By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting July 9, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, Mayor Pro Tem Guadalupe Cano, Rudy Bencomo, Nicholas Prince, and Stan Snider.

Council comments

Cano thanked all the people involved in the July 4th event and especially Romeo Cruz, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce director, for all the coordination. She said it had not been all good that day because of the murder and told people if they had any information to please contact the police. She thanked Jacqueline Olea for all she does and keeps up with.

Snider reminded everyone about the work session being held concerning the downtown issues and solutions and thanked Cano for setting it up.

Prince thanked the chamber for the parade, town of Silver City staff, museum and businesses. Tonight, the council would be approving the ICIP (Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan). He wanted three main projects on there. They have a perpetual traffic condition on Bullard, College, Pope and Texas Streets. He said navigating can be hazardous. Highway 180 from Alabama Street to Little Walnut Road needs improved public safety signs. He also included Kelly Street, E Street and Cheyenne Street. Prince wants a year-round aquatic facility.

Prince said he has spoken calmly a lot of the time for general public concern. But now he could not be calm because a friend had been found dead by some kids that parents were also friends. He wants the police to use the $3.89 million budget to ensure proper control of our public spaces. "A $2,500 reward is a poor substitute for public safety." He continued to direct his irritation towards the officer attending in the place of Chief Freddie Portillo. He wanted a greater presence of the police. "I don't know where the police are parked or patrolling. It is not my job to micromanage; it is the town manager's." He pointed out his contract would be up for renewal this year. "We have done quite a bit to support our public safety officers in my time on the council. It would be wonderful to see the officers we are paying to be who the public feels comfortable talking to before I receive more tearful phone calls, texts or videos." He added they had not authorized the 2025 budget that allotted $4.29 million for law enforcement. "We are spending $200,000 for each officer a year and the town is growing. People don't feel safe. I will fight for more patrols, so my friend's kids don't find another dead body." Prince continued to be addressing the police representative in attendance. "I really wish I could trust this department for my health, safety and welfare."

Bencomo said he had received phone calls from people requesting the area around the old Washington Federal drive through be cleaned up. They have found homeless people there.

Ladner said he knew he always comments about the volunteers, but he wanted to thank all the people involved in the July 4th events. The website was close to being redone and he thanked Alfred Sedillo, town clerk, for all his hard work. Ladner thanked Brown for all his hard work on the projects. He pointed out how many people had not been happy about the Ridge Road project and made many complaints but when it had been finished everyone had been happy with the project and the same has happened with the 32nd Street project.

Public Input

Bill Woodward said it had been a month since he had spoken to the council about their water contract. He had come on several occasions because of a water contract his family had with the town since the 1950s. His father had tried to have it amended in 1967 to include a cost of living increase in the contract. At that time the attorney for the town threatened his father with just taking it using the eminent domain law. "57 years later we are still being paid the same." With current inflation he said it would only be worth about 10 percent. He asked the council to consider never receiving a raise for their entire career or their social security frozen from the very first day. "I ask that all numbers be adjusted for inflation. I don't think that is unreasonable." It would cost the average customer 60 cents a month. "You have continued to ignore this issue, and I have not received any response. I will not take you to court because I don't have a legal leg to stand on, you are paying exactly what the contract says." He told the council that they knew he was right, and they would be wrong to ignore this.

New business

The council approved the special dispensary permit for Q's Southern Bistro to provide alcohol service for the Carnitas Musica Y Mas Fiesta on August 30, 31 and September 1, 2024. Joe Ray, one of the coordinators for the event said they would have entrances and exits on four sides and security. It will be Labor Day weekend, and they will also have a carnival on Pope Street.

The council disapproved the marketing services at Brown's request. He had found some conflicting information and wanted to reject them all and clean up the request for proposal and resubmit.

The council approved resolution No. 2024-14 to adopt the ICIP for 2026-2030 after Olea went over the list. Some of the items had been added. They added a behavioral health care facility, homeless shelter and water projects.

The council approved the notice of intent to adopt an ordinance amending chapter 10 having to do with businesses and licenses. Cano said she had helped with this, and it would provide the town with more tools to deal with nuisance businesses. They will have to show names and contacts for all stakeholders in a business and require they contact the town with any changes.

Meeting adjourned.