By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening, November 10, 2020 for their regular meeting and finally certified the Capital Asset Inventory, which had been postponed from previous meetings.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci noted that new equipment and a piece of hand me down equipment from Raton Water Works had created issues with the value balance in the database which was part of the problem for the delays. She noted in her report that the inventory listing has several categories including new and used equipment, equipment that is being retired and land and buildings with over 1870 inventory items and 583 land and building items in the inventory. Any item over $5000 in value is required to be depreciated which the database program does automatically but still must be checked and verified.
Commissioners heard from City Manager Scott Berry about the Capital Outlay funding priorities with police equipment being at the top of the list this year. The city will be asking for $300,000 for new cars and other equipment that is reaching the end of service life. $250,000 is being requested for drainage system improvements and reconstruction. $400,000 for Sugarite Avenue pedestrian and bicycle trail. $500,000 for Frontage Road and East Tenth street improvements and $200,000 for Document Storage Facility. (Link to the detailed Capital Outlay requests)
Commissioners approved the appointment of Si Trujillo to the Financial Advisory Board. Trujillo replaces Larry McQuery who is stepping down from the board.
Commissioners agreed to introduce the changes to the personnel ordinance relating to collective bargaining. This is necessary to come in line with a new bill that was passed in the 11th hour of the last legislative session. The changes will be brought back to the commission for final approval at the December 8 meeting.
Berry noted in his report that the comprehensive plan draft is out and a final meeting on the plan will be another go to meeting sometime in the near future. DFA is funding 100% of the project for the city. The Great Blocks project is progressing with the Cook and 1st Street intersection being closed while it is being reconstructed. The project will go into next spring as some planting and warmer weather stuff is still in the works.
Raton Water Works will be replacing a section of water line under Ponil Creek as that section has been uncovered. Since Raton is pulling its water from the Cimarron River at this point there may be some water restriction put in place as the old line is tied into the new line.
The old pass gate will soon be locked and in order for the public to gain access to the road they will have to get a permit from city hall to gain access.
The second round of Cares Act funding requests deadline is November 13, 2020. There is $93,000 still left in the pot to be handed out.
Mayor Neal Segotta noted that Brenda Ferri had been nominated for the National MainStreet Director of the Year honor. He added she wasn’t chosen for the honor but simply being nominated is a great honor in itself. Berry said she was a get things done kind of director.
He ended his report by thanking all the veterans including Commissioners Chavez and Giacomo for their service as well as several city employees as city offices will be closed on Wednesday November 11 for Veteran’s Day.
Commissioners will meet again on December 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. for their next regular meeting.
