City to give Descartes $100K grant

City councilors finalized a deal Wednesday to provide a $100,000 economic development grant to upstart software company Descartes Labs, part of an effort to anchor the firm in its new headquarters downtown.

The state will contribute $700,000 in Local Economic Development Act funds to Descartes, as well.

“Welcome to town,” Mayor Pro Tem Signe Lindell said. “Thank you for choosing us.”

“You chose us,” shot back a smiling Mark Johnson, Descartes’ chief executive and cofounder.

The Descartes office at 100 N. Guadalupe St. is expected to employ up to 90 people over the next five years, of which as many as 70 will be new hires. The average median earnings will be $140,000, according to a city memo.

The $800,000 in LEDA funds are to be put toward infrastructure improvements and lease payments at the 18,000-square-foot Firestone Building. Total capital investment is $4.2 million. The work is projected to create $1 million in construction payroll, the city memo states, and 23 direct construction jobs.

“We don’t give money away,” said Mark Roper of the state Economic Development Department. “We invest in infrastructure, buildings and land that will improve development in New Mexico and improve the economy.”

Councilors, in a celebratory mood, thanked and congratulated company and state representatives Wednesday. Ron Trujillo pointedly asked company representatives how they would provide job and internship opportunities to local talent.

“Keep pushing me on that,” Johnson said, describing efforts to coordinate with state universities and national laboratories.

Descartes Labs, created in Los Alamos, offers a proprietary software used in satellite imaging and analysis.

In other City Council news:

TOTAL WINE PROPOSAL

The issue: There is new life for a wine and liquor megastore that wants to set up shop in a former Staples location on Zafarano Drive but was stonewalled by city councilors in the fall. The city filed an appeal after its decision not to grant a waiver to Total Wine & More, which would be situated within a 300-foot radius of Praise Tabernacle Freedom Church, was overruled by the state. Councilors cited the proximity of the church and its pastor’s opposition to the proposal. But the council will take up the matter anew Jan. 31.

What was said: City Attorney Kelley Brennan said the city had “initiated conversations” between the pastor and representatives of the company. “They’ve come to an understanding of how they can work cooperatively,” Brennan said. A motion to rescind the city’s denial of the waiver request will appear on the council’s agenda later this month, Brennan said.

DISTRESSED ARTIFICIAL TURF

The issue: The artificial turf field at Salvador Perez Park, on St. Francis Drive, is temporarily closed.

What was said: The city will seek a contractor to replace distressed areas of the turf, City Manager Brian Snyder said. City staff evaluated the field late last week and determined some ripped areas required attention. Snyder said the field had reached the length of its “beneficial life,” and he wants the field replaced in its entirety as part of future capital improvements after the temporary turf fixes are made.

SUPPORT FOR RETURNING RETIREES

The issue: Councilors Chris Rivera and Ron Trujillo co-sponsored a resolution expressing support for hypothetical state legislation that would allow retired police officers to return to work while still collecting retirement benefits. No relevant legislation has been filed, but Rivera said a statement of support for such changes to rules under the Public Employees Retirement Association had value and ultimately could help the city close out a consistent shortage of officers. City Manager Brian Snyder said the city had 10 vacant officer positions as of this week.

What was said: Councilor Joseph Maestas, the only vote against the resolution, said he did not believe the move would have the support of rank-and-file officers, who he said might be blocked from advancement at the department by returning retired officers. Deputy Chief Mario Salbridez said returning officers would not necessarily retain their original rank. Deputy Chief Andrew Padilla estimated another 15 officers would become eligible for retirement from the city force before the end of the year.

CITY MANAGER’S SPENDING POWER

What was at issue: The city manager may now approve expenditures up to $60,000 with only a stroke of his pen. Previously, the city manager’s authority was capped at $50,000. The increase was approved as part of an ordinance, introduced by Lindell, that put the city’s procurement code in line with the state’s. The procurement code was simultaneously amended to provide more benefit to local businesses in their applications for city contracts.

What was said: Assistant City Attorney Marcos Martinez said the increase in the city manager’s signature authority for “small purchases” reflected the state code’s definition. “I think we saw the small-purchases amount the state applies basically to be a reasonable amount,” Martinez said.