Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2010 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.  

Mayor Cordova presented Mark Fratrick with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding service to our nation, state, and our community while serving in defense of our country in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Deputy Secretary of State, Don Francisco Trujillo, presented Mark Fratrick with a State of New Mexico proclamation also in recognition of his service to our country which proclaimed June 8, 2010 Mark Fratrick Day in the State of New Mexico. 

Mr. Fratrick presented Mayor Cordova and the Town of Taos with a flag box that contained a flag that he personally flew on Christmas Day in 2009 and a flag certificate signed by CFSOCC-A (Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan) Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major.  He indicated that he flew the flag while he was at the North Kabul Compound located in Kabul, Afghanistan.  He then went on to thank the Mayor, Council, Management and fellow employees for the support he received while he was deployed and since his return.

Mayor Cordova and Mr. Foster recommended the following individuals to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission:

Marika Choma (term ending on December 31, 2012)
Pavel Lukes (term ending on December 31, 2012)
Oscar Palacios (term ending on December 31, 2012)
Judy Cantu (term ending on December 31, 2011)
Cindy Spray (term ending on December 31, 2011)

Oscar Palacios stated he believes it is important that an individual choose to serve either on the Planning & Zoning Commission or the Historic Preservation Commission to avoid conflicts of interest.  Pavel Lukes, who serves on the Planning & Zoning Commission and is recommended to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission, disagreed and stated he believes serving on both commissions brings experience and expertise.

Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta made a motion to approve Resolution 10-17 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. 

Daniel Miera, Town Manager, read Resolution 10-28 for the record.  He stated the resolution withholds the issuance of permits for commercial events on Kit Carson Park and Taos Plaza for the days of September 3, 2010 through September 5, 2010 (Labor Day Weekend).  He explained that staff will evaluate the impact of the withholding of the permits and would need at least two years for a realistic study to be completed.  He further stated the data collected may not be completely accurate; however, staff will attempt to be as accurate as possible. Furthermore, he explained that this resolution is the first step of many more to come in an attempt to address the matter of large commercial events on publicly owned property.

Councilmember Sanchez stated the Chamber of Commerce holds an arts and crafts fair during Mother's Day Weekend and asked Mr. Steve Fuhlendorf, Taos County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, how much the Chamber makes during this event and how much is paid in Gross Receipts Taxes.

Mr. Fuhlendorf stated he is not required to request the vendors' income; therefore, he does not know how much the vendors made or how much was paid in Gross Receipts Taxes.  He further stated the Chamber had 80 booths and charged $175 per booth which paid the coordinator and other costs.  Additionally he explained the event is a fundraiser and has been a source of income for about 15 years and overall, the Chamber profited about $8,000.

Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta stated this issue is very complex and both sides can be defended.  He believes the resolution is a step in the right direction and clarified commercial events will be withheld on publicly owned property only two holiday weekends out of the year.  Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta recommended approval of this resolution and asked Council to consider passing a resolution in January, 2011 that would address the following: 1) implementation of a per- booth-fee and utilize the booth fee to improve park facilities; 2) regulation of prices of the booths so that the additional booth fee is not imposed on vendors; 3) development of criteria to determine how Gross Receipts Taxes may be collected; 4) designation of the open area of Kit Carson Park near the bandstand for commercial events.

Mayor Cordova allowed public comment and the following individuals spoke against withholding commercial events during Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend:

- Vicki McFadden
- Geody Madden
- Sandra Miller

There was extensive discussion regarding the recommendations made by Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta.  Mayor Cordova directed Mr. Miera to present another resolution to the Town Council at the first Regular Council Meeting in July, 2010 that would address the issues raised by Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta.

Councilmember Quintana recommended revising Section 3 to read as follows:  "Future Resolutions: The Town Council of the Town of Taos has resolved to annually set the calendar for the withholding of the issuance of permits and licenses for commercial events during the Town's annual organizational meeting held each January."

Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve Resolution 10-28 as amended. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. 

Ron Yachinich, Convention Services Director, asked if the Town of Taos Convention Center could be utilized for arts and crafts fairs during Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend. Mr. Miera stated yes, it is permissible for the coordinators to hold their fairs at the convention center if they so choose.  Mr. Miera clarified that the resolution is specific only to the Plaza and Kit Carson Park.

The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Abeyta, and Councilmembers Sanchez, Quintana and Silva.