The Raton City Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, October 22 at City Hall and began by recognizing the City’s new Community and Economic Development Director Synthia Molina. Molina said she was “fully convinced that the community has tremendous potential”.
Also introduced were three new employees hired for the Raton Visitors Center, Donna Klassen, Terri Segotta, and Suzette Dorenberg. JR Alderette, Director of the Aquatic Center has taken on overseeing the Visitors Center and reported that in addition to the three paid staff, the volunteer corps has grown to 8 and the facility is open seven days a week.
Ann Theis, economic advisor for the City and with Better City thanked all for the good effort and good results for the recent Economic Development Summit and Summit of Governments on October 16 and 17 at the Raton Convention Center.
In committee reports from the Commissioners, Mayor Pro-Tem Lori Chatterly in her report said at the Raton Water Board meeting it was reported that Lake Maloya was 3 feet below the spillway. In September the City used 27 million gallons and averaged 1.1 million gallons per day, and the Lake Maloya Dam inspection will take place on October 30. Chatterly also met with the Nature Conservancy and reported that with acquisition of the Bartlett Mesa Ranch and the Buck Ridge Ranch, it is really going to help make biking and hiking trails connecting the town to Sugarite Canyon a reality in the not-too-distant future.
Lake Maloya Dam Safety Improvements was also the top Legislative Capital Outlay request for the City’s ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan) list at $30 million. Number 2 on the list was $1 million for the Raton Animal Shelter, followed by $200,000 for solid waste equipment, $1/2 million for storm drainage improvements, $150,000 for a monument sign and $500,000 for Raton Convention Center improvements for a total request of $32,350,000.
The Shuler Restoration Commission addressed the City commission about purchase of Christmas lights for the Shuler. The Shuler Board has committed to buying the garland lights in a recreation of how the Shuler looked in the 1940s, and had requested money from the City to help pay for the lights. After some discussion about procurement procedures and low reserves of city non-promotional Lodgers Tax funds and high priorities for other city projects, the city tabled the agenda item meaning it can not be brought up again.
In a related issue, City Commissioner Mark Honeyfield asked City Engineer Jaden Welch the status of the Shuler electrical upgrade. Welch reported they were ready to go to bid with the electrical plans but engineers estimates came in about double what was originally estimated, some $300,000 above what is budgeted.
The Commission voted to approve the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to split a lot at 200 and 208 Canyon Drive.
The certification of Raton’s Capital Asset Inventory was postponed at the request of City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci.
Antonucci reported that Lodgers Tax revenue in September was about $60,000 which was above last year and refilled some of the shortfall experienced. Antonucci also reported the new Senior Center oven has been ordered.
The City offices will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day and the next Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12 at Raton City Hall.
