The biggest noise at the Raton City Commission Meeting on August 11, was the sound of silence as the 6 month MOU with Atterix concerning the potential development of an advanced digital hub infrastructure/data center project expired without any response at the deadline. The non-binding MOU was approved at the commission’s Feb. 10, 2026 meeting for the company to do a six-month feasibility study. According to the MOU the project was far-reaching and could have included computing facilities, data storage and processing among other things. The MOU has been at the crux of lively discussion at every commission meeting since its passage, but the company was asked by City Manager Neil Segotta if they wanted to be placed on the agenda and they declined, but did tell Segotta they would provide a report with their findings soon.
Segotta’s report also pointed out another long silence that is concerning the City is with NM State Parks and Sugarite Canyon State Park. Segotta said he, Public Works Director Jason Phillips, Mayor Lori Chatterly and Commissioner Dan Campbell would travel to Santa Fe on Wednesday for a “long-overdue” meeting concerning past management and a lack of development at Sugarite. The last meeting between the City and NM State Parks was pre-covid and several years ago.
In regular business matters, the City did enter into a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Raton Continuum Advisory Board (CORCAB) with the City continuing as fiduciary agent for the approved programs in the Girls Circle, Boys council and Restorative Justice.
Approved a resolution in support of a Bi-State Regional Transportation Master Plan and pursuit of funding to advance the effort with partners in Colfax and Union counties in NM and Las Animas and Huerfano counties in Colorado.
Acted on an Emergency Services agreement between the City and Public Consulting Group (PCG) for the Raton Fire EMS. The agreement authorizes PCG to work as an independent contractor in helping the city to analyze and report costs to secure “supplemental payments” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Approved an expenditure of almost $68,000 for ADA accessibility improvements for City Hall.
Approved a bid of $9,702 from Mosark LLC for Raton Film School (Kearney) Boiler Repairs.
Approved a pair of grant agreements with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a total of over $278,000 for reseal of Taxiway A.
Approved an amended FY 2026 financial report for the City and approved the correction for the final FY 2026 Budget Adjustment.
Segotta’s report had several other possible economic projects as Yes Housing.org is coming to tour the El Portal site as well as other sites to discuss possible future workforce/affordable housing projects. Also was a meeting with the Ayers Group and the Brownfield projects that has lead to possible other business opportunities.
Segotta also reported that Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham is discussing coming to Raton this fall to view the Quality of Life Projects that the City has completed. Segotta also reported the Fire Protection Funds allotment for FY 27 will be in the amount of a little over $650,000.
The next City Commission meeting will be on Thursday, August 20 with a Data Center workshop preceeding the meeting at 4:30 pm.
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