By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday September 27, 2022 for their second regular meeting of the month where they handled one ordinance amendment and the Lake Dorothy lease renewal.
Commissioners approved the amendment to adjust the fee schedule for the new Vacant Building Ordinance passed last year. The amendment changed the fees to $100 for small or residential structures to $100 for the first year going up to $500 after five years. For structures over 10,000 square feet the price starts at $200 and goes up to $1000 after five years.
Commissioner heard from City Manager Scott Berry about the changes to the Lake Dorothy lease. The lease will go up from $10,000 to $25,000 a year and allow pedal biking to areas of the wildlife area along a new trail that still needs to be built. Parts of the wildlife area will be closed for wildlife conservation during the year but not all of it as some would have thought and was expressed during the meeting. Commissioner Chavez stressed the Lake Dorothy property which the City of Raton owns is in the State of Colorado and we must obey their laws. He also went on to say that the commission has to do our best for the most.
After hearing concerns from local citizens about the time the wildlife area will be closed, not allow biking in the area and one resident, Leslie Fernandez, arguing that the commission was in violation of state law. Since this lease was a lease renewal the law that Fernandez was referring too was not applicable to this situation. Had this been a new lease agreement the law that requires the city to make the lease by ordinance would have applied but this is a renewal and thus doesn’t apply. Commissioners voted to approve the lease feeling that it is the best way to not only protect the water shed but allow access to the area for recreation. (Link to Final Lake Dorothy Lease Agreement)
Commissioners then approved the Lodger’s Tax Board recommendation of $5000 for the Colexico Spaghetti and Western Festival to be held October 14-15 to help cover advertising to promote the event.
Commissioners also approved the event forms for the Raton Mainstreet Safe Trick or Treat event to be held in downtown Raton. They approved the public and private celebration permits that the Blü Dragonfly Brewing will be involved in.
Berry noted there is still an open board position for the Lodger’s Tax Advisory board and approved the reappointment of Kathy Harris and William Clark to the financial advisory committee.
Commissioners approved an extension to the grant agreement on the hangar project due to supply issues and approved the airport maintenance grant agreement for $20,000 to supply consumables and maintenance supplies for the airport.
Commissioners received good news from Dusty Russel the Emergency Manager in that Stryker Medical approved a trade in of $8500 each for the two defibrillators the fire department needs to replace. The cost of the two new defibrillators will be $52,542, which will be purchased on the state contract.
Commissioners then approved the August 2022 financial report. City Clerk Michael Anne Antonucci noted that the gross receipts came in at 11.5% above budget. The increase is believed to be in part from online sales and construction projects. They also approved budget adjustment #2 for FY23. (Link to August 2022 Financial Report) (Link to Budget Adjustment #2 FY23)
Commissioners approved the disposal of a Ford Explorer police unit that was caught in the flooding at the north underpass in July. The city will receive over $42,000 from insurance and that will go to a replacement vehicle.
Berry noted in his report that he attended an online meeting with engineers to determine options for taxiway B reconstruction. The city will also replace mowing equipment at the airport. He also noted the construction work at the Senior Center is complete and he will attend an inspection of the Lake Maloya Dam October 6.
Commissioners will meet again on October 11, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers. There is a potential quorum of commissioners for the virtual zoom meeting for the NM Mainstreet’s annual accreditation assessment on October 14, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00
