| 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DARREN M. CORDOVA
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The Regular Meeting of the Taos Town Council was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Darren M. Cordova at 1:39 p.m.
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Ms. Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.
Those present were:
Mayor, Darren M. Cordova
Mayor Pro Tem, Rudy C. Abeyta
Councilmember, A. Eugene Sanchez
Councilmember, Amy J. Quintana
Councilmember, Michael A. Silva
Also present were:
Town Manager, Daniel Miera
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
Town Attorney, Allen Ferguson
Absent was:
Youth Councilmember, Feliz Vigil
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Councilmember Quintana led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
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Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve the Minutes of April 27,2010 as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta made a motion to approve the Minutes of April 29, 2010 as presented. Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| 6. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
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| | Mayor Cordova stated he appreciates the dedication and volunteerism demonstrated by the Taos County Artistics.
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| | Mayor Cordova thanked Mr. Sisneros for his dedication to serving the youth of the community by coordinating the Taos Little League program for many years.
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| A.
| Rick Anglada, Chief of Police (By Lieutenant David Maggio)
Consideration and approval of Contract TT-10-242; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of a Traffic Safety Bureau grant application in conjunction with Village of Questa, Village of Red River and Taos County. The MOU provides funding for the different government entities for combating DWI offenses. The Town of Taos receives approximately $1,500 to purchase equipment (each entity receives an equal portion).
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Councilmember Sanchez made a motion to approve Contract TT-10-242; Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of a Traffic Safety Bureau grant application. Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director
Approval of Resolution 10-24 Budget Adjustment Request: 1) Water Rights Fund (64) - Decrease unreserved fund balance and increase interfund transfer out to fund (81) in the amount of $50,000 to cover the rehabilitation of the one million gallon water tank. 2) Utility Improvements Fund (81) - Increase interfund transfer in and expenditures to cover the total cost of a new project; the rehabilitation of the 1 million gallon water tank.
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Councilmember Quintana made a motion to approve Resolution 10-24 as presented. Councilmember Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| A.
| Allen Ferguson, Town Attorney
Consideration and approval of Ordinance 10-05; An Ordinance of the Town Council Authorizing and Approving a Lease Agreement for 501 Sunset Drive (Lot 8, Chamisa Verde Subdivision). The Ordinance would authorize a lease agreement between the Town and Chief of Police Richard Anglada for his residential lease of the "model home" in the Chamisa Verde Subdivision. The $875 monthly rent would be paid half in cash and half in the form of extra patrolling and security services in the Chamisa Verde Affordable Housing neighborhood and the Youth and Family Center and environs. Lot 8 was removed from the Chamisa Verde Affordable Housing project by Resolution No. 09-43 passed by the Council August 11, 2009 for the express purpose of allowing the house to be leased to a police officer to provide a police presence and added security in the neighborhood. The Ordinance was preceded by the special notice requirements of NMSA 3-54-1.
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| | Allen Ferguson, Town Attorney, presented Ordinance 10-05 to the Mayor and Council.
Public Opinion
Mayor Cordova opened the public hearing. No one came forward.
After closing the public hearing, Mayor Cordova asked for questions from the Council.
Councilmember Quintana made a motion to approve Ordinance 10-05 as presented. Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva. |
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| Allen Ferguson, Town Attorney
Consideration and approval of Ordinance 10-12; An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Taos authorizing and approving a Lease Agreement for a hanger located at the Taos Regional Airport. This item will be tabled until further notice. | |
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Councilmember Quintana made a motion to table Ordinance 10-12. Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| 9. MATTERS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY
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| A.
| Resolution 10-21
Consideration and approval of Resolution No. 10-21; Waiving the provisions of Town Code 3.80.070 to hire Ronald Montez Sr., in the Communications Division. Ronald Montez Sr. is the father of Town employee, Jacob Montez, who is employed with the Police Department. Employment of Ronald Montez Sr. would not create a direct or indirect supervisor/subordinate relationship nor create an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest.
