1) North Central Regional Transit District (NCRTD) – presentation on history of RTD and other background details at Town Manager’s request.  This included overall certification and funding processes for any regional transit district (RTD).  If you want a copy of this power point presentation, email this office and we’ll forward one.  End of presentation included pitch for Town of Taos to formally joint this RTD – and continued exploration of what doing this might mean with regard to required funding/taxation (currently pay local match through running of Chile Line – and will continue to pay; approximately $15,000 per year would be future payment – right now Los Alamos County GRT paying this over next 3 years; Taos COUNTY is authority to potentially raise local taxes for this service – not double taxation through Town), mandated participation once in (or ability to exit; weighted voting based on population), reliability of consistent federal grants, service in the immediate area (this is a multi-county RTD), etc.  NCRTD presented ridership numbers on lines in the Taos area currently running – numbers which have increased since launch last year.  Also mention of specific Town of Taos locations that riders would like a stop – Civic Plaza, banks in area, etc.  Any RTD in Taos, including this one, would if course coordinate/continue to coordinate with the Town’s Chile Line routes/schedules so that service is integrated and maximized.  Motion passed for Town Manager and Staff to look at this and make recommendation in next couple of months.

2) Approval of Youth & Family Center’s award bid/upgrade bid for $406,481.83 for the Taos Swimming Pool Upgrade – plus some additive alternate amounts totaling $42,095.63.  This is to fix a variety of problems at the pool that must be remedied and that have been examined extensively over the past four years.  These upgrades “are necessary to ensure compliance with state regulations for floor drainage, ADA accessibility, and health and safety”.  A summary of specific elements to be addressed under this contract can be emailed – just let this office know.

3) Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan (ICIP) for 2010-2014:  Matthew Foster, Long Range Planner, is the point on compiling this each year from Department heads for Mayor/Council consideration.  Town tries to ID top five overall for funding focus/consideration by state, CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and other sources.  Submissions from each Department Director are accepted and then prioritized by Mayor/Council.  Top line requests by Departments included: Taos Airport crosswind runway; phase II for Taos Community Auditorium (TCA); Rio Grande Hall, Town of Taos Convention Center, central hall heat/air; Boys and Girls Club building; Gusdorf Park fire station and training facility; next funding steps for Alexander Gusdorf Eco Park recreation development (right now we have approx. $325,000 toward this project’s design, eng., construction, etc.); next steps for Reed and Alexander Roads; Este Es Infrastructure; next steps for SR 64 Reconstruction Project; Town improved data line; records management data systems; waste water treatment plant upgrades; sewer – B2 extension; water line in Weimer area; Town of Taos Public Library expansion; pool patio construction at Y&F Center.  If you want the overall ICIP list, email this office.  Separate budget/funding requests/briefing documents for EACH project need to be prepared now for ICIP package from Town.  Town Manager will take the lead on selecting the top five priorities with staff and Council input.  Application will be brought back to Council for final approval.  ICIP requests are due to state on September 30, 2008.

4) Video of area youth completing the Town of Taos Youth & Family Center’s great new outdoor ‘underwater mural’ was presented by artist and organizer George Chacon.  Glenn Pike completed video, It’s Happening in Taos, http://www.its-happening-in-taos.com/

5) Recognition of Town hires and promotions, plus the Taos Solar Spike Volleyball Tournament organizers who also assisted with getting sand courts together at Kit Carson Park.

6) Gerry Johnston, new Taos Swim Coach; part of presentation by Taos Swim Club about how they spent their 07-08 Town of Taos funds awarded through the annual request for proposal process (08-09 should be out soon – get on Tina Torres’ email list to receive the proposals as soon as they’re ready, ttorres@taosgov.com).

7) Terri Badhand, Taos County Economic Development Corporation – reported out on activities and spending of Town of Taos request for proposal dollars from 07-08 (see above contact info for participating in this RFP process for nonprofits; should be out soon; total for funding is $120,000 as part of three RFPs – economic dev., community dev., and reduction in youth violence are areas of emphasis).  Food sector education classes beginning soon – a weekly long free class Sept. 22-26^th — class is for anyone interested in learning about food safety, food production/the business of, food packaging and marketing, learn about food trends, meet the food specialists in the area, etc.  Other active areas include Mobile Matanza; 8 business in food center currently using transportation vehicle for food business distribution – van with TCEDC and “Oh So Good” logo; Three Sisters Salad coming out soon – taste test at Cid’s this weekend; call 575-758-8731 for more information on all.

