MILAN, N.M. – The Village of Milan Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Friday, June 25 and a workshop on Wednesday, July 7. During the June 25 special meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed changes to the administrative staff, and an emergency purchase approval item, regarding a water well pump that must be fixed; the purchase was approved.
Administrative changes
The board went into closed session to discuss limited personnel matters regarding the village manager position. Former Village Manager Sarah Austin recently stepped down from the position, leaving the board with the task of finding Austin’s replacement. After exiting closed session and reconvening, Village Mayor Felix Gonzales provided a statement indicating that no final decisions were made inside of the closed session.
The board then went on to the next item, listing personnel matters regarding the fire chief position. Former Milan Fire Chief Keith Austin also recently took an exit from his position with the village. During the meeting, Mayor Gonzales appointed Daniel Urioste as the new Milan Fire Chief, and the board approved the appointment. Urioste would start right away at 5 p.m. of former Chief Austin’s last day.
“You can’t be without a fire chief,” Mayor Gonzales later added about the swift appointment.
Regular business
Mayor Pro Tem Vivian Brumbelow and Trustee Chris Archuleta were both absent from the July 7 workshop. During the brief gathering, the Board of Trustees discussed various village topics as they were given updates from Village Clerk Denise Baca. These topics/updates included receiving a Clean and Beautiful Grant of $3,388.15, an ordinance draft for consideration regarding marijuana, a local government road fund resolution and agreement needing to be adopted, a request from human resources for a closed session regarding the village manager and fire chief positions, a request to review the fire chief contract ordinance, a request from Milan Police Chief Carl Ustupski to review ordinance 190 regarding fee increases, and the Milan Swimming Pool open swim schedule.
The swim schedule can be viewed by visiting the Milan Swimming Pool department on the Village of Milan website. The Board of Trustees were grateful to have the schedule situated so that locals and kids can have something to do for the remainder of the summer.
A Milan Planning and Zoning meeting was held on Thursday, July 8, and a Milan Board of Trustees regular meeting will be held on Thursday, July 15 at 5:30 p.m.