By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners began their meeting Tuesday evening by honoring State Representative Dennis J Roch, with a proclamation and an honorary key to the city for his work at the state legislature on behalf of the City of Raton. Roch will retire from the legislature after his term ends on December 31, 2018.
Commissioners awarded Ace J Mossiman with the contract for street and infrastructure maintenance in the amount of $108, 300. The work to be done will be street work, curb and gutter repair, sidewalk repair and other tasks as needed throughout the year. It was noted that Mossiman was the lone bidder.
Commissioners then held a public hearing for repealing Ordinance 666, the 1% supplemental gross receipts tax. With no comment commissioners approved the ordinance. This is more a procedural process as the tax will sunset On December 31, 2018.
Commissioners approved the application for a $10,000 airport consumables grant from NMDOT Aviation Division to take care of such things like specialty light bulbs and other items that are required by an airport for normal operations. The city will provide a 10% match for the grant.
City Manager Scott Berry informed the commissioners about the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan that will need to be revised and updated by the end of August so the city can submit it to the Department of Finance Administration. The document is used for funding requests during the state legislative session coming up the first of next year. As Berry noted street improvements are almost always at the top of the list or in the top five.
On last year’s list is it was street improvements, Lake Maloya Dam improvements, Raton PD car replacement, Public works equipment purchases and the Raton MainStreet great blocks project phase one. He noted that the money received will go to purchase a new loader for the public works department and that three new police cars have been purchased using law enforcement grant money.
The five-year plan includes other items and Berry is asking for public input about the plan. Raton citizens can call, write a letter or email him or one of the commissioners with suggestions about the plan. (Link to the ICIP Plan Document)
In the city manager’s report Berry noted there is a contractor drilling on the Lake Maloya Dam to install sensors to monitor the dam. The sensors will provide information to perform analysis of the dam health. The chip seal project has been completed and in a couple of months the city will sweep up the excess gravel that has not been packed down as people drive over the surface.
Public works employees are doing reclamation work at the landfill in hopes that the weather forecast holds true and brings rain to the area this week. Berry noted they wanted to get seed and mulch down before it hopefully rains.
Commissioners will meet again on July 24that 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers.
