City of Carlsbad Newsletter- May 2024

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Past Event Photos

Did you get snapped at our latest events? Check check our social media to see if you were snapped!

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Dear Neighbors & Friends:

A couple of updates to highlight, construction to improve and upgrade sidewalks has begun on Pate Street near Church Street. That is just one of the many improvements our Streets Department has planned for Carlsbad. This month’s department spotlight features more information regarding recent and future street projects. The new McDonald’s construction has begun south of town on National Parks Highway next to CNB. We’re excited to see the continuation of growth and improvement in our community.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending day one of session two for the Leadership New Mexico, Local Government Leadership Program. Industry and government leaders had the opportunity to connect with Chevron and receive a virtual field tour. For those who don’t know what Leadership New Mexico is, it is a program designed to allow participants to share their knowledge or experiences about our state’s challenges. It has been an excellent program that has brought together industry and government leaders to help us identify current and emerging leaders throughout New Mexico.

The Carlsbad Water Park is reopening for the season this month on May 27th. Hours and admission will remain the same: Tuesday through Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm at $5 per person. Guests

under the age of four and over sixty-one can enter for free. We hope everyone can take the chance to cool off at the Water Park as we enter the warmer season. As a reminder, we have plenty of activities for the families in the community to enjoy, such as a couple of splash pads, the Miniature Golf Course located at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course, and the beach area.

As a reminder, City Hall will be closed on May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. We want to express our immense gratitude for the men and women who lost their lives in service to our country and their families. Many loved ones of veterans live in our community. We encourage everyone to participate in this year’s Memorial Day and recognize our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We have also begun preparations for this year's Independence Day Celebration. If any business is interested in sponsoring the celebration, we seek Gold and Silver Sponsors. For more details, you can call Valeria Quezada at 575-234-7955.

Sincerely,

CarlsbadMayorRickLopez

WINNERS

6-8

1st: Noah Mireles

2nd: Maggie Whaley

3rd: Marcus Lopez

4th: Joana Salcido 9-12

1st: Ryana Salcido

2nd: Bennett Majeras

3rd: Maggie Castaneda

4th: Sophie Whaley 13-15

1st: Drew Canigan

2nd: Emily Jones

3rd: Kaleb Whaley

4th: Jonah Rostro

WINNERS

Pre-K-5th:

1st: “Half Clean Earth” by Autumn Sandoval

2nd: “This is God’s Earth” by Charlie Storm

3rd: “Real Life” by Korra Andersen

6-12th:

1st: “Cosmic Flowers” by Khloe Eagle

2nd: “The V.S.” by Lola Doty

3rd: “The Little Crab” by Aria Espinosa

Adults:

1st: “None the Weiserr” by Nico Chavez

2nd: “Non-Recycle” by Abigail Trevino

3rd: “Captain Planette vs Plastique” by Emmalee Carrigan

Honorary Mention: “A Bagged Planet” by Juan Sandoval

MAY EVENTS & DATES

Thurs. May 2nd: National Day of Prayer Community Event at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center

Thurs. May 2nd: Friends of the Library Meeting at the Carlsbad Public Library

Sat. May 4th: Spring Craft & Bake Sale at the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center

Sat. May 4th: Relay for Life at the Carlsbad Beach Bandshell

Sat. May 4th: ASL Signing Time at the Carlsbad Public Library

Tues. May 7th: Mega Bingo at the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center

Tues. May 7th: Stitcher’s Anonymous at the Carlsbad Public Library

Fri. May 10th: Arts & Craft Fair at the North Mesa Senior Recreation Center

Fri. May 10th: Mother’s Day Dance at the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Citizens Center www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Fri. May 10th: Southeast New Mexico Community College

Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony

Sat. May 10th & 11th: Pecos River Oilfield Tournament at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course

Sat. May 11th: SENMC Nursing Pinning Ceremony at the Valley Venue

Sat. May 11th: Arts & Craft Fair at the North Mesa Senior Recreation Center

Sat. May 11th: Dungeons & Dragons at the Carlsbad

Public Library

Tues. May 14th: Recycled Arts & Crafts- DVD Weaving at the Carlsbad Public Library

Sat. May 17th: Conoco Phillips Sandbagger at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course

