Meetings watch — Aug. 21

Portales City Council

The Portales City Council met in regular session Tuesday night at the Memorial Building. The following are topics which were discussed:

• Councilors accepted ratification of bills for July 2015, which appeared normal, according to Finance Director Marilyn Rapp.

• Councilors accepted the adoption of the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal year 2017-2021.

John DeSha, the public works director, said they were in need of Local Government Road Funds (LGRF) in the amount of $48,513 with a 25 percent match from the city council for the project.

He said they will work on Second Street from Globe to Chicago and North Elgin from Third to Canadian.

• Councilors granted permission for the Public Works Department to contract with Cooperative Educational Services (CES) and Engineers Inc. for a city of Portales water asset management plan. DeSha said they need $12,760 for the project also with a 25 percent match. He said this program is required to continue getting funding from the state.

• Councilors adopted a plan to request more money for the public transportation busses in Portales.

DeSha said they have determined that the $85,000 originally requested will not cover operational costs and raised it to $105,000. This is close to a $40,000 raise from last year’s request of $63,000.

• The council approved a request for an easement agreement for land owners Eric and Sharon Cathey for an 8.8-foot encroachment of a shed. Interim Planning Director Donna Rutherford said the last owners were granted the easement in 2006.

• Councilors approved agreements and amendments to the Dairy Farmer’s of America’s Assignment of Rights Respecting Lease Agreements pertaining to Industrial Revenue Bonds originally approved in 1993.

• Councilors tabled a resolution of support and commitment to the Portales MainStreet Program as well as tabled the biennial memorandum of understanding between the New Mexico MainStreet Program, the city of Portales and the Portales MainStreet program, as requested by City Manager Sammy Standefer, due to not having all of the information and paperwork put together.

• Councilors approved changing the September meetings to Sept. 8 and Sept. 22.

• During citizens to be heard, Councilor Dianne Parker asked Standefer if he has heard anything further from the state regarding the lights in downtown Portales.

Standefer said the city still has no information but can file a formal complaint with the NMDOT.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Anna George