Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Town Council Regular Meeting

4:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL MEETING
NOTE: This virtual meeting will follow the Attorney General's guidelines and observe the Governor's executive orders and the Secretary of Health's public health orders. The electronic format will allow the Town Council to conduct the meeting without being physically present and in accordance with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act. There will be no live audience nor officials present at the Council Chambers. This is entirely a virtual meeting. Members of the public wishing to participate can Livestream the meeting or view it in archived format on the Town’s website taosgov.com. - https://www.taosgov.com/259/Public-Meetings---Live-Archive. Those wishing to comment may submit comments or questions to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosgov.com

1. Opening Items

Subject: A. Call to Order by the Honorable Mayor Daniel R. Barrone.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Discussion, Procedural

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Subject: B. Roll Call

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: C. Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: D. Moment of Silence

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Information, Procedural

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Subject: E. Approval of Agenda

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Action

Recommended Action: Recommend approval.

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2. Approval of Minutes

Subject: A. August 10, 2021 Minutes of Town Council Regular Meeting.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 2. Approval of Minutes

Type: Minutes

Summary/Background:

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Subject: B. August 23, 2021 Minutes of Town Council Workshop Meeting.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 2. Approval of Minutes

Type: Minutes

Summary/Background:

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3. Citizens Forum

Subject: A. Citizens who wish to comment may submit comments or questions to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosgov.com. before the commencement of the meeting. No action may be taken.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 3. Citizens Forum

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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4. Awards and Recognitions

5. Presentations

Subject: A. Update on the development of the Town of Taos Comprehensive Plan by Stephen Burstein and Liza Miller with Architectural Research Consultants, Inc.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Presentations

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

PRESENTATION 1 Progress Report Sept.pdf (15,240 KB)

PRESENTATION 2 TaosPopulationProjections_DRAFT.pdf (2,123 KB)

DescriptionOfTownOfTaosCompPlan_9_27.docx pdf.pdf (940 KB)

Taos Comp Plan 2050 Survey.pdf (666 KB)

Taos Org Survey Draft2.pdf (899 KB)

Taos Schedule.pdf (68 KB)

TOTCP Press Release for Survey v9_22.docx pdf.pdf (535 KB)

TOTCP Progress Report Sept v1.pdf (15,307 KB)

6. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda below have been reviewed by the Mayor and the Mayor has placed these items on the Consent Agenda for the purpose of voting on all items with one vote. The items listed are for the Council's consideration and approval.

7. Matters from Staff

Subject: A. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of contract TT-22-14 with WHPacific, Inc. in the amount of $253,807.50 exclusive of gross receipts tax for the design and engineering of Ranchitos Road. (Public Works Director Francisco Espinoza)

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 7. Matters from Staff

Type: Action (Consent)

Preferred Date: Sep 28, 2021

Absolute Date: Sep 28, 2021

Fiscal Impact: Yes

Dollar Amount: $273,794.80

Budgeted: Yes

Budget Source: NMDOT MAP Grant 59-08-45003 $113,869; Town of Taos 59-10-45003

Recommended Action: approval

Goals: 2. Infrastructure (Roads, Airport, Facilities, Water and Sewer)

Summary/Background:

RFP 19-20-06 requesting competitive sealed proposals for the selection of a professional firm to provide engineering services for the design and construction of Ranchitos Road was issued on May 14, 2020. Specific tasks include but are not limited to preliminary design, final design, bidding and negotiating and construction phases, as well as coordination with funding agencies.

WHPacific, Inc., was the sole respondent to RFP 19-20-06 and the cost has been negotiated with them.

This project is funded in part New Mexico Department of Transportation Municipal Arterial Program Grant L500385.

File Attachments

TT-22-14 WHPacific, Inc..PDF (691 KB)

Exhibit A-WHPacific.PDF (76 KB)

Exhibit B- WHPacific.PDF (52 KB)

Exhibit F- WHPacific.PDF (29 KB)

RFP 19-20-06 Engineering Services for Ranchitos Road Improvements.pdf (418 KB)

Addendum #1 to RFP 19-20-06 Engineering Services for Ranchitos Road Improvements.pdf (103 KB)

Addendum #2 to RFP 19-20-06 Engineering Services for Ranchitos Road Improvements.pdf (162 KB)

Addendum #3 to RFP 19-20-06 Engineering Services for Ranchitos Road Improvements.pdf (10,233 KB)

WHPacific_Ranchitos_Road_Response.pdf (5,075 KB)

The items in the Consent Agenda below have been reviewed by the Mayor and the Mayor has placed these items on the Consent Agenda for the purpose of voting on all items with one vote. The items listed are for the Council's consideration and approval.

