[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6242508,"mediaKeyId","3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412","parentId",3247593,"title","Roswell airport readies air-race infrastructure; city cites $8.0 million month and $60–80 million expected economic boost","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",1289000,"endMs",1457000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412&start=1289&end=1457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412/thumbnail_1289000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6242508/Roswell/Chaves-County/New-Mexico/Roswell-airport-readies-air-race-infrastructure-city-cites-80-million-month-and-6080-million-expected-economic-boost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242508-053e05af5ed24e7b17e9ff027fc88f4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172165&Signature=JYyCgkdNlWdv~N2pE4JPWVFU-AWO5GfGXuI~ZcpWOKMBAO~qvXjELGnFE-hqu52MPI-d77YgGKQPgtdgSn9GmFFlsS9QwPAp-SpKaFUZFDM1DMeimyDwbpzfISGeyT6obJPPM9CsSE98~5amUHHb9ELDBPQoglm~oQ61J3rEZ~YX4ZVqilXC5~zwT-rdaUt~2qqMXwewyVyIQf11eQF2NnY7EfQrNwnk~mO8uVp7UOYGt9xVbiI25kW58VF0qnPvX9pxXIAAfXFmQQROGViT12bIKIdgs4ksuMivHxnMxhZm3qJ0c0X1lkpwEcDWL0Ya6xo3lAU6UvZSwrNITe8Ibg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Roswell, NM","date","2025-05-09T03:03:21Z","article","Roswell’s airport and advisory commission told the City Council on May 8 that multiple airfield projects are underway or out for bid and that the city is preparing for the national air races, which staff expect will produce significant short-term tourism and longer-term economic benefits.

Airport manager Kathleen (Katie) Thompson reported monthly revenue of $8,000,817.17 and said the figure included a major insurance settlement tied to a terminal fire last year: “We got the insurance settlement of that, which accounted for over 7,000,000, but we still had 1,200,000.0 in actual income revenue,” Thompson said.

Why this matters: City staff told the council the air races will sharply increase airport activity in the short term and that some investments now — lighting, apron rehab and taxiway repair — are intended both to support the event and to provide longer-term reliability for airport operations.

Key projects and timelines

- Airfield lighting and electrical vault: The advisory commission said a three-year lighting and wiring project continues. Bids for a new electrical vault, intended to improve reliability for runway lighting, were delayed but expected within weeks. Completion of the vault is projected for August or September, allowing a roughly 60-day build time.

- Apron rehabilitation and Taxiway Charlie: The apron rehabilitation in front of the terminal was expected to receive a notice to proceed soon and is planned as a 60-day concrete rehab. Taxiway Charlie repairs — to fix asphalt damage from heavy aircraft parked during COVID — are in final review; staff said state grant money is anticipated and estimated the taxiway repair at about $1.8 million to $2.0 million.

- Terminal repairs and restrooms: Restroom renovations tied to repairs from last August’s terminal flood have received bids; Thompson said restroom work is anticipated to be completed by Sept. 1, ahead of the races.

- Southeast waterline and security: The council heard that bids were accepted for a Southeast waterline and sewer installation, and the air center now has 24/7 security coverage.

- Capital plan: The airport advisory report outlined a five-year capital improvement plan that exceeds $45 million in estimated projects; staff said most of the funding is expected from federal and state sources.

Economic impact and operational preparations

Airport staff projected the air races could bring an estimated $60 million to $80 million in economic impact and a short-term influx of visitors, including up to tens of thousands of spectators over event days. “We are estimating the economic impact between 60 and $80,000,000,” Thompson said.

Staff said they are preparing RV hookups, electric pedestals, additional gates and drainage improvements to accommodate attendees and to keep regular airport operations functional during the events. They also said a pylon race school is scheduled to start on the 18th of the month and that airport tenants and staff have increased activity in recent weeks.

Questions and next steps

Councilors asked about project timing and funding; the airport advisory commission said most projects have grant prospects and that some work has been accelerated to secure state or federal funds. The council also approved several airport advisory commission appointments on the consent agenda.

