By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners received good news and approved the beginning of a new subdivision in Raton as Mayor Neil Segotta noted there is a big need for housing in Raton.
Commissioners approved the reappointment of Charles Hyde and Chris Candelaria to the planning and zoning board which passed on the recommendation to approve the plat for a new subdivision in Raton. The subdivision is in the area of Grant Street, Williams Street, Waite Street and East Fifth. As the area is very flat the developer Anthony Molitor noted they have a special foundation design that will drain water away from the house and should high waters develop there is a way for water to go through the foundation without affecting the house. The homes in the development will be modular in design and host three or two bedrooms with two baths.
Commissioners introduced an amendment to the vacant building ordinance of which will reduce the amount charged for building registrations. City Manager Scott Berry noted that the city will have a public hearing at the next meeting and is requesting input from citizens on the new proposals.
Commissioners approved Raton Mainstreet’s Lodger’s Tax request for $19,300 for additional advertising to target three areas where competing festivals have popped up namely Taos and Alamosa.
The Center for Community Innovation has requested an increase in their funding for managing Google ads and other web services. In her report Patricia Duran noted the increases in web traffic as well as Google advertising. She has also added TikTok, Twitter and Youtube to the mix which focuses on a younger age group than was previously targeted. With the extra work Duran has asked for $10,000 extra in funding to manage all the assets. Commissioners approved the same amount as last year and requested that Duran meet with them at the next meeting to answer questions and give City Clerk Michael Anne Antonucci time to look at the Lodger’s Tax budget and income to determine if the increase request can be met.
Moises Ortiz presented the request for $2600 for the Clash in Colfax disc golf tournament to be held in Raton October 1st and 2nd. Ortiz has managed to work out a deal to be a part of a tour in Colorado which will bring even more players to Raton next year.
The exterior doors at the convention center are in need of maintenance and upgrades to the door locks and opening mechanisms. Berry estimated the repairs would be in the $25 to $30,000 range but the only bid received for the work came in at $190,930. Commissioners rejected the bid and will rebid the project.
Commissioners approved the Lloyd and Associates Architects to do design work for the Train Depot. Lloyd won the bid after a committee graded their proposals and an interview that the city conducted with the two top firms. $300,000 is set aside for the design work which will include the New Mexico Historic Preservation Department as well as BNSF and Amtrak.
Berry noted this renovation process could see more than one construction phase to complete the project.
Online sales once again is credited in part with a 6.67% increase above budget in GRT. Construction work is also credited with helping the increase. The city is seeing an increase in surplus cash, about $200k more giving the city a cash surplus of about $611K. (Link to July 2022 Financial Report FY 23)
City Manager Scott Berry noted the Northeast Regional Transportation board will be meeting to update the plan draft for NE NM. The city should also hear about some NMDOT Grants that the city has applied for. Berry will also meet with Ricky Serna with NMDOT to talk about I-27. He noted that Texas is moving rapidly on the designation and the US 64-87 corridor shouldn’t be left behind.
The Municipal League will have their conference on August 30 through September 2. Colfax County and Raton will meet with the USDA in Cimarron on August 29th.
Commissioners will meet again on September 13, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in city hall. It was also noted there could be a quorum of commissioners at the Municipal League Conference.
