Council - Regular Meeting

Ready?

Welcome everybody. First of all, uh happy new year. If I haven't or we haven't seen uh seen you guys, but at this time, I'd like to call to order the uh organizational regular city council meeting of January 9th, 2026 to order. And uh welcome aboard Councelor Pacheco. Thank you. Uh so with that roll call. Mayor David Romero here. Councelor Marvin Martinez present. Councelor Barbara Casey here. Councelor Benito Pacheco present. Councelor David Ulivari here. Thank you Mr. Mayor. We do have a quarrel. Councelor Pacheco you lead us in.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, [clears throat] with liberty and justice for all. Councilman Liari, a moment of silence. [clears throat]

Thank you, Mayor. I just want to welcome Mr. Pacco to our gang. We know we have a lot of issues around the city. We're trying to take care of it little by little. I thank the city manager and the rest of the crew. They're doing the best that they can to take care of it and here in the council thank him too because we have a lot of work to do. Thank you everybody. Mr. Mache thank you for coming here.

I would like to uh ask for a moment of silence so that we can contemplate and kind of renew our uh personal reasons for being here. And for me, it's to serve the community. And I know that uh from working with those of you who are here [clears throat] on this council, governing body do the same thing. And I know that just from experience, um adults. Amen. Thank you. [clears throat]

Welcome, Judge Trill. Mr. Mayor, approval of the agenda. Motion to approve the agenda or any recommended changes. Mayor, I move that we approve the agenda as presented. Motion by councelor Casey. Second. Second by councilman Liari. All in favor? I. I. Oppose. Same sign. The eyes have it. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Moving on to nomination of Mayor Prom. So at this time I'll take nominations of mayor prom counselors councilman pco

I would nominate councelor Marvin Martinez as mayor promp a motion by councelor pacheco and a second by councilmani. Uh roll call. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Lei. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. [laughter] I have a motion by councelor PCO. A second by councelor Nei. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Did you notice that pause? It's like should I or shouldn't [laughter] should I do? Yeah. Congrat. Congratulations, councelor.

Yes. Congratulations. [applause] Moving on, Mr. Mayor. Public input. We have no public input this evening. Moving on to our counselor's reports. Mr. Mayor,

thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Mayor, being uh working on board one and we got some issues out there. We there's a lot of uh weeds and dirty yards, a lot of unwanted vehicles on the [clears throat] city rightways. I would like to see if uh our city manager or director can take care of that and take a look at W one and see what's going on with it. Go from there. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Mr. Manager, [snorts]

thank you. Uh, Mayor, Councilman Ulabari, uh, I I think we have the privilege tonight, counselor, of having our, uh, judge present with us. Uh, and and I just want to take the opportunity while he's here, just to note that, um, with the work that we're preparing for and code enforcement and have been during this eight weeks of amnesty that we're providing people information about what their requirements are. We're also uh reaching out to to our judge, our staff through Lucas and his team has uh gone to the judge and and had some conversations about what we can do to continue to work together as we always have with our judge, but also to strengthen areas where we can. So, we'll be bringing some uh recommendations back to [clears throat] mayor and council to um not only continue to to do the requirements of the code that we already have in place, but to continue to forge a stronger and stronger relationship with our judge um who [clears throat] helps deal with the enforcement and on the judicial side in working through that. So, I I wanted to note that while he's here, I don't want to uh put him on the spot. I just want to note that we have had some discussions and he has made some recommendations to us on things that we could work on to improve things on his side of the equation. So those are things that we'll bring back to mayor and council for consideration as we evolve through that process. So I just wanted to say that councelor Ulabari because these are things that you consistently have brought up and that you want more and more work on and so I just wanted to highlight [clears throat] that we're working on those matters. Thank you, Mr. Manager. I know, you know, I've been working with you once a month and once every time I have a chance to take a look at my water and there's been issues out there and you [clears throat] I made some list and you can go over them and you can let me know where

you're working on them because I don't get a feedback on that and some of the stuff that we've been getting done. There's some getting done and some aren't. But I would like at least some stuff that [clears throat] you and your staff is working on to see where I'm at. That way I can take care of that. So yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Council, Mr. Mayor. Councilman.

Yeah. I' I'd kind of like to add a little bit to that as well. uh more in the realm of ward 4, the south end of Vegas that I know we've had the the you know a discussion in in reference to this to some degree would be the uh [clears throat] would be the speeding and the speed in that general area and I know we've talked a little bit about it. I think you possibly were making a you know a meeting with highway department dot to see what can be done out there. number one. And along those same lines would be code enforcement. uh code enforcement. I I think they're trying to do some work, but we need to make sure that when it finally gets to a a point that uh the individuals that get citations or, you know, these red notices and stuff that there's some teeth in there so that we can go ahead and and do something about some of those areas because they're gray areas. and and the city's a big it's a big piece of property and and but everybody needs to comply and we need to do our best to enforce and that's where you know in a situation like Lucas he needs he needs the the backbone to be able to support that uh to make sure that that those things get taken care of. On another note, I wanted to mention that I did attend the New Mexico 811 training the other day at Highlands, which was kind of interesting. It uh there was quite a few attendees. There was about 90 attendees at that uh training. Uh I heard about it a little bit at the last minute, but I was able to make it, which I was very happy to make it. and it had a lot of information about

