Town of Taos News Brief #80, 11/14/08

Posted by Cathy Connelly • November 15, 2008 • Printer-friendly

1) Taos Marketing Meeting, December 8^th, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Town of Taos Convention Center on Civic Plaza Drive, hosted by consultant Griffin & Associates – these are the quarterly meetings held by Griffin/the Town so you can find out what’s going on with overall Taos marketing, provide input, participate, know the players, etc. Come. It’s free. No pressure. Just information, idea exchanges, and action items! Need more info? Contact Joanie Griffin, jgriffin@griffinassoc.com. Also go to www.taosgov.com – the Town web site – click on Community/News at the top, and find many of the past reports about what’s going on in marketing for Taos. The most current report will also be handed out at the December 8^th meeting in a take-away format. This meeting will also highlight discussion of the planned spring/summer “Taos 2009 Summer of Love Sweepstakes”. Curious? Come December 8^th.

2) Town of Taos Council Meeting Agenda for the Regular Meeting this Tuesday, November 18^th, 9:30 a.m., agenda attached.

3) Reminder: Night in Taos films hosted by the Santa Fe Film Festival (SFFF) at the Taos Storyteller Theater this Tuesday, November 18^th, starting at 6:30 p.m. $10 for one film; $15 for both (second starts at 8:30). Refreshments at ‘half time’ plus meet the filmmakers and others – see below and attached, ‘Taos: The Movie’ information.

Santa Fe Film Festival’s (SFFF, click for info.)

Night in Taos, Tues., Nov. 18; films at 6:30/8:30 p.m. at Taos Storyteller Theater. Films: FLOWING GRASSES: THE LIFE OF ARTIST DEAN HOWELL (Howell is an El Dorado, New Mexico resident), and TAOS, a feature film shot in Taos by Brandon Schmid. November 18th is sponsored by the Town of Taos and New Mexico State Tourism Board. Buy tickets at the door: $10, or $15 for both films. Refreshments served between shows, plus ‘meet the filmmakers’ and special guests. Full festival Dec. 3-7 iin Santa Fe.

4) October 2008 Gross Receipt Tax numbers in the Town of Taos: GRT revenues are up for third month in a row when compared to same months last year (August, September and October). Monthly October growth rate for 2008 compared to last year’s October is 14.67%. Different potential reasons for increase, and we all know it is not good out there, but these last three months are in the ‘right’ (up) direction. Want more? Contact this office via email, cconnelly@taosgov.com.

5) The Town of Taos Planning & Zoning Commission is conducting a Final Public Hearing to consider the Town's application to change the zoning within the Chamisa Verde Neighborhood Plan to the transect zones of the TND District (e.g. - Taos SmartCode). The meeting will be held on November 19th at 5:30 PM at the Town Council Chambers located at 120 Civic Plaza Drive. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thanks, Matthew Foster, AICP, Town Planner, Town of Taos Planning & Zoning Department, office - 575.751.2037, email - mfoster@taosgov.com

Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Director

Town of Taos

400 Camino de la Placita

Taos, NM 87571

http://www.taosgov.com

cconnelly@taosgov.com

505-751-2001 office

Fax 575-751-2026

505-779-1013 cell

Quad Erat Demonstratum

REGULAR MEETING

Taos Town Council

Town Council Chambers

120 Civic Plaza Drive

Taos, New Mexico

November 18, 2008

9:30 a.m.

AGENDA

1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR BOBBY F. DURAN

2. ROLL CALL

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Regular Meeting

October 21, 2008

B. Special Meetings

October 14, 2008

October 28, 2008

November 3, 2008

6. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

A. Employee Appointments, Loretta Trujillo, Human Resources Director

NEW HIRES:

Kelci Johnston Artie Gonzalez

Part Time Temporary

Pool Department Transportation Department

Lifeguard II Transit Operator II

10/13/2008 11/05/2008

Separations:

Vanessa Lovato-Martinez Micaela Suazo

Communications Equip. Operator Lifeguard II

10/07/2008 10/22/2008

Robert Martinez Alyssa Atias

Transit Operator I Lifeguard I

10/24/2008 10/27/2008

Promotions:

Manuel Pacheco

from Chief Building Official /Interim Buildings Director

to Buildings & Grounds Director

11/03/2008

B. Recognitions: By Eric Montoya, Administrative Fire Chief

The Taos Volunteer Fire Department would like to formally introduce to Mayor and Council the 2008 Training class. This class has met all requirements of the Fire Department training program meeting Firefighter II qualifications.

Bobby Lucero Robert Coss Corwin Vigil

Keith Syling Joaquin Gonzales

Matt Hollingshead Joaquin Cantu

The Fire Department respectfully requests that these men be recognized for their commitment to the community with the Mayor presenting them their Badges.

