GRANTS, N.M. — The November Coffee with the Managers meeting brought a wide-ranging discussion of animal shelter reforms, water infrastructure projects, and community safety concerns, as city and village officials shared updates while Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher was out of town.
Grants Animal Care Center Sees Major Progress
City of Grants officials opened with a longawaited update on the Grants Animal Care Center, which has undergone sweeping improvements in recent months following a temporary closure for cleaning, reorganization, and policy review.
City staff reported that the shelter’s population dropped from 135 animals to just 31 in under a month — without a single euthanasia due to space.
“We haven’t euthanized any animal for lack of space,” City of Grants Manager Andrew Valencia said. “Every animal has received proper care, medication, and vaccinations.”
The turnaround comes through collaboration with Best Friends Animal Society and RezDawg Rescue, whose volunteers helped modernize operations, assist with transports, and draft an updated joint powers agreement (JPA) between the City of Grants, Cibola County, and the Village of Milan. Valencia said the JPA will help standardize shelter funding, clarify responsibilities, and ensure consistent animal care across jurisdictions.
The city is also preparing to update its animal control ordinance, with new provisions restricting long-term chaining of dogs and improving field enforcement. Valencia said Best Friends is helping draft the ordinance to align with national best practices.
“We’re not just running a shelter as a motel for animals anymore,” a city representative said. “We’re focused on reuniting pets with owners, improving spay/neuter rates, and reducing the number of animals entering the system.”
Residents praised shelter staff for their dedication, with several attendees noting visible improvements in cleanliness and animal health. Volunteers are still welcome but now check in through a new scheduling system designed to maintain safety and accountability.
Valencia also addressed recent social media rumors about mistreatment at the facility. “We’ve confirmed directly with Chief Monte that no animals have been euthanized,” the Cibola Citizen noted at the meeting. “The staff and volunteers are doing excellent work.”
Milan Constructing New Well and Infrastructure
Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams shared the strong progress Milan has seen on the construction of a new municipal well, expected to be fully operational by January.
“This isn’t because our current well is contaminated — it’s simply replacing a 1957 well that’s reached the end of its life,” Williams explained. “The new well will ensure reliable water pressure and reduce the strain on our backup systems.”
The project, supported by engineers, hydrologists, and water attorneys, aims to secure Milan’s water supply for decades. The well’s development follows multiple other infrastructure efforts this year, including road paving, sewer upgrades, and cleanup projects.
Williams clarified that Milan’s water quality has actually improved since 2017, with decreased levels of natural radioactive materials — while Grants has seen slight increases. “These are naturally occurring elements,” she added, “but we test often and meet all state standards.”
Commissioner Christine Lowery urged residents to remain vigilant about area mining company’s cleanup commitments, noting that federal meetings with the EPA and NRC have been delayed by the recent government shutdown.
“We need to educate ourselves and ask hard questions,” Lowery said.
Milan Road Repairs and Swimming Pool Redesign
Williams also reported that Airport Road resurfacing is nearly complete, with one section under the bridge awaiting warmer temperatures for final paving. “It’s a beautiful road, but we refuse to sign off on anything that doesn’t meet quality standards,” she said.
Milan’s long-awaited swimming pool project is also progressing, though at a slower pace due to cost constraints. Engineers are 60 percent through a redesign that will renovate the existing shell rather than rebuild the facility — a $10 million plan instead of a $38 million new build.
“We’re committed to reopening the pool safely,” Williams said. “We meet every week, we’re applying for grants, but we won’t open until it’s truly ready.”
School Safety and SRO Discussion
Conversation turned toward school safety after recent reports of a shooting threat at Los Alamitos Middle School, where students were screened without notification to Grants Police. Officials discussed the shortage of school resource officers (SROs) and potential collaboration among the City of Grants, Village of Milan, and Cibola County Sheriff’s Office to restore the program.
“It’s a tough balance,” Milan Police Chief Carl Ustupski said. “Pulling certified officers off patrol is difficult, but protecting schools has to come first.”
Community members and managers agreed that local schools face serious behavioral and disciplinary challenges, with teachers and administrators struggling to maintain control.
“Our teachers and staff are on the front lines,” Cibola County Sheriff Larry Diaz said. “They deserve the same respect and support we give our first responders.”
The meeting closed on a note of gratitude and cooperation, with officials praising maintenance crews and law enforcement for their dedication and emphasizing shared goals for public safety, water security, and community trust.
The next Coffee with the Managers meeting will take place on Thursday, December 4 at 9 a.m. at the Coyote del Malpais Golf Course Clubhouse in Grants.