By Hallie Richwine

The Town of Hurley Regular Meeting took place Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at 5 p.m. Councilors Esther Gil, Ed Stevens, and Richard Maynes attended as well as Mayor Pro Tem Freddie Rodriguez. Mayor Fernando Martinez was absent.

Public Input was first on the agenda and SaVanne Kilgore said she was sad to see the train depot was not on the agenda for the evening but she wanted to have her opinion on record. Kilgore believes there is a lot of support in the community to help with the depot and implored the councilors to table any action rather than turning down the opportunity to save the building. Town Clerk Lori Ortiz did respond that the depot should be on next month’s agenda when the mayor returns.

Previously the railroad offered to turn over the depot to the town and Hurley Pride volunteers pledged to donate time or resources. Kilgore wanted the town to know they are prepared to help again.

The Hurley Pride Committee reported preparation for the holidays including getting ornaments out and ready to hang. Tree signs will be out by Thanksgiving and Santa himself will be at the Patio on December 16.

Occam Engineers Inc. updated the council on the Nevada Street and Cortez Avenue projects, both will be inspected while they are still under warranty, in March and February of 2108 respectively. The second phase of Cortez Avenue should begin in February of 2018 also.

The water project continues to be reviewed to ensure compliance. The drinking water bureau has approved everything so as soon as the Rural Utilities Service is on board they will be ready to go to bid.

Council approved the adoption of Ordinance 7-T 2017, changes to the Uniform Traffic Ordinance, which accepted wording changes by the state.

Council also approved the intent to adopt Ordinance 78 which grants a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise to Western New Mexico Communications, Inc.

Quotes were received for the painting of the community center, and New Mexico Professional Painters was awarded the bid for the job. Council awarded the window tinting bid to Excalibur. The window tinting is a security measure for the restrooms and the file room.

Council approved Police Chief Michael Zamora to attend the Annual Law Enforcement Conference in Albuquerque but did not approve Police Officer Brisa Ruiz to attend the Emotional Survival for the Female Officer conference. The latter died on the table after discussion of Ruiz’s tenure. It was previously decided by the mayor and council that all employees be past their probationary period before attending conferences or supplemental training.
The last action items before going into closed session included the approvals of the Intent to Adopt Ordinances for the sewer and garbage collection rates.

Council returned to regular open session and approved the hiring of Police Officer Nicholas Rosales. They also approved paid administrative leave for Ruben Ramirez.

In closing Gil reported the nomination for the regional water project in Grant County received the second highest award at the national conference. The Chairman’s Award was presented to Gil and Priscilla Lopez on behalf of the work Hurley completed.

Stevens mentioned there is an article in the new Zia Magazine about the Hurley Museum.

Maynes thanked Gil for representing Hurley in Washington, D.C.

The next regular meeting for the Town of Hurley happens Tuesday, December 12, 2017.