Front Page News

By Lynn Janes

On March 20, 2024, Representative Luis Terrazas held a town hall meeting at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. It was one of four town halls he conducted in the county. Previously he had done one in Mimbres and Bayard and the following day he would be in Cliff. He thanked everyone for coming to listen and ask questions. He spoke for an hour and left an hour for questions.

Silver City, NM — Tour of the Gila is the race where young talent gets noticed. Development riders and teams strategically target Tour of the Gila, knowing that a top result in the notoriously challenging American stage race puts athletes among the sport's names to watch. Cases in point: Team California and Milton Women's U23 Project. The U23 men's team is based in the U.S., while the Canadian women's team travels to compete in Tour of the Gila.

Grant County Commission holds work session 031224 part 4

[Editor's Note: This is the fourth of a series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session on March 12, 2024. It continues the county reports.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The next report at the Grant County Commission work session on March 12, 2024 came from Fiscal Services Director Linda Vasquez. She noted the department has issued three RFPs (request for proposal), with the first for the comprehensive plan consultant, which was due March 22, 2024; the second for the brownfields cleanup project for the old jail, due on April 10, 2024; and the last for architectural services, due April 2, 2024.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a special meeting March 19, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, councilors Nanette Day, Reynaldo Maynes, Keana Huerta, and James Langley.

The council approved the consent agenda which included department reports and regular meeting minutes. Some of the department heads gave short reports to the council.

Day said the library had 65 visitors the past month and they would be having an event April 6, 2024. The event will have food vendors, mobile farmers market and the fire department. Langley said they will be looking at adding internet service at the library and he has found a program that would give them an 80 percent subsidy. He added they might have two helicopters come in for the event.

The council approved the bid recommendation from Stantec for Dement Electric to do the lift station improvements. George Esqueda, Stantec, said they had only received one bid.

The council approved the bid recommendation from Esqueda for A Street and 4th Street improvements. It will include curbs, gutters, and sidewalks. They had received one bid from Southwest Concrete, and it had come in under budget.

The council approved task order #5 for chip seal improvements. This allows Stantec to do the required paperwork for funding and obtaining environmental certification.

The council approved task order #6 for looking at the structural integrity of the American Legion hall for the use of the quality-of-life program improvements.

The council approved Stantec to oversee the construction phase of the chip seal for A Street and 4th Street.

The council tabled the updates from Esqueda on the current and upcoming projects. He had left pertinent information at the office. They briefly spoke about the Big Muddy and the approximate $250,000 funding for the project.

The council approved the certification for placement of a manufactured home for James Benavidez at 37 Lea Dr. He had met all the requirements of the city.

The council tabled the request to move in a travel trailer as a temporary residence at 313 Aztec. The individual that had made the request didn't attend.

The council approved taking home one of the units for Fire Chief Jay Madrid. It will just be there in the event of a call for the fire department. Stevens said he had to abide by the rules and only use it for business.

The council approved increasing the hours of the animal control officer from 20 hours a week to 40 hours a week after some discussion. Langley said all the residents he had talked with had been in favor of the increase. Much of the discussion had to do with how they would fund the increase. They would be under a new budget in July and could add it in at that time. Lori Ortiz, city clerk, said for now it could be handled with a budget adjustment. She added that if they did two part time positions it would save Hurley money by not having to pay full time benefits such as retirement and insurance. They discussed if the current animal control office would want to work full time. Police Chief Christian McGuinness said he would like to have Jason Cox , animal control officer, full time but it would be up to him.

The council switched the discussion to the problems with dogs attacking the residents. Recently some residents had been viciously attacked in their own yards by some dogs requiring emergency room visits and some had been charged at by the same dogs. Huerta said, "I am sad my family is scared to go out because of the dogs." Many of the residents have become afraid to walk outside due to these dogs. Ortiz said she and McGuinness would meet with Cox and see what he wanted to do.

