Ms. Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.  

Those present were:      
Mayor, Daniel R. Barrone 

Mayor Pro Tem, George “Fritz” Hahn

Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta

Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales   (Present via telephone conference call)
Councilmember, Judith Y. Cantu       

Youth Councilmember, Shay Moon

Also present were:      
Town Manager, Richard Bellis
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero

Town Attorney, Floyd Lopez

Councilmember Cantu requested that Items 10.A. and 10.B. be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

Tamara Chavez, Acting Human Resources Director, stated the Employee Recognition Team has selected Officer Henry Sanchez as Employee of the Month.  Officer Sanchez serves as the liaison between students, school staff and the Taos Police Department.  He is also very actively involved in the community facilitating improvements at the schools and athletic facilities.

The Mayor and Council thanked Officer Sanchez for his dedication to his job and the community of Taos.

Ms. Cady stated Taos County Chamber of Commerce is requesting support for the 2015 Taos Plaza Live Season. She stated Mayor Barrone has agreed to open the season with a proclamation about Taos’ Milestones.  Furthermore, she stated this year there is  a special opportunity for the 531^st Air Force Band to play on July 5th.  In addition, Ms. Cady stated they are considering requesting approval of a Special Dispenser Permit application to serve beer and wine in a beer garden on the Plaza during Taos Plaza Live.

Councilmember Peralta asked if Ms. Cady is requesting closure of the Plaza for Taos Plaza Live. Ms. Cady stated only the afternoon of July 5^th for safety purposes.  She requested that the south and east entrances be closed for pedestrian safety.  

Discussion ensued regarding selling liquor at Taos Plaza Live.  Further discussion will take place at a later date.

The following citizens spoke during Citizens Forum:

• Eric Mills stated he wants to start a petition to ban the sale of miniature liquor bottles.  He stated the bottles litter the road because people drink and drive and throw the bottles out of the window.   Mayor Barrone stated Santa Fe County or City is currently involved in a lawsuit regarding an issue such as this.  He requested that Mr. Mills contact them to discuss the lawsuit.  Additionally, Mr. Bellis stated Rocky Mountain Youth Corps has already started a petition about this and directed Mr. Mills to contact them.
• David Mapes and Meg Greenwood discussed Flower Power and the benefits of providing more flowers in the community for beautification and to benefit mental health. They stated tourists really respond positively to flowers. Many merchants are already placing flowers in their storefronts.  They asked that the Town participate in hanging flowers in the historic district.
• Stephens Hall discussed food violations at local hotels and indicated a lot of people have been getting sick.  He also expressed concern about water use at hotel properties. 

• A&S Construction;
• Northern Mountain Constructors, Inc.; and
• Silva's Excavation

In the event that the low bidder is unable to perform the work, the Town reserves the right to contact the next low bidder and so on.

Items 10.A. and 10.B. were removed for discussion.

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.  Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion.  The motion Passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows:  Ayes: Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.

Item. 10.A.

Councilmember Cantu expressed her concern about closing Taos Plaza for these types of events.  She stated closures affect the merchants.  Discussion ensued regarding closure of the Plaza for the Taos Plaza Live event taking place on Sunday, July 5th.  Ms. Cady stated they could withdraw the request to close the Plaza; however, it may affect the safety of the pedestrians.  Chief Weaver stated this band attracts a lot of people and it is better to be cautious when it comes to public safety.

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve the use of Taos Plaza for Taos Plaza Live and the partial road closure of the Plaza on the south and east for the Taos Plaza Live event on July 5th.  Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows:  Ayes: Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.

Item 10.B.

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively allow the use of Taos Plaza for the Taste of Taos of Taos and have Taos County Chamber of Commerce work on any issues with the Plaza merchants, then come back to the Council with a complete program including the vendors for the wine tasting.  Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion.

For discussion, Councilmember Cantu stated she would appreciate it if the Town would also speak with the merchants on this event and for other events on the Plaza.  They are the ones who are most affected by events.

Councilmember Peralta included in his motion that the Town of Taos will also meet with the Plaza merchants.  Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows:  Ayes: Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.

Councilmember Gonzales left the telephone conference call.

Steve Kennebeck, Facilities Services Director, stated ten other towns in New Mexico have established Tree Boards.  For the last five years, the Town has been recognized as a Tree City, USA; only eight other municipalities in New Mexico have received that recognition.  Mr. Kennebeck stated there are a wide range of experts who are ready to serve on the board.  He also recommended that one member of the Town Council serve on the board.

Mayor Barrone thanked Mr. Kennebeck for working on this initiative and supports establishing a Tree Board; however, he does not agree with having a member of the Council serving on boards because it creates a conflict in the event the board wants to come to the Council for approval of funding or other opportunities.

Councilmember Peralta recommended that the members' terms be staggered.  Mr. Kennebeck stated he will ensure that terms are staggered.  Councilmember Peralta also stated a resolution should be adopted to establish the Tree Board along with by-laws.

Councilmember Hahn stated Judge Jeff Shannon has expressed to him that he would like to serve on a board such as this.

Mr. Kennebeck discussed ceasing evening and weekend functions at the Civic Center for private events.  He stated last year there were 63 such events that cost the Town approximately $5,000 in overtime and utilities. 

Mr. Bellis requested that the meeting space be made available for governmental entities such as the Department of Transportation and the Forest Service, who use the rooms quite a bit.  Mr. Kennebeck agreed.

Mr. Kennebeck stated he would like to begin this new procedure in May and he will send out notice to the public.

John Hamilton, with the Lilac Festival, stated they are coming close to the festival and asked if his proposal had been reviewed. Mr. Bellis stated he will contact Mr. Hamilton within the next forty-eight hours regarding the proposal.                       

Councilmember Peralta requested that a report from the Taos Center for the Arts be provided on the use of the building and the Town's governmental liquor license. He requested that this be done soon.

Councilmember Cantu requested that staff compile a homeowners association list.  She has been working on the Yard Sale event in August and it is difficult to contact the homeowners associations.

Councilmember Cantu also requested that an email be sent to the Council with an update on what was agreed to with the Farmers Market to include tour buses, signage and cameras.

Councilmember Cantu made a motion to go into Executive Session.  Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows: Ayes: Cantu, Hahn Peralta.

At 4:30 p.m., Councilmember Peralta made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows: Ayes: Cantu, Hahn Peralta.

Floyd Lopez, Town Attorney, stated discussion in the Executive Session was limited to the items as they were called for and no action was taken. Councilmember Peralta made a motion to accept Mr. Lopez's report.  Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows: Ayes: Cantu, Hahn Peralta.

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  4:30 p.m.