especially fines when it comes to anybody digging whether it be in their own property or on properties adjacent to theirs or whatever it might be. Very informative. uh some big numbers and fines that you can get if you don't if you're not taking care of your you know crossing your crossing your tees and dotting your eyes to make sure that you got proper uh paperwork to make sure that you can do that kind of work. So, uh I did attend that and I was I was happy that I was able to make it. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Councy.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to say that um I'm very happy with um the wonderful employees that we have especially when I call them about a a constituent request or a constituent issue. Sometimes um people call that are very difficult to talk to and explain things to and I've been very fortunate to be able to uh get those calls rerouted to people that uh work for us and uh they deal with them very well and solve the issue in a very timely manner. And I really appreciate that of our staff. And I want to thank especially um uh our police chief Caleb Marquez, uh Jimmy Sy, Elena Martinez, and um Mr. Arnold Lopez for taking care of an issue that came up just yesterday and I appreciate that very much. And uh of course um I don't of his rank um officer Lotello who took care of a very difficult person [laughter] that uh I was so happy that I didn't have to talk to him again. So it was uh you know a wonderful thing and and so I just want to thank people for always being uh willing to help and willing to address an issue that is of concern not just to me but of other people in the community. So thank you Mr. Mayor,

thank you. Council

uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh being the new person here, so I just want to say uh I'm I'm honored to be here. I want to thank all the uh staff and all those present for uh at the meeting tonight. I don't have too much of a report per se at this point, but I just want to make a few comments. uh you know, part of my campaign focused on on uh some some simple things. And one thing that I want to and and part of what I've heard here tonight is uh some focus on on civic pride. And I think that starts with with each and and every member of this governing board as well as you, our administrators and and our city staff. um someone much much smarter than I uh uh introduced me to the the idea of the uh broken window theory. And it's it's a pretty simple thing. So, you know, we we get used to seeing things that are are broken or or maybe need to be improved. Um and we see it so often that we kind of take it as the norm. And I want to bring that approach where we see things that need to be improved or need to be changed and we do something about that. Right? We we have uh had our challenges here in the past in terms of some of the situations that we've dealt with as a as a city, as a community. Uh but we can't let that define us. Uh I do want to move forward. I want to create that civic pride and it starts with little things. There's there's lowhanging fruit out there. How do we improve the look of of some of our streets [clears throat] and and maintaining those weeds and maintaining certain properties? Uh those are things that are within our our grasp that we can have an immediate impact on. Uh so starting out, I just want to look

at some of those small things that we maybe at times take for granted. Uh and with those small steps, we move towards a greater uh community and a uh a greater area. uh for ourselves, for for our constituents, and for the entire city of Las Vegas. So, thank you. Thank you, councelor. Mr. Mayor, moving on to our next item, approval of minutes for December 10th and December 17th, 2025. Mr. Mayor, I move I move approval of the minutes for December 10th and December 17th of 2025.

I did send in minor minor minor corrections. Motion by councelor Casey. Second by councelor Martinez. Roll call. Councelor Leardi. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Have a motion by councelor Casey. A second by councelor Martinez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Moving on to our next item is executive session if there is a need. Mr. Mayor, sir,

in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, NMSA 1978 section [clears throat] 10-15-1 uh H2 limited personnel matters, discussion of hiring, promotion, demotion, dismissal, assignment, or resignation of or the investigation or consideration of complaints or charges against any individual public employee. Tonight's uh executive session will be a discussion on officer appointments in city of Las Vegas organizational charts. Motion by councelor Casey. I have a sec. Second by councilman Martinez. Roll call. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Lee. Yes.

Have a motion by councelor Casey. A second by councelor Martinez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. [clears throat] Thank you. And I think uh it probably be better if we go to

Hey, [snorts] I have an hour. I have a motion to return to regular session after being in executive session.

Mr. Mayor, I move that we return to regular session after having been in executive session in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, NMSA 1978, section 10-15-1H. And two, personnel matters, discussion of hiring, promotion, demotion, dismissal, assignment or resignation of or the investigation or consideration of complaints or charges against any individual public employee to uh tonight's executive session was for the discussion of officer appointments and city of Las Vegas organizational charts. No action was taken. Motion by councelor Casey. Do I have a second? Second. Second by Councilman Martinez. Call. Councelor Casey.

Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Levy. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Martinez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries.

Moving on to our next item, mayor's appointment of officers. Our first [clears throat] one is confirmation of appointed officers, city manager Robert A. Annayia. Mr. At at this time, I'd like to present to the governing body in accordance with the city of Las Vegas charter the appointment of uh city manager Robert Annaya. Uh Mr. Annayia, in my opinion, has done a wonderful job. He came in six months ago uh under tremendous stress in dealing with the state and our water treatment plant. And I think he's done an exceptional job. And just like any position, I think we're never never all perfect, but I think under the circumstances, uh I am asking that we continue to keep Mr. Robert and I as city manager. Uh I know we still we the city manager has a contract and those contracts uh you know will be presented at a later time, but I'm asking under the charter that we reappoint and reconfirm Mr. Robert Anaya as city manager. Uh with that uh councilors uh move

a motion by councilman Martinez. Do I have a second? Second. Second by councilman Pacheco. Roll call. Councelor Levari. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Casey. No. Councelor Martinez. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Martinez. A second by councelor PCO. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Congratulations Mr. Annayia. And at this time uh judge if you don't mind swearing in men. And again, this is in accordance with the city manager. Every uh appointed official should be uh sworn in. So yes, sir. Bible.

If we Mr. Manager, I just want to congratulate you and I really look forward to continuing the progress that we've made. Uh, congratulations and I'll continue to move forward. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I look forward to continuing the work.

[clears throat] Thank you. Thank you counelor. [snorts] Thank you.

[clears throat] really stand right there. Left hand on the Bible. Raise your right hand. Please repeat after me. I, Robert A. Annayiah I, Robert A. Annayiah, having been appointed as city manager having been appointed as city manager for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will honor, defend, and obey that will I will honor, defend, and obey the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and its laws and its laws. the Constitution of the State of New Mexico the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and its laws and its laws.

The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. and that I will faithfully And that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God.

