Grant County Commission work and regular sessions agenda 041817 and 042017

Commissioners approved several proclamations.

[Editor's Note: This is part of a multi-part series. Because this author was out chasing news all day Wednesday, the work session review of the agenda will instead become what happened at the regular meeting on Thursday, but with comments from both meetings.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

In the review of Thursday's regular meeting agenda at the Tuesday, April 18, 2017 work session, and again at the regular meeting on Thursday, April 20, 2017, where the report was approved, the Grant County commissioners heard the financial report, including several extraordinary expenses.

Financial Officer Linda Vasquez said the total expenditures for the past month totaled $2,168,427.02, including two payroll periods totaling $409.020.15.

Among the extraordinary expenses were a $30,165.78 check to Bank of America for a Fort Bayard lease payment for VFD fie pumper; $23,543.02 to Summit for inmate food; to Wright Express Fleet Services for $21,162.94 for fleet fuel; $10,000 to the Tour of the Gila for advertising; $43,526.01 to Co-operative Educational Services for the comprehensive land use plan; $65,072.89 to Occam Engineers for Colonias projects on North Hurley Road, Tyrone and Rosedale Road; $47,369.46 to Ascent Aviation for jet fuel; $31,780.56 to Fowler Brothers for base course for Loma Verde Subdivision; $92,921.17 for the third quarter contribution to safety net care pool; $112,282.85 to Morrow Enterprises for North Hurley Road; $17,000 to New Mexico State University for the Cooperative Extension Service third quarter payment; $238,517 to HME Inc. for Upper Mimbres VFD fire truck; $23,000 to Lamar Advertising for billboard advertising on a Tucson streetcar; $10,209.99 to Southwest Concrete and Paving for February and March routine road work; $38,051.10 to White Sands Construction on Tu Casa; and $37,111.53 to Southwest Solid Waste Authority for tipping fees.

Commissioner Harry Browne asked on Tuesday why a survey was being done at the Grant County Airport. Planning and Community Development Director Michael "Mischa" Larisch explained the county did not have a full survey for the property, which was needed before renewing the lease with the Forest Service.

The first of several proclamations will declare May 31-June 3, 2017 as First New Mexico Bank Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo Week. The second will declare the month of April as Fair Housing Month. Another proclamation will declare May 6, 2017 as the fourth ever "Give Grandly! Give Local Day." May 7-13 will be proclaimed as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week and May 14-20 as National Police Week.

At the regular meeting, where the proclamations were approved. Dr. Kevin Brown said the rodeo was being held for the 27th year. "Ranching is a major contributor to the culture, traditions, and, I might add, the tax base of the county. First New Mexico Bank is our title sponsor."

For Fair Housing Month, Kim Clark, Silver City-Grant County Realtors' association director, said the county and municipalities sponsored a poster contest, with three age groups, 3-4 years, 5-6 years and 7-8 years. The deadline is April 25. First prize in each age group will receive $50, second place $25 and honorable mentions.

The third proclamation for Give Grandly! Give Local Day was received by Angelica Boone, who thanked the commissioners on behalf of the Grant County Community Foundation, of which she is a board member. "It will be held on May 6 at the first Farmers' Market from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. but runs online from midnight to 11:59 p.m."

Sheriff's Department Cpl Manuel Maldonado, who is also the union representative, received the two proclamations for the National Correctional Officers Week and National Police Week. "I represented New Mexico and the union in D.C. during Police Week. I wish every law enforcement officer could be there. I met officers from all over the world."

Commissioner Gabriel Ramos said he appreciates what the officers do each and every day. Commissioner Billy Billings echoed the sentiment.

Commissioners approved the transfer of five mountain bikes from the Sheriff's Office to the Silver High School Mountain Bike Team.

Billings asked why the transfer was not anti-donation. County Manager Charlene Webb said because both were governmental entities. Browne asked why the Sheriff's Department was not using them.

Commission Chairman Brett Kasten said they were purchased because then-County Manager Jon Saari thought the department should have them and use them.

Commissioners approved the appointment of Jacob Zamora as Labor Standards Officer for the Community Development Block Grant contract No. 16-C-RS-I-04-G-91. County Manager Charlene Webb said Zamora handles all the county's CDBG grants.

In a consent agenda item, commissioners approved the fiscal year 2018 fire protection fund applications for the county Fire Administrator and for Volunteer Fire Departments at Fort Bayard, Pinos Altos, Upper Mimbres, Santa Rita/Hanover/Fierro, Whiskey Creek, Tyrone, Lower Mimbres, Cliff/Gila and Sapillo Creek.