The council tabled the discussion on zoning. Day said she had looked at the maps made a few years back when they had started to address zoning in Hurley. Currently they do not have any zoning. This had come up again due to some cattle that have been grazing inside city limits. Originally the zoning came up because of having to have a cannabis ordinance. Day had provided the council with a draft of the zoning and some ideas. Langley said, "What is okay today might not be next year. We need to get more information." He had spoken with some experts that would be looking into it for them. Day said she wanted to work with what they had. Stevens wanted to meet with the persons affected by the grazing.

The council approved tabling the intent to adopt ordinance 11-K animal control ordinance after a lot of discussion and providing time for public comment. The comments all surround a long time problem with the same owner and dogs.

Diane Flores had been bitten by the dogs. "The dogs are the owner's responsibility, but the city is responsible also." The dog owner had been cited six times in the last year. She thanked Cox and stressed he had done his job. She had been attacked while trying to save her father while the dogs attacked him. "I tried to work with the owner, but he doesn't care, he is negligent and so is the town." Now they are afraid of being in their own yard and carry something to stop them every time they go outside. "The ordinance needs to be stronger. He has three dogs, and they all are aggressive. I hope they don't attack any kids."

Another residents said he had been attacked by the dogs eight months ago and at that time he had seven dogs. "The council and mayor need to be held accountable. Jason did his job." He added it is always the same two vicious dogs.

One of the residents had sent photos in 2022 and in 2023. For three years they have had problems. "I carry a pellet gun outside every time for protection from the dogs." He added that the dog owner had far too many chances.

Stevens said the ordinance that they have come up with should solve the problems everyone has had. He apologizes for everything that had happened to them. They have been trying to find the answers to keep this from happening to anyone ever again. Much discussion went on between the mayor and residents on what should and should not have happened. Stevens asked them to all file complaints and help give the citations more "teeth." Flores said she had made statements and the judge dismissed the charges twice.

One resident said, "This is ridiculous this has gone on so long. All of this should have never happened." He pointed out that when this person had seven dogs why had they not done anything. He felt he needed to carry a gun for protection.

Peter Martinez said his father and sister had been attacked along with himself. The dogs go for the throat. His father had to have ten stiches after the attack. "I reported this to the sheriff's department because of off hours of the Hurley police department and nothing was done." He had wanted it on the record but the sheriff's department had not done a report on the incident. He also added that Cox had been there for them. Before that Delilah Huerta had done her job but they had run her off. "This is pathetic, and you can't let this man go."

McGuinness said the current ordinance does not have enough "teeth." One of the dogs had been a 2-3 year old and one of the attacks had been so vicious he ripped out his K-9 tooth. The ordinance had been rewritten and given to an attorney for approval. Stevens said the attorney had reviewed it and approved it.

Day said that she works as an editor for a living and reading through the ordinance she sees a lot of contradictions. She had seventeen questions that needed to be addressed. "I want this as airtight as possible." Stevens said since Day does this for a living, they should review her concerns. Langley said, "This is a very important document, and it has to be right." Day said she wanted to meet with McGuinness and Cox in the next few days. "I want this done quickly and I ask you to trust me to make this as airtight as possible."

One resident asked if the dogs would be put down and added that the owner abuses the dogs. They all had comments on this issue. Cox said, "We could cite them all we want but, in the end, it would be the judge's discretion." The owner had been charged with third-degree felonies for the attacks of the dogs. A resident said all the dogs have gone except one.

The council had some discussion about the recreation improvements. The pool maintenance cost came up and the idea of using solar to heat it. They have been looking into adding a jungle gym and swing set to one of the parks. The quotes have been $80,000 to $100,000. Ortiz said they had a lot of projects and would like direction from the council of which of them to prioritize. Maynes said fencing and then painting. Day said workshop, pool, and E Street. Ortiz said they would discuss updates at each meeting, and she would check with the engineers on the pool heater.

The council approved the required training for Mateo Madrid, municipal judge, in Albuquerque.

The council approved Ortiz and Darlene McBride, deputy clerk, to attend the New Mexico municipal clerks and finance officer annual spring meeting in Ruidoso. Ortiz said these meetings keep them up to date with all the new requirements.

