Taos Real Estate

1. Arts & Crafts Fairs in the Town of Taos at Kit Carson Park

Mayor Darren Cordova clarified the Town’s position on the issue of Arts & Crafts Fairs in the Town’s Kit Carson Park.  He said, “The Town in no way is proposing to limit, do away with, or get rid of Arts & Crafts Fairs in the Town of Taos.” 

The Mayor went on to talk about misinformation he believes has been circulated, and about the lengthy history of public discussion on this issue.  “We have been very open and transparent on this issue – as we are with all issues.  Both sides have legitimate concerns involving the Arts & Crafts Fairs.  We are committed to working out these issues, and coming to consensus in a diplomatic way.”   

The Mayor’s comments, and the citizen forum presentations that followed, were precipitated by Council Member comments at the last Council meeting.  At that time, Council Members suggested that arts and crafts fairs in the Town’s Kit Carson Park be moved off of three-day, holiday weekends. 

Today’s attendance on this issue at the Council meeting was due to a public notice, allegedly pulled by the Town from publication in the Taos News but still ultimately run, that incorrectly noticed today as the day that an ordinance on this issue would be introduced.

Any possible action on this issue continues to be studied by Town staff and will be brought back to Council at a publicly noticed meeting in the future.

2. Approval of temporary transfer of capital project funds to cover the expenditures of the Pediatric Clinic project until the sale of Severance Tax Bonds is completed by the State of New Mexico.  Total is $623,105.  Monies are being temporarily transferred from the accounts for the Public Works maintenance facility, the Town’s Public Library expansion, and tennis court improvements.  This action is to cover for the State – and keep this project moving forward without interruption.  It is anticipated that the State will rectify this situation.

3. Budget adjustment request (BAR): approved.  This action transferred $50,000 in unspent funds from the Library Operating System project (completed under budget) to add to the under-funded Town of Taos Marketing & Advertising budget.  This will bring this year’s Town-funded tourism marketing budget for Griffin & Associates to approximately $350,000 (the initial intent by the Town Council in June, 2009, was to fund this effort at the at $400,000 level for fiscal year 2009-10, but the recession has affected all department expenditures).  State of New Mexico Marketing Co-op Grants will take this Town-controlled marketing budget to a level of around $365,000.  A percentage of this marketing amendment is specifically slated for Taos sports/recreation/high altitude advertising, marketing and outreach.

4. Certificate of Recognition was presented by the Mayor, Town of Taos, to Patrick Doyle for his work on enabling audio streaming of the Town of Taos Council Meetings.

5. Spay Day, February 23:  Stray Hearts Animal Shelter representatives thanked the Town for its support/promotion of Spay Day USA 2010 - the international day of increasing awareness that spay/neuter is a humane and effective means of reducing pet overpopulation.   To pick up a Spay/Neuter low cost application, call or drop by Stray Hearts Animal Shelter, 758.2981, www.strayhearts.org.  The Shelter is open to the public 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  Again, spay/neutering programs exist to help underwrite the costs of this service – so submit your application and find out for what programs your pet may qualify.  The shelter has completed its new shelters for animals, and is now raising funds for a new, on-site spay/neuter procedure suite.

6. Ordinance 10-01, Public Hearing, amending the Dos Arroyos Planned Unit Development (PUD), Town of Taos Planning Division, Community & Economic Development Dept.  There may have been public confusion about when this item was to be heard (today and/or February 23, 2010), so the applicant made their presentation, but the item was continued to date-specific February 23, 2010.  Staff recommendation to approve changes.  Changes brought forward by petition and supported by 100% of existing Dos Arroyos homeowners.  Certain elements of the changes include a request to eliminate sidewalks in exchange for greater, designated xeriscaping, allow trail connectivity to the Town’s proposal trail system, placement of water meter cans within the subdivision, etc.

7. Public Utilities items:  Contract with Jireh Electric, Anthony Perez (Mr. Perez is related to Town of Taos employee Cyndee Perez, waiver approved).  Jireh was he lowest bidder for this contract; approved.  Proposal for purchase of replacement set of bandscreen panels for the Wastewater Treatment Plan, JWC Environmental is sole source provider; $43,294.  These are screens for the ‘head works’ project that remove hair, grease and other contaminants prior to processing of the wastewater.  Council asked staff to go back and research less expensive alternatives prior to this replacement proposal being acted on.

8. Approval of Financial Audit Report for the Town of Taos, prepared by Accounting & Consulting Group, LLP, and annually required.  Copies of the audit are available through Town Hall.  The Town was found to have complied with all required and recommended procedures and practices regarding GAAP and other industry standards.  Outside of many points made, the auditor highlighted that the Town has significantly reduced its debt – by upwards of $1 million (full accrual basis), and complimented the proactive, positive involvement of senior management on the financial front.  Improvement opportunities are outlined at the conclusion of the report -- this year focused on added internal controls/review (quarterly or semi-annual review samples form the primary government focus areas of strategic, operational, compliance and planning activities).  Finance also contracted with a separate firm to provide two year’s worth of a Town of Taos lodging audit – a spot check on Town of Taos Lodgers Taxes.