By Roger Lanse
Delving into new business at its Tuesday, Aug. 22, meeting, the Silver City Town Council approved public celebration permit applications for the 2017 second annual Silver City Pride Fest sponsored by LGBTQ Grant County at Gough Park, on Sept. 16, with alcohol service from noon to 6 p.m.; for the Gila Monster Gran Fondo special dinner event sponsored by Tour of the Gila Inc., to be held at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center on Oct. 13, with alcohol service from 5-9 p.m.; and for the Gila Monster Gran Fondo beer garden event, also sponsored by TOTG, to be held on Oct. 14, at Gough Park, with alcohol service from noon to 5 p.m.
A public hearing in reference to the transfer of ownership and location of an Albuquerque liquor license, enabling Mel-Mike Enterprises, DBA Jalisco Café, to serve hard liquor in addition to beer and wine which the restaurant serves now. George Mesa, president of Mel-Mike, stated, “People are drinking less beer and getting the liquor license will make it more of a service for the customers that eat there, than a bar. We’re looking at moving the radio station and creating the bar there.”
District 2 Councilor Lynda Aiman-Smith asked for clarification. Mesa answered, “The license is more for the restaurant than to be a separate bar. We’re not going to be in the business of serving alcohol after certain hours. Once we close the restaurant the bar closes. We want to have a nicer bar where we can accommodate mostly ladies, because ladies are the ones that like the drinks – guys like beer or whiskey. Everything’s changing in this world now and millennials are a different crowd now.”
Aiman-Smith stated, “So, my understanding is that your full intention, if this is approved, is to be able to serve liquor drinks mostly in your restaurant.” Mesa agreed. Council approved the license transfer.
Ken Dayer, Library Director, brought councilors up to date on this summer’s reading program, saying they had record attendance at the program which ran from June 6 through July 28.
Aiman-Smith encouraged residents to join the downtown clean-up on Monday, Sept. 4, from 9:30-11 a.m., to prepare for the arrival of an unknown man on Tuesday, Sept. 5, who will be walking around town with a television crew. Contact Nicole at the Silver City Arts and Cultural District at 538-5560.
District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano and Mayor Ken Ladner congratulated District 1 Councilor Cynthia Bettison for being elected vice president of the New Mexico Municipal league.
Ladner remarked that he has selected thirteen residents to form the Territorial Charter Day Celebration Committee, of which Carmen Vendelin, Silver City Museum Director, is chair.
Raul Turrieta told the council that the Village of Santa Clara is having its first festival on Labor Day, from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m., with a huacha tournament, music and food.
Council approved a Colonias Infrastructure Project Grant/Loan Agreement in the amount of $177,137 for design of street improvements to Ridge Road, and an Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan for the Silver City Senior Center, including building improvements and vehicle and generator purchases. This is a plan only and the $481,000 to complete the plan is hoped for in 2019.
The 2019-2023 ICIP was approved by council. This plan lists, among others, the top ten projects desired to be funded and completed and includes, (1) Scott Park Fields, (2) drainage improvements to Yankie Street, (3) sidewalks, (4) Black Street improvements, (5) Chihuahua Hills street and drainage improvements, (6) street improvements, (7) new utility vehicles, (8) improvements on Silver Street, (9) 32nd Street sidewalk and ADA improvements, and (10) Ridge Road street and drainage improvements.
Ladner appointed Phillip Parotti to the Museum Board.