Sat. May 18th: ASL Signing Time at the Carlsbad Public Library

Tues. May 21st: Stitcher’s Anonymous at the Carlsbad

Public Library

www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Tues. May 21st: City of Carlsbad Utility Billing Due Date

Wed. May 22nd: Brews & Books at Milton’s Brewing

Sat. May 23rd: Carlsbad Enrichment Center Class of 2024 Graduation

Fri. May 24th: Early College High School Class of 2024

Graduation Ceremony

Fri. May 24th: Carlsbad High School Class of 2024

Graduation Ceremony

Sat. May 25th: Dungeons & Dragons at the Carlsbad Public Library

Sat. May 25th: The Memorial 2-Day Tournament at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course

Mon. May 27th: Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony at the Veteran’s Park

Fri. May 30th: Last Business Day of the Month to pay City Utility Bills

For more information regarding any of these events or others please visit the official City Events Calander.

A special Congratulations to the graduates of our City of Carlsbad employees & City of Carlsbad Interns!

Hayden Abell

Damara Castaneda

Maleah R. Contreras

Malachi E. Contreras

Alexander Diaz

Melissa Estrada

Coby Gentry

Delmoinco Granger

Tristan Groberg

AJ Hernandez

Elisha Martinez

Bailey Lynn Moisa

Aiden Rodriguez

Mikayla Rodriguez

Tristen Rodriguez www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Public Works- Street Department

For those unaware, the City of Carlsbad Street Department is found at the Public Works Building. This department maintains and preserves existing roadway and storm drain infrastructure. It also maintains City paint markings and signage on all City Streets and facilities.

At the moment, one of our top priorities is keeping Carlsbad roadways safe and presenting clean curbside appeal in all neighborhoods. Recently, the Street Department has improved the streetscape and medians for a more appealing curbside appearance on Canal Street. Soon, a significant collector like Mesa Street will undergo construction from Lea Street north to Riverside. This project will include a new and improved road and markings. At the intersection of Mesa and Mermod, new traffic signals and additional street lighting will also be visible.

The process for street projects is very straightforward. We take reports on all street maintenance all year round, combined with a high volume of demand for improvements in particular roadways. We determine the amount of funds for each council ward and share funds evenly to distribute

a fair and just amount of improvements throughout all City Limits. We focus on all areas within the City Limits, and all Street improvement funds are distributed evenly. Some areas may need new asphalt, and some may just need an extension of the lifespan for the road

user. Concerns from the public are heard and noted for future improvements. We focus on all areas within the City Limits, and all Street improvement funds are distributed evenly. Some areas may need new asphalt, and some may just need an extension of the lifespan for the road user. Concerns from the public are heard and noted for future improvements.

Safety is the #1 priority for employees, tending to the maintenance of our community. Maintaining roadways is crucial to the work we do. Patching potholes that can threaten road users' safety is just one example. An employee wearing their PPE is for their own safety as well as that of drivers or pedestrians. We are repairing the very streets our own beloved family uses. We are one community and serve the public for the sake of safety alone.

Sincerely,

JustinRamos Street/Community Service Superintendent

The Water Maintenance Department will do mainline repairs on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, starting at 8:00 AM. The water will be off until the job is complete.

The areas that will be affected are:

Forrest Dr. Chapman Rd.

Old Cavern Hwy

Possible surrounding areas

The Riverwalk Recreation Center remains temporarily closed for construction. For more information regarding the temporary closure please call 575.887.2702.

Household Hazardous Waste: Saturday, May 11th from 8 am to 2 pm at the Beach Parking Lot (near the Pecos River Recreation Area on Park Drive).

For more information please call: 575.628.8176

CITY COUNCIL

Rick Lopez, Mayor mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Ward 1

Edward Rodriguez | etrodriguez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Lisa Anaya-Flores | laflores@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Ward 2

JJ Chavez | jochavez@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Jeff Forrest | jjforrest@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Ward 3

Karla Hamel Niemeier | kjniemeier@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Mary Garwood | msgarwood@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Ward 4

Anthony Foreman | arforeman@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

Mark Walterscheid | mewalterscheid@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

CITY ADMINISTRATION

Wendy Austin, Interim City Administrator wdaustin@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

KC Cass, Deputy City Administrator kccass@cityofcarlsbadnm.com

www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com