By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners had a short agenda to start off the first meeting of the 2018 year on January 9th, taking care of some regulatory business and the November 2017 Financial Report.
As part of regular business commissioners approved the public meeting policy that is required each year. They then approved the November 2017 Financial Report which included good news about the GRT which was up by 4% over what was budgeted. (Link to Open Meetings Policy) (Link to Nov 2017 Financial Report)
Commissioners approved a mutual aid agreement between Raton Fire and Emergency Services and the Des Moines and Folsom EMS. This is a standard agreement that the city has with several other departments.
Commissioners approved the disposal of some surplus vehicles, a couple of which will only be good for scrap as they are unusable. The others are considered to be in fair condition. (Link to Surplus Equipment List)
Sara Kowalski was appointed to the Labor Management Board as requested by the city’s labor unions.
City Manager Scott Berry noted in his report that the good weather has allowed city crews to get some extra work done on the Raton Creek areas. They also worked on street sweeping and alley clean up. Berry is asking Raton residents to help keep the alleys clean and noted it is the responsibility of residents to take tree limbs and bigger debris to the transfer station.
The good weather has also allowed for some sign installation work on Taxiway Alpha at the Raton Municipal Crews Field. Berry also noted there is a burn ban in effect and that fire fighters have responded to several grass fires in the last couple of weeks.
Commissioners will meet again on Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m. which will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490. The Commission will also hold a special meeting on January 30 at 5:00 p.m.
In other Commission news, Tuesday was the only day for candidate filing for the March election as two Commission seats and Raton Municipal Judge positions are up for election. The term for Mayor Sandy Mantz will expire in District 1 and Mantz has decided not to run for reelection. Three individuals filed for the District 1 including Deaitra (Dee) Virden-Burks, Lori Chatterly and Robert Beaudette.
District 3 Commissioner Ron Chavez has decided to seek reelection and will run unopposed for the seat, both commission seats will be for a four-year-term, while current Municipal Judge Roy Manfredi will also run unopposed for his position.
