By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening January 10, 2023 for a short seven item agenda to begin the new year where they approved the required open meetings resolution.
The open meetings resolution specifies when and where the city commission will meet with time frames for meeting notification including special and emergency meetings. The resolution also specifies that the commission will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month with the exception of the last meeting in December when the commission cancels the last meeting for the Christmas holiday.
Commissioners approved the out of state travel for commissioner Lori Chatterly for a trip to Washington DC for a Ports-to-Plains meeting with federal delegates. City Manager Scott Berry noted in his comments that he met with NMDOT officials at a conference in Albuquerque where they noted that Raton will really make out with the designation of the I-27 interstate designation for highway 64/87. It is estimated the trip could cost upwards of $4000.
Commissioners approved the Grant request for the short cycle for the JJAC program. This funding will fund the program into the end of the school year in June.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci noted that the initial estimate for the Cannabis Excise tax will bring the city about $43,500. Other budget adjustments include $6200 for a conex to house landscaping equipment at the Aquatic Center as well as other line item adjustments. (Link to Budget Adjustment #7 FY23)
Berry noted in his report that he attended a UNM Paving Conference where attendees were updated on new paving technologies. Bids will be let for reconstruction of Sugarite Ave and the East Frontage Road. The Sugarite Ave reconstruction will make the road one lane east bound with a new bicycle path and keep the two lanes west bound. The Frontage Road will become an urban route. The reconstruction will create some headaches for businesses on the route.
Berry also attended a video conference for funding on the Bartlett Mesa Ranch. The city will ask for $564,000 in Capital Outlay finding to help finish off the funding to complete the purchase. There is $1 million from the Pitman Robertson funding as well as $300k in private funds. Berry also noted that the city will ask for $300k in Capital Outlay funds for renovations at the Animal Shelter.
With that commissioners went into closed executive session to discus personnel matters specifically the City Manager. City hall will be closed on January 16 for Martin Luther King Jr Day. Commissioners will meet again on January 24, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
