City Council — Grants, NM
Date: 2025-11-04

CITY OF GRANTS
 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
 Wednesday, September 17, 2025

 MINUTES



MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

 Mayor Garcia called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.

ROLL CALL
Present:
 Mayor Erik Garcia
 Councilor Beverly Michael
 Councilor Fred E Rodarte (via audio)
 Councilor George Garcia (via audio)

Absent:
 Councilor Zachery Gutierrez

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 Motion: Approval of the Agenda as is.
 Motion: Beverly Michael Second: George Garcia Ayes: 3 Nays: 0

DISCUSSION OF CHARTER COMPLIANCE
 Mayor Garcia stated that a Council member made an addition to the agenda, which violated
 the City Charter.

 Mayor Garcia asked if the Charter was being broken by the addition to the agenda; Attorney
 Dan Gershon stated that the Mayor was correct.

 Councilor Michael stated that the rule of agenda additions is governed by the Open Meetings
 Act Resolution.

 Attorney Gershon stated that he does not feel that the OMA trumps the Charter; Councilor
 Michael then viewed the City Charter, which states that the Charter points out the OMA is
 approved by the Council, which at one point was changed to allow Councilors to add items to
 the agenda; City Clerk Salas confirmed Councilor Michael's statement.


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 Councilor Rodarte stated that in 2020, the previous City Manager, Laura Jaramillo,
 initiated the resolution, which enacted the Open Meetings Act to allow the Council to
 add items to the agenda without a violation of the City Charter.

 Mayor Garcia then stated that we could put that to rest.

 Councilor Michael elaborated on Charter amendments, including opting in to the general
 elections and term limits.

 Attorney Gershon stated that it looks like the City was trying to be in compliance with state
 law with prior amendments to the Charter.

 Clerk Salas stated that when the Council opted into the elections, the previous City Attorney,
 Jessica Nixon, pointed out that Election Code Laws gave municipalities leeway to amend the
 election code without any stipulations, and this is why the Council agreed to opt in to the
 General Elections.

 Councilor Michael stated that, as a home rule city, she feels that it should have been voted on
 by the citizens.

CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
 John Martinez, Cibola Arts Council, took the floor, introducing the new Cibola Arts Director,
 Debbie Dagut.

 Dagut took the floor, in which she stated that the gallery will be hosting classes soon
 and is looking forward to working with the gallery.

1. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS:

1.1 Discussion/Action -Approval of August 20, 2025, RCCM Regular City Council Meeting Minutes

 Motion: Approval of August 20, 2025, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
 Motion: Beverly Michael Second: George Garcia Ayes: 3 Nays: O
 Abstain: 1 FR

1.2 Discussion - Public Safety

 Police Chief Maxine Monte took the floor, Chief Monte stated that her department hosted
 training at the Golf Course; Officer Vallo is attending the CERT by waiver academy; a new
 highly qualified officer has been hired; her department assisted with the Wings and
 Wheels Event; her department participated in a MOC drill; her department participated in
 the Red Ribbon Run; Chief Monte went over recent crimes committed in the City which
 included a great bodily harm incident and a child abuse case incident which is currently
 under investigation, and the death of an elderly male; her department held a DWI

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 checkpoint which resulted in 13 citations, and her department has received many
 complaints about traffic lights and are working on the issues by purchasing new lights with
 radar signs. Chief Monte then asked citizens to be mindful of school zone speed limits.

 Councilor Michael questioned the length of the high school's speed zone; Chief Monte
 stated that it is currently being looked at.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the stats on crime; Chief Monte stated that arrests have
 increased, incidents have increased, accidents have decreased, and tickets have
 increased.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the PD's staffing; Chief Monte announced that her
 department is looking to hire additional officers.

 Councilor Michael questioned why most Police Departments do not hire officers younger than
 18 years old.

 Councilor Michael questioned whether the Mt. Taylor addition is in the City's jurisdiction.

