| 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 1:30 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:
Acting Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
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Councilmember Quintana 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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Councilmember Quintana made a motion to approve the Minutes of August 8, 2011 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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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve the Minutes of August 9, 2011 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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Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve the Minutes of August 23, 2011 as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Silva 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.
| Nicole Romero and Gordon Hirsh
Presentation regarding the Walk for Non-Violence on September 24, 2011 to commemorate the tragic loss of loved ones through violence. | |
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Ms. Romero stated the Walk for Non-Violence has been scheduled for Saturday, September 24, 2011 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Taos Plaza. She invited the Mayor and Council to attend the event and to take leadership in an effort to change the culture of violence in Taos.
Mayor Cordova stated he will not be able to attend due to a prior engagement and ask Ms. Romero to please extend his support to the family members and volunteers organizing the event.
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Ms. Perera thanked the Mayor and Council for allowing them to use the Town's van for the Neighborhood Art Project this summer. Ms. Sanderson stated the program took place at Taos Pueblo, Cordova Trailer Park, Ranchitos Housing, and Gusdorf Housing. In addition, she stated the program served about 200 children each week and in some locations, children were even provided a free lunch.
Mayor Cordova and Mayor Pro Tem Silva commended Ms. Perera and Ms. Sanderson and thanked them for their dedication to the children of the community.
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| Erin Sanborn, with NM Green Chamber of Commerce | |
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Ms. Sanborn stated NM Green Chamber of Commerce was established about a year and a half ago and is a statewide organization. She stated NM Green Chamber of Commerce is a network of businesses dedicated to building sustainable and prosperous local economies. She further stated they are focusing on advocating for small business issues, educating people about green sustainability and promoting products and services to help businesses. She also explained there are about six counties throughout the state that have independent chapters. She is currently developing a local membership and steering committee.
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Mr. Northrup stated gas prices at Smith's Gas Station are lower than most cities throughout the state. He began making negative remarks about former Town Managers. Mayor Cordova interrupted Mr. Northrup and asked him not to use the Citizens Forum to make personal attacks on other individuals. Mr. Northrup continued making negative remarks and Mayor Cordova asked him to stop speaking.
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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director
Consideration and approval of Amendment 2 to Contract TT-11-142 with Karel Mirabal. The original contract amount was $44,676, Amendment 1 increased the contract by $499.80, Amendment 2 will increase the contract by $11,227.10 for a total contract of $56,352.90 inclusive of gross receipts tax. This contract is funded through a grant with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department for the operations of the Taos County Juvenile Justice Program (Town of Taos is the fiscal agent for this grant). | |
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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director (with Miranda Quintana, Grants Administrator)
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-52, accepting Grant Agreement #3-35-0041-024-2011 from the Federal Aviation Administration in the amount of $52,060 (95%), and a Grant Agreement from the New Mexico Department of Transportation Aviation Division in the amount of $2,325 (2.5%) to replace the rotating beacon and pole. The Town match for this grant will be $2,325 (2.5%). The total project cost will be $56,710. | |
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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director (with Carol Valade, Fixed Assets Clerk)
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-53; Approving the disposition of obsolete equipment, electronics and miscellaneous building materials owned by the Town of Taos. The items of property identified will be auctioned and if not successfully sold with be disposed of at the landfill and have a current resale value of $2,500 or less: modular dance floor, stacking display system, mower, windows, carousel projectors, payphone. | |
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Councilmember Quintana 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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| Francisco "French" Espinoza, Public Works Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-49; Rental rate for the purpose of hauling refuse with the roll off truck. The rates established in the resolution are compatible with rates established by commercial haulers. | |
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Mr. Espinoza stated the proposed rates are $85 per hour, per trip, with a three hour minimum and up to ten tons of waste; and $100 per hour, per trip and up to twelve tons of waste.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva recommended amending the resolution by deleting "per trip" for both the $85 and $100 costs and adding "three hour minimum" to the $100 per hour cost.
Councilmember Quintana asked if the rates will cover equipment or personnel. Mr. Espinoza stated the rates will cover the salaries of the drivers, fuel and maintenance of the vehicles. Ms. Adame clarified the money that is collected from the Enterprise Fund will go into the General Fund.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve Resolution 11-49 as amended. 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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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director
Approval of the Annual Operating Budget for FY 2011-2012 by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) and to be made a part of the minutes of the governing body, in accordance with state statute. | |
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Mayor Cordova commended Ms. Fambro for her outstanding work. He stated officials at the state level have made positive remarks about Ms. Fambro's knowledge and abilities.
Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve the Annual Operating Budget for FY 2011-2012 as approved by Department of Finance and Administration. 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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| Marietta Fambro, Finance Director
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-51 for the transfer of Norcom Model BA7200-2 Scoreboard to the Taos Municipal Schools. | |
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to approve Resolution 11-51 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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| Matthew Foster, Long Range Planner
Consideration and approval of Resolution 11-50 - Adopting the Fiscal Year 2013 - 2017 Infrastructure Capital Improvements Plan. The ICIP is a list of unfunded or partially funded infrastructure projects. It includes cost estimates and anticipated funding sources for each project. The total cost of all projects is $75,862,154. The Town Council will be asked to identify their top five priorities for requesting funding from the state legislature. The ICIP is necessary for the Town to be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funding. | |
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Mr. Foster stated the ICIP is due to DFA by September 30th and asked that the Council identify their top five priorities.
Mayor Cordova stated in the future the Council needs to consider conducting a retreat in order to identify their priorities as the process takes a lot of time. In addition, he believes the Management Team should have a retreat in order to discuss the Council's priorities and determine how they will be addressed.
Furthermore, Mayor Cordova requested that each Councilmember identify seven priorities and bring them for discussion at the Council Meeting on September 27th so that, collaboratively, five priorities can be identified and approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to table Resolution 11-50 until the September 27, 2011 Regular Council Meeting at 1:30 p.m. 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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| A.
| Rudy Perea, Senior Planner
Consideration of Town of Taos Ordinance 11-17. This ordinance amends the Town of Taos Official Zoning Map with respect to property located at 809 Salazar Street. This ordinance amendment changes the zoning on a 1.372+- acre parcel of land from R-2 Single Family Residential to R-4 Residential. | |
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William Morris, Planning, Zoning and Buildings Director, presented Ordinance 11-17 to the Mayor and Council.
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 Sanchez made a motion to approve Ordinance 11-17 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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| 10. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva asked whether the Town will be appointing another Youth Councilmember and stated he has a recommendation.
Councilmember Quintana also stated she knows a Rocky Mountain Youth Corp member who is interested in serving.
Mayor Cordova asked the Council to submit any recommendations to him so that he can interview them. He would like to appoint a new Youth Councilmember in time for the next Regular Meeting.
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss the following: 1) Limited personnel matters regarding the Chief of Police, Town Manager position, and Town Attorney position pursuant to NMSA 1978 10-15-1-H.2; and 2) Threatened or pending litigation in which the Town is or may become a participant regarding the State of NM v. Abeyta (Taos Indian Water Rights litigation case, federal court, implementation) pursuant to NMSA1978 10-15-1-H.7.
Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
At 3:51 p.m., Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to come out of Executive Session and stated discussion in the Executive Session was limited to the item as it was called for. Councilmember Quintana seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Sanchez, and Quintana.
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| Possible Action
Possible action to be taken regarding the Abeyta water rights litigation case. | |
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Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to table the item because no action was needed. 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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A motion was made by Councilmember Quintana
and seconded by Councilmember Abeyta to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 3:53 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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