Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Town Council Regular Meeting

4:00 p.m.
Hybrid Meeting (Option to attend in-person or virtually.)
The Town of Taos will hold its hybrid Town Council Regular Meeting at the Town Council Chambers, 120 Civic Plaza Drive. Members of the public can livestream the meeting or view it in archived format on the Town’s website taosnm.gov. - https://www.taosnm.gov/259/Public-Meetings---Live-Archive. Those wishing to submit comments may contact Town Clerk Francella Garcia at (575)751-2004 or email fgarcia@taosnm.gov.
Those wishing to participate virtually, please use meeting attendee link: https://taosnm.gov/tcm

1. Opening Items

Subject: A. Call to Order by the Honorable Mayor Pascualito M. Maestas.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

Subject: B. Roll Call

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

File Attachments

Subject: C. Land Acknowledgement: "It is respectful to recognize the unique and enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous People and their traditional territories. We acknowledge that we are on the historic homeland of the Red Willow People within the original territory of Taos Pueblo. This acknowledgement will oblige as a reminder of our ongoing efforts to respectfully recognize, honor, reconcile and partner with the Red Willow People whose land and water we benefit from in this great valley today."

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

Land Acknowledgement.pdf (61 KB)

Subject: D. Salute to the Flag of New Mexico - "I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico, the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures."

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: E. Pledge of Allegiance

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Procedural

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Subject: F. Moment of Silence

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Information, Procedural

File Attachments

Moment of Silence Sunset.pdf (136 KB)

Subject: G. Approval of Agenda

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 1. Opening Items

Type: Action

Recommended Action: Recommend approval.

File Attachments

02-27-2024 Town Council Regular Meeting Agenda.pdf (127 KB)

2. Citizens Forum

Subject: A. Citizens wishing to speak shall limit their comments to 5 minutes. Citizens may submit comments to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosnm.gov. No action may be taken.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 2. Citizens Forum

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

3. Awards and Recognitions

Subject: A. Introduction of newly hired Full-Time Taos Public Library Employee - Damon Montclare. (HR Director Tamara Chavez)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 3. Awards and Recognitions

Type: Information

Summary/Background:

Introduction of newly hired Full-Time Taos Public Library Employee - Damon Montclare, Librarian I; Effective 02/20/2024 (HR Director, Tamara Chavez)

File Attachments

Subject: B. Introduction of newly hired Full-Time Executive Employee - John. M. Rodriguez. (Town Manager Andrew Gonzales)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 3. Awards and Recognitions

Type: Information

Summary/Background:

Introduction of newly hired Full-Time Executive Employee - John. M. Rodriguez, Community Relations Director; Effective 02/26/2024 (Town Manager, Andrew T. Gonzales)

File Attachments

4. Presentations

Subject: A. Overview of the Town of Taos Strategic Planning Session results by Phil Bryson, Facilitator with On the Edge Productions.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 4. Presentations

Type: Information, Reports

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

2024 Strategic Plan Draft.pdf (752 KB)

5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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: A. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of December 7, 2023 Joint Meeting Minutes. (Town Clerk Francella Garcia)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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.

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

12-07-2023 Joint Meeting Minutes.pdf (221 KB)

12-07-2023 Taos County New Mexico Agenda.pdf (84 KB)

Subject: B. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of February 6, 2024 Town Council Special Meeting Minutes. (Town Clerk Francella Garcia)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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.

Type: Action (Consent), Minutes

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

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: C. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of DFA Resolution No. 23, 2024 FY Final Budget, a resolution requesting to establish a budget for Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) Grant Agreement No. RAID-FY-24-04 awarded in the amount of $22,400.00 for the Taos Regional Landfill Tire Shredding (Finance Director Lupe Martinez)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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.

Type

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

DFA Resolution No. 23.pdf (133 KB)

DFA Resolution No. 23 Budget Detail.pdf (177 KB)

REVISED DFA RESOLUTION NO. 23.pdf (40 KB)

RAID State Issued Purchase Order No. 42391.pdf (38 KB)

RAID Grant Agreement 2024.pdf (283 KB)

Subject: D. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of DFA Resolution No. 24, 2024 FY Final Budget, a resolution requesting to adjust the budget by increasing gross receipts tax revenues in the amount of $2,000,000.00 for projects identified by town officials (Finance Director Lupe Martinez)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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.

