Minutes of the Regular Governing Body Meeting, February 17, 2026

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Trustee Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the Organizational and Regular Meeting of January 20, 2026 as presented, Trustee Willett seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.

REPORTS FROM TRUSTEES:
Trustee McCoy stated that she had met with Sandra Barr, Cloudcroft Library Director and Laura Campbell from the Chamber of Commerce Board about organizing a focus group to plan for the upcoming 4th of July celebration. Trustee Hamilton expressed his concerns about the lack of zoning and code enforcement in the Village. Trustee Willett expressed his concerns regarding light pollution and the dark skies ordinance. Trustee Hardwick did not have any comments.

PUBLIC INPUT:
There was not any input from the public.

DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
J.J. Carrizal, Public Works Supervisor; Sandra Barr, Library Director; Erich Wuersching, Fire Chief and Rick Donnelly, P&Z Chair all provided their monthly department updates.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Discussion/Possible Action: Sale of Real Property Located at 1300 Paqua Owned by the Village of Cloudcroft to Debbie Tate.
   
   1. Debbie Tate presented to the Governing Body her interest to buy a portion of property, 0.002 acre owned by the Village connected to her property located at 1300 Paqua. She also presented comparable values of $3.022 per square feet and $2.71 per square feet. After detailed discussion between all, Trustee Willett made a motion to approve the purchase of the property at $2.71 per foot for a purchase price of $2,597.05, Trustee Hamilton seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion/Possible Action: Designation of Pastor Larry Evans, Summit Christian Fellowship, as Chaplain for the Village of Cloudcroft Police Department.
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the designation, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
2. Discussion/Possible Action: $1/hour Raises for: (1) Joe Scarfa; (2) David Hunter and (3) Sandra Barr.
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve a $1/hr raise for Joe Scarfa, Trustee Willett seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
   2. Trustee Willett made a motion to approvea $1/hr raise for David Hunter, Trustee Hamilton seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
   3. Trustee McCoy recused herself beingthat she is an employee of the library and left the room as the vote was being taken. Trustee Willett made a motion to approve a $1/hr raise for Sandra Barr, Library Director, Trustee Hardwick seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote Trustee Willett voting “aye; Trustee Hardwick voting “aye” and Trustee Hamilton Voting “aye”.
3. Discussion/Possible Action: Recommendations by CDM Smith for Scope of Work and Fee for Wastewater Plant – Chad Johnson
   
   1. Mr. Johnson presented to the Governing Body a proposal for a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for the wastewater treatment plant as to options for the operations of the plant. He stated the PER would cost approximately $92,000. Mr. Johnson did not provide supporting documentation for the proposal and therefore Trustee Hamilton made a motion to postpone presentation of the proposal until the March, 2026 meeting. Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
4. Discussion/Possible Action: Appointment of Representative and Alternate to Serve on the Southeastern Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SERTPO)
   
   1. The Mayor entertained a motion to appoint J.J. Carrizal, Public Works Supervisor to serve as the representative for SERTPO and Keith Hamilton, Mayor Pro Tem to serve as the alternate. Trustee Willett made a motion to approve the appointments, Trustee Hardwick seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
5. Discussion/Possible Action: Appointment of Board Member and Alternate to Serve on the Southeastern New Mexico Economic Development District Council of Governments (COG).
   
   1. The Mayor entertained a motion to appoint himself to serve as the representative for the COG and Trustee Gail McCoy to serve as the alternate. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the appointments, Trustee Willett seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
6. Discussion/Possible Action: Appointment of Jessie Willett to Serve on the Parks and Recreation Board.
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the appointment, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
7. Discussion/Possible Action: Renewal of License Agreement with Cloudcroft Art Society
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the license agreement with a termination date of December 31, 2026 and additional language of “use of the assigned closet located in the Old Brick Schoolhouse Community Room, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
8. Discussion/Possible Action: Renewal of License Agreement with Cloudcroft Art Workshops
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the agreement, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
9. Discussion/Possible Action: Acceptance of Bid from Lincoln Welding & Fabrication for Elevation Park Kiosk Project as Recommended by the Parks & Recreation Board – Brianna Jonnes
   
   1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the bid, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
10. Discussion/Possible Action: Allocation of Lodger’s Tax Funds to Hire a Lodger’s Tax Administrator – Julie Bragg, Lodger’s Tax Committee Chair
    
