By Hallie Richwine
The Village of Santa Clara Regular Meeting took place Thursday, October 12, 2017 in the Village Hall. Trustees Victor Arambula, Olga Amador, and Richard Esparza attended, as well as Mayor Richard Bauch and Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza.
Amador reported that the Action Committee will host a Halloween carnival on Halloween day. The Cemetery Committee, headed by R. Esparza, reported they are working on a design for flood control on South Bellm.
They also had a miscommunication with the Maintenance department about how the flag would be handled but that has been worked out. Until the light is fully functional, the flag will be taken down every night.
Robert Padilla represented the Neighborhood Watch Committee and thanked the trustees and chief of police for their continued support. Padilla said the Neighborhood Watch is moving forward to get a board of directors and to apply for non-profit status. This benefits the community by adding an entity that can apply for grants to help with safety. Padilla said the group is also raffling a cord and a half of firewood and has already raised over four hundred dollars.
Bauch presented the Mayor’s Report and reminded everyone the re-addressing project is still active. He also said the dispatch authority will reconfigure its joint powers agreement. This may affect Santa Clara as the village currently does not pay for central dispatch services but may need to do so in the future.
In new business, the trustees awarded the contract bid to Fowler Brothers, Inc. for the swing gate installation at Caddell Crossing. A bid was also accepted from Green Guys Landscaping to reseed the construction area on 180 in front of Terrazas Funeral Home.
Trustees unanimously agreed to move forward in the discussion with Grant County to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement for Fort Bayard. This would be an equal partnership between the entities. A special workshop will be held to prepare to go before the County Commission.
For old business, the review of the Lease Agreement of office space at the Armory was tabled until the revised form has been accepted by the state.
Trustees reviewed a Resolution allowing for a budget adjustment request for the street improvement fund, which passed unanimously.
Trustees also approved an Ordinance giving permission to publish the intent to adopt an Amendment to the Uniform Traffic Ordinance.
After returning from closed session trustees approved moving James Salas from part time to full time and also passed a motion to approve the requirement of employees to pass the water certification test within 18 months of hire with no more than one failure to remain employed. They also approved three day suspensions without pay for two employees.
Bauch announced the next Regular Meeting of the Village of Santa Clara for Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 6:00 pm at the Village of Santa Clara Village Hall located at 105 N. Bayard Street.