Bayard City Council Discussed and Approved a Notice of Intent to Adopt an Ordinance that Would Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV’s) to be Operated within City Limits - 07/22/2019

By Alexis Rico

The City of Bayard Council met for a work session followed by a regular session meeting on July 22, 2019, at the Bayard City Hall. Present for both meetings was Mayor Chon S. Fierro, Councilor Adrian Ortiz, Councilor Eloy Medina, Mayor Pro-Tem Raul Villanueva, and Councilor Charles L. Kelly.

During the work session, the council discussed a notice of intent to adopt an ordinance that would allow for the use of UTV’s/ side-by-sides within city limits. The Council had disapproved the use of side-by-sides on municipal streets in the past, but with the recent adoption of ordinances that allow the use of UTV’s in Silver City and Grant County, Town Clerk Kristina Ortiz and the council decided to discuss the possibility of also passing an ordinance that would allow for the use of these kinds of vehicles. Both the Silver City and Grant County ordinances have been tailored in a way that would allow each entity to monitor the use of the vehicles. There is a time restraint on the operation hours and the UTV’s are required to obey all speed limits. The Grant County ordinance has even restricted the use of the vehicles to four specific areas in the county, which include recreational trails. Ortiz pulled up the ordinances so the council could consider the restraints they could use to allow for the operation of UTV’s in Bayard. Councilor Medina stated that UTV’s could be allowed on local streets, but should only use Highway 180 and Highway 356 as crossing points because there is so much traffic on the highways.

During the regular meeting session, the council did approve the notice of intent to adopt the ordinance. This will allow the council to have a 14-day period for comments and changes in the ordinance before it is approved. Ortiz stated she would combine state regulations for UTV use and parts of the Silver City and Grant County ordinances to create an ordinance that would work for Bayard to keep citizens safe.

The council also briefly discussed the June 30, 2019, financial statement, budget adjustments, and 2020 fiscal year final budget during the work session. Ortiz stated that the council did ‘pretty good’ according to the financial statement. The council had started with $3.6 million and ended with a $4.6 million balance. There was $3.8 million in revenue and $3.4 million in expenditures. For the final budget, $8.5 million would be budgeted for revenue and $8.4 million in expenditures, which would include multiple grants. Ortiz stated there was an addition of $20,000 in building improvements for general funds that could be used for city hall and community center repairs and upgrades. Ortiz stated there were also a few other little changes to the budget to adjust for the current year.

The council approved the June 30, 2019, financial statement, budget adjustments, 2020 fiscal year budget and the adoption of Resolution 23-2019 during the regular meeting.

The council approved Jason Stailey’s request for municipal water service to property located in the county area for a new home because the property owner is required to have a septic system for the house.

The council also approved the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments contract, annual dues, and Resolution 24-2019. The contract is for support and the annual grant support of $2,063 that the council pays in dues to receive help from the SWNMCOG.

Bayard Chief Police Lee Alvirez told the council in his report that he is working on 221 policies for Bayard Police. These policies would include administration, special operations, department directives, etc. Alvirez stated he was still working on the policies and requested the help of Mayor Pro-Tem Villanueva. Alvirez will present the council with all of the policies once they have been completed.

Several people spoke to the council during the public input portion of the meeting. The Moreno Family presented the council with several bags and boxes full of school supplies. This is the third year that the family has gathered school supplies for children in need in honor of family members Edward L. Moreno and Edwardo P. Moreno. The council thanked the family for their efforts and all of the supplies. “The council will do its best to get it where it needs to go,” said Mayor Fierro.

Jesus Perez came before the council to request help with the abandoned house next to his property located on McKey Street. The house is in bad condition, according to Perez. Perez provided the council with multiple pictures of the properties and stated that the main concern was about the snakes in the area. Perez had already talked with animal control and wanted to see what the council could do about the issue.

Chief Alvirez stated the house was a fire hazard and he had already been in contact with the owners. Alvirez is looking to get volunteers to help get rid of the weeds on the property. The council and Alvirez stated they would discuss the issue of the property in further detail at a later time.

Ralph Jimenez with Copper Little League came before the council to thank them for their efforts and support during the 8, 9, and 10-year-old state competitions that were held recently at the Copper Little League field. Jimenez said that the league received a lot of compliments about the field and the running of the competition from many out of town teams. “Maintenance was always on call and took care of any problems quickly,” said Jimenez.

“It could be the number one ranked field in New Mexico,” Jimenez also said. It was a success for Bayard because restaurants also received a lot of business from the competition. The league is hoping to host a regional competition at the field in the future.

The regular meeting session was adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

The next work session and meeting will be held on August 12, 2019, at the Bayard City Hall.