GRANTS, NM – Mayor Erik Garcia started the Grants City Council meeting on March 29 by asking to remove the executive session, “Due to the fact [City Manager] Donald [Jaramillo] did nothing wrong. This is an attack from [City Councilwoman] Beverly [Michael].” Mayor Garcia also wanted Item number 24 removed from the agenda.
The mayor accused that item number 24 “Is a direct threat from [Councilwoman Michael]. She is after me because, obviously, I own Grassroots, and it is noted that she wants to hurt my business because she has the power to do it now.”
Mayor Garcia asked for a motion to remove both items from the agenda; Councilor Zachary Gutierrez motioned to remove the items, but none of the council members seconded to remove the items. The Motion failed, and the items remained on the agenda for discussion.
A motion to add comments before moving into the executive session was made, and the item moved up on the agenda. The city recognized Francis Madina and Steve Serna for their service as they began retirement.
The Motion to move into executive session was made and approved. The council then went into a closed-door session to discuss the city manager’s contract. Once the regular meeting resumed, the city council made a motion concerning the city manager’s contract. The council passed a motion stating that the contract would go to negotiations and that the city attorney would work with the city manager regarding the city manager’s contract.
Board member re-appointments Approved: Cecilia Murrietta – Cemetery Board (2-year term).
Approved: Floyd Brito – Recreation Board (2-year term). Approved: Shirly Dickens – Recreation Board (2year term). Approved: Anna Marie Lopes – Recreation Board (1-year term). Approved: Norma Patterson – Recreation Board (1-year term). Approved: Jennifer Meador – Animal Control Board (1-year term),
Public safety
Police Chief Maxine Monte stated that the police department received four new Dodge Chargers, and the pay raise boosted morale within the department.
“There is still a need for seven more officers, but we have four certified applicants and five noncertified officers,” she said.
Animal Shelter
The city is taking applications to hire a new director for the Grants Animal Care Center. Several concerns involving maintenance issues came before the council—one problem centered on the lack of proper heating and ventilation. Barbara Wesley stated that an issue with a foul odor arises from a set of vents that have not been cleaned for a long time.
The discussion also involved simple maintenance problems such as a lack of door stops, door handles needing replacing, and other minor issues.
Changing the name of Santa Fe Ave to Route 66
Representative Harry Garcia spoke to the city council about changing the name from Santa Fe Avenue to Route 66. Representative Garcia stated that if the name is changed to Route 66, the process must involve the Federal Highway Department because Route 66 is a federal highway. However, Representative Garcia stated that a more straightforward process would be to change it to Historic Route 66, which several towns have done in various states where Route 66 runs through.
Moving The City of Grants elections to the General Elections timeframe
The conversation shifted to item twentytwo, which would hand the responsibility of running city elections to the county during the November General Election cycle. The council had two options.
Option one would end terms early by three months. Option two extends terms by a year and a half. State legislators recently voted down a statute that would force municipalities to run elections concurrent with the general election. However, the council was informed that this would eventually happen, and it may be best to get ahead of the ball now.
Mayor Garcia voiced his concern and said voting methods should stay as they are. City Councilor Gutierrez said, “We should ride it until we are forced to do it.” A motion was made to approve option two to extend terms by one and a half years. The resolution passed with Councilor Gutierrez being the lone “No” vote.
City of Grants cannabis ordinance
Currently, cannabis distribution shops are limited to one for every 2,500 residents. The revision will not change these numbers, but it will place new restrictions on locations. State law restricts cannabis shops from opening within 300 feet of schools and daycare centers. The City of Grants added libraries, churches, senior centers, and recreation centers to the 300foot rule. The city council passed the Motion, with Councilwoman Beverly Michael voted against it.
The item concerning cannabis shops involved restricting shops operating on Santa Fe Avenue. Councilman George Garcia stated, “I was the one who initiated this, not Councilwoman Michael.” This item is what Mayor Erik Garcia wanted removed when he accused Councilwoman Beverly Michael of wanting to hurt his business.
Councilman Garcia went on to voice his concern about how this issue passed. “A council member voted who should not have voted, and there was no discussion on this item.” The Motion was approved and passed, with Councilor Gutierrez voting “no.”
The meeting lasted over five hours and covered enormous amounts of content. Grants High School students put on a presentation for the city council titled “No Sale to Minors.” The group presented the dangers of flavored vape inhalants popular among students. They are hoping to bring awareness to the hazards of flavored vape chemicals.
Mayor Garcia questioned the transparency of the Cibola Communities Economic Development Board. Councilwoman Beverly Michaels stated that sitting on the board, she had to sign a confidentiality agreement, and the packets say confidential. Mayor Garcia stated he felt this needs to be corrected because taxpayer money funds these projects.
City of Grants Code Enforcement Officer Robert Windhorst addressed the use of speed bumps on city streets. The code enforcer stated that the speed bumps cost $1,100 to put on the roads and create problems for emergency services when responding to calls. Damage occurs to the vehicles when they constantly drive over them. Code Enforcer Windhorst stated that the city would build six new speed bumps on three streets. Two humps will go on Elm Street near Elm Park, two on Encino Ave, and two on Sage St – the total cost will be approximately $6,600. The city council replied that the issue involving poor driving habits needs addressing and a solution found to curb speeding.
Budgeting, finance, and the city audit were also on the agenda and discussed.
To watch live council meetings, most board meetings, or past meetings, interested residents can visit the City of Grants website at www.cityofgrants,net Comments for live streaming are currently disabled. Those wishing to address the city council can attend the meeting and voice concerns or opinions in person.