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Published: 18 August 2017 18 August 2017

Editor's Note: This is part two of a three-part series of articles addressing the Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 work session and Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017 regular meeting of the Grant County Board of Commissioners.

By Mary Alice Murphy

After a brief recess, during the regular session on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, the Grant County commissioners continued addressing items on the agenda that had been discussed at the Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017 work session.

Commissioners approved the annual Community Development Block Grant certifications and commitments, without comment at either meeting.

A resolution, with a lengthy title, authorized a local government planning grant agreement between the New Mexico Finance Authority and Grant County in the amount of $12,500 to finance the costs of a Comprehensive Plan. The county will pay $37,500 for the plan.

At the work session, County Manager Charlene Webb said the county has to complete the plan, submit it and after the commissioners approve it, the county will get reimbursed. Commissioners approved the resolution.

A resolution ratifying the agreement between the county and the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments was approved at the regular session, after some discussion between the county and the SWNMCOG Executive Director Priscilla Lucero, as reported in http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/38716-grant-county-commission-awards-proclamation-discusses-and-approves-agenda-items

A resolution declaring a notice of intent to consider an ordinance authorizing the operation of off-highway motor vehicles on streets or highways owned and controlled by Grant County elicited some commissioner comments at the work session and public comments at the regular meeting.

At the work session, Webb said, because public comments continued to be incorporated into the ordinance, the ordinance would be addressed at the combined work session and regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.

Commissioner Harry Browne asked to explain the ignorance he expressed at a prior meeting. "I found out it is absolutely legal to ride ATVs on unpaved roads."

During the work session, County Attorney Abigail Robinson said she has received many recommendations for changes. "I don't usually have this many, so I can do drafts for you," she said to the commissioners.

"Right not, I'm not seeing that much conflict in the comments," she said. "It may just be that you don't agree with the ordinance. The final product will be what you vote on in September. If I see divergence in the comments, you will have options of the language to choose."

She noted there is always a draft of the ordinance in the Clerk's Office in the minutes of the last meeting, "but it may not be the final draft."

Browne said he would prefer the public have access to the latest draft.

At the regular meeting, Louise Hummingbird said, during public comment that she had a concern about ATVs on public roads. She then read several paragraphs from a USA Today article with quotes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that showed the higher loss of life in recent years, with about 340 ATV riders dying in a recent year. "Two-thirds of the fatalities occurred on paved roads. Yes, you see risky behavior. The vehicles are not built for paved roads and riders don't wear helmets, drive drunk and speed. Ninety percent of the fatalities were male." Highway deaths decreased overall during the same period of time. She also noted the destruction of natural resources by ATV riders.

"The engines are loud," Hummingbird said. "They joyride on my road. We need places where we can destress from our busy lives."

Rebecca Summers of Silver City also made a comment on the ATVs on county roads. "It would ensure that our vehicle insurance would go up."

The notice of intent, which was approved, indicates the intent of the commissioners to consider the ordinance at the next meeting.

The next item on the agenda addressed bids for a request for proposals for inmate health services for the Grant County Detention Center. At the work session, Webb said the highest-ranking proposal came from Corr Values LLC out of Cascade, Colorado. The cost of $526,000 would expand services, "which are needed. They would reduce transports to the Emergency Room and reduce overhead costs. We pay it out of the Indigent fund. None is reimbursable."

Commissioners approved the award at the regular meeting.

As the Grant County Health Care Claims Board, commissioners approved a total of $60,921.99, with 22 claims from Gila Regional Medical Center for $49,866.51 and 11 claims from the GRMC Ambulance for $11,055.48. No claims were denied. Every claim was for someone from the Detention Center.

Browne said he would like to see how much is received by the county from the 1/8 gross receipts tax increment, so "we can see the balance."

Webb said she would follow up with Financial Officer Linda Vasquez. Kasten said he believes the claims trail by a month or three. Webb explained that the money is collected monthly, goes to the Department of Taxation and Revenue, and "we are paid in the third month. But we can never deny indigent claims. The county is using it typically for inmate bills. Specific criteria must be met. The jail refers them to the internal health care providers who decide if transport is needed."

