1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DANIEL R. BARRONE
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Ms. Francella Garcia, Deputy Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.
Those present were:
Mayor, Daniel R. Barrone (Did not attend the Spring Ditch site visit due to other Town commitments.)
Mayor Pro Tem, Frederick A. Peralta
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales
Councilmember, George “Fritz” Hahn
Councilmember, Judith Y. Cantu
Also present were:
Town Manager, Richard Bellis
Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell
Deputy Clerk, Francella Garcia
Absent/Excused was:
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
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J.R. Logan led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta.
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| A.
| Town Hall Drive Construction Award Consideration to approve Taos Municipal Schools Bid 03.13.14-02 Additive Alternate in the amount of $190,223 plus 8.1875% GRT in the amount of $15,574 for a total amount of $205,797 with Silva’s Excavation, Inc. for the construction of Town Hall Drive Improvements. | |
| Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell, stated this item was presented at the Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2014 and questions were raised in awarding the contract to the lowest bidder. He further stated upon researching the history of this project in conjunction with the Governmental Conduct Act there is no potential violation that could be achieved by awarding the bid. Therefore, in his legal opinion there are no concerns in moving forward with the project.
Mayor Barrone asked whether anything has changed since the presentation. French Espinoza, Public Works Director, stated no changes were made. Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| B.
| Tipping Fee Rate Increase at the Taos Regional Landfill Consideration and approval of the proposed rate increase for tipping fees associated with the Town's membership of the Taos Regional Landfill Board. This amount will increase from $29.50 to $34.50 for Landfill Board Members and from $33.26 to $41.80 for Non-Members. | |
| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director, stated this agenda item was originally presented to Council at the last Regular Council Meeting on May 13, 2014. Ms. Fambro updated the Mayor and Council on the increases based on the Landfill Board rate increase study, which was approved by the board last month. Mrs. Fambro explained the proposed rate increases for both residential and commercial Town accounts. She further added the calculations to determine the rates by Waste Management are based on the container size, quantity and frequency of pickup for each type of account.
Mr. Espinoza stated this rate increase went to the Landfill Board for approval and out of three options; Option C was selected because it placed the burden more on the commercial accounts versus the residential accounts. He further added every member within the Enchanted Circle over the years has made accommodations to support their solid waste program by annually increasing an incremental amount to support their solid waste program; however, the Town was an exception to that. In addition, the rates at the landfill have not increased since it became the Regional Landfill about thirteen or fourteen years ago. The initial rate study report by the consultants recommended the rates be re-evaluated every ten years to avoid running into arrears. Councilmember Gonzales asked whether the rate increase was sufficient. Mr. Espinoza stated the rate study, which was conducted for landfill, does take into account future increases.
Councilmember Hahn stated that he preferred this option because it will keep the Town from leasing equipment and borrowing money and in time the landfill can become self-sustaining. He believes over time this option is most cost effective.
Councilmember Peralta inquired about recycling bins at the landfill and making recycling more convenient for metals, cans, plastic bottles and aluminum. Mr. Espinoza stated they are currently looking into purchasing a rollout bin to place at the landfill convenience center for recycling goods. In addition, the rollout would also be used to transport the recyclables to the Town’s Recycling Center for processing.
A discussion ensued on whether the 2% rate increase was sufficient to cover future operational increases and to provide curbside recycling pickups.
Richard Bellis, Town Manager, stated he would make arrangements for the representative of Waste Management to make a presentation to the Council in regards to the proposal and rate adjustments that would be required for a full source separation curb side pickup. This would be in addition to them establishing their regional recycling center which would not be a source separation facility because they would bale it and take it to their Arizona facility. Councilmember Peralta made a motion to approve.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
| C.
| Commnet Wireless Antenna Proposal Consideration of a proposal by Commnet Wireless for a wireless communications tower to replace the current E-911 tower at the old Town Police headquarters or between the Library and Town Hall. Staff is recommending that if there is interest by the Council that a public RFP process be developed, open to any interested parties to present offers. | |
| Mr. Bellis explained the proposal is to replace the existing tower at the former police station building with a one hundred foot tower at Town Hall. This would increase the capacity to provide 4G Communications particularly to the downtown and plaza area where there are trees and other obstructions to the signals and has a shadowing effect between the buildings at this time. In addition, it would provide coverage past the blinking light and to the Taos Pueblo. He further explained the proposal also includes a modest payment to the Town which would quadruple after the first five years. He stated there are other communication companies who would be interested in providing proposals and to be fair and to attain the best possible return he will direct staff to issue an RFP. Mr. Bellis recommended the tower be located at the Town complex rather than at the former police station building since it is uncertain whether the Town will be selling or leasing the building.
A discussion ensued in complying with the Town’s ordinance and how the project should be subject to public hearings and comments.
Mr. Bellis recommended that an RFP be drafted and forwarded to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission along with photo simulations to illustrate the proposed project for public hearings and comments. Councilmember Hahn made a motion to approve with conditions.
Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was Passed.
Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers:Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn, Peralta. |
8. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
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| A.
| Spring Ditch Site Visit Council and Town staff conducted a site visit of the Spring Ditch located between Salazar Road and Peralta Lane. | |
| Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell, recommended that they have no discussions besides asking Mr. Espinoza questions when deemed appropriate. He further recommended comments pertaining to the Spring Ditch lawsuit shall be reserved for another time.
Councilmember Peralta made a motion to proceed to the site visit of the Spring Ditch. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was passed. Those voting AYE were: Councilmembers: Cantu, Gonzales, Hahn and Peralta
After leaving the Council Chambers, the following individuals arrived at Santistevan Lane to conduct a site visit of the Spring Ditch:
- Councilmember, Judith Cantu
- Councilmember, Fritz Hahn
- Mayor Pro Tem, Fred Peralta
- Councilmember, Andrew Gonzales
- Town Attorney, Jacob Caldwell
- Town Manager, Richard Bellis
- Public Works Director, Francisco Espinoza
- Airport Manager, John Thompson (Provided the transportation)
- David Rael
- Stephens Hall
The group walked various parts of the Spring Ditch east of Santistevan Lane, and then proceeded to Peralta Lane to view the road and conditions adjacent to the road.
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| A motion was made by Councilmember Gonzales and seconded by Councilmember Hahn to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.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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