Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type

Summary/Background:

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Subject: B. Roll Call

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: C. Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: D. Moment of Silence

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Information, Procedural

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Subject: E. Approval of Agenda

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Action

Recommended Action: Recommend approval.

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2. Approval of Minutes

Subject: A. January 25, 2022 Minutes of Town Council Regular Meeting.

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - 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: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 3. Citizens Forum

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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4. Awards and Recognitions

5. Presentations

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. Coronavirus update.

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 7. Matters from Staff

Type: Discussion

Having seen a rapid decline in cases in recent weeks, case numbers plateaued in Taos County and New Mexico. In part, this was due to a reporting delay over the weekend of February 25^th/26^th. This resulted in more cases being reported last week and fewer the week before than should have been. Resulting in the illusion of no great improvement in cases last week. Meantime cases continued to plummet nationally.

Hospitalizations, now considered a key measure of community levels of Covid, have fallen nationally and statewide. In New Mexico, current hospitalizations are now around a third of where there were at the end of January. Contributing to Taos County now being categorized by the CDC as having a low level of Covid under the new Community Levels system.

Summary:

Nationally, cases were down 36% in the last week, down 4% in New Mexico, and up 4% in Taos County.
The 7-day average daily case count in New Mexico decreased to 366 cases per day from 367 last week. The 7-day average peaked on Friday, January 21 at a record 5,571 cases per day.
Current hospitalizations in NM decreased 31%, the 7-day average is 217. Down from a peak of 682 on Jan 28.
Average deaths per day in NM decreased to 10 per day from 18 per day the prior week. Down from 23 a month ago.
There were 24 new cases in Taos County last week, up from 23 the prior week, bringing the total to 5,262.
There was one additional death reported among Taos County residents last week. Making 16 deaths reported in 2022. The total increasing to 89.
Testing in Taos County increased to a 7-day average of 121 tests per day, up from 90 the prior week.
Taos County is considered by the CDC to have a Low Level of Covid-19.
Taos County’s adult fully vaccinated rate is 89%. 58% of TC adults have received the booster compared to 45% in NM.

File Attachments

Town of Taos COVID-19 COUNCIL Update 2022_03_07.pdf (8,023 KB)

Subject: B. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of Resolution No. 22-09 reaffirming a declaration of a health emergency for the Town of Taos and the imposition of preventive measures for the public and Town employees. (Town Manager Richard Bellis)

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 7. Matters from Staff

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

22-09 Reaffirming a Declaration of a Health Emergency.pdf (472 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

Subject: A. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of Liquor License Application No. 1214443 for a beer and wine restaurant liquor license for El Conejo, LLC dba El Conejo Cocina located at 122C Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, New Mexico. (Town Clerk Francella Garcia)

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 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

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

Type of Restaurant Liquor Licenses:

Restaurant "A" - Beer & Wine Only

Restaurant "B" - Beer, Wine, & Spirits

File Attachments

El Conejo LLC Liquor License Application.PDF (553 KB)

Legal 17,889 Published Feb. 3, 2022.PDF (40 KB)

Town of Taos Website Notice.PDF (10 KB)

9. Matters and Reports from the Town Attorney

Subject: A. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of Contract TT-22-65 Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Fixed Base Operator’s Lease and Agreement between the Town of Taos and Taos Aviation Services, Inc. (Town Attorney, Stephen Ross)

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Town Attorney

Type: Action

Preferred Date: Mar 08, 2022

Absolute Date: Mar 08, 2022

Fiscal Impact: No

Budgeted: No

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

TT-22-65.pdf (193 KB)

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

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Town Attorney

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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10. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

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

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 10. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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11. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Subject: A. Matters and Reports from the Mayor.

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 11. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

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12. Matters and Reports from the Council

Subject: A. Matters and Reports from the Council.

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 12. Matters and Reports from the Council

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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13. 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: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 13. Closed Executive Session

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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

Meeting: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 13. 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: Mar 8, 2022 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 13. Closed Executive Session

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

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14. Adjourn