City Council - Regular Meeting

Hi, I'm Jerry.

It's on. All righty. Good evening all. We are now live. Okay. Hello everybody. We'll uh start this regular meeting of the Gallup City Council and we'll start off today with a roll call panel. Council Garcia here. Councelor Yazy here. Councelor Piano here. Councelor Molina here. Mayor Depali

here. Um please join the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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.

Well, our first item is comments by the public on non-aggenda items. And it looks like a lot of people are here probably to to comment. Um but you know we want to make sure that we hold our comments limited to two minutes and in regard to the National Guard we don't have any plans or anything in place. Um the governor brought it up and presented it to us but I do want to point out the National Guard has been in Gallup before in 2020 u when we went through a COVID crisis and we had to pretty much lock down the city. Um, so that we we're not planning on locking down the city or anything, but anyway that we have had the National Guard here before, but we don't know the specifics of any of it. Also, I'd like to recognize Shannon Pinto. Thank you for being here.

Patty Lunchstrom also. Is there anybody else that I'm missing? Francis. Okay. Um with that we would come to the if you would like public comment limited to two minutes limit the time. Yeah we'll be we'll be limited to two minutes on the conference. So open the comment. So present go ahead and give us your name and where you're from and

uh good evening everybody and community members. My name is Janice Peterson. I'm a community member for McKinley County for years. Anyways, the reason why I'm here today is my son-in-law got his car stolen a few months ago and we found the car at Walmart and I don't know how a police officer are working as servant protection because they let us lie with the guy with this temporary license with the city department. So, how in the world are we getting people caught criminal if they're writing out this temporary thing and the officers are not doing anything about it? That's my question. I think those officers needs to be more thor investigation of what's going on with the community. This one, they walked away. They just slept on the hand and they, you know, they took off. So, people are stealing vehicles out there and they're riding these handmade temporary license. I mean, if you drive down the road and we have expired license, you could pull over for that. But why did they let him slide with this number? And the officer was there. I even mentioned to him and say, "Hey, look, how come you guys didn't do investigation?" That's my concern with the community. They need to do more than what they're out there for. And I see a lot of people getting sh on side of the road. The officers just drives by. So, where is that safetiness for that community if something happens behind the wheel? So they need to really look into these things and that's my concern as a community members. But thank you.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Hi, my name is Dr. Lou. I am an OBGYn locally. I bring to you a letter that is signed by 32 medical professionals, physicians, nurse practitioners, behavioral health professionals. We um do want to state that we do uh you know in terms of safety we do not think that it's a calling in the National Guard is going to be a solution. Um but we do want to come here because we do think that there are some very concrete things that are specific, sustainable and actionable that can be implemented right now to reduce recidivism, homelessness and the prevalence of alcohol and drug use in our community which I think is our common goal. So the first thing is that we do request that we do think that housing needs to be connected to medical, behavioral health and social supports. We would um ask that you ask the governor to give immediate support to build supportive permanent housing and rehabilitate existing structures. We did this during CO quickly and effectively with our army core of engineers. They mobilized to build patient care structures. And we think that that can be something that could be a mechanism that could build sturdy housing right now to meet the needs of our unsheltered relatives. Um we want to see that um we know that connecting those folks to medical behavioral health and social supports reduces admissions for cold exposure this past winter has reduced risk for exposure to infection and place many community members on a path towards stability through the co hotels and most recently at the Howard Johnson. We also ask that you provide support to our jails and for medical providers to provide medical assist medication assisted treatment for substance use in our jails. It reduces recidivism and it also saves lives. Um, local providers stand ready now to provide medical care and to continue treatment when people are released from detention. Um, we have many medical providers in town at GIMC, at GA Community Health, and Four Corners Detox who can provide that work. And then lastly, and and I know this is a specific interest of yours, mayor. Um, we asked to um provide support for targeted programs for our youth in especially community violence

intervention youth programs. We have so many great local programs that provide safe spaces and safe support for youth to build skills and learn problem solving. Boys and girls club, children's museum, conservation, youth conservation corps, the the library. And we ask that you um urge the governor to support these programs to increase their reach and programming and because these are proven ways to reduce violence, alcohol, and drug use. And then last um we just ask for communication. We have a lot of really great medical providers in town who have experience in addressing this issues and um we ask that you include us in your decision- making. Anyway, thank you. Thanks. Hi.

Hi, my name is Jannina Shelton. I'm one of the registered nurses at Gallup Medical Center. Um I'd like to ask a question first. What is it that uh the council or the governor since he's proposed the national guard come here and I understand that they I was here in CO also the entire time in the emergency room and whipsy or which is the urgent care but what is it that this time the governor is proposing the benefit of the millions of dollars that will be spent on the uh the national guard to be here. what is what is he exactly expecting to do and how to support all the things that Dr. Lou and the rest of everybody in Gallup is hoping for.

Um, no one has an idea what the governor would this is public comment discussion and stuff because it's not an agenda item, but if you we could talk about it in the future, I'll give you my card and and be talk more about it.

That's wonderful. So, what I've experienced having been uh a world traveler is that having guards walking beaches, walking down streets is actually kind of uh terrorizing to the average citizen. And there's a lot of targeting that happens. I don't always dress in my work clothes. I would dress in just really casual sort of things. My I called it my dog walking clothes or my gardening clothes and I go shopping in those. So, and it would just really terrify me to have someone stopping me and asking me for papers, which is what they asked for in Europe. And when I was in Cuba, you know, they had armed guards patrolling around the different hotels patrolling down the um the beach. And because we were swimming in the water and our our beach, you know, our clothes and things were in a pile together, they actually waved us in and told us that someone had to stay on the beach to look out at our stuff, that we couldn't just leave our stuff unattended. So those kind of things is just very intimidating and it does not allow for the peace, which is one of the reasons why I moved to Gallup. I thought it was a very nice and peaceful city and that's something that I truly treasure from here. So, I'm hoping that you will think very long and hard about what the governor expects to achieve because rounding people up and sending them I mean what are they going to do? Sit on them forcibly make them go to rehab otherwise what is the point of it? That's all I have to say.

Thank you. Hey, Mr. Mayor, we do have one call in for public comments. Okay. Please leave your message for Oh no.

Okay. I don't have the caller online. So, uh, the caller was Ireina Gay. We're not able to get through to her. So, um, anyone else? Mike Bailey.

Good evening. I'm Michael Daly. I live on Windsor Drive. And first, I want to thank you all for serving. I've never taken the office. It was years back when it was offered to me, but I was busy working. And I'm too old and sore at this point. With regard to the having the National Guard Committee assist the police, having the National Guard Committee assist the police, I think you're looking at the wrong problem. I'm a member of AA. I had 20 years of drinking. I got a lot more now drinking. But I sponsored a number of people. And when I was in Farmington, I sponsored this guy. And when we went to court, they charged him with his six DWI. He leaned over and he says, "It's my 12th. They don't know about the rest." Twice he went to Los Lunas for a year and a half or two years. Came out, went back in just as I was moving to Gallup. He ran his car into a telephone pole with a piff of vodka. We have an alcohol problem. And we just let him in and out. Shannon Pinto, the senator here, she had a bill for healthc care proposal, but it didn't pass. If we want to solve this, I don't think we need the National Guard to solve the little problem. We need to deal with the treatment. And if the treatment doesn't work, put the people in jail and leave them there. There's no reason they need to come out and threaten me and my wife and your wife. Thank you. Okay, with that we'll move on to our presentation items and the first one is going to be the legislative update and our state representative one of them uh Patty Lunchrom district [snorts] 9 is

that right will provide an update on 30-day session of the New Mexico legislature. All righty. Well, thank you mayor and good evening everyone. Uh here tonight to give you a little update. This will be the 25th year that I've stood in front of mayor and council to give you an update. Wow.

I do that every year after every legislative session, both the city and the county. And uh just to let you know how things went this last this last session. Well, the 30-day session is generally a budget session or what the governor puts on the call. And uh this year, of course, because it's the governor's basically her last year in office, there was a whole bunch of bills that uh had come through and that we all had to deal with. And there were two in particular that I was particularly happy with. And one of them was House Bill 99, which is the medical malpractice bill. Uh I was a signer on that bill. And basically what that does is it uh creates a cap on punitive damages regarding um suing of doctors and uh hospitals and it also provides for higher standards of proof. It uh protects independent providers as well as um hospitals and in particular there was a focus on small hospitals were one of them. Uh there's five small hospitals that were identified in that bill. where the cap would be at 6 million and then larger hospitals it would be at 15 million with a CPI. I have heard my community loud and clear when it came to comes to medical malpractice issues. I also have a copy of a survey that was done um this was done uh on February 13th and what it basically says is New Mexico overwhelmingly supports medical malpractice reform. What they did is they surveyed 500 likely voters and it showed massive support for medical malpractice reform.

Uh and it was identified in our tax committee during the interim from a group of of doctors that had been working on this also is that they felt that that was the number one reason for the doctor shortage crisis that we have in our state and the doctors leaving our state. So basically, uh, voters recognize the problem and an an astounding 96% of New Mexico voters believe New Mexico faces a shortage of doctors. Among these voters, 98% described the doctor shortage as a serious problem. And I know we've seen that. And what I was able to do when we talked about it uh in my chamber, you all might might remember when uh Dr. Andradi had the full page ad in the Galp independent and we lost both he and his wife as practitioners out of our community and the number of patients that that equated to. I think he had ran that ad I want to say like at least four weeks in a row. And I had each one of those newspapers and I showed that to the group and I said, "Do you can you imagine what it's going to be now to try to replace these medical providers uh in a town like Gallup, a small community would be almost impossible." So, I'm really happy about that bill uh uh getting through. The sponsor actually worked on that bill for over a year. And what she told us is that she had surveyed the surrounding states and found that we were the only state that had no cap. So that meant that we were not competitive with recruiting, you know, doctors. We just aren't we're just don't have a competitive advantage when it comes to that. Second bill that was super important to me and and one that I was a primary sponsor on was Senate Bill Two. It was carried by uh Senator Bobby Gonzalez, uh George Mo, Senator Minos, there were several others, but I was one

of the House sponsors. And what that does, it it creates a bonding capacity for roadways. I have the list of uh uh projects that are associated with that. And what was important to me in this bill is that of the 19 projects that were identified, six of them are in Mckenley County. And the important part of it is is I and I've been working on this for a long time is looking at a third lane on I40 going east and west. We've all been stuck on 40 on our way to Albuquerque. I know it was a about a year and a half ago. Uh, one of your, uh, former colleagues told me that he'd been stuck there 11 hours. Yeah, that that's that's terrible. It's terrible to have that kind of delay. And I think we've all experienced it, and I haven't at that level, but certainly a couple of hours. So, what we're looking at uh with the work here in Mckenley County is what we call the pull outs. Like you'd see at Jamestown where the refinery is, you've got those three lanes there. So, there's choke points throughout I40 where we want to try to clear that up and and not have the the backup problem that we've had in the past. Um, the other thing I wanted to share with all of you is that each year we we get capital outlay and this year uh the house received $2.5 million. I have the list of the projects that I supported and I'll give them to Alfred and he can pass them out here to everybody. I don't want to lose all my papers here. I probably got more paper than I need. every legislator uh gets capital outlay that they can spend and this is all on the uh

