The recent Grants City Council Meeting discusses the Grants Animal Care Center, Double Six Art Gallery, 2024 Fire & Rescue report and awards, and the 2025 Police Department progress. At this meeting, Grants Mayor Erik Garcia and Grants City Councilor George Garcia quashed an argument that had erupted between them in these chambers at the last regular meeting and spilled into social media. In this meeting, Mayor Garcia extended his hand to Councilor Garcia and the two agreed to squash their argument.
Animal Care Center
Grants Animal Care Center has been overcrowded for a long time. In the past, this has led to euthanizing animals. Although there is a city ordinance in hopes of no longer being able to euthanize an animal for this reason, it does not fix the overcrowding issue.
Two weeks ago, there were 138 dogs and cats staying in the shelter. Recently, 22 dogs have left, becoming rescue dogs, and putting the number down to 117. Behavioral Health has helped with organizing and assessing the dogs, who may start helping the police. If the shelter is able, they will receive a grant, which will pay for the animals transportation.
This Animal Care Center urges pet owners to microchip or use an ID tag for their animal. It will make it easier to find them if they get lost. They may not even go to the shelter if the proper information is provided to return it to its home quickly. An ID tag only costs $5 and microchips are $25.
Double Six Art Gallery
The Cibola Arts Council has done an analysis of the gallery’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
The CAC is hoping to improve the gallery in new ways. This will include outreach and programming. The board members consisted of four, but has now multiplied, with nine on the board, and two more being added this year. The board members are a very crossselection of people, as one is a wealth management person, there are two masters of the arts, and others help with programming. The gallery has engaged with Pueblo’s and may have both administrators from Laguna and Tacoma at the gallery.
On January 25, Navajo storytellers and dancers will perform at the gallery. Dio de Los Muertos will have a carnival, workshop, and parade. The parade, if all goes as planned, will be like those in Mexico City, with large peppers and vivid colors.
Every fourth Saturday, the gallery is looking to have live music, poetry reading, or another type of entertainment.
Focus group sessions are being initiated to learn what the public wishes to see from the gallery. There has been a session on the 12th and the 16th. There will be another one on the 28th at 10 to 11 a.m. Everyone is encouraged to go and give their opinion as well as ideas.
Public Safety
Other topics discussed during this meeting included the accomplishments of Grants Fire & Rescue over the past year. There were 2,917 reports for services provided, which is 467 more than the previous year, 2023. 388 of these calls were firebased calls, 43 were brushes, and 30 were woodlands. There was an explosion and one hazmat incident, as well as 5 vehicle crashes, 127 fires, 52 smoke checks, 44 structure fires, and one vehicle fire. There were about 26 services provided daily.
This year, a plan for disasters is going to be updated. Last updated in December of 2023, Grants Fire and Rescue believe it is necessary to modify it, considering natural disasters across the country.
The annual, 21-year-old Christmas party involved public safety personnel nominating their peers for awards.
The rookie EMS provider of the year 2024 is paramedic Nelson Dominguez EMS provider of the year EMT basic Josh Salazar Rookie firefighter of the year, Brandon Garcia.
Firefighter of the year, Coy Maes Lastly, officer of the year, Lieutenant Anthony Valencia Grants Police Department has already made 26 arrests this year, as well as retrieved four stolen vehicles. Three cadets will be joining the academy on January 26 and graduating on May 20.
Other Business
The Northwest New Mexico Region Solid Waste Authority has put in for grant, in hopes of getting a swiffer.
Grants Memorial Municipal Airport will finish construction at the end of May and host an event called “Wings and Wheels” originally meant to take place in the springtime, will now be in the summer, unless the location changes.
The golf course, courtesy of Golf Course Board Member Dr. Valdivia, the golf course will be improved in several different ways.
This new year will bring changes and improvements to many departments throughout our city, as we hope to improve it.