 Fire Chief Mike Maes approached the bench, thanking and recognizing his crew; pointing out
 that his crew delivered a baby; Station 1 expansion dirt work is completed, and more work is
 scheduled soon; Grants fire responded to 298 calls for service within one month.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the Fire Department's Staff status; Chief Maes stated he
 currently has 25 employees.

1.3 Discussion - Clean-up Projects
 Jorge Mendez, Public Works Director, approached the bench, updating the Council on the
 status of graffiti removal via a contractor.

 Mayor Garcia questioned maintaining the removed graffiti.

 Mendez stated that the ditches are being cleaned, but the aftermath of recent storms has
 made maintaining the streets difficult.

 Councilor Michael suggested that utilizing Police Bike Patrols could assist in catching graffiti
 vandalism crimes.

1.4 Discussion - Presentation: Cibola County Collaborative Approach to Building Economies
 Cibola County Joshua Gutierrez approached the bench, stating that the County recently re­
 established the Economic Foundation, and he would like to focus on larger growth, which
 entails revitalizing the city's economy by catering to Albuquerque's metro area. Gutierrez
 pointed out that he would like to see long-term resilience, collaboration, and government

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 grant funding to meet this goal. Gutierrez then spoke about his meetings with stakeholders
 towards his initiative and asked the City to join the County.

 Councilor Michael questioned the status of the working group and asked how elected
 officials can be part of the initiative; Gutierrez stated that the Council can communicate
 citizens' needs.

 Councilor Michael pointed out a recent Affordable Housing Act Resolution; Gutierrez stated
 that he wrote the Resolution and explained that it provided access to utilities, which is
 necessary in helping with the development.

 Councilor Michael then questioned how a councilor can advocate for Gutierrez's initiative.

 Mayor Garcia stated that Councilor Michael can attend the meetings.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the components of economic increase that could be utilized;
 Martinez stated that it is logistics on the east side of town.

 Councilor Michael stated that constituents have advocated for a train to Albuquerque.

 Gutierrez stated that due to high costs in large cities, industry may be apt to build in
 Grants at a lower cost.

 Mayor Garcia pointed out that City infrastructure is the key to development, and currently
 Sakaleres Ave. is being developed for this specific use.

 Gutierrez stated he has been working with Andrew and City Engineers'

1.5 Discussion/Action -Approval of Ordinance No. 25-1292: Compensation for Elected Officials
 Option A, 20-40

 Mayor Garcia asked for a vote on the ordinance.

 Councilor Michael stated that the increase in compensation was too high.

 Councilor Rodarte stated he was not in favor of this option.

 Councilor Garcia stated he feels that both options are excessive due to the City's City
 Manager position.

 Mayor Garcia called for a motion, but no motion was made.
 *Ordinance died due to lack of a motion.



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1.6 Discussion/Action -Approval of Ordinance No. 25-1293: Compensation for Elected Officials
 Option B, 18-36

 Councilor Michael pointed out that it is difficult to elaborate on giving herself a raise, but feels
 that Option B is more reasonable.

 Councilor Rodarte stated he disagrees with this option due to conversations with other
 municipalities.

 Councilor Garcia stated that due to the City Manager position, which consumes many of the
 roles of the mayor, he feels the amount is excessive.

 Councilor Michael then pointed out that the scale that the City Manager utilized to project
 these figures is in line with the proposed increase in compensation.

 Motion: Approval of Ordinance No. 25-1293: Compensation for Elected Officials Option B, 18-
 36
 Motion: Beverly Michael Motion: None
 *Ordinance died due to lack of a second.

1. 7 Discussion/Action - Approval of Elected Official Compensation Agreement

 Councilor Rodarte stated that in the past, the Council came to an agreement for increased
 compensation. He then entertained an increase of the Council at twenty thousand dollars a
 year and the Mayor at twenty-five thousand a year.

 Councilor Garcia elaborated on increased Council compensation, stating that every
 municipality is different, he agrees that it is time for an increase, and the increase is for the
 next elected officials, not the current members. Councilor Garcia then stated the increase
 should be reasonable, stating that some of the increases are set to be more than what some
 City workers are paid right now.

