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Public comment now on the clock in Portales

PORTALES — Area residents wanting to offer input at Portales City Council meetings will be on the clock after the council voted Tuesday to formalize the process.

Council members unanimously agreed to ask those addressing the council to limit their comments to three minutes. They also clarified that no formal action can be taken during the public input sessions. Council members will, however, continue to respond to comments.

The proposal was brought to the council’s Sept. 19 meeting by City Attorney Steve Doerr, who thought a change was necessary to avoid violating the Open Meetings Act. It was tabled for further review at that time.

OMA limits council members to voting only on items listed on the public agenda, which is finalized before meetings.

While Doerr suggested councilors not respond to public input, council members rejected that idea.

“I don’t think that when we respond to somebody that says, ‘I’ve got a problem with dogs,’ and we say something that directs the staff ... I don’t think in any way, shape or form, is that a formal action,” Councilor Michael Miller said.

City Manager Sammy Standefer conceded that the council seldom takes action in its response to public comment.

“I don’t believe you’ve ever tried to offer a solution to a problem here in this setting. You typically refer to staff,” he said, “and I think that’s a definitely acceptable response to that.”

Establishing a three-minute time limit for each speaker concerned Mayor Sharon King, who votes only to break ties.

“I feel like we’re here for the citizens, and if they need five minutes, then we should give them five minutes. I just don’t feel like we’re serving our community quite the best we could if we limit them to three minutes,” she said.

Councilor Oscar Robinson contended that a time limit falls in line with the agenda, which he referred to as a “formal process.”

“This other information would join in with the formal process, and it should be controlled. It gives us an opportunity to limit the public input,” said Robinson.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

• King read a proclamation declaring next week “fire prevention week” in Portales.

• Councilors approved an easement agreement for a block fence on West Ivy Street owned by Portales residents Gary and Sandy Fields.

The fence encroaches into the city right-of-way 10.6 feet on North Avenue B, but Planning Director Donna Rutherford said it does not pose any problems for the city.

• Councilors approved the filing of an application for $2.2 million in funding from the New Mexico Water Trust Board.

Public Works Director John DeSha said the funding would be used to repair the Johnson Hill water tanks north of Portales.

The funding calls for a 10 percent match — $247,977 — and will be budgeted when the 2018-2019 fiscal year budget is made, said DeSha.

• The annual renewal of the Portales Police Department’s traffic safety grant was approved.

The $14,748 grant would fund campaigns promoting DWI prevention and vehicle safety, according to Chief Pat Gallegos.

• Councilors approved an evaluation contract relating to an Office of Substance Abuse and Prevention grant for the city’s DWI program.

Grant director Darla Reed explained that the grant of up to $18,750 would fund the hiring of a state evaluator for the program.