| 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DANIEL R. BARRONE
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Ms. Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.
Those present were:
Mayor, Daniel R. Barrone
Mayor Pro Tem, Frederick A. Peralta
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales
Councilmember, George “Fritz” Hahn
Councilmember, Judith Y. Cantu
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
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Jeff Northrup led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.
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| | Throughout the minutes, replace "Arcenio Cordova" with "Arsenio Cordova."
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve with conditions.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
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Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| | Councilmember Hahn made a motion to change the wording of the Citizens Forum to read as follows: "Citizens wishing to speak shall have the opportunity to do so for five minutes. No action may be taken." Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
The following individuals spoke during Citizens Forum:
- John Painter, El Prado Water & Sanitation District, stated he looks forward to working closely with the Town of Taos on water issues.
- Pavel Lukes, Planning & Zoning Commissioner, congratulated the newly elected officials and wished them luck.
- Jeff Northrup spoke about government service and requested that the incumbent Councilmembers work with the newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers.
- Brad Malone, Taos County Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the merging of Tourism Association of New Mexico, New Mexico Restaurant Association, and New Mexico Lodgers Association. He asked that the Town and County encourage non-profits to merge so that they are not competing against each other, and instead work together to improve the community.
- John Abeln, Taos County Lodgers Association and Lodgers Tax Advisory Board Member, explained an Arts and Cultural District (ACD) Task Force was set up in February. He requested that the Town become engaged once again with the ACD.
- Michael Silva, former Town Councilmember, encouraged the Council to work together and presented lapel pins to the newly elected officials.
- Municipal Judge Richard Chavez congratulated the newly elected officials and requested that the Mayor and Council work together to make their employees a priority and give them a raise.
- Gary Storch requested that the Council make it a priority to relocate the annual fireworks display away from the area where the animal shelter is located. He stated the animals must be accommodated as they become very frightened during the display.
- Douglas Patterson, Architect for Taos Municipal Schools, informed the newly elected officials of the construction that will take place to revitalize the downtown area near the elementary school which will include parking improvements, walking paths, and improvements to Manzanares Street and Town Hall Drive.
- Rich Nichols requested that the annual blood drive be returned to Holy Cross Hospital rather than Town Hall. He stated he and his wife were dedicated volunteers of the blood drive and he believes it is more convenient for the citizens to participate in the blood drive at the hospital.
- Dennis Manzanares stated he will be the governmental relations contact at Taos County Chamber of Commerce and he looks forward to working with the Council. He also asked for support of the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally and stressed that it is an economic draw for the community.
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| | Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, presented the liquor license application to the Mayor and Council and stated all publication requirements were complied with in accordance with Alcohol and Gaming Division requirements. She stated the location currently has a Brewers License.
Public Opinion
Mayor Barrone opened the public hearing.
Justin Lea, agent for the applicant, explained the establishment now has the funding to open a kitchen and serve food which will require a Restaurant License. Additionally, he explained the Restaurant License will allow the establishment to sell beer and wine (currently the establishment can only sell beer brewed in New Mexico.) He further stated six to eight additional employees will be employed.
After closing the public hearing, Mayor Barrone asked for questions from the Council.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| A.
| Resolution 14-18 Capital Budget Adjustment of $136,112 - Airport Expansion Project
Consideration and possible approval of a Budget Adjustment to accept a state grant of $136,112 and transferring a total of $136,112 from various Town capital funds to the Phase I of the Crosswinds Airport Runway Construction Project to meet the Town's local match requirement of $486,112:
- Accept $136,112 in grant funds from New Mexico Department of Transportation - Aviation Division
- Transfer to Crosswinds Airport Runway Construction Project
- $121,678 from unreserved fund balance in Capital Projects Fund
- $12,003 from undesignated Capital Municipal Gross Receipts Tax, and
- $2,431 from undesignated Capital Infrastructure Gross Receipts Tax.
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| | Mr. Rodriguez clarified none of the proposed transfers are being taken from an existing project, nor from streets or wastewater budgets. They are all from undesignated reserves. Mayor Barrone asked if the funds have been generated as a result of the annexation issue. Mr. Rodriguez stated they are not.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| B.
| State Grant Application for Runway 12/30 Construction Phase I
Consideration and possible approval to apply for and accept a grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division for Phase 1 of Runway 12/30 Construction at Taos Regional Airport in the amount of $486,111 with a Town match of $486,112. | |
| | A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the history and importance of the airport expansion and its safety to pilots and passengers, both in wind coverage and density altitude.
Tim Archibeque and Mike Garcia, representing the airport engineering firm Armstrong Consultants, explained the project will be ready to go out for bid for construction by May 1, 2014.
Mayor Barrone asked how time sensitive this grant approval is. John Thompson, Airport Manager, stated approval is very time sensitive due to timelines set by Federal Aviation Administration. He emphasized the urgency is not due to lack of planning as this is just the next phase of the project.
Councilmember Gonzales stated Taos Pueblo was instrumental as partners in this process as this project will protect their religious lands.
