The Grant County Commission began its Tuesday work session with a moment of silence in honor of Thomas P. Foy, 96, who died on Saturday. Foy was a former New Mexico legislator and a World War II veteran and Bataan Death March survivor.
The first item of business on the work session agenda was a review of the agenda for Thursday's regular meeting at 9 a.m.
The financial expenditure report was for $3,738,256.82. County Manager Jon Paul Saari explained the larger-than-normal amount. The first quarter payment to the sole provider fund was $1.78 million.
“Gila Regional Medical Center gives us a check for the amount, then we cut a check for it and sent it to the state,” Saari said. “There is no impact to the county General Fund. About $676,000 went for the jail-construction payment.”
A possible proclamation will be made Thursday naming Oct. 20-22 Americorps Program Launch Days, if the proclamation is received in time.
A proclamation will be presented naming Oct. 23-29 Pro Bono Week. Area attorneys will offer their services pro bono that week.
County Attorney Abby Robinson, who will serve as one of the lawyers, said various services would be offered, “depending on who is available.”
A request to be placed on the agenda was put in by Tim Johnson, asking that Thunder Road off Rosedale Road be considered for county maintenance.
Saari said he would call Johnson, because if he has not yet gone through the process with Road Superintendent Earl Moore, it would be a waste of Johnson's time to have the commission tell him to go through the process. “If he hasn't done the process, the item will come off the agenda.”
The Western New Mexico University football team will present an update to the county on their activities within the community.
The Grant County Community Health Council will present an update to the commission, and ask for appointment of three new members, who have been recommended by the Health Council Membership Committee.
Under contracts and agreements, five agreements will be considered as a consent agenda item, to make increases in payments to five people working with the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office under its Restorative Justice grant.
Also to be approved or disapproved by the commissioners is a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Bureau for $5,717.16 to the Community DWI Program.
“The funding comes from the $75 fee imposed on convicted drunk drivers,” Saari explained.
The commissioners will consider a memorandum of understanding between the Grant County DWI Program and the Bayard Police Department for overtime expenses of saturation patrols. The amount will be for $5,717.16
A grant agreement between the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and Grant County on behalf of the Tyrone Volunteer Fire Department will be for $19,415.28. The VFD will provide from its fire funds the match of $2,157.25 for a total of $21,572.53 to purchase equipment such as radios, speakers and microphones, as well as cloning software and cables to program the radios.
A cooperative law enforcement agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Grant County Sheriff's Department will be for $23,000 to provide services within the Gila National Forest.
An indigent burial claim by Baca's Funeral Chapels for Glen H. Adler will be considered.
Sheriff Raul Villanueva kicked off county reports by saying that his department was busy over the weekend. Officers encountered a burglary in progress in Tyrone and arrested two suspects.
“We are being hit with a lot of burglaries,” Villanueva said.
He reported 1,120 calls for service in the July to September quarter, creating 454 reports. In the Civil Process Division, officers served 1,762 papers.
Officers will be attending training in Santa Fe sponsored by the Sheriff's Association.
To a question from Commission Chairman Brett Kasten, Villanueva reported the County Fair ran smoothly with no major problems.
Detention Center Administrator Mike Jimenez said his department was contacted by the Metro Detention Center in Albuquerque about “our education programs.”
“They manage 2,700 inmates daily,” Jimenez reported, “and they wanted to learn about our programs. We learned a lot from each other. They also have an education and life skills program, and have 400 inmates in those programs.
“It's humbling to know someone is looking at what we're doing,” Jimenez continued. “Our program is small, but successful.”
Kasten asked about the new facility.
Saari said the kitchen equipment should be installed this week, telephone will go in this week, and the highest speed connection available will be in the jail.
“We're doing the finishing touches,” Saari said. “The road is repaved in front.”
Road Superintendent Earl Moore said by next week, his department would be fog sealing the roads by the jail and the landfill, which has also recently been chipsealed.
“We're patching this week,” Moore said. “Next week, we should be moving the transfer station at Mule Creek.”
He hoped the striping would be done this week on roads requiring it.