Type: Action (Consent)

Summary/Background:

To allocate sufficient budget for projects identified by town officials related to the excess gross receipts tax revenue disbursed during the month of January 2024

File Attachments

DFA Resolution No. 24.pdf (189 KB)

Summary of DFA Resolution No. 24.pdf (141 KB)

DFA RESOLUTION NO. 24.pdf (55 KB)

DFA Resolution No. 24 Budget Detail.pdf (142 KB)

Subject: E. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of DFA Resolution No. 25, 2024 FY Final Budget, a resolution requesting to adjust the budget pursuant to Mid-Year Budget Adjustments for various funds and departments (Finance Director Lupe Martinez)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 5. Consent Agenda - The items in the Consent Agenda 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.

Type: Action (Consent)

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

DFA Resolution No. 25.pdf (196 KB)

Summary of DFA Resolution No. 25.pdf (161 KB)

DFA Resolution No. 25 Budget Detail.pdf (200 KB)

DFA RESOLUTION NO. 25.pdf (561 KB)

6. Matters from Staff

Subject: A. Discussion, consideration and possible approval of DFA Resolution No. 26, 2024 FY Final Budget, a resolution requesting to establish a budget within the Cannabis Excise Tax Fund 20 in the amount of $100,000.00 for the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program for 2024/2025 Fiscal Year (Finance Director Lupe Martinez)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 6. Matters from Staff

Type: Action (Consent)

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

DFA Resolution No. 26 - REVISED.pdf (181 KB)

DFA Resolution No. 26 Budget Detail.pdf (115 KB)

Taos LEAD Program Proposed FY 2024-2025 FY Budget.pdf (42 KB)

DFA RESOLUTION NO. 26 - CANNABIS TAX FD.pdf (61 KB)

7. Public Hearings - Citizens may attend in-person, virtually, or submit their comments or questions in writing to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosnm.gov, and comments will be read during the meeting.

Subject: A. Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of Ordinance 24-02, an ordinance relating to the New Mexico Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by the Town of Taos; establishing a penalty assessment program; defining penalty assessment misdemeanors; establishing listed schedule of penalty assessments; and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict thereof. (Chief of Police John Wentz)

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 7. Public Hearings - Citizens may attend in-person, virtually, or submit their comments or questions in writing to Town Clerk Francella Garcia at fgarcia@taosnm.gov, and comments will be read during the meeting.

Type: Procedural

Summary/Background: Discussion, consideration, and possible approval of Ordinance 24-02, an ordinance relating to the New Mexico Uniform Traffic Ordinance adopted by the Town of Taos; establishing a penalty assessment program; defining penalty assessment misdemeanors; establishing listed schedule of penalty assessments; and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict thereof. (Chief of Police John Wentz)

8. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

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

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 8. Matters and Reports from the Town Manager

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

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9. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Subject: A. Discussion of Town of Taos Resolution 23-06 regarding the Council Policies, Procedures, and Rules for the Conduct of Town Council Meetings.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

Resolution 23-06 Council Polices and Procedures.pdf (1,319 KB)

Subject: B. Matters and Reports from the Mayor.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 9. Matters and Reports from the Mayor

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

10. Matters and Reports from the Council

Subject: A. Discussion of Town of Taos Resolution 17-42, " A Resolution of the Town of Taos on Environmental Responsibility and a Commitment to Action."

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 10. Matters and Reports from the Council

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

Resolution 17-42 - Environmental Responsibility and a Commitment to Action.pdf (5,690 KB)

Subject: B. Matters and Reports from the Council.

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 10. Matters and Reports from the Council

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

11. Closed Executive Session

Subject: A. The Council will conduct a Closed Executive Session pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(7), pertaining to pending litigation, to discuss Case No. D-101-CV-2024-00346; and to discuss limited personnel matters regarding the Chief of Police. Discussion is limited to personnel matters to discuss the hiring, promotion, demotion, dismissal, assignment or resignation of a public employee, or the investigation or consideration of complaints or charges against a public employee pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 10-15-1(H)(2).

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 11. Closed Executive Session

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

PICTURE - CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION IN PROGRESS.pdf (366 KB)

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

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 11. Closed Executive Session

Type: Discussion

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

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

Meeting: Feb 27, 2024 - Town Council Regular Meeting

Category: 11. Closed Executive Session

Type: Action

Summary/Background:

File Attachments

12. Adjourn