| 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 6:37 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, Andrew T. Gonzales
Councilmember, Rudy C. Abeyta
Councilmember, Michael A. Silva
Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta
Youth Councilmember, Michael Landgraf
Also present were:
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Attorney, C. Brian James
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
Absent/Excused was:
Town Manager, Oscar Rodriguez
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Councilmember Peralta led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva.
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| | Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| | Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| A.
| The following individuals spoke under Citizens Forum: | |
| | Jeff Northrup
Kim Hamstra
Arcenio Cordova
Taos Middle School Cheerleaders
Dennis Manzanares
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| | Ms. Hofer explained the free programs offered at the Adult Learning Center such as GED preparation in both English and Spanish, English as a Second Language, Adult Literacy, Health Literacy Initiatives, and Workforce Development. She stated the program received the Higher Education Department’s Program of the Year Award in 2011 for the highest performing program in the state. Ms. Hoffer requested financial support from the Town as costs have increased and the availability of grant funds have decreased.
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| | Ms. Griffin stated Taos tourism has stabilized and is on track to return to pre-recession levels. She stated between July 1, 2013 and November 30, 2013, the Town saw a significant increase in Lodgers Tax revenue of 13.28% over the same period the previous year. She predicts that in 2015, Taos will be acknowledged as the top mountain town destination in the region.
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| B.
| Grant Agreement from Department of Public Safety
Consideration and possible approval of Grant Agreement 13-JAG-WTAOS2-SFY14 with the New Mexico Department of Public Safety in the amount of $7,475 for the purchase of twenty five (25) field deployed audio/video recording devices (body cameras) for use by Taos Police Department officers. Town match is not required. | |
| | Chief Weaver explained the intent of this grant is to record officers interactions with individuals suspected of criminal activity.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| | Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| | Bobby Cordova, with Accounting & Consulting Group, LLP, stated the Town received an unmodified opinion report and explained this is the purest type of auditing report, meaning the certified public accountants writing the report have been able to access all needed financial information and the information has conformed to GAAP (generally accepted accounting procedures). He further stated the Town had no material weaknesses in either the Financial Statements or Federal Awards of over $2 million. He explained a finding of no material weaknesses provides an increased confidence level to granting agencies and the public regarding the ability of the Town to follow the policies and laws of federal, state and local governments in relation to financial activity.
The Mayor and Council commended the Finance Department staff as well as the Management Team for being fiscally responsible.
Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| E.
| Financial Update and Five-Year Budget Plan
Presentation of the monthly financial report for the period ending December 31, 2013 and consideration and possible approval of a five-year budget forecast and assumptions that will guide the development of the upcoming fiscal year 2014-2015 budget.
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| | Finance Director, Marietta Fambro provided the Financial Update and Five-Year Budget Plan. Ms. Fambro stated the Town currently has nearly double the required reserves. She explained the following budget assumptions:
GENERAL FUND REVENUES
• 2% annual increase in revenues
• Elimination of all Convention Center revenues
• Retaining a 50 day ending balance with a gradual increase to a 51 day ending balance
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES
• 2014-2015 expenditures include the equivalent of a 3% increase to wages and associated benefits
• 2% annual increase in expenditures beginning 2015-2016
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
•2% annual increase in revenues
•Expenditures are based on current 5-year Capital Improvements
•All appropriations expensed in scheduled year
POLICIES
•Changes to Budget Adjustment process allowing for administrative approval to move monies between categories within the individual department budget up to the lesser of $25,000 or 10%
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| | The Mayor and Council discussed Taos County’s proposal to the Town for a contract for service with possible future terms for a Joint Powers Agreement considering the County plans to construct and operate an E911 center on the second floor of the administrative wing of the Taos County Detention Center.
After lengthy discussion, the Council directed the Mayor to send Taos County a letter informing them that, based on the Department of Finance and Administration’s recommendation, the Town requests binding arbitration. Mayor Cordova emphasized that the Town is very much interested in continuing negotiations and continuing this long partnership with Taos County.
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| | Ms. Adame stated the stakeholders are in agreement that dispatch needs a director. She further stated six interviews were conducted and an offer was made to someone with extensive experience. The starting pay will be in the high fifties and management felt it was appropriate to offer her housing at the house owned by the Town on Sunset Street due to the current situation with Taos County over the Emergency Communications Center.
Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Silva seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| | Chief Weaver explained funds for the upgrades have already been budgeted; however, the systems have not been upgraded due to the current situation between the Town of Taos and Taos County in regards to the Emergency Communications Center. He emphasized if the Town does not upgrade all programs, a certain amount of connectivity will be lost.
Councilmember Silva made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| | There was no discussion or action on this item.
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| | Mr. James presented Ordinance 14-04 to the Mayor and Council and stated this ordinance is being presented to increase the Municipal Judge's salary as it has not been updated for several years.
Public Opinion
Mayor Cordova opened the public hearing.
Municipal Judge Richard Chavez came forward and stated he does not want a raise unless all Town employees receive one as well.
After closing the public hearing, Mayor Cordova asked for questions from the Council.
Discussion ensued and Council raised concerns about specific details in the ordinance with regard to future salary increases.
Mr. James stated if Council does wish to increase the Municipal Judge's salary they must do so before the election on March 4, 2014.
Councilmember Peralta recommended continuing Ordinance 14-04 to the Regular Town Council Meeting on February 11, 2014.
Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to continue.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva. |
| 9. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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| | Councilmember Gonzales asked the Mayor and Council to consider offering the College for America Program to Town employees which partners with employers who see an opportunity to strengthen their non-degreed workforce using a highly accountable degree program built specifically for these employees. Mayor Cordova directed staff to evaluate the program and provide a recommendation for Council consideration.
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| | After a lengthy discussion, the Council directed the Mayor to pursue legislation that would allow Taos County to call a local referendum imposing a hospital gross receipts tax. Revenue from this tax would fund the hospital until the Affordable Care Act takes full effect. The Council also directed Mayor Cordova to retain the services of a financial consultant to evaluate all the bonds and debt service county voters have supported to identify possible excess revenues to dedicate to the hospital.
Additional legislation will be pursued to change the use of the Mary Medina building to allow the building to be used by other entities such as La Merced de Cristobal de la Serna Land Grant.
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| | A motion was made by Councilmember Gonzales and seconded by Councilmember Peralta to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
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| APPROVED: | | ________________________________________ |
Darren M. Cordova, Mayor
| | | ATTEST: | | ________________________________________ |
Renee Lucero, Town Clerk
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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.taos22.com. You may also view agendas, agenda packets, and minutes at http://public.taosgov.com/.
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