legislative portal and I'm sure at some point Brandon from the COG will pull down exactly uh how much the city of Gallup received from each uh house member and each senate member. And what I have in there for you guys is um it goes down to the Allison Road corridor utility relocation for 500,000. That is the money that you all need to be able to get your 52 million uh from the feds. I know that there's concerns about where that actual access point is. I think there's still time to replan all of that, but you still needed to move utilities. So, that's what that money is for. Uh, you can see this is basically my district. There's money for Red Lake chapter yat water and sanitation district red rock chapter rock springs uh chapter Mckenley County is for heavy equipment purchases Mexican Springs the two for Gallup one was the industrial workforce uh building construction um and and then the others are all basically uh chapters except for the very last one and that actually ties to the Escalante authority. That was a bill that I carried, I believe, is it we got that through in 2020, setting up an authority for redevelopment at the Puit Industrial Park. That is a um authority that has up to a 20 mile radius for industrial development. This particular park is within that radius. And when we're looking at job creation and uh reuse of a coal fired power plants for for different purposes, you need to have feeders into it. So that's what this is about. So this is a copy of

the capital outlay that I supported. The governor hasn't signed that bill to my knowledge yet, but uh because I serve on the tax committee now, uh we we work on this bill. We work on the capital outlay. work on the geo bond issue which primarily pays for higher ed pays for public libraries. Uh senior citizen centers, things like that usually go into the geo bond bill uh which the voters of course vote on uh for for paying these these projects. But I thought was an interesting session. Um there's a lot of legislation that was floating around, a lot of um committee activity. The governor of course uh gave her state of the state address and and I just felt that it was a very productive session, better than some that I've seen in the past. And I think it's probably because of our medical malpractice bill and then our bonding bill. Some things that I really care about actually got through this session. So, I'm just here to tonight to give you a general overview of what happened. Happy to answer any questions that you might have. And I do apologize. I missed your Gallup gayla. I uh was way under the weather that evening and I had to make the choice. Do I go and and um go to the gayla or do I need to have it together for my roundt the next morning? And I want to thank all of you that attended the round table. It was a it was a good showing. We had over 60 people there and it was all about um financing uh financing for uh economic development related projects. We had a good turnout for that and there'll be lots of availability and followthrough when it comes to trade court stuff regarding our roundt. But I'd be and and great pins. I need to say that also I was real proud of those pins. Uh I know that the cost of silver is has gone skyrocketing. Um, I I

understood it's like almost a hundred bucks an ounce now or something is way up there. But those pins are coveted by everyone. So, thank you, Frank, for getting me some extras. I needed those for the staff people that really helped me because what helps me helps you. So, anything. And thank you, Linda, for bringing the seniors. Thank you very much.

Oh, yeah. We had a lot of fun with all the seniors. I see Larry and some other folks that were there. Uh when they when Linda brought them up, uh we had a we had a good time in my office and took pictures and everything. And um my office is a fairly small office, but I think we we crowded everybody in there. So with that, mayor and council, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you all have tonight. Um that no questions, but just thank you, Patty, for all the work you've done over the last 25 years. Yes. You know who sh We don't expect you to stick around another 25 days. Anyway, anybody else have any questions for

I have a question. I I just like to thank you for uh helping with that House Bill 99. That was an important part to me. I'm getting old. I need lots of doctors around for me. And uh but that was one of the high points of the legislative session for me. Yeah, I think we we actually did something right we can be proud of. Thank you for that. Of course,

u mayor, I have a question. Um, Representative Lecher, thank you so much for being here and giving us update. I think it is important that our senators and representatives come every time to give us updates. I really appreciate that. Um, I was just curious on the bill for medical malpractice. I think that's a huge win for us. I'm hoping that it's not too little too late because we have lost so many doctors already like Andrades. I know they were kind of posting jokingly like I've been watching maybe we'll move back now. Um but I'm curious is there anything in that bill addressing um the cap in terms of like say I don't know I don't know enough about medical but for like a surgeon as opposed to a family doctor because one of the things I see is I would think there would be way more liability for someone to say sue a surgeon as opposed to a family practice doctor that's not even doing any surgeries or things like that. Is it just the same cap across the board or was there was there talk about maybe those differences for types of medical?

You know, there isn't actually. What it it's based on is that there's a level for independent doctors, independent doctors, and then those that are um tied directly to um a hospital. In other words, that their employer is the hospital. It's the hospital that has that responsibility. Okay. So, no, there isn't. But I agree with you, uh, counselor, it's going to take a while for New Mexico to work on that medical structure again. I think we're way behind the power curve. We've we've taken the right step, but it's going to take some time, unfortunately.

Okay. Thank you so much. And then on Senate Bill Two, um, I think that's great. Um, just because I'm not as familiar, does this bonding capacity allow for road maintenance or is this more for road diets? Because I think the ongoing struggle that we see is that we're not seeing enough money for road maintenance, which is the complaints on potholes and just road fixing roads. We're getting it for road diets or new roads, but then there's still no money for road maintenance, which is a continual struggle for the city because so many people um not only from the city, but the county, the reservation are using the roads, which is great because those people are coming to work in our communities, but that's triple the size of people that are using our roads with no money for road maintenance. So, I'm just curious as to how that works.

It It's really for the big projects. It's for those hundred hundreds of million dollar type projects. Okay. Because it's 1.5 billion that the initial bond is for, but it's for the big interstate or connector type projects.

Okay. So, much larger projects. Okay. Okay. That makes more sense. And then I know this isn't part of that bill, but you kind of mentioned it and maybe I misunderstood, but is there still talks about having three lanes potentially? We talked about this on I was actually just coming back from Santa Fe today and I'm I40 is not getting better. I think it's getting worse. I was driving and I'm like, "Oh my gosh, it's like this." And I drive it a lot for for my day job as well as for city council and it just it is quite cumbersome. I'm just wondering that was a talk at one point to have three lanes and I don't know if that's still in ination.

It is certainly something u mayor and counselor that I I want to see happen but until that does until the funding is put together it will be these pull out lanes where you find these choke areas like we had around uh Jamestown at one time. Yeah. Um and it's like that all the way from the state line to Albuquerque. So they'll go through and find and identify those locations and that's what those projects are identified for. Okay. My hope is still that we have three lanes. Absolutely. That's a that's a tempor I feel like the pull lanes is like a temporary fix until we could potentially get three. No, I agree with you. Absolutely. Thank you.

All righty. All righty. Thanks, Mayor. Very much Oh, Brandon. You're not on the agenda, but I'm on legislative update. Legislative up there. Okay. He spent many minutes in Patty's office. Also,

good evening, Mayor Council. Brandon Halp, uh deputy director at the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments. Um what I have uh handed out to uh Al is a uh funding recap from the legislative session. Uh again, Representative Lundststrom uh and and Senator Pinto are here today. Appreciate them uh supporting the city of Gallup. Um as Representative Lunchrom mentioned, the the sponsored charts are not posted yet. Um but this is kind of what is in uh Senate Bill 240 as of now. Um and they're kind of listed in the order that we submitted our our capital a request for the city of Gallow. Again, the council of governments uh kind of meets with the the manager and the staff to identify projects to put forward for capital outlay. Um we actually do the submission process and do the follow-up um as it's making its way through uh the legislature. Um just to go down the list, um we have uh 500,000 for the wastewater treatment plant improvement improvements project. Um downtown utilities replacement was not funded. Road improvements was not funded. uh affordable and workforce housing development was funded at 200,000. Uh airport terminal construction was not funded. New municipal complex was not funded. Regional library acquisition was funded at 100,000. Uh as Representative Lel mentioned, Allison corridor utility relocation design was funded at 500,000. Um, and the two at the bottom there, uh, the Cole Avenue alleys improvements project was a project that, uh, Cog worked on with Keegan, um, to submit. Um, again, just continuing to go through the phasing strategy of that, uh, Cole Avenue alleys project. Uh, now we'll move into the Route 66 alleyway project now that we got this thing fully funded. The last is uh a recreational project

that was funded at a million dollars looking at doing improvements to uh sports facilities in Gallup. So, appreciate that. Um again, Senator Pinto is here. She helped fund the wastewater treatment plant improvement project. So, big thanks for Senator Pinto.

Uh last the two other items on there, again, nonprofits um in in recent years have been increasing their request to legislators for funding. uh Capital Alley is one of the the funding sources that is available to those nonprofits and the city has stepped up um and has agreed to serve as fiscal agent for uh some nonprofits. Uh the Southwest Indian Foundation Industrial Workforce Program received 100,000 uh from Representative Lundstrom for uh building improvements at their uh workforce training center. Uh Battered Families Domestic Violence Shelter uh received funding for shelter renovation at 500,000. Um, and then the very bottom, um, House Bill 2 is the, uh, state's budget. Uh, the city was able to secure $3 million for the senior center to to make that thing whole. Um, so that is much appreciated. Um, and one thing that isn't on that list is uh, a project that was put forward by McKinley County, but was serious services the city of Gallup, which is $5 million for Red Rock Park out of House Bill 2 as well. So, uh, McKinley County as a whole, um, the two local governments fared pretty pretty well this legislative session. Uh, the Council of Governments will also produce a more comprehensive report that goes through House Bill 2, looks at all the special programs are being that are being set up uh, programs that are being funded again and we'll work with staff to identify targets for applications for this next fiscal year. So, please stand for any questions. Um, any questions for

quick question, mayor. Um, Brandon, refresh my memory. I mean, when is the governor planning to sign off on this? And we don't feel like there's a chance that she's going to veto any of these projects. Correct. Not at the moment. No. Um, but I think we have about the second or third week of March for her to sign off on the bills. Okay. Yep. And at that point, I'll uh tweak this uh list if needed. Hopefully not. Um, but we'll again go through and add all of the special programs for House Bill 2 and target city priorities for those funds. Thank you, Brandon.

Senator Shannon, did you want to say anything or we'll just thank you for No questions. Thank you for Thank you for all your help. Yeah, thank you for the wastewater fund. I I just want to acknowledge Senator Pinto also uh visiting with the seniors on senior day. They loved it and thank you for your hospitality and for the gifts that you showered upon us. Thank you so very much. Okay, we'll move on to the next item and this is the housing information presentation. Um Keegan McKenzie Chavis and Tammy partner are going to give a presentation.

