Portales City Council approves speed enforcement ordinance
Jun. 17—On a 6-2 vote, the Portales City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that authorizes the city to install automated speed enforcement systems, monitor the speed of vehicles traveling in the city, and enforce the speed limit through speed enforcement cameras.
Voting against the ordinance were Ward A Councilor Jake Lopez and Ward B Councilor David Boan.
According to the text of the ordinance, the ordinance was proposed to address concerns of Portales residents who fear walking, bicyclng or taking transit in the city. Further, the ordinance text notes, "traffic crashes have increase in Portales since 2010 and the trends are alarming," and police need to address other crime fiighting priorities "that require difficult enforcement decisions."
The ordinance text states that systems will be installed in areas where concern for speeding dangers is the greatest, especially near schools.
City Manager Sarah Austin said Thursday the systems are expected to be in place in a few months, as early as August, after contract details are finalized.
The council on Tuesday also unanimously voted to change the date of municipal elections to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in odd-numbered years, moving the date from March. The new ordinance will be applied to local elections starting with this year's elections on Nov. 7.
According to text in the ordinance, the move will save local tax dollars, because the state will pick up election costs if local elections share the ballot with state general election races.
The council also voted unanimously to allow representatives of a law firm representing Roosevelt County in a suit against makers and distributors of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-containing chemicals to use city property in Portales for investigating the county's case.
In other matters Tuesday:
— The council approved an agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) for a $177,997 project to improve 18th Street from Kilgore to Jackson Avenue and from Avenue I to 80 feet south of that intersection. The state will cover $133,498 of the cost and city funds will cover the remaining $44,499 of costs.
— The council approved acceptance of a Municipal Arterial Program grant from NMDOT to improve the intersection of Avenue O and 18th Street. The cost is $44,069 of which NMDOT will cover $33,052 and the city will cover $11,017.
— The council authorized Marilyn Rapp, the city's finance director, to release a request for proposals and negotiate a contract for banking services to the city.
— The council appointed Ward D Councilor Jim Lucero to the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority board for a second two-year term as one of two city representatives on the board. Mayor Ron Jackson holds the other utility authority seat for Portales.
— Heard a proclamation honoring the return of the body of Thomas Vernon Long, a Roosevelt County soldier who died in the Philippines during World War II, to Portales for burial after 81 years.
— Recognized donors to a project to restore original colors to the city's F-111 fighter jet on a memorial at the behest of John Book, a retired Air Force master sergeant who sought the repainting and provided a photo of the F-111 from its days of active service.
— Presented a five-year service award to Portales Police Officer Jarvis Hall.
— Held an executive session to discuss threatened or pending litigation, acquisition or disposal of or property or water rights.
