The Regular Meeting of the Taos Town Council was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Daniel R. Barrone at 1:05 p.m. 

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, Judith Y. Cantu       
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales
Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta

Also present were:      
Town Manager, Richard Bellis

Town Attorney, Floyd Lopez
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero

Steve Kennebeck led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Add to Item 6.A., Introduction of Hired Employee: Alexandra Dostal.

Delete language "Town Wide Yard Sale" from Item 11.D.

Rudy Silva, Facilities Services Specialist
Hired: May 18, 2015
Full Time within the Facilities Services Department

Alexandra Dostal, Librarian I

Hired: May 5, 2015

Full Time within the Library Department

Jeff Sattler, Executive Director of Taos Men's Shelter, gave a presentation on services provided at the Taos Men's Shelter. He stated there are 17,000 homeless people in New Mexico and he believes none of them ever thought homelessness would happen to them. Homelessness affects men, women, children and families.  It is difficult for homeless people to get jobs without an address, clothes and other resources. 

Mr. Sattler further stated, the shelter has served 228 men since January 31, 2015 and has provided 1,501 bed nights. They began a new program on April 1st, in which those who stay at the shelter for more than 10 days must get a mental health evaluation.  The shelter's goal is to see the men leave in better shape than when they arrived and become self-sustaining.

The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Sattler for his devotion to the homeless of the community.

The following individuals spoke during Citizens Forum:

• Bill Patten, the new CEO at Taos Health Systems, stated there are several issues that need to be addressed at Taos Health Systems; especially the trust between the community, the employees and the hospital.  His goal is to restore the relationship with the community and the employees.  He also plans to communicate more with the community on the hospital's plans.
• Cathy Cordova spoke about Taos Local Television and stated it is one of the best things that has ever happened in Taos.  She further stated her family's name was discussed at a recent Town Council Meeting regarding the Cesar Chavez event being planned.  She expressed disappointment about the negative public comments that have been made in the Taos News online.
• Stephens Hall spoke about the proposed community Yard Sale and the Cesar Chavez celebration.  He is glad to see the two events were separated as it is important to celebrate Cesar Chavez and all he believed in.

Ms. Fambro presented the preliminary budget and provided comparisons to her presentation at the May 11, 2015 Budget Hearing, based on input from the Council.

Extensive discussion ensued regarding changes to the budget as well as one-time costs. 

Councilmember Gonzales referred to the allocation for the Mayor's Reception during the Fiestas and asked if the Town will meet procurement.  Ms. Fambro stated she believes so, as long as the reception is open to the public and available to everyone it will meet procurement.  She is checking to ensure this is correct. 

Councilmember Gonzales asked if there is a permanent solution for large events at the park to address power rates.  Mr. Bellis stated yes and explained that the issue has been addressed with three points of service at the park.

Public Opinion

Mayor Barrone opened the public hearing.  No one came forward.

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

Ms. Fambro presented the following report to the Mayor and Council:

Revenues - Gross Receipts Tax - April's tax distribution (February's activity) was down 2.77% over 2013-2014. The most significant categorical decreases were in Professional, Scientific & Technical Services at $19,983 (38%) and Utilities at $19,076 (34%). The most significant categorical increases were in Construction at $21,249 (85%) and Retail Trade at $18,517(7%). The current year-to-date growth rate is down 0.53% using last year's actuals for comparison. Overall, General Fund revenues are down 1.00% from last year. May's tax distribution (March's Activity) indicates an increase of 16.41% from 2013-2014. With this substantial increase Gross Receipts Tax is up .95% from last year at this time, forecasting a better year end than projected.

Expenditures – During this month, in preparation of the budget, projected expenditures have decreased by approximately $341,132, which $100,000 has been allocated to additional reserves and the remainder for anticipated one-time costs both to be approved by the council with next fiscal year's budget. The majority of this amount is from vacancy savings.

Ending Balance – The reserves continue with a state mandate of 1/12th along with an additional 37 days of a reserve balance. It is important to keep the reserve in place as a conservative plan. As stated above the recommendation is to try and build the reserves up to 3/12ths, which is an additional 23 days

Capital Projects
In the month of April $60,110 was expended on pay application #3 (Final) for construction of Camino de Merced, $69,734 to Armstrong Consulting for inspection services for the runway construction project and $97,410 for pay application #1 to Northern Mountain Constructors, Inc. for the runway construction. Staff also solicited requests for proposals for Marketing of Events and the Annual Audit Services.

