By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners listened to a short presentation by Mark Lester, Vice President of Business Marketing with Doss Aviation about their plans for their expansion to Raton.
During the presentation Lester noted that the training they are doing right now in Pueblo is mostly military and that will expand to Raton. Doss will begin looking for housing for students and instructors in the next couple of weeks. Doss will start their move March 1st.
Commissioners approved a lease agreement for 12 months with Doss that will be non-monetary at this time. That is inline with the agreement with the National Guard until the Guard gets the one room in the building cleaned up. It was used for an indoor range so the lead will need to be removed. (Link to Doss Aviation Lease Agreement)
Commissioners then heard from Morgan Brown of RPC CPAs & Consultants LLP for the final audit acceptance. Brown noted the audit had been completed on time and that the only issues found were with Raton Public Service. They had an issue with double checking inventory counts at the warehouse and had one purchase order missing for legal services. The first time in 12 years the city itself has come out with a clean audit. Brown noted the exceptions from last year have been corrected.
There was supposed to be a presentation about the Tiger Grants however the presenters were unable to make the trip due to weather. City Manager Scott Berry noted that La Junta had sponsored the Tiger 7 grant and that there would likely be a Tiger 8 grant and they will likely be looking for a New Mexico sponsor for this grant. Work with funds from the Tiger 7 Grant is being done in Kansas and Colorado. If there is a third grant and it is approved for the line, then BNSF and Amtrak would be fully committed to the line. It was also hoped that some freight traffic might return to the line but that will depend on the updates made to the tracks.
Commissioners approved the hangar lease renewal with Cherokee Six, LLC with some minor changes related to the actual ground the hangars occupy and changes that have happened to the hangar areas at the field.
Commissioners also approved the lease renewal with the Raton Trap Club which sits on the airport grounds.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonnucci reported to commissioners that they had seen a correction in the GRT from Tax and Revenue Department. The correction was for the mistake that Antonnucci found earlier this year. Along with that the city has seen a slight increase in GRT which is unusual for this time of year when the city usually sees a decline. The increase is .6734 % which equates to $12,487. (Link to the Jan 2016 Financial Report)
Commissioners approved budget adjustment #6 for fiscal year 2016. Some of the adjustments were for construction payments on the multi-model center and Senior Center and will be reimbursed with grant money payments. (Link to the Budget Adjustment #6 FY16)
The city is the process of setting up direct deposit for employees instead of writing paper checks. This will result in better security and efficiency for employees and the city. Antonnucci noted that it will require a change in turning in time sheets but the city will transmit information on Wednesday and have payment to employees by Thursday.
Jason Phillips informed commissioners that the bear proof dumpster project is progressing and noted that one of the dumpsters was sitting outside City Hall for residents to take a look at. The Sanitation Department is seeking a minor change in the grant to include two-yard dumpsters that will result in getting more dumpsters for the money if the change in the grant is approved. Game and Fish has also come up with some extra money to help make this happen and if the city can increase its match it will make it possible to purchase extra dumpsters. With the extra dumpsters there will almost be a complete change out in dumpsters in Raton. Phillips noted they looked far and wide for a dumpster that would work with the side loading garbage trucks the city has. The design was thought up by city workers in the sanitation department as a result of working with different designs over the years.
While the new dumpsters will help City Manager Scott Berry noted there will still be bears and animals in Raton and it is up to the residents to learn to better deal with them. Berry noted in his report that the legislature approved $150,000 for street improvements and $50,000 for water improvements. The water department will be talking to the USDA about a possible loan for the water project.
Berry also noted that they would be talking to the NM Environment Department to seek some funding for the transfer station. They are also applying for an economic development grant for the community kitchen through the economic development department.
Berry noted that the New Mexico Municipal League will hold a meeting in Raton in March to go over the legislative session. Berry noted that the city is needing volunteers for many of the advisory boards including the lodger’s tax board which is an important board for the city.
Mayor Mantz asked about the street sweeper and whether it was still being considered for replacement. Berry told commissioners that it wasn’t due to financial constraints.
Commissioners then adjourned the meeting and will meet again on March 8, at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers at City Hall.
