Taos Real Estate

Neighborhood Plan for Chamisa Verde including first area implementation of the Taos SmartCode. Matthew Foster, long range Town planner, and point on the SmartCode’s progression, made a brief presentation on the specific public meetings/input on the formation of this preliminary plan/application. Mayor/Council and staff made broad comments – parking, heights, minimum home size, etc. -- and determined that a more indepth discussion/examination should be completed during the first two weeks in June at a Special meeting to be solely on this proposed plan. Details to follow about meetings.

Town of Taos Police Department administrative items – contracts, radio communication equipment and installation for the Fire Department/Police Department Mobile Command Center that was purchased this year; copier lease; training for officers. All favorably entertained by Council and sent to Regular agenda.

Administrative actions required by Mayor/Council to enable actions being taken by Town of Taos Convention Center to ‘open up’ catering services to all qualified businesses.

Telephone service provider contract renewal for Town of Taos phone service (voice over IP; 111 Town of Taos lines; T1 line; long distance included; etc.). Approximately $65,000 per year, including GRT. Some questioning of annual cost. Discussion of depth of service, plus fact that contract was originally negotiated through a competitive Town RFP process. One Connect IP is provider.

Matthew Foster, Long Range Planner, Planning & Zoning Department – official OK requested to receive grants, including Historic Preservation Div. Grant to nominate Taos’ Rural Historic Landscapes to the Federal Register of Historic places and the State Register of Historic Cultural Properties; Draft Bycycle Facilities Master Plan (trails) for National Park Service grant to complete the Recreatinoal Trails Master Plan; out of state travel approval for Planning reps to go to SmartCode Workshop in Denver, Colorado.

Rudy Perea, Senior Planner -- Item needs Mayor/Council approval because exceeds perameters allowed for approval by Planning & Zoning Commission.

Sludge processing/hauling -- how can Town do this in an improved way to save costs over hauling out of the area? This was issue presented/discussed; Amos Torres, Public Utilities Director, atorres@taosgov.com. Right now, costs Town around $174,552 annually. Analysis includes proposal for five year plan. Would also benefit others in area with same issue. Processing/permitting sludge composition/disposal at Taos Regional Landfill is part of proposal -- composting obviously saving use of landfill cells. Specific analysis available as requested. Item going to formal Mayor/Council Regular meeting for action.

Brian Greer, Youth & Family Center - contract for Pool Pro, Inc. for ultra violet light filtration system for increasing the purification of bacteria in the facility's Kiddie Pool. Going to Regular meeting for action.

Finance Department -- budget adjustment requests, among them an added $40,000 for the Town of Taos Transportation Division (in part due to reduced NMDOT funding this year, based on a Federal Grant; submitting a second request to the State to cover a portion of these added costs; future). More details can be obtained from Marietta Fambro, Director, Town of Taos Finance, mfambro@taosgov.com.

Town of Taos Clerk: New Novus Agenda web-based software to improve compilation/change/approval effeciencies for preparation/distribution of agendas, including attachments. New process may include disposition on how to 'handle' items (regular or special; public hearing, consent, regular item, etc., as part of an 'online' process with Mayor/Town Manager, rather than at the Workshop meetings; approval to destroy two year old election records eligible for this treatment; 08 marked paper ballots.

Town Attorney: Town is contracting with Renee Barela-Gutierrez for interim legal services prior to the hire of a new full time Town Attorney. Barela-Gutierrez has moved to Taos County as their new Human Resources Director. Items moving to the upcoming Regular meeting -- adoption of required New Mexico Building Codes; consideration of adoption o fan ordinance banning the use of non-biodegradable plastic carry-out bags at point of sale by retail establishments in the Town of Taos; ordinance making all Town of Taos employees classified, except for five exempted by State statute; contract to lease San Juan Chama Project Water between the Town and El Prado Water Sanitation District; formal action to support the Taos Regional Water Plan.

Town Manager: New Fiscal Agency Policy to guide organizations which apply for funding from the State and need the Town to act as their fiscal agent to receive/spend such funds; Option 1 plan by NMDOT for Kit Carson Road -- discussion by Council based on constituent input about potential support for Option 2 instead; discussion touched on assertions that speed/accident problems on road need to be addressed east of Morada Rd., not west of it; other views indicated this work has been in process through Public Works/NMDOT for years, far in advance accidents, and includes improvements for this roadway beyond accident-oriented issues; elements include sidewalk reconfiguration, ADA access, loading zones, islands, etc.; discussion will continue at regular meeting, although public hearings by NMDOT have already been conducted.

Mayor/Council: Request for approval for Town participation in the program of the North Central New Mexico Economic Dvelopment District; $640. Submission by organization as to what have secured for the area in years past; overview included $650,000 for sewer infrastructure.

Executive Session: pulled from agenda -- limited personnel matters regarding Town Attorney; added -- potential lawsuit discussion between Town/Taos Plaza Theater, David Behrstock.

Town of Taos next Regular Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

Cathy Connelly
Public Relations Coordinator
Town of Taos
office 751-2001
cell 779-1013

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