Arsenio Cordova read a list of community members who serve on the board organizing this event.  He also provided a budget and the list of scheduled events.  He indicated the board has decided to eliminate the yard sale in order to recognize Cesar Chavez and provide a stand-alone event. 

Mr. Cordova further stated the board is making contacts for supplemental sponsorships. He indicted there is a lot of cultural sensitivity in the community and the Latinos need to be included.  He requested that the Town sponsor the event and provide financial assistance in the amount of $14,755. Additionally, several board members came up to address the Mayor and Council on the scheduled events.

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the amount requested, whether the Town can afford to contribute and if so, which line item would be used.  

Councilmember Hahn stated he believes the Town should be conservative and do as much as possible to make the event successful; however, he believes if the budget is approved, it will be approved as deficit spending considering this is a new event.  He believes the requested amount is excessive. He also requested that Mr. Lopez research the statutes to ensure there is no conflict of interest with Councilmember Cantu.  Councilmember Cantu stated she is not benefiting financially from this event and requested that Mr. Lopez inform her of any conflicts.

Councilmember Gonzales stated the Town has funded many other first-time events, such as the Kongos.  He believes this is a solid event.

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to fund $13,000 for the Cesar Chavez event; $7,500 from Lodgers Tax Funds and the remainder from the General Fund and allow Mr. Bellis to adjust the budget as needed. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows:  Ayes: Gonzales and Peralta.  Nays: Hahn.  Absent during vote: Cantu.

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to accept the grant and create a position.  Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  The Councilmembers voted as follows:  Ayes: Cantu, Gonzales, Peralta.  Absent during vote: Hahn.

Francisco Espinoza, Public Works Director, provided an update on wastewater projects.  He indicated the RFP for the treatment plant operations will sunset in July of 2016.

Councilmember Hahn asked if it is possible for the Town to bring the management of the treatment plant in-house. Mr. Bellis stated staff can develop a cost alternative for the Council's approval; however, the services can be very expensive and experts will need to be hired. 

Councilmember Hahn stated he would like to see how some of the costs can be decreased and have the Town to respond to its own RFP.  Councilmember Gonzales stated he has an issue with responding to the RFP due to the amount of time staff will spend on the response.  He further stated the Town is not the expert on the management of the treatment plant.

Mr. Espinoza emphasized the Town could operate the treatment plant; however, not with the current resources.

Mr. Bellis stated he will identify how other municipalities similar in size operate their treatment plants. 

Mr. Bellis stated the policy was emailed to the Council for review and indicated it is in line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.  The Council has a choice to adopt it as a resolution or an ordinance which will need more time for publication.

Councilmembers Gonzales and Peralta requested a redlined version of the policy to see differences in how personnel matters are handled.  Mr. Lopez clarified this does not revise the current policy; rather it will replace entirely the personnel policy.  He stated he could develop a memo explaining the differences. 

The Council directed staff to bring the final policy back at a meeting in June.

Mr. Bellis stated the Town has not paid for event banners in the past and suggested waiving fees to hang the banners.

No action was taken as no motion was made.

Mr. Bellis stated there is an appraisal on the building and explained there have been concerns with violation of the anti-donation clause.  He further stated the proposal has been reduced to include only the Toolbox program. 

Councilmember Peralta directed Mr. Bellis to develop a lease agreement and bring it back to Council for action.

Mayor Barrone discussed a meeting that took place with the New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding paving.  He stated the DOT has repaired several potholes; however, more need to be addressed. 

He also stated he wants to do a tour of Town properties to determine what the Town owns and what the value of the properties are.

Councilmember Peralta requested that the contract with Farmers Market be placed on the next agenda.  He does not agree with the way the current contract was developed as he does not believe it addresses the anti-donation clause.  He indicated when the contract was approved, he made a motion for a one year term; however, the contract has a three year term. He also stated he wants the contract to emphasize that the Town is the sponsor.

Councilmember Cantu stated she would also like the conditions regarding the Farmers Market that she has discussed in past meetings to be addressed.

Additionally, Councilmember Cantu discussed many issues and asked that she be updated on the assets inventory, surveillance cameras on the Plaza, and the Marketing Director. 

Councilmember Hahn discussed the IGC Regional Summit  and a regional water plan meeting.

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 5:58 p.m.