Presentation by Carlos Fierro, New Mexico Congressional Delegation, Wash., D.C. – advocating that the Town consider contractual arrangement to have a regular presence/representative in D.C. to watch out for Town’s interests.  Town Manager asked to consider a specific proposal.

9) The Town’s new fiscal agent policy requires organizations interested in the Town being ‘their bank’ for state appropriations to apply early/now instead of at the last minute, just prior to the state legislator’s session; in this case in January 2009.  Most organizations complied and applied during June 2008; the following organizations did not meet that deadline and are grouped here for fiscal agent status approval — Community Against Violence; Boys and Girls Club of Northern New Mexico; Casa de Corazon.  This status does NOT convey any funds from the Town.  If your organization hopes to receive state funds during 08-09, and you want the Town to be your fiscal agent, you need to apply now for this status approval – contact the Finance Department at 575-751-2003 to apply – or get on the list for next year.

10) Town accepted grant from state legislature for approximately $225,000 for Arts in Public Places http://www.nmarts.org/artpublic.html for the Taos Community Auditorium (TCA).  Taos artists who have not registered through the state program for potential art purchases as part of this program should do so — information available through Town of Taos Finance Department’s Francella Garcia, fgarcia@taosgov.com or on the web site noted above.

11) Approval of contract, and fulfillment of past funds due, with Waste Management of NM, to haul sludge and dispose of it for the Town – taking it to the Rio Rancho Landfill (only one currently permitted to take sludge in the area).  Amount not to exceed $201,731 through June 2008; moving forward contract for services for amount not to exceed $168,000 through June 2009.  Public Utilities is actively working on lower cost methodologies to compost sludge here and other alternate management approaches to reduce these costs.  Back up information cost reports available upon request.

12) Council approved request to allow the Public Works/Transit Div. to apply for financial assistance under the USC Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, to fund Rural Transportation Services in the approximate amount of $625,214 for Federal Fiscal Year 2009-1010.  Local match from Town of Taos funds is in addition to this, and totals approx. $261,000 – which is anticipated to be augmented through a new Chile Line advertising program that will go out for request for proposal this fiscal year.

13) Update requested on Taos Plaza public restrooms:  Temporary Certificate of Occupancy hoped for by end of this Thursday evening, August 21.  Problems with contractor were detailed by Public Works, along with pressure that has been actively applied to get these restrooms completed.

14) Amendment #3 to Griffin & Associates Taos Marketing contract for $105,320 approved (Amendment #2 earlier this fiscal year approved $96,353).  More amendments for funding are anticipated this fiscal year to ultimately total $387,690 – but must be completed as revenues are received by the Town and are deemed available.  This current amendment included advertising funding for Taos Mountain Film and Santa Fe Film Festival, among other projects, that will be managed out of the Griffin & Associates’ contract.

15) Youth & Family Center and Pool’s janitorial contracts – totaling just under $60,000 — approved, but all such contracts to be examined by the Town Manager to try and reduce these costs for janitorial services Town wide (perhaps bringing in house under the Buildings Department).

16) Contract attorney for the Town (soon, the Town hopes to hire a permanent in-house attorney – in fact discussion of this was added to Executive Session), Robles, Rael and Anaya, had monies added for legal services specifically to cover Ageyta Water Rights work; $32,062.50.

17) Council Member Alex Abeyta, with the support and input of the entire Council, introduced suggested changes to Town’s Land Use Code to allow monument signs (which are now restricted), and other changes similar to this to allow “more success for area small businesses”.  Council Member Darren Cordova added the reduction of graffiti to the initiative list.  Town Manager accepted the assignment of coming back to Mayor/Council with specific recommendation(s) for action.

18) Update on Town of Taos staff Pay & Classification Plan:  Hope to have amendments ready for implementation by end of calendar year.

19) Executive Session: Hiring of Town attorney discussion.