Congratulations. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] THANK YOU. MR. MANAGER, you want to say a few words? Um, Mr. Mayor, uh, I will just say that it's it's been a humbling experience to be working for the city of Las Vegas, the mayor, uh, the council, the full council, the prior council, and this new council with Councilman Poeco joining uh, the council. Uh, I look forward to the work ahead. I'm thankful for the team that surrounds us here in this room and that's was at the training a few weeks ago. uh over a 265 I think Consol 265 strong and so like I said I'm a man occupying a space and time and I respect that space in that time. I respect your vision uh mayor and the council's work and I will uphold and work hard to do the daily work of the council for every single counselor. Uh, obviously you have concerns, councelor Casey. I will serve your ward just as strongly and hardly as I have to this point and will continue to do whatever you need as well as the full council. And mayor, uh, again, I can't, uh, thank you enough for the opportunity that you gave me to come and help the city that I reside, live in, and love. And so, thank you so much. And

I'd be remiss if I didn't thank my partner uh Doris for her strength daily and my whole family. Thank you. [applause]

My microphone. Okay. U Mr. City Manager, I just want to briefly explain my vote. Nothing is personal. Everything is based on my uh my wanting to uh move things along in a more um not positive manner, but in a more organized and um effective manner. And so do [snorts] not see this vote as something negative against you. It is a vote to work towards something that um will continue the work that we're doing and that you understand that it is not anything personal but maybe an incentive for us to work a little bit um harder to reach that uh high standard of excellence that uh you have so graciously uh held on to. So that's what it is. It's It's nothing personal. Thank you, [snorts]

Mr. Mayor. Just want to say thank you. I think, you know, we've come a long way in a very short time and and you know, with that said, there's still a lot of work to be done and we all know it. We come to council meetings and we kind of hear some if not repetitive stuff that needs to be addressed and we will we'll get to it. But I I'm not complaining. We we've done a good job up to this point and I think we've got a good future ahead of us. So I applaud that uh that you're still with us today, Mr. Manager. And I I think we got uh a lot of growing that we can do and we need to make sure that we keep our city good and always in a good position. So again, congratulations and thank you. Thank you counselor.

Thank you.

Thank you mayor. Thank you Mr. Annaya. It's a great pleasure. You know the thing is it's take me a lot of years to see [snorts] what I see how many managers come in what positions they have and it's it's difficult because we I have one of the biggest wards and and I see it all. I I leave there. I work there. I come over here and work with my mayor and my city councilman. It's not only me what I'm doing. It's people that call me and tell me we need to do this, we need to do that. And for you being what you're doing, it takes a lot of work, a lot of hard work. And the people are looking at that, plus us are looking at that. And this takes a lot of time, Mr. Manager. And thank you for holding on to what we do. We do it because we look at the our residents here in town and that's our life because we live with them, we eat with them, we go around, we see them and that's one of the biggest things that we do here for this city. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, counselor.

Mr. Nyall, uh congratulations on on uh on the appointment. Uh I look forward to working together. I look at this as a as uh both of us being rookies in the game, so to say. Uh you know, we've we've had some past experience together, having been at the same employer for some time. Uh you know, and I I just want to say I look forward to uh helping move Las Vegas in an upward trajectory. Uh I think that uh you know I I I look at outcomes that are measurable and that are performance-based and that's the the standard at which you know I will will hold you to as as we move forward and uh I'm sure you will meet those standards um and uh just ready to get to work. So thank you sir.

Thank you counselor. Thank you, Sandra, mayor. Moving on to our next item, confirmation of appointed officer, police chief Caleb Marcus.

Right. So, at this time, I'd like to present police chief Caleb Marcus. I know he's been in the position almost three years, I think. Over two. Over two. [laughter] I think again, we we continue to you talk about continuity. I think we've seen some improvement in the police department. Again, I'll say, are we perfect? No, we're not. But as long as we're making forward progress, we that's exactly what we want. And eventually, you know, we get to that higher standard. Uh I do want to say this and I think it's important to say is uh I think you're probably the longest tenure in about four or five years police chief. So that's positive for our community that we're not uh continuing change within that. Uh but with that, I present to the governing body Mr. Police uh Kayla Marcus is police chief.

Councelor Casey. Mr. Mayor, I would [clears throat] like to make the motion that we confirm Police Chief Caleb Marcus. Um, uh, confirm and affirm his current position. I first met Chief Marcus when he was just a little boy and his parents were in my class at Highlands and um he was pretty well behaved for the most part. [laughter] His mom and dad kept him under control. [laughter] And so it's my honor and my pleasure to make the uh the motion to have him affirmed as police chief.

Have a motion by councelor Casey. Do I have a second? Second by councilmani. Roll call. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Levari. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Levi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. [applause]

Who couldn't resist?

You got it. hand. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me. [cough and clears throat] I, Caleb Marquez, I Caleb Marquez, having been appointed to chief of police having been appointed to chief of police for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will honor, defend, and obey that I will honor, defend, and obey the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and its laws and its laws. the Constitution of the State of New Mexico. the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and its laws. and its laws. The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. And that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office.

discharge the duties of my office. To the best of my ability. To the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] MARTINEZ, MR. MAYOR, thank you. Congratulations, Chief. Thank you. I uh I do applaud uh the hard work you do every day.

And all the problems that you encounter, too. I understand that. But I do thank you gratefully with uh you know our community is grateful to have a good chief of police and again I'm going to I'm going to throw this out there that you know we still have a lot of work to do. So I [clears throat] do appreciate all your time and effort that you put into policing and doing your job as good as you can and you got a good staff behind you. So again much appreciated. Congratulations again. Chief Marquez, thank you, Mayor. Just I want to say congratulations. I want to say I've enjoyed your perspective as I've gone through my campaign and we've had some talks and had some sidebars. Uh you are a very knowledgeable individual. We're lucky to have you here at the city of Las Vegas. Uh I can I can see the way the the vision that you have and the way that the the department is heading. Uh, so I appreciate the professionalism and the uh, style that you bring to our law enforcement here in Las Vegas. So, thank you very much.

