Grants OKs money for MainStreet,
animal shelter

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — In Tuesday night’s meeting Grants City Councilors move forward with the animal shelter, the animal board, sports arena equipment and the infrastructure, and updated contracts.

In a move that supported this month’s Lodger Tax Board’s decision, councilors voted to amend the recent Lodgers Tax annual agreement with the MainStreet Project. The amendment will award an additional $40,000 to the ailing project, bringing their 2008-2009 contract award to $60,000.

In a recent interview, MainStreet board member and promotions committee member T. Walter Jaramillo said the project is underfunded, and to function properly they needs more in the coffers as seed money for promotions and running expenses.

Donald Jaramillo, project president, said the amended contract will allow MainStreet to get out from under the debt they have been carrying since a monsoon wipe-out at the 2007 Fire and Ice Rally.

City Manager Robert Horacek said there is no provision in the agreement for oversight or accountability. MainStreet Project directors are conducting an in-house inventory and reorganization, and will hire a new director as soon as internal concerns are dealt with, the president said. He added that the additional $40,000 in this year’s award will help the project considerably.

The new animal shelter also received money when the council approved a change order for shelter plans. The change covers the installation of a fence along the east side of the shelter with the cost running to $55,668.02, including tax.

In another animal-related item, the mayor appointed members to the newly permanent animal board. Joe Murietta said the current board can continue to serve for the next year, having filed applications with the city.

Sports fans will receive a boon when the approved new bleachers are installed at Wells Park off Sakelares Boulevard. The council approved a to award $19,881.00, including shipping costs, to Miracle Recreation for the stands. The bleachers are on state contract, according to city Project Coordinator Roberta Martinez.

Councilors also approved an Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, also called the Five Year Plan. The plan is a prioritized list of necessary or desired expenditures for improvements to the city’s utilities, equipment, pipes and so forth. Recommendations come from the heads of city departments and members of the public. This year no members of the public were present at the August 5 meeting.

Top items on the approved plan include a match of improvements on First, Second and Roosevelt Streets, at $750,000; First, Second and Roosevelt Streets utilities at $2,000,000; Waste Water Treatment Plant improvement at $1,500,000; building renovations for the new library at $400,000; and upgrading “various streets” at $200,000.
Other contracts approved at the meeting include an amendment to the OMI contract, the purchase of millings (recycled asphalt) from the Department of Transportation and an agreement with the Environment Department.

The City Council meets the last Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. Agenda are available at City Hall on the day preceding the meeting. A public comment session is held at each meeting.