Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

City leash laws left alone

Commissioner expresses 'bigger government' concern

CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission on Thursday decided not to adopt a new ordinance that would have created stricter leash laws.

Commissioner Ladona Clayton said she wanted to see more evidence that there was a serious problem in the community regarding animals running at large, "meaning that they're creating a threat or some type of harm to our community residents."

Clayton also objected to creating additional restrictions for residents.

"Does this make us a bigger government and less liberty and the answer seems to be for me yes, so I do have that concern," Clayton said.

Commissioner Chris Bryant suggested adding signs in public areas notifying residents of the current city code regarding leashes, which says, "a dog or cat shall not be considered to be running at large if it is on a leash or under the control of a person physically able to control it."

City Manager Justin Howalt said the issue of signage will go to the city's parks and recreation committee.

Mayor Pro Tem Juan Garza cast the lone dissenting vote. After the meeting Garza said he did so due to liability concerns for the city if someone were to be injured by an aggressive animal.

Also at Thursday's meeting:

• Commissioners approved a waiver of the minimum distance requirements between a church and a proposed liquor license location. Allsup’s requested the waiver so it could pursue transferring the liquor license from its location at the corner of Mabry and Prince to its location at 301 N. Prince.

A letter from Donald Hay to Howalt saying the Clovis Church of God did not object to the transfer was included in the agenda packet. Howalt said the city had not verified Hay's association with the church but would do so before the liquor license comes back to the commission.

Commissioner Sandra Taylor-Sawyer cast the lone dissenting vote. After the meeting she said that she was concerned there were additional churches or daycares located near the Allsup's and the fact that the letter from the Church of God's representative did not include his title with the church.

• Commissioners approved the final budget for fiscal year 2019. Finance Director LeighAnn Melancon said the city has budgeted slightly over $2 million in expenditures and has an ending cash balance in the general fund of around $5 million.

Melancon said the budget did not include any change in salaries for city employees.

• Commissioners approved the city's master drainage plan. Howalt said the city's previous master drainage plan was completed in 1986 and revised in 1989.