By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening February 9, 2021 for their regular meeting to approve projects including new lights for city buildings and a bicycle pedestrian route on Sugarite Avenue.
Commissioners reappointed Chris Candelario and Richard Gurtler to the Planning and Zoning Commission at the request of City Manager Scott Berry who noted that there may be some activity on the horizon in the zoning department.
Commissioners approved the amendment to Ordinance 995 Chapter 90 Cleaning up some language on dangerous dogs. Part of the change included a $150 registration fee for each dog along with separate liability insurance or a surety bond in the amount of $100,000 for owners of dangerous dogs.
Berry will bring the completed City of Raton Comprehensive Plan to the commission at the next meeting for their approval. The draft can be accessed on the city web page.
Commissioners approved a bid for LED lighting for some city buildings from N&K Electric in the amount of $51,184 including taxes. The new lights will be installed at City Hall and Raton Public Service office. The cost of the project will be shared by the city, PRS and Raton Water Works.
Commissioners approved the addendum to the liquor license lease agreement with Raton Country Club showing the Joe Pobar is no longer the general manager and that board president Bernie Trujillo will act on behalf of the country club. The addendum also extends the lease for one more year.
Commissioners approved the grant agreement extension for the airport hangar project and the PAPI system project. Berry noted that Covid put a delay on the projects and as a result FAA will pick up 100% of the cost on the PAPI project.
Commissioners approved the transportation agreement application and a proposal for Engineering Analytics to engineer a bike trail along Sugarite Avenue. The trail will begin at Roundhouse Road and go east to I-25. The project will reduce Sugarite Avenue to one lane east bound with the bike pedestrian path on the outside. Berry noted this was only the beginning of what is hoped to be a trail that will go from Raton into Sugaite Canyon and possibly over to the new Fisher Peak State Park in Colorado.
Commissioners then approved the application for funding on East 10th to add curb and gutter with sidewalks and other improvements to enhance the area for future development. Berry noted in his comments that there are conversations going on to expand I-27 from Amarillo up to Highway 64/87 into Raton. Traffic studies are showing this could be a much busier route as both Colorado and Texas continue to grow in population. Another reason for getting this and the Sugarite projects ready is it is more likely funding would be available for shovel ready projects.
Budget Adjustment #7 includes changes for additional cost for police vehicle equipment, work and the Aquatic Center and street improvements. (Link to FY2021 Budget Adjustment #7)
The personnel board for the city of Raton was approved by the state personnel board after the city approved the changes to the ordinance to meet state requirements. It was announced that the Feds will cover 100% of projects with $608 million as part of the Covid relief plan. Berry noted that the city will get going on a couple of projects in order to possibly get some of those funds. He went on to note that legislation is still in committee meetings. It will be later in March before they know very much. Capital outlay requests have been relayed to our representatives and conversations have been had over concerns the city has in this year’s legislative session.
Commissioners will meet again on February 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. for their next regular meeting.
