By Lynn Janes
The town of Hurley held a special meeting October 17, 2023. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, councilors Nanette Day and Reynaldo Maynes. Keana Huerta did not attend.
In the last council meeting on October 10, 2023, several residents addressed the council concerning a resident on Arizona Street. They had all had problems with this resident and had safety concerns. The police have gone door to door to obtain information. They’ve been looking at what laws they could use to take care of the problem. They have also met with the district attorney.
Police Chief Christian McGuinness said he had gone door to door with the surrounding neighbors of the person on Arizona Street. They have been doing what they can and have to follow due process. The Hurley police have responded to that residence over 150 times and the sheriff’s department has also responded over 150 times to the residence. They have had arrests and involved CPS (child protective services).
At the past meeting a resident had come in with a problem concerning a dog issue and McGuinness said they had taken care of that.
Stevens said they would continue to do what they could to mitigate the problem.
The city of Hurley will be moving forward on the trash bins. Lori Ortiz, city clerk, said they will purchase bins for a total of $52,645. Residents’ bins will cost $41,925 and the larger business bins will cost $6,564. Stevens said the residents will be charged $2 a month for the bins. The bids for the pickup service will be in by November 10, 2023.
Day asked how long the residents would be charged the $2 a month. Ortiz said it will continue and be considered rent and will pay for the upkeep and will cover the lost, stolen and wear and tear.
Steven added the bins will be numbered and assigned. Ortiz said this will save them money. When she had looked at a new pick up service previously the cost came in three to four times more than the current service that included the bins. She said they may not have the bins in time for the new service and she hoped they would negotiate with them until they received them.
Stevens asked the council if they had any questions. Day asked if they would be put in the street or alley ways. Ortiz said she would find out. The trucks might be too big for the alley. Residents’ bins will be 96 gallons and the business 4-cubic-foot. A resident in attendance said they liked the idea of the bins but pointed out that the elderly could have problems depending on where they had to put them, street, or alley.
Day wanted to know if they had any support to help the people on a fixed income. Ortiz said the state has some programs. Day asked if they would be giving the residents any warning. Ortiz said they have been talking about this for a year.
Stevens said they will have to be increasing a number of services and pointed out they and not increased anything in many years.
Day insisted that people be notified. Ortiz said they don’t know what the cost will be until they get the bids in. Day asked that they be given a ballpark idea of the cost. Ortiz said she could warn of an increase but could not give a dollar amount. Day wanted a dollar amount of some kind given. Ortiz said: “We have always worked with our residents when they have had a financial issue.” Stevens said, “We will be keeping everyone posted on what is going on.”
Next meeting will be held November 14, 2023, at 5 pm.
Meeting adjourned.