Tucumcari meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Tucumcari agendas set up decisions on City Manager contract, recreation center bids, 911 tower height

Tucumcari's City Commission agendas over the past two weeks list decisions on an employment contract for City Manager Jonathan A. Kirksey, a recommendation on bids for the Tucumcari Recreation Center Rehabilitation, and a resolution setting the manager's authority to sign contracts. Agendas for five meetings held between Oct. 13 and Oct. 22 were available; minutes for all five had not been published as of Oct. 26, so no votes, approvals or outcomes are known from the record.

City Manager contract and spending authority

The Oct. 16 Special City Commission agenda listed action on an employment contract for City Manager Jonathan A. Kirksey. The same agenda listed a Professional Services Agreement with Addison Strategies LLC for transition consulting not to exceed $7,500.00, a Professional Services Agreement with Best Risks LLC, Resolution 2026-40 on official signatures for financial account transactions, and discussion of issuing city cell phones to officials and commissioners.

The Oct. 22 City Commission agenda again listed the Addison Strategies LLC agreement, at the same not-to-exceed figure of $7,500.00, and a review of the City Manager's spending and contracting authority. A separate Oct. 22 work session agenda listed the transition consulting agreement along with presentations comparing existing insurance policies with a proposal from the New Mexico Municipal League, and a presentation from Tucumcari General Insurance.

A Special City Commission is scheduled for Oct. 29 to take up Resolution 2026-41, which would designate the City Manager as authorized signatory for contracts up to $20,000, excluding gross receipts tax and professional services. That agenda also lists discussion and action on amending the City Manager's contract and on insurance policies and renewals.

Recreation center and engineering agreements

The Oct. 22 City Commission agenda listed a recommendation for RFP#: 26-08, Tucumcari Recreation Center Rehabilitation, along with Professional Services Agreements with Miller Engineering consultants, Inc. and Parkhill, Smith and Cooper, Inc. The agenda did not state a dollar value for either agreement or for the recreation center work.

Open Meetings Act correction

The Planning & Zoning Commission met Oct. 13 on an agenda listing action to correct an Open Meetings Act violation from Aug. 25, 2026, review and action on corrected minutes from that date, and Open Meetings Act training. The agenda did not describe the nature of the violation.

Cemetery and senior boards

The Cemetery Advisory Board met Oct. 21 on an agenda listing approval of May 20, 2026, minutes, a finance report from City Manager Jonathan A. Kirksey and a cemetery report from Cemetery Supervisor Luciano Montano.

Coming up

• **Oct. 27 — Planning & Zoning Commission.** Public hearing on Variance Application VAR-2026-07, a request to raise the maximum structure height from 45 feet to 100 feet at 511 S. 2nd Street for a Quay County 911 Emergency Communications Center Tower. The commission will decide whether to recommend approval to the City Commission.
• **Oct. 28 — Senior Advisory Board.** Quarterly services and donations reports, policy manuals review, capital outlay updates and events/activities update.
• **Oct. 29 — Special City Commission.** Resolution 2026-41 on contract signing authority up to $20,000, amendment of the City Manager's contract, and insurance policies and renewals.

Agendas are posted by the City of Tucumcari; minutes, once published, are the authoritative record of any action taken.

Tucumcari agendas take up city manager contract, airport taxiway work; minutes pending

Tucumcari's City Commission and its Planning and Zoning Commission met four times in the past two weeks, with agendas covering an employment contract for a city manager, airport taxiway pavement work, a federal grant application and a correction to an Open Meetings Act violation. Minutes for all four meetings had not been published as of October 19, so what was actually decided is not yet part of the public record. The summaries below describe what each agenda listed.

City Manager contract on the October 16 agenda

A special City Commission session was scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, at 8:30 AM at the Tucumcari Convention Center, 1500 W Route 66 Blvd. The agenda called for an executive session under NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(2) to discuss limited personnel matters concerning the hiring of a new City Manager, including individual applicants and their qualifications. After reconvening in open session, the agenda listed discussion and possible action on selecting and appointing a new City Manager, including approval of an employment agreement.

A second special session on October 16 listed action on an employment contract for City Manager Jonathan A. Kirksey. That agenda also listed a Professional Services Agreement with Addison Strategies LLC for transition consulting not to exceed $7,500.00, a Professional Services Agreement with Best Risks LLC, Resolution 2026-40 regarding official signatures for financial account transactions, and discussion of issuing city cell phones to officials and commissioners. The October 16 agenda does not state what action, if any, followed the October 9 session.

