By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting May 23, 2024. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees, Peter Erickson and Ralph Trujillo attended. Olga Amador didn't attend.

Mayor's report

The splash park has opened but not full time. The maintenance park has been working on the park, the warm weather has been bringing more people out. Lopez asked people to be mindful of their speed because kids will be out more since school has stopped for the summer. The Mercado is finished except for a few things but will be ready to open. They have been looking for the funding for the pump track. The previous weekend he had attended an event, Fight Like A Girl, held at Fort Bayard. He had been asked to speak. "It was a great event and the first one. They had some food vendors, and it was well attended." They had a budget meeting and it had gone well. "We are in a good place with it." He thanked all the employees, fire department and police. He had spoken to the people working on the Bellm Street project and they said it would not be done until the end of June. They had some delays that set back the time to be finished.

Resolutions

The council approved resolution 2024-14 that adopts the Grant County affordable housing plan. They had tabled it last time until they had obtained more information. Sheila Hudman, village administrator, said this would allow them to receive grants to build affordable housing. This allows the village to donate land or houses to be developed or renovated and not violate the anti-donation clause in the village code. They must adopt the county plan first and then can do a village plan. The NMFA (New Mexico Finance Authority) would have to approve the plan first. They will also have funding available to help fix existing homes. Builders will also be eligible for tax breaks. Lopez said he thought it could be a good thing, but they still will have a lot of questions. Hudman said Bisbee, Arizona had done the program, and it has been working well for them.

The council approved resolution 2024-15 that will transfer accumulated monies in corrections fee special fund. Hudman said the state had changed a law allowing the municipalities to keep the court fees. They no longer will be able to keep those and they will go to the state. The municipal league recommended they remove all those funds in the account before the end of the fiscal year so they would not have any confusion.

Ordinances

The council approved permission to publish the intent to adopt the village of Santa Clara affordable housing ordinance.

Reports from departments

Larry Montoya, fire chief /animal control officer, said they only had one dog in the shelter and had adopted out a few. They have also been working on donations for fireworks. Recently they had an ISO (Insurance Services Office) inspection that is done every year. He said they had dropped from a six to a five. This will help the insurance rates for the village and residents. It will also help them obtain a larger fire fund. They will be participating in the "Jump Into Summer" at Gough Park.

Rosemary Arciero, code enforcement officer, said she had been focusing on the really bad properties and now that they had an alternate judge she could move forward.

Lonnie Sandoval, police chief, said they have a couple applicants and one had certification. "We are on track to be fully staffed." The department has a total of five including the police chief.

Lopez said although they receive written reports from each department it helps fill in any gaps or answer questions the council may have when they come and give a quick report in person.

June 14, 2024, the village will be having music in the park and more events in June.

The council went into closed session.

The council came back to open session and said no decisions had been made or actions taken.

First regular meeting will be held Thursday June 13, 2024, at 6:00 pm
Second regular meeting will be held Thursday June 27, at 6:00 pm

Meeting Adjourned