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 (left at approximately 2:45 p.m.)
Mayor Pro Tem, Frederick A. Peralta
Councilmember, George “Fritz” Hahn
Councilmember, Judith Y. Cantu
Also present were:
Town Manager, Richard Bellis
Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero (left at 4:10 p.m.)
Deputy Clerk, Francella Garcia (arrived at 4:10 p.m.)
Those absent/excused were:
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales
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Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Mr. Bellis requested to amend the agenda to add limited personnel matters regarding the Finance Department employees, IT Department employees and Executive Department Employees.
Mr. Caldwell stated it is appropriate to go into executive session to discuss hiring, firing, and reassigning of employees.
Councilmember Peralta asked if it is appropriate even if it was not published 72 hours in advance. Mr. Caldwell stated if action were to be taken, then the executive session would need to be published 72 hours in advance; however, no action will be taken.
Mr. Bellis explained the executive session is for advisory purposes only and fits within the discussion of the overall budget.
Councilmember Hahn made a motion to approve as amended.
Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Hahn, Peralta. |
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At 8:55 a.m. Councilmember Hahn made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss limited personnel matters regarding employees in the Finance Department, IT Department and Executive Department pursuant to NMSA 1978 10-15.1-(H)(2). Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Cantu, Hahn and Peralta.
At 10:07 a.m., Councilmember Peralta made a motion to come out of Executive Session. Councilmember Hahn seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting
AYE were: Councilmembers: Cantu, Hahn and Peralta.
Mr. Caldwell stated discussion in the Executive Session was limited to the items as they were called for and no action was taken. Councilmember Hahn made a motion to accept Mr. Caldwell's report. Councilmember Cantu seconded the motion. The motion was Passed. Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Cantu, Hahn, and Peralta.
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| PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED 2014-2015 BUDGET Notice is hereby given to the citizens of Taos that the Town Council, meeting in their capacity of Board of Finance for the Town of Taos, will review the Town Manager’s proposed budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. The meeting will be open to the public; however, due to the extensive time involved in reviewing the budget, comments from the public will not be considered at this time. A separate public hearing on the proposed budget will be scheduled to receive public comment on May 27, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows: | |
| Mr. Bellis provided an overview of the draft budget and stated the General Fund's Estimated Revenue projections have been slightly revised since the last time the Council reviewed them. He reviewed the breakdown of budget assumptions and stated the Revenues Net Increase/Decrease is $173,669 and the Expenses Net Increase/Decrease is $595,440.
He stated due to fiscal constraints (proposed expenses exceed projected revenues); the proposed General Fund expenses are divided into three categories: 1) Operational Costs, 2) Non-Capital Non-Recurring Costs, and 3) Capital (Infrastructure).
Councilmember Hahn stated citizens are very concerned about the airport expansion. He stated there is a huge amount of money being spent on the improvements at the cost of other needs in the Town.
Mr. Bellis stated the advantage is State Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration anticipates they can complete the project within two years, which after that time; the Town can start generating income. Unfortunately, the Town would need to come up with the match sooner. He explained this is why the Town needs the grant writer position to seek funds for projects such as these.
Mr. Bellis further stated it has been difficult to catch up on the budget while learning it. He stated he and Ms. Fambro are working hard to complete this budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1st; however, after July 1st, they want to begin with a zero based budget and meet again with each department to determine how much is essential to operate their departments.
Mr. Bellis also stated he directed department heads to cut their current budgets by 1% and their proposed budgets by 2%. Additionally, he stated the proposed budget includes 100% implementation of the compensation plan with final council recommendations. He further stated the budget includes the required 1/12 of general fund expenditures in the amount of $879,977, plus an additional $812,454.
Councilmember Hahn stated he understands the need to have 2/12, but if statute reads 1/12 then we should only have 1/12 if it means making the citizen's quality of life better. He stated given the budgetary constraints the Council needs to consider freeing up that money. Mayor Barrone stated when the Town gets to the point where the budget is sound; the Council can discuss that issue. However, at this point, he believes that money should be in reserves as the Town will need it if gross receipts taxes do not come in as expected. He believes the Council needs to be cautious.