Ending

Airport staff said they will return with more detailed schedules and funding updates as bids and grant awards are finalized. The council was asked to expect additional deadlines tied to FAA approvals and state grant cycles.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5/8/2025 | City Council Meeting | City of Roswell, NM","oneSentenceSummary","Airport leaders reported multimillion-dollar projects and heightened activity at Roswell International Air Center as the city prepares for the national air races and begins multiple runway, apron and terminal repairs.","taxTitle","Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico","taxId",50858,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242503,"Council continues contentious Ninth Street vacation debate after mayor and manager call road still public",727,4200000,4927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412&start=4200&end=4927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412/thumbnail_4200000.jpg","/articles/6242503/Roswell/Chaves-County/New-Mexico/Council-continues-contentious-Ninth-Street-vacation-debate-after-mayor-and-manager-call-road-still-public","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242503-e078c85a74009fa2e0b10d4ed4a98a1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172165&Signature=o7HvkzyNjzu5lu-55oHolfvKIJA~MgRAMw3bwI1zG5u8MbfDyNCPibhZ3GZiGi0TSsHFxN4l3sZ-HIHqNkzZcx12yZ~P~JcWg5Sw4Oo48pXswNNg74DYEZKyTCJFt9n8BgFgjocpZDEZsYMezoIB6zXCifVBmUChk7Hm6IQoVqS1PDCtcJcJyEclUC~FX0Y-HINuH46lEzIMEXR9rPxU3g~Eiit~SW3dxeqZq1AI2WpKehOZQqTzi6McmbrmoafoE1BXgZ5vZ9-m~kSlpA5KAp6qa2HXs2Jz7X~wAJmYeAvUjp5po68RnH5sR58cB3NjO9P3de11~6YzctXpNas9Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Roswell City Council on May 8 heard extended testimony and documentary evidence in a public hearing on a petition (VAC-25-007) to vacate a 60-foot portion of East Ninth Street and adjacent alleys to enable infill development for an auto dealership. The hearing produced competing traffic counts, an appraisal paid for by the petitioner and a written determination from the mayor and city manager that the right of way “still has a municipal purpose and public use.”

“The mayor, the city manager, determined and concur together that the land petition for vacation in case VAC-25-007 still has a municipal purpose and public use,” read the city’s legal representative while presenting the administration’s written finding. The city’s statement also cited traffic counts and emphasized the public’s right to use city streets.

Applicant materials and evidence

The petitioner provided a traffic study counting an average of about 250 vehicles per weekday on the Ninth Street segment in question and said about 88% of that traffic was attributable to their own operations. Engineer Scott Higgs, representing the applicant, summarized the work done since the council’s prior meeting: an on-site appraisal was arranged, traffic counts were collected over a week and an appraisal report was provided. “That average is 250 cars or vehicles per day,” Higgs said, and he described the petitioner’s plan to convert part of the right of way to service lanes and to keep a 20-foot access easement for through traffic.

City legal and engineering analysis

City staff read a written determination under ordinance 24-003 that concluded the right of way retained municipal purpose, noting both city traffic data and that streets are dedicated to broad public use rather than to a single private owner. The city engineer and legal counsel flagged comparisons with other local streets and DOT counts to argue the Ninth Street segment was not so lightly categorized as unused. The city’s written statement also said petition materials omitted comparable street data that is publicly available from NMDOT.

Appraisal and valuation questions

The petitioner presented an appraisal that valued the affected right of way at about $14,000; the applicant said it had paid approximately $11,000 toward that appraisal. Council members and others questioned how that figure compared to a larger parcel-based valuation that was also cited in materials — and several councilors asked whether the appraisal and discounts in the report were properly documented. Councilor comments show concern about appraisal methodology and about whether the city had adequate opportunity to review appraisal assumptions; the applicant replied they had commissioned an independent appraiser who conducted an on-site inspection.

Process, outcome and next steps

Council discussion centered on two legal steps: (1) the mayor and city manager must determine whether the property is essential for municipal use; and (2) if the city determines it is not essential, the council must decide whether the vacation is in the public interest and at what price. City legal staff explained the mayor/manager determination was made and presented to the council; the council still retains authority to act but would be required to document findings if it reversed that administrative determination.

A motion to “call the question” and move to a decision failed for lack of the required support. Councilor Halverson moved to maintain the street (effectively to deny the vacation); the motion received no second and therefore was not adopted. Because no final council action was taken, the petition remains unresolved and could return to council with additional information.

Why this matters: The petition raised issues on how the city balances preserving public rights of way and enabling private development. Councilors expressed concern about precedent if streets with modest counts were routinely vacated, while the petitioner cited project economics and offered easements and access changes intended to preserve emergency and service access.

Ending

Councilors asked for additional documentation on traffic, appraisal methodology and potential alternatives (for example, partial easement adjustments or converting the public street to a city-directed one-way configuration). Staff and the petitioner said they would coordinate on providing more evidence or options for the council’s consideration at a future session.","The Roswell City Council paused action on a petition to vacate part of East Ninth Street after city staff presented a written determination that the street still serves a municipal purpose and after the petitioner's appraisal and traffic evidence drew close scrutiny.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6242513,"Roswell officials outline $220 million in damage claims, say insurance paid initial losses and FEMA steps next",611,2145000,2756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412&start=2145&end=2756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247593-217d54d4ca35b69e10cfe968865e3412/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","/articles/6242513/Roswell/Chaves-County/New-Mexico/Roswell-officials-outline-220-million-in-damage-claims-say-insurance-paid-initial-losses-and-FEMA-steps-next","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6242513-b4831fcba3adb21881f0dc94f01570a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172165&Signature=jRJHzNZ8HzTP3Qmvxm0DiTodunh5ocB5KECzRaeaCetVQ2F~F8R8W774nI-0Z4mZRrs7CiPmHl8sg2OPgYe1jBb51xLHbo0oIPU7t-ClXPa-T0IvqEcQAkieGH2Mg~RCkyS6QiqMuHxCMyYbSf2eiklEo0uWSSp4NqAqeNAYdDPNrw~XQ2UFs8cAc2sEErAs0Q7UYVwJ57wQnV-Qpz41rIFrzbJRdVusyXoL6le5hJZpJrYrTFqQqPGHlcgsrEXAu~zOk53p72VQZ~~FXKVdjxeOuX~VWaCbRBdn9SiiMVbD5xYS1kK9sIMMLJSq4XFzXqmY~ggE4K6oiHl~EFhrXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Roswell has submitted a comprehensive inventory of damages from the recent floods and is moving projects into FEMA’s review pipeline while pursuing state and other funding to cover the federal cost-share, city-contracted disaster consultants told the City Council on May 8.

