By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a special meeting June 18, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, councilors, Reynaldo Maynes, Keana Huerta, and James Langley. Mayor Pro Tem Nanette Day did not attend.

Public input

George Moreno said, "I am one of the cave men that was referred to in a social media post by the mayor pro tem." He had made a copy of the letter for the council and read parts of it. It had many unflattering comments about the town and the mayor. She refers to a revolution and stepping in as mayor. "Is this the kind of person we want on our council, and I think she needs to resign. She has no business in this town." He had grown up in Hurley and this had really upset him. "People from the outside come in and think they can change it." He said he wanted to make sure everyone knew what she had said and done.

Esther Gill, a resident and former council woman, said, "I am very upset, I was raised here, and I am appalled by her lack of respect. I am glad the rest of the residents have gotten wind of this."

A long time resident and property owner wanted to address how the actions and inactions of the council can affect property values. Codes and ordinances adopted by the local government affect everyday lives. He quoted the Silver City Daily Press article about a meeting that took place March 12, 2024. The council had failed to approve the agenda. Senator Siah Correa Hemphill had attended to provide the council with an update on the legislature. "The best decisions are informed decisions." He said those should require public input and although allowed at regular meetings they have not been allowed for work sessions. He referred to their open meetings act, and it did not have anything about not having it. It did not even mention it. "You need to allow for this." He pointed out they had the option to look at different plans concerning the raising of utility rates but had not asked for the residents' input.

Eric Ortiz felt they needed to have more input on the recreation area being proposed. "The town is in a downhill spiral and are working against each other." He hoped to see it turned around. He did thank the clerk, mayor and past councilman Richard Maynes.

Richard Maynes said he had come onto the board the first time in 2005 and will be sad to see Lori Ortiz, clerk /treasurer, leave. He thanked her for all the work she had done for the town. He thanked the council for all they do and said it had been an honor to serve them.

The council approved the consent agenda. It included meeting minutes and department reports.

The council received a presentation from the Rural Southwest New Mexico Integrated Urban Forestry Project. This project will bring trees to the mining district, Deming, Lordsburg and Silver City. They will be planting 1,000 trees to promote tree equity. Trees provide shade, flood mitigation and habitat. The project will run for five years and the first 12-18 months they will be in the planning of each project area. They will be attending meetings periodically to provide updates on the progress. The input of the public will be needed to see what each community will need.

The council approved amendment no. 1, task order no. 3 for survey and design on the project for E, Anza and 3rd Streets. George Esqueda, Stantec, explained the project.

The council approved task order no. 7. This would be for the wellfield improvements. Ray De La Vega, Stantec, said the well has already been drilled. The mayor and council had some questions about the project. Esqueda went over its connection with the regional water project. Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, went into an explanation of the funding on the regional water project and the three-year stipulation from Freeport McMoRan (FMI). Lucero said FMI would just want to see the project moving forward in response to Steven's concern. John Shoemaker and Associates has done extensive studies to find the best location for the production well. The levels of arsenic have been looked at and they fell below the mcl (maximum contaminant levels). Lucero said currently she serves as the state water ambassador and the regional water commission has tasked her with finding the funding for that project. "The project is in motion." For this area $100 million will be available for water projects. They will be having someone come in to collect data concerning water levels and the aquifers. This information will be critical.

The council approved task order no. 8 for the environmental abatement of the GO building. Esqueda said it will be the future town hall for Hurley. It will allow them to bring in a company to take care of the asbestos abatement and any other environmental hazard.

The council received an update on the current projects from Esqueda. He said he had been surprised by hearing Ortiz would be leaving, as he had worked with her for the past 17 years and he would miss her. The town had been awarded the full $352,000 funding to move the water line under highway 180. He congratulated the mayor, Ortiz and Lucero for the work they had done to obtain that award. He provided a list to the council on all the projects and the current status. Stevens thanked Lucero for all she had done to help and said she was an amazing ally. Lucero thanked Ortiz for her hard work and dedication to her job. She thanked her for all her help with various projects. "She will continue to flourish."

