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Clovis city commissioners vote to clean up abandoned housing

Four properties in Clovis city limits have been targeted for clean up and demolition of structures after unanimous votes by Clovis city commissioners at their regular meeting Thursday.

City building safety director Daron Roach made a presentation to commissioners about the properties at 2025 Hammett, 118 Lydia, 820 Axtell and 1005 East Brady.

The Axtell and Lydia homes had major damage from fires.

With the commission vote the property owners of the cited real estate have 15 days to contact the city with a plan for taking care of the situation or the city will demolish structures and clean up the property at a cost of $12,000 to $20,000 according to Roach. A lien for the amount will be placed against the property.

In other city commission business Capt. Roman Romero of the Clovis police department received permission for the city to apply for a $250,000 grant to cover three years worth of salaries for two new police officers to add to the city force.

If the grant application is successful the city will be expected to put up 25% of the cost of the grant. The measure passed unanimously.

Tom Stillman from TIP Strategies, of Austin, Texas, an economic development firm the city hired last December spoke of his company's work in studying economic development options for Clovis.

Stillman mentioned finding qualified talent for industries to locate to town is a challenge, "but you are not alone," Stillman told the commission.

He also mentioned that supply chain issues are a challenge in economic development now.

City manager Justin Howalt introduced Steve Rickman to the commission as Clovis' new IT director. Rickman is a former employee of Plateau Telecommunications where he worked for 22 years.

With it being Pioneer Days in Clovis, rodeo queens came before the commissioners and received a "key to the city" from Mayor Mike Morris. Recipients were Miss Rodeo New Mexico Jamee Middaugh and New Mexico State Fair Rodeo Queen Deanne Guthrie.

 
 
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