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 (arrived at 6:42 p.m.)

Also present were:      
Town Manager, Richard Bellis
Assistant Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero

• ADD 7.B. Discussion regarding a Joint Town/County Proclamation honoring Reynaldo Torres and Palemon Martinez.
• Correct Item 11.B. by replacing "Salazar Road" with "2013 CDBG".

• Jeanne Green stated she is against the airport expansion.  She believes the Town can use the money for other programs like the library or solar energy. She also discussed military planes that have landed at the airport and is concerned about jet fuel leaking.
• Marilyn Hoff stated she is against the airport expansion.  She stated the Town needs to change the emphasis of how money is spent and not invest in things that burn fossil fuels. 
• Bonnie Korman stated she is against the expansion of the airport.  She believes the expansion will affect the quality of life in Taos.  She does not want Taos to become like Aspen where it will be too expensive to live. 
• Arsenio Cordova stated he is pleased to see the spirit of collaboration between the Town and the County as the constituency suffered during the prior administration. He stated the outcome of the election proved that the people of El Prado were not alone in their thinking about the airport annexation.  He requested that the Council conduct an audit of Town finances to determine whether there was abuse of funds during the previous administration.
• Bob Bishop stated approximately 42 to 50 people own private airplanes in Taos.  He discussed the cost to expand the airport and he believes that money can be spent on other programs. He also believes the Town should ask airplane owners to pay the Town's match for expansion. Mayor Barrone stated the settlement agreement between the Town and County indicates the match will come from gross receipts tax generated from the airport construction.
• Seth Brown stated the airport Environmental Impact Statement demonstrated an overwhelming opposition to the expansion.  He further stated about 95% of citizens at the public meetings were against it.  
• Patricia McCarthy stated she is against the airport expansion.  She stated sidewalks and streets in the Town are deteriorating and there are other infrastructure needs.
• Jeanne Greene expressed concerns about the suicides at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and asked the Council to request that New Mexico Department of Transportation place a barrier on the bridge to prevent people from jumping.

Mayor Barrone read the rules for conducting a quasi-judicial hearing.  He asked the Council if there were any conflicts of interest for this case.  There were none.

Martha Perkins, Planning and Zoning Director,  presented Ordinance 14-07 and reviewed her Staff Report, which included the criteria for approval of an amendment to title 16.12.060.2 as follows:

    - Criteria 1. The amendment is consistent with the direction and intent of the existing Town of Taos Master Plan;
    - Criteria 2. The amendment is consistent with the purpose and intent of Town of Taos zoning regulations;
    - Criteria 3. The amendment is consistent with the existing land use in the affected neighborhood;
    - Criteria 4. The benefit to the neighborhood will outweigh any potential adverse impact upon the surrounding properties;
    - Criteria 5. The amendment to this title will not create a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, nor cause an extraordinary public expense, or create a nuisance; and
    -Criteria 6. The amendment is justified by the fact that the original zoning was an error, by change in condition in the vicinity, or by change in the Town of Taos overall development policy.

Ms. Perkins stated the criterion is satisfied.  She further stated prior to July, 2002, the subject parcel was zoned agriculture; however, the zoning was changed to allow for commercial development.  She stated no development has occurred on the property and the applicant is now interested in utilizing the property for farming and agricultural purposes. 

Mayor Barrone opened the public hearing.

Joni Cunnyngham, applicant, was sworn in and responded to the criteria and explained how it had been satisfied. Ms. Cunnyngham submitted a packet with maps and letters supporting agricultural use of the property.  She stated west of the property are multiple grazing areas.  She requested approval of the rezoning.
 
Michael Silva was sworn in and stated he supports the applicant.  He further added the Cunnynghams are doing a lot of work on improving the land and believes it will be for the good of the community.

Robin Collier was sworn in and stated he is amazed that the property is currently zoned as commercial zoning and is he supports it being rezoned for agricultural use.

After closing the public hearing, Mayor Barrone asked for questions from the Council.
 
Councilmember Hahn stated he is pleased the property is planned to be used for agricultural use. He asked for clarification on the water use.  Ms. Cunnyngham stated they have a well on the property with 8.5 acre feet of water. 

Roy Cunnyngham, applicant, was sworn in and stated they also have 20 acre feet of water in trust with the Town and there will be plenty of water for use.  He also stated they will use the water very conservatively.

Councilmember Peralta stated the Planning and Zoning Commission minutes indicate that one person spoke during the public hearing but it is not stated whether the person was for or against the rezoning.  Ms. Perkins stated the person who spoke was in favor of the zone change.

The Mayor and Council commended the Cunnynghams for preserving the property and using it for agricultural purposes.

Mayor Barrone stated the same rules apply to this quasi-judicial hearing as the previous hearing. He asked the Council if there were any conflicts of interest for this case.  There were none.

Martha Perkins, Planning and Zoning Director,  presented Ordinance 14-08 to the Mayor and Council and stated the same criteria applies to this zone change. 

Ms. Cunnyngham stated her responses to the criteria are the same as the last hearing.

Mayor Barrone opened the public hearing.  

Michael Silva stated he supports this zone change.

After closing the public hearing, Mayor Barrone asked for questions from the Council.

A motion was made by Councilmember Cantu and seconded by Councilmember Gonzales to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 10:03 p.m.