By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a regular meeting November 14, 2024. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Trustees, Peter Erickson, Olga Amador and Ralph Trujillo attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza didn't attend.

Mayors report

Lopez said maintenance and Sheila Hudman, village administrator, had been busy preparing for the Tamal Fiesta. He wanted to recognize everyone in the office, for an award he received from the New Mexico State Auditor for the most improved audit. He congratulated them on the accomplishment. The street improvements have been continuing and they would be planting trees

Hudman said some of the kids from Aldo Leopold charter school will be coming in and removing rock in the buffer areas for two days. These kids would not be part of the YCC (youth conservation corps) the kids will be doing this on their own. The village had received a $7,500 grant from clean and beautiful and they will be putting in shrubs in the buffer areas. They wanted to do trees but could not because of a gas line. They will be putting trees on the other side of the street. Trees will also be planted in some lots and decorative grasses such as pampas grass. A survey will be done with the residents before they plant the trees. They have also looked at putting some at the cemetery.

Lopez said the Bradley Hotel has still been on hold due to permits. He thanked the employees and said they would be going to winter hours, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. It will be too dark at 5:00 pm. Police will continue their 12-hour shifts. He thanked the volunteer fire department, police, code enforcement and maintenance for their hard work.

The village proclaimed November 16, 2024, as the official day of the Tamal Fiesta y Mas 2024. The fiesta is a celebration of the local Hispanic culture with food, music, performances and more. It will also commemorate the centennial of the Gila National Forest, hot tamale classic corn hole toss and disc golf tournament. Silver City had hosted the fiesta for sixteen years and in 2016 turned it over to Santa Clara. Raul Turrieta, fiesta coordinator, thanked the community for all their help and commented on how much the event has grown. "My head is here in the mining district. The history here is unbelievable and important to the area." Lopez thanked everyone for their hard work organizing the event and it could not be done without Turrieta. Hudman said it had all been Turrieta; he does the promotion and gets people there.

New business

Jacob Madrid has asked to be on the agenda to present the village with a plaque of appreciation. He thanked them for the opportunity to have a place to meet for the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 12212 since 2021 at the armory.

The council approved the application by Anthony Alacron to move a 2025 Palm Harbor 32 x 64 mobile home to 806 Aspen Street. Rosemary Arciero, code enforcement, said they had met all the requirements and would be working on the pad for the mobile home. They would be needing to have the address changed and she will follow up.

The council approved a quote from Armstrong Floor and Wall for cleaning and replacing flooring in the animal shelter for $10,614.56. Larry Montoya, animal control officer, said they had come to the rehabbing of the improvements, and it required the replacement of the flooring. It would not be coming out of the general fund, but the animal control fund and they had plenty to cover it. They would be installing waterproof luminant flooring.

The council approved a quote for pet-friendly software in the amount of $1,200 yearly. Montoya said it would allow him to do better documentation of the animals taken in and all that would be involved. It would also make it more organized, and information easily accessed.

The council approved task order number two. Leandra Esparza, village clerk, said this would allow for the sidewalks to connect where they had supposed to have been connected.

The council approved the donation of retired fire equipment to Delicia, Mexico Fire Department. Larry Montoya, fire chief, said some of their hoses do not meet the required standards but still can be used and work well. Mexico's standards are not as rigorous.

The council approved the commercial property lease for office space located at 11990 highway 180 East, the armory, to Aaron Amador and Billy Trujillo of the Youth Leadership Development Academy. Yvonne Gonzales, village attorney, said this will be a new organization that came out of the wrestling team at Cobre High School. The coaches wanted to expand by teaching them leadership. It will be a small office and the sharing of a classroom with the Veterans (VFW) and Fort Bayard Historical Society. They have left it to the three to organize the use of the classroom and not put a burden on the village administration. They will maintain $1 million liability insurance. The rent will be $250 a month of which $50 will be in cash and the $200 in kind with the maintenance department to do things appropriate for kids of their age group. They will be supervised by the coaches or the village maintenance employees. The parents and students will sign a release of liability. The in-kind will not violate the anti-donation laws.

The lease will start December 1, 2024, and be for one year. Gonzales added that if for some reason the future use of the premises did not allow for them the contract would be voided or if the law prohibited. She cited some examples. This lease will be different from most commercial leases, but it will be good for the area and the youth. Lopez agreed it would be a good thing.

The council approved the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the department of homeland security and emergency management, state fire marshal. Montoya explained this would be for them to come do investigations when needed and it would be standard operating procedure.

Hiring raises and terminations

Lopez said he had contacted the council before doing this. He had a chance to hire someone for the open maintenance position. They had not had many applicants. He hired him at $17 an hour and he started November 4, 2024. Lopez said he had been doing a good job. The council ratified his hire.

First regular meeting to be held Thursday December 12, 2024, at 6:00 pm

Second regular meeting to be canceled due to the holidays in both November and December.

Meeting Adjourned