Good evening. Uh Keegan Mackenzie Chavis, city project manager. Um I just wanted to kind of introduce Tammy Parker. She's going under a a new title, but housing manager and I just want to explain the goal of these presentations. So I want to have them every month. And um Tammy's developing her foundational knowledge on current housing practices that are being utilized throughout communities. And so we wanted to take the opportunity as she's, you know, doing her research that she can share with you and kind of develop your knowledge about what's going on um throughout the different states um around housing. And I also want to remind you that this is not a comment or review about what our planning and zoning or what our land development standards are. This is strictly kind of researching what's happening throughout the country and to you know begin a conversation about um where we want to go for housing strategies. So this isn't any kind of comparing or you know we don't have this here. We haven't even kind of gone to that phase. This is just looking at current practices um that are happening throughout the states and that I think um are important for you all to know about and to build Tammy's skill set.

And and just to make sure when you say you mean nationwide. Nationwide, right? Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Not just the state. I said states, but I want to make sure. I'm sorry. Nationwide. Yes. County Park.

Thank you, Keegan. Um, good evening, mayor and council. Today we're going to be discussing housing um, not as a crisis to be managed, but as an opportunity for our town's future. Last month I talked about strong towns and what they do um, because they're one of my favorites, personal favorites. But I wanted to go over some other groups and what they're doing as far as na nationwide the things that are working and I try to choose the things that are a little more focused to what might be applicable here. But again, as Keegan said, it's just this is what's going on across the country.

Hopefully.

Well, I'm trying to go quickly because I know y'all have a really long agenda. So, I wanted to keep this short. So, I'll just cover it and I can send you the slides. There we go. Okay.

First group that I'm going to talk about is Yimi Action. Yimi is yes in my backyard as opposed to not in my backyard. They have uh started some of the most ex expensive markets in the country by developing pre-approved plans that stylistically fit neighborhoods and aesthetics. Next, the Turner Center um is our technical expert. They are based out of Berkeley. They focus on the how of building. Construction costs are a hurdle for everyone and they really focus on how modular housing can be of assistance to make it to bring those costs down. They also provide data on specifically on modular housing and and how to do that in a way that is more cost-effective. Next, Up for Growth. Um, Up for Growth is where fiscal responsibility meets housing policy. Um, founded to address the nationwide shortage of 3.8 million homes across the country. They help towns like ours using infrastructure as a guide. They show us how to build where the pipes and the roads are already existent. That actually helps keep our city budget in check and helps with the high cost of infrastructure expansion. And this is really the infill development that Keegan and I talk about constantly. And finally, we have the National Low-Income Housing Coalition. They bring over 50 years of experience to the table. This is the oldest of all the groups. Uh they remind us that market can't always house the people who keep our town running. Our baristas, health aids, retail workers, and they provide the roadmap for health federal for federal tax credits and preservation grants so that we have the tools we need to keep our workforce

housed here in town as opposed to having to drive in for an hour. Um Gallup Housing Authority really addresses some of these needs with their programs. So the summary is that Yimi group they really address the missing middle housing um and they the myth that new housing ruins character by adopting preset pre-approved plans that make it really easy for people to move forward with building. Next group was up for growth and they focus on infill strategy. Um the common myth that they they look at is that infrastructure can't handle more growth. Um they do this by suggesting that building where the pipes and the roads already exist is the best way to keep those costs down and not have to try and expand how much we're spending on expensive infrastructure. um Turner Center, they focus on the modular technology that construction is too expensive is what they're trying to address and they use um modular housing is the answer to that because it can produce be produced in a factory much more cheaply and of a much higher quality than you would get if you were just building on site. And then finally, the the NLHC, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, emphasizes workforce equity and affordability. They address that the notion that affordability lowers value. You see this all over the place. We've seen it in Albuquerque. If you for build something that's affordable, it's going to cause all of our houses to drop in in value. This isn't really the case. That's not how it needs to work. and they partner with professional projects trying to bring together all the different entities that do the parts that sometimes get hung up and and cause problems because different entities aren't talking to one another. So that's their main emphasis. I can give you more

information on any of these groups. I'd be happy to email you anything you'd like to see and I will let you give you the last slide just in case people want to get a hold of me. You can almost read that. Sorry. Um, well, council, mayor, you all know how to get a hold of me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I think we have some questions. Um, you ask questions. I always have questions.

Um, thanks for this information, Tammy. I'm just kind of curious on how we're using this more locally instead of globally. Um, I mean, the information is really great, but are we reaching out to these coalitions to see if they're going to come and potentially partner with us or do presentations to our communities? Um, I mean information is always good, but I think information is is not helpful if we're not utilizing it. So, I'm just curious to see if you're reaching out to some of these people if we're directly working with any of these coalitions. Do they have funding opportunities? I have not yet spoken with any of these four organizations. We are working on putting together a housing master plan because we have a lot of different pieces that are all over the place. So, we'd like to have one thing that guides us guides our our town. Um, I have talked to some of the folks at Strong Towns about some of the like their housing toolkit, some of those kind of things, but I haven't wanted to reach out to these folks until we really know where we're going, what our focus is, how we want to address that.

Okay. Anybody else?

Um, Mr. Spark, you know, I really think what you guys are doing, this is important. you know, having worked on the land development standards for the last 20 years and and realized not how restrictive they are, but what they require, we've never had a component for this type of housing. And hopefully we can take all the what we what you're learning and like with the the expensive infrastructure and and using the existing properties we have and and re redo land development standards for this type of housing so we can build affordable housing. Yeah. We've done some some good stuff with our land development standards recently. Um I think that it's with this I'm just trying to give you guys a base of understanding so that you kind of know what you're working with too. It doesn't help if I'm the only person who knows what's going on. That is

get contractors involved and just absolutely said people that are getting people involved and make them feel comfortable that they can build here and they're they don't have to jump through a lot of hoops. Well, and that's it. for talking to folks that have been through the hoops and you know getting their comments, what they think, what might be helpful, what isn't, that kind of thing. So, appreciate the work. Thank you. Thank you.

The next item is consent agenda. These items are placed on the consent agenda. So, the city council that designate by unanimous consent those routine items they wish to be approved are acknowledged by one motion. If if any item does not meet the approval of this all council members or if citizen so requests it will be heard as a separate item. Um the the there's two items on the consent agenda. One is if but the second was the confirmation of the sports commission members and I wanted if just give a little bit explanation and clarity. Okay. You have to pull it off the uh and then read that pull it off the agenda. Yeah, just pull it off the agenda.

For the uh consent agenda is that okay? Yes. Um with that, can we proceed with the uh the single line on the left? A motion to approve approval of minutes under consent agenda item number one.

Councelor Piano. Yes. Councelor Yazy. Yes. Council Molina. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Mayor Deal. Yes.

So now we're at your

Thank you. Um so the sports commission has been around since 1992. It's a very important commission. It provided sports fields and opportunities for the youth of talent. um since it originally when it started the sports commission was there was baseball and softball and not anymore any not anymore other sports since then it's it's moved into basketball we have Gallup youth basketball it's the soccer we have Gallup youth soccer we have TDFL and we have other sports that that we're trying to get of course we also can coordinate with the schools now we have nine high schools in Gallup plus the multiple mid schools. Um, so the, uh, the sports commission went has this, it's the same bylaws and charter that's been in place since 1992 and it was put together, you know, in order to help to provide fields and opportunities for youth and gals so they don't get to trouble. Um, the uh, there are a few items in the sport in the the charter that need to be addressed um, that that to bring it up to date. you know, essentially that it was it recognizes other sports to clearly define the uh the commissioners that are come from these sports um since the in 2019 actually in 2015. I've been on the sports commission since 2009 and I was the chairman um since 2000 as after I was president of the sport of the soccer league. I moved into the sports commission and then from there I moved into uh uh the the chairman. But what we what we did then is we moved from single people to representatives from leagues and teams as members as commission members and that included someone from TDFL. Um and that's if you look at the agenda you'll see the names of the people that were that are put on the um on the on the board. Now there the board says that they can they can serve two-year terms.

the the ex the other explanation I want to make sure is through COVID as everybody knows things didn't get done right or or were put behind or put on the back burner. So this is going to be the the first reinstatement of the the sports commission members since 2019. Um yeah, so there we're going to this is we what I'd like to do we're going to proceed with the um uh like the nominating these these members so we can shore up and make sure the sports commission is good and active. we because baseball little league is starting within a month or I think it starts mid mid April. Um and with that I'd like it to turn it over to our city attorney to just make sure it's just so he can add a few comments. Uh thank you Mr. Mayor. U there are basically two problems here. The first problem is that everybody currently on the commission is serving in a holdover term. terms expired some time ago. They were never reappointed and so they're basically holdovers in August. Um the agenda item indicates that only two additional people will be added to the commission, not that the current members will be reappointed. So I think there is a question as to whether you can do that in this meeting. uh thought there is probably sufficient latitude there to reappoint all currently serving members. Uh they would be reappointed for a single term of two years not staggered. So there would be a two-year period in which they would all work and then there would have to be reappointment. there might be vacancies that occur in the meantime. Oh, we didn't even see uh that points to the need to sort of spruce up the resolution and charter that established the commission. The other basic problem has been that the commission the

commission's charter declares it a public body and requires that the commission comply with the open meetings act. U that requirement until recently has not been consistently observed. So it's necessary I think inappropriate to emphasize that that requirement in the context of uh this activity. Uh my suggestion would be um that um the current members appointments be confirmed and the new members if at the the council approves be added. uh but also the direction be given to revise and and update the underlying resolution and charter uh to clarify some matters. For example, the charter the charter's provision concerning terms contains blanks. The numbers were never filled in. Uh so that kind of stuff needs to be addressed, taken care of just as a matter of administrative housekeeping.

Any comments or questions? Um, are we So, can we even vote on this or do we need to table this to the next meeting until the charter gets updated? It's going to take a while to take a charter. Oh, it is.

That's that's an option. I don't think you have to do that. I think that you can. You've got two options before you right now. First would be simply to add the nominee members. That would be most consistent with the statement as an agenda item and would not go beyond the four corners, so to speak, of the item. The section second option would be to add to that appointment a reappointment of all currently serving members. In my opinion, that would be albeit slightly irregular uh permitted in the context of uh of this particular agenda item.

Um yeah, I I would just like just to not just nominate these particular people that are listed and go on and move on. And just a clarification, it says that we're not we're adding two people, but my understanding is that cursor is already on on the Yes. So, we really are only adding one person, so we should also identify that change. Um because it says it says we're adding two.

So, yeah, the um and there's actually not an addition, it's a replacement. The uh Johnny Grigo is replacing Gloria Cedo. Um, and that's one of the things we're going to fix in our in our bylaws is that uh we're going to make sure that the the uh members are labeled are listed under the actual team um that like TDFL would be or approval to say um so [clears throat] that's so yeah there are there are like I said 2019 changed so so for the purpose of this meeting mayor who are we adding

um the the the only addition is I'm coming off and I will be replaced by Greg Kirk. Um Gallop Soccer Soccer League is going to be uh Tyler Whitehead. Um Vince is always on there, but he's they're going to be taking off Denise Mara. Um the rest of them stay this Martine was actually that was Derek Travis now going back to 2019. So, I think what I think what we want to do is just pretty much start over because we've had such a long time between the the appointments and just start over this new list of people.

