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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 13 November 2015 13 November 2015

Editor's Note: This article will be a combination of the work session on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and the regular session on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015. The differences are that discussion on agenda items generally happens at the work session, and public input is allowed at the regular meeting.

 At left, Law enforcement officers were recognized by DWI Coordinator Cindy McClean, second from right, first row. Included in the photo are the awardees, the commissioners and other law enforcement personnel there to support their fellow officers.

 

 

 

Below, Cindy McClean, second from right, accepts the proclamation for DWI Awareness week for Nov. 16-21 from Commissioners Gabriel Ramos, left, Brett Kasten, second from left, and Ron Hall, at right.

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

The first item of business for the regular session held Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, was a public preliminary hearing for the Wind Canyon and Fleming Tank Road subdivision road improvements.

"This will be the first preliminary hearing for the Wind Canyon subdivision," County Planner Anthony Gutierrez said at the work session. "It has a large number of parcels. Ray Castillo (who works in the planning department) has to verify each parcel's info and verify the signatures of the residents with each parcel. This hearing will be an opportunity for residents to voice opposition to the assessment district."

 

 

He said one of the issues to be determined was the estimated costs. "Earl Moore (Road Department Superintendent) separated the trucking cost outside what the county had planned to spend, so the residents would know their costs might include the extra cost to expedite the timeline. If we use our equipment and labor, it will take longer. Earl's equipment and labor are already budgeted, but it will take away from regular maintenance of county roads."

Commissioner Ron Hall asked if it took less time, would it cost more. Gutierrez confirmed if an outside trucking company were used, it would cost a little over $200 more per parcel for less time.

"This has been a learning process for Ray, and I had to learn it, too, because Dori (Dominguez, retired ordinance officer) had been doing it for years," Gutierrez said. "Plus just the process is lengthy."

During the regular session public input, Frank Bielfeld of Wind Canyon thanked the county manager Charlene Webb, Attorney Abigail Robinson, Commissioners Brett Kasten, Gabriel Ramos and Ron Hall. "We're here because of the work session questions about payment. For two-and-a-half years, we've been told we would pay for the materials and the county would pay for the labor and equipment. We have 126 properties represented. We pay about $100,000 in annual taxes. We ask you to maintain the rules that were applied at the beginning of this project. The Loma Verde Subdivision started before us, and we're just following the same rules. Our concern is not to change the rules now."

Also during public input at the regular meeting, Kathleen Hunt of Border Area Mental Health Services said she wanted to comment on the request for proposal that had been sent out by the county for a provider of services for the Continuum of Care Substance Abuse Prevention Center. "I have been asking since October 1 to get a copy, so we could apply. I finally got a copy on Monday. The county needs to take some effort to train the staff to try to respond to everyone. I would never have known if we could apply."

Kasten said the Commission was prepared to table the issue so BAMHS could apply.

Hunt said, after finally seeing the RFP, she realized the agency did not have enough staffing for the project, but reiterated that change was needed in the RFP process.

"We have been friends and worked together for years," Hall said to Hunt. "I want to publicly apologize. It really hit home. I know we will make changes to improve the process."

County Financial Officer Linda Vasquez presented the financial reports at the work and regular sessions. Expenditures for the past month have totaled $1,833,909.81, which includes accounts payable checks for $1,409,875.92 and two payrolls totaling $424,033.89. Included in the accounts payable were checks of $14,640 for legal services; $18,000 for an insert for transporting inmates; $25,897 to Reliable Chevrolet for the van for transporting inmates; $36,816 to ASA Architects for electrical renovations at the Courthouse; $13, 517 to Architectural Workshop for conference center renovations and designs for the substance abuse center; $16,000 for diesel fuel; $115,939 for the sheriff's evidence vault; $24,316 to Engineers Inc. for North Hurley and Rosedale Road; $21,648 to Wright Express for fuel; and $33,000 to Ascent Aviation for aviation fuel for September and October.

The quarterly financial reports have been revamped and will show the actual cash balances. Webb said the reports are more accurate, and will show a declining balance, rather than speculating on how much will be left months from the date of the budget. "It is the actual report we are submitting to the Department of Finance and Administration."

Vasquez gave the numbers at the work session and the regular session. The General Fund at the beginning of the 2016 fiscal year on July 1, 2015, had a balance of $2,721,513, with revenue of $1,517,697, expenditures of $2,136,757, leaving the cash balance at the end of September of $2,102,452.

The Road Fund had a beginning balance of $435,589, revenue of $153,635, expenditures of $335,921, leaving the cash balance of $253,204.

The Corrections Fund had a beginning balance of $123,146, revenue of $153,635, expenditures of $579,433, leaving a -$328,488 cash balance. Vasquez explained the negative balance would be adjusted as transfers from the General Fund were put into the Corrections Fund in December and again later in the year.

At the regular meeting, Lonnie Sandoval, representing the residents of Loma Verde Subdivision thanked the commissioners, manager, attorney and the planning department for "the job you are doing for us. We appreciate your keeping on top of the issue. Mrs. Webb gave me a summary of the process, so I can answer residents' questions."

