By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton City Commission met Tuesday October 14, 2025, to hear a report on the JJAC program from Danielle Vanderpool and dealt with change orders on demolition projects and financial reports.
Commissioners heard a report from Danielle Archuleta about the JJAC program for youth intervention efforts and outcomes from the program. All of the programs have been going strong this year and continue to grow since their inception over 10 years ago. The restorative program continues to grow as well and has a special place at Raton High School for students to go to get help with mental health and other issues. The New Hope learning lab continues to grow as well offering students help with schoolwork.
CF Altitude LLC, DBA Alta #6337, is asking for a liquor license for their business at 1221 S. 2nd Street. The first step in that process is a public hearing on the request for the license hearing none the commission deliberated and acted in the affirmative.
Commissioners introduced an ordinance amending the traffic and parking regulations in Raton. The amendment brings the city codes up to date and will allow the city to change the ordinances without bringing them back to the commission when the state updates the statutes. The last update was in 2010 and 2019, and the new state statutes have been updated to the 2025 traffic codes. The formal vote will come at a later date.
Commissioners approved a correction to the ordinances relating to the sale of property to BTU Block and Concrete. The action covers a numbering error; the ordinance was 1032 and should have been 1033.
City Manager Rick Mestas proposed to the commission of a plan for the El Portal site and is looking for direction on what the city should do with this property. There are three options of which option two, the Playful Park, received the most votes (229). This option included a pump track, however, that will be changed as grant money has been allotted for the pump track at Romero Park.
John Biris suggested that property be mixed use development rather than a park. Jason Phillips noted that his parks crew is stretched very thin and are having a hard time keeping up with the parks the city already has. The biggest issue at this point is funding and where it will come from should the city decide to go to the park option. Other ideas are to sell the property or turn it into a parking lot as well as an amphitheater. Commissioners postponed this item to a planning meeting at a later date.
Commissioners appointed Jeri Thymian to the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library board.
Two change orders were presented to the commission for approval, one for 108 Pecos Avenue cleanup and the cleanup at 222 South Second Street. The change orders consisted of $9310.21 due to unforeseen costs or scope adjustments necessary for the project’s completion. It was noted that the owner of the property has trashed the property again. Commissioners allowed this item to die due to lack of a motion.
The change order for 222 South Second Street is due to structural issues discovered during demo. Removal of sidewalk and south wall which were supposed to remain intact will have to be removed as main floor trusses were sitting underneath the block of the south wall. This includes 50 plus tons of brick removal and an estimated 480 cubic yards of backfill. This extra work will cost about $36,491.68; commissioners approved this change order without the installation of a fence leaving a cost of $22,210.56 plus tax.
The city approved a Capital Outlay Grant to do planning and construction along with improvements to city buildings specifically the Convention Center. The language is vague on the grant and will be used for the elevator and doors at the convention center but could be used at the education center or city hall.
Resolution 2025-62 makes changes to the city travel policy covering Reimbursement and Travel for Per Diem and Mileage Expenses for Public Officers and Employees of the City while on city business. The changes are in line with what the state has set forth.
Commissioners voted to close the Municipal Court bank accounts at New Mexico Bank and Trust.
Commissioners heard from City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci concerning FY 2026 budget adjustments #3. The adjustments included several line-item changes to move money around to cover purchases and expenses.
Commissioners heard about Resolution 2025-65 supporting a grant application for sheltering unaccompanied minors that is being requested by Casa de Luz. This resolution supports the application of a grant application seeking a portion of $66 million with no matching requirements. Several organizations in the community have written letters of support. The three-year grant will bring in economic development and mental health services to support the unaccompanied minors. After some discussion commissioners approved supporting the resolution 3-1 Mayor Pro-Tem Chatterley voting no.
City Manager Rick Mestas noted the passing of Bob Funk in July the city has been anticipating a potential change in our Fixed Base Operator by Express Aviation at the airport. The city was informed that Express intends to pull out but will work with the city while they go through the succession plan. The Request for Information (RFI) is being issued this week to gather input and identify interested entities that can ensure continuity of airport operations during a forthcoming transition in the FBO’s ownership and management.
In his final thoughts Mestas noted on October 1, 2025, the New Mexico Legislature convened a special session to address anticipated federal funding reductions impacting key state programs. The session was called to focus on maintaining support for essential services such as rural health care, Medicaid, and food assistance. Lawmakers are working to ensure that vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure are protected from the effects of these federal budget challenges. While the session has a targeted agenda, some had expressed interest in expanding the scope to consider additional fiscal and policy matters. Legislators passed five bills designed to mitigate the impact of federal cuts on health care, food assistance, and related services. The Governor signed all five bills soon after the session.
House Bill 1 provides $162M in emergency funds, including support for healthcare, food assistance, insurance subsidies, and transfers to emergency and rural health funds.
House Bill 2 addresses the expiring Affordable Care Act expands health insurance aid to those above 400% of the poverty level, backed by $17.3M included in HB1.
Senate Bill 1 transfers $50M to support rural and underserved healthcare, expanding provider eligibility statewide.
Senate Bill 2 lets metro court judges resume handling criminal competency cases, reversing a 2025 change.
Senate Bill 3 lets the Health Department buy children’s COVID-19 vaccines and broaden its sources for vaccination policy.
The next City Commission meeting will be on October 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the city commission chambers.
