The Raton City Commission met in regular session on Tuesday, September 22 and heard from Raton Housing Authority Executive Director Terry Baca about inclusion of the local authority into the Northern Regional Housing Authority. Baca said both the Raton and Las Vegas Authorities would be a part of the 3rd largest housing authority in New Mexico. The resolution was passed unanimously and was a formality as Baca has already begun work as the head of the Northern Region that includes Colfax, Taos, Mora, San Miguel, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Cibola, McKinley and San Juan counties. The offices have already been expanded with an additional two jobs created in Raton and more projected as Baca said more units also means more people being helped and more possible grants for the authority.
A part of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing on a proposed change in the animal code chapter 90. The need to address the code was prompted by two incidents within the last year in which residents were viciously attacked by dogs. The proposed revisions to Chapter 90 include how dangerous dogs or potentially dangerous dogs are handled and the added provision would require dog owners to have proper fencing and carry insurance to assume responsibility should the dog injure anyone.
The proposed revisions were shared with the Raton Human Society which was instrumental in helping to draft and pass a revision of the code that was originally adopted in 1980. Leslie Fernandez spoke on behalf of the Humane Society and said that the organization was frustrated and that the only way the code works is with enforcement. As far as the gut-wrenching incident mauling six months ago, the city has not done it’s job as the perpetrating dog is still at the animal shelter, and its disheartening that nothing has been done. Right after the incident, the Humane Society said they would not take the dog.
As far as liability insurance provision, according to Fernandez, her research showed their were six breeds that insurance companies would not insure anyway. Fernandez also said the anti-chaining provision of the ordinance has done pretty well, but the spay/neuter provision has done not-so-well, but it could work if the ordinances on the books were just enforced.
John Rerecich also addressed the commission about the ordinance and echoed his displeasure of the situation. Rerecich addressed the commission earlier in March just after the dog attack incident and also raised concerns about the bears wandering the streets in Raton. The bear subject prompted City Manager Scott Berry to point out that many times the bear-proof dumpsters are negated when the lids are left open and asked residents to help and take some personal responsibility to help the situation by latching the lids.
The City Commission also approved a Lodgers Tax Board recommendation for $3,400 for radio advertising on KENW Public Radio Network.
Approved a $7,116.74 proposal for Parametrix engineering of Albuquerque for assistance with the Raton Train Depot Civil improvements. The city has a little more than $200,000 for drainage, parking and other civil improvements for the Train Depot and Parametrix would help consult with the State Historic Preservation on the environmental assessments for civil improvements with actual renovation of the building occurring in a later phase.
The Commission also passed a resolution supporting daily Amtrak Rail Service to Raton, and urged support from both. the US House and Senate, noting that over $100 million was raised and invested from NM, CO and KS since 2014 and that Raton has over 15,000 passenger boardings and alightings each year, and that a permanent cutback would have significant negative impact on Raton and other towns along the route. Mayor Neil Segotta said, “this is something we’ve got to stay in front of”.
City Clerk/Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci requested the certification of the city’s 2020 Capital Asset Inventory be tabled until the next meeting and the Commission approved her Budget Adjustment #1 for fiscal year 2020.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Segotta read a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Lee Phillips with Alternatives to Violence was there to accept the proclamation and to make the announcement that because of Covid, fundraising walks in Cimarron and Raton would have to be cancelled this year as would the Candlelight Vigils.
The next regular meeting is set for October 11 at 6 pm at Raton City Hall and will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490
