By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a regular meeting July 9, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Nanette Day, councilors, Reynaldo Maynes, Keana Huerta and James Langley (online).

Public Input

George Moreno, committee chair, updated the council on the recreation project for the Big Muddy and the meetings that had taken place. They had a lot of discussion and had sent out flyers. which had brought 20 responses to date with feedback. Huerta, with the information gathered, will be contacting the engineers for some recommendations.

Moreno said he understood they had a movement to hire a human resource consultant. “I am totally against it.” Hurley only has about 20-25 employees. “The budget is tight, and it would be foolish.”

During the 4th of July celebrations Moreno had been disappointed that they didn’t have any patrols out. The celebrations went past midnight. “No action was taken.”

Moreno said, “I would like the Mayor Pro Tem, want-to-be mayor, to give us an update on the revolution because it is supposed to be bloody.”

Tim Gray, a resident, had some concerns. He wanted to know if the issue of firefighters not being able to find addresses had been resolved. He also wanted to see some kind of speed control on Cortez Street and what the procedure would be. Stevens said they would get back to him on the issue.

Esther Gill said the discussion about hiring a human resource consultant would be a waste of money. She added that Moreno had covered the issue well. She had been on the council for eight years and everything had always been taken care of properly concerning human resources. She commented that if the Mayor Pro Tem did not like this town, she should have never moved here and should leave. Many attending voiced their agreement to Gill’s last statement.

Rosie Griggs said she had heard a rumor about the regulations on chickens and it will cost the residents $15, and she felt that would be harsh and hoped it was not true. She wanted to know if the fire plugs in town had been tested and what had the condition been. She had not seen them tested. Stevens said they would contact her.

Rudy Pena said he used to be on the council a long time ago. He referred to the human resources consultant. For years the town has not had any money. “We need to take care of our elderly people. The money it does have needs to be used for the people and it is not.”

Kevin Thompson said he recently moved to Hurley. The had received a letter regarding the monitoring of asbestos in the water. It said it had not been done for a few years. “Why was this not done before, who was responsible and what other contaminants are you monitoring?” Stevens said they would contact him.

Edwardo Martinez has not been happy about the condition of some yards. “They look like junk yards.” He wanted to see yards cleaned.

Mr. Tellez said, “I am a Hurley property owner and not from the stone age.” He referred to the June 25, 2024, budget work shop they had heard from the community the various impacts of the proposed utility increase and especially those residents on a fixed income. “I would like to see this tabled until you reconsider other alternatives to avoid the increase.” Tellez said the elected officials must adhere to a code of conduct and maintain the trust of the community.

He referred to Mayor Pro Tem Nanette Day and a social media post from March 25, 2024. “I am very disappointed.” She has the first amendment right to free speech however it offers the community that window, momentary glimpse and reflection to measure the communities’ expectations. The lack of confidence does not come from her free speech but her actions and the actions of Langley. Day and Langley caused the terminations of an official town council meeting on March 12, 2024. They have caused the waste of town resources and time of the people in attendance. They caused disrespect to Senator Siah Correa Hemphill who had attended to report on the legislature, a matter of public interest. Day has disrespected the mayor and proud residents of Hurley. “We are ashamed of the conduct of our town council.” Day, although she ?showed up for this meeting, had not for the past two council meetings. “I call on the town council to issue a proclamation of no confidence inDay.” He called for Day to voluntarily resign. The residents in attendance all clapped. He continued to speak but his time allotted had ended. Day reprimanded Stevens to do his job and stop him.

Katherine Jaramillo said she works in Deming and is not able to attend the meetings. “I have lived here forever and would like to go back to the old days but that is not going to happen.” She had been reading social media posts. “We need to help each other and our council to do the best we can.” She didn’t know anything about this person, referring to Day. “Just now I didn’t appreciate how you spoke over the mayor and told him to do his job. That is not teamwork.” She said Day had been childish even though he had gone over his minutes. “Putting each other down in public is not right.”

Roy Duval had lived in Hurley for seven years. “I see a lot of lack on the police department.” They seem to not be able to keep police officers. “The bickering is very unprofessional.” He said he had seen police out during the fireworks. He referred to the person requesting speed bumps and said he had them on his street and they didn’t improve anything. “We need to find other ways to improve our infrastructure and not have it cost the residents.”

David Jaramillo thanked the mayor for having a lot going on in the town. He went over the budget and looking at other ways to acquire monies for the budget. He spoke to using the old American Legion building as a senior area but knew they currently had some plans. The council needed to prioritize on the safety of everyone in the town. He had lived in the town all his life and they have been seeing rattlesnakes and urged everyone to be careful. He also pointed out the abandoned houses and the fire issue they could cause.

