the Ute Pipeline Project forecast for anywhere from 20 to 50 years.

Clayton identified four key components for the conservation initiative, including completion of an effluent reuse system to reduce groundwater use by 37 percent, water banking, playa lake restoration and procurement of conservation land and water trusts.

Mayor David Lansford said he believed the plan was a “tremendous start” and noted it could still be adjusted. He emphasized the importance of identifying the right incentives, through payment or tax credits, to persuade well owners to adjust water practices or lease water rights.

The plan is scheduled for continued discussion at the next commission meeting Dec. 21.

Also at the meeting Thursday:

• City Manager Justin Howalt said there was no action to report following a 30-minute executive session concerning “the acquisition or disposal of real property” that occurred before the regular meeting.

• Maggie Chapman said the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority is still in the process of selecting its new executive director, a position she holds in interim capacity until then.