(Deming) – It looks like two individuals will displace the Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce as operators of the visitor center.
The Deming city councilors voted Monday night to follow the city staff’s recommendation of awarding the visitor center operation services to current chamber office manager Julie Mendez and former Deming Arts Center director Kathryn Hodson.
Deming City Administrator Rick McInturff said the councilors authorized the staff to begin negotiations with Mendez and Hodson as recommended by the city review committee. That committee consisted of four city employees and was chaired by Assistant City Administrator Aaron Sera.
McInturff said the negotiations will involve use of space at the tourist center, located at 800 E. Pine, as well as budget and compensation issues.
He added that if an agreement cannot be reached with Mendez and Hodson, the councilors approved entering into negotiations with Deming MainStreet to operate the visitor’s center. Deming MainStreet’s proposal was ranked second by the committee.
The proposal by the current operators, the Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce, was ranked third.
McInturff stressed that procurement is not a political process, and the contract would be a one-year term beginning July 1st with three one-year extensions – which makes it essentially a four-year contract.
The chamber was awarded the operation contract four years ago following a similar process.
The Deming city councilors voted Monday night to follow the city staff’s recommendation of awarding the visitor center operation services to current chamber office manager Julie Mendez and former Deming Arts Center director Kathryn Hodson.
Deming City Administrator Rick McInturff said the councilors authorized the staff to begin negotiations with Mendez and Hodson as recommended by the city review committee. That committee consisted of four city employees and was chaired by Assistant City Administrator Aaron Sera.
McInturff said the negotiations will involve use of space at the tourist center, located at 800 E. Pine, as well as budget and compensation issues.
He added that if an agreement cannot be reached with Mendez and Hodson, the councilors approved entering into negotiations with Deming MainStreet to operate the visitor’s center. Deming MainStreet’s proposal was ranked second by the committee.
The proposal by the current operators, the Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce, was ranked third.
McInturff stressed that procurement is not a political process, and the contract would be a one-year term beginning July 1st with three one-year extensions – which makes it essentially a four-year contract.
The chamber was awarded the operation contract four years ago following a similar process.
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