Subject: B. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of Resolution No. 21-49 declaring a public health emergency. (Town Manager Richard Bellis)

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 7. Matters from Staff

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

21-49 Resolution Reaffirming Declaration of Civil Emergency.pdf (463 KB)

21-48 - Resolution.pdf (462 KB)

Resolution 21-45.pdf (400 KB)

Resolution 21-42.pdf (399 KB)

Resolution 21-41.PDF (301 KB)

Proclamation of Civil Emergency.PDF (260 KB)

8. Public Hearings - Citizens who wish to comment or have questions on a public hearing matter may submit comments or questions in writing to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosgov.com, and comments will be read during the meeting. If you wish to participate as an attendee during the virtual public hearing, please contact Town Clerk Francella Garcia before the meeting's commencement at (575)751-2004 or via email at fgarcia@taosgov.com

9. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

Subject: A. Coronavirus update.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

Type: Discussion

Taos County has seen continued improvement in our community case rate over the last week. The situation also improved across the USA and in New Mexico. While case counts are steadily declining overall, we have seen a continued shift in the spatial distribution of cases among the states of the USA and the counties of New Mexico. Mora County and Colfax County now have among the highest case rates in the state. Meantime the Midwest has become the focus of the virus nationally.

Sadly, two more Covid related deaths were reported last week among Taos County Residents, one of whom was in their 40s.

Summary:

Nationally, cases were down 12% in the last seven days, 1% in New Mexico, and 45% in Taos County.
The average daily case count in New Mexico decreased to 649 cases per day last week down from 652 the week before. Having recently peaked at 845 on September 2.
Current hospitalizations decreased 6%, the 7-day average is 335. Having hit a recent peak of 406 on August 30.
Average deaths per day in NM increased to 11 per day. Having reached a recent low of 1 on June 29.
There were 22 new cases in Taos County last week, down from 40 the week before. Bringing the total to 2,205.
There were two new deaths reported among Taos County residents last week. Bringing the total to 60.
Testing in Taos County has decreased to a 7-day average of 124 tests per day, down from 179 the prior week.
Taos County’s crude positivity rate is 2.9% (14-day avg). The crude case rate is 4.4 cases per day (14-day avg), above the old gating target of 3.28. Taos County’s adult fully vaccinated rate is 83%.

Further to yesterday’s email regarding the Pfizer booster, here is NMDoH Guidance on the Pfizer Vaccine Booster:

https://cv.nmhealth.org/2021/09/27/state-of-new-mexico-offers-guidance-on-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-booster-doses/

File Attachments

Town of Taos COVID-19 COUNCIL Update 20210927.pdf (2,475 KB)

Subject: B. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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10. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Subject: A. Matters and Reports from the Mayor.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 10. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

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11. Matters and Reports from the Council

Subject: A. Matters and Reports from the Council.

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 11. Matters and Reports from the Council

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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12. Closed Executive Session

Subject: A. The Council may conduct a Closed Executive Session to engage in a discussion of matters subject to the attorney-client privilege pertaining to threatened or pending litigation in which the Town is or may become a participant pursuant to NMSA 1978 Section 10-15-1(H)(7); to discuss purchase, acquisition or disposal of real property or water rights pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(8); and/or to discuss limited personnel matters limited to discussion of the hiring, promotion, demotion, dismissal, assignment or resignation of a Town employee or the investigation or consideration of complaints or charges against a Town employee pursuant to NMSA 1978 Section 10-15-1-(H)(2).

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 12. Closed Executive Session

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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Subject: B. Attorney's Report Concerning Closed Executive Session

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 12. Closed Executive Session

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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Subject: C. Action on items discussed in Closed Executive Session (as necessary, by motion.)

Meeting: Sep 28, 2021 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 12. Closed Executive Session

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

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13. Adjourn