Lee Gruber, as the Silver City Arts and Cultural District interim director, in answer to a question from Kasten, said her and her husband, David DelJunco's Syzygy Tile had had a great summer and the business's employees were all back to 40 hours a week.

In her ACD report, she said the organization had just hired a new director, Cynthia Spray, who has been doing a similar job in Taos, but wanted to move southward, and would be moving this weekend.

"With our marketing plans, with the help of the Grant County Tourism Board, we have launched drive market campaigns in El Paso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tucson and Phoenix," Gruber said. "With a photo from the county, we have posted it on the side of street cars in Tucson. We can see, through visitor comments, that they saw the images. We are also appearing in regional airports, and on the rail car between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It has been a successful campaign. We have had a 32 percent increase in visitors to the Visitor Center over the same period the previous year. We have at least 10 major events in this region, which have brought lots of people."

Hall said at last month's meeting of the state's 33 counties, the Tourism Department gave a report. "I was pleased that Silver City was the first place mentioned."

Gruber said the ACD received an award from the state hospitality group.

Cindy McClean, DWI coordinator, said to celebrate next week, Nov. 16-21 as DWI Awareness Week, she wanted to recognize several officers who stood out in DWI. She presented each with a certificate and a $50 award of a MainStreet certificate that could be spent in downtown Silver City.

Those awarded were Bayard Police Department Cpl. Joe Sierra, Grant County Sheriff's Office Deputy Manuel Galaz, Santa Clara PD Sgt. Manuel Torres, Silver City PD Officer Letitia Lopez and State Police Officer Daniel Soliz.

Commission Ramos also congratulated the new Bayard Police Chief Willy Kerin, who was in attendance at the meeting.

Commissioners approved at the regular meeting a New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service grant application request for the Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department Cooperative Fire Assistance Grant Program for equipment purchases.

Randy Villa, county fire management officer, said at the work session that he has been making sure the volunteer fire departments go after grants to help with their equipment funding. The match can be paid through state fire funding to the departments.

Commissioners, at the regular meeting, also approved the purchase of a 2016 Skeeter brush truck for the Fort Bayard VFD for $216,059. The FB VFD will put in $12,210 from their state fire funds and will apply to the New Mexico Finance Authority for a loan for the rest of the payment. Villa said Santa Rita VFD would also be seeking equipment assistance.

In other new business, at the regular meeting, commissioners approved:
• The appointment of Doug Dinwiddie to the Grant County at-large position for the Lodger's Tax Advisory Board;
• The appointment of Benjamin Rasmussen to the Grant County Food Policy Council;
• The adjusted qualification report form for Robert Joe Agnew of the Cliff-Gila VFD and Roger Groves of the Tyrone VFD;
• The adjusted qualification service credit record for Agnew and Groves; and
• A proclamation declaring Nov. 16-21, 2015 as DWI Awareness Week.

Villa explained his office was trying to clean up VFD records that were not as accurate as they should have been.

McClean at the regular meeting, after the presentation, gave some local statistics from the DWI program. "We fund prevention, treatment and compliance. In five years, Corre Cantinas has provided 37,000 rides, keeping those intoxicated drivers off the roads. We have run about 1,000 offenders through compliance. We have closed about 600 for successful compliance, with 5,000 hours of treatment and other services."

Hall said McClean is recognized statewide as the go-to person for DWI programs.

McClean said an event on Monday in Las Cruces would give DWI program coordinators a chance to "talk up ourselves with legislators. Some offenders and judges will speak."

Under contracts and agreements, commissioners approved:
• The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for the Grant County Sheriff's Office, 2015 Stonegarden grant for $250,000;
• The NM DHSEM for an amendment to the grant requirements, assurances and agreements. Webb said the county would change the language, although it was already complying;
• A memorandum of understanding with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Program Management Office, regarding the use of Grant County interoperable system and the IPAWS open platform for emergency networks. Emergency Management Officer Gilbert Helton said IPAWS worked in connection with Code Red to be used throughout the nation. Everyone in the area, even a visitor, would get notification of an emergency, whether by radio, television, text or email, Helton said;
• An agreement wit the NM DFA for a capital appropriation of $125,000 to repair the Road Department maintenance barn roof;
• Three New Mexico Department of Transportation agreements of $25,050 for End Driving While Impaired; $3,900 for Buckle Up/Click It or Ticket; and $3,990 for 100 Days of Summer;
• A memorandum of understanding amending the bargaining unit contract article on wages to approve the 1.5 percent cost-of-living increase;
• Ratification of the first amendment to the medical management contract with Health Care Partners, which provides inmate care; and
• Ratification of the Grant County Bus Drivers Bargaining Unit contract, which gives the drivers union representation for grievances.

The first bid considered under bids at the regular meeting was the request for proposal applications received to operate the Coordinated Adult Substance Abuse Center. Two applications were received and the bid was awarded to Hidalgo Medical Services. A team made up of Detention Administrator Mike Carillo, Gila Regional Medical Center Community Partnerships' Chris DeBolt, and GRMC project manager Susie Trujillo scored the proposals. Hall thanked the three for their service on the committee. "Now the county will be able to complete the application for the site, which must go before the Land Commission. We're there. I don't know why we can't meet the goal of opening in January 2017," Hall said.

