1)      Results of last night’s Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, attached.  Want more?  Contact Rudy Perea, rperea@taosgov.com

2)      Today’s special Town of Taos Council meeting highlights:  LOKA Café received approval for its liquor license; Lambert’s/Motorcycle rally picnic license in fact didn’t need a vote so by default it is OKed (numbers to be served at any one time were below thresholds needed for a vote).

3)      Taos Express:  First three weekends of ridership = 112, with the majority of riders originating in Santa Fe.  Check out slightly revised departure times from Taos and other details at www.TaosExpress.com.

 

1) 2009-2010 Proposed Town Budget - approved:  A) Budget Policies, approved.  B) Annual Capital Improvements Program, approved.  C) Town Compensation and Benefits Package, approved.  D) Annual Operating Budget, approved – the 2009-2010 Town of Taos Budget Presentation is attached. 

 

Total estimated budget (conservatively planned given current economic situation) = $46,184.798.00.   This budget is met through various funding sources, including appropriations.  As part of meeting this budget, funding from Town Gross Receipts Taxes (GRT) is estimated to be $10,574,390.00.  Estimated Lodgers Taxes are listed at $887,574.00.  The Town’s fiscal year runs from July 1^st through June 30^th of the following calendar year.  With revenue lag times of two months on average (i.e., June GRT revenues are received at the end of August), the Town will assess the actual summer-season revenue position in December, 2009, to determine if increases in certain areas can be pursued, or if further cuts are necessary.

 

2) Proposed change orders for completion of Town Hall construction with Gerald Martin.  One for $555,474.89 and second for $111,707.17.  After lengthy discussion/concern about change orders/completion dates/quality of work/payment of subcontractors, and assurances concerning clean up of specifics in agreements/documentation/due dates, both requests approved pending sufficient documentation to be supplied to Manuel Pacheco, Buildings & Grounds Director.  FYI, a large part of these change orders cover the complete redo of the older, existing part of Town Hall which initially was not included in the contract for a revamp.  Councilmember Silva abstained from the second change order vote given that a family member with interest in one of the subcontractor businesses was listed.  Questions or want copies of the change orders?  Contact mpacheco2@taosgov.com. 

 

Note: As part of the Town Hall construction discussion, Council polled itself and all indicated a ‘yes’ to revisit the issue of the L.E.D. sign at the front of Town Hall, particularly given that is already in place and will cost approximately $8,000 (per Gerald Martin) to remove (and still the Town would own it).  This type of L.E.D. sign (programmable) is not allowed in the Town of Taos Historic District under the current code.  Council would like to take the item before the Town’s Planning & Zoning Commission and ask for a variance to use it in place, given that it is for non-commercial, municipal use in a public information context.  It’s placement faces Camino de la Placita and Civic Plaza Dr., without visually impacting any residential area.  It currently is covered in tarps; it proposed location would be where it currently exists.

 

3) Due to further discussions among partner entities’ legal counsel, the ordinance authorizing execution of a Town agreement with the NM Finance Authority to borrow $2 million and build soccer fields in Taos on the Municipal School District property on Salazar has been tabled again.  Date to be provided as these legal questions can be resolved and a specific Town meeting identified to schedule potential approval.

 

4) Grant application approved to submit to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Div. for the implementation of the High Performance Building Ordinance and the installation of a solar array at town Hall and the Youth & Family Center.

 

5) Items from Council:  Councilmember Rudy Abeyta wanted to make it clear that he fully supports the JPA between the Town and the School District to develop enhanced/expanded recreation opportunities in Taos, and corrected other items that he believed were misrepresented by the Horsefly online coverage.

Cathy Connelly

Public Relations Director

Town of Taos

400 Camino de la Placita

Taos, NM 87571

575-751-2001

cconnelly@taosgov.com  

 

 

Parade in Arroyo Seco, which starts at 12 noon.

 

According to Jim Fambro, Fire Chief (575-770-54603, marjim@taosnet.com), this year’s Taos fireworks display is dedicated to the memory of New Mexico State Police Sgt. Andy Tigwall and the crew of the 606 helicopter for their service to the Taos Volunteer Fire Department and the Taos community before their tragic accident a couple of weeks ago. 

 

2) Wed., July 1, 5:30 p.m. - Town of Taos Planning & Zoning agenda (attached)

 

3) The Town of Taos ‘focused’ beautification series continues.  Taos Plaza and Ledoux St. have been completed with a town-wide application of energy, expertise and equipment.  Now on to Bent Street July 17, and Guadalupe Parking Lot area August 7.  As possible, please refrain from parking on the streets/lots in these areas from approximately 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. – when Town staff are ‘power washing’ early, followed by curb painting, etc.  Work continues on these days past 9 a.m., but at that time parking should be no problem for the teams to work around.

 

4) Added Taos News Clips:

National Geographic Traveler: Long Weekends (see attached)

Taos on Trip Advisor: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/tripadvisor/37964/  Taos’ Wild Earth Llama Adventures Ranked #4 by www.TripAdvisor.com for best walking tours in America.  “The world's most popular and largest travel community (33 million visitors a month) announced America's top 10 tours, according to TripAdvisor's Popularity Index. Tours are picking up mileage on TripAdvisor this year, as searches for walking tours on the site between January and May of 2009 are up seven percent compared to the same period in 2008. But taking tours doesn't necessarily mean pounding the pavement, as top traveler picks include an airplane outing, a zip lining adventure, and even a journey on a fishing vessel.” 

 

Cathy Connelly, Public Relations Director

Town of Taos

400 Camino de la Placita

Taos, NM 87571

http://www.taosgov.com

cconnelly@taosgov.com

575-751-2001 office

Fax 575-751-2026

575-779-1013 cell

Quad Erat Demonstratum