By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Raton City Commissioners met Tuesday evening July 8, 2025 for their regular meeting with a short agenda which includes the discussion and approval of the ICIP and agreements with the Colfax County Senior Citizens Center and for auditing services.
Commissioners discussed the final version of the ICIP for FY27-FY31. This is a living document that is used to let legislators know that we have projects that are in need of funding and what financing is needed to make these projects happen. The Lake Maloya Dam safety improvements remain at the top of the list followed by drainage and storm drain improvements. Waste water plant improvements, Raton Animal Shelter and Solid Waste equipment round out the top five requests. The deadline is July 11 for this document.
Commissioners heard the recommendation for audit services for the annual audit and chose Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC from Albuquerque. The cost for the audit has gone up from $60,000 to $107,000 including NMGRT.
Commissioners heard the recommendation for Envision IT Solutions to provide managed IT services for the city, Raton Water Works, RPS, Raton PD and FD. The cost of the contracts is $4210.09, for the city, Raton Water and RPS. $4662.33 covers the Police Department and $1733.57 covers the Fire Department.
The City of Raton and the Colfax County Senior Citizens Center continued their agreement for operations of the Raton Senior Center on First Street in Raton. This is a continuation of the agreement that the City and Colfax County Senior Center already has in place.
Commissioners heard from City Manager Rick Mestas on an encroachment agreement with William and Nancy Cruz for property on 1000 S 4th Street. It has been determined that a fence they own extends onto the city owned right of way and has been there for several years. The structure doesn’t cause a hazard or other problems and this agreement is to document the encroachment.
Commissioners heard the recommendation for a bid award for the cleanup of dangerous buildings at 1521 Cedar Street and 108 Pecos Avenue. Desert Vaugh, LLC was the lowest bidder of three with a bid of $49,885 excluding GRT with GRT the total is $54,004.65. The other two bidders, Grancor Environmental bid $74,881 and Raton Property Maintenance bid $55,500.
In the City Manager’s report Mestas noted that the public Works will begin looking at other projects now that baseball/softball is over. Mestas also added that the city engineer presented a legislative proposal—The New Mexico Land Banking for Property, Community, and Economic Revitalization Act—to the New Mexico Municipal League Policy Committee. The committee voted unanimously to adopt the proposal for further development and potential introduction in the 2027 legislative session. The legislation would enable land banks to address vacant and abandoned properties through lien and tax title reform, probate solutions, and narrow anti-donation exemptions to support redevelopment.
The Raton City Commission will meet again on July 22, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for their next regular meeting and have a special meeting on Thursday July 10, 2025 at 5:30 to deal with the Rammel Family Farms request to pull out of their agreement and a budget workshop.
