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Clovis approves new collective bargaining agreement with police

CLOVIS — The Clovis city commission on Thursday approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Clovis Police Department, in most ways similar to the existing framework.

With no discussion and by a 7-0 vote — Helen Casaus was absent — the commission gave the go-ahead to the contract.

The deal between the city and the Clovis Police Officers Association — the collective bargaining group for the CPD employees — runs through Aug. 15, 2021.

City Manager Justin Howalt said the agreement was largely the same as before, with three notable changes:

• The CPD employees receive a 2.5 percent salary increase.

• The monthly stipend for personal cell phones used for city business increased from $35 to $50.

• Any employee who is considered to be on-call during a day off receives one hour of wages.

All three, Howalt said, have been extended to other city employees over the last few months.

In other business Thursday night:

• Commissioners heard a brief report from wastewater treatment plant manager Durwood Billington.

He reported the plant has treated 903 million gallons of wastewater so far this year, and reported good quality in the effluent water used at schools and city parks connected to the still-growing pipeline.

The pipeline, for instance, has supplied more than 45.5 million gallons of effluent water to Hillcrest Park so far this year.

Billington said a pilot project to accept wastewater from the Southwest Cheese plant was halted after about 4 1/2 months due to excessive sludge overwhelming equipment. The pilot program was originally scheduled for six months.

Mayor David Lansford asked Howalt if the project was worth continuing from an engineering standpoint.

“We’re going to look at it internally,” Howalt said. “Mainly, the sludge buildup was our obstacle. Overall, I believe it does provide us a benefit if we’re able to use that water.”

• The commission approved an $18,710 purchase for two radar speed signs and bases.

One of the signs will be placed on Echols Avenue between 21st and Purdue streets. Howalt said the area frequently is discussed during public works meetings regarding speeding.

Bases can be mounted, Howalt said, so they don’t interfere with traffic or parking, and they are solar-powered so they don’t need an external power supply.

Lansford thought it would be a good idea to consider future base purchases.

“You could put a base at every (high-traffic) area if you wanted to,” Lansford said. “You could have, say, 21 bases, and just move four or five speed meters around.”

• The commission approved an agreement with Wright Water Engineers, Inc., not to exceed $30,000, to assist in appraising two properties for the purposes of groundwater banking. The landowners have expressed interest in partnering with the city in a pilot project to pursue conservation easements.

Lansford said he has reached out to Charlie Wilson, who has worked with the city of Portales on reviewing water infrastructure. He said Wilson has agreed to do a peer review of whatever Wright Water Engineers produces.

“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Lansford said, “and at the right pace.”

• The commission held an executive session prior to the meeting to discuss property acquisition or disposal and limited personnel matters. No action was taken during the meeting.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at the North Annex of the Clovis-Carver Public Library.

 
 
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