The Silver City Town Council met in a rescheduled regular session Thursday, Aug. 23, to address amendments to ordinances, notices of intent and to make appointments to town committees.

Councilors Pauline "Polly" Cook and José Ray Jr. had comments. Cook addressed the speed tables that had been placed around town. "People don't like them, but I think anything that slows down traffic is good. Thanks to Peter Peña and the Public Works Department for their work."

Ray said he appreciated the Public Works Department for its quick work in cleaning the streets after recent rains. He also said he has been approached by Little League officials on how to promote Scott Park for games. He reported many participants at the recent Copper Country Cruizers car show. "I also ask townspeople to ask bicyclists nicely to stop at stop signs."

Mayor James Marshall said: "Numerous openings remain on several town committees, including the Grant County-Silver City Extra-Territorial Subdivision Committee, the Mayor's Climate Advisory Board, the Museum Board, Incentive Review Board, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Parks and Recreation. He advised those interested to contact the town clerk, Ann Mackie, for application forms. "It is critical the Planning and Zoning Commission be complete, so we can address citizens' requests."

He announced a meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Grant County Administration Center for the Essential Air Service respondents to the request for proposals to present their plans.

"Right now, Silver City is tied into the Clovis airport, which if people in Washington D.C. had an atlas, they could see makes no sense," Marshall quipped. "We are objecting strenuously to the tie-in. The two proposals from Seaport and Great Lakes airlines are completely different."

He explained Seaport would use one of two single-engine, non-pressurized nine-seat airplanes and fly only to Albuquerque and back twice a day. Great Lakes proposed routes to Phoenix or Denver, with the latter having a stop in Santa Fe.

"Our Attorney (Robert Scavron) suggested we have the two airlines work together on a proposal," Marshall said.

The public will be able to make comments at the meeting, and later on regulations.gov.

Marshall also reported the meeting in Silver City of the Interim Legislative Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, which gave local veterans a chance to speak to legislators about their concerns.

He addressed Town Manager Alex Brown and asked if the issue of the crumbling speed table on Cooper Street had been discussed with Public Works.

Brown replied because there is no sidewalk at the location, it began cracking from the side.

On a personal note, Marshall said the day was his and his wife's 15th anniversary. He said he appreciates the support he continues to receive from her.

Discussion moved to ordinances. The first to be discussed was Ord. 12-09 to increase water and sewer rates by three percent across the board for those within the city limits and those served outside the town boundaries.

"This will tie the rates into the budget process," Marshall said. "The manager will provide estimates each year so the water fund pays for itself, without it being subsidized by gross receipts. The budget process is the most published and transparent process of the year."

He pointed out that water pumped during water breaks and for fighting fires is not billed to residents. "A reserve is needed in the fund."

Thomas Nupp, former town councilor, said he has no qualm with raising the rates, because he realizes costs increase, but he was adamantly opposed to the town manager arbitrarily raising rates without public input. "The town has been fortunate to have an excellent town manager, but we may not always be so fortunate."

Marshall said the town manager does not set the rates, the Town Council does. "This ordinance makes sure the rates go through a process tied into the budget process, so the budget is closer to 'real' than it may have been."

"I was misinformed," Nupp said. "I stand corrected."

Marshall also noted that the state average for water basic rates is $36, with Silver City's being $19.

H.R. "Bodie" Chavez, former Silver City Police Chief, said he believed the newspaper misinformed readers. "I think it's a good process."

Councilor Cynthia Bettison said she was pleased to see the ordinance, and assured the public it would be able to comment.

Councilor Mike Morones said if the ordinance provides for more public input in the budget process, it would be "worlds ahead." He said the amendments to the ordinance make it less arbitrary.

Marshall said the water fund does not stand alone in the budget. The 3 percent increase will allow the enterprise fund to be what it should be.

The ordinance was approved.

Also approved was a resolution adopting the Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, which sets forth the infrastructure needs of the town and prioritizes them, with those being mostly likely to be funded by the state and federal agencies rising to the top of the list. The plan covers 2014-2018.

Bettison was pleased to see sidewalks as part of the plan. Brown explained the Public Works Department regularly checks sidewalks and also receives requests from residents on sidewalks that need to be replaced. Those that qualify for cost-share with residents are usually completed first, Brown said.
He also said the town is trying to build a GIS map to prioritize those most in need of repair or replacement.

Bettison said she also would like to see the 2016 plan to repave 32nd Street to be flipped with the 2017 plan to replace water lines on 32nd Street to prevent digging up new pavement. Brown thanked her for catching it, because the town tries to replace water lines, if needed, before paving procedures.

She also said residents of Royal Drive would like to see a sidewalk on at least one side of the street.

Morones asked if the projects in the plan are aspirational or beholden. "As I understand it, if the town does not get funding, the projects will not happen?" he asked.

Brown said some projects remain in the plan until they can be funded. "But the ICIP is not a wish list, it's what we need. It's a plan to identify the true infrastructure needs."

Marshall said the list of projects is available in the town clerk's office.

In other business, the council approved a notice of intent to amend the Museum Board ordinance to promote efficiency among the museum, the Museum Board, which serves in an advisory position, and the Museum Society, which accepts monetary donations to the museum.

Sandra Hicks, past president of the board, asked if the board would continue to determine which assets could be taken off the museum's inventory.

The board is advisory to the town council and does not set policy, but is in place to provide the community view to the town manager and council.

Liz Michols, Museum Society president, said the ordinance clarifies duties.

Tracy Spikes, museum director, said he appreciated Bettison tackling the task and clarifying who does what.  Spikes said the museum needed to take inventory and get rid of things if they don't fit into future plans. He would like to see a committee to oversee what comes into the museum.

Another notice of intent to create term lenghts for the Lodgers' Tax Committee was approved to stagger terms beginning in January, with two of the present committee members being named to two-year terms and three to three-year terms. After the first two-year terms end, the terms will be for three years. Applicants may reapply for the committee. According to Marshall, the lodgers' tax ordinance does not create term limits.  It does create a term.  Currently an appointment is a lifetime appointment.  This proposal would make terms three years without limiting how many three year terms one may serve.

Hicks, a current member, suggested five-year terms, as the group meets only once a year, and it takes a while to become comfortable with the process.

Morones said, although he appreciated Hicks' comments, if members can reapply, it might continue to be the same people serving on the committee. It would limit new perspectives and ideas.

Bettison said added to the ordinance was that the mayor could appoint with the advice and consent of the council.

Cook said she likes the three-year terms. "If the terms are staggered, there will continue to be institutional history."

Carl Allen Waterman was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Marshall said the application process had required more disclosure and the commission members will be considered public officials of Silver City and must conform to state conduct standards.

Waterman was also appointed to the Grant Count/Silver City Extra-Territorial Subdivision Commission.

Marshall appointed Gale Simmons to the Mayor's Climate Advisory Committee.