Trujillo said the county had been a wonderful support for the effort. "Now we won't have as many people saying they can't hire anyone because no one can pass the drug test."

DeBolt described it as "a dream come true for this community."

Hall said Bernalillo County has called asking about the model, and others want to follow parts of what Grant County has achieved.

Two bids were approved for the North Hurley Rural Utilities Services sewer system improvements. The first was to place a solar array on the lift station and was awarded at $52,966.64 to Dement Electric of Silver City, which also did the electric installation on the lift station.

Gary Berg of Engineers Inc. said the project had dollars left over, and the RUS would allow construction of the solar array to greatly reduce the power charges.

The second bid for the North Hurley project went for $100,137 to J&S Plumbing of Silver City for additional gravity sewer connections to a number of houses, which are not yet connected to the regional wastewater plant. Berg said the wetlands have been gotten rid of, and this project will get rid of more septic tanks. We want to get this done soon before the road is repaired, so we don't have to cut the road. We will be looking next at closing out the monitoring wells at the lagoons."

Gutierrez recommended all bids for improving the roads in the Loma Verde Subdivision be rejected because the county could do them for less. They were disapproved.

The final bid was approved at $90,068.76 to J&S Plumbing for Rosedale Road waterline adjustments. Gutierrez noted the funding came as part of a Colonias Infrastructure Fund grant.

There were four resolutions on the agenda pertaining to the Loma Verde road improvements. The first elicited discussion at the work session. Gutierrez said he needed direction. Robinson said there were three options. The current option, which would have the residents paying for materials, and the county providing the equipment and labor; the lowest bid, which was from the country, but would include equipment and labor; or the lowest outside bid.

Kasten said the county is always preached to about anti-donation. "We can do roads, but we can't give $50 to the Chicano Music Festival for an ad?"

Robinson said statute allows the county to do the roads. "We generally have the rights to the roads, through easement or fee simple."

Gutierrez pointed out that the county had already accepted the dedication of the roads.

Ramos said if, because of what a contractor does on the roads or bad design, and there is an accident, the contractor would be liable.

Gutierrez said the county uses a standard design from New Mexico standards. He said he would put the three options on the table for the regular session.

"Historically, Grant County has helped with roads," Gutierrez said at the work session. "We need to take a look at that in the future. Another one is Wind Canyon. We told Wind Canyon they would pay for the materials and the county would pay for the equipment and labor. The county can always do it for cheaper."

Ramos said he liked saving the residents money, but he didn't like to see the county competing with local businesses.

"It's a broken system," Kasten declared. "We shouldn't compete with local businesses. It costs those businesses a lot to put bids in with no real ability to compete. I think that's wrong."

Webb pointed out that statute says counties "may," not "shall." "We don't have to be doing this. I think you have to be consistent going forward."

Moore said he gets materials off a state contract. "Costs to run the truck are less for me (at the Road Department). They (the businesses) need to get an engineer to estimate how much things will cost."

Ramos suggested a cap on the differential between the county and a local business.

Gutierrez said the county would still have to put in a bid. "It would be difficult to have the county and a contractor working on the same job. It costs the county almost double the estimate in real terms, because it is putting its labor and equipment on the project and taking it away from other work the department needs to do."

At the regular session, the discussion continued. Ramos said he didn't think the county should be challenging local bidders. "We should create a policy to address the issue."

Hall agreed and said when the government competes with private contractors, "it's not good. But it would be unfair to change direction right now with three projects underway. We need to look into the policy."

Kasten said he had planned to vote no on disapproval of the bids. "I compete directly with government every day in my business. However because of some of the conditions, I've changed my mind on the vote."

Ramos said not awarding the bids would not stop the county from doing subdivisions. "We will do the work." The outside bids were unanimously disapproved.

For the assessment roll resolutions—one on allocating the portion of cost to the residents and a second on the filing of the assessment roll— Gutierrez said the county has had to identify the parcels, the owners, and the amount of acreage. Gutierrez noted the Loma Verde residents had chosen to split the costs equally among the residents. The last Loma Verde resolution set time and place for the Loma Verde Improvement District assessment roll hearing for the regular meeting on Dec. 10. The three resolutions were approved.

The final resolution on the agenda was to adopt a plan for the five-member Commission districts. Without discussion, with a motion from Hall, the commissioners approved Plan A.

As the Grant County Indigent and Health Plan Claims Board, commissioners addressed the 55 claims to GRMC for $70,075.36 and six claims for GRMC ambulance service for $5,343.74, totaling $75,418.74.

Hall said he was getting concerned about the amount of the claims. Webb said she and GRMC were working on it, and that much of the cost was for medical clearance to put suspects into detention. "We are close to resolving the problem. We are trying to determine who should be billed." Hall said first to make sure the people don't already have insurance, to which Webb said, most don't. The claims were approved.

The next article will address the county reports from the work session and the commissioner reports from the regular meeting.