Committee approves agreement with New Mexico Environment Department to plan sewer work on Hemez Road

The Public Works and Utilities Committee voted unanimously March 17 to adopt a resolution authorizing city representatives to finalize an agreement with the New Mexico Environment Department to plan, design and construct improvements on Hemez Road, including a sewer line south of Airport Road intended to improve failing residential septic systems.

The committee adopted the resolution, as amended, during its March 17 meeting. The measure directs city staff to represent the municipality in agreement number SAP-I2457-GF with the New Mexico Environment Department. The amendment, added the same night, changed the authorized signers for the agreement: Stan Holland, P.E., public utilities engineer, was substituted in place of Regina Wheeler; David Chapman was substituted in place of Jesse Roach as the GRAMA administrator.

Why it matters: The project targets a stretch of Hemez Road and a sewer connection south of Airport Road where committee members and residents have raised concerns about deteriorating septic systems. Councilor Michael Garcia said the measure responds to long-running constituent complaints about pavement and drainage near Airport Road. "It's been some time ... I'm just glad to see this coming to fruition because it's been quite a few years coming already," Garcia said during the meeting.

What the committee recorded: The committee received the staff packet and an amendment that changed the list of authorized signers. The amendment and the final resolution each passed on roll-call votes. Councilor Romero Worth, Councilor Lee Garcia, Councilor Castro and Chair Eric Chavez voted yes on both the amendment and the final adoption. Councilor Michael Garcia was excused from the meeting and did not register a vote.

Staff comments: Director Regina Wheeler, whose authority to sign the agreement was replaced by Holland under the amendment, was thanked by committee members for moving the grant and agreement work forward. Director Wheeler (as recorded in the meeting packet and staff remarks) noted that utility staff are progressing on several legislative grant agreements and projects; staff also reported that Amos Road is a utilities team project and said it is "ready to go with the money coming in." The transcript records that statement as coming from staff during the matters-from-staff portion of the meeting.

What the action does not specify: The resolution and meeting record identify the agreement number (SAP-I2457-GF) and the project scope (planning, design and construction of improvements on Hemez Road including a sewer line south of Airport Road) but do not specify a dollar amount, a construction timeline, or final contractor selection. Those details were not provided in the meeting record and are therefore listed as not specified.

Next steps and context: With committee approval, staff may proceed with executing the authorized agreement and next administrative steps as required by the New Mexico Environment Department and city procurement rules. Committee members requested status updates on related street and pavement work on Airport Road during the meeting; staff did not provide a firm construction schedule during the session.

Votes at a glance - Amendment to change authorized signers for agreement SAP-I2457-GF: Passed on roll call (Yes: Councilor Romero Worth; Councilor Lee Garcia; Councilor Castro; Chair Eric Chavez. Excused/absent: Councilor Michael Garcia). No recorded no or abstain votes. - Resolution authorizing representatives/agents to finalize Agreement SAP-I2457-GF (plan, design and construct improvements on Hemez Road, including sewer line south of Airport Road): Passed on roll call (Yes: Councilor Romero Worth; Councilor Lee Garcia; Councilor Castro; Chair Eric Chavez. Excused/absent: Councilor Michael Garcia). No recorded no or abstain votes.

Ending: The committee moved on to matters from staff after the vote; staff provided updates on other grant agreements and projects. The meeting record shows no additional public comment on the Hemez Road item during the session.