By Lynn Janes

(Writers note: this article was written using the minutes provided by the city of Bayard.)

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting September 16, 2026. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Gonzales, Eloy Medina, Gilbert Ortiz and Charles Gray. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the agenda.

Public input none currently

The council approved the consent agenda that included meeting minutes, accounts payable, department head reports and employee training and conferences. They included the New Mexico Rural Water Association, annual clerks school, evidence 101 and New Mexico Fire and EMS Expo.

New business

Dolores Charon had come to present to the council on Domestic Violence Awareness month and asked for Bayard to be involved. The council voted to participate as they had in previous years.

The council approved the resignation of the city attorney.

The council had a presentation from Stantec on the steps that needed to be taken at the Mining Museum that included repairs and design.

The council approved helping with the Cobre homecoming parade.

The council approved the agreement between Hurley and Bayard for the temporary use of their animal shelter while Bayard did upgrades to their shelter.

Alish Montoya, Frontier Foods, had come to present to the council an update on the outdoor garden they have started with an outdoor recreation trails grant.

The council approved for Peter Hurley to help with the 9-11 addressing for Bayard. He works for Grant County but will be doing it in his off hours. He will be paid $20 hour.

Proclamations, Ordinances and resolutions

October has been made national clean up month. Trash dumpsters will be placed at the public safety building September 18-20, 2026. The proclamation recognized the importance of keeping the community clean, safe and welcoming. They encouraged people to participate in the clean up activities.

The council approved resolution 24-2026 to participate in the transportation project fund program administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT). The project will be $399,800 and 95 percent will be paid by the DOT and 5 percent paid by the City of Bayard 

The council approved resolution 25-2026 ratifying an agreement between Bayard and the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.

The council approved resolution 26-2026 to participate in the capital outlay program administered through the New Mexico DOT.

The council approved ordinance 2-2026 to amend the city municipal code concerning landfill services. It will establish a solid waste sanitation fee, based on regional landfill operational charges assessed to Bayard.

Department head reports

Hector Carrillo, police chief, went over the department report. The department had been invited to attend a free fishing day at Bill Evans Lake. He said that code enforcement and the animal shelter had been busy. Carrillo did speak to the person he had reported on several times that had been doing excessive calling for service due to barking dogs and they had a good conversation. The department now has two less units, and he will be looking for options to find replacements.

Sam Arellano, public works director, provided a report to the council.

Salas had an update on her department. The auditors would be in the office September 21-25, 2026. Movies in the park had been successful. Blakes Lotta Burger will be officially opening in the next few weeks.

Mayor and council reports

Ojinaga congratulated the city hall staff for the award they received from the state auditor for the most improved audit in a medium-sized municipality. It had been the first time the award had been given to any municipality.

The next meeting will take place October 14, 2026, at 4:30 pm (rescheduled due to clerks' conference. Regular date would have been October 21, 2026)

Meeting adjourned.