Town of Taos Council Meeting Highlights 1/26/10

Posted by Jim Kimmons, Broker/Owner • January 26, 2010 • Printer-friendly

1) Today Council began the ordinance process aimed at banning all arts and crafts fairs in the Town of Taos at Taos Plaza, Town of Taos Convention Center and Kit Carson Park from three-day weekends beginning with Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving weekends. This has been a discussion that in recent history has been debated for a full two years.

As stated by Council, this potential action is not to eliminate competition, but to support local small businesses and their commitment to the Town of Taos during tough economic times – and to acknowledge their partnership in marketing Taos on an ongoing basis, and generating gross receipt taxes (GRT) for the benefit of all.

This discussion arose out of an agenda item concerning the role of the Town of Taos Arts & Cultural District as its relates to arts and crafts fairs and their economic impact for Taos. This issue is somewhat connected to the future requirement, by the Main Street Program, for Arts & Cultural Districts to sponsor an ‘annual event’. Matthew Spriggs, Director, Community & Economic Development Dept., is lead on working on these issues, asking to return to Council with proposals/

recommendations, mspriggs@taosgov.com. Mr. Spriggs will further study the impacts of such events and return to Council with recommendations about other potential black-out dates, definition of “arts and crafts fairs”, etc.; the potential ordinance is to be constructed in such a way as to allow future amendments.

Note: “Concerned merchants” submitted a proposal today during the Council meeting regarding such fairs in Kit Carson Park and on Taos Plaza during 3 day holiday weekends.

2) Town of Taos Farmers Markets: The Town’s ordinance was updated to allow multiple farmers’ markets, requiring that such markets be members of, and operate under the guidelines of, the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, which enables their insurance. Saturday’s ongoing Farmer’s Market in the Town Hall/Library’s parking area is continuing, and their lease remains in place (a four year lease). A second item was a lease with a Farmer’s Market to run on Sundays – a local farmers’ market allowing resellers. Want copies of the actions? Contact the Town of Taos Legal Department, Cyndee Perez, cperez@taosgov.com.

3) Awards and Recognitions included years of service acknowledgements for staff with the Town of Taos. These included:

5 Years of Service

Archuleta, Mary

Atencio, Gilbert

Fernandez, David

Garcia, Delilah

Greer, Brian

Lucero, Roger

Martinez, Vanessa

Mondragon, Valorie

Ortega, Dennis

Perez, Cyndee

Romero, Rachel

Vasquez, Reynold

Vigil, Melissa

10 Years of Service

Brodsky, Ellen

Fratrick, Mark

Morgas, Lupita

Padilla, Elias

Trujillo, Loretta

Yuma-Romero, Barbara

15 Years of Service

Evans, Jonathan

Montoya, Annette

Montoya, Eric

20 Years of Service

Jeantete, Tommy

Valerio, Raymundo

25 Years of Service

Gonzales, Felix

Trujillo, Marbella

4) Citizens Forum –

Taos Men Engaged in Nonviolence – report about activities completed during the last year, including what was accomplished as part of this with last fiscal year’s grant of $22,000 from the Town of Taos.

Town Clerk reported out about election activities – absentee voting started this a.m.

Taos County Economic Development Corp. (TCEDC) reported out about their outstanding activities, including those involving last fiscal year’s grant by the Town, and asked for consideration for $50,000 to help them underwrite operations through July, 2010. Mayor/Manager will meet with them to see if any Town assistance can be provided.

5) Series of updated ordinances approved to assist the Town of Taos Police Department in:

prohibiting possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages in public places (this doesn’t include licensed outdoor venues; it is aimed at individuals drinking publicly in parking lots, parks, etc.);
protecting Police Department animals by making it a crime to abuse or interfere with them (i.e. Brady, the Town’s Police Dog);
adopting the 2009 changes to the Uniform Traffic Ordinance (this includes new provisions addressing minors driving off road motor vehicles).

Want copies of approved ordinances? Please contact Rene Lucero, Town Clerk, rlucero@taosgov.com.

6) Griffin & Associates provided an update on recent promotional activities for Taos (Tournament of Roses; American Airlines; State of New Mexico Tourism Dept. web site sweepstakes; update on this morning’s tourism meetings, etc.) and information about this year’s 2010 traveler education theme. Two documents, a Taos marketing guide and a 2010 submission form due February 15, 2010, are on the front page of the Town of Taos’ web site – click and obtain them at www.taosgov.com. Need more? Email Joan Griffin, jgriffin@griffinassoc.com.

7) Approved: purchase a John Deere 510M Tractor, $57,200; to be used for the composting facility located at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Public Works, Francisco Espinoza, Director: Approval for application for funding as part of the NMDOT’s Maintenance Bureau Municipal Arterial Progam (MAP) for fiscal year 2010-11. One of three projects was selected for submission. Selected option: NM 68 and Este Es Signalized Interection. $450,000 is the requested amount. The item will be brought back to the Council in resolution form for ultimate approval and submission.