GRANTS, N.M. - The Grants City Council had a regular board meeting that took place on May 6. The purpose of this meeting was for the board was to make a decision about appointing a new city councilor and included approval of new liquor license and lodger’s tax approvals.
Appointment of New City Councilor
The agenda for this meeting included the appointment of Tannin Cash to the office of city councilor for district one.
Mayor Erik Garcia asked the other councilors if they had a chance to meet with him. Councilwoman Beverly Michael and Councilman George Garcia were said to have talked to him a little, while Councilor Fred Rodarte said he did not.
Mayor Garcia explained about the candidate, “He is a businessman obviously and he is my choice to be the next city councilor district one… He’s a good businessman. He understands what we’re trying to do to get the city of Grants to the next phases. It really takes a businessman to figure out these type of situations and bring a new dynamic to the table. [The] city of Grants is moving forward. [A] lot [more], [a] lot faster because there’s business people. They’re actually on the frontline table running things right now. Having Mr Cash at the table, he’s currently always involved in the city athletics… He sees improvements that the city of Grants could be doing… He asked questions. ‘How does that work?’ and I explained to him… He would be a good advocate for us to get on the council. He is a younger person… he’s not retired and he still has a lot of skin in the game here in this community. And he is in it for the right reason.” Mayor Garcia continued, “He is in it because I asked the favor of a friend to come help me. So with that can I get [a] discussion?
When asked, Councilman Rodarte said “No discussion from me.”
Councilor Michael hesitated, “I will just be frank that I received several texts, emails, and phone calls not in favor and didn’t receive anything in favor of this individual you want to appoint. That’s all I have to say.”
Mayor Garcia said, “Okay. The text message that you showed you sent him stated what?” A few moments passed before he continued,“You’re going to be frank that he was going to be trying to get money off the city.”
“No, I didn’t say that. I said that his family that…” Beverly Michael said as Mayor Garcia said “want me to read it?” Michael continued, “His business has had city contracts before… And I think that it could be a potential for conflict of interest.”
“It’s not a conflict,” Mayor Garcia said. “Do you know the rules?”
“I’m just stating my point Mr mayor. I don’t want to argue with you.”
“I know, I understand.” “And I have nothing else to say on the matter.”
“I understand,” Mayor Garcia continued. “Mr Cash is not in it to make money off this city. That is 100% false. He makes his own wealth all over the country. He does not need stuff from the City of Grants. This is why the city of Grants doesn’t move forward. We don’t allow people to come into the city government to try to make changes and instead we have people like you” he paused “trying to make the way.”
Mayor Garcia asked Councilor Garcia if he had anything to say, in which the latter said, “I just wanted to say I met with Mr Cash. I never had any personal or professional dealings with the man. We had a pretty good meeting, pretty cordial. After our meeting, I was kind of supportive of him, but of course, I got calls like councilwoman Michael which did surprise me on a lot of controversial issues that we have had in the past. I got more calls, more texts, more faceto- face meetings in the park and at Walmart concerning this appointment from -if you want both sides of the aislewhich surprised me, and most of theme were in negative support of his nomination. And a lot of them were from district one… So those are my comments.”
Mayor Garcia “Thank you… So did you inform Mr Cash that you were in favor of him and then you told him that you were not in favor of him? The second meeting?”
“Yes,” Councilor Garcia responded.
“You did tell him that?” Mayor Garcia questioned.
“Yes.” “Okay sir. Thank you. Can I get a motion please?”
About half a minute passed before Councilor Michael broke the silence saying, “Point of order with no motion.”
Mayor Garcia asked for a reviewing.
Michael continued “With no motion, we will-” “Point of order, ma’am,” Mayor Garcia said.
Over a minute of silence went by as the councilors sat there and the mayor flipped through papers.
Mayor Garcia broke the silence saying “Okay. Dies of a lack of interest.”
On the day of this meeting, it had been 90 days without a representative councilor for district 1. The mayor has 45 days left to find representation.
La Ventana Steakhouse Liquor License
“Liquor license application has received preliminary approval from the state alcohol and licensing division and has been referred to the City of Grants for final action for La Ventana Steakhouse.” City Clerk Fran Salas continued, “The applicant has completed the requirements set by the state alcohol and gaming division for preliminary approval. These requirements include submission of a completed application, background review of the applicant, verification of the business location, and compliance with state licensing criteria under the Liquor Control Act. The division has reviewed the application and issued preliminary approval which indicated the applicant meets the state’s initial requirements. The matter is now before the city council.”
The city council approved the request.
Lodger’s Tax Approvals
The Grants Rodeo Association has received several Supplemental Lodger’s Tax Awards for various events. The Pow Wow Event has been awarded $3,500, the Wild West Days $5,000, and the Rugged West UTV Rally Event also $5,000. Additionally, Grants MainStreet has been granted $3,750 for their 4th of July Event.
A recommendation was made to award Roberta’s Place a contract for a waterline extension to Remark Construction, Inc. through the New Mexico State Pricing Agreement, totaling $387,640.60, including NMGRT.
The 2026 Ford Transit Type II Ambulance from Siddons-Martin Emergency Group has been approved with a total cost of $184,050.00.
Sea Western Emergency Vehicles has been selected to supply a Model 5 Stock 5/6 DRW Brush Truck to Grants Fire & Rescue. Chief Mike Maes explained, “This is a retroactive governing body ratification request.” Chief Maes went on to say that the current brush truck is over 20 years old, undergoing major repairs, and the department is under an active burn ban. The Defender, the only available unit, has proven reliable but is insufficient for current needs. The proposed truck, the last of its kind available at the price of $373,000, is currently on hold for Grants Fire & Rescue. The funding for this purchase will be sources from cash, Chief Maes said, “This is not going to come out of the general fund. This is what I think finance and the city manager do very well is planning ahead and they were able to find the money for this.”