By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners heard from RPC CPAs + Consultants Tuesday evening at City Hall that the city staff, RPS and Raton Water Works received a great audit report with no significant findings and remedying last year’s findings.
Ben Martinez and Luis Gomez of RPC were on hand to give the report to city commissioners noting it only took them a week to do the audit as opposed to two or more weeks as in previous years. The only minor audit finding was that a stale check over one year old has to be voided and a new check reissued. Commissioners then approved the report and made it a public document. (Link to City of Raton Audit Report)
Commissioners postponed action on an agreement for a community garden on the El Portal property at the request of David Stafford and approved an agreement with the Center for Sustainable Community for the operation of the community kitchen. Geoff Peterson noted that he has passed his food manager’s certification and is ready to manage the kitchen. Peterson noted that Bernadette Apodaca, of Sugar Me, is one of the first enterprises to use the new kitchen. (Link to MOA Center For Sustainable Community)
Commissioners approved a recommendation by the Labor Management Board to appoint Eric Honeyfield to the board. The board will be made up of Sarah Kowalski, William Dailey and Eric Honeyfield.
Commissioners then approved the disposal of surplus equipment including a broken 2-door freezer and several SCBA units. According to Fire Chief Chris Espinoza the department was able to get several surplus units from Albuquerque who got a grant to replace all of their units.
Commissioners then approved Budget Adjustment #8 which included money transfers in the sanitation department for tire recycling. Berry noted they have disposed of a large number of old tires and still have more to go. (Link to FY18 Budget Adjustment #8)
In the city manager’s report Berry noted that the state legislature will be ending soon and the Municipal League will have a district meeting in March 19 in Santa Rosa to go over the results of the legislative session.
Berry has heard from Sears Holding Company that they have received the petition and letters but the decision to close the local K-Mart is final. Berry then told commissioners that Chris Espinoza has been selected as the new Fire Chief. Espinoza will command a staff of 15 full-time employees who respond to a multitude of fire and emergency situations. Espinoza began his career in 1996 and joined Raton Fire in 1998 serving in a multitude of rolls.
Commissioners will meet again on February 27 at 6:00 p.m. for their next regular meeting which will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490.
CONGRATS Chris.. 😁😁