Raton Commissioners Approve Contracts For Youth and New Equipment for Raton FD

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

The Raton City Commission regular meeting for Tuesday September 8, 2026, agreements with youth services in Raton plus Fire Department Radios, and a couple of dangerous building demolition proposals.

September 19 form 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. will be the RAIN recovery and remembrance program at the Raton Convention Center. The first 100 people in will receive a free t-shirt and food according to Daniel Archuleta who is helping to promote the event.

Commissioners approved the event form for the Grow Raton Farmers Market to be held on September 28, 2026, on Historic 1^st Street. They pulled this together after an overwhelming response to the first farmer’s market. Dietz reported that over $20,000 was run through the market.

Commissioners discussed the third and final renewal of the contract with New Hope Family Counselling subcontract for $76,000 through the Restorative Justice program as well as with Youth Heartline for direct youth services. They also discussed the Regional Agency Intervention Network learning lab proposal for $59,400. All of these services deal with at risk students and others that need some help with school. Daniel Archuleta was present to inform the commission that they are seeing a higher number of students that are not in school or are missing more than they should come through the program.

Commissioners discussed resolution 2026-45 authorizing and approving the submission of an application for financial assistance and approval of a project. Because of regulations the city and RPS will have to acquire a loan to finish paying for the new warehouse and the new bucket truck, that is finally after many months, going to be delivered in the not to distance future. The loan will be with the New Mexico Finance Authority. The request for the loan is $1,279,385. RPS had the money for the bucket truck and warehouse but unforeseen work on the Burron Canyon Line has required RPS to ask for a loan for all the work to be paid for.

Resolution 2026-46 deals with the funding for the new Raton Public Service warehouse on the old power plant property and how the loan will be repaid. City Manager Neil Segotta noted that the loan request will be a long process and may be December before the loan is approved through DFA. This is simply a procedural part of the process. Brenda Ferri RPS General Manager, noted that about $1 million has already been paid for the warehouse.

Commissioners then approved the purchase of a fire station alerting system at station one and two utilizing the state purchasing agreement for $11,980. They also approved the purchase of seven new base radios at $63,144 and 14 new mobile radios at $109,394 for the fire department also utilizing the state purchasing contract. The purchase will be funded by state fire funds.

Commissioners then discussed the demolition of property at 1010 S 2^nd Street the Spanish Bungalow, which has been deeded to the city and 220 North 4^th Street which will require a lien be placed on the property. The city received three bids with Mosark, LLC bidding $150,000 plus GRT. Baldy Mountain Welding and Construction with a bid of $223,000 and JL Builders with a bid of $225,400. Mosark’s bid with GRT will be $163,012.50. The commission approved the Mosark bid.

Commissioners agreed to participate in the transportation project fund program administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation for phase II of the downtown project. The city requested over $2 million for the project but only received $950,000 with the city match of $50,000. Phillips noted that due to the smaller funding amount the project had to be scaled back with how much and what streets will be repaired will be determined at a later date.

City Manager Neil Segotta reported that he attended the New Mexico Municipal League in Las Cruses and was one of the best he has attended. He noted the playground at the Aquatic Center which KRTN has done a story on and can be found on the KRTN Web Page. The SW3 fire is the fourth fire that has been managed. There was meeting for energy sustainability to help the city start the process of working on updating local power and looking for a new electric provider. He also noted that the Gate City Music Festival was a great success and thanks to Raton Mainstreet for a great event.

The next city commission meeting will be on September 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers at City Hall.