City of Grants In Need of City Charter Advisory Committee Members, Approves Supporting Safe Haven for Infants Act and Awards Second Street Shared Loop Trail Construction to Compass Engineering

GRANTS, NM – This Grants City Council held discussions regarding public safety and the city charter advisory committee. During these discussions, councilors were informed by the city clerk that work cannot continue on revising the city charter until these positions are filled. Councilors approved two bond council fees, an award to compass engineering for the shared walking loop trail, and the approval of a new attorney to represent the City of Grants in the Lisa Rains v. City of Grants lawsuit. The final Special City Council Meeting of 2023 was held on December 20.

With two members of the city charter advisory board resigning, there are now two open spots, one of which being for an individual that resides in District 3 and another for an individual that resides in any of the districts. City Clerk Frances Salas said that the advisory board will not be able to hold any meetings until these two spots are filled.

A presentation for Fire Chief Robert Hays retirement ceremony was originally included in the agenda but was moved to next month’s regular city council meeting.

Representative Harry Garcia along with New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division Director Pedro Rael gave a presentation regarding funding opportunities for the Grants-Milan Municipal Airport. Rael began by saying that the city received a $1.5 million grant from the New Mexico State Legislature for the airport and that grant was matched from the State Aviation Division with $1 million. Rael said that he wants to make sure that the city begins the work that was required by that grant, so they do not lose the funding. Some of the funding that Rael spoke about that the city can take advantage of is funding from the aviation division that they can use for general management costs, the other funding opportunity he spoke about was that there is still money left over from the funding appropriated to the airports in the state of New Mexico by the New Mexico legislature.

A discussion regarding public safety is given every month during the council meeting. Fire Chief Robert Hays gave his updates regarding the Grants Fire Department. The fire department hired three EMTs for the ambulance program that they are putting together. Hays said that they are also close to getting their PRC license and pharmacy license and that they are anticipating receiving these licenses at the end of January.

Police Chief Maxine Monte gave her updates regarding the Grants Police Department. Monte said that the department put together an operation to combat shoplifting in the area. The police department contacted Bernalillo Police Department and the Municipal Legue to assist in putting together this operation. Monte said that their first operation was successful, and they were able to charge two individuals for shoplifting. GPD is looking forward to continuing these operations throughout the year. Monte also said that they partnered with New Mexico State Police to conduct a DWI checkpoint, GPD ended the checkpoint with two warrant arrests with one of the individuals having several felony warrants. GPD has also been receiving their new units. Monte ended her updates with saying that GPD is going to continue to promote the ATV rally and they are wanting to grow it even further. They are looking at working with the Department of Transportation to allow ATV’s to drive on Santa Fe Avenue, First and Second Street, and any other state roads in the area during the rally.

Hays came forward with a resolution for the city to approve regarding the New Mexico Safe Haven for Infants Act. The fire department has been looking to install a safe haven baby box. Hays said that the approval of the council to support the New Mexico Safe Haven for Infants Act is the first step in installing the baby box. The Act first adopted by the New Mexico State Legislature in 2005 seeks to promote the safety of infants and to immunize parents from criminal prosecution for leaving an infant, ninety days of age or less, at a safe haven site. With approval of the resolution the City of Grants commits itself to expanding public awareness of the Act, provide training to ensure compliance with the Act, as well as raise awareness regarding safe haven sites within the City of Grants which include Grants Fire and Rescue, Grants Police Department, Cibola General Hospital, and Licensed Health Care Clinics. The council approved the resolution to support the Act.

The City of Grants went out to bid on the Second Street Shared Loop Trail project and opened bids on November 28. There were two bids received and both amounts include NMGRT, one from H.O. Construction for $1,918,427.43 and the other from Compass Engineering for $1,820,805.94. Special Projects Coordinator Shannon DeVine requested that the council approve to award Compass Engineering the Loop Trail project. The amount will be paid for by FHWA funds from NMDOT. Councilor Fred Rodarte had one concern regarding awarding Compass which was if this would stretch out the work for Compass due to them already working on Roosevelt Bridge. Devine responded by saying that by the time Compass is finished with Roosevelt Bridge they will begin the Loop Trail so there will be no issues. The council approved the award to Compass Engineering.

With the completion of work for the wastewater and water system improvements the city was required to pay a flat fee of $21,000 excluding NMGRT to the bond counsel. DeVine requested the council to approve paying the invoice in the amount of $22,627.50 and the invoice will be paid out of USDA funds. The council approved to pay the invoice for both the wastewater and water system improvements totaling $45,255.

With the City of Grants going to construction for the shared loop trail, construction management is needed. DeVine requested that the city approve Wilson & Company construction management for the project in the amount of $527,394.40 including NMGRT. FHWA funds awarded to the city will cover the fee. The council approved the construction management.

The council then went into executive session regarding legal representation for the Lisa Rains v. City of Grants lawsuit. Following the executive session, the council approved a new attorney for the lawsuit with no discussion.

All meetings are livestreamed and available to watch live or replayed on the City of Grants Facebook page and the City of Grants NM YouTube Channel.