Mary Beth Davis said she had lived in Hurley approximately 20 years and had never seen issues like this. She spoke highly of some of the employees. Currently she said the problems have included the backstabbing, back biting and personal attacks. These have been causing wonderful employees to leave. “We need to get along.” Maybe they argue about the library and human resources consultant. “Having someone on our council that specifically states very rude crude comments about our council members, that is unethical, immoral and ridiculous of any public official.” The attendees all clapped. “I don’t care what your opinion is, you do not publicly post it on social media.” She wanted to make the town what it should be, helping neighbors and doing the right thing.

Mary Ann Cummings said everyone knows her on Facebook as BA Smith. “Pro Tem Day you think this is really funny, it is not. You need to be legally removed. We want her gone.” The attendees all clapped.

Raul Salcedo said he had lived in Hurley all his life. “You have our attention. You are losing some good help.” He praised Lori Ortiz, town clerk, and the excellent job she had done. He spoke to the town not having officers, but they want to hire a librarian and raise rates. “We need basic necessities in the town, get your priorities straight. Stop fighting.”

Consent Agenda

The council approved most of the consent agenda after review of everything listed. Day had things on the minutes from June 25, 2024, she wanted corrected, and have it removed until it had been done. Ortiz said she would and include it on the next agenda. A resident objected to the removal and said it had been a very important meeting. Ortiz explained to the resident that they would make the corrections, and it would be on the record and would be approved in the next meeting.

Maynes started to read through the maintenance report. Day interrupted him to argue with the residents on the minutes referred to above. Maynes continued after she had finished.

Ortiz had some announcements. They would be having movies in the park at 8:00 pm the next day. It will be at the A Street park and the organizers will be selling pickles and popcorn. The Copper Collaborative had the second annual clean up and they collected 90 bags in Hurley and a resident had won the $300 raffle. They have received the schematics from the architect for the design stage of the American Legion. She had copies for the council and residents to view. They used a quality-of-life grant to fund this part of the project. It will be a recreation area with an open concept. The outdoor area will have coverings. She also included that the spaces could be rented. The town had signed the contract for the codification. It will be a 14-15 month process and has started. They would be provided updates as it progressed. Day had questions and Ortiz went over her questions and answered her. The auditors will begin the 2023/2024 audit and asked everyone to be patient with the staff because it would be taking a lot of their time. They had the ICIP (infrastructure capital improvement plan) hearing June 24, 2024, and no one had attended. She and the mayor had kept it the same and she said she had until July 19, to make changes. Day had questions on the financial statement that Ortiz answered.

Ortiz spoke on her resignation. She was tearful. She said she had received an opportunity she could not turn down. Her last day would be July 19, 2024. It had been an honor to serve the town and residents. She said she enjoyed every bit of it and loved her job. She thanked the mayor for his support. She and the mayor had not always agreed but stuck together and that was important. She said it may seem to some that they had not done anything but until you have been in the mayor’s shoes, she said, “It is a tough job. Thank you for all you have done because you have done a lot for the employees and residents. You fight.” She said he comes off a little strong and some may misunderstand but he has been coming from a good place. “I want to thank you, and it has been a great opportunity to work with you.” She said she had grown up in Hurley and lived there approximately 30 years. It has been nice to see the old faces and the new faces. “We need to stick together and work together like Mrs. Jaramillo said.” The residents gave Ortiz a standing ovation. She thanked them for their encouragement. Stevens said she has always, in every situation, represented the town well. He went over all the situations with legislators and many other people. “I have total respect for her. She has been the best of the best.”

Day thanked her for her help when she started and wished her the best of luck.

Ortiz provided a quick update on current projects. The council received short reports from the fire department, animal control, code enforcement and police.

Police Officer Christopher Baca resigned. He will be paying back his academy tuition that the town had paid.

Day and Langley addressed the council with a library report. They had been approached by Frontier Food Hub to do a salsa contest at the September 7, 2024, event. They want it to be an annual event.

Dolores Charon, El Refugio, attended to ask for the town of Hurley to participate in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It will take place in October, and Bayard had participated last year and will this year. They color the town in purple ribbons and pins. Charon said she provides the ribbons, pins and brochures. She went over all the events for the month and hoped that Santa Clara and Hurley would participate this year. Since 2019, 2,500 people have been involved in domestic violence. The council all approved, and Stevens told her to let them know what they could do to help.

The council approved resolution No. 1-2024/2025. This has to do with the open meetings act and must be done each year to state the time and location of meetings.

The council approved the ICIP after a long discussion and Langley’s recommendation for a special meeting. Ortiz said they had a public meeting, but no one had attended. They didn’t change it. The top five will be the most important. She listed the top five. First one would be the water system, second would be the Chino building, third wastewater system, fourth recreation improvements and five would be to purchase a town vehicle because the current one has not been safe to use to go out of town. The sixth item will be the regional water project.

