| 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 6:39 p.m.
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Ms. Francella Garcia, Clerk's Assistant, called roll and a quorum was present.
Those present were:
Mayor, Darren M. Cordova
Mayor Pro Tem, Andrew T. Gonzales
Councilmember, Rudy C. Abeyta
Councilmember, Michael A. Silva
Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta
Youth Councilmember Michael Landgraf (left at 9:07 p.m.)
Also present were:
Town Manager, Oscar Rodriguez
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Attorney, C. Brian James
Clerk's Assistant, Francella R. Garcia
Absent/Excused was:
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
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Councilmember Gonzales led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Item 8.B: Resolution 13-10 Appointment of Finance Audit Committee was moved after item 5.E.
Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve with conditions.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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At the discretion of Mayor Cordova, comments were limited to 2 minutes. The following individuals spoke during Citizens Forum:
* Fiona Fatzlaff
* Linda Soto
* Shelly Ratigan
* Jeff Northrup
* Ranee Malanga
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| B.
| Amendment to Armstrong Consultants, Inc. Contract
Consideration and possible approval of Amendment 5 to Contract TT-11-115 with Armstrong Consultants, Inc, in the amount of $30,941.63, inclusive of Gross Receipts Tax for bidding, construction management and inspection services for a Snow Removal Equipment Building at Taos Regional Airport. Armstrong Consultants services and construction of the building will be funded by a $29,500 grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division and a $292,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, with a Town match of $3,000. | |
| | Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| C.
| Resolution 13-25 Grant for Airport Tractor Purchase
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 13-25 to apply for and accept a grant in the amount of $63,000 for the purchase of a mowing tractor and attachments for Taos Regional Airport. The Town of Taos match is $7,000. | |
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Councilmember Gonzales thanked John Thompson, Airport Manager, for his efforts in obtaining funding to purchase an airport tractor for seven thousand dollars.
Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| | Mayor Cordova requested a briefing on the single-engine plane crash that recently occurred at the Taos Regional Landfill. Mr. Thompson stated the Federal Aviation Administration is doing an investigation to determine the cause of the crash and emphasized that the emergency action plan that is in place performed very well. He further added Pilot Michael Levy is very fortunate that the plane landed on an old landfill cell topped with wood chips which cushioned the crash and for the prompt response of two Town employees who immediately removed him from the wreckage. Furthermore, he stated Mr. Levy is doing well considering the circumstances.
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| D.
| San Juan Project Repayment Contract
Consideration and possible approval of Contract No. 13-WC-40-512 for the San-Juan Chama Project Repayment Contract between the Town of Taos and the United States of America, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation to lease the use of its 2013 San Juan-Chama Project water allocation up to 766-acre-feet. | |
| | Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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Mr. Bayles stated upon the board consulting with Steve Kennebeck, Facilities Director, Doug Patterson, Architect of Record and Taos Sports Alliance, the board recommends the following development plans which they believe can run concurrent with each other:
Plan A
Immediate action for the following:
*Access and address existing drainage and irrigation issues;
*Construct operational locker rooms so that Taos Sports Alliance may bring NCA teams in August of 2014.
Plan B
Authorize Taos Sports Alliance to approach grants, private foundations, and/or private individuals or businesses to request funds to complete Phase 2 of the Taos Eco Park. The critical component of this plan is that the Town allow Taos Sports Alliance to leverage the combination of the available space, existing architectural plans and most importantly, the $300,000 in settlement funds into a larger grant proposal.
Plan C
Continue to explore the privatization of the Eco Park for public/private partnerships of long term operations, maintenance and build out.
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| | Mr. Kennebeck proposed the following recommendations listed in priority with rough estimates:
- Address the drainage issue - estimated cost $25,000
- Assessment/Completion of the irrigation system - estimated cost $5,000
- Restore plant material - estimated cost $20,000
- Address structural crack in the storage building - estimated cost $2,000
- Build or install a permanent press box - estimated cost $30,000
- Run dedicated power line to the press box - estimated cost $5,000
- Build or install two locker/changing rooms - estimated cost $40,000
- Add seating in the open air area of the existing structure to accommodate food and drink vendors - estimated cost $12,000
- Repair or remove automated sign - no cost estimate
Councilmember Peralta recommended having a reserve fund in place for unanticipated expenses.
Discussion ensued in regards to the proposed locker rooms, irrigation system and drainage issues.
Mr. Kennebeck stated architectural fees should have also been included in his proposal.
A discussion ensued as to who should complete the installation of the irrigation system. Mr. Patterson stated Lee Landscaping started the installation of the irrigation system and if they complete it the Town would have a warranty.
Councilmember Gonzales recommended that the Town move forward as proposed and prioritized by Mr. Kennebeck. He further added he believes the proposal is acceptable and any remaining funds would be discussed at a later date.