Commissioner Billy Billings noted it might be mental health issues that show up rather than physical. Webb confirmed that is the case with one particular individual.

Also approved was an indigent burial for a reimbursement of $600 to Bright Funeral Home.

During county reports, Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias gave the report she shared with the Board of Trustees at its July meeting. "For my first 50 days, the biggest topic was the Cancer Center. We have hired six caregivers from the present staff. We have credentialed two University of New Mexico physicians, and are doing interviews for a locums or permanent physician to be here. We have an exceptional one who will be hired by UNM. UNM will hire this employee, who will have two weeks of training at UNM and then join us at Gila Regional."

She said the former provider did not share the medical records of those treated at the Gila Regional Cancer Center, but only provided a list. "We began calling those on the list. Our local physicians have been helping out by giving orders for port flushes and such. We have arranged, on an individual basis, hotels in Las Cruces. We are doing a lot of marketing to highlight those who are staying here."

Browne asked if a mid-level person would provide full service to Cancer Center patients. "Yes, we will start with UNM and coming once a week. When we hire the mid-level person, he or she will be here Monday through Friday, for full service."

She noted that the recertification of the radiology equipment will require several months. "We will get the specific equipment and software for the equipment, install it and then it has to be tested and personnel trained on it. We have a radiology physician ready to go."

"Our priorities are service, quality, safety, finance and people," not necessarily in that order, Arias said. We want high quality care with minimal safety issues for our patients and staff. Every day anything that happens must be resolved by the next day. We did a recent inventory that will be done twice a year and captured $150,000. We are negotiating every contract with vendors, including physicians. We are looking at every service line, all clinicals and the finance department. We want to make sure every physicians is qualified and meeting standards."

For growth, Arias said they are looking at current and needed services. "We are looking at length of stay. We had a general surgeon come in. We have interviewed a full time chief financial officer and have two more next week. Whoever is hired with train with JoBeth ,, the interim CFO, before she leaves at the end of the year."

"In my first 50 days, I evaluated and found we were top heavy," Arias said. "We had to right size the organization. No direct patient care was or will be affected. My job is to secure our financial viability and to secure needed services, including mental health, which is certainly needed."

Kasten said he was glad to see in her report that Arias is talking about transfers out of the hospital to other facilities, including those who were left without being seen. "We need door to doc."

Arias said she is reviewing hospital metrics. "These are just a few national standards, for instance from door to EKG. Even though we're a community hospital, we need to see patients within 30 minutes. Everyone needs to be dealt with, with dignity and respect."

Vance gave a brief report, saying the hospital had 164 admissions in June, compared to 185 last year, 3,948 outpatient visits, 1,083 ER visits and 334 surgeries. "We had gross revenues of $17.7 million and net revenue of just under $5.6 million. The bottom line was a positive $332,042, with 56.9 days of cash. We finished the Meditech 6 upgrade, which was a major expense. Because of the changeover, we slowed down to 51.3 in days in net accounts receivable. Our daily average expense is $196,251, and average daily census is 17.2.

During the regular meeting, Arias gave input during public comment. "I have a two-pronged statement. First, this morning we were threatened at the ER by an individual. We went on lockdown. We immediately called the police. They arrived promptly and found the gentleman to make sure we were safe. The security of the hospital and medical providers and patients is of the utmost priority. I have been so impressed with our law enforcement and I publicly thank them. I am aware of the controversy between the Silver City Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services. I talked to Alex Brown and we will tweak the contract."

Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo reported two vacancies at the facility. He said modifications were being made to the Inmate Support Program, including adding the Stepping up Program, which is specifically designed for jails. "I got information on it and under the program, it prioritizes addressing mental health issues in jails. It includes doing mental and physical assessments. This program has reduced jail time for substance abuse and mental health issues. We will try to bring in a Las Cruces individual to help us with our program, if we can bring service providers together and get it going."