So, for the purpose of this meeting, are we adding all of these people back or just certain ones? Because I feel like we're getting conflicting things of what the attorney just said and what you said.

Um, these these here the the only ones. So, going back to 2019 makes it difficult. Um so these are going to be the new members and some will be reinstated and some will be new members. The um is you know again if it was done correctly and we would have it was done in the last over the seven last seven years. I think I think we just can we just recommend this is be a new reinstated board. I mean as a or these will be the members of the new of the board from 2026. Mayor and council, the agenda item is confirmation towards the mission amendment.

The only confusion apparently is who's being added, who's already there. To me, that confusion is immaterial at this point. I think a motion to confirm all the listed people as members, understanding that they served a year a two-year term would be appropriate if that's what the council wishes to. Thank you, Daria. Um, so Mr. Mayor, my question was, have the sports commission has been meeting since 2019? The actual sports commission since 1992. Yeah. Um, I mean since the you said it hadn't really been we kind of stopped making the updates, but they've still been meeting these last several years.

Either online for the first till about 2024 and then it went back to in inperson meetings. Okay. And can anybody here tonight confirm that all of the people on this list that we have are active members? And okay, we're not confirming anybody who has like dropped off or stopped engaging. Okay, these are all at the last meeting. They're all just confirm. Great motion to confirm all members of the sports commission. No second. Councelor P. Yes. Councelor Molina. Yes. Council.

Councelor Garcia. Yes. Mayor DeFoly. Yes. Thank you for that. Go back. That was clear as let's get that updated as soon as possible.

Well, now we're updated. Sir. Um, the next discussion item is request for a budget adjustment for the water department in the amount of $814,650. The water department is requesting a budget adjustment of 8146 $814,650 to cover the cost of engineering construction management for reach 2712 and 2712 cyano waterline extension of the Navajo Gallop water supply project. Um our the speaker now is going to be uh Dan Boon and he can go through the list. The original the uh the original PO was just stated for design and this is just a budget adjustment which was with within the year the United States Bureau of Reclamation Cooperative Agreement. Um go ahead.

Yeah. Good evening Mayor Council. I think you pretty much uh explained the whole thing. So it is a um funding by b and the city will pay out but it's 100% reimburseable. So you know it consists of a uh storage tank water lines 10 what 12 10 and 8 in water lines going towards South Forks and two PRVs that'll tie into that area to provide better uh water pressure and on the Borman area. So like I said the projects are fully reimbursible so it's pretty good often.

Yeah. Um and let me just add a little bit of work. So the the next port that we're going to have another item discussion and action item coming up and it's going to be approval of the water trust board WPF6576 and that's going to be for the construction. Um but one of the thing that's most significant about these two projects is that the city has received its cost cap for the gallery project of 76 million. Yeah, that's great.

Again, Dave worked hard on that. Pat Frank worked hard on that. But you'll see that this money here is going to be the this 815 15,000 is going to be paid for with that 76 million and then when we get to the next project we'll see should be able to get full credit for the 9,721,000. Right now we have 63 about 63.5 million for our cost account. This add another 10,000. It'll put us at about 73.5 getting closer and closer to the $7,600. So, uh, I am here to seek approval for this budget adjustment. If we could have a motion to approve.

Had one question, Mr. Mayor, if it's okay. Yes. I was just wanting to understand though as we um are in essence grunting the money for the project to begin and it'll be reimbured later where where exactly is it going to be moved from to go into the operational budget for them from this uh Bureau of Reclamations Cooperative Agreement R11 AC00002. So, we already have that, right? $33 million. Yes. Okay. Unders. Thank you. And it'll be uh transferred into uh project number JU1102.

Okay. Like to make a motion if everybody's done. Make a motion for approval of request for a budget adjustment for the water department in the amount of $814,650. Second. Councelor Molina. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Councelor Pana. Yes. Councelor Gazi. Yes. Mayor Dealy, I'm going to abstain um from the building. Is that Should I do that or have a doesn't really matter, does it? You can abstain if you believe there's any conflict or other cause or abstaining from voting. I wouldn't know what that is, but um I believe there is. I didn't abain.

There's no conflict. I don't have any any ties at all to the poly engineering any longer. Um it's completely out of my hands. So yes, I will guess.

You have a re decision. Um next item approved. You're coming back. Um this is the uh the ne the next item is the water wastewater department budget adjustment. You skipped Oh, sorry. Gosh. Whatever. Number three. Uh Steve Margo, sorry. The budget adjustment for into 2019 20ou 219 for the amount of $10,000 payroll cost for the remainder of the fiscal year for the senior center. Good evening, council. Thank you for being here or thank you for letting me present tonight. Um we are

Yeah. Well, yeah, you don't. Anyway, um we are asking for a budget adjustment for $10,000 for our payroll for budget line item 219 from the general fund. I'm not sure if you have this. I think these are Yeah,

it was in the attachments, so I'm not sure if you need it or not, but it was in the attachment there. Um about a month ago it was brought to my attention that we are going to be about $10,000 short within being able to pay our do our payroll for the rest of the fiscal year. The budget for senior center is divided into three different areas. So 3640 is from is basically our congregate meals. 3641 is for our home delivery of meals and 3643 is our transportation. You can see at the bottom there, we are about $10,000 short, particularly in the city match portion. And so we are requesting $10,000 to be able to cover our budgetary needs for our payroll for the remainder of the year.

Um any discussion items, comments, questions from council? Um I have [clears throat] a quick question. Um Steve, thanks so much for um presenting. I think it's pretty self-explanatory, but is it just are we just falling short? We just didn't know. I know you kind of just started so you may not be able to answer this question, but we just didn't know maybe that what the shortfalls will be and then are we able to kind of anticipate this for next year's budget in terms of We should be able to. Um I didn't create this budget, so I'm not blaming anybody, but it's just one of these situations that we are anticipating we aren't going to have this problem in the future. Okay, that's great. Thank you.

Want to thank councelor Garcia. you have been at the senior center at least four or five times within the last month. Thank you for attending with us when we went to the senior day of a couple weeks ago as well. So, we appreciate your support and I've gotten I've gotten I've enjoyed getting to know you as well. Thank you. Thank you, sir. So, thank you. Say I completely support Senior Center of course and I understand that everything now has just gone up. So, I just believe that with the cost of everything going up, that's why we had the short. So, yes. So there is no question.

I forgot to tell you something funny. Um, a lady in my church goes to the senior center and she came up to me and said, "There's a new guy at the senior center." And I said, "Oh yeah." I said, "Is he the manager today? He's a bald guy and he's doing a great job and I really like him." And uh, I'm the bald guy. I just want I'm not saying that'd be offensive. I just want you to know she really liked you. That's just what she said. I thought it was so cute and funny. But she just is such a nice lady. And she just said, "That guy, I really like him. He's doing a good job with the senior center." She goes there all the time. So, I just thought I'd pass that along to you.

It's a real pleasure being able to work with our seniors. Um, one of the best parts of my day is during the congregate lunch from 11 to 1, just going out and getting to talk to them, getting just to know them, find out just things about them and things of that nature and what have you. And so, that that's the fun part of the job. Um, the the budget and what have you is things that I'm still navigating and learning and stuff, but I'm getting a lot more comfortable with it and things like that. Uh, we were out at the center today. I do have pictures if you want to look at some pictures here.

All right. I can you can pass those around. You could see where they're at as far as the construction of the new building goes. I've labeled those. Okay. And you can just pass those around and I'll get those at the end of the meeting here. You can take a look at them. They are anticipating that we are going to be able to open late October, early November. Uh, the weather last week didn't put them behind or anything. They are almost finished getting the roof on and we should be at the point once the electrical gets transferred and we talked to Dr. Keegan about that earlier today in our meeting that they'll be able to move the trailers out. We'll be able to have start having meetings inside. So, they are making good progress and uh this is a good program.

All right. One of the things that I will add and I know it's not on the agenda is that we are serving we're serving roughly 265 meals a day out there and that's both home that's home deliveries and congregate meals and what have you and uh food costs are going up and what have you but this is a vital vital program for our city and we appreciate all the support you can give. So thank you for letting me present today. Thanks.

Yes. Uh before I make my motion, I also want to say that talking to all the leaders, they love boss Steve. They all call them boss Steve and um that you go and you just speak to them, talk to them, acknowledge them. They love that. So he he works in the kitchen, he goes on the bus rides, he's he just goes with does everything with some news and I'm very appreciative of it. Thank you very much. Thank you. So I want to make a motion to approve the budget adjustment in 219. Yeah. into 219 the amount of $10,000 to cover the payroll cost for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Second. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Councelor Piano. Yes. Councelor Molina. Yes. Councelor Yazi. Yes. Mayor DeFali. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Next is the wastewater department has his own wastewater department budget adjustment. Robert looks like red.

Good evening council. Mr. Mayor, uh the wastewater department is requesting a budget adjustment and a change in payroll. We have an employee that has transferred from the to the wastewater department from the water department. Uh we're bus department is requesting a budget adjustment in the amount of $40,589 from account 5086062443 455.40 into 5086062 444341.20 account to cover the bait. Um with that any questions from Fson? I was just going to make a comment that that's great that you're getting another employee. It is very helpful.

Yeah, super helpful to the wastewater department. So, okay. Um motion motion to approve the wastewater department budget adjustment. Second. Councelor Molina. Yes. Councelor Yazy. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Councelor Piano. Yes. Mayor Devali. Yes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Item number four is approval of the GU-2604 New Mexico Department of Transportation's aviation grant agreement to complete the airport master plan. Can we interject real quick? Yeah. It's his birthday.

I don't want to count them no more. We should sing. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Robert. Happy birthday to you. Thank you. 29 and 29 years. 29 whiteheaded.

So, good evening, mayor and council. appreciate the birthday wishes from uh mayor and council and all the members in the audience. Uh mayor and council, I bring before you uh the request for approval of a grant agreement from the department of aviation. Uh it's a grant agreement to complete the uh master plan at the airport. Originally, I brought uh this project to city council in June of 2023 uh to accept the funding under resolution R2023-14 uh to award the contract to Armstrong Consultants for task order A, airport master plan. Unfortunately, uh the NMD dot aviation funds expired before the master plan was complete. instead of them giving us an extension to the grant, they said, "Let's go ahead and uh pull that back. We'll issue another grant. We'll get the the project completed." So, basically, that's what I'm coming before y'all uh to just accept the new grant in the amount of $56,34 and we are asking that to be set in uh fund 308.

Wish all of our grant funders did that for us. Pardon? I wish all of our grant funders did that for Oh, I don't. Yes. Usually they fall back money and we don't get no more. Yeah. So, thank you Robert. Um, any questions? And just to clarify that 56,34 will cover the completion of the master plan.