The council approved resolution no. 20-2023/2024. This will adopt the Grant County Affordable Housing Plan. Lucero said many these policies at state level can be hard to understand. New Mexico has laws that you cannot help anyone that is private because it would be a violation. This affordable housing plan will allow a municipality or county to donate land for development, build infrastructure to attract developers, and upgrade existing properties. "You will be able to foster opportunities." The Grant County Affordable Housing Plan must be adopted first and then you will be able to do your own. By doing this first it will save money. The New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) will need to approve that ordinance. Last year they had $25 million for projects and that amount will grow. This will also allow you to tap into funds entities could not before. "We know how much we need affordable housing here." She went over some examples. They will also have incentives for developers to open doors for the mining district.

The council approved creating a fund for Corazon de Hurley. Ortiz said Vanessa Rodriguez had started the organization and she had looked at doing a 501c3 with her and it would take a very long time and a lot of paperwork. She had spoken to Santa Clara and Bayard, and they had just created a fund through the town for similar committees and it has worked well. It will not be using any monies from the town, and it will just be a fund to use and will be complying with procurement laws. They will work with them to provide monthly reports. They already have plans for events coming up. The council also approved Ashley Cano, Hurley employee, to chair the committee. She knows all the procurement rules they must follow.

The council approved resolution 21-2023/2024 to participate in the local government road fund and request for match waiver. Esqueda said they do this every year and allows them to do the chip seal and crack seal work in town. The town has been able to receive waivers for the match in the past but may not this time because of that.

The council approved the intent to adopt ordinance no 4-S. This ordinance provides for the setting and increasing of rates to be charged for sanitary sewer services, garbage collection and landfill fees. Ortiz said they had spoken about this in the work session and budget meetings in the past. It will increase rates $6.78 plus gross receipts tax. "It will leave the town in good standing for now." Langley asked how long the rate would last. Ortiz said it would depend on increases to the town for landfill, wastewater and garbage collection. She added that people wanting an extra trash cart would be charged $5.50 plus gross receipts tax.

The council approved the revised tuition payment and reimbursement for Officer Christopher Baca. Police Chief Christian McGuinness and Ortiz explained the change. The amount would remain the same just broken up differently.

The council approved for Langley to attend the newly elected officials orientation in Albuquerque.

The council approved the draft presented by Ben Young, town attorney. He said they had had some confusion in the wording of the current town building permit. He worked with CID (Construction Industry Division) to modify the language. He went over all the changes and why he had made them.

The council approved the postponement of the approval of the fiscal year 2025 interim budget at the recommendation of Stevens. He wanted them to have another work session before it would be submitted to the state.

The council approved the purchase order for codification of the town ordinances. Ortiz said they had been looking at different vendors and she wanted to recommend Civic Plus. They had looked at three different ones and Civic Plus has worked with 26 municipalities in New Mexico and she had contacted those, and all had positive comments about the service. They offer online code posting which the others did not. They have their own legal team and will go through each ordinance and make sure they comply with state regulations. Civic Plus will also eliminate duplicates and it will take 15-18 months to do the project. The code will all be completely updated. Ortiz said they will be working with the town throughout.

Langley had not met with the necessary persons to discuss the zoning for the town.

The council addressed the recreation improvements. Blas Rodriguez, maintenance supervisor said he still has quotes he has been waiting for on the swimming pool improvements that have not contacted him. Maynes said he had found some other quotes for fencing at the E Street park that would be more cost effective.

The council will hold off for now the hiring of a human resource consultant.

Mayor and councilors reports.

Langley said they had someone that would be offering guitar lessons at the library in exchange for donations to the library. The library had received other donations he listed. On September 7, 2024, the library will partner with Frontier Food Hub and offer workshops on gardening, compost, food preparation and soil reparation. Frontier Food Hub also wants to have a salsa contest and the winner will have the opportunity to have Frontier Food Hub produce and sell their salsa.

Stevens said they will be having Anselmo Tellez work with the town to resolve housing problems. He hoped that Freeport McMoRan would have a grant program that might fit to modernize some of the homes.

Stevens appointed George Moreno to chair a committee to work on ideas that the community will want for the Big Muddy recreation area. This way the council will be able to do what the residents want. "It will be beneficial to all." Huerta asked that they send out the survey to the residents again asking what they would like to see at the Big Muddy. Esqueda noted they had a June 2025 deadline for the project.

Ortiz wanted to announce the Copper Collaborative clean up that would be taking place on the following Saturday. It will be the second annual event. Three $100 prizes will be given and a drawing for a $500 prize between the three communities of Bayard, Santa Clara and Hurley.

Special meeting June 25, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

The next regular meeting will be July 9, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned.