| 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DARREN M. CORDOVA
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The Regular Meeting of the Taos Town Council was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Darren M. Cordova at 5:31 p.m.
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Ms. Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.
Those present were:
Mayor, Darren M. Cordova
Mayor Pro Tem, Michael A. Silva
Councilmember, Rudy C. Abeyta
Councilmember, A. Eugene Sanchez
Councilmember, Amy J. Quintana
Also present were:
Interim Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
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Councilmember Abeyta led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
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Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| 5. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
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| A.
| Certificate of Recognition for Matthew Foster, Long Range Planner
Mayor Cordova presented Matthew Foster, Long Range Planner of the Town of Taos with a certificate of recognition for his role in securing the American Recovery Reinvestment Act Grant and overseeing its accomplishments. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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Mayor Cordova thanked Mr. Foster for his hard work and dedication to the community. Furthermore, he stated he is very impressed by Mr. Foster's professionalism and has heard many compliments about his performance from officials at the state level.
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Mr. Northrup expressed his disappointment that there was a lack of a quorum at the last Council Meeting in order to pass resolutions or hold the public hearing. He asked that Councilmembers be allowed to miss only one Council Meeting per year. He also stated Mayor Cordova is paid $1,000 to attend each Council Meeting and the Councilmembers are paid a bit less. Mayor Cordova asked Mr. Northrup not to make false allegations and stated the Council is very committed to the constituents of the community.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva stated he has only missed four Council meetings during the past three years. Furthermore, he stated, the Mayor and Council sacrifice a great deal of their personal time in order carry out the duties they were elected to do.
Councilmember Abeyta clarified his reason for missing the previous Council Meeting was because his wife had a medical procedure in Santa Fe. Furthermore, he stated Mr. Northrup has no right to make such accusations.
Mr. Northrup continued and expressed his concerns that a Town Manager and Town Attorney have not yet been hired.
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| A.
| Amos Torres, Public Utilities Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-61: Acceptance of dedication of approx. 1.828 acres of land from Roy Cunnyngham for the purpose of conveying title and creating an extension of water, sewer and roadways. Property is located at the proposed Este Es Roadway Extension. Roy Cunnyngham has agreed to dedicate this property to the Town of Taos in exchange for a water and sewer connection to an adjacent property owned by Mr. Cunnyngham. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-59; Budget Adjustment Request: 1) 1994 GRT Affordable Housing Fund (56) - Decrease unreserved fund balance in the amount of $2,421 and increase operating expense to cover the final amount due for the Affordable Housing Plan; 2) 1999 Gasoline Tax Acquisition Fund (59) - Decrease $25,357 from Salazar Road Extension (59-67 TM) and increase Capital outlay for Morgan Road Improvements (59-11 TM) to cover Change Order No. 1 (final quantity adjustments & elevate gate valves) to Road Construction Southwest, Inc. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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| Amos Torres, Public Utilities Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-62; Acceptance of dedication of land from ABM Gonzales Enterprises, LLC for the purpose of conveying title and creating an extension of water, sewer and roadway. Property is located at the proposed Este Es roadway Extension. ABM Gonzales Enterprises, LLC will dedicate approx. 1.349 acres and the Town of Taos will provide water and sewer stub-outs to adjacent properties owned by ABM Gonzales Enterprises, LLC. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| William Morris, Planning, Zoning and Buildings Director
Discussion regarding the following: 1) potential issues and changes to the Land Use Development Code (Chapter 16) and to Title 5, Itinerant Vendors to better address future development situations; 2) vendors within or near local area roadways. Both issues will only be for discussion and providing direction to staff. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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Mr. Morris requested policy direction from the Council with regard to establishing "Big Box" standards since there is nothing listed in the current code. He emphasized he is neither for nor against this type of standard; however, he believes it must be addressed in the event such a project is proposed within the municipality. He proposed to develop criteria based on the type of characteristics and standards recommended by Council.
Mayor Cordova stated there have been occasions in which the Town has received a proposed development and there is nothing in the code that enables the Town to address such a development. He agrees the Town needs to develop criteria in order to address these types of projects.
Councilmember Sanchez stated he is one hundred percent against this. He further stated if a "Big Box" type of business came to Taos, local small businesses would be forced to closed. Mayor Cordova clarified the intent is not to approve "Big Box" businesses, and explained staff is requesting direction only to create commercial development standards in order to address these types of projects.
