Chelsea Cooper, center, accepts proclamation from Mayor Ken Ladner declaring April 2018, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Amaris Fay, second from left, accepts proclamation from Ladner declaring April 14, 2018 as Autism Awareness Day.

Terry Timme, right, accepts proclamation from Ladner declaring April 21, 2018, as Bird, Butterfly, and Bee Friendly Day in Silver City.

Article and photos by Roger Lanse

District 4 Councilor Guadalupe Cano stated that the first of four Territorial Charter Day projects will be at Ybarra Park at the corner of Corbin and Yankie streets on Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gary Stailey, volunteer coordinator, said that painting will be the prime job but there will be other chores to do as well. Stailey said if a volunteer is not able to do physical work, they can report to the Visitor Center for lighter duty.

Mayor Ken Ladner made three proclamations, declaring April 2018, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 14, 2018 -- Chelsea Cooper, Executive Director Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services accepting; April 14, 2018, Autism Awareness Day -- Amaris Fay, MSW intern for New Mexico Technology Assistance Program and Event Coordinator accepting; and April 21, 2018, Bird, Butterfly, and Bee Friendly Day in Silver City -- Terry Timme, President Gila River Advocacy, Southwestern New Mexico Audubon Society accepting.

Fay stated her group was having an event at Fox Field Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., while Timme announced an Earth Day celebration at Gough Park on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free native plants given out as long as they last.

District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. reminded residents if they want more information or to compete in the Senior Olympics, which are coming up, they can call Mario Quintana at 590-2352.

Town Manager Alex Brown brought council up to date on several activities. Regarding the San Vicente Creek and Trail System, he said the contractor reports all the gates are closed, fences have been fixed, and they have now started working on all the access points to the trail from private property.

Brown said that the present water ordinance states if a resident has water service cut off because of 45 days of nonpayment, to be reconnected the resident must pay a reconnection fee, the past due bill, and current charges. Staff is working on a new policy, he said, which would require a resident who has not had their water shut off within the last 12 months to only pay current delinquent bill to be reconnected. But, this change would probably require a new ordinance to be passed, he said.

Brown also said they are waiting to hear whether Washington Federal wants to continue leasing their part of the Annex Building from the town.

Council approved four public celebration permit applications: two for the Mimbres Region Arts Council’s 23rd Annual Silver City Blues Festival from May 25-27, with alcohol service from 5-10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25, from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 27; and two for the Annual Toadfest Brewer’s Guild Tap Takeover on April 28, with alcohol service from 2-11 p.m.

District 3 Councilor Guadalupe Cano sponsored a resolution supporting the enactment of The End of Life Act by the New Mexico Legislature. Three residents stood to support the resolution by citing personal and professional experiences. Cano then moved to postpone the resolution to give residents more time to study the measure. Council approved the postponement to the first meeting in May.

A Notice of Intent Ordinance, sponsored by Ray, to change the time of council meetings from 6 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the second and third Tuesdays of the month was withdrawn by Ray.

Council approved changing the regular council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at 6 p.m. to Tuesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the Grant County Administration Center.