By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday, March 8, for their first regular meeting of the month and discussion and appeals to the new vacant building ordinance took up the bulk of the meeting.
The discussion of the appeals was more of a discussion on what is or isn’t considered a vacant building. The commission voted to abate the registration fee and visit both vacant building designations (201 Galisteo and 324 S 11th Ave) in six months to see what improvements the owners had made. The building at 201 Galisteo is more of a hobby building noted Mayor Pro-Tem Lindè Schuster where work is done periodically, and the building is not open to the public or generates gross receipts for the city. Also, brought up by the owners Robert and Janice Powledge was the insurance issue should the building be labeled as vacant. Insurance companies look at vacant buildings as a greater risk and thus premiums are higher. The owners have agreed to make outside improvements to the building to enhance its curb appeal as to make it look less of a vacant building.
The property at 324 S 11th Ave is a residential property and under renovation. It is occupied on weekends and according to one of the owners, Bill Patrado there is a low flow toilet and shower in the house. One of the things the city has used in their determination of a vacant building is the utility usage. Since the house is only occupied on weekends at this point utility usage is less than a family of four which was used as a determining factor.
Mike Gatti addressed the Commission and noted that he too had received four notices for the properties his family owns on South Fourth Street. He told commissioners his is not a typical family and that some of the properties they own are considered to be a guest house used by visiting relatives therefore those houses didn’t meet the utility requirement either as the occupancy is only occasional. Gatti went on to ask why utility billings are used as a determination for vacancy when all of the buildings he has have their own meter and yes a garage too which will use minimal electricity since it is only used once in a while and not lived in. He told commissioners they really missed the boat on this one missing the intent of the ordinance as well as losing the spirit of the law. They really need to take a look at this ordinance and after several discussions with other residents Commissioner Ron Chavez noted this ordinance will be looked at again in October with Mayor Neal Segotta noting this is a living document.
In other city business commissioners approved the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendation to approve the request for more light pole brackets to hold banners for the summer. They also approved the MOU with Raton Little League pending the inclusion of the safety plan with the agreement.
Commissioners approved Amendment #3 changing the name on the lease agreement with Jason Bennet to Dead Eye Distillery for the lease on the Armory at Crews Field. This was a change required by the New Mexico Alcohol and Gaming Division. Commissioners also approved the Celebration permits for Colfax Ale Cellars for the Grow Raton Business Networking event on March 26 and Blü Dragonfly Brewing for the High Country Meats open house also on March 26.
Commissioners will set a date for a work session in late April or early May for budget discussions and other topics once City Manager Scott Berry comes up with a list of topics for the commission to discuss and work on.
City Manager Scott Berry went over several infrastructure improvement projects the city has completed or is ongoing noting that the total cost of the projects is over $13.4 million of which most all the funding is coming from outside sources. Street or Road construction is the top dollar item with over $4.125 million being spent on streets. $1.9 million on economic development projects and $1.92 million on utility work with $1.678 million being spent at the airport. $2.693 million is being spent on public safety with the fire department getting the big chunk of change there. (Link to a complete list of Projects Infrastructure Improvements)
Commissioners will meet again on March 22, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. for the next regular meeting.
It would be nice if all the properties the city listed as abended were published for the public. Or a web site published to find the information. With the cost of gas, it is not economical to drive 500 miles to check the mail. Some people use their hoses in Raton as a summer house. And some people are working out of town trying to earn money to remodel and fix their house in Raton. The City Commission should work on creating jobs in Raton, not trying to take property the taxpayer is trying to fix.