By Hallie Richwine

The Town of Hurley Regular Meeting took place Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 5 p.m. Councilors Esther Gil, Richard Maynes, and Mayor Pro Tem Freddie Rodriguez attended as well as Mayor Ed Stevens. There is a vacant seat on the council.

Public Input was first on the agenda and Jack Dunaway, 12-year Hurley resident, asked what was done about ordinances, if they were enforced or if they have any. Without any specific details there was no council discussion.

Hurley Pride was next on the agenda and reported that every year they reassess the funds they put back into the municipality. They aim for transparency in their donations and have been doing this review since 2006. Hurley Pride has not donated as much as they want to in the past couple of years, and they would like that to change. Overall the group has donated approximately $178,000 since 2006.

Sponsors are still needed for the Hurley Pride Car Show and vendor spaces are available. There are five entrants so far. Volunteers are also needed to help with traffic control.

Next Gary Berg of Occam Engineers Inc. reported to council. The town is closer to getting all funding sources together and at this time they are waiting to hear back from various entities, including PNM, which needs to grant an easement. All projects are ready to go, as soon as plans are accepted and easements sought have been granted.

Berg also spoke to the board about Amendment 4 regarding the Hurley Water Systems Improvements. This amendment moves money that was earmarked for bidding purposes and re-designates it for paperwork. Maynes asked if this was in regard to the project that is currently out to bid. Berg clarified it was for the additive alternate. Council approved the amendment and Maynes abstained from voting.

Next Sandy Millard of 211 Carrasco approached the board. Her business, Outlaw Attic, sought a business license in order to sell their custom leather goods out of their home. Millard and her family members currently sell at craft shows and will have an online presence as well. Gil asked how patrons will enter the home and Millard said people will come in through the front door. Stevens said he was concerned with equipment. “It’s mostly sewing machines and saws, and most tools are in the backyard or the outbuildings,” Millard said. Stevens asked if the neighbors were aware of the endeavor and Gil added that the concern would be with noise. Millard said the saw is never run in the middle of the night or early morning. Gil approved the business license and council passed the decision unanimously.

Fire Chief Robert Terrazas also came before council requesting approval for a purchase order for gear. Terrazas said the firefighters put grass fires out near 180 and they need the correct gear for safety purposes. The gear would be classified as inventory control items and there is enough money in the fire department fund to cover the expenditure. A total of twelve sets of gear are needed. Maynes said he was happy to hear there were so many volunteers in the fire department and moved for the approval of the purchase order. Council passed the item unanimously.

Blas Rodriguez from the Maintenance Department also had a request before council, to approve a quote for upgraded pool equipment. Pool Tech Plus has provided a pool upgrade option that helps maintain proper levels in addition to the manual monitoring. These upgrades would be for both the main pool and the wading pool. Funds are available in the recreation fund. Stevens asked if there was a warranty for the equipment, and Rodriguez said there was a limited two-year warranty. Council passed the item unanimously.

Newly Elected Officials Training will take place April 7, 2018 and council approved the attendance to the training. It is designed for new officials, but it is a recommended refresher for current council members.

Council also approved the attendance by Clerk Lori Ortiz to the Local Government Budget Management System training on April 5, 2018. For the next fiscal year all budget reporting to the state will be done through an online system rather than manually.

Cindy Provencio of 214 Nevada approached the board to obtain a kennel license. She was told the current ordinance only allowed two dogs per residence in town and after moving in to a multifamily home they have a total of five dogs. Gil suggested tabling the issue, so council could talk with neighbors and review the ordinances.

“Neighbors should be notified in writing and given the opportunity to come before council with their feelings. Then with full discussion the council will make its decision,” Stevens explained.

Provencio expressed concern that she has been given three different versions of the ordinance. One even said the kennel license applied to commercial premises. Gil again moved to table the issue so council could revisit all the paperwork and speak with neighbors, and council agreed.

“We will get with you and not let this die, this is a compassionate council, but we do need to research to be fair to all concerned,” Stevens said.

Council went into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Upon return they approved the hiring of Ronald Pena as a Maintenance Laborer, with Maynes abstaining. They also approved moving Adrian Romero and Chris Teran from their probationary statuses.

Oritz reported that the community center has now been painted and has been rented. Exterior painting still needs completed. The Cemetery structure should be up by the end of April.

Rodriguez and Terrazas said they had nothing unusual to report in their respective departments.

Police chief Michael Zamora said they are close to having 24/7 coverage and they have a good group of officers. They will advertise soon for another officer, hopefully one with experience.

Stevens said he had nothing to report at this time, and Rodriguez had nothing to report either.

Gil said she attended the Grant County Regional Water meeting, and the members are putting off applying for the USDA loan for the other municipalities’ part in the water project. Hurley will proceed with its part, but the other communities are not ready.

Maynes congratulated the mayor and councilors.

Regarding the vacant position on the council, interested parties are encouraged to submit a letter to the mayor and council about why they would like to serve. Once letters have been received they will be reviewed in the special meeting March 27, 2018 at 5 p.m.

The next Regular Meeting for the Town of Hurley happens Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 5 p.m.