Ruidoso Downs council approves routine payments, an engineering amendment and a parks appointment

At its March 9 meeting, the Ruidoso Downs City Council approved a series of routine items: payment of prior-year invoices, a small engineering amendment for Harris Lane, and a confirmation to the parks and beautification committee.

Accounts-payable staff explained several prior-year invoices had been missed because vendor notices were sent to a deactivated email; Angela Ford told the council she has reconfigured vendor contacts and proposed a generic accounts-payable email so records would not rely on a single person. "I've reached out to all of the businesses... and make sure that the invoices are coming to me," Ford said. The council approved payment to Staples Advantage (amount in the record discussed as about $2,192) and a $43.36 invoice for the local newspaper after staff reported a previously issued check did not clear and a replacement check was issued.

On infrastructure, the council approved a $3,600 amendment (exclusive of NMGRT) to the Dennis Engineering agreement for the Harris Lane road-improvement project to cover resurveying after project stakes were removed or stolen; the engineer said the work will come from grant funds and not the city's general fund. The public-works speaker said concrete contractors expect curb work to start by late April or May 1, pending scheduling.

The council also confirmed the appointment of Diane (Miss Moreno) to the Parks and Beautification Committee; colleagues noted she brings fundraising experience and prior committee service.

What’s next: Staff will process the approved payments, finalize the engineering amendment using grant funds, and update committee rosters.