By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It was a ways down on the agenda but commissioners approved a 6-Month moratorium on issuing a license or zoning approvals for a data center type of business until they could get ordinances in place to control this type of business should one want to establish one in town.
Commissioners issued a proclamation establishing June 20-July 6 as Fireworks Safety Awareness Days as the July 4thcelebration period draws close. Commissioners urged residents to be especially careful with fireworks in town. The proclamation also talks about the fireworks that are and are not allowed in the city limits.
Commissioners approved the introduction of ordinance for the codification of ordinances fourteenth supplement. This is a housekeeping matter for ordinance 940.
Commissioners also held a public hearing for input to the ICIP for the upcoming year. The ICIP is a living document that is required by the state legislature before they will even talk to a municipality about capital improvements. Jason Phillips was on hand to go over the plan and discussed some of the changes he has based on projects that have been completed and can be removed from the plan.
Billy Donati, President of the Shuler Restoration Committee was on hand to give a report on the happenings at the Shuler Theater over the past year. The Shuler Theater has seen 125 usage days in the 2025–2026-time frame. SRC has made several improvements to the theater including some new curtains and repairs to the projector system. Dressing rooms suffered some water damage as did the1914 Italian Villa Drop curtain, an original at the theater and SRC is looking at ways to stabilize the curtain. Other plans include Christmas decorations replacement, painting and new carpeting in the lobby and downstairs.
Patricia Duran presented a report on the HiSet and SkillSharp programs that offers a high school equivalency testing and training for employees to upgrade skills or to learn new skills for another job. The report indicated that the center has had 11 students in the HiSet program since October 2025. Unfortunately, eight of the 11 students have become in active sighting employment priorities and immature discipline across all ages. In the SkillSharp program there are 10 students enrolled. There have been a total of 123 students with 57 completing certificate studies. Duran noted that if the numbers don’t come back up the center will have to look at revamping the programs but it could be hard to ask the city to fund the programs if the students enrollment remains down.
Soriah Martinez updated the commission on Explore Raton and tourism over the last six months. The update included that Google ads are performing well with over 92,700 website clicks. 586,600 searchers have been reached on the social media platforms with Facebook being the highest reach with 519,900. 10,000 visitor’s guides were printed and 500 distributed around the area keeping 5000 in town for local businesses and at the visitor center. Martinez noted that the numbers are down a bit but she is looking at learning more about the algorithms to improve Raton’s chances to reach more people.
City Hall will be seeing some minor changes at the front desk and exterior doors. Dave Little with Alpha Designs proposed changes to the service counter and doors at City Hall that include lowering counter tops for ADA compliance and reworking the doors for ADA compliance. They are also looking at adding plexiglass above the counters for added protection. Alpha Design will provide services including the bid process and oversight on the project. Little’s cost is $8500 and the job is estimated to cost about $60,000.
Resolution 2026-29 declares a moratorium on the issuance of a business license or zoning approval for a data center pending the adoption of ordinances regulating such businesses. While the city cannot keep a business from locating in Raton, they can provide enough regulations to make the possibility of one coming to town more unlikely. The moratorium is for a six-month period however it was postponed awaiting more information from attorneys due to the current MOU with Atterix. City Manager Segotta noted that the city will continue to work on ordinances for this issue despite the postponement of the moratorium. Commissioners will plan a 4:30 workshop before the next city commission meeting on June 23, 2026.
Commissioners then went over the Lease Accounting Policy. This is a yearly review that addresses the city’s lease program that was adopted in 2022 and has not seen any changes to this point and is an audit requirement.
Work on the electrical vault at Raton Crews Field draws to a close a change order is being requested by Bixby Electric to add $5533.60 to the contract to raise the beacon above the guard rail on the existing beacon tower.
City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci presented FY26 Budget Adjustment #11. Antonucci is working to get grants closed and hold off on orders for the end of the Fiscal Year.
Resolution 2026-32 calls for the city to support an early-feasibility grant application for Healthcare Workforce Housing. This grant application will determine the feasibility for health care workforce housing and training for health care workers.
Segotta noted in his report that the chip seal project will be completed this week and work continues with the curb and gutter for ADA compliance. He will attend a meeting on land bank funding. The city is being required to have a full-time food manager in order for people to use the kitchen and is working with the environment department to make this work. People wanting to use the kitchen will be required to visit the environment department and get a packet to fill out and be able to use the kitchen.
There was a meeting with Miller Timber who focuses on forest restoration and wildfire fighting to setup a satellite station here in Raton. They would be a type 2 team not a hotshot team. This business could have as many as 20 personnel here giving many youths the opportunity to find employment and stay in the area. They are looking at property in south Raton. There are several bid openings coming up soon.
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