The council approved a monthly newsletter for Hurley that will be mailed out to approximately 570 residents. Ortiz said it could not go out with the water bill because the water bill is printed on a postcard. Stevens asked to see the newsletter before it goes out each month.

Mayor and councilors reports

Day said on the next agenda she would like to discuss hiring a human resource person to update the policies. Langley said they needed a request form for the agenda, so they don't miss anything and clear up problems in the future.

Huerta requested having a welcome packet for new residents, so they have all the information they need.

Maynes wanted to visit the idea of the councilors all having shirts that say councilor on them for events and meetings. Ortiz said they had gotten funding for that in the past and would look into it. Maynes add also they should have business cards. Ortiz told him or any of the other councilors to let her know what phone number they wanted on them, and she would have them done.

Langley thanked maintenance for the clean up on Carrasco Street and said the residents had all been happy. He thanked all the officers that have helped the town and included the sheriff's deputies. He thanked Day for her writing skills.

Next regular meeting will be April 9, 2024, at 5:00 pm

Meeting adjourned.

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PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) announced today that its Board of Directors declared cash dividends of $0.15 per share on FCX's common stock payable on May 1, 2024, to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2024. The declaration includes a base dividend of $0.075 per share and variable dividend of $0.075 per share in accordance with FCX's performance-based payout framework. The payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Board, which will consider FCX's financial results, cash requirements, global economic conditions and other factors it deems relevant.

[Editor's Note: This is the third of a series of articles on the Grant County Commission meeting on March 12, 2024. It begins the county reports.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The first county report came from Detention Center Administrator Joseph Andazola.

He said the department has five openings, with two officers in training and one pending job offer. "We held interviews on March 7, 2024."

"I submitted the application for accreditation for the Detention Center," Andazola said.

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting March 14, 2024. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza and Trustees Olga Amador, Peter Erickson, and Ralph Trujillo attended.

Mayor's report

Lopez had been meeting with all the departments to get organized for upcoming projects. "We had good communication and I feel they had good plans for moving forward." They will be working on the outside of the Bradly Hotel in March or April. "I am focused on getting the town cleaned up and the new building ready to use." He turned the update on the Bellm project over to Sheila Hudman, village administrator, Mill Street would open Monday and they will move to the next street. The schedule has been slowed down some due to weather but should have the project complete by May. They need to move an electric pole. Lopez said they would be replacing the streetlights with LED lights.

New Business

Senator Siah Correa-Hemphill had been scheduled to give the council an update on the legislature but had to cancel.

The council approved the quote for the solar speed signs requested by Police Chief Lonnie Sandoval. He felt these would help slow people down within the village. He had received two quotes and they discussed both. The council chose the one that would be $5,995 for each sign for a year and then they could evaluate the effectiveness of them. Hudman said they would be using the law enforcement funds to pay the contract. The company will come set them up and maintain them and they will be able to move them. Lopez said those signs in other areas have slowed him down and made him aware of his speed. "They put me in check." They could be useful, and any deterrent would be a good thing. Sandoval said he has also been requesting quotes on cameras. With all the construction, the speed signs would be useful.

The council approved the $30,000 concrete slab at the mercado by Mimbres Construction using Freeport McMoRan funding. They had donated $60,000 to do the lot and slab. Hudman said she had to get the slab done as soon as possible because she had landscaping starting in June.

The council will be setting up budget meetings in the next month. Hudman said she would like to see one on the off weeks of the council meetings in April. She reminded the council she had to have the 72-hour notice to let the public know.

Resolutions

The council approved resolution 2024-05 that allows for the filing of an application for financial assistance to the New Mexico finance Authority for the Colonias Infrastructure Fund. Hudman let the council know what projects this would be covering. Well 4 had gone down in the past year and the emergency repair had cost about $50,000. Badger Western had advised the village to update the well. It had been installed in 2010 and had about a 10-year life span. The other project would be to repair and redo the water holding tanks. One had been done in 1950 and the other in 1980. They also needed to replace the water valves throughout the village. Some didn't work anymore and having them all working would make it easier to isolate leaks. The worst case scenario to do all the projects would be $2 million. They would not be able to get this much with capital outlay funds. The application would be to pay the 10 percent match required for colonias funding. Hudman said she didn't think they would get the $2 million but a portion of it. Lopez said they needed to do this while they could. Currently colonias has a lot of funding available.

