By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The Raton City Commission met in a regular meeting Tuesday February 10, 2026, after a special meeting in Santa Fe where the commission met with the Picuris Pueblo Tribe concerning the proposed Casino.
They began this meeting with the certification of the Santa Fe meeting, explaining that no action was taken on the discussions.
Raton Police Chief John Garcia presented the year-end report for the Raton Police Department explaining what the department has done over the last year. The department has 11 officers, which leaves them three officers short, and they are three short in the dispatch center as well. Recruiting is a problem for the department, if an officer doesn’t have a draw to the community they won’t apply noted Garcia. Garcia noted that calls are down somewhat from last year but had over 8000 calls just for the PD.
Raton Fire and Emergency services Chief Anthony Burk began his year end report with information on the number of calls the department has handled. The department handled 1448 EMS calls which is up from last year. The department is currently fully staffed with six fire fighters per shift, a total of 20. Burk noted that the department as well as other departments are concerned about the upcoming summer with it being as dry as it is. Burk noted they have developed plans to be more ready and respond quicker to calls especially mutual aid calls for grass fires.
Commissioners heard from Kyle Hathaway and Matthew Bruff about a memorandum of understanding with Atterix concerning the potential development of an advanced digital hub infrastructure project. The MOU is non-binding while they do a six-month feasibility study. According to the MOU the project may include computing facilities, data storage and processing among other things. If the project moves forward phase one will include upgrading the former K-Mart building. Phase two of the project will include upgrades at the municipal power plant, and a third phase will create upgrades near the airport.
Discussion ranged from water concerns, electrical use and noise. Synthia Molina spent some time explaining some of the concerns, including the vocabulary that is being used and added that the vocabulary is so new there aren’t terms that can explain what is going on with this project. The MOU is simply to allow the company to explore the area and if conversations are to happen the MOU is in place to help protect proprietary company information. Commissioners approved the MOU. Commissioner Hoger was the lone no vote.
Commissioners did not appoint Dillon Given who had applied to be on the financial advisory committee Tuesday evening. Given is an employee of InBank which Mayor Chatterley felt could be a conflict of interest and he does not live in the city limits. The committee oversees the city’s financial reports that are presented to the commission at the regular meetings.
Raton City Hall is undergoing foundation issues and commissioners heard about the low bid which was for $200,500 from Gonzalez Contractors, LLC. The bid award however went to Desert Vaugh LLC for $276,500 as Gonzalez was a non-responsive bid.
Commissioners received a quote from Southwest Hazard Control, Inc. for abatement of hazardous materials at 220 North 4th Street utilizing the state price agreement. The work will deal with asbestos and lead paints. The bid was $9891.58. The abatement is required to be done before demolition can begin.
Commissioners considered an MOU with the Center for Community Progress for a technical assistance scholarship on Land Banks and Brownfields valued at $40,000. The City of Raton was one of three entities to receive the grant to provide technical assistance and education for decision makers. The education presented will help with understanding the benefits of land bank legislation. City Manager Neil Segotta said this was a long time coming and sees a lot of benefit from this funding and education.
The city received an NM Capital Outlay Grant for Roundhouse Park fitness and recreation improvements. The grant is $1,035,370 but unfortunately will expire June 30th of 2026. The city will have to get on with the work asap to get the playground equipment in and resurface the walking trails before the grant runs out. Commissioners approved the grant and thanked Jason Phillips for his work to get this grant.
A quote from Creative Recreational Designs was considered for work at Romero Park including upgrades to park equipment at a cost of $41,671 including GRT. The work will include ADA accessibility and replacing fall protection ground cover. Commissioners approved the bid.
Phil Long Ford provided a quote for a 2026 Ford Escape for city administration use on the state price contract at a cost of $32,855.
In the City Manager’s report Neil Segotta noted that the city has received a couple of grants for I-27 study. The city received a couple of grants for airport work as well. The city received the Community Connect grant for $250,000 for public Wifi in the downtown area. The Aquatic Center will be loosing 11 students by this time next year so recruitment will begin in earnest. Segotta went on to talk about work that is needed at the center and eluded that it could easily be close to $250,000.
He went on to talk about some of the legislative bills that could bring some funding to counties and municipalities as well as others that could affect the city.
Commissioners then entered into a closed executive session for collective bargaining talks with the Raton Police Officers Association.
City Hall will be closed on Monday February 16 to honor President’s Day with the next regular city commission meeting to be held on February 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
Be First to Comment