“We've been changing out our signs, so should be in compliance with new rules on reflectivity,” Moore said. “There is also talk about reflectivity in striping.”
Saari said the county purchased a new roller for the Road Department.
Kasten pointed out the department would need new blades soon, too.
Saari reported that Public Works Director Justin Reese was attending a water-master certification course, which the county needs for the North Hurley sewage project to switch it over from ponds and connect it to the regional wastewater plant.
“Justin has also been working at the senior centers and has replaced carpet in the clerk's office and the manager's office,” Saari said. “The last time we shampooed, holes appeared.”
He said Public Works has a new employee, who transferred from the jail. Eric Jacquez will be working on the new bus stops for Corre Caminos. Several will be constructed within Silver City and another five in the county.
“They are structural steel, with 500 pounds of roof,” Saari said. “Sacaton Construction came in with the lowest bids, so they will be putting them up.”
Public Works has also “been busy getting heaters lit,” Saari said.
He reported on behalf of Terry Trujillo of Senior Services.
“I would like to meet once a month with the advisory committee chairs from each senior center,” Saari said. “So we can work together on common issues.”
He said more pool tables are being requested by the centers.
“The county's mission is to provide meals for seniors, but the seniors need a place to go for pool, bingo, and such. The senior centers are kind of like community centers for seniors.”
Commissioner Christy Miller brought up the issue of raising fees for use of county buildings.
“If someone rents a space, will they pay the fee in place when they rented it or be liable for the new fee?” she asked.
Saari said nothing was firm yet, “but we are low on our fees, especially our deposits.”
County Planner Anthony Gutierrez introduced David Maxwell and Dave Trushaw of Engineers Inc., who gave a brief presentation on the bank stabilization project on the Gila River between U.S. 180 West and Iron Bridge.
A public meeting will be held Monday, Oct. 17, at 4:30 p.m. for comments and input from community members.
Trushaw gave a history of the bridge and the movement of the river channel in the past 100 years. Several studies have been completed. The concerns are the unstable west bank of the river, which has the potential to flood private property, because of the westward migration of the river.
Design criteria for the project included flood protection, bank stabilization, riparian areas and fish and wildlife habitat.
He described three options, and said the recommendation is for a hybrid of options 2 and 3.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the New Mexico Environment Department are the permitting agencies.
Gutierrez reported he recently attended a Community Block Development Grant Program workshop. “The county needs to update its comprehensive plan before applying for certain grants.”
“We would like to utilize CDBG funding for several projects, including redoing the roads in North Hurley with sidewalks, curb and gutter, to alleviate flooding in the area,” Gutierrez said.
He has identified Colonias funding to connect the water systems between Arenas Valley and Santa Clara.
“We were informed by CDBG that Grant County has not submitted a request since 2008, so they're looking for us to submit,” Gutierrez said.
He also requested an update from the Forest Service on its travel management plan.
Assessor Randy Villa has sent the assessments to the treasurer for collection.
He also spoke about the New Mexico Association of Counties legislative priority list. The NMAC would like the county to support the priorities.
Deputy Treasurer Steve Armendariz said the office is rolling over the tax rolls from the Assessor's Office, and bills will be in the mail soon.
“Come on in and pay before the crowds,” Armendariz encouraged residents.
Clerk Robert Zamarripa said he has heard nothing on redistricting of the county, but the deadline is not until February.
Saari said he met with Engineers Inc. on the county reservoir project in preparation for the Arizona Water Settlements Act Tier-2 preliminary application deadline of Oct. 31, with the final deadline for submission of the project on Dec. 31.
He also said the county will enter into agreements with the Silver City Public Library for $5,000 for books and about $7,600 to Bikeworks for their programs, especially the after-school rides.
Miller announced an El Refugio Domestic Violence Shelter fundraiser Oct. 28 at the Flame. Tickets are $15 each, $25 per couple, and a band from Santa Fe will provide music.
Commissioners went into executive session to discuss the manager's growth plan for his position and to consider certain purchases, specifically for economic development consultant services.
The regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13.