"We expect the funding will be there for these applications," Webb said. "The state needed supplemental information which was provided. The funds will be distributed monthly, instead of annually, so the fire chiefs will have to deal with them differently."

Under agreements, County Attorney Abigail Robinson said the lease agreements with Hidalgo Medical Services, which will take over senior services, for the use and operation of the Gila Senior Center and the Mimbres Senior Center, both owned by the county, had changes requested by HMS and the Department of Finance and Administration. "We will receive quarterly reports on the services provided. HMS will do up to $5,000 worth of maintenance and then the county takes over." The agreements were approved at the regular meeting.

Commissioners approved the 2016 State Homeland Security Grant Operation Stonegarden for the Sheriff's Department. At the work session on Tuesday, Browne said the agreement mentioned the department could not use the funding to supplant federal or state funding. Sheriff Raul Villanueva said it is used only for overtime, some equipment and fuel costs.

"It is for close to the border operations," Villanueva said. "We keep the records separate. A lot of our units are strictly for Stonegarden. We back up Border Patrol by trying to intercept drug and human smuggling. We receive training for it. We cannot ask immigration status. We can just report them to the Border Patrol. We refer up to 10 cases a year to the Border Patrol."

Edwards asked if the activities were over and above regular duties.

"It is always for overtime near Hachita," Villanueva replied. "They often do the overtime on their days off. Up to 50 percent of the funding is for fuel and equipment, including surveillance equipment. We have the authority to use it on some operations on highways. We have to submit a quarterly scope of work, and we have to have approval beforehand for some operations."

[Editor's Note: The next item on the agenda, the contract between the county and the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce is covered in a separate article at http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/36269-grant-county-commission-makes-decision-on-contract-for-conference-center]

Commissioners approved an agreement with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to receive and administer federal funds and provide services locally.

Under resolutions, at the work session, several commissioners commented on the resolution showing support for Santa Clara to be the lead agency to develop historic preservation and economic development projects within the Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark.

Ramos said Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, is working on a memorandum of understanding among the supporting entities, which will reflect the village's concerns.

Browne asked if the county had received feedback from the village.

"I think we're all on the same page," Ramos said. "We can do better collaboratively. We can use Santa Clara's business plan."

Edwards noted that Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch has brought up a concern that the village might get the short end of the stick after all their work. "Will that be in the MOU?"

Ramos said Santa Clara would be the lead agency. Kasten said Santa Clara is the municipality closest to Fort Bayard and the village would need to annex that portion. "Then any gross receipts tax would come to the village. The MOU will say that we'll all work together. I think Santa Clara should pass the MOU first."

Billings at the regular meeting thanked Ramos for his leadership on the issue. The commissioners voted unanimously to support the resolution. Kasten said he would be interested to see the MOU.

Commissioners approved the amendments to the approved and adopted budget for the fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2016. Vasquez reported on the changes, which were transfers among line items.

The Commission also approved a revised resolution to a cooperative agreement between the county and the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the improvement of roads within the county.

Commissioners also approved a resolution supporting the construction and operation of the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project for local renewable energy projects.

[Editor's Note: The presentation by John Strand on the issue can be read in http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/36206-grant-county-commission-holds-work-session-041817]

Billings asked what would happen if a private property owner refused to allow the construction. Strand explained that the contract had no condemnation clause, but it would soon. "A low percentage of property owners have refused. Our offer is more than generous and more than market value. We hope we don't have to use eminent domain. We have a non-disclosure agreement with each property owner. They are often surprised at how much we are offering."

Kasten offered an extra Whereas to the resolution and Browne asked that it be split between whereas and be it resolved that...

The Whereas states that the county has an interest in protecting and respecting private property rights. The Now, therefore let it be resolved stated that the Grant County Commission requests SunZia to work diligently with private property owners that the SunZia transmission lines will cross.

Commissioners approved the amendment.

Edwards asked if the right-of-way was being purchased or leased.

"Unless there will be a substation on the property, it would be a lease," Strand said. "Some property owners have asked for the line to be moved to private property, so they can be compensated. Others have wanted it moved to public property."

The resolution passed unanimously.

Commissioners approved a bid from Kriegel/Gray/Shaw & Co. from Las Cruces to provide audit services for the county. Kasten said when he talked to CPAs, they thought this group was the better choice.

As the Grant County Health Claims Board, the commissioners approved 16 claims, with 13 to Gila Regional Medical Center and three to GRMC ambulance for a total of $16,878.61.

The county reports and elected officials' reports will be completed in the last article of this series.