Mark St. J. Couhig, news editor

CIMARRON — The Cimarron Village Council, which includes three newly-elected members, worked quickly and efficiently through a daunting agenda at the council’s regular monthly meeting, Wednesday, March 19. The agenda included discussion and approval of 11 reports, “acknowledgement” of two more, three presentations, and 28 “discussion and action items.” The council enjoyed one welcome break in their deliberations as Cimarron municipal judge Ralph Coulter conducted a refreshingly lighthearted swearing-in ceremony for four Cimarron public employees.
Cimarron mayor Linda Pavletich explained the lengthy agenda was due in part to the presence of the new council members. She described the meeting as a good opportunity to “organize,” including the establishment of five new advisory boards — Ambulance, Cemetery, Economic Development, Firewise and Planning & Zoning. The council also discussed repopulating the village’s Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board, but postponed a decision until their next meeting while village staff research the committee membership requirements established in state law.
While the council and village staff representatives have largely been named for each of the boards, in some cases, including Planning & Zoning and Economic Development, the council is seeking citizen representation. Those wishing to volunteer are encouraged to call the village offices.

On the agenda…
The council heard a proposal presented by village clerk administrator Mindy Cahill to build a BMX bicycle park on unused land located to the west of the Cimarron baseball complex. Cahill noted the costs would be minimal. The dirt, which is “recycled water leak backfill,” is already available for track construction, as are bailed tires that can be used for retaining walls. Cahill also pledged the assistance of the village employees in constructing the track. The BMX track will be “fenced, and closed and open at certain times.” The track will provide the local kids with something to do, Cahill said.
Mayor Pavletich and several councilors expressed support for the plan, but postponed a decision. In order to obtain more public input on the idea, the council added the discussion to the agenda of their next regular meeting, Wednesday, April 16.
The board also unanimously decided “not to provide reimbursement” to Roger Tucker, whose home was damaged in January by a sewer line backup. The decision was rendered “with the understanding that we will look at the ordinance.” Councilor Tracy-Boyce spoke for several councilors when she stated, “the ordinance is the issue.”
The possibility of compensation was first raised at the council’s Wednesday, Jan. 16 meeting, but was tabled for additional consideration.

In other action, the council:
• Heard from Mayor Pavletich that the 2004-2005 audit will soon be been filed with the State Auditor, and that the remaining outstanding audits should also be filed soon.
• Presented a “special public service” award to Eloy Brazil, former Cimarron Mayor Pro Tem.
• Heard from village staff that due to repeated abuses by non-residents, the gate to the transfer station will henceforth be locked. Cimarron residents can pick up the key at Village Hall when they require access to the transfer station.
• Learned that village staff has applied for a $200,000 CDBG grant for improvements to the water transmission line that runs from the Cimarron village water storage tank to Hwy. 64. The village has also filed a $50,000 CDBG grant application to fund an update of the village’s comprehensive plan.
• Approved the expenditure of $1,000 for the facilitator of the village strategic plan.
• Passed a proclamation naming May 10, 2008 as “Village of Cimarron Annual Toss No Mas Clean, Beautiful and Firewise Clean-Up Day.” Two 30-cubic yard roll-off dumpsters donated by AAF Hauling will be located in the parking lot of the International Bank. In order to aid in the clean-up, the village will have a large chipper on hand that citizens can use for mulching limbs.
• Passed a proclamation declaring March 20, 2008 as “Lady Rams Girls 1-A Basketball District Champions Day.”
• Approved the filing of three grant applications: a $130,000 Local Government Road Fund grant application for the paving of South Lincoln Blvd.; a “state hardship grant” that “may” provide $25,000 toward the purchase of an item or two on the village’s wish list, which among other items includes a “loader, Bobcat, a 4 by 4 truck…”; and a $2,700 grant application to New Mexico Clean and Beautiful, with the funding to be applied to “offset costs of clean-up day.”
• A discussion regarding the need for better animal control led to a proposal by Police Chief High Miller that the village consider creating a “code enforcement officer” position for the full-time enforcement of nuisance violations, including dog-at-large, yard maintenance and abandoned vehicles ordinances. This employee would perhaps also serve as an extra maintenance person. The council tabled the discussion until its May meeting, which will include a budget session.
The council also scheduled a public workshop on the village’s nuisance ordinance, including a discussion of possible revisions to the ordinance. The meeting will be held Wednesday Apr., 9 at 6:00 p.m.

New officer on the way
At the meeting, Tony Wolfe, Cimarron’s newest police officer. was sworn in. Wolfe, who moved “about a month ago” from Illinois, was sworn in as sergeant, a promotion from his previous position as officer. Chief Miller also said another new officer has been hired for the department. Cullen B. Fowler, from Quincy, Washington, has been hired and will be here “within the week,” Miller said.