It will. We still actually have funds left over from the FAA and then our match, which wasn't very much. Our match was like I believe 5% of the project uh $3,856. But yes, we will have an effect. Uh the FAA grant does not expire uh until I believe 2027. So we have plenty of time, but I'm hoping this project will be complete by July 2026. Okay. Awesome. Thank you. Thank you. Motion. Motion to approve GOP 2604, New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Grant Agreement to complete the airport master plan. Second. Councelor Piano. Yes. Councelor Garcia.

Yes. Councelor Gazi. Yes. Councelor Molina. Yes. Mayor Depali. Yes. Thank you, Mayor. Council. Yes. Thank you. Thanks, old man. Out of here. Um, our next item is number five. It's something I brought up earlier with Jen discussing the the construction management. This is approval of re resolution number 2026-11 water trust board and that's New Mexico Finance Authority Water Trust Board project WPF6576 grant agreement and the necessary budget adjustments to accompany it and our speaker today is Jackie Lee.

Yes, I did put in that to approve the grant agreement and necessary budget adjustments but I kind of spoke a little too soon on that one. the we are still awaiting some documents for approval and the closing for that is set for April 10th. So what we're going to what I'm requesting approval of right now is resolution number 2026-11 for this water trust board project number WPF6576. Um this project is will consist of construction the Navajo Gallop water supply project reach 2712 water lines two 2 milliongal storage tanks and two pressure reducing valve stations and it'll include other related work and revisions necessary to complete this project.

Let me just make sure um so the way it's it's a single 2 million gallon water storage tank. There's not two of them. It's just the way that just put together there. So, just Yes. Oh, yeah. That's interesting. Thank you. Any questions for Jackie? We already explained that this is $10 million toward our 76 million. Where where is the project taking place? I I'll go ahead and explain it. It's reached It's reached 2712. It's I'm not quite sure where that located. It's going to take off at the end of 2710 and run south along 602. and then turn and follow Katalpa road and go up to a a topographic high point where a tank will be installed

and then it's going to tie in at Boardman and at South Park or Southport. Okay. And this will this will be the last project of the Navajo Gallup Gallop water supply distribution distribution and tank uh site and it will help the pressure in the Southport area um water deliveries. Good. Very good. Okay, we can have a motion. And the motion we're making tonight is just to approve the resolution without any

motion to approve resolution R2026-11 water trust board project number WPF 6576 grant agreement. I second. Councelor Yaji. Yes. Councelor Molina. Yes. Council Piano. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Our next item is labeled best of the best and uh today's the speaker is going to be the city manager Frank Jetti.

Thank you, mayor. Um it's getting that time of year. Um Mr. Eddie's jumping at the bit to stop start advertising. Um, so we're we're seeking direction. It's the last year of the RFP for for Mr. Eddie to to um be the manager of the best of the best event. Um, we're still closing out last year's. He's given us all the documents. We're finalizing that and getting with him. Um, you know, this event does cost the city a bit of money to to host. Um, it looks like last year we did a little better job of of working to get the people into town. Um, we still have a ways to go on that. Um, but really bringing you here today. I know it's it's February. The event's not in May, but he does need to get the advertisements out. He's got to be taking the entries. He has a lot of work to do between now and then. So, uh, I'd like to have you all make a decision um to host the event or not. We'll say Commissioner Eddie is here today. Um, so if you have any direct questions for him, he could probably answer better than me.

I would be glad to. Okay. Yeah. Well, come on up. We uh Good, please.

Um, and you know, I'd like to say the the thing about the best of the best and the other events we have at Red Rock Park, they're very important to the city. You know, I grew up Yeah. I grew up in Gallup and got to attend the National High School Rodeo, Red Rock Bar when I was nine years old. I walked around selling popcorn. And ever since then, you know, we we used to go to the Li we'd go to Lions Club ros and everything, but the park is so important to the city in these events and and supporting them as we very important. And then people all over you go all over the place and they all they all recognize best of the best of the stuff that's going on in Gallup. Lions Club rodeo is another one. So with that, if there's any questions for Walt, which are you or if you want to give us go ahead

high school rodeo was in 1974. You're telling how old you are? I was nine years old. One one correction to what Frank said, it's in June, not May. Oh, no problem. That gives you extra time. If anybody has any questions, I'll be glad to stand for them. I don't have any questions, but I'd like to thank you for everything you've done and putting this project done. I know it's a lot of work, but it's good for Gallup, and I appreciate that. Thank you. One one statement I would like to add, uh, this is the third year in the RFP. We've been pretty imaginative. Prices have went up on everything immensely, but we're still staying within that budget of three years ago. Good. Yes. Good. Good.

Have a question and I don't I have two questions. One kind of wall and then I don't know if you can answer the second question. So the first question is um I know in the past we have always approved this um as expediently as before. So I'm really excited that city manager put this on so early. So, do you anticipate that with having all this extra time, we'll even be able to get more advertising? We're not We're not early. Last year, we approved it in January. Well, you know what? You just blew a hole in my whole balloon there. Well, geez. Oh, no. But I think we're I think we're established enough and I mean, I've had a hundred texts for people already wanting to know the dates and I just assumed it was going to happen and the word got there.

I know. Okay. Well, dang it. I thought we were on the ball. All right. Well, that's good to know. Um because I I think getting the word out is really important. And my second question and this might be for Patty. So is this fiscal or Frank and is this fiscal impact of 60 to 90,000 is that that's the estimated city impact? That's a $30,000 difference. So I mean that's a pretty big range. There there's a we just don't know or either it just depends on number of competitors the cost of again place you see what's going on so so I just put a range there of a ballpark figure okay

didn't I didn't want to say none I didn't want to say a lot more but what what should help this year as we was just talking about the inflation we have not raised stall prices on stalls or RV in the past, but but this year we need to raise them. Yeah, I think that's a good idea, actually. Yeah. I mean, every every place else has. Okay. And when you do well, that'll be beneficial to the city, right? The city gets all of the SOL and revenue income. Yeah, I think it's a good idea. And and mayor, if I can interject, um you know, last year we we got to get we got to go I first of all, I need two volunteers to fill Mr. Schuffs and Louise Shoes to

I have one right there. She's already told me I didn't call her last year. I'm in trouble.

So, you know, we we hauled people gave people rides to to the to the arena from the campgrounds and and different things. Um, just hearing them talk about Gallup in comparison to the other large rodeos. I think Oklahoma was the next week, then the national finals the week after or in that ballpark. Um, you know, they they really appreciate what Gallup does for them. Um, Walt puts on a great show. Um there's no there's no entry uh for the spectators. They can come in. Um Walt's giving them out the uh ride sheets daily. Um where you go to the other events, you know, they're charging huge ticket prices. When they have a family of five or six coming to watch one of their other children, it it's costing them two, three, $400 just just to get their seats. Um $10, $20 a day to get the event sheets of when their child's riding, that type of stuff. you know, we don't do that. It's very spectator friendly. Um, speaking of spectators, I think if you don't approve it, I'm not going to face Jeff Montano. He's there every year supporting the children. Uh, shouldn't call them children, the young adults there. He's out there supporting the young adults every year um faithfully. Um, you know, so so it's it has a following. Um, and and and just a wonderful event. And the way they talk about Gallup every year show shows that we're we're doing something good to to enhance our future tours.

And the good thing, thanks to Senator Mos, we will have a shade over the grand stands this year. It's great. Which will make daytime events out there way more enjoyable. It's true. Questions. Yeah. No, you don't need to succeed. Well, so just I guess hearing that, why don't we charge anything as for spectators that even just like the $10 entry fee

when when we first started this, I I will let Patty correct me if I'm wrong. Uh it is a city event. I cannot go collect the money. That means a city legitimate city employee has to collect it. And it was costing us more to have the people out there for seven perfs than what we brought in for ticket prices. So we quit charging them. Rick,

we can charge. We did charge. First of all, staffing it for daytime. Employees were very reluctant to volunteer because they weren't on overtime. They had other duties to take care of and it became so labor intensive, so overwhelming that it didn't matter any game. And so we chose for a while we could get sponsors that basically pay a fee. And so the sponsorship would try to cover anything can be made there. But it it it just doesn't work out well. It it's a lot of work because you have to man all the different gates and have all the windows set up. You have to buy credit card sheets to be able to run the transactions and then you have to have all the controls in place to manage all the funds that are through those. Okay.

And which we have done every year. We've sold a $5,000 sponsorship to basically cover the admission and recognize that on the poster that the the admission was compliments of A, B, or C. Um, Commissioner, if you don't mind, um, excuse me one one second. Ch change my title. I am not a commissioner when I'm standing up here. If just briefly because I'm new, I want to hear a little bit more about like the division. I know it's a city event, but since I have And honestly, I haven't

When the junior high national finals was here, it it used to cost the city about 250 to 300,000 a year to put on, but it overran the park. The reason why it cost so much is we had to go out and rent outside stalls, outside spart spider systems for the RVs and stuff to accommodate it. They finally outgrew us and they moved back to the Midwest where there is bigger facilities. At that time, Mayor McKenna came to me and we said, "Let's come up with an event that basically utilizes the infrastructure we have at the park." Uh, we had got there pre-COVID. There's like 540 stalls out there. We had every stall in every RV place on the park rented. We didn't do it one year for COVID, then the next year we came back and did it in August, which we found was terrible because boys are already playing football and kids graduated as seniors have already went to college and stuff. So, kind of we had a two-year gap and we've been growing back every year. Another 40 50 people every time. The the good thing is 99.5% of the people we bring are from out of the area. and green chili and Indian jewelry is hot on their minds. Texas women in turquoise, they go crazy.

Um, so that said, how many attendees did we bring in last year? Uh, a little over 350 actual contestants, but that's not counting family members and stuff like that. Okay. It's just a little bit hard to swallow like knowing some of the other needs in our community and especially some of the people that are, you know, struggling to meet their basic needs to to see like this amount of money going to just entertainment. And I know people are really into rodeo. Like I said,

I would like to see the physical impact the the 350 families that come to Gallup for five days generates in grocery seats tax and retail sales at our events. I would like to add also this is funded out of the lodgers tax which is focused on what we can spend it on the tourism those type of things. So this isn't money that we can use but but Walt is or Mr. Eddie is is right on point to where this does the the gross receipts tax, the fuel tax, all the other taxes that come in that can go into those coffers to support the programs you're talking about. I' I've never seen a physical impact study here, but I did a roping in Queen Creek New Year's in the Queen Creek facility showed me that our economic impact for three days was 700,000. Cog Cog used to do one for us. Maybe Brandon will do one for us next year. I'm given this is the third year of RFP is I wonder if there's any way we can do kind of a survey of the people that come and attend and understand like what they're getting like yeah whether it changes their attitude about Gallup or whether they stayed here in town and shopped here and um like an evaluation of sorts just to kind of get

through Matt Matt should be able to give you I'm trying to think of how I want to say this uh by by tracking telephones, the number of people that was there and where they come from. But as far as a survey, I mean, we can get you whatever whatever you guys come with a voluntary Yeah. like a Google form survey to go out to them afterwards. I don't think No, we we don't have to. They have to actually come in and check in for the rodeo. And the survey they can fill out before we let them check in for the rodeo. We we can make that happen. It's just not Not anything anybody's ever asked for. Yeah, I got you. I think it'd be cool to you come up with the survey, I'll get it filled out for you.

