Officials to work on revenue review process, land agreement

CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission will take the next step toward its biennial revenue review process, and consider a real estate option agreement at its meeting tonight.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library.

The revenue review committee meets in even-numbered years and looks at what the city charges for various services, from small charges like the $1 splash pad to larger expenses like $150 street closure fees and various-priced park and facility rentals.

Some fees are decided based on the associated labor and material costs, while others are based on what a citizen would reasonably expect to pay.

The committee is appointed by Mayor David Lansford, with advice and consent of the commission, with membership including:

• A city commissioner from each district, with one elected chairman by the commission.

• A resident from each district who has shown interest and willingness to evaluate how the city produces revenue. According to city code, the membership should be “broadly representative of all segments of the community and shall include persons who are known for their professional competence and experience in financial matters.”

• The city manager and city finance director, serving in an ex-officio capacity.

The committee is normally appointed in August, but the process was expedited after Commissioner Fidel Madrid raised concerns the commission lacked consistency when deciding whether to honor fee waiver requests.

So far, there are no citizen applicants for Districts 1 or 2. Vincent Gallegos has applied to serve in District 3, while Justin Hummer and Mike McDaniel have applied in District 4.

The commission will also consider approval of a real estate option agreement. According to the agenda, the agreement would give the city an option to purchase a tract of land for a potential future economic development project.

There is also a 4:45 p.m. executive session scheduled to discuss acquisition or disposal of property.

The agenda doesn’t give specifics on the economic development project or the executive session. Attempts to contact City Manager Justin Howalt and Lansford on the matter were unsuccessful.

• A request by the Clovis Police Department to host National Night Out on Aug. 7 at Greene Acres Park. The request includes the closure of 21st Street between Main and Mitchell between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

• Acceptance of an $8,000 grant from the state department of tourism. The city uses the money on its spring and fall trash pickups and its yard of the month program.

• An agreement to spend $4,550.84 on lighting for High Plains Motor Speedway. The amount will be added to HPMS’ total costs outlined in its agreement with the city, and will be paid back through $200 payments for each race held at the site.

• Changes to the Commission on Older Adults. The committee would be renamed the Senior Services Committee and have nine voting members — one city commissioner who serves as chair, a citizen representative from each district, a Curry County resident who lives outside of Clovis, and either the president or a designee each from La Casa Buena Salud, Baxter Curren Senior Center and Friendship Center. Committee members shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the commission.

• A contract with Cut It Right for $119,877 to trim trees at Hillcrest Park. Three bids were received between $119,877 and $248,000.

• A request to close the 1300 block of Broadway from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday for a block party and provide a noise variance. The requester has agreed to pay the $150 street closure fee and there are no other houses on the block or the lot across the street.