Mr. Morris added the Town needs to evaluate an assessment to fit the growing needs of the community. He stated he would like to present pros and cons to the Council about "Big Box" projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva stated he sees nothing wrong with Mr. Morris' intent and believes he is only doing the job he was hired to do by conducting such studies. He stated he would like to see an assessment presented at a study session.
Councilmember Quintana stated she appreciates Mr. Morris moving forward with the assessment and would like to review it at a study session.
Councilmember Abeyta agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmember Quintana and stated the citizens of the community need affordability. He stated if Wal Mart relocated out of the Town limits, the Town would lose $1.6 million in GRT and forty employees would need to be laid off. Furthermore, he stated this is about what is best for the entire community and a lot of citizens already leave town to shop for better prices elsewhere.
Mayor Cordova stated the majority of the Council, with the exception of Councilmember Sanchez, have agreed to give Mr. Morris direction to move forward with creating an assessment for presentation at a study session.
In addition, Mr. Morris explained he understands that newspaper vendors are exempt from the Town Code; however, he believes safety standards should be addressed at certain intersections where vendors are clearly exposed to traffic. He has scheduled a meeting with the Taos News in an effort to ensure safety for vendors and drivers.
The Mayor and Council agreed that the safety of vendors and drivers must be addressed.
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| B.
| Amos Torres, Public Utilities Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-64, authorizing the Mayor and staff to apply for grant funding through the Water Trust Board in the amount of $2,500,000.00 for the purpose of the continuation of the Regional Water System Upgrade Project to include water distribution in Weimer area, rehabilitation of existing 200,000 gallon tank, relocation of emergency generators, SCADA and pressure upgrades. | |
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve Resolution 11-64 as presented. Councilmember Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| A.
| Renee Lucero, Town Clerk
Consideration and approval of new Restaurant Beer & Wine Liquor License Application No. 783519 for Yu Garden Asian Cuisine located at 1033 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Suite J. (Continued from the October 25th, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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Ms. Lucero presented Liquor License Application No. 783519 to the Mayor and Council and stated all publication requirements were met in accordance with Alcohol and Gaming Division Regulations. She further stated Planning and Zoning approvals are included in the Council's packets.
Public Opinion
Mayor Cordova opened the public hearing. No one came forward.
After closing the public hearing, Mayor Cordova asked for questions from the Council.
Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve the new Restaurant Beer & Wine Liquor License Application No. 783519 for Yu Garden Asian Cuisine. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| 10. MATTERS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER
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| Taos Sports Alliance Invoice
The Interim Town Manager is seeking direction from the Governing Body regarding an invoice in the amount of $16,228.13 inclusive of GRT received by Taos Sports Alliance (TSA) for work performed without a contract. (Continued from the October 25, 2011 Regular Council Meeting) | |
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Ms. Adame explained that TSA representatives stated they spoke with the previous Town Manager about obtaining a contract to perform the work outlined in the pay request. The contract was never prepared and she now requests Council direction as to whether TSA should be paid.
Mayor Cordova asked Jack Clough, Assistant Town Attorney, how this situation should be handled. Mr. Clough stated there is no signed contract; however, there was a verbal agreement between TSA and a Town official and TSA did provide the services that were asked of them.
The Councilmembers agreed that TSA did complete the work that was asked of them and the Town should have followed through with the proper paperwork.
Councilmember Quintana made a motion to approve payment to Taos Sports Alliance in the amount of $16,228.13 inclusive of GRT. Councilmember Sanchez seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| 11. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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| A.
| Update regarding Hiring of Town Manager | |
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Mayor Cordova stated the Town has received numerous applicants and the position is open until filled. He further stated he will begin reviewing the applicants next week and start the interview process. Additionally, he stated the Town has very competent staff and believes operations at the Town are running very smoothly.
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| Update regarding Hiring of Town Attorney | |
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Mayor Cordova stated the finalist that was selected for the Town Attorney position has accepted another job and the position is open until filled. He further stated an RFP for a contract attorney is in the process. He believes the salary of the Town Attorney may need to be evaluated to attract qualified applicants. Furthermore, Mayor Cordova stated the Town has contracted with three law firms to deal with specific Town issues.
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A motion was made by
Councilmember Quintana and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Silva to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
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| APPROVED: | | ________________________________________ |
Darren M. Cordova, Mayor
| | | ATTEST: | | ________________________________________ |
Renee Lucero, Town Clerk
| | 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 recordings and $10.00 for video recordings. |
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