MINUTES March 26, 2014 Special Meeting Continuation of March 19, 2014 Work Study Town Council Chambers - 120 Civic Plaza Drive 9:00 AM

1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DANIEL R. BARRONE 2. ROLL CALL   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 Also present were:       Town Manager, Richard Bellis Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell Town Clerk, Renee Lucero Absent/Excused was: Councilmember, Judith Y. Cantu 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE   Mayor Barrone led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 6. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER A. WORK STUDY Discussion regarding the process and structure of the Town of Taos Budget.   DEPARTMENT PRESENTATIONS: Town Clerk - Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Town Clerk's Office. Ms. Lucero stated public records requests have increased dramatically over the last five years.  Mr. Bellis stated he has directed Ms. Lucero to copy him and Mr. Caldwell on requests to determine whether some can be handled by meeting with the requester rather than researching records. Youth and Family Center - Brian Greer, Youth and Family Center Director, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Youth and Family Center. A very lengthy discussion ensued regarding the programs that are offered to the youth of Taos and the need to expand programs and activities to help keep the youth off the streets such as movie nights at Kit Carson Park that would allow anyone to go to the park to watch movies.  Mr. Bellis asked the Council to give him time to evaluate the recreation programs and to search for resources to the assist the Town with such programs. Emergency Communications Center - Amity Bishop, Emergency Communications Center Director, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Emergency Communications Center. Council discussed the addressing system in the Town and County and expressed there is a need for the system to be updated for the safety of the public.  Ms. Bishop stated currently emergency responders can respond to calls within 100 feet of callers. Ms. Bishop emphasized that the dispatch staff's salaries must be addressed as soon as possible to keep them from leaving to higher paying jobs in neighboring communities.  She stated the Town does not come close to comparing with the industry.  She also stated if the employees become certified, they will be extremely attractive to other communities.  She emphasized the importance of having career employees at dispatch. The Council directed Ms. Bishop to compare salaries with other communities and provide the comparisons to the Council. Taos Public Library - Shirley Fernandez, Library Director, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Taos Public Library. Councilmember Gonzales stated he attended one of the Big Reads held at the library and it was very successful.  He stated the Town needs a Public Information Officer to provide exposure of these types of programs offered by the Town. Lengthy discussion ensued regarding computer technology at the library.  The Council discussed possibly offering iPads that would be tied down to assist customers who prefer to research via computers.  Ms. Fernandez stated staff has been working to provide upgrades at the library and will continue to do so. Legal - Jacob Caldwell, Town Attorney, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Legal Department.  Councilmember Gonzales stated, with regards to renewing franchise agreements, the Town hit a roadblock because Taos Pueblo owns a lot of the roads in the Town.  Councilmember Peralta stated this should not stop the Town from renewing franchises as many expired years ago.  He further stated the Town has a lease with Taos Pueblo for perpetual right to use and control the streets.  Human Resources - Morris Madrid, Human Resources Director, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Human Resources Department. Mayor Barrone asked how Town jobs are advertised.  Mr. Madrid stated the Town advertises on the website, in the newspaper, and through the New Mexico Municipal League. Information Technology - Reuben Martinez, Information Technology Director, gave an overview of the department to include the duties and responsibilities as well as a work plan for the Information Technology Department. Mayor Barrone thanked Mr. Martinez for the technological support he and his department provide the Town. Reserves and Balances Ms. Fambro provided a summary of the remaining operating budgets indicating a reserve of 2/12. Mr. Bellis thanked Ms. Fambro for taking the time to educate him and the Mayor in addition to preparing the annual budget.  He further stated Ms. Fambro and Mr. Madrid are doing salary comparisons with municipalities similar to Taos that rely on tourism for revenue.  Councilmember Hahn stated he would like to know whether sewage rates can be flat rated based on winter usage for residential accounts. Ms. Fambro stated there was a rate increase about three years ago and she can work with the engineer that assisted the Town with the rate increase. Councilmember Peralta stated funding for bonds were based on revenues, including sewage fees and changing the rates could affect the Town's bonds.  Discussion ensued regarding whether to keep the reserves at 2/12 or 3/12.  Mayor Barrone stated if the Town experiences a catastrophic event, the Town needs to ensure there will be enough money to continue providing services.  Mr. Bellis clarified that placing additional money in the reserves does not mean the Town can't spend it if the need arises.  7. ADJOURNMENT   A motion was made by Councilmember Peralta and seconded by Councilmember Hahn to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 12:26 p.m. APPROVED: ________________________________________ Daniel R. Barrone, 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.taos22.com. You may also view agendas, agenda packets, and minutes at http://public.taosgov.com/.