By: Rebecca Hauschild

The Artesia City Council rolled through a long list of agenda items during its Feb. 25 meeting, including a land swap with the Artesia School District and several appointments to the Historical Museum Commission.

The swap agreement calls for the city to trade about 12 acres of property just north of Roberts Park for six acres owned by the school district on Roselawn Avenue. The school district plans to use the 12 acres for a future school location.

The Historical Museum Commission appointees (all to terms expiring in January 2029) are: Marta Donaghe, Felicia De La Garza, Diane Howard and Laura Jimenez.

In other business:

• Community Development/Infrastructure Director Byron Landfair reported that crews were continuing the South 2nd Street and Richardson Avenue rehab project. Landfair said he expected a late March start for the water line replacement project on Grant Avenue.

• The council approved 2024-25 budget adjustment and an aviation grant agreement with the NMDOT Aviation Division to replace security gates and install an equipment building door at the airport.

• The commission approved adding two Senior Center projects to the city’s Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan in order to seek capital outlay funding. The projects include adding two pickleball courts to the Senior Center and the purchase of two Starcraft Allstar 22’ passenger vans.

The council also approved the consent agenda with the following items:

• Hirings: Courtney Kilmer, Library Clerk, $2600 per month; Cassandra Boutelle, Recreation Maintenance Tech, $2920.66 per month.

• Promotion: Scott Parish, Garage Supervisor, $5759.86 per month.

• Retirement: Gerardo B. Conde, Personnel, HR Director, effective March 31, 2025.