Grant County Commission hears presentations at its work session 031919

[Editor's Note: This is the first of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session of March 19, 2019.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

After a slight change in the order of the work session agenda to place the Census Committee update at the top of the presentations, commissioners heard county reports at the Grant County Commission work session of March 19, 2019.

Detention Center Administrator Mike Carillo recognized the two trainers who led a 16-hour course on behavioral and mental health. "It was a good course, a 16-hour course."

Road Superintendent Earl Moore said his crew has gotten some patching done, and "we're getting ready for chip seal season. Otherwise, it's business as usual."

General Services Director Randy Villa ceded some of his time to Rebecca Wenger, Grant County Airport manager.

"Advanced Air started on January 6," Wenger reported. "They have had 100 percent flight completion with a 97 percent on-time record. They created six local jobs; they have three in Albuquerque and two in Phoenix. They start at $13.50 an hour. We have six pilots in town at local hotels. They will be sponsoring the Tour of the Gila. They are buying about 18,000 gallons of jet fuel a month.

"One of our tenants, Linda Pecotte, has begun flight training classes," Wenger continued. "We've had one winter event after another, but Advanced Air kept going and coming. We had trouble with our catwalk, but the Road Department rebuilt it. The new county electrician has done a fantastic job."

Commissioner Harry Browne asked about the huge increase in fuel purchases. "Is it because the King Air is less fuel efficient?"

Wenger pointed out that it does have two engines.

Villa thanked Wenger for what she has accomplished at the airport. "Her experience has been invaluable."

He reported the grass fire on U.S. 180 toward Cliff-Gila a couple of weeks back. "We also had a structure fire in Hurley."

"We are getting into spring," Villa continued. "We are making sure the filters are getting changed in all our buildings. Our electrician is working at the Road Department right now. We also replaced the overhead doors at the Detention Center."

Commissioner Javier Salas noted that the heaters don't work at the pavilion at Bataan Park.

"It's because there is only one," Villa said. "It is too small, but it is expensive to replace. We are trying to rectify the problem."

Salas also asked how the building could be made ADA compliant.

"We're working on it," Villa said. "We did get a bike rack."

He also noted that Advanced Air is buying fuel from Grant County Airport rather than in Albuquerque. "We stay competitive with fuel prices."

Salas returned to the topic of Bataan Park. "One of the front gates looks like it was hit. It's just hanging there."

Villa said the park has had continued vandalism, but he wasn't aware of the gate.

On the pavilion building, Villa said it is a metal building that may have been purchased as a storage building and then turned into an event facility. "We do have a handicapped accessible porta-potty out there."

Commissioner Alicia Edwards said she was happy to hear the good news from the airport. "I hope we continue to hear good news as long as Advanced Air is here."

Villa said obviously as soon as a new air service provider comes into the airport, "they want to look good. But we have to be there when they want to refuel. So far, we and they are working together as a team."

Community Development and Planner Michael "Mischa" Larisch said Wenger has been fantastic at the airport. "She had made sure the engineering for the Hurley water project is fulfilling FAA requirements. On other issues, we have started the design work for the drainage issues on Bandoni. We have a price for Wind Canyon work next year. We are getting the final documents for Rosedale to get that project out to bid. Earl and I are working with several on-call engineers on the design. Construction of the Whiskey Creek volunteer fire station extension is proceeding on time. We are working on prices for the Fort Bayard and Hachita volunteer fire stations. The first bids came in over budget."

Salas asked what was happening at the Fort Bayard VFD station. Larisch replied that it is an addition to the station to have a small conference room, as required.

In public comment, Robert Donnelly, a 10-year resident, commented on the agenda. He said the airport report is positive. "I see the presentation by Gila Regional Medical Center. It's one of my favorite places. The cancer treatment is great." He observed that Hidalgo Medical Services got a grant. "And one of my favorite places, the High Desert Humane Society Shelter will give a report on Thursday. I have no special self-interest for Thursday. I just appreciate the possibility of public input at today's work session. I came up to make sure it remains on the agenda."

The first presentation was by Paul Dulin of the Complete Census Committee.

"Thank you for passing the resolution last meeting," Dulin said. "Now we have a letter of invitation to committee members. Once we have a meeting, the community will talk about it. It's up to me to be a resource. Other groups may want to join. We want the largest employer, schools and businesses should be represented. It must be inclusive. In Grant County we have pockets of people who don't respond to the census. Every household will receive a postcard. Then their form will arrive. They can fill it out online or fill out the form and return it. The ones we don't hear from include the poor, those who move around a lot, and the foreign-born. Why do we need to get the numbers up? It's about money. The USDA, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and other agencies have funding. Hidalgo Medical Services and Gila Regional will benefit from this funding. I will be back to train people to raise the numbers, but they need a plan of action. It's important to have the county and municipalities join this effort."

Browne noted that the county clerk should be a member of the committee. Larisch said it was a living document. "Even after the first meeting, we will add more."

Dulin said the Council of Governments will also support the efforts. "It comes down to about $3,000 per capita per year in funding. If even 50 people don't reply, the community loses $150,000 in potential funding. I will be back once the first meeting is set. I want to move the needle. New Mexico is always 49th or 50th in response to the census."

Commissioner Billy Billings said he could think of areas and agencies that should be represented on the committee. Larisch asked him to note them on the list.

Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments Executive Director Priscilla Lucero added to what Billings said.

"In 2010, we designated places as census places around water associations, for instance," Lucero said. "We attended them and got responses. Another thing that is helpful is to go out to schools. Use the kids to encourage their parents to fill out the forms. I think the challenge is online. I think measures are already in place so getting better numbers will work, for instance, going to Casas Adobes."

Dulin said the form can be filled out on paper, online and in different languages. "We cannot leave a form at a post office box. We will leave it only at the edifice. We have a meeting with the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District, and I will meet with the Western New Mexico University president."

Edwards asked if volunteers could use a cell phone or iPad to connect people to the form in different languages.

Lucero said they could, but broadband capacity is a problem, as is cell phone coverage in some areas. "You have to also understand the demographics of the area. We need to continue to monitor the process."

Dulin said the Census Bureau intends to hire 20 or so in the area to go out to homes to get people to fill out the forms.

The next article will feature the presentation by Gila Regional Medical Center.