Lopez said they could have a complete loss on any of the projects mentioned and water is the most important thing. Hudman went over all the infrastructure projects they had done in the past using colonias funds.

The council approved resolution 2024-06. This would be for an application to the New Mexico Department of Transportation municipal arterial program (MAP) fund to update the Oak Street Bridge. In 2013 the army corps of engineers had come in and done a flood survey. The survey showed Cameron Creek had too low a number of crossings because of the encroachment into the creek through the years making it narrower and causing the water to flow through faster during flooding.

Lopez said they may not get the funding because they had a lot of municipalities to compete with, but it would be good if they could obtain that funding. Hudman said all of this takes time and reminded them how long the Bellm Street project had taken. They worked ten years on it.

The council approved resolution 2024-07 that allows the donation of the used fire engine to Mexico. Larry Montoya, fire chief, said this fire engine no longer meets the state code. It can still be used, and they have some equipment they can donate with it that also does not meet code but can still be used. The village can donate this because of receiving a donated fire engine from Eddy County that meets all code requirements for the state. The fire marshal has approved the donation. Hudman said they would have to send the letter from the fire marshal and obtain approval from the DFA (department of finance) because of the value. Lopez said all decals would be removed and thanked Sandoval for all his work to get this donation moving forward.

Ordinances

The council approved the intent to adopt an ordinance amending part of title 8, public utilities, of the 2014 Santa Clara village code that establishes the rates the village charges for municipal utilities. Yvonne Gonzalez, village attorney, said it would just be a 5 percent cost increase across the board except wastewater. Hudman added that on average it would cost the resident an additional $2.58 a month. She said they needed to do this every year. They will be having to send out an RFP (request for proposal) for trash service and she knew that would cost the village more than they currently pay. Recently she had to ask the council for a $32,000 adjustment moving it from general funds to cover the additional cost incurred because everything had gone up. Hudman had wanted to do the increase before but the former mayor, Richard Bauch, had not wanted to drop it on the new mayor.

Lopez said 5 percent would not be a lot. Inflation has hit everything, and the village has had problems covering all the increased costs. "We are still the lowest in Grant County."

The council approved the intent to adopt an ordinance to amend several areas in the Santa Clara code. Gonzales said the village had adopted the code in 2014. At that time the former mayor, Bauch, had turned it over to a professional publishing company to put it together in a cohesive code. They have amended the code in many areas and added provisions and sections. They will just be adding definitions needed throughout. The ordinance amendment will be 22 pages. Lopez said, "In a nutshell we are updating things to make the wording easier and more complete." Gonzales said they will still be working on title 10 of the code.

The council went into closed session

The council came back from closed session and said no action had taken place.

The council approved the hiring of Larry Montoya as the animal control officer.

Second regular meeting will be held Thursday March 28, at 6:00 pm
First regular meeting will be held Thursday April 11, 2024, at 6:00 pm

Meeting Adjourned

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting March 11, 2024. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina, councilors, Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales, and Gilbert Ortiz. Gabriel Ramos, city clerk, also attended.

Public input

Ralf Jimenez, with Copper Little League, addressed the council and apologized for the mix up. He had not realized he had been expected to attend the last council meeting. He thanked them for their continued support. This year they have been selected to host all-stars games and an umpire training. The umpire training will bring approximately 30 people from all over the southwest part of the state. The little league will open on March 23, 2024. He formally asked the council for the use of the field lights. They will only need them until 9:00-9:30pm. He said they will also be using the Fort Bayard field for practice. Jimenez thanked Michael Paez, maintenance director, for getting the fields ready to use.