Grants City Councilors were busy in January, approving funding for the Cibola Comprehensive Community Health Council and the new Multi-Use Arena at the Grants Rodeo Grounds.
The special city council meeting to approve these funds was held on January 23. The meeting began with city councilors scrapping a proposed city proclamation which would have supported Harry Garcia’s ascent to the vacant House District 6 seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Mayor Erik Garcia asked the council to approve the agenda, leaving this proclamation off after Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham rejected the nomination and is requiring the government of Cibola County, not the City of Grants, to send her a nominee.
After the formalities of cleaning up the agenda, councilors moved on to business.
Heath Council
The Grants City Council made efforts to support the Comprehensive Community Health Council.
The approval of a small purchase contract relating to the comprehensive community health program was approved for up to $19,000.
A committee has been formed in the health programs; in order to conduct interviews, which Marcy Chavez has been chosen for the position. Chavez is a long-term resident of Grants, as well as a graduate of Grants High School. She shared about her commitment to healthcare challenges in the community and expressed her passion for expanding healthcare services and improving community health.
She has fourteen years of experience in healthcare administration, including roles at regional medical centers and a healthcare AI startup.
“I’m really excited to continue my mom’s work with the Health Council and expand on it,” Chavez shared. “There’s a lot of grant funding available, and our goal is to leverage these resources to attract healthcare providers and address priorities such as mental health and substance misuse.”
Members of the Grants City Council inquired about how they could support Chavez in her effort.
She emphasized the need for open communication to understand community needs better and the importance of building relationships with stakeholders to seek additional funding and resources.
The council agreed to update the language to reflect a “small purchase contract for services” instead of an invoice. With the council's support, Chavez is set to take on this vital role, aiming to continue the legacy of her mother while driving forward the health initiatives that are critical for the community's wellbeing.
As the discussions progressed, there was a sense of hope and determination to build a healthier future for Grants.
The session concluded with a commitment from both the council and Chavez to collaborate closely, ensuring that the resources and support needed for community health programs are effectively utilized and expanded.
Multi-Purpose Arena CDEC Cost
The Continental Divide Electric Company was approved their estimate of $30,881.09 excluding gross receipts taxes.
This money will be used to upgrade the electricity for the large facility of Grants multi-purpose arena. It will include an underground path for the primary single phase and a 167 KVA pad mount transformer.
During this meeting, it was emphasized that the money will only be used for electric, not fiber optics for the internet.
The Wi-Fi services will be discussed with the rodeo association in the future.
The estimate of the material cost is $16,366.95 and the Labor Engineering and Construction crew cost is $14,514.15.
Nimitz Design Phase 3
The Wilson and Company proposal for $74,799 was approved.
Phase 3 of the sewer replacement, which is a professional engineering service, will begin sometime before the summer of 2026.
The design will include complete replacement of the water and sewer from Clovis Avenue to east Sage Street.
1,600-linear feet of water line and approximately 1,000 linear feet of sewer lining replacement will be replaced on Nimitz drive, which is part of the $5 million waste water fund. This project is currently in development and will be a big project. There are other projects in the area as well for repaving the roadways, curbs, and gutters.