Bayard received’t pay for officers’ nonemergency air journey

By MARCELA JOHNSON
Daily Press Staff
The Bayard City Council voted in opposition to nonemergency air journey for metropolis staff and councilors throughout their common assembly Wednesday. Mayor John Ojinaga described emergency journey as that the place the traveler is required to go and are available again on the identical day, akin to for particular conferences in Santa Fe.
Councilors Eloy Gonzales and Frances Gonzales introduced up accessibility points for individuals who won’t be capable to drive themselves.
“The attorney said yesterday that they could get a driver at their expense,” Ojinaga mentioned, “as long as that person had a legal license to drive a city vehicle.”
Councilors Eloy Gonzales and Gilbert Ortiz voted to pay for flights solely in emergencies, and Councilor Frances Gonzales and Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina voted in opposition to. Ojinaga stepped in as a tiebreaker and voted to permit flights solely in emergencies.
“OK, you guys, just remember about the [Americans with Disabilities Act] stuff coming up in the future,” Councilor Frances Gonzales mentioned. “You guys can end up getting sued, because they’re going to be able to look at this case that I brought up.”
The council issued a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month through the assembly, and councilors will take part in El Refugio’s Paint the Town Purple occasion.
The council permitted a fee of $23,907 to the Santa Clara Senior Center after a presentation from Santa Clara Village Administrator Sheila Hudman. Santa Clara took over operation of the middle earlier this yr after former operator Hidalgo Medical Services gave up their contract.
“It’s only called the Santa Clara Senior Center because it’s in Santa Clara — it’s basically the Mining District Senior Center,” Hudman mentioned. “It was a scary thing to come into.”
Hudman mentioned that the middle serves about half of Bayard’s residents, between house supply and use of the middle itself. Medina requested for a contract to be developed for fee to the middle.
“I want to make sure to thank the village of Santa Clara for taking the responsibility,” Medina mentioned. “Our seniors need to be one of our top priorities.”
The council permitted a process order for the 2024 Colonias grant for a chlorination system, as introduced by Stantec Senior Project Manager George Esqueda.
Elysha Montoya, National Center for Frontier Communities group engagement coordinator, gave an replace on the group backyard and greenhouse coaching heart throughout public enter.
She mentioned that the middle and The Commons: Center for Food Security and Sustainability had been joint designs for the area, with The Commons together with a choose-your-own meals pantry on the positioning.
Montoya mentioned they’d obtained a $30,000 grant from native philanthropic group the30something, and had utilized for different sources of funding for 2026.
She mentioned that the group had additionally been doing a “journey through the food system” occasion on the elementary faculties, in addition to cooking courses, gardening workshops and collaborating on a Nov. 1 Día de los Muertos occasion with the Bayard Public Library.
“We’re seeing it more of a culture reclamation event, just teaching people how that day is usually celebrated and bringing it here back to the Mining District,” Montoya mentioned.
Representatives of El Refugio introduced flyers and registration varieties for a fundraising run they are going to be having on Oct. 25 in Fort Bayard, throughout public enter.
A Bayard resident raised considerations throughout public enter a couple of neighboring home that had shingles coming off the roof and into his yard, in addition to individuals going out and in of the home.
During his report, Police Chief Hector Carrillo mentioned that town code enforcement officer was working with the house owner and the neighbor to achieve an answer.
The council permitted a contract for a brief licensed water and wastewater operator till town’s common upkeep and wastewater staff have their certifications. The operator will even assist with worker steering.
The council permitted a wage enhance to $27 an hour for Police Officer Delilah Chavez after she accomplished first line supervisor coaching.
The council permitted the hiring of a full-time animal management officer and crosswalk guard with an extra $2 an hour in pay.
The council permitted a variance request by residents of 805 Bard St. for a carport over a concrete driveway. Councilor Frances Gonzales abstained from the vote.
Cordell Jones, the chair of the planning and zoning committee, gave the committee’s suggestion that the council approve the variance. He mentioned the committee made the advice with the stipulations that the residents present a replica of the state constructing allow and perceive that the carport won’t be allowed to have enclosures on its sides.
The council handed their yearly decision the ratifies their settlement with the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments.
After a half-hour closed session, the council took no motion on personnel issues associated to the Police Department. The council postponed approving a purchase order of a used automobile for the code enforcement officer till Police Chief Carrillo had extra info for the council.
They heard stories from the hearth chief, library, beautification committee, police chief, upkeep, wastewater and clerk.
During council stories, Councilor Frances Gonzales mentioned that there could be a trunk-or-treat held Oct. 29 at Cobre High School within the prime car parking zone.
Councilor Eloy Gonzales requested for an replace in regards to the Bayard Blake’s Lotaburger location, which has been closed for a number of months. City Clerk Martha Salas mentioned that the enterprise had requested $85,000 for points contained in the constructing.
Ortiz mentioned that the Little League discipline seemed good.
Ojinaga requested in regards to the shuttered Family Dollar retailer on Tom Foy Boulevard, and Fire Chief Andrew Gonzales mentioned energy was off within the constructing till an electrician may have a look at it to find out the reason for a shock somebody obtained.
Ojinaga additionally commented on the collaboration he had seen between departments.
“I see everyone working together,” Ojinaga mentioned. “It makes the city look good.”
Through its consent agenda, the council permitted upkeep staff to attend the New Mexico Rural Water Association fall convention and metropolis staff to attend the N.M. Infrastructure Finance Conference.
The subsequent common assembly shall be Nov. 19 at 4:30 p.m. in Bayard City Hall.

Marcela Johnson could also be reached at [email protected].