By Billy Donati
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton City commission met in regular session on Tuesday, March 25 at Raton City Hall with the continued drought playing a major part in the proceedings.
The City of Raton was placed under fire restrictions as Commissioner Ron Chavez read the notice that includes a ban of all open burning and a moratorium on the issuance of any burn permits until conditions improve.
Concerning water, Raton Water Works General Manager Dan Campbell gave a report to the commission that because of lower water levels in both Sugarite and Eagle Nest, immediate conservation efforts are being implemented on April 1. Campbell stated that the way things are looking there will probably be 50 percent of water allotments from Eagle Nest Lake this year. On the upside, the Capital Outlay Project for $300,000 plus for dam conduits at Lake Maloya was approved as well as $200,000 for street and drainage work in Raton. Most of that street money will be going for Park Ave between 2nd and 3rd streets to improve and unblock drains there.
During his report, City Manager Butch McGowen announced the resignation of Christopher Reed as the city’s economic liaison, effective on April 4. McGowen thanked Reed for his service to both the city and Raton Main Street organization.
McGowen also announced a hard closing date of May 16th for Raton’s Landfill. The landfill will only be accepting construction debris and, if filled, may close before that date.
In other personnel matters, McGowen stated that nine applications had been received for the upcoming vacancy for the City Manager’s position. The commission preferred to not put a hard closing date on any additional applications.
Randy Madison and Chuck Hyde were both unanimously appointed to the Raton Planning and Zoning Board. The commission, however, postponed any action on appointment to the Financial Advisory Committee until more applications could be received and put a deadline of April 22 for those interested.
In other proceedings:
- The Commission delayed action on a MOU with Raton Little League for use of the city ball fields this summer as a certificate of insurance still has to be provided.
- Passed over any action on the intergovernmental agreement between the City and Colfax County. The County signed off to act as the fiscal agent for the city, however there were ordinances in place that charged significant fees for the service and both entities are looking in how to deal with them.
Action items included:
- Passing unanimously the Raton Lodger’s Tax Board recommendation to grant Music from Angel Fire $2,500 from Lodgers Tax Funds.
- Accepted the 2014 Financials thru February.
- Approved the Juvenile Justice Budget agreement
- Approved the authorization to change bank signature cards.
The next Raton City Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, April 8 at 6 pm and will be broadcast on KRTN 1490 AM
Raton fire Restrictions Document