Thank you, Caleb. It's taken a long time to get where you're at and I know you're working hard to there's a lot of issues out there. A lot of people doing things that they don't supposed to be doing. We all try and try and get away with it, but we can't. [laughter] I'll tell you one thing that you're doing a good job and just keep your I know you're short staff. I need you to bring your staff up and and keep on doing what you're doing. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Manager. [clears throat]

Uh Mr. Mayor, Council Chief, uh it's a pleasure to work with you. Is it snowing? I kept calling him yesterday. Is it snowing? But no, I appreciate you very much and your team and I look forward to continuing to to learn from you and work with you. All right. Now, you, Chief,

I just um thank you for the opportunity. Um I know two years has flown by fast, a little over two years now. Um lots of changes have come in, the support of the council and the raises that were given and you know, we're working on the staffing issues. there's there is a ton of issues that we need to tackle, but um I feel confident especially with the team at the city and all the help that we have working with each other to accomplish these goals and and you know bringing good positive uh feedback from the community and from the council and I just it means a lot. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Moving on to our next um item, confirmation of appointed officer, city clerk Cassandra Frescus.

All right. Right. So governing body this the same thing here. I think uh Miss Cassandra has had the opportunity to sit in this position and no matter who comes to sit here as mayor uh she's treated each one mayor and council treated each one of us with professionalism. Uh she's never taken any sides continues to do her job and serve the public within her capacity as city clerk. And I think that's important and it's an honor and pleasure to recommend Miss Cass uh Cassandra Frescus to this position as we move into this next term. Uh thank you Cassandra for all you do. Uh you know I think uh what you do is is very important to the community and I I uh it's been a pleasure working with you. I know we had some uh bumps in the road a few years I mean few [clears throat] years ago but you know we we kept you on board and I'm glad that we did because you've uh excelled in the position and I continue to look forward to working with you in this position as I'm here through this next term. So with that governing body I uh present Miss Cassandra Frescus councelor Casey.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. [clears throat] I move that we appoint Cassandra appoint her as the U city clerk for Las Vegas and reaffirm and confirm again that uh she is u a wonderful employee and we've been through a lot together and the mayor and I actually even fought for her in court and we won and so she is here And so, uh, we've [snorts] been through a lot together. And she is always professional, extremely, uh, conscientious, hardworking, honest to a [snorts] fault, and just an amazing u woman and amazing employee. And I'm honored to uh, make this motion.

Second. Motion by councelor Casey. Second by Councilman Martinez. Roll call. Councelor Levari. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. I have a motion by Councelor Casey as second by Councelor Martinez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. [applause] down to

right hand. Repeat after me. I, Cassandra Fresquez, I, Cassandra Fresquez, having been appointed Having been appointed as city clerk for the city of Las Vegas as city clerk for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Mexico, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will honor that I will honor defend and obey defend and obey the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and its laws and its laws. the Constitution of the State of New Mexico the Constitution of the State of New Mexico and its laws. and its laws. The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. The city of Las Vegas and its ordinances. and that I will faithfully And that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office

discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability to the best of my ability. So help me God. So help me God. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] MARTINEZ,

MR. BEAR,

COASTER, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, judge. Thank you. Judge, thank you, sir. Martinez, yes. Cassandra, congratulations on your swearing in. Okay. I know that was one document I think you were waiting to sign. Right.

Right. All I could say is that your tons your years of experience with the city of Las Vegas is definitely a bright light in in in this in this building. Um [clears throat] I don't know if it should be called what it is called, but you've been here and you've served for our community for a long time as you know clerk. So, but your experience definitely shines and I do appreciate picking up the phone and and calling whenever I need to and you'll always have an answer. So, I'm not uh ever afraid to call and ask any kind of question uh related to city government and you know pretty much where to go and how to direct. So, I do appreciate your experience and your friendship. Thank you very much.

Appreciate that. She's probably the only one that you can ask uh you know when was that ordinance passed and she'll know right away or where can I find that in uh you know statute she knows where is it on in the charter she knows and so she's amazing and I'm so happy that she remains with us and that um hopefully she'll be here with us for a very long time. Thank you.

Thank you mayora Cassandra. Congratulations. You've been here a long time. You know what you're doing. The agendas are hard for all of us. You make good and smart decisions. And that's including all you guys that give us the information that we have to do. You're doing a good job putting it down. Just keep it up. Thank you. Thank you, counselor. Appreciate that. PCO.

Thank you, Mayor. Uh Cassandra, congratulations. Uh it's been a pleasure working with you over the past year on the charter commission. Uh we had a a great experience there and you were a big help as we completed that project and I look forward to working with you [clears throat] capacity and relying on your expertise and experience. So thank you and congratulations. Thank you counselor.

You come uh Cassandra if you don't mind. Well, it's going to be 17 years of doing the same position and I'm just honored to serve all of you and thank you for your continued support and I look forward to working with all of you, including the staff, our team. And I appreciate that you can place your trust in me to serve you, the governing body, and this community that I love. So, thank you. Thank you. [applause] Let's see. I think it's going to go on.

There it is. Uh Cass, uh steady, strong, consumate, professional, experienced, and a good part of the team. So, I look forward to continuing working with you.

Thank you. Before we move on, I just uh Judge Trillo, if you don't mind coming up, I want to thank you. Uh and I know we've really involved you in the last, you know, year or so. Uh I know for the longest time it seemed like the judicial was on their own but uh you know we we haven't forg uh thank you for you know uh not only being at our swearing in and and uh you know uh presiding over our oaths but now you know through these individuals uh it's important that the community know how uh important and integral you are within the city. So, with that, I'll allow you to say a few words and, uh, you know, with these individuals. I know you've had an opportunity, you know, to meet with them, but if you have a few words that you'd like to talk about.

