Mayor targets expenses

Las Vegas Mayor Tony Marquez wants to reduce the number of the city’s take-home cars and cell phones.

At last week’s City Council meeting, he challenged City Manager Sharon Caballero to cut the number by 10 to 20 percent.

“I don’t think the city of Las Vegas has ever managed cell phones or take-home vehicles,” Marquez told the Optic on Tuesday. “Under my administration, I want to make sure the city of Las Vegas is managed in a fiscally responsible manner. That includes challenging and questioning the way we do business to make sure every tax dollar is spent wisely.”

The mayor said he has been seeking information on the number of take-home cars and cell phones since taking office in March.

He said any reduction in cars wouldn’t affect the police, who need to respond quickly to emergencies.

As for cell phones, the mayor said, “My opinion is that there are too many cell phones being issued to employees.”

In other business at last week’s City Council meeting:

The city’s Keep America Beautiful program held a citywide cleanup recently, collecting 13.5 tons of trash, the council was told. Also, the city’s transfer station drew in 40 tons of garbage on the day of the cleanup, which was called Amnesty Day, when people could drop off their garbage for free.

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Las Vegas resident Lalo Sanchez complained that many people are speeding on North Gonzales Street, so he suggested that the city place speed bumps to slow traffic. He also said he has witnessed police officers speed through that area. He said officers on emergencies should put on their emergency lights. Otherwise, he said they should be required to obey traffic laws like everyone else.

As he has stated at previous meetings, Sanchez asked the city to crack down on loud music. Police Chief Gary Gold said he issued a memo in August to his officers informing them about the ordinance against “unreasonable noise.” The chief asked Sanchez and others to bring problems to their attention.

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Councilwoman Diane Moore, who is a member of the Las Vegas Tree Board, said the group wants to improve Marrujo Park, which she said is neglected. The park is on Commerce Street. She said the board wants to help with plants and trees to make the park more attractive.

Councilman Andrew Feldman, who represents the area that includes the park, said he agrees with such improvements.

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Councilman Morris Madrid is chairman of the city’s recreation advisory committee. He said the newly reconstituted committee met for the first time recently. He said members want to look at “the good, the bad and the ugly” in recreation and that it will examine issues such as rates.

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Councilman Cruz Roybal said he wants the city’s utilities department to replace portions of sidewalks that crews must remove when putting in new water meters. He noted several locations, including the chunk missing in front of Estella’s Cafe on Bridge Street. He also advised the city to focus its capital improvements on unpaved streets.

Executive order

The following executive order was signed by Mayor Tony Marquez on Sept. 28:

Whereas, this Mayor supports keeping the community informed and working collectively with local media outlets to ensure accurate and consistent information is released and PIO (public information officer) and all staff assure the Mayor is kept informed in a timely manner to review and release information; and

Whereas, this Mayor shall be apprised of any and all known instances of arrests, violations of the law, that involve city employees, contractors of the city of Las Vegas and other city officials so that the Mayor is kept informed in a timely manner; and

Whereas, this Mayor is promoting and requiring performance measures and penalties clauses to be included in all contracts entered into with the City of Las Vegas and this Mayor effective immediately directs all city staff to use boilerplate format to ensure proper use of taxpayer’s resources by reviewing all contracts for performance; and

Whereas, this Mayor expects proper index record keeping of all contracts, JPAs (joint powers agreements), MOUs (memorandums of understanding), and agreements be held and updated on an ongoing basis and all contracts with a foreseeable expiration date or renewable option date, be brought forth to Mayor and Council for consideration and direction at least 60 days prior to said expiration; and

Whereas, this Mayor as “Chief Executive Officer” requires and expects that all City Ordinances and Codes be brought up to date and codified no later than January 31, 2009, and placed on the City’s website; and

Whereas, this Mayor directs “Customer Service Training” of all city employees and a rating criteria be implemented on all employee performance evaluations which must be completed on all employees at least on an annual basis; and

Whereas, this Mayor promotes Public Safety as a priority, and serves as a lead person in the event of emergencies and community crisis, directs that a “bullet sheet” Emergency Response Guide, tailored to Las Vegas area, be created as soon as possible and that this Mayor be informed immediately of any and all concerns related to the community health, safety and well being; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tony E. Marquez, Jr., Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico, do hereby direct all members of city management and support staff to implement and adhere to this Executive Directive.

THIS ORDER supersedes any and all other previous orders, proclamations, or directives in conflict with the provisions herein. This order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until such time as the Mayor rescinds it or the Mayor’s term ends, whichever comes first. All management and directors are to sign a statement acknowledging that they have received and read this Executive Directive, and a copy of signed acknowledgement be placed in personnel file.