The average daily population for the past month was 88, with high male population at 81 and high females at 26. "In 2016-17, the average overall was 91 daily. Our average days length of stay has increased to 64.98. We have had a large population and then all of a sudden a decrease. It's a pretty substantial decrease and we can't find a reason for it."

Webb questioned the higher average length of stay. Carillo said parole and probation violations take longer to get adjudicated. Webb asked him to look at the software to get a different report. Browne asked for an average length of stay at discharge. "I get it that these numbers are the least important part of your job, but it helps us understand what is going on. Policies and procedures are also important to me. I would like to see an updated policies and procedures manual in place."

Carillo said changes are often driven by litigation and "we're constantly having to revise the policies and procedures. The New Mexico Association of Counties came down and when they came, our policies and procedures were adequate, but we've had to tighten them up. They will come down and review them. We'll have an administrators' conference trying to keep up with the revisions."

Edwards said she understands the need to revise policies, but it has to start and stop somewhere. "I would like to see the policy manual."

Webb said it was not her first battle with the jail software. "The report doesn't reflect what's happening."

Road Supervisor Earl Moore said flood damage at Mule Creek is being addressed by his department. "People at Mule Creek, Cliff and Gila need to be patient." Commissioner Gabriel Ramos asked it the road by the bridge in Hurley was complete, and Moore said it would be finished next year.

General Services Director Randy Villa said, at the airport, Boutique Air would start its new schedule that day, Aug. 15. "They will have the same amount of flights, just the times and departures are different. We are working on patching the leaks at the terminal. The generator project will start in October. Fire season is over, so Boutique is our main purchaser of fuel."

In the Maintenance Department, they are looking at vendor contracts. "Jason Locket can do this to save money."

"We are addressing issues at the Detention Center," Villa said. "We are starting on the landscaping and cleaning up the place."

"At the Silver Street facility, we have worked on the HVAC system, and have new striping in the parking lot, but we are not finished," he continued. "The roof at the Courthouse, we have patched. We have done so much work inside that it concerns us if the roof is not going to protect the inside. Pulling so much conduit is not going to be easy."

Maintenance continues to deal with weeds at the old jail and at Bataan Park. About the new striping in the Administration Center parking lot, Villa said it was done by Oscar Lopez for his Eagle Scout project.

Billings asked if the courthouse roof needs fixing, would it be good to wait for the Legislature.

Webb said: "We'll fix it. It's our priority. We'll find the money."

Planning and Community Development Director Michael "Mischa" Larisch reported the framing for Tu Casa is complete and water and electricity is to the site. "At LS Mesa fire station, the architect went back to the contractor for the as-built specs. He ran conduit in different places, and we need to know where they are."

Ramos asked about the well at LS Mesa. Larisch said they have water and a large storage tank with two inline pumps.

"I was going to say I have completed the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, but I guess there will be more discussion on Thursday," Larisch said. "We have two projects for the continuation of Rosedale and for North Hurley funded by the Water Trust board. You will approve the grant for the comprehensive plan and we will put in an application for the land asset plan in September. The Department of Finance and Administration may qualify us for $37,000. Daniel will attend training for GIS for rural areas. At the airport, WNM Communications has installed broadband fiber optic. We paid to have the conduit go to the terminal and the pilots' lounge. Scott Nichols paid for it to his hangar."

Webb pointed out the September regular meeting is set on the second day of the County Fair. It was decided the work session and regular session would be combined on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

"The auditors will be in next week," Webb said. "Audits are public and information can be found on the State Auditor's website."

Edwards said there is tension around the ordinance on off-highway vehicles. "I turned in a fair number of revisions—for what's already in the act and some others on safety. The public has given me input. On the Detention Center, I have had a lot of conversations, and mental health is a problem. I acknowledge Taffy Arias went out of her way to help with an unfortunate situation. We continue to have a discussion on how to deal with mental health issues. It is causing serious issues at the Detention Center. There has been so much back and forth about the Cancer Center. At Gila Regional, they love their hospital. They work hard and how important they are to the success of the hospital."

