These are brief notes highlighting some of the actions taken last night.  If something you’re interested on the agenda is missing, or you would like more information on any item, please email this office.  Thank you, Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Director

1) Daniel Miera formally sworn in as the New Town of Taos Manager.  Abigail Adame has resumed her position as Assistant Town Manager.

2) Town of Taos Fair Trade Steering Committee made a presentation updating the Council about their activity.  $1,500 for advertising approved (logo design, bumper strips, curriculum, etc.); proclamation by Town for “Buy Fair, Buy Local” efforts to be drafted to further endorse this effort; committee has already received endorsement of Taos County Chamber of Commerce and St. James Episcopal Church; Enchanted Circle Intergovernmental Council is considering endorsement; community has received copy of questionnaire to be part of “Buy Fair, Buy Local’ Directory.  Next meeting of steering committee this Thursday, 9 a.m., July 17, Town of Taos Convention Center.

3) Taos Plaza restrooms behind Old County Courthouse – Even though Town Manager Daniel Miera reported that according to staff they could be substantially complete this week (they’re being completed by a contractor), and open for Taos Fiesta, Council elected to potentially delay the opening of these facilities until a more ‘considered’ completion/opening could occur, the risk of not having state electrical/mechanical inspections complete would not be an issue, and all elements of the facility would be done in a quality manner.  To open or not to open this restroom facility this weekend was left up to staff descretion.  It is planned that the current portables on the Plaza itself will be removed as soon as the restrooms behind the Old County Courthouse are operational.  FYI, Fiestas de Taos will have many portable temporary restrooms for their attendees in addition to these Town of Taos facilities.

4) Consideration of a new ordinance enacting a policy providing regulations for limited advertising on Town of Taos Transportation equipment.  Advertising intake is proposed to be part of a request for proposal (RFP) process; many other restrictions apply to the type of content that would be entertained; a marketing company is proposed to be retained to run this advertising program.  Consideration of draft ordinance extended to July 24^th meeting.  It was pointed out that this is the type of ‘out of the box’, new thinking on increasing revenue streams that the Town of Taos is pleased to receive from staff.

5) Consideration of appointment of members of the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission.  Council discussed having more professionals connected to the Commission’s issues appointed, in addition to homeowner association representatives.  Council also wished to revisit in future the full voting membership of the Historic Preservation Commissioners on all P&Z issues.  Currently, there are three members of P&Z who are retiring from their membership.  For an overview of appointees, and those who have resigned and are being replaced, contact Allen Vigil, Planning & Zoning Director, avigil2@taosgov.com.

6) Councilmember Darren Cordova reviewed a summary of key state legislation on which the New Mexico Municipal League is focused – pro and con.  Water quality, building inspections, drug rehab guidelines for youth, and many other issues were highlighted.  The overall information will be made available by Council Member Cordova.

7) Public comment: Bryon Paez (sic), requested Town’s participation in opposing the ‘reburying’ of hazardous waste by Los Alamos National Labs.  Council will consider.  Packet presented by Mr. Paez with resolutions and letters from other municipalities and state elected officials endorsing his recommendations.

Item F, pulled off consent agenda by Council questioning Change Order request #1 by Gerald Martin for Town all Expansion project — $43,102.43.  New Interim Buildings Director Manuel Pacheco discussed issues within the request with Council and indicated that he too is questioning some of the items, which were initiated prior to his oversight.  Pacheco asked that he be given time to clarify each item within the request and work with the contractor.

9) Item G. pulled off consent agenda by Council questioning if the Town might be able to find a local insurance agent to write the insurance coverage for volunteer firefighters, rather than have an agent out of the area write the business.  The underwriter is Provident in the amount of $24,384.00.  Administrative Fire Chief for the Taos Volunteer Fire Department answered questions about this procurement, and pledged to research a local agent who might write this business – the deadline being the Council’s Special Meeting 9:30 a.m. on July 24^th.

10) Plans readopted – Citizen Participation Plan, Section 3 Plan for housing, Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan and Certification

11) Grant accepted for $3,200 from New Mexico Clean and Beautiful Program for enhancing local litter control, beautification programs and youth employment programs to aid in litter control and beautification projects.

12) Grant acceptance tabled for $10,000 from the New Mexico Environment Dept. Construction Programs Bureau toward a deep-water well at the Taos Regional Airport, pending modification of the contract (concern that small amount might lock in Town to completion of the entire project within a limited time frame given the current manner in which the state’s contract has been written; Town does not currently possess the funds to do so).  Mark Fratrick, Airport Director, answered questions about the project.  The existing online well at the airport that serves its daily needs is not deep-water; the total cost of the deep water well, including storage tank, is estimated to be $1.5 million, and would be aimed at fire fighting needs in our outlying, forested areas, in addition to future airport firefighting needs, and as added, back up capacity for the Taos Volunteer Fire Department’s overall water system.

13) Fiscal agent applications received and accepted by the Town of Taos for the 08-09 fiscal year from Dream Tree Project, Taos Center for the Arts, Taos Communication Arts Network, Taos County Juvenile Justice Board, Taos Entrepreneurial Network, and the Taos Housing Corporation.  This status is granted by the Town to qualifying applicants who need a municipality to function as their fiscal agent should the entity apply for and receive an appropriation (funding) from the State of New Mexico.  This status does not include any funding from the Town of Taos.  It must be applied for annually.  Contact is Francella Garcia, Finance Department, fgarcia@taosgov.com.

14) Phase two/final phase of a water line project – completion of a transmission line from Town wells.  Little over 8,000 feet.  Cost is $49,738.00 with Souder Miller & Associates for the engineering and design – not to exceed contract.  Contingent to a certain degree on the number of line inspections required.  Funds already are budgeted/exist.  Council asked for approval of purchase agreement.  Amos Torres, Utility Department Director, presented proposal.

15) Approval to close Taos Plaza on Saturday, August 23, 2008 for the 14th Annual Taos Autumn Run (auto) between the hours of 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

16) Resolution tabled to join the Enchanted Circle Regional Transit District as a voting member; designee to Board of Directors.

Francisco Espinoza, Public Works Director, presented.  This group has been assembled, but has not been officially formed – it takes at least two municipalities to take the action of passing a resolution to form such a District.  Taos County is also the ‘funding vehicle’ for such transportation districts with regard to GRT.  Question raised about ability to join one or more transit districts – or whether only one can be joined. The other transportation membership in a district still pending is the North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD), which may involve Taos County, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos, and several area Pueblos.  Legal counsel and Town Manager suggested further research into the resolution language and agreement details; the binding elements with regard to multiple transportation memberships; the current status of potential member/funding in the NCRTD; and service for the Taos area population by either District.

17) Approval of time extension to Project No. MAP – 7655(901) of Morgan Road.

18) Severance pay eliminated for Department Heads – due to the fact that they have been made classified employees (and such employees to not receive severance payments).

19) Executive session.