Photo: Grant County commissioners proclaim Dec. 3-10 “Think Local, Buy Local First Week.” Awarding the proclamation to Southwest New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce Director Cissy McAndrew, second from left, are Commissioner Gabriel Ramos at left; Commission Chairman Brett Kasten, second from right; and Commissioner Christy Miller, at right.
Grant County commissioners proclaimed Dec. 3-10 as “Think Local, Buy Local First Week,” and presented it to Southwest New Mexico Green Chamber Director Cissy McAndrew.
She encouraged the public to take part in the Tamale Fiesta from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, on Broadway in downtown Silver City.
Prizes will be awarded to the best-tasting traditional tamale and gourmet tamale.
McAndrew noted that “nationally, everyone is talking about buying local.”
Commissioners appointed two new members to the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees. Because of a change in policy and so both will not come off at the same time, Dr. Darrick Nelson was named to a 2 ½ year appointment, and Dr. Robert Carreon to a 1 ½ year appointment. Their terms will begin Jan. 1, and end June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively.
County Manager Jon Paul Saari said he would notify GRMC about providing orientation for them.
Commissioners approved some changes to deposit and rental fees for county-owned facilities.
Commissioner Gabriel Ramos, who serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee, which made the recommendation for changes, presented the new rates.
For the smaller rooms in the County Business and Conference Center deposits will rise to $200, with rental rates of $75 for a half-day up to four hours, except for the combined Fort Bayard/Juniper Room, which will be $100. A full day up to eight hours will rent for $150, except for the combined Fort Bayard/Juniper Room, which will be $200. Any additional hours will incur a $25 per hour cost.
The front hall and rear halls each will require a $400 deposit and a half-day charge of $200 and a full-day charge of $400. The entire conference center, including smaller rooms, will require a $750 deposit and a half-day rental of $750 and a full-day rental of $1,500, with additional hours incurring a $250 per hour charge.
Commissioner Christy Miller asked if the committee had looked at other similar facility rates throughout the state.
Ramos said they compared with the Mimbres Conference Center in Deming by square-foot.
“Some of our deposits are larger than the rental fee, because we want to cover the cleanup costs we incur,” Ramos said. “There will be an inspection before and after each rental. If the group cleans up, the deposit will be returned.”
Assessor Randy Villa, also a member of the committee, said groups need time to set up and take down, and that is in the policy.
Saari pointed out that the rental fees run on four-hour half days and eight-hour full days. The groups for events over more than one day are not charged when they are not open.
Kasten worried that if hourly costs go too high for a group, “we may drive people back to the Armory.”
Ramos said the policy was set to cover costs, “not make money.”
Kasten pointed out that during large events, no other event could be held, but “ I want us to take care of the four big events, because they bring in people from outside the area and boost the local economy.”
Miller said she wanted to bring up the policy section about county employees receiving a 90 percent discount on rental rates.
“You may be beating a dead horse,” Ramos said. “It's been in the policy for five or six years.”
Resident James Baldwin suggested a map be created to show the rates of each room in the facility. Commissioners agreed it was a good idea. Baldwin also inquired about the discount.
Kasten said the issue would be addressed in January.
Commissioners approved:
• The Emergency Medical Services annual report and EMS Fund Act Local Program Application for fiscal year 2013 for GRMC and Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue;
• An amendment to a grant agreement between the Department of Finance and Administration and the Grant County DWI Program to increase funding by $6,340 to $88,440 for supplies, services and operating costs;
• Termination of a professional service agreement with the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office at the request of Lekisha Marquez;
• An annual host agency agreement between the Aging and Long-Term Services Department and Grant County for the Senior Employment Program;
• A project agreement between the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau and the Sheriff's Department for $3,916 for overtime for Operation Buckle Down for seatbelt compliance; and
• An additional project agreement between the DOT Traffic Safety Bureau and the Sheriff's Department for $25,811 for Operation DWI for personnel services, supplies and equipment.
A resolution to support the New Mexico Association of Counties legislative priorities was passed. The top priorities include:
• Support for a mechanism to correct property tax inequities and resolve the current constitutionality problem;
• Allow Public Employees Retirement Association retirees to serve as poll workers without risking loss of retirement benefits;
• Decriminalize traffic violations in New Mexico;
• Increase the portion of state liquor excise tax allocated to the Local Governments DWI Fund and dedicate a portion of that increase to the Administrative Office of the Courts for state drug courts;
• Create a system to ensure that local option gross receipts taxes are being remitted directly to the state, with the proper location code, to ensure payment of revenues to local government; and
• Empower County Commissions to ban all fireworks in their jurisdictions during extreme drought conditions.
Baldwin, after hearing the list, said he was glad this year's priorities “are more sensible.”
A resolution was approved authorizing the submission of a New Mexico Community Development Block Grant Program to Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division and authorizing the county manager to act as the representative in all matters pertaining to the county's participation in the CDBG program.
The application would provide funding to connect the Arenas Valley and Santa Clara water distribution systems. It is part of a proposed regional water system from the Grant County Airport to Hurley through the mining district to Silver City.
Commissioners also approved a bid for a 10,000-gallon double-walled storage tank for diesel fuel to D&H Petroleum for $29,870.
As the Grant County Indigent and Health Care Claims Board, commissioners approved an indigent burial certificate for Floyd Harrington, and the October indigent claims for 485 claims at $572,866.95 and for November, 495 claims at $446,229.71.
Saari gave the treasurer's report for Treasurer Alfred Sedillo, who was busy collecting taxes. So far, $4.1 million has been collected at a 33.7 percent collection rate. Saari explained that not all the taxes collected are county taxes, but must be distributed to the taxing agencies. Second-half taxes are delinquent on Dec. 10.
Saari recognized Western New Mexico President Joseph Shepard in the audience, and two county employees, Public Works Director Justin Reese and Human Resources Coordinator Renae Calloway, who would receive their master's degrees at the WNMU Commencement on Friday.
The commissioners moved into executive session to discuss limited personnel matters regarding employee violation of vehicle policy, and to discuss real property and water rights, specifically the possible acquisition of real property. The meeting was adjourned from the executive session.
The next work session and regular meetings will take place in January.