By Mary Alice Murphy
At the combined work and regular sessions meeting held Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Grant County Administration Center, commissioners heard first from Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo, who announced the jail has two openings, for which he has received applicants.
Carillo said he has been visiting other similar facilities to improve the Grant County's protocols.
He reported the Inmate Support Program group continues to meet and seek funding.
The average daily population at the facility over the past month has been 57, with the average length of state at 27 days. "That looks like it has jumped, but we had a glitch in the software that caused jail utilization not to be broken down into the correct categories, such as probation violations, parole, awaiting transport or charged with warrant violation."
Anthony Gutierrez, at his final meeting as the County Planner, because he has accepted the position of New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity director, said he was working on a Community Block Development Grant application, "that I assured Charlene (Webb, county manager) would be my last and best, because it was important to push forward Commissioner Hall's project (the Tu Casa Continuum of Care for substance abuse treatment)."
"I would like to thank the county, commissioners and staff for supporting me over the years," Gutierrez said. "The CAP Entity is moving forward. Hopefully, we will be recognized as the authority to secure water for Grant County."
Commissioner Ron Hall thanked Gutierrez "for spending a lot of extra time with me when I first came on."
Commissioner Gabriel Ramos congratulated Gutierrez and said he looked forward to working with him on the CAP Entity with him.
Commission Chairman Brett Kasten also congratulated Gutierrez and told him to "make Grant County proud. I appreciate what you're done for and with me and the county for the past 25 years."
Road Superintendent Earl Moore echoed the accolades and said Grant County would be missing a valuable employee.
"The Rosedale water line completion is today," Moore said. "I am concerned about the Truck Bypass Road. The Department of Transportation did an overlay and workers today were already patching it. They put on a 1 -+-inch overlay. The federal government would not give them more money. I think it will be a county nightmare. The road was designated as the official detour route. It is apparent it did not hold up well.
"I will write a letter to the DOT Cabinet secretary, as well as to our state representatives, the speaker of the House and the Senate president pro tem," Moore said.
"The subgrade is failing," Kasten confirmed.
"They should have done an overlay before the project on the bridge started," Moore said. "The road is a bit more than two miles."
He said his department has been patching roads impacted by recent storms. "We're working on getting roads repaired since the last storm."
General Services Manager Randy Villa said Senior Services is receiving its Title II assessment, with inspections of all the senior centers.
"Cindy McClean had her budget passed for the DWI Program," Villa said. "The Conference Center is moving along. They are putting up walls. We will begin the electrical upgrade at the courthouse."
He noted that the county has seen several fires since January. "It is not a good time to burn. Trash burning is illegal. Your trash needs to go to the landfill. On Jan. 17, we had a fire at the landfill on a slash pile. The dirt movers helped keep it from spreading. We also had fires from trash burning as Casas Adobes and Silver Acres. You can 'weed eat' your grass, but it's dry; it's warm; and the winds will pick up."
Villa said he would bring in Gabe Holguin from the Forest Service to give an update at next month's meeting. He also announced the Wildland-Urban Interface conference to be held March 31-April 2 at Western New Mexico University.
"The volunteer fire departments continue to train," Villa said. "We will work on the Forest Service proposed prescribed burn at Fort Bayard for training purposes."
He said the airport purchased jet aviation fuel for an original price of $255,000, and has sold it for about $327,000, which benefits the county by about $70,000. "We aren't selling as much 'av gas.' Boutique Air is our best invoice. The fixed-base operator has gone through a lot of training. James Ogas worked in that area in the military and is working out well."
He said the Forest Service would have a plane at the airport again this year. "We will lease a truck that will be available for transporting the fuel and refueling the plane with av gas. We will have the fuel available if there is a fire nearby and the Forest Service is using the airport."
Villa said Justin Reese has stepped up as airport manager. "Boutique has also announced it will slightly change the times on the schedule in March."
Ramos said he was glad to see three volunteer fire departments getting trained on a prescribed burn. Villa replied that it was good to keep communication with the Forest Service going.
Undersheriff Kevin Flamm gave the report for the absent Sheriff Raul Villanueva. "The sheriff is going through the hiring process for two deputy positions. We have been extremely busy the past two weeks. I want to thank our staff for doing a good job for us."
Ramos said he is working part-time at Terrazas Funeral Chapel. "The suicides are a big concern. We need to have a vigil and have some prayers come over our community. I recognize the heavy stress these incidents put on your officers."
