VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

EDELWEISS CONDOS CONFERENCE ROOM

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NEW MEXICO

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, 2:00 P.M.

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, Wiard, and Wittman were present.

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was amended to move Section X. A. New Business to follow the Financial Reports. The agenda was approved as amended.

MOTION: To approve the agenda as amended for the September 4th meeting.

Motion: Councilor Wittman Second: Councilor Wiard Passed: 4‑0.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 7, 2007 VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING.

MOTION: To approve the minutes from the August 7, 2007 Village Council Meeting.

Motion: Councilor Wittman Second: Councilor Bennett Passed: 4‑0.

V. FINANCIAL REPORTS

The financial reports were presented by Vanessa Chisholm and accepted into the minutes. Chisholm reported the Village Audit is scheduled for October 8, 2007.

VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Planning and Zoning Commission

Councilor Wittman stated that the P&Z Commission will meet on Monday, September 10, 2007. Wittman reported that at the last meeting the request to abandon an easement utility in the Block 0 subdivision was approved. The second request for an application by homeowner Tim Van Camp for a variance to the setback requirement in the riparian zone of Block A, Lott 11A, O.E. Pattison Loop was also approved, by a vote of 6‑4.

Councilor Wittman spoke about the selection committee to hire a new Village Administrator. The salary range was between $59,000‑$79,000. There are 54 applicants and 9 people were invited to interview, although 3 declined the interview. One candidate is local; others are from Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. The selection committee consists of Tom Wittman, Neal King, Vanessa Chisholm, Don Schieber, and Bruce Kelly.

Discussion was held on the status of the Thunderbird, Sangre de Cristo, the Leeper house, and the Terry A‑Frame.

B. Public Safety Committee

Councilor Bennett reported the Committee did not meet this month, but will meet either at the end of September or the first part of October.

C. Public Works Committee

No report.

D. Lodgers' Tax Advisory Committee

Roger Mariani reported that the Lodgers' Tax Committee and the Chamber of Commerce have declined to contribute to the Destination Taos Advertising campaign this year. He said the money is better spend going into a program with TSV, Inc. Collection of Lodgers' Taxes is better than what was budgeted. A potential use for this extra money is best spent in conjunction with TSV, Inc.

E. Parks & Recreation Committee

No report.

F. Other Reports

Councilor Wiard reported on the IGC and Taos Regional Landfill Board Meetings. She also reported on the UNM President's luncheon and the NMML Annual Conference in Las Cruces. Her future meetings include NMML Board of Directors Meeting, NMML Executive Committee Joint Meeting with NM Assn. of Counties and the NLC Congress of Cities. It was also announced that Councilor Wiard is the newly elected Vice President of the New Mexico Municipal League.

VII. MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor King reported on the meetings regarding the hiring of a new Village Administrator. King attended the NM Municipal League Conference held in Las Cruces.

VIII. STAFF REPORT

Don Schieber reported on the installation of the sewer system. There are 50‑60 hookups ready. The Village is having a little trouble finding a contractor to hook up residences to the sewer system. People requesting building permits are slower than expected.

Ray Keen stated the Public Works Department will be doing road work over the next month. He also talked about the PRV replacement.

Dave Wallace reported he is working on the purchase of the cameras approved at the last meeting. There are three quotes from three different companies. The rescue truck has been picked up from Arkansas.

IX. OLD BUSINESS

A. Discussion regarding Municipal Court

Discussion was held regarding the matter of whether or not to retain the Judicial System in the Village of Taos Ski Valley. Councilor Wiard spoke about letters submitted by Law Enforcement regarding the number of times that officers have appeared in court in eleven years (seven). Councilor Bennett presented a phone conversation she had with Zella Cox, Program Manager, Court Automation, Santa Fe. Cox felt we should retain the court system. Councilor Wittman wants control over the courts, as the magistrate court in Taos may not support our law enforcement officers. Without our court system, local government doesn't have control over all entities. It was the consensus of the Council that we wait to see if someone comes forward who would like the job and is a resident of the Village. Meanwhile, any offenses can be heard at the Magistrate Court in Taos. Council agreed to wait until March elections to decide what to do next.

X. NEW BUSINESS

A. RESOLUTION 2008‑144: Consideration to Approve a Resolution supporting Taos County on a Public Referendum for a Gross Receipts Tax increase for the Taos County Administrative/Judicial Complex.

Discussion on this resolution was moved on the agenda following the Financial reports. Councilor Wiard presented the resolution and introduced Victor Robles from the County who presented the plans that the County has put into place. Discussion followed.

MOTION: To approve Resolution #2008‑144, a resolution supporting and endorsing Taos County's proposed gross receipts tax increase to fund the design and construction of a new Administrative/Judicial complex.

Motion: Councilor Stagg Second: Councilor Wittman Passed: 4‑0.

B. RESOLUTION 2008‑145: Consideration to approve a resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan agreement between the Village of Taos Ski Valley and the NM Finance Authority for the purpose of defraying the cost of planning, designing, and constructing a multi‑purpose public safety building.

Currently we have budgeted $545,000 in legislative appropriations plus $15,000 from Fire Capital impact fees to help defray the cost of the public safety building. We have also budgeted $100,000 from the Admin/General fund, if the reserves are available, to help fund this project. Money from the loan would be used to complete the project, after all other means have been used. Council agreed that this money from the Finance Authority would not be used in full if not needed.

MOTION: To approve Resolution 2008‑145, a resolution to authorizing the execution and delivery of a loan agreement between the Village of Taos Ski Valley and the NM Finance authority for the purpose of defraying the cost of planning, designing and constructing a multi‑purpose public safety building.

Motion: Councilor Stagg Second: Councilor Wiard Passed: 4‑0.

X. MISCELLANEOUS ‑ None

XI. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION: Pending Litigation

MOTION: To go to closed session.

Motion: Councilor Wittman Second: Councilor Stagg Passed: 4‑0.

Discussion was held in closed session. Only pending litigation was discussed in closed session.

MOTION: To return to the regular meeting.

Motion: Councilor Stagg Second: Councilor Wiard Passed: 4‑0.

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 October 2, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Edelweiss Condos Conference Center.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

Motion: To adjourn the meeting.

Motion: Councilor Wiard Second: Councilor Bennett Passed: 4‑0.

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Neal King, Mayor Vanessa Chisholm, Village Clerk