Thank you, mayor. Members of council, uh, it's been an honor and I really feel from my heart that we're in a good place. We're in a good place with team Las Vegas, a great city manager. We have we have everything that it takes to make this city great. And I said it at the training, we're the we're we're an envy in Las in New Mexico. Las Vegas is envy. We're doing we're doing good. We're going places. And uh it's just great to be a part of this. I've been part of this for a long time. I've seen a lot of city managers come and go, a lot of councilmen come and go, mayors come and go, chiefs come and go, city attorneys. Uh I really and my heart feel we're in a good place. We're in a good place and we got places to go and and things to do and to be a part of it. It's it's great it's a great experience and I I thank you mayor and council for asking me to do this. It's always an honor and a pleasure to do this uh to be a part of uh of a good thing and like I said we're in a good place and I appreciate everything that you guys do cuz I was once up here and it's not an easy job. Uh, councelor Pacheco, be bold. Be bold in what you do. City of Las Vegas is always uh comes first. You know, my dad told me when I won as municipal judges, don't think that's your office. That office belongs to the people and they will remind you. You know, the people of Las Vegas will remind you. They'll let you know. Uh, just do what we got to do and keep it going. Congratulations as a new counselor.

Thank you, judge. I just have one question for you. How do you plead? How do you plead? [laughter] I was guilty. Wasn't a chief. I have a pot of pull at my house I've been waiting for. And I was already getting angry with you guys and your [laughter] Ambrose tells me, "Go bring it, J. Go bring it." I appreciate you. I really do. Thank you. Thank you, judge. Thank you. [applause]

Yeah. Cassandra. Yes. Moving on to our next item, consent agenda. If I may read those into the record. Yes. Request approval for out of state travel for Mayor Romero, councelor Marvin Martinez, Robert Aanaya, Travis Martinez, and Jimmy SC to tour Plum Creek Water Treatment Plant in Castle Rock, Colorado. Item two, [clears throat] request approval of addendum number one to contract 418525 with Leak Detection Service Incorporated. And item number three, request approval of addendum number one to contract 417525 with Advised Law LLC and Modern Law Firm for additional city attorney services. Mr. Mayor,

councelor Casey.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I want to make a motion that we approve the consent agenda. However, I do have just a comment on the first one because the the paperwork that was um put together I to me may have some uh errors that are not serious but that need to be maybe explained to the person that filled out the paperwork because it says uh departure date 129 and then return date 130. That's a full day. That's 24 hours. But the the document says one day 12 hours. So that would be cutting that time in half. And then in the middle section uh where it has a listing of estimated cost of the trip, it has the entire amount under just the pdium. But if you're going to be staying until the next day, you need to stay in a hotel. But there's nothing listed under the hotel item. So just uh for future reference so that the person that is filling out the document uh make sure that you know they're they're filling it out [clears throat] in with more detail. And so with that, Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented.

Motion by Councelor Casey, second by Councilman Levari. I think that was discussion. Councilman Martinez.

Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I I [snorts] was um considering not not attending this, but I'm going to go ahead and attend. I you know, I think that uh there's confidence in in inviting me and and I care about our water water system as much as any individual in our community drinking that that glass of water. And I think it's important for me to to be able to attend as well. So I I have not I'm going to I'm going to stay on that so that I can attend as well. So I thank you. Councelor Martinez. Yes.

Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Bacho. Yes. Councelor Levari. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Levari. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Moving on to our business items. Our first item, consideration to approve the city of Las Vegas organizational chart. Mr. City Manager, [snorts]

thank you. Um, uh, Madame Clerk, mayor and councel, um, what you have in front of you, uh, you've had some time to look at, and so I I know there was some questions raised. We provided some additional information. So, at this point, I would like to stand for any specific questions that the mayor council might have. [clears throat]

I'll go ahead and add to that. I just want to add it uh to the governing body here is uh even prior to the city manager coming in, there was some uh and consuel could nod her head over, you say yes or no, but you know, our organizational chart has been something that hasn't uh always [clears throat] been up to date. Uh there was some issues prior to him coming on and I know we did make some changes uh in this item being presented here tonight. Again, as you'll notice the items in red, there's still budgetary matters that I think have to move forward that I mean these are just proposed, you know, as this organizational uh meeting uh is one of the main things that that we come to. We put a structure in place, an idea uh of what the vision might be and the structure of of the city. Uh again, those items in red, uh they're either changes that were made or proposed and and all at the end of the day, I know we have our budget meetings coming up, I think, in March, Mr. Madrid. Uh this is just uh a vision proposed. It's not final. Uh there's still some other items uh that basically we'd have to uh probably propose changes in the charter. uh you know again this is just a structure an idea of us moving forward and what the structure should be I think it's perfect timing uh as we move into budget so that way uh we could see if there's funding available if there's not again uh then those those uh proposed changes can happen uh if there's legalities uh on some of these proposals uh again it's just for the next two years this is the structure and vision that I think myself and the city manager uh you know sat down along with other staff uh those that have read I know the department heads were brought into uh you know to discuss some of those proposed changes and how they feel. Um and I'll go ahead and take a a step forward that I know we do have u a proposed item here that a retreat that I

I want to you know discuss and we can get into more detail more more of into the weeds of things on how we move forward uh as a governing body. Uh again, I'm just meeting my requirements as mayor under the charter right now. Uh with that, uh Mr. City Manager, if you want to add to anything, if not, uh counselors, if you have any councilman Pacheco.

Thank you, Mayor. So again having uh little historical context of operations of the city in the past my understanding is that this type of or chart uh has been non-existent or or uh while making decisions in the past and I can point to a prime example there are changes within this org chart that affect the city charter. I was just part of the last art uh city charter commission, but some of these changes that we're proposing, we couldn't reference because it just wasn't available. Now, that's neither here nor there. It's not anyone's fault. It's it it is what it is. It is where we're at. But what I can see here is improvement, a step in the right direction. Now, are there things that we need to improve upon based on this document? Probably. So uh but I I will say this is that this is the blueprint for and how we we hire management staff and what those jobs and responsibilities will be and and I believe that this document has to be in place be before any of those other actions move forward. So thank you. Thank you uh mayor. Thank you, Mr. Manager, for getting this in place. And again, I'm not endorsing it 100%, but it's a step in the right direction.

