By Mary Alice Murphy

Grant County Commission Chairman Brett Kasten, before the vote on the agenda for the regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 27, noted that an addition had been made for a declaration of disaster because of the Vanadium water line break.

"The residents of Vanadium have been without water for several days because of a water line break in the Hanover Domestic Water Association lines," Kasten said. "The governor's office has asked for the declaration of disaster as they try to repair the line and provide water to residents."

During public input, Lonnie Sandoval, representing the Loma Verde Subdivision, asked where in the process the road improvements were.

Kasten said the bid had gone out. "We will look at private vendors, but may decide it would be best for the county to do it itself."

County Manager Charlene Webb said the process would take from 15 to 30 days to complete.

James Baldwin, county resident, gave kudos to a nice article by Gwyneth Jones in the Silver City Daily Press on recycling.

"Recycling is not just 9 to 5," Baldwin protested. "Things can be recycled 24/7. The sign recently installed at the bin out front is most visible from the north side of the recycling bin. It's not readable from the steps of the administration center. It should be stated on the sides of the recycling bins. I would like to see one of the large bins at Gough Park or at the Office of Sustainability, where it should be. It would be more convenient for me and many others. I was told the Office of Sustainability didn't want it because people leave trash in the bin and alongside. I have seen the large bin here disappear by mid-morning on Friday and not come back until mid-morning Monday.

"The Sheriff doesn't punish the innocent," Baldwin said. "Why do we who are responsible recyclers get punished? Punish the guilty, not the innocent. I hope you consider putting a bin in the Office of Sustainability area."

The report on the public hearing to expand to a five-person commission and the subsequent vote to approve can be read at: http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/23752-breaking-news-county-commission-approves-expansion-to-five-members

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez gave an overview of the expenditure report, which the commissioners approved. The expenditures were more than $3 million. The details of the financial report and the other agenda items may be read at: http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/23731-grant-county-commissioners-review-thursday-regular-session-agenda

Commissioners approved:
• Two changes to the Grant County Detention Center Policies and Procedures: general administration, uniform and equipment policy, and inmate rights, inmate grievance procedure policy;
• The Grant County Public Shooting Range Advisory Board bylaws;
• The appointment of Frederick S. Grahn to the Parks and Recreation Committee;
• The Grant County Sheriff's Department field interviews and pat-down searches-Policy 26;
• The deletion of public transportation vehicles from inventory. They will be sold at auction; and
• Fire Protection grant applications for Santa Rita VFD to build an additional substation, and the Tyrone VFD to purchase a new engine.

Under contracts and agreements, the commissioner approved an FAA application grant, for which Bohannon Huston consultants will provide services. Also approved was a U.S. Department of Agriculture work and financial plan for the July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Program.

Two approved resolutions are intents to adopt ordinances to repeal outdated existing ordinances from 1984 and 1978, on employee relations and personnel.

A resolution adopting the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) was approved. Kasten said the top five are the Continuum of Care Substance Abuse Treatment facility; a chip spreader for the Road Department; equipment, fixtures and furniture for the Conference Center renovation; improvements to county arterials; and phase 4 of the Bataan Memorial Park.

The resolution declaring disaster because of the water line break to Vanadium residents was also approved.

As the Indigent and Health Plan Claims Board, commissioners approved 64 claims for $45,950.96, two of which were ambulance claims for July and 62 for Gila Regional Medical Center claims.

As commissioners, the three gave their comments. Hall talked about the recent meetings he has attended, which included the Tyrone VFD open house. "It was very impressive. We commissioners applaud what our volunteer fire departments do. They are professionals."

He said he attended a planning session for Workforce. "They will have a meeting for public officials to explain the different programs that can be used in the community." Hall, as the county representative to the New Mexico Association of Counties, also attended the Board of Directors meeting.

Hall and Susie Trujillo, who are members of the Tu Casa, the continuum of care substance abuse treatment facility planning board, presented to several insurance providers on the progress.

"I've also been meeting with citizens on various issues," Hall concluded.

Commission Gabriel Ramos said he wanted to express his appreciation for everyone who works at the county.

He has met with the Eco-Watershed Committee and has had discussions on the Conference Center. "We are also working to get a pathway from Fort Bayard Medical Center to Bataan Memorial Park in case of emergency."

Ramos said, although he missed the latest Southwest County Commissioners Alliance meeting, he heard about the presentation they received from New Mexico Game & Fish, which wants to expand the Glenwood Fish Hatchery to include the native Gila trout.

Kasten said he appreciated the comments from the community on the expansion to five members. "We had hearings in April, May, June, July and August, which is unheard of, but the comments were overwhelmingly positive, which pushed me over the brink to Aye. In October or November, we will discuss how the districts will be divided. May, we will see the budget for the new commissioners, and December will see a decision on salaries."

He said the county would let the bid for the conference center renovation in October. "I believe the Conference Center will be the largest economic driver for the community, because we will be able to hold several events at once. We still have to discuss policies and procedures, and we will likely put in a cleaning fee, because we will need full-time people to keep up with everything."

He said the county has fears of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. layoffs.

Assessor Raul Turrieta, who was no present at Tuesday's work session, said his office is in the process of receiving the tax rates and asked them to be approved at the September meeting.

Kasten confirmed the rates would be on the agenda, and if not received in time, a special meeting would be held to approve them.

The next and only meeting in September will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Grant County Administration Center, unless a special session is called.