News and Articles

April 26, 2011 BCC Meeting Summary

Santa Fe – April 27, 2011 – Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners:

A proclamation in Commemoration of Older Americans Month, which originated in 1963 by President Kennedy, was unanimously approved. The proclamation recognizes that these citizens have strengthened our national character. Their experience and wisdom connect us to the past and help us meet the challenges of the present. Members of the Ken and Patty Adam Senior Center in Eldorado were recognized for their services.

Executive director of New Mexico Teen Pregnancy Coalition said that New Mexico has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in the country. She cited statistics of high risk factors which include poverty and disconnection from family and school. She mentioned confidentiality and the tremendous assistance the Coalition was prepared to offer. For more information contact (505) 254-8737 or email nmtpc@nmtpc.org.

Prasoon Wilson, manager of the Santa Fe Friendship Club, provided an overview of the activities at the facility. The Santa Fe Friendship Club was founded 31 years ago. The non-profit hosts approximately 60 of their 12-step meetings weekly. The club is not formally affiliated with AA and offers a multitude of programs that include yoga, acupuncture, dances, etc. The club is located on Rosina Street: www.friendshipclubsantafe.org.

Appointments
• Antoinette Montaño, a registered nurse at Presbyterian Española Hospital, was appointed to the Health Policy & Planning Commission (HPPC)

The following resolutions were unanimously approved:
• Authorizing the public sale of seized DWI personal property in accordance with state statutes
• Authorizing the public sale of seized personal property in accordance with state statutes
• Authorizing the surplus of two fire trucks and personal property
• Authorizing the disposal of personal property
• Purchase of 10 fleet vehicles at a cost of $222,024 utilizing State price agreements.

Finance Division Director Martinez reported on the third quarter. Total year-to-date revenue collections of $40,060,504 and year-to-date expenditures of $35,554,233 resulted in a positive operational surplus of $4,506,271. Compared to prior year in total, general fund revenue collections are down 1.5 percent. This was attributable to lesser state and federal grants and investment income. She noted that property tax collection is better than budgeted and noted that the Treasurer’s Office has collected $1.7 million in delinquent taxes for the County.

Valle Vista Wastewater Lift Station – Stage 1, award made to lowest responsive bidder, RMCI, Inc. Eventually, this will allow the County to decommission the existing wastewater system located immediately south of the Valle Vista Subdivision.

Approval of purchase agreement with Campbell Farming Corporation for approximately 160 acres at the intersection of SR 14/Turquoise Trail and SR 344 in the amount of $350,000. This property is in the foothills of the San Pedro Mountains and will provide a trailhead for public recreation, hiking, mountain bike and equestrian trails connecting public lands in southern Santa Fe County. This location would allow for eventual access to lands owned and managed by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Campbell Farms has agreed to donate five percent of the purchase price back to the Santa Fe County Open Space Program for maintenance of the land.

Approval to award bid to the lowest bidder for construction and remodel of the Pojoaque Fire Station, $729,910.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the advancement of Sole Community Provider funds by and between the BCC and the UNM Hospital was approved. The MOU will address a supplemental payment for Christus St. Vincent Hospital in the amount of $1.4 million.

The County Commissioners offered the following:
• The County is taking over the City’s Senior Centers

Senior Center Transition Public Hearing Schedule
Ken and Patty Adam Senior Center (Eldorado), Friday, April 29 at 12:30 p.m.
Benny Chavez Center (Chimayo), Wednesday, May 4 at 1 p.m.
Abedon Lopez Center (Santa Cruz), Monday, May 9 at 1 p.m.

• Senior Centers are open to all seniors
• Saturday, April 30 at 9 a.m. is the MS Walk being held in conjunction with the Women’s Health Service Fair
• The Fire Department was praised for its response to a structure fire in Stanley
• Staff was directed to investigate the pricing and availability of refuse permits

The Deputy County Manager Penny Ellis-Green gave the following updates:
• The commissioners of Santa Fe, Sandoval and Los Alamos counties will nominate candidates for the vacancy left by the death of Representative Wallace and the Governor will choose a successor. If you are interested in being nominated visit http://www.santafecountynm.gov/news_detail/1372, the deadline to apply is May 2 at 5 p.m.

Growth Management:
Land Use Administrator Jack Kolkmeyer provided an overview of the public input process on the Sustainable Land Development Code and preliminary schedule. He reviewed the responsibilities of the Code Draft Team, Public Input Process and Board process. David Gold, the contracted facilitator, was introduced and outlined the public input process goal to “make sure citizens are heard by decision makers” and reviewed the methods to insure that goal.

All BCC meetings are broadcast live at www.santafecountynm.gov. To view recorded video of this BCC meeting, go to http://santafecounty.org/video_on_demand/ or check GOV TV Channel 28 listings. Transcripts of the meeting will be available within 10 working days at www.santafecountynm.gov once they are approved.