By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commission met Tuesday April 23 for the second meeting of the month where they heard reports from the Raton Adventure Center and El Raton Media Works about their operations.
Executive Director Patricia Duran gave an update on the SkillSharp program from the Center for Community Innovation. Have made headway on some of the issues that have been discovered as the program moves forward and are seeing an increase in use. The program has partnered with several businesses including Trinidad State College for programs. The program has helped several people with resume work and helped them locate the jobs they are wanting to be in. So far 273 individuals have completed courses within the program.
Sandra and Shane Young were present to give an update on the Adventure program and work on the Coors Building. They are in the process of updating and remolding the building after finding several water issues. They have also added a kangaroo café and have worked with the health department to stay in compliance as well as the possibility of expanding the café.
Becki Laird started the report on the El Raton Media works with information on the Kearney School. They have been working with an architect on some of the work that is needed on the building. Once the project has begun, they will have five new jobs and after five years should have 13 new jobs. They have been awarded grants and received equipment from a school in Denver that was closing. They have also partnered with Santa Fe Community College and Raton High School to offer dual credit courses. The group will be working on grants to bring more programs to the community. Larid urged people to follow them on social media and on the El Raton web page.
Kathy McQueary President of the Raton Museum was on hand to give a report on the last year of the Raton Museum operations and request $32,400 from the Lodger’s Tax non-promotional fund for the operation of the Raton Museum. Roger gives tours of the area in the museum that last about an hour and a half for those that want to stay that long. They have been working with other organizations to help bring more recognition to the museum as well as history articles to the World Journal. They will have a tour on Vermejo Park Ranch specifically the Castle Rock area this year. The Santa Fe Trail exhibit is currently showing in the museum. There will be a Santa Fe Trail program on May 3rd offered by Karla Morton and Allen Birkelbach.
Commissioners approved $4500 to Raton Little League for the Allstars tourneys to be held in Raton. $25,300 to Run to Raton for expenses including advertising and insurance plus others. $7,255 for Radio advertising to KRTN and KCRT and print media. $9151.20 to the Dawson NM Reunion Association for promotional items for the reunion event. $6295 to Carmen Mestas for the Cinco De Mayo celebration for advertising, insurance and other expenses.
The Commission then took care of six event form requests for events coming up this summer. Three of the requests come from Raton MainStreet for the International Balloon Rally on July 5-7, and the July Fourth Festival and Parade. They also requested approval for a carnival to be held June 10-17 at the Raton High School.
The other three include the Independent Riders of Raton’s Run for the Wall event May18, 2024 as well as the Run to Raton event July 19-21 and the Phil Long Ford Block Party to be held June 15, 2024.
City Manager Rick Mestas presented a proposal for heavy duty side load dumpsters from Rolloff USA for $76,464. The city will order 108 3 Cubic Yard Dumpsters in batches of 36 each. Mestas then talked about a government-to-government purchase of bear proof dumpsters from the Colorado Corrections Industries. These dumpsters will be used for events and in targeted locations. This purchase will also include parts to repair some of the dumpsters already in use. The cost of these dumpsters will run $1140.00 each.
Commissioners heard about a change order for updates to the new VoIP telephone system. To purchase phones and upgrade to American Made phones to improve security and upgrades at a cost of $1289.24.
There is a request for a change order for re-piping on the boiler system install a new titanium plate heat exchanger and to include startup and testing. This change order will increase the amount by $31,680 and use Aquatic Center GRT funds.
The city is asking for a change order for Archuleta Construction for the Coors Building for roofing at $7380, weatherproofing exterior back wall cost of $20,260 and storm drain upgrades at $32,530 for a total of $60,170.
There is a request for a change order on the new ladder truck and engine that comes to $79,403 for changes that were made during the construction due to upgrades and other equipment issues.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci presented the FY24 3rd quarter financial report. The GRT shows 5.31% above budget. Many of the expenses are still below budget at this point and Antonucci is watching things to determine if some late year end items need to be purchased or wait till next fiscal year. The Gas Tax continues to be down from years past. She noted that the city is on track to receive over $50,000 in excise tax on cannabis. She also noted that they are trying to complete some projects by year end in order to close out those grants or expenditures. (Link to FY24 3rd Qtr Financial Rpt)
Antonucci noted that she wants to do mostly line-item transfers. She wants to do a transfer for the HUD grant for the Kearney School architecture work. HUD has said the money is there and will be reimbursed. (Link to Budget Adjustment #12 FY24)
As summer approaches the city will participate in a Spring Clean -up Day or as a local group calls it “Talkin’ Trash about Beautifying Raton”. The focus of the first clean up event will occur on June 1st and will work on the area along Clayton Road.
Department heads have received their budget worksheets and Mestas noted in his report that the Police Department has been receiving positive feedback on the camera systems. He added hats off to the fire department for their work in helping the victims spouse of the murder at the rest area south of town. The little league kick off was a big success with the fields in good shape and the new restrooms. The Water Board will apply for a $1.25 million loan and grant funding kudos to Jaden Welch for his work on the application. Several members of the city staff went to Guymon Oklahoma to visit the casino there finding it was a very positive trip and commissioner Lori Chatterley noted earlier she is hopeful for a productive venture with the Picarius Tribe. Mestas gave kudos to officers Gerald Stewart and Richard Garcia for their apprehension of Ronald Collier an escapee out of Colorado. He went on to give closing thoughts about the importance of education.
The city commission will meet again on Tuesday April 30 for a budget workshop at 5:00 p.m. followed by a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on May 14th at 6:00 p.m.
