Trinidad City Council Holds Public Work Session Led by Mayor Cy Michaels

A nearly $4.5 million contract for the reconstruction of 1st Street through downtown Trinidad moved forward at the Trinidad City Council's public work session Monday, March 23, as Mayor Cy Michaels led councilmembers Erin Ogletree, Manuel Trujillo and Aaron Williamson through a full slate of city business recorded and published by local public-access channel TrinidadTimesTV71.

The session's biggest-ticket item centered on 1st Street Improvements Project #08-2022. Councilmember Griego moved to accept the bid submitted by RMS Utilities, Inc. for $4,502,419.78, and Councilmember Williamson seconded the motion. Public Works Director Bob Just told the council that the city issued a bid request and received only one response, that single submission coming from RMS. The project covers the reconstruction of 1st Street from Chestnut Street to Convent Street, along with Chestnut and Maple Streets from 1st Street to 2nd Street. Just noted the city has already secured a $750,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and may potentially receive additional funds to offset the project cost. Council members discussed the bid process and how RMS was vetted before the session moved on.

On permit fees, City Clerk Audra Garrett addressed council on a measure that, as she noted, had been discussed at a prior work session: increasing application and permit fees to cover actual and necessary expenses, including raising Special Event Permits to $75.00 per day. Roll call was taken and the motion carried unanimously.

Council also heard a presentation on a commercial property assessed clean energy program with potential benefits for property owners in Las Animas County. Director Tracey Phillips outlined the program, which offers sub-market rate loans along with financing for solar panels, battery backups, weatherproofing, energy-efficient equipment and building insulation. According to the discussion, Las Animas County's participation in the program is sufficient for property owners to access those benefits, and the City of Trinidad does not need to separately enact anything to make the program available locally.

During council reports, Councilmember Shew flagged a Chronicle News article reporting that New Mexico received $280 million in infrastructure funding, and asked City Manager Ruger to investigate whether comparable funding is available for Colorado. Councilmember Ogletree announced that Arts and Culture will meet Thursday and used the session to publicly thank Penni Saeedi for her service on the Historic Main Street Board. Councilmembers DeBono, Griego and Williamson had nothing to report.

The consent agenda, moved by Councilmember Ogletree, included approval of the regular meeting minutes of January 3, 2023, with a correction related to a statement by Utilities Administrator Vigil. The March 23 work session was the second such session this month; the city publicly noticed a work session for March 9 at 3:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 135 N. Animas Street. The full March 23 meeting is available to view on TrinidadTimesTV71.