The Raton City Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, March 9 and breezed through four action items including authorizing the execution and delivery of a $50,000 grant from the New Mexico Finance Authority. The grant will help pay for the recent Raton Comprehensive Plan as developed by the City and Consensus Planning of Albuquerque. The City will use the detailed document as an economic development plan for future use with the City’s matching share of the grant totaling $3,937.48.
The Commission also voted unanimously to renew the second annual request for renewal for a consulting services agreement with Engineering Analytics, Inc. City Manager Scott Berry told the commission the working relationship with the firm has been very good and on his recommendation, the Commission voted to extend the agreement for another year. Karen Stearns of EA addressed the commission and told them the company was very pleased with the arrangement and appreciated the opportunity to continue working with the City.
The 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office had originally asked the City for a bullet-proof vest/body armor previously worn by a former Raton police officer who had taken a job with the District Attorney’s office. City Manager Berry learned that the officer was no longer at the DA’s office, so the disposal of this surplus property was tabled indefinitely.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci addressed the Commission and relayed the information that the CYFD grant for the Restorative Justice, Girls Circle and Boys Council programs had been increased by $52,495 for fiscal year 2021 for a total of $171,145. The City serves as the Contractor for the grant.
Antonucci also asked the Commission for and received approval for budget adjustments that include $8,000 for the funds to purchase of a roll-off truck for the new solid waste convenience center and noted that the purchase of balers for the center would be forthcoming in a future adjustment resolution.
In his report, City Manager Scott Berry gave the Commission a legislative update on several bills of importance to the city, including HB 137, the Clean Electrification Act, which he felt was unfair to municipal-owned utilities and in turn Raton rate-payers.
The City offices including Raton Water Works and the RPS office will be getting new , efficient LED light fixtures with the project set to begin soon with local firm N&K Electric, set to do the work.
The next scheduled meeting for the Commission is set for Tuesday, March 23rd at 6 pm. The meeting will be broadcast on KRTN AM-1490.
