By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton city commissioners started their evening out with a budget workshop to prepare the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The city is budgeting for a 10% increase in health insurance this year but a quote will not be available until July. The city is projecting at this point to see about same amount of gross receipts tax income as last year. Raton City Budget Info
Commissioners took a short break and moved into the regular meeting where they approved the Dispatch agreement with the village of Cimarron, this is an continuation of last year’s agreement. They approved the Independent Riders annual Run for the Wall on May 17th.
Commissioners went on to approve a ground water initiative memorandum of understanding with other entities in Colfax, Harding, Mora and Union counties. The memorandum is to participate in a ground water monitoring study. The last study was done back in the 1930s.
Commissioners then approved the a scrap tire tipping agreement with Geocycle in Colorado Springs to take our tires and recycle them as tire derived fuel. This is a process that combines the tires with coal for a cement plant. The cost to the city is $55.00 per short ton.
The bid award for transportation of those tires was awarded to Intrawest LLC for a price of $590.00 per unit. The company was also required to have a special permit to haul tires, which they do.
The city will purchase materials to rebuild fence along Gardner Road with the labor provided by the Raton FFA chapter. The cost of materials will be around $800.
Commissioners also approved an economic development plan that represents the work of over 65 concerned citizens and took over a year to complete. Who will spearhead the plan is yet to be determined and the success of the plan will be dependent on how the community accepts the plan. EDSP Approved by City Commission 2015.04.14
The city approved a street improvement plan with assistance of material purchased on the state purchasing agreement. The city will work on chip sealing the streets in the Maxwell South addition, which is from the ball fields up toward MCMC Long Term. Other street projects include Pecos Avenue, Galisteo Avenue, 1st Street and Tiger Drive. Funding for the project will come from monies accrued in the general fund and gas tax money earmarked for street improvements. Street Improvement plan
Commissioners introduced the LEDA ordinance, which deals with economic development. Since this is an introduction there will be public hearings on the ordinance at a later date. LEDA Ordinance Draft
Kevin Nolan was appointed to the Planning and Zoning board while Ron Schuster was appointed to the Library Board.
Commissioners then held a public hearing on the rezoning of 1501 Turnesa from a rural holding zone to a residential R4 zone. This request came from City Manager Scott Berry to bring the property inline with the zoning all around it. Commissioners approved the rezone.
In the city manager’s report Tricia Garcia had attended training, which included some information on the city’s liquor license. City crews have been working on potholes and drainage along with improvements at the landfill. He noted the Convention Center floor was dry and ready for use.
Berry also noted that Raton’s Jared Chatterly and Jason Phillips worked on a grant application and received award of funds to work on the trails in Roundhouse Park. Cost of the project is $50,000 with the match from the city of only $7,000.
The closed executive session to discuss litigation was tabled to a later date on the recommendation of the attorneys working on the case.
The city commission will meet again on April 28, 2015 for their regular meeting to be heard on KRTN 1490 AM.
