City Councilor Ernest Pargas introduced an initiative at the Monday, Feb. 1, city council meeting that would recognize parents and guardians who "exemplify positive parenting skills" and place their stories on the city's Web site to serve as an inspiration to others.

"This came out of the town hall meeting that was held last June," Pargas said. "We heard so much about bad parenting and lack of parenting. I've been trying to think outside the box, and find a way that we can have an effect."

Pargas has been working with the Mayor's Drug Task Force to draft a letter to the community asking Socorroans to nominate people who have modeled good parenting in a significant way. A "Positive Parenting Story Nomination" form would be made available to help people describe the positive ways they have seen parents meet the challenges of raising their children. Youth would also be encouraged to nominate their own parents and other adults who have made a difference in their lives.

A draft of the form suggests that people complete or enlarge on one of the following statements:

• I have seen this parent make sacrifices so that I or their children could have the support they need.

• I have benefited from this parent doing things to make me feel like I am truly important to them.

• I have seen this parent doing things to make their children feel they are truly important to them.

• I think other parents could learn from this parent the following things about how to help children learn to make the right decisions for themselves.

• I have seen this parent really making parenting a priority by doing the following things.

Pargas proposed that the most inspiring stories be selected by a volunteer committee of community members recommended by the Mayor's Drug Task Force. He would like to see city officials recognize the outstanding parents regularly at city council meetings.

Councilor Toby Jaramillo commended Pargas for his work. Councilor Peter Romero also gave his support.

"In this community, I don't think it's going to be very difficult to get nominations," Romero commented. "There's a lot of positive parenting that does go on in this community."

The council will considering adopting the positive parenting initiative as a city program at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

In new business, Mayor Bhasker reported that Socorro residents will likely see an increase in the water charge on their utility bills over the next two years. In order to receive USDA Rural Development grant funding for the arsenic removal project, Socorro may be required to raise rates to be more in line with water rates charged by municipalities of similar size.

According to a New Mexico Environment Department survey of user charges by municipality in 2008, Socorro residents pay an average of $14.23 per month for water (based on average use of 6,000 gallons per month) compared with $20.06 for Lovington residents and $34.64 for residents of Grants.

"They're asking us that we bring it into alignment with other towns our size," Bhasker said. "The public's going to see that it is going to cost some money, but we're getting almost 75 to 80 percent funding of our arsenic project. What they're asking us to do is make sure that our utilities stand on their own."

The other item brought forward for discussion was recycling.

"If we're going to have recycling in this town, it's got to be partially paid," Bhasker said.

Currently, the city makes 109 pick-ups per week of cardboard from businesses owners, at no charge. Bhasker reported that the city budgets $135,000 per year for cardboard recycling, and gets a return of $15,000.

"I think we need to look into that," said Bhasker. "That service needs to generate some funds."

• The council voted to award the Cuba Road construction project to Salls Brothers Construction Inc., of Albuquerque, who submitted the lowest bid at $448,482. Dennis Engineering will be paid $66,318 for services related to the project, including design, bid solicitation, construction observation and construction materials testing.

• The council also approved an amendment to the agreement with Dennis Engineering for services related to the Wastewater System Improvements project. The amendment increases compensation to Dennis Engineering by up to $9000 due to additional environmental documentation and other requirements for compliance with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

• A resolution seeking funding for street and drainage improvements to J.O. Gallegos Road from the NMDOT Municipal Arterial Program was approved.

• Two resolutions were approved to accept a 21 percent reduction in awards from the New Mexico Department of transportation for the design and reconstruction of J.O. Gallegos Road and the repaving of South California Street from Meek Street to Highway 85.

• The council approved a budget resolution adding $4,153 to the flood control repair fund to complete the flood control project.

Contact Suzanne Barteau