Airport, Mainstreet and grant items

The October 8 City Commission agenda, for a 6:00 PM meeting at City Hall, 215 E. Center, included a public hearing and second and final reading of Ordinance 1186. It also listed a Notice of Award for Airport Taxiways A&B, a contract to Hi-Lite for Taxiways A&B pavement maintenance, and Resolution 2026-39 for a PROTECT planning grant application at a 100% federal share with no city match.

Other items listed were Change Order #1 for the Mainstreet Project and discussion of the 3rd Street Project, a Skyrite holiday banner proposal recommended by the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board, and a Library Advisory Board application from Jennifer Maestas. The September 22, 2026 minutes attached to the agenda show a resident, James Hutchison, speaking about poor conditions at the 14th Street softball fields.

Planning and Zoning: Open Meetings Act

The Planning and Zoning Commission met October 13 to discuss and take action on an Open Meetings Act violation from August 25, 2026, review and act on corrected minutes from that same date, and conduct training on the Open Meetings Act. The agenda summary did not describe the nature of the violation.

Coming up

Two City Commission meetings are scheduled for October 22.

A work session lists a proposed professional services agreement with Addison Strategies LLC for municipal government transition consulting not to exceed $7,500.00, a presentation by Isabelle Arnold comparing existing insurance policies with a proposal from the New Mexico Municipal League, and a presentation from Tucumcari General Insurance regarding city insurance policies.

The City Commission meeting that day lists professional services agreements with Miller Engineering consultants, Inc. and Parkhill, Smith and Cooper, Inc, a recommendation for RFP#: 26-08, Tucumcari Recreation Center Rehabilitation, the Addison Strategies LLC agreement, and review of the City Manager's spending and contracting authority.

Agendas list items for consideration; they do not establish that action was taken. Readers should check the published minutes for outcomes.

Tucumcari boards took up rezoning, street project bids, and senior services reports last week

Tucumcari's City Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Senior Advisory Board each convened in late July, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the three meetings. What follows reflects the published agendas only; outcomes, vote tallies, and dollar figures will be confirmed when minutes are released.

City Commission — July 23

The City Commission agenda listed several items scheduled for discussion and action:

• **First Reading of Ordinance 1184**: a proposed rezoning of 211 W. Crutcher Avenue from R-2 residential to R-3 residential.
• **Notice of award** for the 3rd Street Project construction bid. The agenda did not specify a bidder name or dollar amount.
• **Change Order #3** for the KOA/East Route 66 Wastewater Project.
• **Design-only grant applications** for the Old K-Mart and La Joya waterline replacement projects.
• **Use of the Ft. Bascom Room** at the Convention Center for RezDawg, scheduled for November 5–9, 2026.

The agenda also included updates from various advisory boards and a presentation on the Tucumcari Public Library Summer Reading Program finale.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which items were approved, tabled, or continued.

Planning and Zoning Commission — July 28

The Planning and Zoning Commission had a single action item on its agenda:

• **Variance Application 2026-04**: Joseph Miller requested a 15-foot front setback and 0-foot side setback for a carport at Block 3, Lots 18 of the Grand View Addition.

The agenda indicated the commission would determine whether to approve or deny the request during the meeting. The outcome is not yet on record.

Senior Advisory Board — July 22

The Senior Advisory Board agenda called for review of several reports and policy items:

• Fiscal Year 25.26 Annual Report
• Fiscal Year 25.26 Donations Report
• Policy Manuals Review Discussion
• Capital Outlay Updates
• Discussion regarding an ordinance and the number of board members

No actions or recommendations are confirmed without published minutes.

Coming up

• **Lodgers Tax Advisory Board Meeting — August 5, 2026**: The board will consider a billboard inner city revenue proposal as an action item and hold a discussion on fireworks regulations for 2027. Approval of the meeting agenda and minutes is also on the agenda.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 22, 23, and 28 meetings should watch for published minutes from the City of Tucumcari.

Tucumcari commission set to act on FY27 budget, road fund grants, and water main contract; recent meeting outcomes pending

Tucumcari's City Commission has a consequential week ahead, with possible votes on the FY27 budget, state road fund grants, a wastewater project change order, and a water transmission main engineering agreement scheduled for July 9. Outcomes from the commission's June 25 regular meeting and June 23 work session are not yet available, as minutes have not been published.

