Taos Real Estate

1) Only two agenda items before Council today.  A major part of today’s urgency for taking action on these projects has to do with federal funding awards just received, that were accompanied with immediate timeline/deadline stipulations. 

A) Amos Torres, Town Public Utilities Director -- contract approved for $37,198.50 with Souder Miller & Associates for the engineering and design of the improvements to the Taos Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, phase two; this engineering is required for federally awarded American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funding to the Town; the fed grant is for $2.1 million and fed loan of approx. $1 million at zero percent interest.  

B) Approval for purchase of membranes for the upgrades to the Taos Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility; funding from state’s Water Trust Board or federal fund noted above; contract amount is $2.439 million. 

The total build out of the overall, multi-year waste water facility upgrade is $9.37 million.  Obviously, this upgrade is being completed/funded in phases.  Phase one is virtually complete; phase two is underway and the noted funding is part of it; the above items related to phase two; and phase three, still pending, is $5.9 million.  Should you wish the funding spreadsheet, email this office, cconnelly@taosgov.com. 

2) Rep. Luján to Hold Telephone Town Hall October 13 on Health Insurance Reform -- Constituents Must RSVP to Rep. Luján’s Office by Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM (MT) to Participate. 

Washington, DC – Rep. Ben Ray Luján is holding a telephone town hall on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 7:30 pm (MT). Residents of the 3rd Congressional District must call Rep. Luján’s Washington, DC office (202-225-6190) by Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10:00 am (MT) to RSVP for the call. After registering for the call, participants should expect a phone call at the time of the telephone town hall. By answering the phone call, they will be entered into the telephone town hall. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Rep. Luján their questions about health insurance reform during the call.

3) Town of Taos Clerk Rene Lucero received the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation through the International Institute for Municipal Clerks (IIMC).  This makes Lucero, and the Town of Taos, only one of approximately six clerks/municipalities in the State of New Mexico achieving this designation.  According to IIMC, “This designation indicates that Ms. Lucero is a master at her profession and also that she is dedicated to the profession and to the Town of Taos.”  Attached is the specific letter of designation.

4) As a Town of Taos partner in the Chamisa Verde Subdivision in developing affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity of Taos is hosting its 9^th Annual Silent Auction & Benefit dinner this November.  Attached is a flyer about the event – one of only two local fund raisers by Habitat each year. For more information contact Cynthia Arvidson, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Taos

575-758-7827, or go online to www.taoshabitat.org.