Stevens asked for a list of the already funded projects. Ortiz read the list.
2021 they had received $150,000 and used it on the swimming pool
2022 they had received funding for the park on A Street
Big Muddy they had $278,000 funding – committee working on.
2021 they had received an ARPA grant and used it for the lift station. Emergency funds had not been enough, but this will cover it in full.
2022 they had received $250,000 for the Chino building
2023 they had received $330,000 for abatement of asbestos in the Chino building and construction.
2022 they had received $442,000 for A Street improvements (working on now)
2024 they had received $1,120,000 for construction on streets
2023 and 2024 they had received $93,333.00 for roads to chip seal and fix cracks.
2023 quality of life grant for the American Legion building
$1 million for well improvements. The lift station they have just been waiting on parts.
Moving the water line under the new wider highway $352,000 and the town will have to pay $65,000
2024 capital outlay funds of $250,000 recreational improvements.

Langley recommended another special meeting to discuss it all. He wanted the vote tabled. Langley didn’t know if it agreed with the comprehensive plan, and they had to adhere to it. Ortiz said it had been brought up a number of times in meetings and he had not said anything nor had anyone else. Ortiz said the top five have been in the comprehensive plan. The discussion continued for some time about the comprehensive plan and ICIP. Day didn’t know if it adhered to the comprehensive plan. Ortiz pointed out they had a deadline and again she had brought it up before and no one said anything.

The council tabled the certification of assets until the following week.

Police Chief Christian McGuinness recommended the hiring of Jay Madrid for animal control officer. He currently serves as the fire chief of Hurley and would continue. McGuinness said he would be a good asset because of his medical and fire training. Langley said they had to have a closed session because of it being a personnel matter and Day agreed.

The council went into closed session
The council came back into open session.

The council approved the hiring of Jay Madrid for animal control officer.

The council approved the intent to adopt ordinance No. 77-A. This has to do with the establishment of fines and penalties in the town of Hurley. As of July 1, 2024, they would no longer be able to collect court costs.

The council tabled ordinance No. 4-2. This would provide for the setting and increasing the rates charged to the residents for sewer service, garbage collection and landfill fees. The mayor had heard the residents both in council meetings and those that came to speak with him. Ortiz went over the revenues and expenses for the town. The revenues had been $614,000 and $442,000 came from a grant so the general funds came to $172,000 left from last year. The town paid out the extra costs for these services for the past and it came to roughly $28,700 and will be taken from the general fund. They will also take the extra and transfer it to those funds to cover the shortages for the next year. It will have to be revisited in 2026. Ortiz had contacted the state to make sure they would not have a problem doing that transfer and the state approved it. Langley and Day both had questions about the costs and when it would go up again. Langley thought they would be hit with a bigger increase in a few years.

Changes would be made in the budget, and they would vote on it in the next meeting. Ortiz said this would cover the next year, but they would have to look at the numbers again to see what needed to be done in 2026.

They discussed the possibility of future water rate increases. Stevens said they had received 200 acre-feet of water rights from Freeport McMoRan and that donation would be worth a lot of money. He said at some point the water rate would have to increase. The rate has not gone up since 2020 so that would mean no increase for 6-7 years.

The zoning discussion had been tabled until they received more information.

The council discussed the recreational improvements. Maynes had received a quote for the E Street park but for procurement purposes they will need to obtain two more quotes with the scope of work. Ortiz said they would work on that. The pool has been warmer with the work done.

The council voted to table the hiring of a human resource consultant due to not receiving a report from James and Moore.

Mayor and councilors reports

Day said they have been working on the event at the library for September 7, 2024. The food pantry has been interested in setting up a distribution location. They will be meeting, and she will bring it to the next council meeting.

Huerta had attended the committee meeting to make plans for the Big Muddy. They have been waiting on some information from the engineer. Ortiz provided some recommendation for her when acquiring quotes and information.

Maynes thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and participating and hoped they continued.

Langley wanted to recognize the police for doing an outstanding job. Recently a very dangerous man had been apprehended and the Hurley police had been up all night processing him. They did outstanding work and have integrity.

Stevens said he would be very sad to see Ortiz leave, and he would miss her. He thanked the town for showing up. “This is what makes us a Republic and makes us America.”

Stevens had another point. The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) would like the cannon from the American Legion to put at the Bataan Veterans Memorial Park. “The residents should make that decision, not the council.” He would like to send notices out to the residents. It will be included in a future meeting.

The next special meeting will be July 16, 2024, at 5:00 pm.
The next regular meeting will be August 13, 2024, at 5:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned.