Meetings Watch - Portales City Council

The following took place at the Portales City Council meeting Tuesday night:

• Councilors heard an update on the U.S. 70 construction project.
• Councilors approved the ratification of the Finance Department?s actions regarding bills for the month of December 2012 in the amount of $1.4 million.
• Councilors approved a contract for utility services connection for Roosevelt County resident Russell Cameron.

Cameron requested outside water and sewer service for his new residence near city limits. Councilors approved a contract for Cameron provided he construct an approved entrance to the property at his cost.

• Councilors heard a presentation regarding an issue with residential addresses from the Portales Police Department's Lt. Kane Wyatt.

Wyatt said the police department is requesting an ordinance that would require residents display their address numbers in a clearly visible and uniform manner.

Wyatt says it is a public safety issue that numerous residences in Portales do not have a street address number clearly displayed, which inhibits emergency first responders as well as utility companies and public works services from being able to locate certain addresses in a timely manner.

Wyatt provided a sample of such an ordinance from Carlsbad.

City Councilor Dianne Parker said it is an issue she's experienced as she has worked with the Meals on Wheels program. Parker said she'd support such an ordinance.

Wyatt said he's open to any suggestions the council put forward but prefers that the address numbers are at eye level for better visibility.

City Councilor Michael Lucero said it would be ideal to make a public service announcement about the issue but feels residents should not be fined if they do not comply with the proposed ordinance.

Wyatt added that he?d prefer if people would voluntarily comply because it's for their safety.

Mayor pro-tem and city councilor Ronald Jackson said a committee will be formed to further look into the issue. He added that if people are physically or financially incapable of putting of fixing the problem, it is possible a civic group could take care of it for them.

• Councilors approved a bid for a used manlift for the Street Department in the amount of $21,500.
• Councilors approved to negotiate and award a contract for professional engineering services for street, drainage channelization and infrastructure improvements.
• Councilors approved the renewal of contract for professional services for DWI Teen Court Coordinator Mary Poynor.
• Councilors approved a notice of intent to adopt Ordinance 700, an ordinance providing for the annexation of Portales Select Peanut Company Inc. and zone change to the City of Portales. The public hearing will be held on Feb. 5.
• Councilors approved a preliminary plat of Herrera Subdivision by a 5-2 vote.

Roberto Herrera has filed an application for a preliminary plat of a subdivision known as Herrera Subdivision. The proposed subdivision is 41/74 acres and consists of 34 tracts or parcels of land. This subdivision is located 1.25 miles west of Industrial Drive along South Roosevelt Road 6.

This subdivision is a county subdivision, but is within the City of Portales planning and platting jurisdiction.

Councilors Keith Thomas and Dianne Parker voted against the Herrera Subdivision.

— Compiled by PNT Senior Writer Christina Calloway