Ramos said he respects and appreciates the questions the new commissioners bring up. "On revisions, I think it's important to refer back to other ordinances and acts. Matters of opinion are not as important."

Browne said the discussion on effluent storage reminded him that he would heartily support the New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity amended joint powers agreement, if the revision could allow the Entity to do the effluent storage project. "I oppose the narrow focus on Freeport. I would hope open minds will allow such projects. The off-road vehicle use, I question its use on paved roads."

Ramos said it is part of the ordinance. "To me, it's for ranchers who live on unpaved roads to be able to get to their fields. It makes sense. I also suggest the county reports be at the top of the agenda, so they don't have to sit here and listen to everything else."

Webb said she had just had a suggestion to put Gila Regional at the top.

"I can be here to answer questions," Moore said.

Kasten ended his comments at the work session by saying: "I just want to tell about the good people, Dave, Buck and Rick at Manzanita Ridge. They did the right thing.

During elected officials' reports at the regular meeting, Sheriff Raul Villanueva said his department in the past month had handled 729 calls for service, plus nine motor vehicle crashes, and 55 warrants served. "It's been extremely busy. But even with four vacancies, we have kept up. Four have left and we have two more letters of resignation. All of it has had to do with money. I strongly feel we need to address the issue. We have 20 applicants, but none is certified, and other applicants have background problems. We need to do something. I am concerned. I thank the staff who are sticking by as public servants."

Webb noted the 4,800 miles for transports. "Are you utilizing the shuttle to send to Los Lunas and Las Cruces?"

"We are looking at it," Villanueva said. "It depends on where we're picking them up."

"They're options to cut down your time and mileage," Webb said.

Assessor Raul Turrieta during his report simply thanked his staff.

Treasurer Steve Armendariz reported collections of $25,000 for the county and an overall $1.1 million for other entities.

Clerk Marisa Castrillo reported the Cobre bond issue had passed with 214 voting yes and 63 voting no.

Browne announced the annual Gila River Festival would take place Sept. 21-24. "As part of it, there is a fabulous art installation at the former Curious Kumquat. Other opportunities to see it after the festival will be during the Art Walk."

Billings pointed out the ordinance for next month does not include ATVs, but only the UTVs. He said he made a friend of Teresa Terrazas, who was receiving chemo in Las Cruces. "I want it to be continually brought to our attention to get Cancer Center services back here. I welcome Taffy Arias. She is working hard. I don't blame her for the Cancer Center. And I'm looking forward to the day complete services return."

"In my campaign last year, I made a point to support the Sheriff's Department for a pay increase," Billings said. "A friend of mine resigned. I called him. I'm still in favor of an increase, but I realize now there are some hurdles and issues to work out. I hope we can come together to work it out. It will take give and take."

Edwards said she, too, thinks: "we need the opportunity to talk about the big challenges facing the county. The only way to address them is to talk through the challenges. It's very important to have accountability and transparency in the county."

"I encourage you, if you have questions, to exercise your right to an answer," she continued. "Call your commission representative. Come to public meetings or make an appointment with the county manager."

Ramos said he has gotten quite a few questions. "I think things are going well except for being able to give raises. 'Why did we create an administrative assistant?' Because it's been in the budget for six years. We didn't like having to pull the attorney in to do secretarial duties. It's always thought through. We need to keep morale up. We brought back the road assistant administrator, too, to keep Earl from having to work so many hours."

"Expenses go up," Ramos continued. "Our insurance was 29 percent year to year. The prices of services go up. We have to provide the money for them. Another question I get: 'Are you planning to decertify the union?' No, and heck no. I agree we need to keep the union. Another question:
'How are commissioners protecting the county?' We provide the budget for the Sheriff. We make sure every department runs well. I know departments ask for more help, but we continue to do the best we can and stay within the budget."

Kasten moved to go into executive session. Browne noted that it was to address only a personnel issue.

The commissioner would adjourn from the executive session without making any decisions.