Fireworks Restrictions in Place Lawsuit Filed for Return of Property

Fireworks Restrictions in Place Lawsuit Filed for Return of Property

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

In light of recent events and extreme dry conditions Raton City Commissioners approved a resolution restricting fireworks sale and use in Raton and approved the filing of a lawsuit to return property to the City of Raton.

Commissioners approved a resolution prohibiting and limiting the sale and use of fireworks in Raton for a period of 30 days. At the end of the 30 days the commission will revisit the resolution to determine if it should be extended. The resolution prohibits the use of aerial fireworks due to the extreme drought conditions in the state. All fireworks are banned in wildland areas within the city limits. The resolution bans the sale and use of missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick type rockets and ground audibles such as firecrackers. It is requested that residents use common sense and refrain from using fireworks until conditions improve. As City Manager Scott Berry noted conditions are not expected to improve in the next 30 days and we don’t want to see another track fire. ( Link to Prohibit Sale and Use of Fireworks)

Commissioners met in executive session at their last meeting and approved attorneys to draft a complaint against Racing at Raton LLC for Breach of Contract, Declaratory Judgement, Unjust Enrichment, Ejectment and Quiet Claim. The lawsuit is in response to the fact that nothing has happened to bring horse racing back to Raton and the need to recover city property in South Raton.

Commissioners then approved the lodger’s tax board recommendations for $7133.79 for KRTN advertising, $6958.74 for Raton Mainstreet Balloon Rally promotions, $1500 for the Center for Community Innovation for Raton Visitor Guide distribution and $1802 for EMTs at the Raton Supercross event as well as $5496.50 for advertisement and promotional merchandise.

Commissioners received a request for non-promotional funding for the Raton Museum for $30,000, their annual request to help with operating expenses related to tourism and a request from Raton Arts and Humanities Council for $18,000 to assist in their operating costs.

Commissioners approved the Bi-Annual MOU with Raton Mainstreet and Historic Downtown Arts and Cultural District. As part of the MOU a table was presented outlining the funding for an organization this size as required by New Mexico Mainstreet and MainStreet America. Raton MainStreet President Christine Valentini requested that the city increase the funding to $45,000 for this year and to be upped next fiscal year to $50,000 to help meet those funding requirements set forth by New Mexico MainStreet and MainStreet America. Valentini went over some of the projects and events the organization helps with, not to mention some of the grant funding they have helped secure for local projects.

Commissioners then approved the resolution approving financial support to Raton MainStreet and supporting a public private economic development MainStreet Project.

Commissioners approved public celebration permits for the Shuler Theater for the Always Patsy Cline events to be held in June. Colfax Ale Cellar will provide beverages for the June 10-11 event with Blü Dragonfly Brewing providing the drink for the June 18-19 event.

Approved the dispatch agreement with the Town of Springer for $32,000. They also approved the ordinance for establishing emergency water rates. These would be rates used in the event of an emergency where water restriction would be implemented. Commissioners also approved rates for water and sewer use. These rates are being adjusted to cover increased costs such as water taps and operational expenses.

Approved line-item budget adjustments for JJAC Grant moving money from the pre and post operations to the circle line item.

Approved the contract with SJT Group LLC for audit services for this year. The city received two proposals one from SJT Group and one from Pattillo, Brown & Hill. A committee graded the two firms with SJT receiving 265 point and Porttillo, Brown & Hill receiving 249 points.

Berry in his report talked about the Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire noting well over 200,000 acres have burned and that the fire could extend into Colfax County soon. They will know in the next day or so if another Type One management team will be assigned to the fire, especially since it appears to have two main fronts at this point.

He noted that construction projects in town have geared back up after a winter hiatus. The CDBG project in downtown will be ongoing in the area of the post office so traffic maybe rerouted for paving. Greenhouse construction is underway and awaiting materials for part of the project.

In order to meet a budget deadline commissioners will have a budget workshop on Tuesday May 17 at 6:30 to go over the interim budget. Commissioners will meet again for a regular meeting May 24, at 6:00 p.m.