Public Works and Utilities Committee Mon, May 4, 2026 · Public Works and Utilities Committee https://santafeminutes.space/meeting/966 == Executive Summary == The Public Works and Utilities Committee held a meeting where they approved both the agenda and the consent agenda unanimously. There were no public comments during the session. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing Leroy Labour from the Public Utilities Department as the Employee of the Month for April 2026. Mr. Labour was honored for his 23 years of service, particularly his 11 years in the Wastewater Division. He was commended for his dedication, training of new staff, and commitment to workplace safety. As a token of appreciation, he was awarded a day of administrative leave. == Motions & Votes == - Motion to approve the agenda — Passed unanimously - Motion to approve the consent agenda — Passed unanimously == Public Comment == No public comment period. == Topics == - Employee Recognition - Wastewater Treatment - Workplace Safety - Staff Training == Full Transcript == Good evening, everyone. Can you let me know when we're live, please? I'm sure Chavis, we're live. Great, thank you. All right. Good evening. I call to order the May 4th Public Works and Utilities meeting. It is 5:00. Could I get a roll call, please? Absolutely. Chairperson Chavez? Here. Councilor Barrett? Here. Councilor Bamante? Here. Councilor Falner and Councilor Fagali. And you have a quorum, Chair. Great, thank you. And I just want to remind everyone, because I am online, to just try to use your mics because if not, I won't hear you. Next is approval of the agenda. Are there any changes from staff? No changes from staff. Thank you. Can I have a motion? Motion to approve. Second. I have a motion and I have a second. Could I get a roll call vote, please? Absolutely. Chairperson Chavez? Yes. Councilor Barrett? Yes. Councilor Bamante? Yes. Councilor Falner? Yes. And Councilor Fidali? All right. Next is approval of the consent agenda. There was nothing pulled. I don't know if that has changed. There may not be staff if it has, but is there any interest in pulling any items from consent? If not, can I have a motion? Motion to approve. Second. Motion and a second. Could I get a roll call vote, please? Absolutely. Chairperson Chavez? Yes. Councilor Barrett? Yes. Councilor Bamante? Yes. Councilor Falner? Yes. And Councilor Fagali? Motion passes. Next on our agenda is public comment. Is there anyone in chambers that would like to come up to the podium and speak to us this evening? No one in chambers. Great, thank you. Next is presentations. So, we have our favorite type of presentation. Public Utilities Department Employee of the Month for April 2026. Leroy Labour, Utility Operator, Intermediate Wastewater Management Division. Effen Morales will be presenting, Council Members Committee. It's a pleasure to stand before you. Can you bring that mic closer to you? I just want to be able to hear everything about our employee of the month. There we go. Okay. Thank you so much. Not a problem. Sorry about that. I am Okay, gotcha. And I apologize that I've been on travel every meeting, it seems like. So, I am sorry I'm not there, but thank you for speaking into the mic. Thank you for letting me know. It's a pleasure to stand before you today to recognize someone whose work often happens behind the scenes, but whose impact is felt in the well-being of our environment. And Leroy Lea is a wastewater, is Wastewater's Employee of the Month and exemplifies what public service is all about: commitment, integrity, and genuine dedication. Mr. Labour has been with the city for 23 years and has been a team member of the Wastewater Division for 11 of those. In that time, he's learned how to properly operate the treatment facility and has tested for and received his Level 2 Wastewater Certification through the state of New Mexico. Mr. Labour has trained new apprentices and has guided them through the daily routines for the operation of our treatment facility. Mr. Labour is always mindful of any potential workplace hazards and has informed supervisors and managers on different occasions on which there were potential hazardous environments existing in our facility. He has worked with our management team to come up with solutions to these potential hazards and is diligent in keeping our facility clean and safe. He has become a reliable and respected presence within our team and setting a standard that others are inspired to follow. On behalf of the Wastewater Division, I am honored to recognize their outstanding contributions. Please join me in congratulating our Employee of the Month for their hard work and dedication. Thank you. Great. And Mr. Lea, if you would like to come up, I'm sure Council would love to thank you for your work and keeping our team members safe and thinking the way you do and being detailed and contributing to the city as you have. Thank you so much. And I would shake your hand if I was there, but I'm doing a virtual one. So, thank you so much. And Madam, would you Oh, yes. I was going to see if Mr. Lea wanted to say anything and then, but go ahead, Director, please. Just wanted to mention again that Mr. Lea, thanks to all your hard work, we would like to give you a day of admin leave to use as you see fit in recognition of all your hard work. Hey. All right. You don't have to say anything, but if you do, you're welcome to. If not, I would see if any of our committee members would like to say anything. Any discussion? No. All right. Well, thank you so much, Mr. Lea. Thank you for everything you do. All right. Next on the agenda, matters from staff. No matters from staff, Chair. All right. Matters from the committee. Can you all look at each other? No, I don't think I don't I don't. Doesn't look like any of us have anything. Yeah. Okay. Sounds good. So, matters from Chair. Our next meeting is Monday, May 18th, 2026. And with that, we're adjourned. Thank you so much. Thank you, Chair.