A crowded Raton City Commission chamber discussed the pros and cons of future economic development and, after a lengthy discussion, passed a resolution on a 4-1 vote declaring 132.6 acres of city-owned land east of Raton as surplus property and approving a government-to-government transfer of the property to the Picuris Pueblo.
The passage of the resolution is only a first step in the process and merely shows the support of the commission for the project and the ultimate construction of a Casino on the land. It does not transfer ownership and the next step in one of many, is up to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Dept of the Interior to approve the transfer and then NM State Dept. of Finance and the Governor’s office, must also sign-off.
In anticipation of tonight’s meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Lori Chatterly talked earlier in the day to the Mayors of both Guymon, OK and Ruidoso, NM regarding their relationship with Tribal or Pueblo entities and Guymon had reported a good rapport with the Shawnee Tribe and a very positive economic effect while Ruidoso reported more of a “business-as-usual’ outcome.
After current City Manager Rick Mestas read the Resolution out loud, former City Manager Scott Berry was called upon to give some of the background of the discussions and Berry likened the project to a catalyst for other economic development. Saying that economic development in a small rural town is very competitive and that government should only make the opportunities available for private entities to do business, Berry concluded his remarks by saying, “I believe in this project I don’t think doing nothing is a good economic development strategy.”
Christine Valentini, Raton MainStreet President. said the organization believes this opportunity is the best to be seen by the community in years, and Brandy Deitz of Grow Raton echoed their support as did Anthony Molitor of Raton Homes who said if you don’t go ahead with the project it’s lost economic potential. County Commissioner Si Trujillo spoke as a citizen and urged caution, and said he supported a casino, “if properly done”. Former Raton Water Works Director Dan Campbell also gave some history of the property and told the Commission that up to 1/3 of the property is drainage and would not be buildable, but other projects (golf course, etc.) were possible, and there was still quite a bit of land for other development.
The majority of those present seemed to be in favor of the resolution, but not all. Resident Joe Bustos was very much against the proposal saying the commission should fix other things in the City and did not agree with the gambling aspect and all it entailed.
Raton Pickleball Club has been coming before the commission for over a year and after more discussion, the commission approved a $117,500 Design and Construction Phase services contract with Engineering Analytics. The design would be for 8 courts with no lights and would be located in the Roundhouse Memorial Park.
In other action, the Commission approved Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board recommendations for $2,348 to the Huerfano World; $2,500 plus tax for the NM Vacation Guide; and $3,930 for the Center for Community Innovation for distribution of the Raton Visitor’s Guide.
The Commission ok’d the Mitchell and Cruse Architect Fee proposal and contract for Shuler Theater Utility upgrade for electrical, mechanical and plumbing in the amount of $55,000.
The purchase of a sanitation truck for a total of $255,361 was approved with Lonestar Truck Group. Public Works Director Jason Phillips said the delivery of the truck is now several months away.
The City approved an agreement with ConvergeOne for police department dispatch equipment for a total of $40,592.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci gave a report that the City’s Gross Receipt Tax collection was ahead by almost 6% (5.84) above what was projected and Lodger’s Tax was on a path to exceed $500,000 collected for the year. The only concern was the continual decline of the Gas Tax which was down some 16% compared to last year.
The next Meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 pm. Meetings are broadcast on KRTN AM-1490 and streamed on FB
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