GRANTS, N.M. – The City of Grants April 12 council meeting was eventful. The council voted to terminate the contract with former City Manager Laura Jaramillo.
The mayor, Martin “Modey” Hicks, raised issues prior to adoption of the agenda item ten, which involved consideration of the local election option to change elections from March of even years to November of odd years. The council decided during the March 15 meeting to consider the option at the next meeting (April 12) once they had more information. The mayor did not attend the March 15 session.
Mayor Hicks quickly voiced his desire to remove the item from the April 12 agenda because he believed it involved failure to comply with the city charter. He said that because the citizens made the charter, they should be the ones to decide those changes by voting. The councilors agreed and item ten was deleted.
The session included comments from community members. C.L. Peterson, who was the first to address the council, thanked them for their service, specifically thanked Diane Rowe for bringing up concerns about charter compliance during the March 15 meeting, and thanked Councilor Fred Rodarte for providing reassuring answers.
Carolyn Newton raised questions about when the Grants Public Library would reopen. The mayor reassured her that it would soon reopen. Newton’s comments along with other citizens’ remarks sparked a passionate speech from the mayor.
Hicks referred to reopening, “You can take off your mask if you want to. Okay, if you wanna wear it, it makes you comfortable, wear that thing. Okay, but we don’t have a mask mandate in this city. Period.”
The mayor said that he intends that the next meeting’s agenda will include issues relating to reopening the City of Grants. Several audience members concurred with the mayor. Doug Coles, an audience member, provided a long list of possible business options/opportunities for Grants. “Dream big, get excited, get going!” he proclaimed.
Presentations
The Grants-Milan Municipal Airport Manager Ray Jenkins gave a brief presentation about the airport’s history, some of its main revenue sources, its “incalculable” value to the area, and how that value would improve even more with the addition of a new airport hangar. No action was taken beyond this discussion, but Jenkins did jokingly add, “Just send the money my way!” Chief Stephen Chavez, Grants Police Department, presented information about GPD operations and goals. The council and Chief Chavez discussed the GPD Public Service Aid program and how it operates in tandem with the Cibola General Hospital security program. Chief Chavez described how the program functions, its benefits to the community, and noted that it maintains a steady flow of training in which the PSA members can gain street training while also cycling through as hospital security. Many PSAs aspire to become certified police officers. The program has the potential to serve as an investment in the City’s work force. The recent financial cuts across the board meant that a fifth PSA position had to be eliminated. The chief said these reductions have caused problems with training circulation and liability issues. Councilman Fred Padilla asked the chief if he could come up with a list of things the council could possibly do to help, to which the chief said he could.
Construction project updates
Wilson & Company representatives recommended awarding the construction of the Second Street Channel Phase II project, $1,068,150.66, to Compass Engineering. The council approved the Phase II project along with the task order from Wilson & Company for the Roosevelt Avenue grade control structure, which is Phase I of the Roosevelt Ave./Grants Arroyo Bridge project. The task order was for $123,017.63.
Equipment purchases
The council approved the purchase of a 2021 Caterpillar Skid Steer Loader in the amount of up to $100,000, which the city received from the state legislature as a 2020 Capital Outlay Grant. The councilors approved the purchase of a hydro-excavator from Ditch Witch in the amount of $56,428.36, which came from a Water General Obligation Bond.
Advisory board appointments
Sean Erice and Ruben Sandoval were appointed as Cemetery Advisory Board members.
Upcoming meeting
Monday, April 26, 6 p.m., council chambers, 600 W. Santa Fe Ave., Grants. The council is expected to either approve or disapprove Mayor Hicks’ appointment for the next city manager, Vanessa Chavez.
Visit cityofgrants.net or call 505-287-7927 for more information.