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VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

EDELWEISS CONFERENCE CENTER

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NEW MEXICO

  I.          CALL TO ORDER & NOTICE OF MEETING

Mayor King called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.  The meeting notice was properly posted.

 

 II.       ROLL CALL

Mayor King, Councilors Bennett, Stagg, and Wiard were present. Councilor Wittman was absent due to a death in the family.  Staff members Susan Steele, Bruce Kelly, Vanessa Chisholm, Ray Keen, Dave Wallace, and Don Schieber were also present.

 

III.       APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOTION:  To approve the agenda as presented for the February 5, 2008 meeting.

Motion:  Councilor Stagg                    Second:   Councilor Bennett

Passed:  3-0.

 

 IV.      APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 7, 2008 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING.

MOTION:  To approve the minutes from the January 7, 2008 Village Council Meeting.

Motion:  Councilor Wiard                   Second:   Councilor Stagg

Passed:  3-0.

 

V.            FINANCIAL REPORTS

The financial reports were presented by Vanessa Chisholm and accepted into the minutes. Vanessa said Gross Receipts Tax was up due to construction.   The Village collected $15,000 in Lodgers’ tax.

 

VI.       COMMITTEE REPORTS

A.        Planning and Zoning Commission

Councilor Stagg conducted the meeting and reported in the absence of Councilor Wittman.  Stagg stated the commission reviewed the McLaughlin Engineering Water Plan.  There were two requests for variances: 1) Mettler – a request to split his lot, and 2) Bavarian - variance request for parking and height.

 

B.        Public Safety Committee 

Councilor Bennett reported the Public Safety Committee met on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 to discuss the requirements of the conditional use permit for commercial winter recreation held by the Northside at Taos Ski Valley, Inc.  A lengthy discussion was held regarding their responsibilities, ski patrol and first aid, general safety and sanitation issues, evacuation plans, and avalanche monitoring.  Public Safety Director Wallace and Community Development Director Schieber will make a decision based on the results of the meeting as to whether or not the Northside has complied with all the requirements for this conditional use permit.

 

C.        Public Works Committee

No report.

 

D.        Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Committee

No Report.

 

E.         Parks & Recreation Committee

No report.

 

F.         Other Reports

Councilor Wiard reported on the IGC, Enchanted Circle Day, and Taos Regional Landfill Board Meetings.  Wiard announced future meetings and events that she will attend in March.  Wiard reported on the $600,000 request for water infrastructure improvements for distribution and fire suppression in the Village Core area and informed the Council about the 2008 Legislative Session.

 

VII.     MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor King thanked the Public Works Department for an incredible job of snow removal.  He asked all residents to please stop shoveling snow into the street from their driveways and to please not park in snow removal and snow storage areas.  King thanked Councilor Stagg for presiding over the Planning and Zoning meeting in the absence of Councilor Wittman.  The Mayor reported that there will be a meeting this month with the Forest Service regarding the Public Safety Building.

 

VIII.    STAFF REPORT

Susan Steele, Village Administrator, talked about the snow removal policy and said that men and machines were working around the clock removing snow.  She said 30% of the time is taken up above the water tank.  The Kachina area is a major problem.  The old plant building collapsed under the weight of the snow.  It is insured; will be rebuilt to house equipment.  The stairs are falling off the Firehouse building. 

 

Public Works Director, Ray Keen, stated there are major issues with snow storage and clearing the roads past the water tank.  Keen reminded everyone that the “plant comes first” even in these major snow storms.   Councilor Stagg suggested that Arrow Buffalo be hired, as they have heavy equipment and would be a big help.  Steele stated she had just authorized that and next month’s council meeting will contain a budget adjustment.  Discussion on plowing followed.  Keen also reported that $13,000 was spent on the loader due to the trans-axle breakage.  This was not a budget line item.

 

Councilor Stagg asked Keen about the flows at the plant.  Keen reported that 90,000 gpm flows were measured over Christmas, and at times got to 100,000 gpm.  Nitrogen is down.  Everything is working pretty well.

 

Schieber spoke about the steep part of Twining Road and stated we apply for NM Dept. of Transportation road co-op money every year for maintenance of Village roads.  Our intention is to make the road less steep.  Schieber is working with developers on the Kachina Road improvements.  Discussion followed.  Schieber also stated that he will talk to Thomas Shultze from the Bavarian regarding his shuttle service schedule as this creates a problem for the Village staff when plowing.

 

Dave Wallace, Public Safety Director, reported he has stepped up traffic enforcement.  Wallace reported on EMS incidents.  Wallace stated that he is working with other local law enforcement officers to handle the increase in traffic and visitors starting March 17, in anticipation of the mountain being opened to snowboards.

 

IX.              OLD BUSINESS – None

 

X.                 NEW BUSINESS

A.        Presentation and Discussion of Water Implementation Plan – by Ron McLaughlin

Ron McLaughlin was absent, and the plan was presented by Susan Steele and Don Schieber.  The plan was discussed at length.

 

MOTION: To approve the McLaughlin Water System Improvements   Implementation Plan dated December, 2007.

Motion:  Councilor Bennett                 Second:   Councilor Wiard                   Passed:  3-0.

 

B.        Discussion Regarding Village Health Insurance Plan

An extensive spreadsheet comparing various insurance companies and their coverage was presented by Susan Steele and Ann Marie Wooldridge.  A lengthy discussion followed.  No motion was made.  Councilor Bennett spoke highly of the Village staff and she stated that staff should determine which policy was the best.  We have an invaluable staff that do a great job and deserve the security of knowing they and their families are covered for health insurance.  Councilor Stagg said staff should look into the Cafeteria Plan as well. Staff reported that they have looked into these plans.  The current policy is in effect until July 1, 2008.

 

XI.              MISCELLANEOUS - None

 

XII.     ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL

The next meeting of the Village Council will be held on Tuesday March 11, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., at the Edelweiss Conference Center.

 

XIII.    ADJOURNMENT

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting.

Motion:   Councilor Stagg                   Second:   Councilor Bennett                 Passed:  3-0.

 

 

______________________________________         ____________________________________

Neal King, Mayor                                            Vanessa Chisholm, Village Clerk