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:      
Town Manager, Oscar Rodriguez
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Attorney, C. Brian James
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero

The following individuals spoke during citizens forum:

• Michael Garcia and Tim Archuleta, Armstrong Consultants engineers, stated the engineer’s design of the long-awaited Runway 12/30 at Taos Regional Airport is completed and has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval. The runway design project, which began in November 2012, was accomplished in two phases, with Phase 1 bringing the project to 30% completion in October, 2013. Mr. Garcia stated the timeline for bidding and Phase 1 of construction of the new runway depends on the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program funding cycle. He further stated 90% of the project funding is expected from the FAA, with a 5% match from both the Town of Taos and the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division. With FAA, State and Town funding, construction could begin by mid to late summer this year.

• Luis Reyes, Kit Carson Electric CEO, provided a brief history of the broadband project and reported the project is 60% complete.  He stated $30 million has been spent on the project as budgeted.  The project is expected to span about 3,000 square miles of New Mexico and will include smart grid technology in addition to high speed broadband to rural communities. Mr. Reyes stated once completed, the co-op’s project will make broadband service available to 29 communities, reaching about 20,500 households, 3,600 businesses and 183 community institutions, including hospitals, schools and other government facilities. He also stated two Native American pueblos will also receive broadband service once the project is complete.

• Matthew Foster stated, as a former Town employee, he created the Bicycle Master Plan.  He asked the governing body to commit to the policies and requirements of the plan and to hold staff accountable for implementing those policies.  He stated many people of all ages in the community rely on bicycles for health, recreation and transportation. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Cordova directed staff to evaluate the plan and inform the council how the plan will be implemented. 

• Cynthia Arvidson, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, spoke regarding a house co-owned between the Town and the County and located at 25 Lamento del Coyote and is currently being used for  storage.  She stated Habitat for Humanity is building right next to this house and previously there was discussion about the house being acquired by Habitat for Humanity for a low income family.  She requested that the Town determine whether the house can be transferred.  Mayor Cordova directed staff to schedule a meeting with the County to determine how to address this issue.

• Steve Rael, owner of S & R Septic, read a letter from Senator Pete Domenici Jr., regarding the Town failing to comply with the recently adopted resolution establishing the policies and fee structure for septage hauling.  Mr. Rael stated he is disturbed that the hours for hauling were extended and he asked if the taxpayers will be paying for the extra hours. He feels the resolution was passed and it is not being complied with.  Mayor Cordova stated the Town pays for all services at the treatment plant as they would any other service.

• Stephens Hall spoke regarding emergency dispatch and the Town's request to go into binding arbitration with Taos County.  He also discussed the situation with the maintenance of the repeaters.

Ms. Fambro explained the following budget assumptions that will guide the development of the upcoming fiscal year for Lodgers Tax Fund and Water-Sewer Enterprise Funds:

LODGER’S TAX

• 2% annual increase in revenues and expenditures;
• Total funding for Marketing Program expensed from Lodger’s Tax Revenues;
• Balance of Convention Center allocation after expenses related to operation of Coronado Hall are transferred to the Marketing Program (approximately $82,000 annually).

WATER AND WASTEWATER ENTERPRISE FUND

• 6.3% annual increase in revenues based on rate study implementation;
• 2% annual increase in expenditures;
• $300,000 plus annual inflation adjustment to asset management reserve (balance of $2,733,274 after 5 years);
• Capital expenditures are based on current 5-year Capital Improvements;
• All capital appropriations expensed in scheduled year.

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation pursuant to NMSA 1978-10-15-1-(H)(7).

Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.  Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva.

At 10:11 p.m., Councilmember Gonzales 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 Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.  Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Abeyta, Gonzales, Peralta, Silva.