By Roger Lanse
Town Manager Alex Brown sought approval for two New Mexico Finance Authority Colonias Infrastructure Fund Loan/Grant agreements. One would be funded by $867,284 in grant money and $96,365 in loans for the installation of curbs and gutters on Camino de Suenos and Kelly Street in the Vista de Plata low-cost housing subdivision. The other would provide financing, $412,042 in grants and $45,782 in loans, for the construction of a new PISTA grit removal system to improve the wastewater treatment facility for the benefit of the town and the communities of Rosedale and Tyrone. The 20-year loans are to be repaid out of the general fund and the water department coffers, according to Brown.
These grants put local taxpayers' money back into the community, Brown said.
Council also approved two resolutions supporting the town's participation in two Capital Outlay Programs administered by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. Both would be one hundred percent grants. The first would finance sidewalk improvements in the downtown area and the second, street and drainage improvements on Little Walnut Road. Both projects would be initiated early next year, Brown said.
Brown said that the downtown sidewalk project would retain current sidewalk heights, unless the height is deemed to be unsafe. He stated that the curbs need to be kept high because downtown is a collection point for runoff, and if the curbs are lowered downtown businesses could easily be flooded in a heavy downpour.
And, two resolutions approving applications to the NMFA for financing under the Colonias Infrastructure Fund were approved. One involves street and drainage improvements to College Avenue between Cooper and E streets. This application would be for $650,000 to $800,000 and would start in fiscal year 2016-17. The other application will be for approximately $370,000 to improve the water delivery system along Highway 15 between Pine Street and McDonalds and would require changing the grade of the street and installing a larger water main and laterals, according to Brown.
The council allowed time for five speakers during public input. Two spoke in opposition to the installation of smart water meters, citing harmful health risks by radio-frequency radiation, emitted by the meters, to people, animals and plants. Three voiced their opposition to PNM's recent San Juan Generating Station Power Replacement Plan and to Council for not supporting their opposition with a resolution to the Public Regulatory Commission.
District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison announced she would seek the mayor's seat in the March 2016 municipal election as Mayor Michael Morones has stated he will not seek re-election.
District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. proposed to Brown that the town plant more trees in Gough Park, and recommended residents always have three days of emergency supplies on hand.
District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano asked residents to please drive slowly in downtown.
All councilors encouraged residents to shop and buy local this Christmas season.
Brown informed council that Town Attorney Robert Scavron was elected president of the Municipal League's Municipal Attorneys Association. Scavron is now a voting member of the League.
Council approved an ordinance adopting the Little Toad Creek Brewery and Distillery as an economic development project for the Silver City Arts and Cultural District pursuant to the Local Economic Development Act and the town's Municipal Code. Brown recommended approval of the ordinance, stating about $900,000 was available at the state level for such projects.
Brown asked council to approve putting some old town vehicles that are not being used on the market for the highest bidder. The request was approved.
Timothy Marquez was appointed by Morones to the Grant County/Silver City Extraterritorial Subdivision Committee, while Sandra Hicks, Michelle Carrillo and Mitchell Hellman, whose terms had expired, were re-appointed to the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board.