By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Commissioners accepted a one-year lease agreement for the National Guard Armory located on city property near the Crews Field airport. The National Guard no longer has a use for the facility and has vacated the building. The National Guard Armory Board approved the lease agreement at their meeting today in Santa Fe.
The lease agreement will not cost the city any money. After the National Guard cleans up the lead contamination in an indoor shooting range they will turn the building over to the city and it will become a fully city owned building at that time. (Link to the NG Lease Agreement)
Commissioners approved a grant from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for fire equipment. The fire department grant matching funds will come from monies the department received from wildland fire fighting. The total of the grant is $17,119.30.
Commissioners heard that the deficit in the gross receipts taxes is indeed an error at New Mexico Taxation and Revenue in the hold harmless funds in lieu of taxes on food products. They hope to get that error corrected soon and the city should hear something by Februrary 15. City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci indicated the GRT continues to fall short of the budgeted amount by 4.8% or $77,895.25. The city is still operating within budget at 47.68% expended as of December 31, 2015. (Links to the Dec 2015 Financial Report Budget Adjustment #5 Aquatic Ctr Additional Debt Payment)
It is expected the difference in the budgeted and actual amount of GRT will close after the error is corrected. The error has been occurring since the new formula was put in place in July 2015. It was noted that this error is affecting all of the municipalities in Colfax County not just Raton.
Commissioners also approved budget adjustment #5 for FY16 that also includes a transfer of funds so the city can make an additional payment on the aquatic center debt service as a result of additional monies received from the ¼% tax. Other adjustments included additional monies received for Municipal Court reimbursements. The Fire Grant and Library funds for building repairs at the Library.
Commissioners approved the applications for Municipal Arterial Program funds and COOP funds for street repairs. The city is requesting $300,000 in MAP funds and will match the funding with $75,000 from the street fund. The MAP monies will be used to reconstruct Hospital Drive. The $100,000 COOP funds being sought will be used for street resurfacing projects which have yet to be determined. The city will match with $25,000 from the street funds. (Links to the COOP application MAP application)
City Manager Scott Berry noted in his report that city crews are still patching potholes and working on Memorial Lane with millings as well as working in alleys laying down gravel. He noted that the building crews have been working on the kitchen at the convention center painting, removing cabinets and repairing walls and replacing the flooring.
Berry also touched on the personnel openings at the police and fire department and noted that the ISO rating inspection has been delayed to April. The city will seek some FEMA funding in hopes it could be used to help cleanup some abandoned properties.
Commissioners then moved into executive session to discuss the collective bargaining negotiations with the Police and Fire Departments.
They will meet again on February 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. with that meeting being broadcast on KRTN AM 1490.