 Mayor Garcia then confirmed that Councilor Rodarte is running for Council unopposed;
 Councilor Rodarte stated that, as of that moment, he thinks he is.

 Mayor Garcia then suggested that Councilor Rodarte abstain from voting due to his vote
 increasing his pay; Councilor Rodarte stated he is voting on a raise for the Council and the
 Mayor, and his vote does not necessarily mean it is solely for him, but rather for the City and
 the Council.

 Councilor Michael asked for a Point of Order; Mayor Garcia called a Point of Order.

 Councilor Michael questioned whether the item had to be published prior to the vote.


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 City Attorney Dan Gershon stated that the Clerk pointed out the action was solely for the
 draft of an ordinance, not to pass the proposed compensation.

 Motion: To direct the City Manager to draft an ordinance with those figures in mind $20,000
 for the Council and $25,000 for the Mayor.
 Motion: Fred Rodarte Second: George Garcia Ayes: 3 Nays: 0

 Mayor Garcia questioned whether having the two Council members on the same line during
 the meeting violates the Open Meetings Act; City Attorney Gershon stated that it is a
 legitimate concern, but it is legal, and that the Councilors direct their business strictly to when
 they are on the record.

1.8 Discussion/Action - Approval of Resolution No. 25-1908: Submission of Water Trust Board
 Application for Water System Improvements

 Project Manager Nadine Jiron took the floor, asking the Council for approval of the resolution,
 which would initiate the Water Trust Board Application for Water System Improvements,
 costing $7,105,454.55, which includes a City of Grants 10% match.

 Project Jiron pointed out that Senator Munoz asked that the application be filled out to start
 the process.

 Project Jiron then stated that there is a possibility for a loan, which would be based on the
 City's financial status.

 Councilor Michael asked how the money would be used; Jiron stated that Santa Fe. Ave. and
 San Jose Drive infrastructures are the targeted areas.

 Councilor Michael stressed the urgency of updating the City's infrastructure, recalling past
 emergency expenditures.

 Councilor Rodarte questioned if this action was a repeat of last year; Jiron stated it is not the
 same as last year, although the City has received the same type of funding.

 Councilor Garcia stated that he has confirmed with the New Mexico Municipal League that
 this type of funding is imperative due to Water & Wastewater not being funded by Capital
 Outlay any longer due to a lack of funding expenditures, which were previously awarded
 throughout the state.




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 Mayor Garcia questioned funding for the large match amount; Finance Villalobos pointed out
 that the newly executed tax this year is estimated to bring in around $300,000, which could
 be used for the match.

 Motion: Approval of Resolution No. 25-1908: Submission of Water Trust Board Application for
 Water System Improvements
 Motion: Beverly Michael Second: Fred Rodarte Ayes: 3 Nays: O
1.9 Discussion/Action -Approval of Resolution No. 25-1909: Submission of Water Trust Board
 Application for Wastewater System Improvements

 Project Manager Nadine Jiron took the floor, stating that the resolution would give authority
 to apply for the Water Trust Board Application for Wastewater System Improvements for
 construction services for $5,065,454.55, which requires a 10% match.

 The Council thanked Jiron for staying ahead of the application process.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the number of potential services per year and the loans required for
 the substantial amount.

 Finance Villalobos stated that the City was advised that the Water Trust Board would be
 issuing the funding for these types of projects from here on.

 Mayor Garcia questioned the possibility of a waiver for the 10% match, such as in past
 projects; Project Jiron stated that at this point, the application has not been approved, and
 there may be a possibility of additional funding.

 Mayor Garcia stated that Capital Outlay funding is no longer available.

 Councilor Michael stated that Capital Outlay funding was not being spent; therefore, the state
 has switched funding initiatives to the Water Trust Board to be more effective.

 Project Jiron stated that the new application process gives the City more time to spend the
 award.

