Alamogordo County Commission, City of Alamogordo Joint Session

The Alamogordo City Commission and the Otero County Commission met, Monday in joint session for a discussion concerning the of the city leaving the city dispatch authority and a discussion concerning the potential selling off of a portion of the fairgrounds or possible relocation.

The joint session was called to order and then 9 individuals from the public spoke during the comments period.

The first three speakers were dispatch employees which took a defensive stance about the seperation, one claiming that APD officers we're verbally abuse and hostile when dispatch authority errors occured..

A fourth speaker spoke passionately about the dispatch authority as a former employee and complimented the decision to withdraw and to "stop the indiscriminate squandering of city taxpayers money."

The first speaker was supportive of the existing dispatch authority

The 6th, 7th and 8th speaker spoke concerning the Otero County Fairgrounds and spoke against the sell or reduction of any property claiming it was important to emergency services as well as fair entertainment.

The 9th speaker went back to the dispatch authority and condemned the county commission for covering up and allowing abuse by the dispatch authority supervisor. He ended by saying "Alamogordo deserves better."

Otero County Commissioner Vickie Marquardt then announced that the city has given notice of termination of partnership in the dispatch authority. It is a done deal but she wanted to "clear the air" and make some comments. She went on to express her concern that personel records were being discussed and suggested that present employees should also be concerned.

Commissioner Amy Barela spoke that she requested this joint meeting to bring transparency. She alluded that the rank and file APD did not support this transition of dispatch. She said the police chief did meet with her and had expressed his concerns.

The meeting then went on to discuss the potential sell of a portion of the property at the fairgrounds. The value of the piece for consideration is $1.2 Million. And a good question that has been raised is does holding on to prime commercial real estate best serve the taxpayers?

Two proposals were presented to the city management to consider. One was to sell a portion of the property and work with Z trans on shuttles from Griggs field as parking. That is a consistent proposal to what many cities do.

Proposal two was to relocate the fairgrounds to larger location off Levelle Road that could better host a larger midway and a much larger space.

The reason the issue has even come up is because developers often approach the city as this is prime real estate.

One county commissioner spoke suggesting that the fair brings revenue to businesses in Alamogordo but facts do not support that. During the fair downtown businesses and area restaurants see a downturn in revenue. Many close early and cut staff fair week.

While fairs assist in community building and fun, studies show that small businesses that don't participate typically see a downturn in revenues during fair week.

Fairs are positive for a community but what would be the harm in moving it to Lavelle Road to a larger facility with new buildings and a modern facility? The present facilities need upgrades a move would be a logical step to support the fair for future generations.

The fairgrounds used to be rural and was a an airplane landing strip. The town has now grown and the time has come to consider a move.

The joint meeting was just to begin community discussions of what if? The city commissioners have not moved to sell the fairgrounds. The point is the city is reviewing options to best serve the city's taxpayers. These discussions are what we elect city officials to do as a service to the taxpayers.

County Commissioner Amy Barela has suggested the city if it were to sell the parking lot should set the funds aside for the fairgrounds. A county commissioner attempting to direct city officials on how to use it's funds is odd at best.

AlamogordoTownNews.org asked both Country Commisioner leader Amy Barela for comment concerning the meeting. Her response was "no comment."

Mayor Susan Payne was upbeat and her comments may be heard vis an intervew with Anthony Lucero on streaming KALHRadio.org

https://youtu.be/7ygJFVa9fNU?si=DqvMRjKeYaKFJDjR

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