What was scheduled June 23–25

Three meetings were held in the past two weeks, but official minutes have not been posted for any of them. Based on the published agendas:

• **City Commission Work Session (June 23):** Commissioners were scheduled to hear a presentation from the Rural Labor & Economic Development Corporation (RLEDC) on a no-cost partnership offering up to 120 hours of pro bono services annually, valued at $18,000–$30,000. The proposed partnership would include workforce training, grant readiness, and risk management, with no financial obligation or staff resources required from the city. Commissioners were also set to discuss the FY27 budget. No formal votes were expected.

• **Planning & Zoning Commission (June 23):** The commission was scheduled to vote on Rezone Application 2026-03, which would rezone Block 15, Lots 7-12 of Gamble Addition from R-2 to R-3 multi-family residential. This was a reconvened session from May 26. The agenda included review of parking layout clarification, a letter from the College regarding interest in the property, and engineering plans including ADA-compliant restrooms and exits.

• **City Commission (June 25):** The commission was scheduled to vote on a legal services agreement for RFP#:26-05, a park permit for the Tucumcari Farmers Market at Wailes Park (Saturdays, July 11–Oct 31, 2026, 10am–2pm), and appointment of a Lodger's Tax Advisory Board member. The agenda also listed discussion of a Memorandum of Understanding with RLEDC, a Mainstreet quarterly update, and an officer recognition by the Police Chief.

Because minutes are not yet published, the city has not confirmed which items were approved, tabled, or modified. Readers should check the official city records for finalized outcomes.

Coming up

City Commission Work Session — July 7: The commission will hold a work session to discuss the FY27 budget. No votes or decisions are expected.

City Commission Regular Meeting — July 9: This meeting carries the most potential for consequential decisions. The commission will discuss and possibly act on:

• The FY27 budget
• Resolutions for the FY27 Local Government Road Fund grant from NMDOT, including a match waiver
• A change order for the wastewater re-use project
• An engineering services agreement for a water transmission main (RFP 26-02)
• Senior center contracts with North Central NM Economic Development District

The July 9 meeting is where residents will see the clearest picture of next year's spending priorities and infrastructure investments. Anyone interested in the budget, road funding, water systems, or senior services should consider attending.

All meeting details are drawn from official agendas. Minutes for the June 23 and June 25 meetings had not been published as of this report.

City explores no-cost partnership, rezone decision; budget talks loom

A proposed partnership that could bring up to $30,000 in pro bono services to Tucumcari at no cost was the most significant agenda item to surface in recent city meetings, as boards also weighed a multi-family rezone and prepared votes on a legal services contract and park permits. Minutes for all recent meetings were not yet published, leaving formal outcomes undetermined.

City Commission hears RLEDC proposal

During a June 23 work session, the City Commission listened to a presentation from the Rural Labor & Economic Development Corporation (RLEDC). The organization offered a no-cost partnership that would provide $18,000 to $30,000 worth of annual pro bono services, covering workforce training, grant readiness, and risk management. No financial obligation or city staff resources would be required. Commissioners also discussed a non-binding memorandum of understanding and letter of support for the partnership, as well as the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. No formal votes were taken at the work session.

Planning board weighs Gamble Addition rezone

The Planning and Zoning Commission reconvened a hearing June 23 on Rezone Application 2026-03 for Block 15, Lots 7-12 of the Gamble Addition. The application seeks to change the zoning from R-2 to R-3 multi-family residential. Commissioners reviewed parking layout clarifications, a letter from the college expressing interest in the property, and engineering plans that included ADA-compliant restrooms and exits. The agenda included a possible closed session for deliberation. The vote outcome was not available as of publication.

Commission regular meeting: contracts, farmers market, board seat

At its June 25 regular meeting, the City Commission was scheduled to act on several items:

• Approval of a legal services agreement awarded through RFP#:26-05.
• A park permit for the Tucumcari Farmers Market at Wailes Park, running Saturdays from July 11 to Oct. 31, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Appointment of a Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board member.
• A memorandum of understanding with the Rural Labor & Economic Development Corporation.
• Officer recognition by the police chief.

Meeting minutes were not yet published, so it is unclear whether the commission took final votes on these items.

Coming up

City Commission Work Session (July 7) – Commissioners will discuss the FY27 budget. No votes are expected.

City Commission (July 9) – The commission may act on the FY27 budget, resolutions for the FY27 Local Government Road Fund grant and a match waiver from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, a change order for the wastewater re-use project, an engineering services agreement for a water transmission main (RFP 26-02), and senior center contracts with the North Central NM Economic Development District. The meeting agenda is subject to change.