By Lynn Janes
The Village of Santa Clara held a regular meeting February 12, 2026. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees, Olga Amador, and Ralph Trujillo attended. Peter Erickson did not attend
The council approved the agenda, past meeting minutes and department reports.
Mayor's report
Lopez had attended the legislature, and it had gone well. Sheila Hudman, village administrator had introduced him to a lot of people that could help with funding. Grant County Days had also gone well, and the Chamber of Commerce had done a nice presentation. Hudman will now be working with the Prospectors and will be dealing with a lot more meetings. "I am happy to have her on there and she is doing a really good job there."
The state will have a new administration next year and he hoped they could continue to work well with the new one. He said it would take a year or so for them to start rolling, so it may take a few years for them to obtain more grants.
"Everything for the pump track has been on track." They have continued having productive meetings with the company doing the design. Hopefully they would be starting in the next month or so.
The renovations on the animal shelter have been moving forward with new cement, drainage and dog runs. The cat room had been built.
The village had some money left over and they will be purchasing another piece of equipment for maintenance. It will be a tractor with a front-end loader. He will keep the council informed.
The village hoped to start the Maple Street bridge project in March. Lopez had already had calls from contractors asking when the bid would be put out.
Hudman wanted to address the information in the newspaper about the senior centers. The village had not put in a bid for all the senior centers. They had been the only ones to submit an RFP (request for proposal) in Grant County. At that time the village had been asked if they would increase the budget to include all four centers if it came down to that. No decision has been made, and the village wouldn't know anything until March. She thought it would end up with them running all four. Lopez said they still have a lot of conversations happening on this and it would not be yet set in stone. Silver City and Grant County have already voted to contribute funds if Santa Clara runs all of them.
Hudman said this would be additional work because she would have to visit all of them and manage the employees, but otherwise, they will be self-sufficient. Her paperwork would not change because it would be submitted as one and would not mean an increase for her, just more money moved.
Lopez said the main thing would be to not have these places shut down. It fosters a safe place for the elderly to have a good lunch, communicate with each other and have fun. "We want to continue to do that in a positive way. If we are awarded that it will all iron out." They will have funds coming from other places and have a good plan.
The council asked for an update on the building the village had put in with the help of Freeport McMoRan (FMI) that would be used to rent out to a business. Hudman said she has been looking for additional funding to make improvements. It needs a restroom, porch, steps, plumbing, sewer, and gas. FMI had provided enough funds for the building and electrical. If someone that wants to lease the building will be willing to do that work and have it go towards the lease that could be an option. Lopez said currently they have a company looking at it that would do the renovations. They have just been waiting for management approval.
Hudman added she had attended a tree conference and learned about trees. They will be working on the cemetery this summer and planting trees. She and Lopez talked about applying for Clean and Beautiful funding and creating more of a garden behind the Mercado with an open shade structure so people can sit and relax. The people doing the trees would be willing to design it. It could also be used by people viewing the kids at the pump track.
Public comments none currently
New business
The council approved the resignation of Police Sergeant Clinton Ford. He has found other opportunities with the county. Lopez thanked him for everything he had done for the village.
The council discussed the naming of the new pump track they will be building in Santa Clara. They will need to have a logo and still have a long time to decide. The more ideas they have the better, and they would like to see something catchy. They have a wall that a mural will be put on with the name and logo. They discussed some ideas for the mural. This would also be used on t-shirts and hats. On the opening day the company doing the design will be there filming.
Hiring, raises and terminations
The village had money allocated for another driver for the senior center. Hudman found Rosaline Sedillos. The council approved hiring her. Lopez said they needed a driver right now because one driver had to have knee surgery and two people have been trying to deliver 102 meals. One of the people that usually stays at the senior center has been delivering. This will take a big load off them. Hudman said they have been trying to deliver 51 meals each in two hours. When they have three again that will mean about 30-35 each and it will be more manageable. The deliveries go all the way to Hanover and Arenas Valley. Lopez said she would start at $15 an hour and be part time. The Gila Community Foundation had helped with $10,000
Since Ford had resigned ,the position of sergeant would be open. Lopez and Lonnie Sandoval, police chief and spoke and wanted to promote Ronald Martinez to that position. His pay would increase to $26 an hour. The council approved the promotion. Sandoval has been in the process of testing a few candidates to hire for the position Martinez will leave open and said by May, they would be fully staffed again. Martinez thanked them for the opportunity and hoped to continue to please the community.
Second regular meeting will be February 26, 2026, at 6:00 pm (canceled)
First regular meeting will be March 12, 2026, at 6:00 pm
Meeting Adjourned
