County commission discusses vacating county roads and landowner rights
GRANTS, N.M. - Cibola County Board of Commissioners approved Resolution 21-17 Opposing House Bill 4 of The First Session of the 55th Legislature. Some details of the bill include that it would be “removing qualified immunity, which would make it easier for the public to sue an officer or public official,” according to kob.com.
The board discussed the negative consequences of the bill. And 2nd Vice Chairman Christine Lowery said, “I think the general issue, a much broader issue, is trying to address excessive or deadly police force... in other states. This House bill, while I see the need for a response, certainly doesn’t address that.... I see that a response is needed, but this is not that response.”
Chairman Daniel Torrez read a letter regarding the Discussion of Removal of CR23c and
CR23 f, Mary Joe Drive and Barbara Road, from the County’s Maintained Road List. The writer petitioned the board not to approve vacating Barbara Road, citing that they, their family, and their neighbors often use the road; a fence put up 20 feet from their driveway to prevent trespassing onto the owner’s property, which they said could cause traffic turnarounds in their driveway, and finally, having to live next to a cattle ranch, which is how the owners plan to lease the property. Commissioners discussed the property owner’s rights and the cul-de-sac that would be established, and approved Item 9.f, therefore vacating the county roads.
Updates
The board heard a series of reports including Finance Director Paul Ludi’s presentation.
He said, “We’re doing really well.”
(The report is available at, www.cibolacountynm.com.)
Cibola General Hospital CEO Thomas Whelan provided the hospital’s Bi-Annual Report, which included information about statistics, services, finances, et cetera. The pandemic certainly affected patient numbers and patient care trends. Whelan pointed out that, despite the pandemic, CGH brought in quite a few new providers, especially pointing out the newly filled orthopedic position and the advantages that came from bringing in that new service.
“We are investing into this community as far as capital is concerned,” concluded Whelan.
County Emergency Manager Dustin Mid-dleton described the Emergency Task Force efforts in distributing COVID-19 vaccines. A total of about 11,715 doses had been given out in Cibola County, adding that for doses per 100 of the population, there was a 55.2 percent vaccination completion, with 21.1 percent of county residents fully vaccinated, according to Middleton who that they were thankful for the community’s support. The commissioners expressed their gratitude to Middleton at the Feb. 25 meeting.
Action items
The commissioners approved a long series of action items. The first two, Item 9.1 and 9.m, concerned Vigil & Associates Architecture Group for work on a Public Safety Building and approving an upgrade to the county surveillance system and establishing disaster recovery software. Next, the vacating and relocation of a road easement for two lots in Elks Ridge Estate was approved. An application for a flood plain permit was approved for Eric Wallace, who will be establishing the new business of a Garden Center in Bluewater Village.
Also approved were the Contract Between Cibola County and Core Civic for the Housing of County Inmates, and a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pueblo of Laguna For Placement of a Radio Tower and Related Equipment on Cibola County Property.
County Manager Kate Fletcher called the MOA “a good thing for all.”
The commissioners approved Resolution 21-19 2021 Annual Certified County Maintained Mileage Report, Resolution 21-20 Authorizing Cibola County to Submit FY22 DWI Application, along with M.O.U. and Statement of Assurances, Resolution 21-21 Budget Adjustment Number 6, Consideration of Advisory Committee Recommendations Regarding Investment of Current Investments, and Resolution 21-22 Investment Policy (revised).
The February 25 regular commission meeting was available for public access on Facebook Live.
Next meeting
Thursday, March 25 at 5 p.m., on Facebook Live.