By Hallie Richwine

The City of Bayard Council Meeting on September 24, 2018 began at 2 p.m. after a short work session. Mayor Chon Fierro and Councilors Adrian Ortiz and Eloy Medina attended, and Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva joined the meeting by phone. 

Council first agreed to handle items which needed a full quorum and vote since Villanueva joined the meeting remotely.

The first action item discussed was the adoption of Ordinance 5-2018, the increase of the gross receipts tax by .25%. This increase is dedicated to the General Fund and Bayard anticipates generating $30,000 per year.

Under personnel issues council rescinded the termination of Cesar Torres in favor of accepting his resignation. Council also approved the hiring of Brandi Pyron as a patrol officer. 

Council approved the consent agenda after a brief discussion of the Police Report. Medina asked how there were 40 court appearances but only two penalty assessments. Clerk Treasurer Kristy Ortiz asked if the penalty assessment was the mail-in ticket rather than going physically to court. 

Police chief Willie Kerin said anyone going to court pays the fees in addition to the cost of their infraction. Ortiz will clarify for reports going forward. 

“I know the chief and his department work very diligently, like on the school zones, and they don’t offer citations. It’s basically a ‘slow down’, you visit with them, have them do the right thing. We’re giving a substantial break there. To turn around and give another substantial break...just check,” Medina asked of Kerin and Ortiz. 

Council proceeded and appointed Esther Mendoza to the Library Board. 

Another miscellaneous item council reviewed was the final budget approval by DFA. “This is just to provide notice and to state in our minutes that the final budget has been approved by DFA. There’s no action,” Ortiz said.

Council then approved the Stantec Work Order for the water rights project. The total project should be close to $38,000 and upgrades the work completed in the 1990’s that no longer provides sufficient water.

The last item before mayor and councilor reports was the discussion of the Election Process and term change. In order for Bayard to match the federal election cycle the terms needed to be cut by three months or extended just beyond a year. This affects council members as well as the mayor and the judge. Ortiz will be putting together the Intent to change the Election Process in a future meeting. 

The next meeting for the City of Bayard Council happens Monday, October 8, 2018 at 2 p.m. following a short work session. The public is invited to attend.