Clovis Fire Department gets rating bump

CLOVIS — The Clovis Fire Department has a larger ISO rating, and it should mean smaller insurance bills for many city and county residents.

Fire Chief Mike Nolen announced during Thursday’s Clovis city commission meeting that, effective Nov. 1, the CFD will be recognized as a Class 2 organization by the Insurance Services Office.

Less than 2 percent of communities surveyed, Nolen said, reach Class 2 designation.

Insurance providers that use ISO ratings when calculating premiums will likely reach lower premium costs for customers, but Nolen said any questions should be directed to individual insurance providers. Those eligible for discounts include those who own residential or commercial property in the city or county residents within five miles of a fire station and 1,000 feet from a hydrant.

An ISO rating is dependent on factors including response time, communication systems, water supply system, staff training and geographical distribution of the fire stations. Nolen said it was a team effort, since the Clovis Police Department handles dispatch and EPCOR handles water infrastructure.

The classification is the second-highest available for New Mexico departments. When asked by Mayor David Lansford if the department could establish a Class 1 rating, Nolen said the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze. The upgrade would require a much larger staff and an annual flushing of every hydrant, which Nolen said is a tough task for a community that’s conserving water.

In other business before the commission:

n A $1.9 million grant/loan agreement with the state Department of Finance Authority was approved for Phase 1C of the effluent reuse pipeline.

The money, 90 percent grant and 10 percent loan, will bring the water reuse project up to Greene Acres Park. Howalt said there are five bids received for the project.

n The commission approved a transmission easement request from Grady Martin Wind, LLC, at Ned Houk Park.

The 68-acre easement would net the city $340,000, with the first 10 percent payable within 30 days of execution and the remainder within six years.

Commissioner Chris Bryant asked if the easement would interfere with any activities at the park. Howalt said the easement would go through land used by Clovis Bowhunters Club, and the club would only be required to have structures less than 14 feet tall.

Lansford asked if the money from the easement could be placed into the parks and recreation capital improvement fund, since a park is being impacted. Howalt thought it was a good suggestion, and the item was agreed to with that stipulation.

n The commission approved a liquor license transfer for Allsups Convenience stores from its location on 720 E. First St. to 301 N. Prince St.

Teddy Hartley, speaking on behalf of the chain, said the First Street location is being closed. The store receiving the license is within 300 feet of a church, but Hartley said the church had no issues and a waiver has already been granted.

n Parks and Recreation Director Mark Dayhoff updated the commission on last weekend’s trash pickup.

Dayhoff and Commissioner Fidel Madrid, who chairs the parks, recreation and beautification committee, both were fearful with the cold, wet Saturday there would be low attendance or even a need to cancel the event. But Dayhoff said when he arrived at the office, both parking lots were already full with volunteers.

“We were very happy, considering the weather, for our attendance,” Dayhoff said.

This year’s event had 185 participants pick up 305 bags, compared to 194 people gathering 226 bags last year. There were 11 teams that gathered 44 metric tons. In addition, the landfill’s free dumping weekend netted 548.3 metric tons and 43 car tires.

n The commission honored Brooks Byrd and Tony Romero, set for induction into the New Mexico Boxing Hall of Fame later this month.

n The city recognized its distinguished quarterly employee (Teresa Mendoza, Clovis Area Transit System) and supervisor (Scott Jones, Clovis-Carver Public Library).

Mendoza, CATS Director Mary Lou Kemp said, has been working for CATS nearly four years, and said, “it was evident from the very onset she was going to be an exemplary employee.”

Kemp noted Mendoza receives nothing but compliments from customers, and won the Department of Transportation state rodeo the first year she entered.

Jones, Head Librarian Margaret Hinchee said, has supervised a staff of three full-time and two part-time employees since early this year and has worked at the library for eight years. She credited his patience, resourcefulness and numerous other attributes.

n The commission met for 50 minutes prior to the meeting in executive session to discuss property disposal or acquisition and limited personnel matters. No action was taken in the public meeting.

n The next meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Nov. 1 at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library.