Council removes ‘City Manager’s Contract’ from agenda
GRANTS, N.M. – City of Grants Council Mayor Pro Tem Rick Lucero responded to one person’s concerns about charter compliance during Monday’s meeting. A resident stated that for the time that she has lived in Cibola County, charter compliance has seemed to be an issue. She then passionately said that it was the council’s responsibility to know what is in the charter and uphold it, especially when questions arise about whether the city complies with the stated requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Lucero believes the issue is not a matter of the council not knowing what is in the charter, but of not being sure of exactly what they are not in compliance with. City Manager Laura Jaramillo added that sometimes differences of opinion regarding governmental texts, such as a charter, arise simply because there are various interpretations possible. Councilor Fred Rodarte later commented that he has had numerous conversations with attorneys that indicate the council follows the charter. Another resident thanked the councilors for their service, mentioned the charter and said, “Noncompliance is not a new issue.”
Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks did not attend the March 15 meeting. The council skipped agenda item three, City Manager’s Contract, following a motion to remove it because no information was attached, and the council had no knowledge of what the mayor had planned to discuss.
Economic Development
Manager Jaramillo presented a PowerPoint for item four, Economic Development Planning Session. This included research results about what helps small towns and rural communities, a list of priorities for the community that the economic development board had assessed in December of 2019 along with lists of both ongoing and potential projects.
At the end of the presentation, which can be accessed through the online agenda on the city website: cityofgrants.net, the manager asked the councilors to review the lists and determine what they think are the most realistic top priorities. During the discussion, Councilor Lucero emphasized economic development geared towards some of the outdoor recreation the town already has and is further developing. Councilor Rodarte emphasized ideas of cleanliness, truck stops, and a weapon’s shooting range. Councilor Rodarte and Public Works Director Mark Teshima discussed a shooting range in Clovis, New Mexico and how they were able to efficiently bring in that new source of economic development, which resulted in an “incredible return outcome.” Councilor Fred Padilla emphasized truck stops, the Grants Rodeo Grounds RV Park, outdoor recreation and trails, an RV resort at Coyote Del Malpais Golf Course, and community events such as the Bike Rally, Wild West Days, and the Quadrathlons as being the best potential ideas. Councilor Erik Garcia shared what he thought would and would not be realistic emphasizing community and Riverwalk cleanup first and foremost, water displays, and promoting the local New Mexico State University-Grants campus more around town. The council ended the discussion satisfied with all the potential project options.
Resolutions
The council approved a couple of resolutions, Resolution 21-1713 – NMDOT Municipal Arterial Program Participation, Roosevelt Avenue Bridge, and Resolution 21-1714 – Community Development Block Grant Certifications & Commitments, after presentations given by Special Projects Manager Donald Jaramillo. It was during these presentations the D. Jaramillo said that construction of the new Mesa View Elementary School is anticipated to begin in 2023-24. Finally, the council discussed opting into a new election calendar option, which would move elections from March of even years to November of odd years. The new option would cut Councilors Padilla’s and Lucero’s terms by three months. The council decided to table the item and discuss it again later, before the June 30 deadline, when they had more information. Councilor Garcia recalled the challenges faced by newly elected officials who take office in April following the March elections. He said it was almost overwhelming how much budget information he had to deal with in three months as a new councilor because the fiscal year ends June 30.
Councilors’ comments
In their closing comments, the council discussed the standing water under the new Washington Avenue bridge, Well Number Three, possible water restrictions for public parks, the Bike Rally, fertilizing and watering of the Coyote del Malpais Golf Course, when Future Family Foundation Center will open again, and praise for the Cibola County Senior center and their food.