By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday, June 11th for their regular meeting and heard from Dee Burks the Raton Chamber Board President for their annual report and she reported another booming year with lots of visitors coming into the Visitor Information Center. She noted they had several tourists who were traveling from Colorado to New Mexico to Ski because of the higher ski lift prices in Colorado. The chamber is also doing promotions on KRTN and in the World Journal as well as a billboard along I-25.
Yet, with all the good news, Burks noted that the Chamber has challenges to meet. They have lost several volunteers to various issues and she noted that there are no younger people volunteering to fill those holes, a problem that is common for many activities in Raton. She noted the visitor center expenses had risen and they now have the expense of yard care which she noted was a tough one to even get a bid for. The only bid they did receive was for a four-man crew making $15/hour or $60 an hour for the whole crew. Since the tourism coordinator is only making $12/hour there has been some issues raised about that.
She also noted that the board has stepped up and covered many volunteer hours some above and beyond in order to cover a lack of volunteers or vacations. She noted this cannot go on and they need some help. She proposed sharing an admin person and is asking the city to help cover the upcoming months costs that will bust the chamber budget if they have to pay it all. A meeting will be set up to discuss what can be done.
Commissioners approved street closures and celebration permits for Run to Raton Motorcycle Event and the Fourth of July Street Fair on First Street. The Run to Raton Motorcycle event June 18-20 which will begin on Thursday at Colfax Tavern and Diner, and arrive in Raton Friday morning July 19th. The street closure is on Third Street from Savage to Park.
David Swanson was approved to continue as an RPS Trustee for another six-year term.
Commissioners approved budget adjustment #17 for Fiscal year 2019. City Clerk Michael Anne Antonucci noted that there was a last-minute addition to cover a loan for the work on the Water Treatment Plant with the remainder of the adjustments being line items to balance things out as the fiscal year draws to a close. Link to FY 2019 Budget Adjustment #17
Commissioners approved Resolution 2019-34 which requests $900,000 from NMDOT to help with Phase II of the Great Blocks project. The city match will be $90,000 coming from the gas tax. The resolution is in response to a special call for projects by NMDOT something that is a first. Berry had talked about work on the I-25 northbound Frontage Road but opted for the great blocks project instead.
Berry noted in his report that the construction projects are nearing completion with a walk through and final cleanup being left to do for the Great Blocks project phase 1 and the Taxiway A rehab project. Berry also noted that the landfill is fully closed now and that will release money for the solid waste transfer station as well as receiving funding for that project. He noted the transfer station should be completed in the summer of 2020. There will be a surface watershed discussion on June 13 at 5:30 to 7:30 in the commission chambers to discuss total maximum daily loads for the Canadian and Dry Cimarron watersheds. Berry told the commission that the some of the changes coming down the river could cause an increase to rate payers. The meeting is being put on by the New Mexico Environment Department, Surface Water Quality Bureau.
A discussion then followed concerning traffic at Rio Grande and South Second where there have been several complaints about not being able to see past parked cars at the intersection. NMDOT had been asked about signals at that intersection and the city was told no. Berry said if a survey was done it could result in traffic lights being removed. Berry said they will look into signage and suggested that drivers use Cook instead of Rio Grande to enter Second Street.
Commissioners then went into an executive session to discuss the city manager. The next regular meeting will be on June 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers and will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490.
Not a very good answer, in my opinion.. on obstructed vision for drivers entering 2nd St. from Rio Grande… (Berry), “Suggested drivers use Cook instead of Rio Grande to enter 2nd Street.” If there is a safety issue,, then, I would hope steps can be taken to fix it, not just use another street.