    1. Julie Bragg, presented to the Governing Body a recommendation from the Lodger’s tax Advisory Board, for the Village to hire a part-time Lodger’s Tax Administrator to administer the revenues and expenditures of Lodger’s Tax proceeds. The Board suggested the position be for 15 hrs a month, with hourly wage to be determined by the Governing Body and the position would be funded by Lodger’s Tax proceeds. After detailed discussion between all, Trustee Hamilton made a motion to bring the issue back to the table in April, when budget consideration will be heard. Trustee Hardwick seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
11. Discussion/Possible Action: Resolution No, 2026-06 a Resolution of the Governing Body for Approval to Allocate Lodger’s Tax Funds to the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce – Julie Bragg, Lodger’s Tax Committee Chair
    
    1. Julie Bragg, presented to the Governing Body recommendations for the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board to allocate lodger’s tax funding to the Chamber of Commerce to fund their Mayfair Event the amount of $12,371; their Beerfest Event the amount of $17,021; the purchase and installation of a freestanding lit marquis sign the amount of $6,370 and reimbursement for publications and ads the amount of $11,295; for a total amount of $47,057. Trustee Willett made a motion to approve the allocations, Trustee Hamilton seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
12. Discussion/Possible Action: Allocation of Lodger’s Tax Funding for a Village of Cloudcroft Tourism Landing Page – Julie Bragg, Lodger’s Tax Committee Chair
    
    1. Julie Bragg presented to the Governing Body a recommendation from the Board for the Village to approve lodger’s tax funding of $40/month to build and maintain a tourism land website page that will host Cloudcroft events. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve the allocation, Trustee McCoy seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
13. Discussion/Possible Action: Resolution No. 2026-07 a Resolution Authorizing Project 25-J3069 With Grant Funding of $738.000, Between the Village of Cloudcroft and the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration to Purchase and Equip a Motor Grader, Backhoe, Dump Truck and Maintenance Equipment and the Assignment of Authorized Officers and Agents.
    
    1. Trustee Willett made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-07, Trustee Hardwick seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
14. Discussion/Possible Action: Resolution No. 2026-08 a Resolution Approving the 4th (Final) Quarter Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025, and Application to the Local Government Division of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration for the Approval Thereof.
    
    1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-08, Trustee Willett seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.
15. Discussion/Possible Action: Acceptance of Water Trust Board Project No. WPF-6553, Water Storage, Conveyance and Delivery Project; Water Storage
    
    1. Mayor Wiley, the Village Clerk and J.J. Carrizal presented to the Governing Body that the Village received water trust board funding for Project No. WPF-6553, Water Storage, Conveyance and Delivery Project; Water Storage, but had concerns about the loan and cash component of the funding as to whether the Village could financially accept the funding. After detailed discussion between all, Trustee Hamilton made a motion to decline acceptance of the funding, Trustee Willett seconded the motion and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all voting “aye”.

CLOSED SESSION:

1. Trustee Hamilton made a motion to recess into closed session for the purpose of Discussion subject to the attorney-client privilege pertaining to threatened or pending litigation regarding Chris Swanson in which the Village of Cloudcroft is or may become a participant. 510-15-1.H.7, NMSA 1978.
2. Trustee Hardwick seconded and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all “ayes”.
3. Mayor Gerald Wiley recessed the Regular Meeting and entered into Closed Session at 8:05 pm.
4. Present in closed session were members of the Governing Body, Zach Cook, Village Attorney and Jini S. Turri, Village Clerk.
5. Mayor Gerald Wiley adjourned the Closed Session and reconvened the Regular Meeting at 8:19 p.m.
6. Trustee Hamilton moved to certify that matters discussed in the closed session were limited only to those specified in the motion for closure, Trustee Hardwick seconded and the motion carried with a roll call vote of all “ayes”.
7. Any action taken as a result of the closed session will be brought back into open session.

DISCUSSION/POSSIBLE ACTION: Attorney-Client Privilege Pertaining to Threatened or Pending Litigation Regarding Chris Swanson in Which the Village of Cloudcroft is or may become a participant. §10-15-1.H.7, NMSA 1978- no action taken.

ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Governing Body, Mayor Wiley adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:20 p.m.