 Motion: Approval of Resolution No. 25-1909: Submission of Water Trust Board Application for
 Wastewater System Improvements
 Motion: Beverly Michael Second: George Garcia Ayes:3 Nays: O
1.10 Discussion/Action -Approval of Resolution No. 25-1910: Submission of NM DOT TPF Match
 Waiver Request


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 Project Manager Nadine Jiron took the floor; Jiron asked the Council to approve the
 resolution for the submission of the New Mexico Department of Transportation's match
 waiver request for the extension of Davis and Gunderson Streets, with the 5% match being
 $254,137.26 of the 5 million dollar project. Jiron also pointed out that the City intends to
 apply for a match waiver upon City Council approval.

 Councilor Michael questioned how Jiron found out about the match waiver; Jiron stated that
 the City is unsure if it qualifies, but is applying.·

 Councilor Garcia credited Charles Lundstrom for the knowledge of the match waiver
 application process.

 Mayor Garcia questioned a previous match waiver; Jiron stated it was an "in-kind" waiver.

 Motion: Approval of Resolution No. 25-1910: Submission of NMDOT TPF Match Waiver
 Request, in the amount of $254,137.26.
 Motion: Fred Rodarte Second: George Garcia Ayes: 3 Nays:O
1.11 Discussion/Action -Approval of Wilson & Co. On-Call Engineer Domestic Violence Shelter
 Design Services

 Project Manager Nadine Jiron took the floor, requesting Council approval of design services
 for Roberts Place, domestic violence shelter design services, bidding management, and
 infrastructure design, funded by grant 24-212025-0 for $347,234.84.

 Councilor Michael read off the proposal.

 Councilor Garcia questioned why the City is approving Roberta's Place funding; Project Jiron
 stated that the City is the owner of the property and has been awarded the grant.

 Motion: Approval of Wilson & Co. On-Call Engineer Domestic Violence Shelter Design Services
 Motion: Beverly Michael Second: Fred Rodarte Ayes: 3 Nays: O

1.12 Discussion/Action -Approval of Resolution No. 25-1911: Budget Adjustment No. 1, with
 Attachment

 Finance Director Victor Villalobos took the floor presenting the first Budget Adjustment of the
 fiscal year which consisted of roll over purchase orders, pipes department increases in the
 general fund; purchase of the old Hanosh building; utility infrastructure repairs at the Hanosh
 building; Senior Center Program award adjustments; Recreation Center HVAC units; NM Clean
 & Beautiful award; Capital Outlay allocated funds; General Government Improvement


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 projects (GGI); Water Enterprise adjustments for the Hanosh building purchase, and Golf
 Course test removal contracts.

 Councilor Michael questioned GGI Funds. Finance Villalobos stated that when the City is
 awarded state funding that is not Capital Outlay, it is placed in the 3 million GGI account;
 Councilor Michael pointed out that the funds were now in the proper place.

 Councilor Michael questioned the EMS, Department of Health adjustment, and asked if it was
 deposited; Villalobos stated it was a negative adjustment due to it being $30,000 less than
 projected, which was now properly reflected.

 Councilor Michael stated she was not happy with the $200,000 cost of wiring replacement at
 the newly purchased Hanosh building; Villalobos stated that the amount of the electrical work
 cost is projected to be around $30,000-50,000.

 Councilor Michael questioned the cost of the Hanosh building; Villalobos stated that the
 amounts were separated into two funds, one being the Water Fund, totaling $877,334.

 Motion: Approval of Resolution No. 25-1911: Budget Adjustment No. 1, with Attachment
 Motion: George Garcia Second: Fred Rodarte Ayes: 3 Nays: 0


COMMENTS

 Councilor Rodarte thanked the City for sending him and Councilor Garcia to Ruidoso.

 Councilor Michael advocated for the Pipes, Maintenance, and Parks Departments; she
 questioned the stability of Sakeleres Blvd., and then pointed out that the current City Council
 is an example of civil discourse towards the nation.

 Mayor Garcia stated the Council has come a long way, and Grants will become the safest and
 cleanest community by working together.


ADJOURN

 Mayor Garcia adjourned the meeting at 5:59 PM

APPROVED Signed:




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ATTEST:




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