The Raton City Commission OK’d a $23 million budget for the City for next fiscal year as part of a busy agenda for their last meeting in May.
The City’s budget is some 6.4 million higher than last years because of a number of projects proposed including $1.2 million for Sugarite Avenue, $1.6 million for E. 10th Frontage Road project, $1.1 million for the Kearney Film Project and $847,155 for an American Rescue Act funding for a Raton Public Service Company photovoltaic project. The RPS project was originally planned for 1 megawatt, but supply and construction costs have put a question mark on the final generation number. The commission was hopeful that more funding could be obtained to get it up to the 1 megawatt number. The project could possibly take up five to six acres with a possible location near the La Mesa Airfield.
City Clerk/Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci also reported to the commission in the acceptance of the April Financial Report, that Gross Receipts Tax collections continued to show strength and were up almost 15% above projections. Antonucci also stated that Lodger’s Tax collections with two more months left in the fiscal year, were almost $498,000 and if the trend continued, the Lodger’s Tax collected could reach $500,000 which would be an all-time record high. Antonucci cautioned though, that they weren’t sure whether the increase was attributed to more visitors or to higher rates for rooms.
The Commission also passed the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendations for $11,075 for the Run to Raton set for July 21-23 and for a billboard near the Armex building on I-25 and another location on Highway 64 coming into Raton from Clayton.
Commissioners Chavez and Schuster were not in attendance, but the quorum heard a wide variety of subjects including from citizens present including Mike Gatti, Leslie Fernandez and Jarod Chatterly.
Fernandez and Chatterly addressed the lease agreement with Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area. Owned by the City, the 6,000 acres are in Colorado and the City has had a 20 year agreement with CPW for management of the area which is coming up for renewal. Fernandez urged the City to play hard-ball in their negotiations, saying that up until about two years ago, the partnership was working, but then access was cut to all but those possessing a Colorado Hunting License or purchasing a $36 access, plus a $10 habitat stamp. Caution was also urged for the length of the lease. It started out at 3 years, but the latest word was a possible 10 year lease, which with Fisher’s Peak coming on line soon, would hamper the City’s recreation efforts as it is now focused on hunting and not recreation. Chatterly cautioned the restrictions and posed the question why couldn’t the city itself run the area in some form in the future.
Gatti spoke to the commission about his 3 separate Notice of Violations for Vacant Buildings issued to him at properties located in the vicinity of the 1100 block of South 4th St. Gatti served notice of appeal on the basis of the City failing to meet the standard of notification set forth in the ordinance. Gatti said simply, the City was in violation of its own ordinance. City manager Scott Berry said he would put the appeals on the next commission meeting agenda and Mayor Neil Segotta said they understood Gatti’s position and would do their due diligence in the matter.
The commission also ok’d a $50,000 services contract to Stantec Consulting Services for Brownfield Program Services. Stantec put in the only received RFP to assist the city in cleanup and grant applications and will help the city remediate and cleanup commercial and residential structures that are abandoned with the goal of eliminating blight.
The Crews Field Municipal Airport will begin improving Taxiway B as the commission approved a NMDOT Aviation Grant Agreement for preliminary environmental and engineering. The total cost of the project is $92,500 project with FAA picking up 90% of that total, NM State Aviation picking up 9% and the City’s 1% amounting to $925.
The Commission also approved the J&M Displays proposal of $28,000 to help put on the Fourth of July fireworks display. Last year’s cost was $23,000 and some $5,500 of the total will be provided by private donations.
In other action, the Commission approved an 8 year lease with RPS for their offices at a cost of $1,400 per month.
Declared 15 Raton police handguns as surplus property, which will be used as trade-in for 15 new guns for the department.
In City Manager Berry’s report, he noted that the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire came within about 4 miles of Colfax County and a big part of the concern was for Eagle Nest Lake and the watershed.
Berry said there’s going to be a virtual meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, May 25 at 6 pm to get public input about the I-25 Exit 451 Interchange Project for the Clayton Road. Berry said NMDOT had about 10 different concepts and urged people to check out the meeting as the project will have a major impact on Raton’s future with the price tag estimated at $48 million and construction possibly as early as the summer of 2023.
The next commission meeting will be on Tuesday, June 14.
Independent Riders present a plaque of appreciation for the City’s help in the recently concluded Run for the Wall.