Thank you. Okay, you volunteer.

I want to make a comment. So, Mr. Wald, of course, you know that I am the number one fan on the best of the best and I think it's very beneficial to the city and the surrounding areas that we keep the best of the best rodeo. I've been a volunteer for so many years uh on the golf cart taking the uh contestants and the family from the stalls to the arena. You sit there and you get to meet the people and they will tell you that they love the best of the best and then we intersect. I consider myself an ambassador to the city of Gallup and I let them know about our our our Christmas time that we have which is a red green chili and the restaurants and the jewelry stores. So they those 300 and some that come in and the grandparents come in and the uncles and aunties come in. So we're doubling people coming in to the city of Gallup. So they totally enjoy coming to Gallop every single year with the best of the best and you put on a great professional rodeo. Thank you for that and I support you 100%.

Thank you. Since day one I've always tried to get the city councilors to come out there. What we do

uh Mrs. Jawsy is we we send golf carts out there and most all of the people it's a long walk from the RVs up to the arena and that sand and stuff and like Linda said there's grandparents and stuff so we shuttle them up when the rodeo starts and we shuttle them back when the it's done and I was very fortunate I had a very good council the first year and I've always got the counselors to go so they could interact with the people that they can hear firsthand what the people think of Gallup and stuff instead of me coming in giving you typical promoter BS that mine's the best in the world and all that stuff. You get to hear straight from the horse's mouth, as they say. I would appreciate it very much if you'd come out and drive a golf cart for us one day.

The question get um so I don't disagree with anything that's been said. I think I've been out a couple times to drive the golf cart. Um and then I've been out of town sometimes, which also I'm a terrible driver of golf course, so that liability is now on you. Um just kidding. Does it belong to city insurance or the county?

We got to figure that out. No, I'm just kidding. Um, but I I do agree also with councelor Yazy. I think having the data is so important. I just can't remember if we did that. I I don't question at all that this is a great event or we have great people that love it. Um, but I think um, and this isn't really even for you. I just think as a city we should get data um, in terms of like from the tourism department to see over that weekend when all those 350 contestants came, what was the economic impact? you know, did we see an increase of 10% in our restaurant sales? Did we see a increase in our jewelry stores? Um, and I don't I don't know. I'm not as good as the data tracking on the phone and website, but if that's something that Matt can help us track, I think it would just be helpful to show that investment, right? Because we're kind of making guesses. We're saying, "Yes, people are going and they're spending their money, but we don't unless we see that actual data, we don't actually know that." So, I want to make sure we're living in data factual land and not just guessing. I mean, yes, people love it and we assume people go to shop, right? But we just I think having that

all you have to do is look at all the duly pickups and blowing people walking around downtown with back numbers on and you can tell they come to town. Well, coming to town and spending money is different, right? So, they could come to town, but we don't actually know if there was an inc. I mean, like I could come to town and spend no money. Go up and see null and ask him how busy he is being. It's a great plan. We should do that. We should talk to some of these jewelers to see if it's Yeah. restaurants to see how it impacted um their business. But but I will be glad if if you guys put together me a survey, I will be glad to get it filled out and back to you.

I think that's great. I love that. And then I was just going to add that um lost my train of thought. Oh, and if this isn't pertinent to right now, that's fine. But something that was said earlier, you know, most of the contestants, just for counselor Yazy's information, they actually they don't stay in hotels. They stay predominantly out at Red Rock Park. But we had talked about at one point, maybe we already did this, is doing like the tax for lodger sacks. That's how we do for staying at hotels. We need we need to be doing that whether we have this event or not. We need to be charging sales tax out at Red Rock Park. Have we implemented that yet or is that

but but some something I kind of have to interject in there that there's about 130 campsites at RV out at Red Rock State Park. I went through high school so my math's probably not the best in the world but when you have 350 contestants I understand their sub siblings. 350 families aren't staying at Red Rock State Park in horse trailers when there's 130 RV spots. Oh, that's a that's a that's a fair point. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We don't have enough spaces to really hold all of them. Okay. Do do we know that we're not char we're getting off the subject here. I understand that, but it's important. Do we know that we're not charging tax at Red Rock State Park? So, do we know that we're not charging it?

Okay. Now, are we charging um uh lodgers tax at USA RV Park? Yes. Okay. So, we should be charging. Yeah. Correct. It's not fair to USA RV Park that we're not charging that tax to our own park. Yes. We've been following up on those and the bed and breads. Yeah. Sorry to change the subject a little bit, but that's important.

I'm I'm going to make one more I'm going to make two more statements and I'm going to shut up. Uh so through the work at the county, we got uh 3 million to do new bathrooms. We've got another 2.5 million to redo the east bathrooms. We've got a grant for I don't know 4 million to redo the concession stand and we got 7 million to redo the roof. We we put 20 million $20 million into the infrastructure out there for the sole purpose of utilizing that park, not for it to sit there and have three events a year. I mean, that doesn't pencil out at all. Very good.

And then off off topic, because I'm not going to get a chance to do it. I I have to leave Thursday for three weeks going to Fort Worth. I'd like to thank Dave. I I heard the Navajo Gallup water project, the cap on it. I was fortunate enough to get to go to Washington and sit in on in all those meetings and the county attorney and Dave represented our positions very eloquently and very professionally. I I thank you for doing that. Thank you. Awesome. Any more questions? You did good. We can have a motion. I can make a motion to play with the best of the best. Council Molina. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Councelor Pian. Yes. Councelor Yazy. Yes,

Mayor Dealing. Yes. Okay. Well, thanks Frank and all Dy. Um the next the last item number seven was the last item, but anyway, this is the request for review and action on lease with Enchanted Technology Solutions and Huntington Technology Finance for the Gallup Police Department laptop computers. Um and with that, our police chief is here. I can't see over there.

Mayor, council, I appreciate you having me tonight come on up and I know I've been working closely with David and he has the gist of all the leasing agreements and the attorneys going back and forth and talking. So, I won't take all of his time, but I just want to emphasize the need for the Gallup Police Department to have laptops. Um, every year we have a replacement plan. as you know when we go into budget hearing um what is the longevity of these equipment lasting um years and years of going into the budgeting I've been doing it for about three years it's going to be the third time is we've been just extending the warranty uh warranties um um come to an end and those computers are obsolete and that's where we're at today um so I I just want to express the need for those and um you know the importance of our laptops these are the ones that sit in our units for our officers to run people to be compliant with our sieges um with the FBI reporting um when we run licenses, driver's license, if we don't have those where really our hands are tied and having to call it into Metro. Um but I'll go ahead and turn the time over to David.

Thank you, Chief. Um well, overview, uh there's basically two ways to do this. Way one is to acquire your own equipment, um your own software licenses. Uh but that uh is a programmatic uh option that really isn't available at this point. If you wanted to do it that way, you'd probably be re-rolling over six to eight computers a year. Uh so you would not be uh getting into the sort of time frame that we've got here with computers that are closing in on eight years to 10 years old. Uh so the only viable option at this point u in my view somewhat unfortunately it's what amounts to a commercial lease of the laptop units uh and um and their accompanying software. Uh this has been budgeted uh but the council has yet to review and approve the lease documents uh themselves. Uh very briefly to summarize the lease is the core document. It contemplates delivery of 71 laptop computers which gives you some idea of the volume and the usage of those computers. Um it specifies a four-year term. Uh the total rent uh or gross rent under that uh that term is about $67,000 about $167,000 a year. Uh there is an initial separate installation cost of about $40,000. Um and that is my understanding has been budgeted at least in part pos

because it is a charge against the city general fund and therefore is subject to new appropriations every year of its term. uh council will have to reappropriate or newly appropriate money each year for the payment of rentals due under the lease during four-year terms. That's something to keep in mind, not lose track of because if you don't appropriate the money appropriately, uh then the lease will have to be terminated. Um at the end of the term, the city will have the option of purchasing the equipment. uh this is to be at a value determined by the lesser or by appraisal at the city's expense. Uh another option is to continue the lease itself or the third option is to return equipment. Um, this is a standard commercial lease and in that world the lesser quite often uh is unwilling to budge off of terms that it considers advantageous to itself and to what it's trying to put together. At the end of the day, what the lesser is doing is creating a uh group of documents and contractual commitments that more or less guarantee an income and therefore can be easily marketed on the secondary market to investors. It can easily be aggregated with other leases of a similar type and turned into a securitized product etc. So what you have is a bunch of features to the arrangement that are very less or friendly and not terribly less effed elements here uh for your consideration. For example, uh the covenants binding upon the less or are declared to be independent from the covenants under the

lease binding on the leie. Meaning the less or can breach the lease, but the leie has no right of set off or recruitment uh to abate or otherwise reduce payments of rentals that might be required. Uh in addition, the less spine less breach is entitled to fairly uh interesting liquidated damages recovery that's based on a highly esoteric uh calculation of expected return uh discounted present value etc. Uh interestingly the lefer disclaims any warranty of title meaning they do not warrant that they even own this equipment. The um remedy provided to us the city as lei there is a covenant of quiet enjoyment meaning that if somebody comes in and says this is really my equipment give it back then the less or is responsible for damages that in my opinion is pretty cold comfort. We want to know that we're dealing with someone who has title but they have refused to budge on that point. uh they also in the lease insist upon constraining their duty to mitigate damages in the event of our breach. So uh if it were up to me this this would not be an arrangement would we we would be entertaining but at the end of the day I don't think we have much choice. This is the best deal we're going to get it we have to take this deal. The computers that the department have has are on their last legs. Uh they can fail at any time. They can't even be upgraded to Windows 11. In addition, because they can't be upgraded, we will be denied compliant with various security and communications protocols, meaning that these laptops that we currently have might not even be able to interface with dispatch. So, we really have no choice but to acquire these new

laptops and to um hold our nose in doing so at some of these very unfavorable lease terms. Um final comment and this is you know affects only the legal department uh standing alone. It is typical in a commercial lease of this sort and this is no exception to require an opinion from the lei's attorney confirming verifying standing behind and otherwise underwriting various commitments by the lei and various statuses and other terms of the lease. Uh that exposes both myself and Erica to fairly extraordinary risk. At the end of the day, if the opinion turns out to be incorrect, if we have been mistaken in our judgment, you can be sued personally by either the lesser or an assigne of the lease. Uh the amount of that claim could range from the hundreds of thousands of dollars to who knows what. Uh now, that's risk that um we're willing to accept. Okay? We are the city's lawyers and we will do this to uh further the interests of the city. However, we do have one request and that is that in any motion that approves this lease and the related documents, the council expressly undertake to indemnify and hold harmless myself and Erica and the legal department for and against any claim that might be asserted with respect to a breach of the lease and or a failure of the attorney's opinion that we're being required to provide to the leor. standard. In those cases, we are act acting as the city's agent and we believe that's an appropriate protection to which we're entitled if we're going to sign off on and provide an opinion of council that would uh if things go along

expose us to personal liability. So, with that, uh I have no further comments, but if there are questions, we'll be happy to entertain. Um, so Erin and Dave appreciate, you know, these are great computers. These are the Panasonic tough books, very expensive. Probably cost $7,000 to replace.

