Town of Taos Council Meeting Highlights

Posted by Jim Kimmons, Broker/Owner • October 27, 2009 • Printer-friendly

1) Item 8B, concerning a memorandum (MOU) of understanding between Town of Taos and Kit Carson Electric Co-Op for the Regional Command Center, on Gusdorf at Camino de Santiago, was held for further discussion. A draft MOU is being reviewed by Council.

2) Presentation by Sherry Hooper, Exec. Dir., The Northern New Mexico’s Food Bank. Working with all organizations in Northern New Mexico to continue to improve food programs aiming to ‘end hunger in Northern New Mexico’ including Taos Feeds Taos. Want more information? See their web site at http://www.thefooddepot.org/ or contact Sherry at 505-471-1633, ext. 10, email Director@TheFoodDepot.org, or drop in for a tour, 1222 Siler Rd., Santa Fe.

Presentation by Summer Wood regarding The Big Read Program, starting at the Town of Taos Public Library, 12-2:30 p.m., Nov. 7, including a free give-away of the book, Bless Me, Ultima, by New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya. The point of the ‘Big Read’ is for everyone in Taos County to read the book during November and discuss the issues it raises. Other related free events throughout Taos are scheduled during November, including a free keynote presentation by Levi Romero at the TCA, owned by the Town of Taos. For details on all activities, go to http://www.taosbigread.org/, or contact Project Coordinator Summer Wood directly at summerwood@taosmesa.com. The ‘Big Read’ is sponsored in Taos by the National Endowment of the Arts, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Arts Midwest, SOMOS - Taos’ literary organization, the Town of Taos Public Library, and many other area businesses, organizations, and individuals – both adult and youth. Please participate and help make this event – and its focus on reading and our youth – a wonderful success.

3) Chile Line question from audience member connected with UNM. Can the Chile Line local transit service continue to the new Klauer Campus? Mayor and Town Manager indicated that meetings have been occurring with UNM to figure that out, because current funding for the Town’s LOCAL service limits service to just outside the Town’s boundary. However, new approaches are in the works to make this happen as Klauer Campus ridership reaches numbers that can justify such a transit service.

4) Efficiency audits of Town structures (63 in all) and solar panels are new energy conservation initiatives added to the already impressive Economic Stimulus awarded the Town of Taos from the Department of Energy, and announced earlier today. Several million in water, wastewater, law enforcement and public works/transit have also been received as part of the Federal Economic Stimulus.

5) Youth Council Representative Appointment – First for the Town of Taos. Approval and appointment of Feliz Vigil, 17 years of age, for Town of Taos Youth Council Representative. Vigil’s application letter and resume is attached. She will join the Council at regular meetings.Arts & Cultural District Assessment Team.

6) Town of Taos Arts & Cultural District Public Meetings Nov 3-5 - The State of New Mexico has formally designated Taos as an Arts & Cultural Distric. This means all types of new economic assistance may be in the works for Taos! But before that can happen, the Town of Taos needs your help in letting the State know what Taos wants and needs when it comes to our ‘creative economy’. You can do that November 3 through 5 by participating in a series of open meetings with the State’s Resource Team – these 12 experts will be at the Town’s Convention Center, Coronado Hall on Civic Plaza Dr., to listen and learn. Here is the schedule. Come and be heard – have your say about the future of Taos’ Arts and Cultural District.

7) Council accepted just-received plaque, and acknowledged September 29, 2009 ranking of Taos as the among the “top destinations for collectors and travelers who love art galleries, museums, and festivals” by AmericanStyle. Santa Fe was first, and Taos fourth, among the top small cities listed nationally with populations of less than 100,000. Taos obviously competed with destinations much larger than ourselves – congrats Taos art community! For more information go to http://www.americanstyle.com/.

Sludge hauling/disposal contract approved with Waste Management of New Mexico. Sludge must currently go to Rio Rancho, which is the only landfill in the region that is permitted to receive municipal sludge – but plans are in the works to further reduce costs/change this dynamic. Contract is $65,000.

9) Approval of application submission to State Water Trust Board for financial assistance for the continuation of the Regional Water System Upgrade Project. Amount is $1,680,000. Second submission approved for $3.4 million for Water conservation, Recycling, Retreatment and Re-Use Project at the Taos Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility.

10) Finance Department – transfer of funds approved to continue the Taos Express, the nonstop weekend service from Taos to Santa Fe’s NM Rail Runner stations – see more about this service, which will connect with TSV shuttles this winter after December 19, http://www.taosexpress.com/.

11) Contract approved for Universal Professional Services, Gabriel D. Cisneros, for lobbying services on behalf of the Town of Taos before the State of New Mexico. Amount reduced by $5,000 this year at the request of Council; total is for $30,000 for the year.

12) Council passed Resolution 09-57 opposing any future legislation that would repeal the hold harmless provision on food and medicine for municipalities. In essence, the Town is opposing any potential State actions that might raise taxes on food or health care services as the State searches for ways to increase budget revenues.

13) Airport Advisory Board Members. Council approved Mayor’s submitted appointments of Ken Blair and Richard Nichols, each to 4 year terms. Part of the Mayor’s reasoning in selecting these experienced appointees is that now is a critical moment in time with regard to the crosswinds runway Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s processing of that document.