Hall noted that when the group was doing an assessment for Tu Casa, they discovered the high rate of suicides in the area. "We are open to suggestions. Part of the problem is substance abuse, and part is depression. We're second in the state on crisis calls to Albuquerque over Las Cruces. We're also high in alcohol-related fatalities. Alcohol is our No. 1 substance abuse problem."
Treasurer Steve Armendariz reported the county has collected 63 percent of taxes, equaling $3.689 million for the county. The second half taxes are due April 10, and delinquent on May 10.
Clerk Robert Zamarripa said: "The primary date is set for June 7. Those wishing to declare their candidacy for offices open for election this year must file on March 8, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. That is the ONLY date to sign up to run for office. There is a $50 sign up fee."
The last day to update registration or to register to vote is May 10, which is also the first day of absentee voting for the primary in June.
"New voter cards are coming out next week," Zamarripa said. "If you don't get one, please call the office because your address might be wrong. The new cards will have the new commissioner districts on them.
"Some precincts this election cycle will receive mail only ballots," he said. "They include Sapillo, Redrock, Hachita and Mule Creek."
He said his office would be closed March 21-23 for staff to attend election school on the voting machines and administration of the elections.
Webb, in her report, extended her congratulations to Gutierrez. "He has been a good resource, and we have tremendous shoes to fill."
She said she had been to Santa Fe several times during the legislative session. "I had good meetings with our legislators and with the Department of Finance and Administration on reimbursement issues. Right after I left Santa Fe, I got a call from DFA that the 'check's ready.'"
If the governor signs the capital outlay bill, the county should do well, with $186,000 toward the construction and completion of Tu Casa; $100,000 for the road department to purchase a chip spreader to replace the 1954 model it uses now; and $341,000 for county senior center improvements.
"I thank everyone for attending the session," Ramos said. "Sen. (Howie) Morales is always there for us. I met also with (Rep. Dianne) Hamilton and a little with (Rep. John) Zimmerman.
"I would like to see us bringing together Santa Clara, Bayard and Hurley for a Tri-City ambulance service," Ramos continued. "I know Gila Regional (Medical Center) has an ambulance housed in the old fire station in Bayard, but we need to put together a building and find the best location. The ambulance that is there now cuts minutes from response time, especially to the Mimbres."
He said the Southwest County Commission Alliance had met. "We have very similar issues in the four counties. Sierra County is without a jail now. We have extended our hand to house their prisoners. I would like to see a formal letter to that effect."
He said the Eco-Watershed Committee has invited Bayard, Hurley and Santa Clara to a meeting to discuss the 600,000 gallons of water from the Regional Treatment Plant that are being pumped into the tailings every day. "It's quite a reservoir from the air, but the water we have treated is being contaminated in the tailings. We need to try to get something done, that's why we're going to come together."
Ramos noted that a study by Shoemaker had shown that if that water were put into the aquifer it would increase the life of the water in that area from 40 to 50 years to 120 years.
Hall said he had attended the event when Carillo was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Hall of Fame at Western New Mexico University.
Hall also attended the New Mexico Association of Counties meetings where legislative priorities were discussed and developed. He said he, other Tu Casa board members and Webb had toured a Santa Fe facility to see how it worked.
"The CDBG grant for Tu Casa is looking good," Hall said. "We're close to getting it. We are seeking letters of support. The forms are at the front office. Feb. 2 and 3 were Grant County Days at the session. The Prospectors had it well organized, and it was well attended."
He cited the amount of support Tu Casa had received from Morales and the other legislators.
On Feb. 5 and 6, the NMAC board of directors had addressed issues.
"I thank Grant County elected officials for the responses, which I passed on at NMAC and the session," Hall said. He has also been attending the Juvenile Justice Committee meetings.
"Tu Casa is forming agreements with Hidalgo Medical Services as the provider," Hall said. "We also have an agreement with Silver City for four acres on 32nd Street behind one of the state buildings. In the first quarter of 2017, Tu Casa should open."
Kasten said he went to the session only once this year. House Bill 233, which addressed hold harmless and tax distributions, got stuck in committee and went nowhere.
March 8 is the day to sign up to run for county elected office.
"We also have a few changes to meeting dates, because of conflicts," Kasten said. After discussions, the May dates for the work session and regular session are set for May 10 and 12 and, two months later, on July 12 and 14. Other dates for every other month remain the same as previously announced and can be viewed at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/community/legals/27293-revised-grant-county-commission-2016-meeting-dates .
The commissioners went into executive session to discuss the manager's goals and expectations. The adjourned from the executive session with no action being taken.
The next meetings are set to take place Tuesday, March 15, for the work session and Thursday, March 17, for the regular meeting, each at 9 a.m. at the Grant County Administration Center.