By Mary Alice Murphy

At the Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017 work session, department heads gave reports.

Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo said the facility has one vacancy. He said training for employees is taking place using online training through the New Mexico Association of Counties.

"The Inmate Support Group will meet to gather documents to submit during the legislative session," Carillo said.

He gave the average daily population for the month ending Jan. 6 as 87, with the high male population, 81 and the high female population at 16. "We had 93 on Jan. 6. Our one-year average daily population was 83, with an average length of stay at 38.42 days. We have had a slight decrease in activity over last month. We are holding seven for Hidalgo County."

Commissioner Billy Billings asked Carillo what he meant in his report about special management detainees.

"We screen them for illnesses or psychiatric problems," Carillo explained. "We have done away with segregation, but we put them into areas with 15-minute watches to keep an eye on them."

Commissioner Harry Browne asked if the 93 in the jail on Jan. 6 were unconvicted.

"They may be waiting for judgment or sentencing," Carillo said. "It all depends on the court docket. Sometimes, they are waiting on the district attorney; sometimes they are waiting for assessments."

Browne followed up with: "Once they are convicted, they get transferred?"

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said anyone receiving a sentence of more than 365 days gets sent out. "Seldom do we have enough convicted inmates to pick up trash on the roadways. Maybe one time in my six years of serving has there been enough to pick up trash."

Browne asked: "Does it show whether they were unable to pay bail or were denied?"

Carillo said: "Yes, and so they wait in the facility. We are trying to pass a law that if an inmate is unable to make bond on minor crimes, he or she can be released on their own recognizance. Most of the inmates are arrested on warrants and probations. For a petty misdemeanor, if they don't go to court when they are supposed to, a warrant is issued."

Road Superintendent Earl Moore said his department is working on the Loma Verde Subdivision road improvements. "We hope to wrap up by the end of the month, as well as on Rosedale Road. I met with Occam Engineers about starting on North Hurley Road on Monday."

Billings asked if someone wants their road fixed, "how do you determine when you will do the work?"

"It depends on the weather," Moore replied. "We will help people get in and out. If there's an issue, call the Road Department, and we will look at it to determine its priority."

Kasten said the reason the county maintains the roads is for commerce. "If you need to get cattle out, we'll fix it."

General Services Director Randy Villa said he has no Public Works Director or Airport Manager, because Justin Reese took another job. "I ask people to be patient. We will fill it as soon as we can."

"We had a fire on Ridge Road last night (Monday, Jan. 9)," Villa reported. "It was a residence, but there were no injuries and it was not a complete loss. It happened around 9:30 p.m."

He said his department had finished the flooring in the Main Courtroom at the Courthouse.

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos asked if Villa's department has an employee at the Shooting Range.

"Yes, we have an employee there," Villa replied. "You will get a report on Thursday."

Ramos said he noticed a water line going in on Highway 180 East and wanted to know if the Shooting Range could get water from it.

"We can look at it in the future," Villa replied.

Kasten suggested that now might be the time, because tapping a dry line is much easier than a wet line.

"I'm not sure if the project will let us," Villa said. "I will discuss it with the mayor (of Santa Clara) to see if we can put a line in now, so we can tap in later."

Browne said he understands that there is an issue with the permit for the Shooting Range, which comes from the Forest Service.

"There has been a lack of communication," Villa said. "The Shooting Range Board and the Forest Service met and they all had concerns."

County Economic Development and Planner Michael "Mischa" Larisch said he had received all the documents for the bid process for Tu Casa, the substance abuse treatment facility.

"The pre-bid conference is Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.," Larisch said. "We will open the bids on Feb. 8.

"On solar we entered into an agreement with 4-H Solar for a feasibility study," he continued. "Construction has begun on the LS Mesa Substation. For the Santa Rita Volunteer Fire Department, we will put out a rebid, because the first bids came in over budget."

He said he had submitted for Colonias 2017, but had to make additions. With a request for $700,000 for Rosedale Road extension, "Maybe we can finish it."

"For the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, we should start public meetings soon," Larisch said. "I'm shooting for February. If you have questions on the utility easement for Hurley for the Regional Water Plan, ask me after the meeting."

Browne said he asked for Mr. House's full reports on the evaluation of feasibility for solar, but had not received them.

Larisch said he would dig through for more information and if he didn't find it, he would send House a note.

Kasten asked about the status of the Conference Center.

County Manager Charlene Webb said 14 HVAC units are down. "We are continuing to work with Trane for a Bandaid-