C. Presentation of Proclamation declaring November 16 – 22, 2008 Boys & Girls Club Week.

7. CITIZENS FORUM (Speakers limited to 5 minutes each)

A. Mary Passaglia, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Update on RFP – Youth Violence Prevention

B. Cami Hartman, Dream Tree Project, RFP Final Report

C. Lawrence Hahn, Eco-Drive Solutions, presentation regarding hydrogen fuel sales for Town vehicles

D. Keen Spellman, update from Holy Cross Hospital

E. Keen Spellman and Kelly Shull, Holy Cross Hospital, RFP update on Collaborative Action for Taos

The items in the Consent Agenda below have been reviewed and discussed in detail by the Mayor and Town Manager and they agree to place these items on the Consent Agenda for the purpose of voting on all items with one vote.

8. CONSENT AGENDA

A. Daron Syling, Chief of Police

Approval of an Extension of "Agreement for Confinement of Prisoners" with San Miguel County Detention Center. Contract # TT-08-149. The Town of Taos has an agreement with San Miguel County Detention Center to house Town of Taos prisoners. The agreement is for a term of one year from November 18, 2008 to November 18, 2009. The Town of Taos, under the agreement, shall pay San Miguel County the total amount of $65 per prisoner day and a $20 booking fee for each prisoner. Line item # 25-14-44005.

B. Ron Yachinich, Convention Services Director

Approval to enter into a 24 month lease with Aspen Business Systems Inc. in the amount of $135.04 per month for the present Xerox WorkCentre Pro 3545 copy machine. This lease is on a cost per copy basis billed at $0.0133 per black & white copy and $0.0913 per color copy. 24 months $3,240.96, Line Item 27-17-43005, Rentals. 24 months @ 4000 estimated black and white copies per month $1,276.80 and estimated 550 color copies per month $1,205.16, Line Item 27-17-43001, Office Supplies. Total anticipated cost $5,722.92, exclusive of GRT (which must be added).

C. Francisco “French” Espinoza, Public Works Director

1. Approval of MOA TT-09-174 between the Town of Taos and Taos Ski Valley, Inc., for the purpose of providing transportation service for employees of TSV, Inc. from Dec. 19, 2008 through April 5, 2009. MOA TT-09-174 will be in the amount of $2,000, an increase of $500 from last years MOA of $1,500.

2. Approval of MOA TT-09-175 between the Town of Taos and The Village of Taos Ski Valley, for the purpose of providing transportation service for the 08-09 Ski Season from December 19, 2008 through April 5, 2009. MOA TT-09-175 will be in the amount of $30,000, an increase of $5000 from last years MOA of $25,000. Transportation services will be provided for visitors of Taos Ski Valley.

D. Francella Garcia, Grants Administrator

1. Approval and acceptance of Grant Agreement No. 09-418-3002-0132 from the New Mexico Tourism Department Cooperative Marketing Grant Program in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to include a Town Match of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) – an amount that is already part of the approved Griffin & Associates marketing contract funds, allocated in the 2008-09 Town budget. Scope of work will be to promote New Mexico and tourism entities in the Taos area, such as galleries, through print, radio, television, production, electronic, and trade show advertising, in addition to public relations/free media coverage. Grant to mature June 30, 2009.

2. Approval of Contract No. TT 09-176 to Karel Dunning-Mirabal, LMSW in the amount of $33,660 exclusive of GRT to act as the Project Coordinator on behalf of the Taos County Juvenile Justice Board. The Project Coordinator will coordinate and implement the mission and vision of the Taos County Juvenile Justice Board programs, its relationships with other agencies and its standing in the local and state community. Contract to be paid by State of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Grant Agreement No. 09-690-9013. Town of Taos to act as the fiscal agent.

3. Approval and acceptance of Resolution 08-75 authorizing the Town of Taos: (1) to submit a New Mexico Community Development Block Grant Program application to the Department of Finance and Administration/Local Government Division for Phase II of the Reed/Alexander Street Drainage Improvement Project; (2) authorizing Mayor Bobby F. Duran to act as the Chief Executive Officer and authorized representative in all matters pertaining to the Town of Taos participation in the Community Development Block Grant Program.

4. Consideration and approval to accept grant/loan agreement No. 135 from the New Mexico Water Trust Board (Grantors) and the New Mexico Finance Authority (Lenders) totaling one hundred sixty-two thousand, four hundred dollars ($162,400). The funding breakdown will consist of a loan in the amount of thirty-two thousand, four hundred eighty dollars ($32,480) and grant in the amount of one hundred twenty nine thousand, nine hundred twenty ($129,920) to plan, design and engineering for the continuation of a water utility system improvement project.

9. MATTERS FROM STAFF

A. Matt Spriggs, Community & Economic Development Director

Briefing with the Executive Director of the Taos Center for the Arts regarding the formation and benefits of an Arts and Culture District within the Town of Taos.

B. Francella Garcia, Grants Administrator

1. Approval and acceptance of amendment No. 1 to the Joint Powers Agreement Between the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the Town of Taos No. 06-521-0500-0053 to amend time for the completion of the Weimer/Maestas Trail. The agreement was originally to mature November 31, 2008. The amendment will extend the maturity date to December 31, 2009.