Counselors, Mr. Mayor, councy. Um, I move that we um table the organizational chart so that uh we discuss it in more detail and be able to um correct some of the areas that we uh found that we wanted to um work on and that we table it until such time as we have the retreat of the governing body and the directors so that we can have so that we can hear the input from the directors also and um put it together. Uh then so that was a motion. Yes. Motion by councelor Casey to table.

Second, Mr. Mayor. A second by Councilman Ulivari. Roll call. Councelor Pacheco. No. Councelor Martinez. No. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Levi. Mr. Mr. Mayor, we have a tie. No motion does not carry counselors. Mr. Mayor, Councilman Martinez,

I will go ahead and and and [clears throat] move to approve the City of Las Vegas organizational charts, of course, with with [clears throat] consideration of fixing it because it it needs work. So, I will move to approve the organizational charts. Motion by Councilman Martinez. Do I have a second? Second, Mr. Second by Councilman Ulivari. Roll call. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Levari. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Casey. No.

I have a motion by councelor Martinez, a second by councelor Levari. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. I just want to assure uh and I'm sure uh the city manager and I will continue to work on this document. It was just a basically uh a draft again as we go into financials uh the retreat uh I [clears throat] think we could come up with a a better proposed but I think it gives us a structure to start with going into this uh into this term and I know HR will will will be a big part of that. So thank you.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Moving on to our next item confirmation of department directors. Fire Chief Steven Span, Community Development Parks and Recreation Director Lucas Marcus, Gas Solid Waste Director David Marcus, Finance Director Morris Madrid, Community Services Services Director Jun Tafoya, public works director Arnold Lopez, and water wastewater director Travis Martinez, [clears throat] city manager. Mr. City Manager,

um, Mr. Mayor, I'm as I said earlier, I'm humbled to be here with the team that we have in front of us. But hearing the council and the mayor, not just in this meeting, but other meetings, there's high expectations for measurable outcomes, for higher levels of excellence, for improvements that we need to make. So, I'm full faith behind these individuals that are in front of you to be confirmed and to continue forward on this team with those same levels of expectations for one and all, including myself. But I'm honored to work alongside each and every one of Thank you, Mr. Manager. And I do want to add to this is that I think uh again uh even prior to the manager coming in there was some directors that were uh uh basically appointed but not confirmed. Again, as we start this new uh term, this new governing body, uh we want to assure and I think we had pretty much individually had told you guys, I mean, we have a good team here. And as we move forward, uh I concur with the city manager, these each one of these individuals that are being proposed uh by this that by the city manager are one heck of a team. We have one heck of a team. So, thank you guys for what you do. Counselors,

Mr. Mayor, Councilman Levi,

thank you, Mr. Naya and Mr. Mayor. consult. It's a big big work that there's our departments have to do and every department [clears throat] it takes a lot of work and we see it all of us see it and you guys come in and we take care of little things whatever they bring us and that's really means a lot to us it means a lot to our residents Mr. manager and these people are doing a great job and [clears throat] I mean that they have they're going to keep on doing their job until we hopefully we won't find nothing wrong but we always do little things but we take care of it. Thank you guys council for your comments

Mr. Mayor councelor Casey Mr. Mayor, I move that we confirm the department directors. Fire Chief Steven Span, Community Development, Parks, Recreation Director Lucas Marquez, Gas and Solid Waste Director David Marquez, Finance Director Morris Madrid, Community Services Director Jim Papoya, public works director Arnold Lopez, and water wastewater director Travis Martinez. Commissioned by Councelor Casey, second by Councilman Levari. We'll call Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Pacheco, yes. Councelor Levari, yes. Councelor Casey. Yes.

I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Levi. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. [applause] Again, I just want to add, you know, thank you guys for what you do. Uh very important and what each individual does within their own departments. Um I'm just happy that you guys are part of this team and uh continue to move forward. That counselors, any comments? student council Casey. I love to see all those smiley faces. [laughter]

Oh, these folks are the best that I mean I have never worked with such a wonderful group of people and I appreciate them so very much and I thank them for all the work that they do and they do it with [clears throat] u wholeheartedly. They care about the community. They care about their fellow workers and uh they're just awesome and I'm very proud work for them and I thank them

Martinez. Thank you, Mayor. Congratulations on your on your confirmation. Ladies and gentlemen, you guys have done good work for us. We can count on you guys to do the day-to-day operations out there in the field, and that's important. Uh again, I just applaud the the respect that you give all of us and continue to do that good work for our community because it does come from the heart. Thank you, counselors. Councilman,

thank you, mayor. I just want to say uh congratulations to you all. Pleasure to be here working with you all. Uh and as I stated earlier, you know, we management, uh uh executive team, uh elected officials, we are the example for City Las Vegas, right? And and doing your job, leading your teams, uh it starts with you. Uh because when we lead with pride, people follow. Uh it's contagious. It filters down. And uh you know, I look at you and I see a lot of potential. I see a lot of things that have happened uh in [clears throat] a positive way here at the city of Las Vegas. And I just look to help increase that, help that thrive, help you do what you need to do to uh uh excel at your jobs and to lead by example and create that pride in our community. So, thank you very much.

Thank you, Councilman Levi. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, staff. [snorts] You guys do a good job. It just takes a lot of work. We always try to do the best, but we got to do better. And the thing is that we always think about our we call it a small city. It's not a small city. This is our life city. I love it. And we I see little things that are wrong, but we try and take care of it. and you with you guys working with us, we try and do the best. Thank you.

