By Roger Lanse

Skip Thacker and the Bridge Community Board, directors of a proposal to construct a senior care facility offering all levels of care, asked support from the council for their project by requesting three things; that the town would (1) agree to be the fiscal agent for the development, (2) consider the incorporation of 10-15 acres to the project, and (3) assist in the acquisition of any alternate funding that may be required.

"Based on a feasibility study," Thacker said, "we could have up to 70 residents covering independent living, assisted living, skilled care, memory care and hospice care. The project would generate about 37 primary jobs and possibly another 100 plus secondary jobs."

After some discussion involving anecdotes of people leaving Silver City and Grant County because of a lack of this kind of senior care, Town Manager Alex Brown called it "a worthy project." Brown opined that the town could do what it did with Hidalgo Medical Services, in fact, he said, "We just turned over ownership of the facility to HMS."

Mayor Michael Morones recommended to staff that they continue working with the Bridge Community Board to develop the facility adding that "Based on what Mr. Brown said, I think we could handle being the fiscal agent if need be. I think we do have some opportunities with land and I don't think that would be a huge burden."

George Julian Dworin, representing the Silver City Arts and Cultural District, gave the council a report showing "a little bit of what we do in advertising" in the January through March quarter. Dworin displayed a New Mexico Magazine containing a centerfold of many photos of people dancing at the Silver City Pickamania and a back cover featuring the City of Rocks.

Following the success of the recently held Continental Divide Trail Days, Dworin stated the event will become annual and stated. "I'm huge on the Continental Divide Trail."

Dworin stated that the SCACD expected to send out 20,000 "101 Things to Do in Silver City" postcards this year, but they have already sent out 10,000 and have ordered 10,000 more. He reported that visits at the Visitor Center have increased 13 percent this quarter over last year, with March showing a 55 percent increase over the same period. In fact, Dworin stated, almost 3,000 people stopped at the Visitor Center in March, the most people in a month ever. "The Cliff Dwellings and the City of Rocks also had double-digit increases," he said.

Silver City MainStreet Manager Lucy Whitmarsh also presented a quarterly report to the council stating that statistically only 12 percent of downtown buildings are vacant despite the perception that there are more.

The Silver City Public Library Director described a survey soon to be released to the public and asked that people complete the survey forms so that library staff can be sure the needs of the community are being addressed. As a bonus, she said, completing the survey also makes the resident eligible for entry into a prize drawing.

Regarding the status of the town's 2016 budget, Brown described one of the obstacles the town faces in drawing up the budget is benefits. Brown stated that the 2015 budget totals $9.4 million of which $7.2 million is salaries and benefits. He said for every $1 the town spends on salaries, we spend about 78 cents on benefits. "Benefits are a huge factor when we attempt to develop a budget," Brown stated.

Deputy Finance Director Anita Norero said that her office is projecting $10 million in revenue for the 2016 fiscal year due to increases in gross receipts and property taxes.

Brown indicated that residents may go to the town's website for a more detailed look at the budget process.

Jack Brennan and Michelle Giels, co-directors of the Tour of the Gila bicycle race, and representing the Little Toad Creek Distillery and the Little Toad Creek Brewery, asked the council to approve two public celebration permit applications for a beer and spirit garden on May 2, from 12 noon to 7 p.m., at 703 N. Bullard Street, which the council did.

Faye McCalmont, representing the Mimbres Region Arts Council, requested the council approve a special dispenser permit application for the Silver City Blues and Bikes Fest on May 22, from noon to 8 p.m., and on May 23, from noon to 9 p.m., at Park and Pope Street. The council approved that request, too.

Regarding the upcoming Highway 90 bridge project, District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison asked residents to be patient during the first part of traffic rerouting saying, "As we get into it
there will probably be changes to improve traffic flow."

District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith suggested that the town may have to rethink some downtown summer events and the impact rerouted traffic will have on them.

Mario Quintana, director of the Senior Olympics, was recognized by District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano for his dedication to the event.

Morones also declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Silver City and Patricia Hamilton of the Children, Youth and Families Department accepted the proclamation.