For the second straight meeting, The Raton City Commission met in regular session on a Monday at noon at City Hall, and moved quickly through the September 8th agenda.
City Manager Butch McGowen informed the commission that the Multi- Modal archaeological site survey, which has delayed the project for some time now, will be back in town this week. Several trenches have been excavated in the City owned lot next to the Old Pass Gallery, with all preliminary indications showing nothing of significance has been found. It was anticipated and hoped that that no issues would be discovered and, if not, the project would be able to proceed. McGowen noted the project has been in the works for five years now and the recent bid of 1.5 million dollars for completion of the project was significantly more than the 1.1 million the city had available.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci reported that the Aging and Long Term Care Agreement with the City had just recently been signed and the $155,000 grant will be used by the Raton Senior Center mainly for repair of the roof and for other upgrades/repairs.
In action items, the Commission unanimously accepted the lone bid of $46,140 from WM Serazio and Company for work on Park Ave drainage/flooding. Scott Berry of KS Berry Engineering reported this would probably be a Phase 1 as there are other issues upstream that must be addressed at a later time.
A Municipal Arterial Project resolution was unanimously approved for the repaving of Tiger the project would repave and set new curb and gutters on Tiger Drive between South 2nd and Letton Drive by the high school. The total project cost is estimated at over $193,000, with the City’s 25% share at $48,346.
The Commission also unanimously approved going ahead with an application for funding from the NM Finance Authority for an update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which has not been done since 2003.
The commission also unanimously approved: 1. The dispatch agreement between the City of Raton and the Town of Springer; 2. The Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board recommendation to award $3,000 for help in advertising the Raton Rodeo Association’s Mud Bog set for Sept. 13th; 3. A Juvenile Justice FY15 Grant Budget Adjustment for $4,500 for training.
There were no Board appointments, but McGowen noted that vacancies exist on the ETZ, Parks and Rec., Lodger’s Tax Advisory and Airport Board. McGowen also reported that Dan Campbell of Raton Water Works has been elected the Environment Quality Association President of the NMML.
The NM Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has set their September monthly meeting for Raton on Thursday, Sept. 18th
The September 8th meeting was the first without Commissioner Jimmie Fanelli, who recently resigned because of work schedule conflicts/obligations. The Commission decided to extend the time frame for filing for the District 4 seat vacated by Fanelli. The new deadline is Friday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.
The next regular Raton City Commission meeting is set for Tuesday, September 23rd at 6 p.m. at Raton City Hall and will be broadcast on 1490 KRTN-AM.