Councilmember Peralta stated he agrees with the Mayor and if there is funding in excess of the 2/12 it can be used on one-time expenditures determined by the Council. He believes the 2/12 will be needed if Taos faces a catastrophe.
Councilmember Cantu stated she would like to hold on to the reserve and she looks forward to the day when we have the money to do all the improvements that are needed.
Mr. Bellis stated at the County there were extra funds set aside that allowed them to fund the E911 Center. He explained the Town has old infrastructure and old vehicles and he does not know when they will need to be replaced. He does not want to be in a position to lay people off if the Town needs to spend the reserves for any reason.
Ms. Fambro provided an overview of the revenues.
Extensive discussion ensued regarding a feasibility study to flat rate residential sewer fees during winter usage. Mr. Bellis requested that the Council allow him to complete this budget, then three months into the budget, staff will evaluate whether a study is needed. He further discussed the possibility of hiring a financial advisor to assist with studies such as this.
Mayor Barrone requested clarification as to whether there have been additional revenues possibly generated by recent annexations. Mr. Bellis stated the Town is not being fully credited by the County Assessor for all the annexations because the property has not yet been zoned. He believes the money should be held in escrow until zoning is complete.
Ms. Fambro continued with her presentation and stated the Unaudited Beginning Balance of cash and investments is $14,145,721.
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| Ms. Fambro presented all Town Department Budgets to the Mayor and Council. Discussion took place and/or changes were made to the following budgets:
FLEET BUDGET: Councilmember Hahn questioned whether the Town can impose impact fees. Mr. Caldwell stated several municipalities have tried to implement impact fees and he does not believe any of them were successful. He stated it may be worth looking into; however, there are cautions.
Councilmember Peralta asked for clarification on Kit Carson Electric's fees for street lights. Ms. Fambro stated a study has been completed and staff is in the process of working with Kit Carson Electric regarding the fees.
RECREATION BUDGET: Councilmember Peralta stated he is concerned about the contract for the Eco Park management as he believes Taos Sports Alliance (TSA) needs to become self-sufficient and start generating funds. He also believes their contract should be reduced to $50,000. Councilmember Hahn stated he met with the new TSA manager and she has indicated that TSA is strapped for funds. He feels the Council needs to have a meeting with TSA to ensure that both entities are on the same page.
Councilmember Peralta stated he has been requesting a 5-year business plan from TSA and it has never been produced. At some point he believes the Council needs to require that it be submitted.
Mr. Bellis asked if it would be permissible for him to contact the Taos Municipal Schools District and University of New Mexico to ask if they would like to collaborate with the Town on the management of the Eco Park. Councilmember Cantu stated she believes it would be a good idea because the park is under-utilized. Councilmember Hahn agreed. Mr. Bellis stated TSA may need assistance from the Town to develop the business plan. He stated he will set up a meeting with TSA.
PLANNING AND ZONING BUDGET: Councilmember Hahn stated the Planning and Zoning Department could use a GIS Planner and discussed possibly collaborating with Taos County. Mr. Bellis stated the prior Council’s recommendation was that Planning and Zoning should be more accessible online. He believes it does make sense for both entities not to duplicate services; however, he does not feel comfortable consolidating right now unless the Town has an equal say on who the Planning Director is.
Councilmember Peralta stated there are many things that can be done electronically to assist with consolidating both entities. Mr. Bellis stated staff will formulate recommendations to bring back for Council consideration.
TOWN COUNCIL SETASIDE BUDGET: The Council recommended the following changes: Combine all out of state travel with additional travel with a total amount not to exceed $6,000; add travel for Mayor Barrone to attend Municipal Officials Leadership Institute; pay NALEO dues only for Councilmember Gonzales and Councilmember Cantu; remove expenditures for fiesta apparel for Mayor, Council and Town Manager; remove expenditure for jackets for Mayor and Council.