Councilmember Abeyta agreed and recommended the digital sign be removed rather than repaired. He further recommended bringing the Eco Park to the maximum possible level with the funds that are available.
Mr. Rodriguez recommended Plan B proposed by the Taos Parks and Recreation Board with modifications. He requested that a budget be submitted addressing the top two critical priorities. He further added the remaining settlement funds will be set aside for four months. During that period the board could use the money as matching funds towards a grant to complete the work which needs to be done. Furthermore, he believes the Town will know the possibility of obtaining additional funding before the construction season ends. In addition, grant applications, grant agreements and any contracts above $50,000 will be presented to Council for approval.
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| | Mr. Rodriguez presented a draft map entailing street closures, parking areas and shuttle routes and stated it will be revised based on input. Furthermore, once the map has been finalized it will be widely distributed to the public. Mr. Rodriguez emphasized that Taos Plaza will remain open. He further added the objective is for visitors to leave with a very positive attitude towards Taos.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding whether it was necessary for Paseo del Pueblo Norte to close from noon until midnight, other street closures, drop-off points, parking and traffic management.
The Mayor and Council authorized staff to manage the closure of Paseo del Pueblo Norte and traffic management at their discretion. In addition, it was stressed that Taos Plaza was to remain open.
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| H.
| Closure of Civic Plaza Drive for Mumford and Sons Concert at Kit Carson Park
Consideration and possible approval to close Civic Plaza Drive on June 6, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. to accommodate pedestrians who will be lining up for the Mumford and Son's Concert at Kit Carson Park and direct staff to request that New Mexico Department of Transportation close a portion of Paseo del Pueblo Norte. | |
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Mr. Rodriguez asked for approval of the traffic plan as discussed. The Council approved the plan by consensus.
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| I.
| Fire Department Review
Fire Department Overview - PowerPoint presentation on the department's duties and responsibilities, the resources it manages to accomplish them, the service levels achieved, and the related issues. | |
| | Leroy Gonzales, Administrative Fire Chief, gave an overview of the Fire Department and explained the responsibilities and duties of the department. Mayor Cordova asked whether the Volunteer Fire Chief should be on the top of the organizational chart as he is not a paid Town employee. Mr. Rodriguez explained the organizational chart is prepared this way because this is how the Town's Fire Department operates. Mayor Cordova directed Mr. Rodriguez to ensure the organizational chart is
Mr. Gonzales continued his presentation and discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the department and outlined the threats the department is facing such as increased response times and employee retention.
Councilmember Peralta asked if the Town was responsible for the inspection of fire hydrants located at the El Prado Water and Sanitation District and at El Valle de los Ranchos. Mr. Gonzales stated the Town’s Fire Department only inspects hydrants within the Town limits. Councilmember Peralta expressed his concerns about defective fire hydrants outside the Town limits. Mr. Gonzales explained when responding to calls outside the Town limits, Central Dispatch contacts the Mutual Water Association within the area to turn on pumps. Furthermore, the fire trucks are equipped to transport twelve thousand gallons of water. Additionally, he explained an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating will be done upon obtaining records from the El Prado Water and Sanitation District and El Valle de los Ranchos so that hydrants outside Town limits can also be inspected. Mayor Cordova and the Council thanked Mr. Gonzales for his presentation and congratulated him on his promotion to Administrative Fire Chief.
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| 8. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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Mayor Cordova stated the purpose of this resolution is to continue to deny rate increases by Tri-State Generation and Transmission and for the support of Kit Carson Electric.
Councilmember Gonzales stated he fully supports this resolution.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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| B.
| Resolution 13-10 Appointment of Finance Audit Committee
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 13-10 appointing the Finance Audit Committee. Members' terms will run concurrent to the Mayor's term and are listed as follows: Frederick A. Peralta - Councilmember; Wanda Lucero - Business Representative; Michelle L. Griego - Financial Institution Representative.
(Moved after item 5.E) | |
| | Marietta Fambro, Finance Director, stated a Finance Audit Committee should be established as per the recommendation of the auditors and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). She further added GFOA recommends that all local governments establish this committee as a best practice to assist in the oversight of public funds, financial reporting, internal controls, audit findings and increase transparency of public funds. In addition, Ms. Fambro stated the proposed members do not have a conflict of interest with the Town.
Mayor Cordova thanked Wanda Lucero, Michelle Griego and Councilmember Peralta for agreeing to serve on the committee and stated he believes the Town will be well served due to their expertise and knowledge.
Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
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Mr. Rodriguez was directed by Mayor Cordova to present an agenda item in the future addressing water conservation recommendations and possibly include a resolution urging citizens to conserve water. Mayor Cordova further requested that a press release be sent to the media informing the public.
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A motion was made by
Councilmember Gonzales and seconded by Councilmember Abeyta to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:55 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 and video recordings. Additionally, video recordings can be viewed at www.mediataos.org. You may also view agendas, agenda packets, and minutes at http://public.taosgov.com/.
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