Councilmember Hahn stated he was initially going to request that this item be tabled because he had many concerns about the airport. However, in meeting with the engineers and Mr. Thompson, it became apparent that there was a serious time constraint and for this reason he supports moving forward with the application. He stated this is a great time to collaborate with Taos County. He further requested that a workshop be scheduled fairly soon to discuss the entire budget.
Councilmember Cantu thanked Mr. Thompson for patiently explaining the project to her and helping her to understand how Taos competes for funding with so many other airports.
The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Thompson and Eric Cortez, Airport Maintenance Specialist, for their hard work. Mayor Barrone stated the airport is a vital element of the community and the Town will continue to support it.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| | Councilmember Cantu made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| D.
| Resolution 14-16 to amend Resolution 09-43
Consideration and possible approval of Resolution 14-16 amending Resolution 09-43 allowing rental of Town-owned house at 105 Sunset Street to a Town Public Safety Official. | |
| | Councilmember Peralta explained the Town initially purchased this home with the intention to provide housing to a police officer to add security in the area. He further stated a deputy sheriff currently lives in the neighborhood and the house can now be offered to the newly appointed Emergency Communications Center Director, Amity Bishop, as part of her benefits package.
The Mayor and Council welcomed Ms. Bishop to the Town of Taos team and emphasized the importance of collaboration with Taos County on the dispatch issue.
Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| E.
| Upgrade to Sleuth Computer System
Discussion and possible direction to staff regarding the upgrade of Sleuth Records Management System and Computer Aided Dispatch system. | |
| | Chief Weaver explained the upgrade is designed to convert the records management system and computer aided dispatch from Version 9 to Version 10. He further stated this upgrade has been on hold since fiscal year 2012-2013 and on January 28, 2014 the previous Council voted to move forward with the upgrade. He explained the upgrade is critical for creating a data driven organization.
Councilmember Gonzales stated the previous governing body directed the Chief to provide data indicating trends in the Police Department.
A very lengthy discussion ensued between Rick Bellis, Taos County Deputy Manager, as to which records management system the County proposes to use at their dispatch center that is proposed to be constructed. There is a concern that the system (Spillman) proposed to be used by Taos County may not be compatible with Sleuth. The Council also expressed concern that the newly appointed Emergency Communications Center (ECC) Director has not had the opportunity to evaluate both systems.
The Council directed Chief Weaver to postpone the upgrade to the Sleuth Records Management System and Computer Aided Dispatch System until the March 25, 2014 Regular Meeting to evaluate whether the Town should be on the same system as Taos County and also to allow the newly appointed ECC Director the opportunity to evaluate the system.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to table.
Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| | Mr. Rodriguez explained he is currently meeting with Department Heads to review their proposed budgets which have been prepared in accordance with the budget instructions that were provided. He reviewed the previous Council's top priorities as listed below and explained the five year forecast:
- Central Communications
- Annexation to the Airport
- Planning Department Reorganization
- Crosswind Runway
- Affordable Housing
Discussion ensued and the Council scheduled a Work Study to discuss the budget and priorities on March 19, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at the Town Council Chambers.
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| 10. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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| A.
| New Elected Officials Institute
Consideration and possible approval for Mayor Daniel Barrone and Councilmember Judith Cantu to attend the 2014 Newly Elected Officials Institute on March 22, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. | |
| | Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| | Randy van Vleck, General Counsel for New Mexico Municipal League, was present via telephone conference call and explained the Organizational Meeting is held for the purpose of electing a Mayor Pro Tem amongst the Councilmembers and to appoint or reappoint at-will individuals. He further explained the Mayor presents to the Council his choice for the appointed officials (Town Manager, Town Attorney, Town Clerk, Finance Director, and Chief of Police) and any other at-will positions (department heads). The Council must then vote to accept the appointment. If the Mayor chooses an individual other than the incumbent, then the incumbent is dismissed automatically.
Councilmember Hahn made a motion to schedule an Organizational Meeting on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town Council Chambers, with an Executive Session prior to the Organizational Meeting. Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.
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| C.
| Hospital Nominating Committee | |
| | Councilmember Peralta stated he is a member of the Nominating Committee for the Holy Cross Hospital Board Directors and he intends to apply for a position on the Hospital Board. He can't serve in both capacities and therefore, the Nominating Committee will need a new governing body member to be appointed.
Councilmember Hahn nominated Councilmember Gonzales to fill the position on the Nominating Committee of the Hospital Board of Directors. Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
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| D.
| Taos High School Sports Recognition | |
| | Youth Councilmember Landgraf stated it was a great year for Taos High School sports. He requested that the Council recognize the accomplishments of the athletes. Mayor Barrone thanked Youth Councilmember for his request and stated he will ensure that these athletes are recognized.
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| | A motion was made by Councilmember Gonzales and seconded by Councilmember Cantu to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
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| APPROVED: | | ________________________________________ |
Daniel R. Barrone, Mayor
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| | | 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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