The consultants said the city’s commercial insurance policies have already paid initial claims and that the city will now route some uninsured or excess costs through FEMA. “Your city had a $10,000,000 flood policy, and that flood policy has been exhausted and paid by commercial insurance,” consultant Deb Gallagher told the council, adding that the city also has a separate fine-arts policy under review.

The consultants said they had initially cataloged roughly 351 damage line items totaling about $220 million and had grouped those into 108 FEMA projects to speed reimbursement. “We have 351 line items. Actually, 350. We took 1 off the list since last week, totaling about $220,000,000,” Jeff McPherson said. He and colleagues described a strategy of grouping some work as smaller projects (under FEMA’s small-project threshold) so the city could receive funds faster while protecting the right to recover additional costs on larger projects.

Why this matters: FEMA reimburses 75% of eligible costs and requires a 25% local match; consultants told the council they are pursuing multiple avenues to reduce the city’s out-of-pocket share, including state disaster funds (CDBG-DR) and low-interest loans that FEMA may allow the city to recover the interest on.

Most important details and timeline

- Inventory and submission: Consultants said the city’s damage inventory was due May 1 and that staff and consultants filed the projects into FEMA’s system. They described an active process of converting site-specific damages into appropriately scoped FEMA projects. McPherson said 39 projects were already in FEMA’s grants portal, and four projects had been obligated to the state for about $5.1 million.

- Project grouping strategy: The consultants explained they deliberately grouped damages into smaller projects when appropriate because “small projects under a million ... go through the system a lot faster than projects over the million” and therefore yield earlier cash flow to the city.

- Insurance, fine arts and duplication of benefits: Gallagher said the city’s insurance covered a number of immediate losses but that the fine-arts policy had sublimits and that FEMA could cover restoration costs that exceed insurance appraisals. She said FEMA is “a means of last resort” and can also fund mitigation to reduce future flood risk.

- State funding and cost-share: Consultants noted the state made discretionary funds available that could offset the FEMA 25% cost share and that the city had pursued those programs. They also reported $37 million in a disaster allocation to the state (CDBG-DR) that included housing earmarks and could be used strategically to reduce the city’s matched exposure.

Local facilities at risk and next steps

Consultants identified several city facilities that likely will trigger major repair or replacement rules under FEMA, including the museum, an adult recreation center and several other public buildings. They said some facilities may exceed FEMA’s “50% rule,” which can require replacement rather than repair. For those large sites they recommended securing architect and engineering (A&E) allowances early to move designs and scopes forward.

The consultants asked departments to finalize backup documentation and procurement narratives so the city can clear remaining compliance reviews. They estimated the state could draw down obligated funds to the city in about four to six weeks after FEMA obligates the federal portion.

What the council asked and what remains unresolved

Councilors pressed for clarity on how quickly funds would be available and whether the city could bond against projected receipts to provide up-front cash for major projects (for example, a replacement museum). Consultants said that bonding and gross-receipts-tax projections could inform upfront financing but that the FEMA and state drawdown processes remain the gating steps. The consultants also said some state legislative funding allocations were still being sorted and that competing regional needs could affect the city’s share.

Ending

City staff and consultants said they would return with finer-grained, department-level project lists and funding scenarios for council review. They also urged councilors to expect a lengthy administrative process: FEMA documentation and state drawdown procedures are detailed and time-consuming, but the consultants said the city had made measurable progress in early obligations and preparing large projects for A&E work.

","City consultants told the Roswell City Council they have submitted a damage inventory to FEMA, described how insurance proceeds were used first and laid out an initial plan to turn roughly 350 damage line items into 108 FEMA projects while seeking other state funding for the 25% cost share.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Roswell airport readies air-race infrastructure; city cites $8.0 million month and $60–80 million expected economic boost

Council continues contentious Ninth Street vacation debate after mayor and manager call road still public

Roswell officials outline $220 million in damage claims, say insurance paid initial losses and FEMA steps next