Um, so Dave, what I was wondering is in order to have and there is an insurance requirement in here, but I'm not too sure if that covers the whole cost of the actual insurance itself. It says here that the request for a certificate is said property damage in the amount of 673,000. Um you know that's not going to buy 47 you know computers. Um that is the less source basis uh for tax recovery purposes and that is the number that they have requested on the property side. So that's just covering them. Yes. Yes. It covers it covers their

you know where I'm getting at right. Can we get a separate policy to cover not only your demification or your risk but also to cover loss or theft or anything on these computers they're not covering? We we can ensure our interest in the equipment. We can potentially ensure interruption of operations due to a loss of the input. Obviously, the city should be able to ensure our personal liability in undertaking this this required opinion. It points to an interesting feature here. The lesser insists that we ensure its property, but it disclaims any warranty of title to the prop. Uh you can probably tell that I'm a bit irritated with this.

Yeah. Uh but it is common in commercial leasing arrangements. But we're not going to find any more favorable term. We negotiated at length with both the lesser and the lesser's attorney. We got some concessions, but there were things that they simply were not willing to budge on. Uh, and to be honest, our negotiating position was not very strong given our need for the computers. Well, is a separate policy then something we might look into? I'm looking at Francis too, but uh just to make sure we are covered for these items that um because what what could happen here? These get stolen, lost, broken or and we're going have to pay full price to get replaced what I understand.

Is that right? We are going to have to reimburse for the loss value of the the equipment on a depreciated basis. As the lease goes on, the lessor's basis depreciates and reduces. So it would it would depend on the time of the loss theft, but there will be some amount. Oh, yes. Would our insurance cover that right now if we did have a loss of state? I can then mark this check for travelers.

Okay, that'd be the we could do that. At least at least we know we'll have some peace of mind for insurance coverage because right now the way it's written, we're we're in double jeopardy. Be if it gets lost or broken, we're paying for the computer and we're out of computer. Do we have to I mean just we're paying for the one we lost and then we're also and a new one to replace it. The lesser would be happy to supply a replacement computer or an additional rent. Exactly. They're not the $671 6,000 votes. Um anyway, thank you. I just want to make sure see additional policies sure of this agreement, but we didn't have to um have any risk. Well, any other question?

I have a question. U mayor, I am so sorry if I'm not ex understanding this completely. Um I understand the basis but so it says that the fiscal year 2026 payment has been budgeted about 27,000 but then it says that the 71 laptop computers and associated software offer for your term is a total rent of 671,000. So maybe I just had a long day but so we why are we not budgeting or this Walmart this is just budgeted each year. So like 207 and the next year 207 then the next year 207. Is that what we're doing? Um I'm confused. The difference between the 167 and the 207 is the initial installation expense.

Okay. Okay. That's a one time okay $40,000 expense. Okay. The reason you can't budget for the four years is that you are then encumbering your general fund for more than a year and you can't do that. Okay. So that 671 then then just then are we agreeing to do this for the four-year term or does it come back to us each year for that payment in the bud? It comes back to us in the budget process. We'll have to make a new appropriation each year or not. You have the option. It is not a breach of the lease. It will terminate the lease if you fail to appropriate right for the upcoming year.

Okay. Okay. And then second question, and I know you uh you did mention this, but I just can't remember. So, it just feels like overall summarizing is what you're saying is this lease is terrible. We don't want to do it. It has a lot of negativity, but we don't have another choice. That's like literally what I heard you say. So, am I not understanding that right? Is there another choice if we don't continue this lease? Because you listed out all the I feel like you listed out all the reasons why this lease is terrible and the liability to the attorneys. And then at the end I thought there was going to be like and here's a different option but then you were like but actually that's the only option. So is that our only option?

Uh one [clears throat] thing that you don't get graduate from law school is the pat the rabbit in it. Um no there is no other option if you wish to lease. This is going to be what you're going to have to confront and deal with. Okay. The only other option is to buy units outright. and we do not have $671,000 or anything close to it budgeted for that expense. Okay.

The one virtue of this lease, and I think our CFO would attest to and speak to this, is that it smooths out it it regularizes the yearly expense in a more predictable way. You're not engaged in in investing uh you know, money on a capital basis in a very large amount in one year. that that is a planning and budgeting uh benefit to doing a lease. Feel like we should have and this is neither here nor there because we didn't but maybe asked for this in our like cap like capital for like state reps or senators and some other growth funding or capital

on that line. Rand Brandon [clears throat] had mentioned um while we were in DC, if you read your summary of of the meetings, um when we met with Hinrich and and Venray and Ledger Fernandez's office, um they did very highly support uh law enforcement efforts um within within a select scope um you know, no crowd control equipment, stuff like that. But but one of the big things this could qualify for the community support grants is is asking for these type of stuff for them to fund it for us into the future to offset those future costs. Yeah.

So we we are looking at those and and I brought back a list to the chief and we kind of put out there um a big another big one was the rapid detection for for drugs in a test for rapid. So when we're doing a stop or or a raid or searching a vehicle or something or home that you know if we we come across something for the safety of our officers knowing knowing what they're getting into. So we we're already looking at several things and Brandon, thank you. That's that is a great idea.

Yeah, I I echo that. I love that idea of asking for the direct congressionally direct spending from our congressmen and women. I think that's a good way of do it. And actually the portals for Senator Luhan, um, they're just now opening, but I think they're due mid March, so we might want to just be on top of that. Awesome. Thank you. It's great. Okay. So, we can have a motion, but for Dave's request. Yeah. What do we want to do with that? to hold harmless attorneys. [clears throat]

Look, this is I regret having to bring this up. Okay, this is not something I want to do. But the fact of the matter is that under this opinion letter that we're issuing, we could be sued eight years from now. My gosh.

And we could be sued for significant amounts of money. we we're entitled to some peace of mind if we're going to offer this opinion to close this transaction. So, all we're asking is that if you approve the the arrangement set forth in the documents that you do so, also committing to indemnify the legal department and its personnel from any potential cost or liability or loss resulting from a claim made on the opinion letter that we are issuing. Okay, I just have one last question, mayor. Um, uh, Dave, if we were to do this, um, which sounds like we have to, and then we apply for like the community, you know, congressionally direct spending, like say next year and say halfway through this contract, we get the money to actually cover the full cost,

what would be the liability or what would be the cost of us to, you know, stop the contract halfway through because now we have the full money, full capital for it. Like do we have to pay a because we're breaking the lease?

No. The way to do it would be to not appropriate for the fiscal year in question. That terminates the lease. The lease is subject to your powers of appropriation. And to its credit and doesn't really have any choice in the matter. Uh the lesser has acknowledged in the lease that the council has the inherent and sovereign authority not to appropriate money and that further this council cannot tie the hands the hands of subsequent councils nor can it encumber it its general fund for more than a year. Therefore the lease relies upon a yearly appropriation. So, what you would do if you got grant money or money from another source would be to simply not appropriate money for the upcoming fiscal year. That would terminate the lease. There would then be presumably some form of negotiation over what you do or think with the equipment. Under a termination, you have to return the equipment. Uh, ordinary wear and tear accepted. Uh but the lesser would likely be willing to entertain a purchase offer at that point because at the end of the day you'd be dealing with old used equipment or non new used equipment.

Non wants to make an attempt motion. There's no more questions. Okay. Um, I will motion to approve the request for review and action on lease with Enchanted Technology Solutions and Huntington Technology Finance for GPD laptop computers with um indemnifying the legal department based on their decisions in the matter. Did I say that correctly? Did I say and the opinion that they've issued?

And the opinion they have issued. Second. Get that out. Yes. Yes. Council Garcia. Yes. Council Yazi. Yes. Councelor Molina. Yes. F. Yes. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Thank you, David. Thank you. Not so.

Okay. Um, so thank you. That includes all of our discussion items. And now we move to the comments by the mayor and city councilors. And I will let the city counselors go first. Sierra unless you want commission first. Are you in?

Um, I just had a couple things to say, but I wanted to thank um everybody who did reach out and um cared enough to engage with the council on this issue of the National Guard um even though it it's not at this time like a pending action, but I was encouraged to know that um people will engage and will um approach us with everything that's faith and I think that's important for civic engagement. So, thanks to everybody who came out tonight um to participate in the meeting to give public comment. Um I did want to say regarding that just a couple personal comments, but um I don't actually believe that bringing the National Guard would solve any of the underlying issues. I do believe that we should focus on ensuring criminal space prosecution and also on creating safe spaces for people to get the support that they need to get on their feet in our community. I um did receive some data thanks to Rosesen for providing me with some data on our local public health and that the data do show that um also from sorry one other point of data was the report issued by our local police department from Chief Pavo and um from Sergeant Martinez Collins that one while narcotic substance offenses are on the rise so are arrests by RPD and they are definitely doing their job and doing a great job. Um, and that that's not part of the issue. Um, it seems to me that even administrative support would only cause kind of a psy a faster cycle for our officers on the street in terms of being out there making arrests and that that could lead to more burnout. Um secondly, other data that's shown is that the most widespread crisis in our community are still alcohol abuse and suicide. And there's nothing that the

National Guard will be able to do to help resolve depression and trauma. And being a trauma therapist myself, um that's something that I think we can certainly come up with some better solutions for. And in fact, I would suggest that um any kind of militarized approach to behavioral health crises will only exacerbate those issues. And I understand that we're not talking about soldiers on the street, but I just wanted to say that um I think any of those approaches to those issues should be from the other side. Um our local council of governments is actually part of a process on reforming behavioral health system in this region. That was last year's SP3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act. The next public listening session for that um funding and those issues is being held this Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 on Zoom. And I will be participating on that listening session and I invite anyone who has feedback about what could improve our community outcomes to join me in that call. So I look forward to that. Thank you everybody for coming out. Have a good evening.

Oh, the next um uh first I want to ask Keegan uh when is our next uh meeting and greet and where and what time? So um kind of need confirmation today, but I think I have it. It's March 27th and this is going to be a 12. There was a question if we actually still have this site, but we do. Um, so it's 12:00, 12 to 1. We're going to try a lunchtime one on March 27th and it's going to be the water department, wastewater department.