2. Approval and acceptance of Amendment No. 1 from the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Local Government Division for the 2007 CDBG Planning Grant in regards to the High Performance Building Ordinance. The agreement was originally to mature November 1, 2008 and the original Town match was in the amount of four thousand, two hundred twenty six dollars ($4,226). The proposed amendment will extend the maturity date to January 1, 2009. Town match will be increased to eight thousand, five hundred ninety eight dollars ($8,598). The additional Town match was allocated in the 2008/2009 Town budget.

10. PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Matt Foster, Long-Range Planner

Approval and adoption of Ordinance 08-16: High Performance Building Ordinance. The Town hired Sage West Consultants through a Community Development Block Grant to prepare the High Performance Building Ordinance (HPBO). Sage West Consultants has worked with a Steering Committee and a Technical Review Committee to prepare a draft of the HPBO. (Continued from 10/28/08 Special Meeting to allow for legal research etc. in view of Federal Court injunction against Albuquerque ordinance)

B. Francella Garcia, Grants Administrator

Consideration and action to approve Ordinance No. 08-17 for the execution and delivery of a water project fund loan/grant agreement between the New Mexico Water Trust Board and the New Mexico Finance Authority (The "Lenders/Grantors"), and the Town of Taos ("The Borrower/Grantee") in the amount of one hundred sixty-two thousand, four hundred dollars ($162,400), loan/grant amount for the purpose of financing the costs of planning, design and engineering for the continuation of a water utility system improvement project. The breakdown of the funding will consist of a loan in the amount of thirty-two thousand four hundred eighty dollars ($32,480) and grant amount of one hundred twenty nine thousand nine hundred twenty ($129,920).

11. MATTERS FROM THE TOWN ATTORNEY

Approval of Decision of the Council containing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for P&Z Case 2007-22 Arguello appeal to Council.

12. MATTERS FROM THE TOWN MANAGER

A. Approval of Resolution 08-59 A Resolution recognizing Taos as a Town for Peace and home to the 2009 World Peace Conference to be held from May 26 -31, 2009 with the goal of developing a realistic strategy for implementing peace, social justice and a sustainable future.

B. Updates from the Town Manager

MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL

14. EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Council will adjourn to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation regarding the Abeyta Adjudication pursuant to NMSA 1978 10-15-1-H.7.

15. ADJOURNMENT

APPROVED:

_______________________________

Bobby F. Duran Mayor

To request details on an agenda item please contact the Town Clerk at 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos New Mexico, 87571 (575) 751-2005.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of aid or service to attend and/or participate in a meeting of the Town of Taos Council, please contact the office of the Town Clerk at 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos New Mexico, 87571 (575) 751-2005 at least 24 hours in advance.

For copies of this agenda please pick-up at Town Hall.

November 14, 2008

TAOS on Tour!
The Santa Fe Film Festival is taking TAOS on a statewide tour as part of its annual ?Preview Nights? to promote the movie and the festival. SFFF will be screening TAOS at the following locations and times:

Albuquerque Monday November 17th 8:30 pm	Guild Cinema 3405 Central Avenue NE Albuquerque, NM 87106
Taos Tuesday November 18th 8:30 pm	Trans-Lux Storyteller Theatre 110 Old Talpa Canon Road Taos, NM 87571

SFFF?s Preview Nights are sponsored by the State of New Mexico Department of Tourism and the Town of Taos - be sure to make these one-of-a-kind promotional screenings if you?re in the area!

For more info visit
www.santafefilmfestival.com!

Fort Lauderdale Loves TAOS!
TAOS recently screened to a crowd of over 200 people on Wednesday, November 5th at the The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival! FLIFF is a nationally-recognized film festival that screens over 200 films from around the globe during its intense four week schedule. TAOS was warmly received with a raucous applause and Q&A session following the screening. Gregory von Hausch, President and CEO of the festival, was on hand to enjoy the film and afterwards commented on the large number of audience members who filled out their comment cards with a rating of ?6? (their highest rating on a scale of 1 to 6)!

For more info
visit www.fliff.com!

TAOS at the Santa Fe Film Festival!
TAOS will screen at the Santa Fe Film Festival on

Thursday
December 5th
3:30 pm

The Scottish Rite Temple
463 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501

The Scottish Rite Temple?s historic theater seats 300 and is SFFF?s largest venue. Please don?t miss this feature screening of the film if you can make it, and be sure to stop by the after party at el farol to celebrate the event from 5-7pm. el farol is Santa Fe?s oldest restaurant and cantina as is located on the east end of Santa Fe?s famous Canyon Road.

For more information on the screening date and time, and the rest of the festival, visit www.santafefilmfestival.com!

Share TAOS with a friend -
and win a FREE T-SHIRT!
With all the good news and upcoming screenings, we'd love for you to share TAOS with a friend or two to keep the momentum going and help spread the word! Please take a moment to send this newsletter along to friend so they may check it out, and you'll automatically be entered in a drawing for a FREE T-SHIRT! Ten free t-shirts will be given away based on a random drawing - one entry for each friend referred!

Click here to share TAOS with a friend!

If you don't want to leave your new fashion statement up to chance, show your pride and support while looking good by purchasing a t-shirt or hat from the film, available here!