Taos Real Estate

Town of Taos Manager Tomas Benavidez was not reappointed last night by the Council, which included two new members recently elected -- Council Members Gene Sanhez and Amy Quintana.  Newly hired Abigail Adame, Assistant Town Manager, was made Interim Town Manager by the Council until a new Manager is recruited and hired.  All other Department Directors were reappointed by the Council.

Citizens Forum:

Herich Kuerschner, regardig the negative impacts of Los Alamos National Lab on Taos.  Request was for resolution by the Town of Taos to condemn 'new pit plutonium production' (development of new atomic bombs) at Los Alamos, and encourage the Federal Government to extend 'comment period'/review period from April to July, 2008 so Taos might hold a hearing and formally provide input.  Council committed to contact Espanola representatives, who have taken action, research the issue, and return to the Town of Taos Council to determine if action will be formally pursued.  Education event about this topic:  7 p.m., Wednesday, April 23 at Taos Center for the Arts.

Mayor's Youth Advisory Council:

The group reported its progress in organizing and setting objectives (mission statement, bylaws, etc.), composition and member recruitment, development of a web site, and current initiatives/focus.  This year's major project is to bring a motivational/inspirational program to Taos area youth on May 9th.  This is slated to be Heather Schultz, a nationally reknowned motivational youth speaker, to be scheduled here in an assembly setting at Taos High School and Taos Middle School in cooperation with the Taos School District.

Citizens Forum:

Gene A. Sanchez, presented information/perspectives about the Valverde Commons approval, questioning procedures/elements of the actions taken by the Council.  Part of Mr. Sanchez's request included public records/documents Town Counsel will be providing by a deadline of Monday, March 23rd.  Council and Town Counsel, pledged to examine the procedures followed in this case and respond to Mr. Sanchez's allegations/questions.

Taos Boxing Club, Los Tigres, Roy Madrid, requested consideration for Town of Taos support.  He highlighted the Club's successes, including the positive aspects for area youth.  Council indicated they would work to see what could be accomplished to assist them.

Consent agenda approved.

"Two Hours Free Parking at Meters" approved -- Through end of year, program will be extended and expanded to provide free two hour parking at all meters in the Town of Taos Historic District.  At that time, impacts of the program will be examined to determine what type of parking program might be implemented moving forward from that point.

Fair Trade Steering Committee - Council Member A. Gene Sanchez volunteered to serve on this new committee that will work to establish Fair Trade practices in Taos -- including the Town's own procurement program.  This designation makes the Town of Taos the fifth municipality in the nation to implement a Fair Trade resolution/program.

Fiscal Agent Policy - The Town of Taos has established a policy through which nonprofits will be asked to submit applications to the Town to be their fiscal agent during the month of May each year (rather than throughout the year, and/or at the last minute when the State Legislature considers potentially granting them funding and proof of fiscal agency is required).  This new process will be promoted immediately to make sure all concerned organizations know to apply and can secure their status far in advance of any potential funding.  This process will allow the public to be fully informed about these requests and their impacts on the Town's administration, in addition to streamlining the process for all involved.  Details to follow.

Public Hearings -- items approved.  Public Hearing items included acceptance of just over 4 acres of land donated by a local developer -- the property is along and including arroyos in the Morgan/Roy Roads area that will add to the Town's open space, in the context of extending the Town's dedicated trail system in the area.  Another item included passage of Ordinance 08-04, enacting regulations for licensing Carnivals, Circuses, Menageries, Caravans and Amusements.  This effort is aimed at improving security/safety for area residents and others attending such activities in the Town of Taos.  This action was an outgrowth of the murder that occurred between two carnival employees last year in Taos.  School Zone Speeding Fines doubled -- the lowest fine is currently $68, which would be increased to $136.  A promotional program will be pursued to let the public know of this increase.

The recently revisited Rules of Procedure for the Town of Taos Council were edited in even greater detail.  These edits/changes were sent back to staff to made part of the larger document and brought back to Council for consideration in their final form at a later date.

A new Town of Taos Franchise Committee was reviewed and appointed.  This group will provide review/input about all Town of Taos franchise agreements, including but not limited to PNM, QWest, Kit Carson, etc.

Staff Briefing Meetings for Town of Taos Council were changed to be scheduled quarterly, or as needed, rather than monthly.

Items from Council:

Farmers Market - This is the last year of their current contract in the Town Hall parking lot.  It is proposed that since the Market Board has not decided to be inclusive and allow traditional, local resellers into the Market, that the Town will propose to reserve a handful of spaces for locals to apply to sell from outside of the Market's area on a first come, first serve basis.  Accommodation will also need to occur due to the Town of Taos Town Hall construction which is to begin this spring.  More discussion and further details to follow.

Sewer Plant Operation - RFP to be out soon.  Being reviewed internally.  Contract up in July 2008.

Cathy Connelly

Public Relations Coordinator

Town of Taos

office 751-2001

cell 779-1013

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