HUMAN RESOURCES BUDGET: The Council requested that GPS monitoring of Town Vehicles be placed back into the budget.
IT BUDGET: Councilmember Peralta requested consideration of a van for IT staff rather than a truck since they provide support at so many different sites.
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| Discussion ensued regarding the Town budgeting for dispatch services for six months until the County takes over in January, 2015. Additionally, the Emergency Communications Center Director's salary was discussed and needs to be negotiated with the County when they take over operations. Councilmember Peralta stated he would like to review the Town's budget as fiscal agent and the County's budget as fiscal agent. Mr. Bellis stated he will provide both budgets.
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| Mr. Bellis discussed reinstituting a Marketing/Tourism Director to be paid with lodgers' tax funds. Councilmember Cantu stated this position is necessary. Mr. Bellis stated he is also requesting Police Chief David Weaver and Steve Kennebeck, Facilities Director, to estimate how much is expended from their budgets for large events, so that he may evaluate whether the general fund can be reimbursed from lodgers' tax funds.
Mr. Bellis further stated the website, taos.org, was initially paid and continues to be paid with lodgers' tax funds. He would like to see how the website can be placed in the Town's control.
Discussion ensued regarding the marketing budget and Council requested that local advertising allocations be lumped together and used as needed rather than listing vendors separately.
Councilmember Cantu asked why the Town gives money to DMC Broadcasting for the Mother's Day Concert since it is a for profit event. Mr. Bellis stated a letter has gone out to DMC Broadcasting and will also go out to the Taos Fiesta Council to inform them the money can only be used for marketing. He also stated the Town needs to go out for RFPs on such events. Mr. Bellis stated allocations will be lumped together as one allocation for marketing events (such as Taos Fiestas, Taos Plaza Live, Mother's Day Concert, etc...).
Mr. Bellis further explained under Other Contractual Services there are several expenditures listed that could be managed by a Marketing/Tourism Director as discussed. Councilmember Peralta requested that funding for the contracts be lumped into one item.
Council expressed concern about how all the different marketing groups and committees seem to benefit certain businesses. Mr. Bellis was directed to evaluate the issue.
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| Councilmember Peralta stated the Council has been asking for a downtown master plan to determine what should be charged for parking.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding parking in the historic district and the extensive amount the Town pays in parking lot leases. Mr. Caldwell stated due to these issues a downtown master plan is really needed. Additionally, he stated the Town needs to amend the land use regulations in the historic district. He is willing to explore this.
Mr. Bellis asked if it would be possible to purchase the parking lots. Councilmember Peralta stated in the past the Council rejected the idea and further added the Town does not have the funds.
Councilmember Peralta recommended the Main Street Budget be incorporated into this budget.
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| Ms. Fambro presented the Capital Projects Budget and stated the total 2014-2015 budget presented today was $32,206,429; however, the report does not include the purchase of two police cars totaling $64,000 in Fund 54 and will be added to the final budget.
Ms. Fambro explained the new projects for Fund 50. Councilmember Hahn asked if the Town was going to implement a three or four year plan to address other issues so that the next Council that takes over is left with a plan. Mr. Bellis stated as money becomes available the Town will move forward on the next project.
A discussion ensued in regards to other Town projects and how the projects were prioritized. Mr. Bellis stated projects were prioritized based on urgency and the capital project budget is not a final plan to solve every problem; rather, it is a guide until a long range plan is complete.
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| No discussion took place.
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| Ms. Fambro stated the Landfill and Solid Waste budgets will be brought back to the Mayor and Council once tipping fees associated with Waste Management are implemented.
Mr. Caldwell stated for the record, the exemption for today’s Executive Session should be Limited Personnel Matters Pursuant to NMSA 1978 10-15-1-(H) (2).
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7. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
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| A motion was made by Councilmember Peralta seconded by Councilmember Cantu to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:07 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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