A Grants Special City Council Meeting was held on the 13th, lasting nearly one hour. Lodgers tax was the main discussion, while Spokes on 66 and the Tri-State Fireman’s Association were briefly spoken about, additionally there was over twenty minutes of executive session.
Lodger’s Tax Approvals
Grants MainStreet Project received $25,000 of their requested $35,475.
Grants Chamber of Commerce was approved $47,000 of the $191,300 requested, which will be used to cover advertising expenses for the 4th of July, Rugged West, and billboards.
Cibola Historical Society Museum was approved for $8,000 instead of the requested $15,850.
Cibola Arts Council was approved $5,000, $2,200 less than they had requested.
New Mexico Mining Museum was approved for $70,000, while they had requested $140,620.
Grants Rodeo Association requested $122,500, but will receive $45,000.
Mt. Taylor Quad will get $40,000 of $43,200, which will be used for race t-shirts, race finisher medals, awards, and the prize money.
Cibola Trail Alliance was approved for $4,000, which is $3,700 less than requested.
American Legion Riders Chapter requested $14,000 and was approved $8,000. This money will be used for the approved advertisement, office equipment, entertainment and awards.
Cibola County 4-H Shooting Sports was to receive $3,650 of the $8,434 for an event, which has been canceled due to the items being submitted not galling under Lodger’s Tax approved items. The money will go back into the account for special request, or if the July event ends up happening, they will receive the money for advertising, banners, and golf course green fees.
Spokes on 66
According to Main Street Board Member Kenneth Brown, one of the people responsible for the event, the turnout was better than they had expected.
Participating vehicles amounted in 147 and approximately 6,600 people came into the area, 3,100 were from Grants, while the rest were from various places in New Mexico and surrounding states.
The goal for next year is to have 250 cars participating on Route 66 Centennial Spokes on 66.
Next year they intend to keep the same route, with no plan on going further down the rode since that may block areas that people need access to.
“Overall, I think it was a great success.” Brown admitted.
“It was fun, everyone enjoyed it.” Councilor Beverly Michael agreed.
According to Brown, the venders said their business was wonderful, one food truck owner said they made $4-6,000 in sales during the event.
At the time of the event, the funding for the PA system park improvement hadn’t come in, but will be ready by next year’s event. The PA system idea is either to have one microphone that allows the speaker to be heard in Fire & Ice Park, City Hall, and Riverwalk Park or to have septette sound systems for each one. This will help with holiday events and more. The funding received for this exceeded their request, being $70,000.
It was also suggested by a council member that if the 4H doesn’t host the event and therefore not need the money, that the council give it to Main Street.
Tri-State Fireman’s Association
The Tri-State Fireman’s Association was approved $14,000 of the requested $24,000 for its 87th annual convention, which will be hosted by Lee Ranch Emergency Response Team.
This money will be used for hats, T-shirts, and mugs in registration bags for all the visitors. Unlike the previous years, when visitors had to purchase the items, it will free for them so more visitors could be attracted and ready to go to the event next year, when Milan will host it.
This three day event includes a meet and greet, training, volleyball, horseshoe, corn hole, a banquet, and a Route 66 cruise instead of a parade. The sponsors of this even will have a banner in front of their store, which will be seen during the cruise, showing everyone who helped make the event possible.
During the approximately 20 minute executive session, pending or threatened litigation and the Bond-Gunderson settlement were discussed and tabled, which also tabled budget adjustment No. 7.