Actions taken in the October 10, 2023 Regular Council Meeting are deemed invalid, and will be
revisited at the Regular Council Meeting of the Governing Body on April 9, 2024.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of the Governing Body for the Village of Cloudcroft, held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., in the Village Council Chambers, 201 Burro Avenue, Cloudcroft, NM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Denney called the meeting to order at 6:02 PM with the following Council members providing a full Quorum: Present:
Mayor William Denney – present
Trustee / Mayor Pro-Tem Maynard – present
Trustee – Gail McCoy – present
Trustee – George Mitchell – present
Trustee – Grover Sterling – present
The following Village staff and guests were present: Shaela Hemphill; Chief Deputy Clerk, Kevin Summers; Chief of Police, Laura Robertson; Court Clerk, Debra Spears; Chamber of Commerce, Richard Welch, Judy Siebenaler, Pavla Trubac, Adrienne West, Linda Meyer, Terri Munson, Jonathan Chill; CDM Smith, Greta Zurnes; CDM Smith, Craig Turner, Dana Dunlap, R. Truex; Mountain Monthly, Dennis Latimer, Roberta & Eric Haecker, Vernon Sperberg, Angela Daniel, Jessica Beach, Laura & Karl Campbell; Cabins at Cloudcroft, Jubal Hall, Karen Sonnenfelt; Chamber of Commerce, Linda Hamilton, Kristi Flak, Aaron Haecker, Jessic R., Cori & David Abel, Trina Hartshorne, Byron Yeager; Village Maintenance Dept, Michael Adams; Ski Cloudcroft, and Susan Maynard.
Pledge of Allegiance
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Salute to the Flag of New Mexico
“I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico, the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures.”
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Trustee Maynard made a motion to approve the agenda of the October 10, 2023, Regular Council Meeting as presented. Trustee Mitchell seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Sterling, for; Trustee Mitchell, for. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Work Session of GB on September 8, 2023
Regular Meeting of GB on September 12, 2023
Special Meeting of GB on September 18, 2023
Work Session of GB on September 25, 2023
Trustee Sterling motioned to approve all minutes as presented. Trustee Mitchell seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for; Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Sterling, for; Trustee Mitchell, for. Motion carried unanimously.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/OPEN DISCUSSION:
Trustee Maynard provided information from the New Mexico Municipal League meeting that he attended as an at large director of the Municipal League. At the meeting the members reviewed expenditures of lobby dollars and learned there will be a twenty (20) percent increase of property insurance.
Richard Welch: Stated he no longer wished to speak as he wanted to speak at the end of the meeting in regard to what was discussed in the meeting.
Judy Siebenaler: Questioned why the emergency sirens do not go off with testing on Wednesdays. Mayor Denney and Deputy Fire Chief Hall explained that the siren is disconnected from the bell and is not amplified with testing to aid in event of an emergency, community members do not think it is a possible test. The bell and blower are included in the testing and community members were insured that sirens are in full working order.
Pavla Trubac: Brought to the audience attention that community members can go to vote411.org to see questions and answers of the candidates on the ballot for the regular election on November 7, 2023.
MAYORS REPORT:
Mayor Denney addressed a complaint that was brought to his attention regarding political signs. Mayor Denney stated that this complaint was in concern to political signs being placed out too early. Mayor Denney stated that after review of the ordinance, political signs can be placed thirty (30) days before the election and that he believes everyone is within the ordinance. Mayor Denney also stated that there is a six (6) square foot maximum in the ordinance.
REPORTS:
Trustee Maynard made a motion to approve the reports as presented. Trustee Mitchell seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Recommendation to remove Byron Yeager, Maintenance Employee from conditional employment with pay increase
Trustee Maynard made a motion to remove Byron Yeager from conditional employment with a pay increase of 0.50/hour. Trustee Sterling seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
Christmas Ideas for Zenith Park, Burro Avenue, and Events – Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce
Trustee Maynard made a motion to permit the Christmas Capitol of New Mexico events as presented by the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce. Trustee McCoy seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
PURe Project & WWTP Project Update Presentation – CDM Smith
Jon Chill provided an update on the current timeline of the PURe Water Project. This presentation informed council and attending members of accomplishments thus far regarding the PURe Water Project as well as next steps with CDM Smith to assist in moving the PURe Water Project forward.
Confirmation of P&Z Clerk – Laura Robertson
Trustee Maynard made a motion to confirm Laura Robertson as Planning & Zoning Clerk. Trustee Sterling seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
Confirmation of Lodger’s Tax Committee
Mayor Denney requested confirmation of Lodger’s Tax Committee Members Angela Daniel, Karl Campbell, Julie Bragg, and Craig Turner. Mayor Denney also stated that a fifth member still needs to be determined and that he will present in an upcoming meeting once a selection has been made. Trustee Maynard wished to disclose that Julie Bragg is his daughter that is managing Grand Cloudcroft Hotel that he is an investor in. Trustee Mitchell made a motion to confirm the four (4) named committee members. Trustee McCoy seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
Schedule Work Sessions/Meetings for Tower Lease & Vending Ordinance
A Work Session was scheduled for October 27, 2023 at 1:00pm, not to go past 4:00pm for both Tower Lease and Vending Ordinance.
Potential Takeover of Otero County Electric Co-Op Account 2520200 – Electric Car Charger & Warming Hut
Trustee Maynard made a motion to deny the consideration of the takeover of Otero County Electric Co-Op Account 2520200 for the Electric Car Charger & Warming Hut. Trustee Sterling seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Mitchell, for; Trustee Sterling, for. Motion carried unanimously.
Resolution No. 2023.18; Open Meetings Act
Trustee Maynard made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023.18. Trustee Mitchell seconded. With no further discussion a roll call vote was taken:
Trustee McCoy – Aye
Trustee Maynard – Aye
Trustee Mitchell – Aye
Trustee Sterling – Aye
For a unanimous roll call vote.
Resolution No. 2023.19; 1st Quarter Budget Adjustments
Trustee Maynard made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023.19. Trustee McCoy seconded. With no further discussion a roll call vote was taken:
Trustee McCoy – Aye
Trustee Maynard – Aye
Trustee Mitchell – Aye
Trustee Sterling – Aye
For a unanimous roll call vote.
STATEMENT OF REVENUES & EXPENDITURES:
September 2023 to Date Expenditures
Trustee Mitchell made a motion to acknowledge the revenues and expenditures for September 2023. Trustee Maynard seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Sterling, for; Trustee Mitchell, for. Motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURN:
Trustee Mitchell made a motion to adjourn the Regular Council Meeting of October 10, 2023. Trustee Maynard seconded. Vote as follows: Trustee Maynard, for, Trustee McCoy, for; Trustee Sterling, for; Trustee Mitchell, for. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
