| 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 6:33 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, Michael A. Silva
Councilmember, Rudy C. Abeyta
Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales
Also present were:
Town Manager, Oscar Rodriguez
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Attorney, C. Brian James
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
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Councilmember Gonzales led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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DELETE Item 5.A. Executive Session to discuss limited personnel matters pursuant to NMSA 1978 10-15-1-H(2).
Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| 5. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
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Mayor Cordova presented his appointee, Kenneth Koch, to the position of Chief of Police for Town Council's ratification.
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Councilmember Peralta made a motion to ratify the Mayor's appointment of Kenneth Koch to the position of Chief of Police. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
Mayor Cordova stated Mr. Koch comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience and he believes he will be a great asset to the Town of Taos. Furthermore, he thanked Jerry Hogrefe for leading the Police Department as Interim Chief of Police during the last several months.
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Siena Sanderson and Lucy Perera
Doug Picket
Rose Bauhs
Nate Puffer
Matthew Spriggs
Randolph Pierce
Caleb Smiley
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| A.
| Lease with Hasler Financial Services, Inc.
Consideration and possible approval for the Utility Billing Division to enter into a Master Lease Agreement with Hasler Financial Services, Inc. for billing equipment: folder inserter with stand; postal software with Optical Market Reading capability, maxi-feeder, and a service maintenance agreement. The lease term is for 48 months in the amount of $3,870 per quarter, exclusive of any applicable taxes. All pricing is in accordance with a State of New Mexico Master Lease. | |
| B.
| Legislative Appropriation 12-1494 Kit Carson Park Public Restrooms
Consideration and possible approval for the Town to enter into a grant agreement between the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division in the amount of $50,000 for project 12-1494 for Kit Carson Park Public Restrooms. This amount is included in the FY 2012-2013 Facilities Improvements Fund. There is no Town match associated with the grant. | |
| C.
| Contract TT-13-90 with Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation
Consideration and possible approval of Contract TT-13-90 with the Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation regarding San Juan Chama Project; for use of up to 366 acre feet of "settlement water" per year, measured at the outlet of Heron Reservoir; This will allow the Bureau of Reclamation to lease a total of up to 366 acre-feet of "settlement water". This lease is for 2013. | |
| D.
| Sale of Lots at Chamisa Verde Subdivision
Ratification of previous Council’s action approving the sale of Lots 17 and 18 at the Chamisa Verde subdivision for $31,500 each, cash sale, to proceed forthwith. | |
| E.
| Amendment to Armstrong Consultants, Inc. Contract
Consideration and possible approval of Amendment 3 to Contract TT-11-115 with Armstrong Consultants, Inc, in the amount of $30,000 plus Gross Receipts Tax for a total amount of $31,538. This amendment is for design of a Snow Removal Equipment Building at Taos Regional Airport. This project will be funded as follows: 90% will be with a Federal Aviation Administration Grant in the amount of $28,384: 5% will be with a New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division Grant in the amount of $1,577: and 5% will be with a Town match in the amount of $1,577. This project is budgeted in line item 52-44-45002. | |
| F.
| Resolution 12-59
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-59; Budget Adjustment Request to increase revenues and expenditures for the Memorandum of Agreement for the Over Flight Stipulators Project to account for additional amounts applied for from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the amount of $115,000 and the State of New Mexico Aviation Division in the amount of $6,389. The Town of Taos Match is $6,389 and is being transferred from the Snow Removal Building Project which will not be ready for construction in the spring. | |
| G.
| Resolution 12-60
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-60 to apply for and accept grants for the design of Phase 1 of Runway 12/30 for Taos Regional Airport from the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division. The project funding breakdown amount is as follows: Federal Aviation Administration $800,000; New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division $44,445; Town of Taos $44,445; for a total project cost of $888,890. The Town Match has been budgeted in the Airport Construction Fund. | |
| H.
| Resolution 12-61
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-61 to apply for and accept grants for Phase 1 of the mitigation measures as detailed in the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration, Town of Taos and Taos Pueblo that was signed in December, 2011. The project funding breakdown amounts is as follows: Federal Aviation Administration $250,000; New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division $13,889; Town of Taos $13,889; for a total project cost of $277,778. The Town Match is included in Resolution 12-59 for line item 52-59-45002. | |
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| A.
| Resolution 12-55
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-55 replacing Resolution 08-09 and establishing Policies and Procedures for issuing Special Dispenser Permits to formalize and streamline the existing process. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez stated this item is a procedural item and is being presented in an effort to streamline the application process for Special Dispenser Permits.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve Resolution 12-55 as presented. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| B.
| Resolution 12-57
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-57 adopting the FY 2014 - 2018 Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan (ICIP). This plan is a prioritized list of unfunded or partially funded capital improvement needs. Each project includes a cost estimate and identifies the potential funding sources. The ICIP must be approved for the Town of Taos to be eligible for future Community Development Block Grant applications, state funded capital outlay requests, and legislative requests. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez explained the proposed ICIP is merely a wish list. He plans to change the process in the future so that it aligns with the Town's planning and budgeting processes. Furthermore, he explained the new process would start in mid-fall and end in late-winter and become part of the Town's operating and capital budget process.