I'm going to leave it up to the directors now if you guys want to make some Yeah. [clears throat]

Mr. Marquez, a few words. [laughter] [clears throat] Just uh first off, I want to thank you, city manager, for uh recommending us and keeping us with you. uh looking forward to what what the future brings uh with the city of Las Vegas and your leadership. Uh appreciate uh the times that we've got a chance to sit down and talk. Um and I hope that we can get uh uh further down the road uh with your guidance or appreciate you. Uh mayor and council, u it's my pleasure and privilege to be able to be here with you guys. Um really glad that uh we got Mr. Poache over there now uh with a a new uh vibrant look into the community. Um, I hope that we can meet all your expectations and and then some. Uh, I do agree with uh councelor liberie, good, better, best, and and we're we want to make sure we get better and better and better. Uh, and with your guidance and your assistance, uh, I know we could succeed. Uh, again, thank you, mayor and councel. Thank you, Mr. City Manager. I appreciate you. First and foremost, thank you, city manager, for recommending us, mayor and council. I'm very humbled as I sit over here as well. Also, I want to welcome Councilwoman Benito Pacheco. Uh, just right off bat on the words that we've heard thus far on what you've demonstrated, it's going to be good moving forward for the future in the city of Las Vegas. Uh, I think everything that's been disclosed thus far with everybody that's spoken, we are a team here and we're going to continue to move forward as a team. And one of the biggest things that to bring back to the city of Las Vegas and continue to bring in it is the pride moving forward. And thank you guys for the opportunity to help us move forward as well. Also, thank you guys. [clears throat]

And [laughter] then I just want to say something is that I think June was probably the most worried about not being confirmed. I'm like, "Guys, [laughter] you're all right. you. [clears throat] [laughter] I thank you guys, all of you, and I thank you um city manager Annayia for the opportunity to continue and uh to to lead and to move forward. And I thank all of you as well. And this is my favorite thing for public speaking. But I'm going to hand it the mic to the one that likes to talk. [laughter]

You It's always hard to go after you cuz man to compete with that is is difficult. But anyways, mayor and council, city manager, I want to thank you from all of us really. Um the faith and confidence that you have in us, each and every one of us is so greatly appreciated. And I want to let you know that I could speak for all of us. We won't let you down. We'll continue to to succeed and move the city forward. And thank you all very much. Uh thank you. I'm not a director but uh I am the newbie on the team and it's been a pleasure to work with this group of individuals. They are dedicated to the city. They are knowledgeable. They work together so well and they have welcomed me and helped me um to succeed in my position. So I'm very grateful to you all and thank you for keeping them on because they're a great team.

Mr. Madrid

mayor and councel. Um when I [snorts] was appointed this position about a year and a half ago, a majority of the directors had been here less than a year. And through the leadership and the stability of the council and the manager, we've achieved stability and with that comes continuity. and uh through the governing body and manager Annayia, we now have unity and this team works well together. We don't always agree. We don't always see the same point from the same side, but we do work together to get things done. And I know that we and I especially appreciate the privilege. Thank you. Um I just want to say um city manager Annayia that you did pick a really wonderful team and um I think that we're we're going to continue moving forward. Uh so congratulations everyone.

[clears throat] Few words, Travis. Excuse me. [cough] Uh, mayor, uh, council, city manager. Thank you for the opportunity to, uh, continue on, uh, water, waste water, especially my career moving forward, working with everybody. It's been an honor. It's like Morris said, we work good together all the time. So, thank you guys for the opportunity. And I know sometimes I'm the biggest thorn in Robert's rear end, but thank you for the opportunity to keep going. [laughter] See you manager. Thank you, sir. Mayor and Council, thank you, Mr. Mayor. If I could.

Yes.

Um, I wanted to just highlight and I appreciate that that Adele and Consuelo and her work and her team uh commented. Uh, but I also want to comment on the whole executive team. Uh, [clears throat] Elena, um, and Jimmy, uh, they do Yman's work and, uh, our PIO does awesome work for the city of Las Vegas. So, I want to give our PIO the opportunity to say a few words. Uh Amanda Salah, the whole team, Risk Safety, Adrian, Desiree, that whole team uh within the executive office does excellent work. Marsha, all of you guys, but uh it's very much appreciated. But Amanda, the floor is yours.

Mayor, council, city manager, thank you guys um for everything you guys do to help me. I've learned so much with all of you. And uh you guys have a great we have a great team. Um, that was the biggest reason why I came to the city of Las Vegas is I had the chance to work with them last year during the flooding and I really like the teamwork and I it's only grown. Um, we figure [clears throat] things out right regardless of what happens. So, we'll keep moving forward and thank you. [applause]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Moving on to our next item, review discussion and possible action regarding the city of Las Vegas mission and vision statements. Mr. Mayor.

So, uh, council, at this time, uh, one of the requirements under the charter is to review the vision and, uh, uh, the mission and vision statement. Uh, I know it's the next item, but I should have probably put that one first. But uh this item specifically what I am proposing is that uh we sit down at a a retreat of the governing body and the directors and I know in the past and hasn't been done in a long time is that we all sit together as one team and come up with that vision and mission statement at this retreat. Ask what I'm asking at this time is that we table this item. uh to when we have that retreat, I'm going to ask that the vision and mission statement. Uh again, it's just for, you know, for your review basically. Now, we'll table it. And the same thing with the uh priorities. Uh the priorities, I know they were kind of my list, my vision. Uh but at the end of the day, we're one team. And if those change also I would ask when we get to that that item that we also table that so when we do have our retreat we could finalize and it's it's a united uh discussion united results on on what we prepare as we move forward and this would probably happen within the next three months uh hopefully prior to the budget. So that way uh as we're prioritize making these priorities uh we also align our budget with those priorities. So, uh, with this item, I'm asking that we table it to till the retreat, but I am meeting the requirements that it's put on the agenda under the charter requirements.

