By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Parks and Recreation report from Jared Chatterley was first up on the agenda for Tuesday evening’s Raton City Commission meeting.
Cathy Shultz spoke to the commission during the public comment period, about the proposed dog park. There seemed to be some confusion as to how the park would be funded. The process of finalizing the park is still under review mostly due to financing questions.
Chatterley’s report began with a short history on recreation and the many different kinds of recreation as he worked his way into what the Parks and Rec Department is doing and the many programs they are involved in including the Master of the Mountain Race, which he noted has gained international attention with the Canadians, as a team from Canada will participate this year.
The aquatic center has grown into a multi use complex, which includes a horseshoe pit, which will host a tournament later this month to walking trails. Further expansion is in the works to include a dog park, volleyball and bocce courts, disc golf and possibly an amphitheater.
He noted that the aquatic center attendance was great in its first year but had slumped in the next four years before beginning an upswing this year. The first week of the summer this year was close to the first year’s attendance. He also noted that of the 12 cars in the parking lot today six were from Colorado.
Commissioners then listened to City Manager Scott Berry go over the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan list. The transfer station still remains the number one priority with the Lake Maloya Dam safety improvements a close second. (For a complete list of ICIP Projects ICIP Report)
Commissioners approved a three year contract with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council to include a 2.75% pay raise this year and 2% over the following two years.
The city approved the memorandum of understanding with Mainstreet that will run to 2017. They also approved a resolution supporting a Public-Privates economic development Mainstreet project. City Manager Berry indicated the MOU was an agreement for the two entities to cooperate and work together on such projects as the Shuler restoration, the great blocks grant and other positive momentum projects taking place in downtown Raton.
Commissioners approved Budget adjustment #10 for this fiscal year. (The complete budget adjustment document Budget Adjustment#10 FY15)
Commissioners also approved the bid from Serazio Construction for concrete work at Fire Station #2 on Troy Avenue in the amount of $37,722.50 excluding GRT. They also approved the bid from Do It Right Construction to install 72 solar panels on the older building for an amount of $56,719.54. Chief Jim Matthews noted that if all went well they solar panels would pay for themselves in six years. Both projects are being funded with Fire Fund monies.
Commissioners also heard from Bob Osborn with the New Mexico Game and Fish on the grant for bear resistant dumpsters. He noted the grant would expire this year and that if the city intended to use it, it needed to be done quickly. The city is required to match at 35% which can be done with money or in-kind which could be putting another route in place to remove trash more often. Commissioners then approved the memorandum of agreement to work with the Game and Fish Department.
Sheehan and Sheehan PA was selected to represent the city in a water matter out at Capulin they have also been representing the city in the landfill matter with Van Buskirks.
The LEDA project participation agreement was tabled until the June 23 meeting after the approval of the new LEDA ordinance is passed at the next regular meeting.
Commissioners approved the agreement with Gordon Environmental for the closing of the landfill and proceed with that plan.
City Manager Berry reported that there will be a Legislative Education Committee meeting in Raton at Tiger Gym on June 26-27. The committee consists of 31 members and is expecting a large crowd for the meetings. Berry also noted that the Raton Pass Scenic Highway could be put on the National Register of Historic Places by the New Mexico Cultural properties review committee at their next meeting.
He noted that the street crews had been preparing the avenues for chip seal work and that the bears have not been much of a problem so far this year.
They have hauled away 25 bales of tires and the landfill and transfer station area underwent an inspection by the Environment Department last week.
The next regular meeting of the Raton City Commission will be June 23, at 6:00 p.m.