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Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve Resolution 10-21 as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| B.
| Resolution 10-23
Consideration and approval of Resolution 10-23, A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Taos, Waiver of Employee or Immediate Family Member Contracting with the Town of Taos. This waiver would permit the Town to carry out Municipal Judge Richard Chavez' request to hire Jim Fambro, husband of Finance Director Marietta Fambro, to serve as an alternate judge in case Judge Chavez has a conflict or for some reason is not available to hear a case. The proposed contract is for a maximum amount of $1,000; paying $50 per case for up to two hours on the case and $25 per hour thereafter. Judge Chavez has determined that this would serve the best interests of the Judicial Department of the Town, which he heads.
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Councilmember Sanchez made a motion to approve Resolution 10-23 as presented. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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| 10. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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| A.
| Recommendation and Approval for the Animal Task Force Committee
Consideration and approval of the following individuals to the Animal Task Force Committee:
Councilmember Eugene Sanchez, Parks Superintendent Dennis Martinez, Stray Hearts Representative Dave Noll, Youth member Soloman Guttmann, and Community members Jennifer Friesen and Marc Kaplan.
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| | Trish Hernandez thanked the Mayor and Council for supporting animals in the community. She asked if it would be acceptable for the committee to schedule fundraisers in order to purchase agility equipment for dogs. Mayor Cordova asked Ms. Hernandez to schedule an appointment with the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager to discuss further.
Mayor Cordova stated one of the first priorities of the committee is to identify a location for a dog park by the end of the summer.
Councilmember Sanchez made a motion to approve the appointments to the Animal Task Force Committee as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva. |
| | Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta asked if the Arts & Crafts Fairs issue is scheduled to be considered at a Council Meeting in June. Daniel Miera, Town Manager, stated yes, the Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Fair is currently scheduled to continue at the end of May, but a finalized plan will be brought for Council's consideration at the first Council meeting in June in the form of a public hearing.
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| | Mayor Cordova asked the Public Relations Director to initiate a press release requesting letters of interest from individuals who are interested in serving as Youth Councilmember since the current member, Feliz Vigil, will graduate from high school. The Youth Councilmember will serve as a liaison between Town government and the youth of the community and will provide input on issues affecting the youth.
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| | Mayor Cordova discussed the importance of the Youth Summer Camp and stated the organizers need to meet with the Town Manager as soon as possible to determine how the Town can help support this program. Mr. Miera stated Brian Greer, Youth & Family Center Director, has scheduled a meeting later this week with all interested parties to discuss the needs of the program.
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Councilmember Silva asked Mr. Miera for an update on the burnt structure that has not been removed. Mr. Miera stated he has been advised by the Executive Director of the Coalition to End Homeless that a private individual has taken ownership of the structure and the structure will be removed within seven to ten days.
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| | Executive Session
The Council will adjourn, subject to Attorney-client privilege under NMSA Section 10-15-1.H(7), meetings subject to the attorney-client privilege pertaining to threatened or pending litigation in which the Town is a party, to discuss and consider U.S. District Court case, Neem Karoli Baba Ashram v. Town of Taos et. al.
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Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta
made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to NMSA Section 10-15-1.H(7) to discuss and consider U.S. District Court case, Neem Karoli Baba Ashram v. Town of Taos et. al.
Councilmember Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
At 3:12 p.m., Councilmember Quintana made a motion to come out of Executive Session and stated discussion in the Executive Session was limited to the item as it was called for. Councilmember Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.
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A motion was made by
Councilmember Quintana and seconded by Councilmember Sanchez to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
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| APPROVED: | | ________________________________________ |
Darren M. Cordova, Mayor
| | | ATTEST: | | ________________________________________ |
Renee Lucero, Town Clerk
| | PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Taos records most Town Council Meetings via audio, however, only Regular Town Council Meetings and some Special Town Council Meetings, with controversial issues, are video recorded. Copies are available upon request at the Town Clerk's Office located at 400 Camino de la Placita (575-751-2005) at a fee of $5.00 for audio recordings and $10.00 for video recordings. |
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