Mr. Mayor, Councilman Martinez, I I will move [clears throat] to table the possible action of the uh, city of Las Vegas mission and vision statement. Second, motion by council member Martina, second by councelor Casey. Uh, roll call. Councelor Levari. Yes. Councelor Bachel. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Have a motion by councelor Martinez, a second by councelor Casey. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. The next item would be specific to the retreat, but uh obviously if we table that one, you guys are in alignment with having the retreat. So,

so no further discussion is on that one. Moving on to our next item, review and approval of resolution number 26-01, adopting strategic priorities to guide policy, planning, and resource allocation for the city of Las Vegas, New Mexico. Mr. Mayor,

so the same thing uh specifically with this one as we move forward. Uh I'm going to ask that we table this so we could you know uh get the governing body's input and also the input from all department heads uh directors and the city manager as we move forward with those priorities. Uh again I know I have my vision but you know I'm not the only person. I'm not uh the one person. So uh we could table this so we could uh when we have the retreat we could finalize the priorities. Typically in the past uh two marrow uh organizational charts we've just done the ICIP but the ICIP is something that uh is capital outlay related and not supposed more specific as to what the priorities of this governing body is and within the proposed that I you know submitted to you guys uh the priorities are there along with the resolution that way there's an understanding is uh you know what we'll be moving forward towards uh in the next couple years because after two years and we do it and but for the next two years we'll have a structure within the city. So uh discussion or what's the pleasure of the governing body?

Mr. Mayor, I move that we uh table item number five which is the resolution 2601 adopting the strategic priority guide uh for policy planning and resource allocation for the city of Las Vegas. Second. Motion by councelor Casey. Second by councilman Martinez. Roll call. Councelor Pacheco, yes. Councelor Casey, yes. Councelor [clears throat] Levi, yes. Councelor Martinez, yes. Have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Martinez. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Moving on to item number six, review and approval of resolution 26-02, adopting rules of procedure for the Las Vegas City Council. Mr. Mayor.

So council at this time uh again I put together uh and I think for the most part we already uh operate uh you know our meetings and uh in our rules of procedure but we don't have anything uh in formal writing. Uh so this item specifically uh is just so that we adopt you know how we'll pro you know how we'll run our meetings uh how procedures uh you know as a governing body how we proceed. I don't know if there was any questions specific to those. Uh but if not, I'm just asking that we follow. Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve resol resolution 26-02 adopting rules of procedure for the Las Vegas city council.

A motion by councelor Casey. Do I have a second? Second. Second by councilman Pacheco. Roll call. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Levi. Yes. Councelor Bacho. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor PCO. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Moving on to item number seven, discussion direction regarding boards, commissions, and committees. Mr. Mayor,

yes. So, on this item, uh what I have what I encountered uh probably within the last couple weeks as I was preparing to send out letters to all the boards and commissions. Uh I know under the current structure or the past structure of the uh charter we did have some individuals that couple things we had uh individuals that sat within committees that weren't within city limits. I know the charter was amended to allow uh you know those in the uh basically the county uh to sit on our committees but the way the new charter rights uh is written is that we have to have an ordinance or a resolution in place. So I can't I didn't want to proceed with recommendations of committees without having that ordinance in place because then we were just again uh limited to only those within the city. So I have been in conversation with uh Mr. Gino Zamoraps being that he did work on the charter on a resolution because an ordinance would take too long before we put committees in place. So uh a resolution is something I'm hoping to have by the 28th so that way we could proceed. Uh Miss Cassandra and I are working on a letter to the directors that do have committees that all boards will stay in place until this resolution and uh committees are recommended. So basically I'm asking that uh you know we table this until we do have that resolution in place uh to allow uh there's also the exopicio and what they do on the new charter and also you know those in the outlining areas to allow them to sit on the committees. So I'm just asking that we table this until we have the resolution in place.

So move Mr. Mayor. A motion by councelor Casey second by councilman Livari. Roll call. Councelor Peko. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Martinez. Yes. Councelor Levare. Yes. I have a motion by councelor Casey, a second by councelor Levari. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries.

Moving on to item number eight. Request approval to award RFP 2026-05 for laboratory testing and related services to both Euro Europans Environmental South Central LLC and New Mexico Water Testing Incorporated. And enter into agreement. We have our water director, Mr. Travis Martinez. Mayor, go ahead. I'll make it quick. Uh, mayor, council, um, this RFP is to get these two laboratory for water testings under contract. Right now, they have state contracts, but those state contracts only do compliance. Here at the city of Las Vegas, we've gone over and above for special sampling and all that other stuff, but we also want to stay ahead of the game with all of the changes with everything from EPA coming down the line as well as the new water treatment facility and this also entails water and wastewater testing.

Mr. Martinez, I just had one question. Uh I think I know what the answer is. So, this additional testing is just uh are basically what we're doing. Uh, additionally, because of the Hermits Pecf Canyon fire, if we weren't under those uh issues that we're dealing with, would we need this additional testing? And the reason why I'm asking because I'm wondering, and Mr. City Manager, maybe you could check into this, is that this additional cost might be reimburseable because of the Hermits Peak CF Canyon fires. I'm wondering that is correct. Okay.

Um and like I said that is not just also the Hermits P C Canyon fire but also the upcoming uh testing that EPA is mandating such as POS and everything else as well as the new water treatment facility that's coming online or is in plan and design right now. So this will take over the special sampling and stuff that the city of Las Vegas might have to do in the future. And with that, we'll be able to maintain procurement with the contract on all these special samples. Thank you, council. It's a pleasure. Mayor Councilman Martinez,

I move to approve to award the RFP 2026-05 to laboratory testing and related services to both uh Europeans Environmental South Central LLC and New Mexico Water Testing Incorporated and enter into an agreement. Motion by councelor Martinez, second by councelor Casey. Roll call. Councelor Levi. Yes. Councelor Casey. Yes. Councelor Pacheco. Yes. Councelor Martinez. I have a motion by councelor Martinez, a second by councelor Casey. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Move that we adjourn. A motion to adjurnn by councelor Casey, second by councilman Liari. Any adjourned?