By Roger Lanse

The Silver City Town Council at its Tuesday, Nov. 13 meeting approved an amendment to the town’s municipal code requiring owners or custodians of an animal, who, having knowledge of that animal biting a person, shall immediately surrender said animal to animal control or the police department for quarantine and observation.

District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison, who sponsored the ordinance, stated that the new ordinance, if followed, eliminates the need for authorities to have to hunt the animal down, authorizes only the animal control officer or the police officer to make a decision to quarantine the animal, and shortens the time the bite victim has to wait to find out if the animal is infectious.

Resident Anthony Quintana suggested the town find an easier way to approve/disapprove special use permits for events where alcohol is to be served. He said the amount of paperwork that must be completed a month to six weeks ahead of time puts him in a bind sometimes and he has lost catering jobs because of the time restraints. Quintana had in mind events that repeat each year like the one he is requesting approval for tonight.

Town Manager Alex Brown agreed with Quintana particularly for events that are held in the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. Brown suggested council give him the authority to approve such events that are proposed for the conference center. “The county already has set rules in that building that are going to be satisfactory to the council all the time, because they have the same concerns that we have,” Brown said.

“When Robert (Town Attorney) gets back next week, I’m going to sit with him and see what we can do to amend our ordinances so that we can get these quicker approvals,” Brown stated.

Mayor Ken Ladner said, “I’m glad you’re willing to work on that.”

Brown then reported on a benefit-cost ratio being developed for the town’s fuel station on Pope Street. Basically, Brown said thus far the town has “shelled out” more than they’ve taken in. He qualified his remark by saying there were some good reasons for that, including start-up and other costs during the station’s first two years of operation. “We’re heading in the right direction,” he said.

Council approved two special dispenser permit applications for events to be held at the GCVMBCC: one for the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Nov. 17, with alcohol service from 6-8:30 p.m.; and a second for the Hidalgo Medical Services Annual Christmas Gala on Dec. 9, with alcohol service from 5-11 p.m.

Council also approved two public celebration permit applications for the Mimbres Region Arts and Cultural Council Black Tie Ball on Jan. 13, 2018, with alcohol service from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Ladner appointed Becky Smith Ladner to the Historic Design Review Committee and Sunil Otto Khera to the Planning and Zoning Commission.