Mayor Peralta emphasized that staff needs to identify funding sources for the projects that are listed.
Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve Resolution 12-57 as presented. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| C.
| Resolution 12-54
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 12-54 to amend the Airport Advisory Board Bylaws, to include an attendance rule and language conforming to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration, Taos Pueblo and Town of Taos signed in December 2011. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez stated the amendment to the bylaws include rules of attendance as well as procedures to follow when a vacancy occurs.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve Resolution 12-54 as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| D.
| Annual Operating Budget for FY 2012-2013
Possible approval of the Annual Operating Budget for FY 2012-2013 as approved by the Department of Finance and Administration in accordance with Section 6-6-5 NMSA 1978. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez stated this represents the last step in the budget process in which the State of New Mexico compares this budget with the budget that was submitted and approved by Town Council on June 26, 2012.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve the Annual Operating Budget for FY 2012-2013 as presented. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| A.
| Ordinance 12-11
Consideration and possible approval of Ordinance 12-11 adopting the Town of Taos Affordable Housing Element. This plan is intended to provide long-term guidance for operating the Town's affordable housing initiatives at Chamisa Verde, Fred Baca Park, and the artist-based affordable housing project. Staff recommendation is approval of Ordinance 12-11 which will adopt the (Re)Vision 2020 Affordable Housing Element for the Town of Taos. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez presented Ordinance 12-11 to the Mayor and Council and stated this ordinance is part of the Town's long range plan to address affordable housing needs and has been reviewed and approved by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. He further stated the ordinance has been adjusted according to input received from citizens during numerous community forums. Also included in the ordinance are steps that would facilitate the Town's affordable housing program, including goals that provide ways of creating incentives for private sector affordable housing development.
Public Opinion
Mayor Cordova opened the public hearing.
The following individuals spoke in support of the ordinance:
- Maija West
- Matthew Spriggs
After closing the public hearing, Mayor Cordova asked for questions from the Council.
Councilmember Peralta stated he believes this ordinance will address problems that surfaced in the past. He also believes in order for the affordable housing program to be successful, there must be a partnership between the private sector and the public sector.
Councilmember Gonzales expressed concern that there is not enough affordable housing for middle-income citizens.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve Ordinance 12-11 as presented. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| B.
| Ordinance 12-12
Consideration and possible approval of Ordinance 12-12 amending Chapter 2.12 of the Taos Town Code covering the Municipal Airport Commission by renaming the Commission, reconstituting the membership qualifications, staggering the terms of the appointees, providing for Taos Pueblo to appoint one member to the newly reconstituted Advisory Board, redefining the municipal airport as a regional airport, and providing for removal of members by either the Town Council or by Taos Pueblo. (This item was continued from the September 11, 2012 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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THIS ITEM WAS HEARD BEFORE ITEM 8.C.
Mr. Rodriguez presented Ordinance 12-12 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.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve Ordinance 12-12 as presented. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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| 10. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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Mayor Cordova stated Councilmember Gonzales has expressed an interest in serving as Mayor Pro Tem and asked for input from the Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva stated he has enjoyed his tenure as Mayor Pro Tem and believes it is very important that each Councilmember have the opportunity to serve.
Mayor Cordova directed staff to add an item for action at the next Regular Town Council Meeting.
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| B.
| Youth Eagles Flight Rally | |
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Councilmember Gonzales stated eighty-four youth participated in the Young Eagles Flight Rally event, which was twice as many as last year. He thanked John Thompson, Airport Manager, for his hard work.
Mayor Cordova thanked Councilmember Gonzales for requesting Taos Pueblo's involvement in the event.
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Councilmember Gonzales
made a motion to go into Executive Session to allow the Town Attorney to provide an update on all threatened or pending litigation, pursuant to NMSA 10-15-1.H(7).
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
At 9:12 p.m., Councilmember Abeyta 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 Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.
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A motion was made by
Councilmember Gonzales and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Silva to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:14 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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