Taos Real Estate

1) The Special Town of Taos Council Meeting scheduled for October 15, has been cancelled.  Items scheduled for action will be republished and scheduled for another meeting at a later date.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact Renee Lucero, Town of Taos Clerk, 575-751-2005.

2) Reminder: This Thursday, 4-7 p.m., Town of Taos reception at Antonio’s Restaurant to thank Taos Summer of Love participants and distribute a report of results from this theme. Initial information about the 2010 theme will also be available – “Return to Sacred Places”.  The 2010 theme will launch in January, 2010 – this effort being a year-long effort (not just summer). 

Any and all 2010 visitor-friendly calendar items should be submitted to Dezaree Vega, dvega@griffinassoc.com – special emphasis right now is for January and February 2010 items given the advance requirements of calendars such as New Mexico Magazine’s.  Feel free to call Dezaree ahead of time about any potential submissions at 505-764-4444, ext 241.

2) Today’s Council meeting highlights –

• November 3-5, Taos Arts & Culture District State of New Mexico Assessment begins with three days of Taos tours and public outreach meetings.  The public needs to be invited, and your views need to be heard.  Cynthia Spray can provide the public with details about focus of the meetings – including best times to come and speak about particular topics.  Information will also be online at www.taosgov.com as the dates come closer.  Cynthia Spray can be reached at cynthias@newmex.com, 575-770-2531.  And, if you cannot make these meetings, but have input as to how best to improve Taos’ Arts & Culture economic direction, please contact Cynthia ahead of November 5^th and provide your input.

• Approval of the New Mexico Finance Authority $2.1 million loan (loan docs., terms, etc.) for the Town of Taos funding of the multi-purpose fields (regulation soccer fields) at the new location of the Alexander Gusdorf Eco Park on Salazar, on property under partnership-lease with the Taos Municipal School District.  Second agenda item related to this was approved for design work of “a multi-phase, outdoor athletic facility” contract -- design to be completed by Living Designs Group; amount not to exceed $324,658.55, inclusive of GRT.  This “design” contract includes all architectural docs., civil engineering docs., landscape architecture docs., mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering docs., and project management services consisting of project schedules, detailed cost estimating, as-designed record drawings, as-contracted record docs., bid packaging for future phases of project and contract administration for the fully-built out planned project.  This figure for design may be reduced to around $90,000 if the current phase is all that occurs/is funded.  Obviously, this design contract approach is tagged to the overall funding/phased progress of the project, and will be scaled accordingly.  The good news is that this approach saves re-bidding costs, including time delays, and has an economy of scale when it comes to design costs overall given that the project progresses.  Want a copy of this contract?  Email this office cconnelly@taosgov.com.

• Approval of new ordinance allowing ‘Busker Activities’ (Public entertainment/music) within the Town of Taos.  See ordinance attached.

• The Town of Taos approved a variety of items, including a $1 million loan with the State of New Mexico Environment Dept., related to the next phase for the major update/improvement of the Town Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Loan is ‘backed’ by a mandated Enterprise Fund deposits, required by the Feds via the State, etc.  Questions?  Contact Amos Torres, atorres@taosgov.com.

• Approval of Taos Housing Corporation for professional services for affordable housing.  This is the third year of a three year professional services contract in an amount not to exceed $75,000, including GRT.  Next year, should Council wish to again contract for affordable housing services, a potential contract will go out to bid.  Note: In the past, the NM Finance Authority and NM Attorney General’s offices had problems with previous-administration Town actions/oversight with regard to affordable housing in the Chamisa Verde subdivision.  However, this year the two offices have allowed certain sales in the subdivision on a case-by-case basis, and have indicated that moving forward with certain new initiatives in the area is now OK.  Revised Town ordinances later this year will help clean up final items in this area as required by both state offices.

• Approval of support for “350 Day”, October 24 at Parr Field, and the reduction of carbon output in the Town of Taos – both with the Town’s own consumption, as well as advocacy for reduction by constituents.  Reduce emissions to ‘350 level’ is target for October 24, and on an ongoing basis.  Many community groups are participating.  More information will be distributed.

• One year contract (with a three year renewal option) approved with Daniel B. Stephens & Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, for hydrological services.  Amount is for $78,786.12, inclusive of GRT.

• Recognition of Town of Taos Employees by the Employees’ Awards & Recognition Team – Departments included Town of Taos Utility Billing, Town of Taos Visitor Center, Town of Taos Parks Division, Town of Taos Convention Services and Taos Volunteer Fire Department. 

• The ‘Star Department’ for the month was recognized by Mayor Darren Cordova -- the Town of Taos Recycling Center staff.

• Presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Cordova to Rocky Mountain Youth Corps proclaiming Oct. 24, 2009, Make A Difference Day.

• Council and Manager items:  Night Skies bulb-replacement initiative, being completed in conjunction with Kit Carson Electric, is going well and initial reimbursement requests will soon be filed with the State; Mayor emphasized need for all local entities to ‘encumber’ funds they have received for various projects given State’s need to find deficit funding sources – Town is well on its way with all its projects along these lines.  Unencumbered funds will probably be ‘reassigned’ and lost by agencies that have not moved forward.

Presentation as part of Citizen’s Forum –

• New Life Pregnancy Center, a nonprofit in Town assisting pregnant women, made a presentation to simply help the Town/public know about them - 758-2899, www.pregnancyTaos.com.

• Jamie Radenbaugh, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Training Director, presentation regarding Green Trades initiatives. http://youthcorps.org/

• Karel Dunning-Mirabal, Taos County Juvenile Justice Board, presentation regarding its services and programs for Taos County youth and the surrounding areas.  Presentation copy available through this office, cconnelly@taosgov.com.  Internet resource for New Mexico ‘justice programs’ as a resource  - http://www.nmjustice.net/nmsc/juvenile/population_programs.php?id=6

• David Fernandez, lay representative from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, spoke to the Council and indicated their desire to participate in “Return to Sacred Places” theme during 2010, particularly through their celebration of receiving back their Morada in Taos from the Taos Historic Museum Association, telling the public of its long tri-cultural traditions and history, and wanting everyone to know about their hope to have the public continue to visit the Morada, and contribute it its restoration and maintenance.  Mr. Fernandez thanked the Council and is looking forward to the participation of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in the year-long program.  More information will be available as “Return to Sacred Places” moves forward.

3) Advance notice about the ‘Big Read in Taos’, attached.  Kick off at Town of Taos Public Library 12-2:30 p.m. November 7, including a free give-away of the book, Bless Me, Ultima, by New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya.  Point of the ‘Big Read’ is for everyone in Taos County to read the book during November and discuss the issues it raises.  Other free events throughout Taos all month long (see attached for details).  Sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts, SOMOS - Taos’ literary organization, and the Town of Taos Public Library.