Great. I mention I asked that because I mentioned it because it was it last Wednesday we had an amazing greeting with the different departments and they did an extraordinary job of coming out um the different departments with directors and the employees and although it was a slow turnout because of the weather it was very informational and uh giving the feedback to that are there they really enjoy it and it it really helps me because I have neighborhood association meetups and they're coming to these So some of the questions they have at my meetings are directed here and they get it directly from the directors and from the departments. So it's really helpful and I would I would like for you to continue to to do this and I really appreciate the directors and supervisors and the workers coming out and doing these presentations. So I really want to thank you for that. Thank you for the support. And that was the department Chuck Norris and this team. That was Robert and Elizabeth and then his awesome presentation. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, and I just just want to mention again that last Friday was senior citizen day at the at the cap and uh our new director for the senior center was there along with the seniors on the ride to Santa Fe which was we had great time. Uh, boss Steve, we thank you for participation [clears throat] with the seniors. Uh, and we had made appointments and our senators were gracious to meet us and get come out in the committee meetings. Uh, Senator Shannon Pinto came and met with us and she had snacks, uh, Native American treats for us and the met and talked to some of the seniors and they just loved it. Uh, also the representative said Patty Lester, we all

squeezed into her little office and um, met with her and representative Wanda Johnson who recognized us on the floor at Stadia Gall. We were not able to go because by this time us seniors were very tired. It was time to go home. But she recognized us and she gave us each senior by name and handed us a certificate and so it was a beautiful certificate and I want to appreciate each and every one of our senators of representative for allowing the seniors to come because they enjoy it every single week. I believe that's it and just want to say again happy birthday to Mr. Robert can have seat.

Nice. Um, okay. Um, I kind of echo some of the comments that council Garcia mentioned. I I did want to thank again our representatives and um, senators who really support us. It's really important that the council has a good working relationship with our senators and representatives. Appreciate um, representative coming and giving us an update. Um, and then also Senator Pinto being here. I think that's really important for us to to see them and have updates. So again, just want to recognize all of our senators and representatives. Um, echo what councelor Garcia said about the last meet and greet. I wasn't able to attend the first one. I had a a work function, but I was and I heard that one was a great turnout, but I attended the second one and then it was snowy. So I applaud the people that came out, but I I thought the departments did a great job and I I learned things as well and they had some great pictures and you could tell they did extra work to make those presentations nice, which I know a lot of the departments don't have a lot of extra time. So I appreciate them doing that extra work. Um, so excited to try to attend the next one. Um, I always try to mention something that's going on. I feel like um, so I thought I'd mention that the public library, our public library is having a puzzle race and exchange with friends of the library on March 5th from 6:00 to 8:30. So, if you're puzzle people, um, you can have a team puzzle race and compete in teams of four to assemble a 500piece puzzle. I'm not going to lie, I will not be there. I tried to help um my nieces and nephews assemble like a 20 piece puzzle and it was like not good. So, I probably skipped out on this one. Puzzles are not my friend, but I know a lot of people out there that love puzzles and are really good. So, you guys should go. This is a really fun activity. It's only $20 per team and there's a flyer on the library site. So, lots of good activities happening at the library. Make sure to check out that puzzle race and and you know, get out and do something fun with your friends. And then um I really and this might be the time I'd love to hear an update and this is more for Frank on the warming shelter. I was hoping we were going to have something

this meeting but I don't think we did. So maybe in the future just to hear what's going on with that and where we're at with the the shelter because I know I've heard really good things about it and would love to just have more um some more information on that. So um I think that's really what I mostly have. Thank you, Sarah. You sure? Next time you go first.

Uh Sarah hit it right on the head. Thank you Sarah for bringing that up. Our our community coming forth. There's uh some people up front on my way in uh talking about this National Guard thing. This National Guard has gotten blown out of proportion. Uh but uh it's good to see that the communities backing their their ideas and I appreciate that. Uh I've always said in all my uh meetings um our citizens run this town and uh we manage it. Um so yes, thank you for the community for bringing out those u uh comments. Um, there were some good comments. Uh, one of the things I asked for, if you don't want to do this, come up with a solution. Um, Dr. Lou came up with a couple of good ideas and I appreciate that. Um, moving on. Um, uh, thank you to our our state representatives and our state senators specifically for House Bill 99. Man, that meant a lot to me. uh the rep repercussions that have happened. It's going to it's going to take us, I'm sure, a few years to get through this and fix our doctor situation. Uh here in Gallup, um there's there's lots of other towns have had very similar problems, but in Gallup, it's really affected the it's affected us greatly. Uh, like I said, I see it's going to take a I'm guessing a couple of years to to gain gain back some what we lost. And my hats off to our state representatives and our and our Senate for approving that bill,

getting by the grasp of the trial lawyers. I appreciate that. Uh, that's all I got.

Well, thanks, Ron. Um, and just a few comments. I got to attend the grand opening of Gallup Community Health's clinic at UNM Gallup. It was really interesting. It was really nice setup. You know, I was joking with um Val Wangler and the girl and the other doctors that this is like a uh going to the nurse at high school, you know, just high-tech. Um but anyway, that it was really nice go through that to to look and see what they're doing for the kids at UNM. They said they have over 4,000 people up there that can possibly can go through that. Um, the other thing is Frank and I went to Washington for four days with a county. A lot of things we we discovered a lot of things uh with between the airports funding for uh uh drainage projects, road projects, housing projects um and and medical stuff. We we met with Heidi Overton and if all you guys remember Heidi Overton, she was a really good soccer player for Gallopai in 2006. Ste, what else did she do? She kicked field goals. You know, people forget that she kicked field goals for the Gallopai Bengals. Um, but anyway, we got to meet with her. We got to tour the White House, but her big thing is health and human services. She works directly under Robert Kennedy. Um, and it turned out that, you know, she's she's well aware of the problems and and the things that are going on in Gallup and we can I think we'll be able to turn to her for a lot of that [gasps] for for solutions to our problems. Anyway, I'll turn it over to Frank and then to Dave. Thank you.

Thank you, mayor. Um, yes, we did bring back a bunch of information and you you should have it in your email on summaries of each of those visits. Um, I'd like I'd like to speak a little bit on the National Guard and the way it came to be and and to really let the citizens know that um we are not contemplating we were not contemplating action. This came about in a meeting with the governor with all the entities from Gallup that were participating in Gallup day. Um, it was brought up that uh we have concerns with our DA. I don't think anybody will stand up here and argue that we have concerns with our DA's office and prosecution and and also um with our state police and the system that they've built, especially with um their call center being in Albuquerque to where if you're getting an accident on I40 and you call 911, it goes to our local 911 office between mile marker 16 and 26, they dispatch Gallop PD state line to 16, 26 to Puit. They dispatch McKinley County Sheriff's Department. That takes our officers off the street. It takes the county folks out of their area and and it's taken three to five units depending on how big of an accident to where we're not patrolling problem areas of need. We're not patrolling our neighborhoods. So, we were there and and was brought up, Governor, we'd like some more support from the state police. So when when it was brought back, the mayor and others are asking the governor, that was a misrepresentation. That was a huge misrepresentation. And And I'm kind of disappointed our staff did that. It It was brought up, what can we do to support our law enforcement to do their jobs without them having to be taken off to

do these other calls? and other things. This was in support of our officers, in support of our citizens. That's the way it was framed. Governor, we did meet with the chief and staff. The next day, the mayor and I met with the chief of staff and said, "Well, we'd like to talk more. Um, you know, state of emergency is worryism. It would be a worry for our u tourism industry. You know, I'm going to go to a place, but I will say as I went to DC, I felt very safe walking um the streets of DC. and that is one of the two states that right now are federally mandated to have the National Guard there. They're laughing. They're joking with the public. Um very very very part of the community right now. Um but but at the same time we put the word out there's a state of emergency in Galp. I know when the governor did that for Espanola state emer gave us that view and and we don't want that for our tourism. But at the same time, if the National Guard, they they're not going to come in like ICE. They're not going to do raids. They're not going to patrol the streets. We we're actually looking at exploring talking to them about doing a training with their construction and engineering course. We're ready to redo our playground of dreams. Be great to have some added people with expertise helping us out there rebuild our playground of dreams. That helps with the mental health, that helps with the family orientation, the community. It also brings them there to give them a different image. They're there to to support. They can also come in with their construction. And I would love to see them hit all of our ditches. Bring the chainsaws and start clearcutting our ditches. Help it. It'll help with our erosion. It'll help with our flood control. And it'll won't give people a place to hide and set up their encampments. and and and that would be a wonderful

thing. They would be doing something that we can't in a lot of these cases because they're private land. They can't. So when when we're exploring these type of things, we're going to explore them here in open meetings to where it's not we're going behind the citizens back per se. We're going to do stuff in open meetings. We're looking at active solutions to support our law enforcement officers. They're working hard, but at the same time, we are burning them out. At the same time, we have a lot of officers who are hitting that threshold of I'm close to retirement, and how do we recruit the new ones? It's easier to recruit them into a town that is on a better standing than one that I'm going to come in and have to risk my life. But at the same time, the governor did also ask us, "Write a letter to the chief justice. Write a letter to the the state attorney general. Get more help for our judges. I'm very disappointed with that." Also, we had a police officer stabbed. And the judge lets him out of jail even though it's a probation violation. The judge lets him go on a signature. An officer gets stabbed and they can go go free. that that's not helping our safety. That's going to be that revolving cycle of of pick them up, let him go. Pick him up, let him go, and then God help us if we have a DA to actually prosecute him if we ever go to court. So, we have a lot of stuff to fix and I agree with Ron. Help us with the solutions. That's what we're doing it in these meetings. We are going to do them in public. Um, this one just came up on a tangent. Help us with the state police. Help. Give us more funding. Yeah, we'd love to see more funding. Officer retention bonuses, sign on bonuses, see what we can do. We'd love to have more

of that. That's what we're asking for. And then this came out of the blue. Is it something to still consider and and see what's there? potentially, but again, nothing will be done without going through an open meeting because we do believe in the open meeting. So, I just wanted to put that out there um and get everything going. Thank you, city manager. Dave,

yeah, just a very brief comment. Um, next week, and this is gerine to topics that are being discussed, um, the removal trial respecting DA Martin will occur before the Supreme Court of the state. This is the first time an elected official has been tried in the Supreme Court to be removed from office in the 114year history of this state. It will be an event of historic significance and one which I think uh anyone who has the time or inclination would want to watch. It will be livereamed by the court. Uh you can expect to hear some jaw-dropping testimony. One of the witnesses is a mother who will testify that DA Martin called her daughter's molestation case quote a waste of my office's resources close quote. with any luck uh and probably with the diligence of the court uh we will have a new DA very soon and I am confident that when that happens and when that office is well staffed and well financed we will see a significant improvement in the overall tenor of law enforcement in this town and in this county. Thank you. Keep us informed.

With that motion to adjurnn. Motion to adjurnn. Sir Molina. Yes. Councelor Piano. Yes. Councelor Garcia. Yes. Councelor. Mayor. Yes.

We're supposed to be moving into close session. Close session. Should we just make it so everyone remembers? He wants me. Are

we having a meeting? special meeting.

No motion required. It's just a journey this meeting and then we'll go into the next one. I Human.