By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening November 9th for their first regular November meeting approving a new contract for Raton Police and bids for projects.
During the comments from citizens agenda item, the Commission heard complaints from Thomas Jackson a part time resident from Texas who began his complaint with the vacant building ordinance. Mr. Jackson complained about getting a letter for his vacant residence. Jackson is a part time resident from Texas who lives in Raton during the summer months. He then widened his complaint about the drainage situation on Parsons and about police officers taking too long to respond to a fireworks complaint then added even after the officers arrived the other residents didn’t heed the warning and continued with throwing firecrackers.
Commissioners heard from City Manager Scott Berry about suggestions for the El Portal property. There have been several suggestions from a small park to an outdoor gathering place. The New Mexico Department of Tourism has 20 possible projects that the site could be used for and suggested taking the ideas to the Governor for funding from her capital outlay monies. It was also suggested that the site be called Civic Plaza. City Hall is open to suggestions.
Approved the event form for the Raton MainStreet Static Electric Parade on Historic First Street on Friday November 26 to follow the lighting of the City Christmas Tree at Ripley Park which will be held at dusk that evening.
Commissioners appointed Commissioner Lori Chatterley to the Extra Territorial Zoning Authority Board.
Commissioners also approved the new contract with the Raton Police Association which includes a 10% raise for the first year. Berry noted this will bring salaries more in line with other municipalities our size. The agreement will go into effect on November 17, 2021, and go through June 30, 2025.
Commissioners approved the EDA grant application. They will wait and see how much funding this will bring in before determining where to work match money into the equation. The grant can be used for building repairs and work and or helping a startup business to get started and self-sustaining.
City Manager Berry noted that Mozark LLC was the bidder for the repackaged repair project at the Aquatic Center. The total cost of the project is $71,153 including NM GRT and was approved by the Commission.
Commissioners approved TriWest Fencing as the low bid on the state purchasing contract to provide 400 feet of fencing for the Transfer Station which is now in the final registration process. Fencing material is expected to be six to eight weeks out and it is hoped that the registration process will be completed about the same time the fencing project is finished. Jason Phillips noted the big question is when will the Hereford Collection Convenience Center be open? An answer that continues to elude the city after months of various delays.
City Clerk Michael Anne Antonucci requested that the Capital Assets Inventory approval be postponed until the next meeting. With Auditors doing field work Antonucci has questions about donated buildings such as the Armory and the valuation of capital outlay projects.
The city and Raton Water Works are requesting funding from the New Mexico Finance Authority for the Cimarron Water Project. That agreement was postponed as the attorney was unable to get the ordinance emailed to the city due to technical difficulties. The next item on the agenda, the reimbursement resolution was a formality to allow Raton Water Works to be reimbursed for up to $300,000 in expenses once the loan for the Water Project is closed on. It is expected that there will be some expenses in preparation for the project before the loan is closed on due to the delay.
Berry has asked commissioners to approve a grant extension for the crushing of asphalt millings. The project should be done by the end of the year, but Berry is requesting the extension just in case the contractor is unable to complete the work by the end of the year. He noted it is best to crush the millings in cold weather, as the asphalt isn’t as sticky.
Budget Adjustment #4 was approved with temporary transfers for the CDBG project. It also includes some additional monies for the library from grant money.
Berry noted in his report that the CDBG project is 75% complete however it will take a break for the winter due to supply shortages of paving fabric. It is also easier to lay asphalt in the warmer months. They are working on crack sealing project at the airport, and it is hoped to have the new PAPI system flight checked by the end of the year.
Auditors are completing field work this week for the annual audit and Berry noted that the Outdoor Task Force is working on funding source for trails projects and a plan for the long term to help with obtaining funding. The T-Mobile signage project is progressing, and the EV charging station is on hold waiting for parts to complete that project.
Commissioners will meet again on November 23, 2021, for their next regular meeting. City offices will be closed on November 11 for Veteran’s Day and on November 25-26 for Thanksgiving.
