VILLAGE OF MILAN, N.M.
The Village of Milan held a workshop meeting on Thursday, March 10, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the workshops is usually to discuss topics and information that will appear on the agenda of the following regular board meeting a week later. This gives board members an opportunity to prepare and hear more about the items they will be voting on at the next meeting. Sometimes, the workshops also allow employees such as the village clerk or village manager to seek guidance and direction on issues that do not require an official vote.
Milan Mayor Felix Gonzales, who was recently re-elected for a second term as the mayor of Milan, Mayor Pro tem Vivian Brumbelow, and Trustee Roseanne Lopez were all present, with Trustee Lopez present virtually. Trustee Chris Archuleta and Trustee Ellen Baca, who attended her last meeting as trustee in February, were absent. There were no citizens looking to address the board.
Village Clerk Denise Baca started off the discussion portion by stating that an item regarding purchasing policy would be on the next agenda. Village Finance Director Candi Williams elaborated, adding that the village does not currently have a procurement policy in place. According to https://www.gmpgov.com /what-is-government-procurement/, “Government procurement is the process by which the government acquires the goods and services it needs by purchasing from commercial businesses. Since agencies of the government use taxpayer money, there are a number of regulations on how to use it properly and responsibly.” This is why governments create procurement policies, which Williams said the village is currently in the process of drafting for themselves.
Baca said that the agenda would also include a Code of Ethics for employees and a Code of Ethics for governing body members. The village clerk also stated that the village has sought out quotes for the reconstruction of a pavement basketball court at Mirabal Park. Baca said that the lowest bidder came in at right over $23,000, “which is pretty close to what we have left on that grant, so that will finalize the grant and close that out.” The upcoming agenda will also include an intergovernmental agreement between Cibola County and the Village of Milan that involves the housing of inmates in the local prison in Milan.
“Cibola County… has a contract with the prison to house a hundred beds. However, they have allowed for Milan and for Grants to book prisoners into the jail under their contract,” explained Village Manager Linda Cooke. Financial Director Williams also let the board know that there would be some budget adjustments to vote on that she described as third quarter clean-up bar adjustments.
The agenda will also feature an ordinance, specifically Ordinance 284, concerning Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and the E911 system for addressing. This system is used in assisting public safety and emergency communications. The board will also see a Personal Exposure Reporting (PER) report on behalf of Milan Volunteer Fire Department regarding volunteer fire department employees. This report handles recording the exposures that firefighters face so that they can best protect themselves from jobrelated illnesses, such as cancer, tuberculosis, etc. Baca also said the village has a Request for Proposal (RFP) that the board would be making decisions on as well.
Mayor Gonzales then announced that the next Board of Trustees regular meeting would be held on Thursday, March 17, at 5:30 p.m. A Milan Planning and Zoning meeting is on Thursday, April 7, at 4:30 p.m., a Board of Trustees workshop is on Thursday, April 14, at 5:30 p.m., and a Board of Trustees regular meeting is on Thursday, April 21, at 5:30 p.m. The swearing in of elected officials will be on Friday, April 1, at 9:00 a.m., which will be followed by an organizational meeting.