News and Articles

Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners at yesterday’s meeting:

Joe Martinez, Public Works, received a standing ovation when he was formally recognized for his ongoing efforts to fight illegal dumping and protecting County land.

John Seringwas recognized for his 32 years of service with BLM and his particular attention to the protection of Santa Fe County land.

Noise Ordinance: By a majority, 4-1 vote with Chairman Anaya voting against, title and general summary of an ordinance to prohibit excessive unnecessary and unreasonable noise and public will be published. The next hearing on the matter is proposed for October 13.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Proclamation declaring September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the US passed by unanimous voice vote.

County Tourism: Impressions Advertising presented their 2010 plans for promotion Santa Fe County as a tourist destination and showed a series of 15-second television spots - http://www.seesantafe.org/.

Las Cumbres, Santa Fe County Infant Programwas recognized for their contributions to the community in nurturing and supporting young families. Las Cumbres staff pointed out Santa Fe County is unique in its vision of supporting this program.

NCRTD(North Central Regional Transit District) update was provided noting new routes will be based on the results of a needs assessment and new financial resources.

Women on the Move: Katie Peters, Santa Fe County resident, was recognized for the award she recently received from the National MS Society’s Rio Grande as the 2009 Women on the Move.

Nambe Pueblo Feast Daywill occur Sunday, October 4th.

Bi-National Health Conference, a two-day event starts Monday, October 5 at the Buffalo Thunder Resort. Individuals from 15 countries are expected to discuss migration and health issues. Santa Fe County is one of the event sponsors.

Flu Shots: County Mobile Medical Health Van is scheduled to travel the county providing free seasonal flu shoots. That information is available on the County’s website.

Arroyo Hondo Open Spacewill open to the public following a community meeting to discuss road issues and other concerns.

Santa Fe County Water Harvesting Ordinanceis recognized as a leader in the country.

San Pedro Community Ordinance– may be revisited to review stockpiling on private land.

Road Advisory Committee– Paul White was reappointed to represent Area 4 and Mark Murdock was appointed to serve as the alternate for Area 12.

Renewable Energy Financing District: There was unanimous authorization to publish title and general summary of an ordinance approving the formation of a Renewable Energy Financing District. The ordinance is in support of Senate Bill 647 proposed by Senator Wirth. The vote on the ordinance will take place at the end of October and if approved will go into effect late November or early December. FAQs can be found on the County website.

Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (ACE) Task Force Annual Report: Land Use Administrator Jack Kolkmeyer gave an update on the activities of the ACE Task Force, emphasizing the economic impact and potential of these sectors. The committee has been negotiating the revitalization of the Downs and spotlighting La Cienega as a model for local decision-making and community-wide celebrations and activities. The Commission voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the ACE Task Force for another six months.


Community Funds: By unanimous voice vote, the Commission approved the following expenditures:

• $2,000 for the Town of Edgewood playground equipment
• $2,000 for Moriarty Athletics
• $1,000 to the Farmers Market Institute Fall Fiesta
• $1,000 for the IX Annual Bi-national Policy Forum on Migration and Health to be held in Santa Fe on October 5-6, 2009
• $5,000 for Girls, Inc. in support of the Zona del Sol programming
• $600 for advertising Santa F County programs with the Pojoaque News
• $800 to Leadership Santa Fe a program of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce
• $1000 to Bi-national health policy forum discussion
• $500 to Pojoaque Schools for the Key to Success Scholarship/Higher Education program

The following budget adjustmentswere unanimously approved:

Avenida Vista Grande: Increase to the GOB Series 2005 Fund (330) to budget available bond balance for the Avenida Vista Grande road project / $275,884

Paseo del Angel Road Project: An increase to the GOB Series 2007b fund (332) to budget available bond balance for the Paseo del Angel Road project / $250,000.

Bonds: A budget decrease to the GOB Series 2001 fund to realign the Fiscal Year 2010 budget with the available bond balance/-$698,708.

Open Space Fund: A budget decrease to the GOB Series – Open Space Fund to realign the Fiscal Year 2010 budget with the available bond balance / -$1,608,598.

Youth Shelter and Family Services: An increase to the General Fund (101) to budget revenue received from the Youth Shelter and Family Services for maintenance expenses at the facility / $6,000.

Sombrillo Area Water/Wastewater System: An increase to the Water Enterprise Fund to budget a grant awarded through the New Mexico Environment Department for the Santa Fe County Sombrillo Area Water/Wastewater System / $500,000.

A budget decrease to the Water Enterprise Fund to realign the Fiscal Year 2010 budget with the available grant balances awarded through the New Mexico Environment Department.

Rail Trail: An increase to the Wildlife/Mountains/Trails Fund to budget cash carryover for the Santa Fe County Rail Trail / $100,000.

Forest Fires: n increase to the Fire Operations Fund to budget State Forestry reimbursements for personnel and equipment from the Christmas, Vista, Four Mile, and Timberon fires in the amount of $25,885.

Fire Hazmat: An increase to the Fire Operations Fund Hazmat grant to carry forward the prior fiscal years available cash balance in the amount of $15,323 for expenditure in FY2010.

An increase to the Fire Operations Fund to carry forward the available cash balances from last fiscal year’s forestry reimbursements in the amount of $7,445 to be expended in FY-2010.

Fire Equipment: An increase to the Fire Operations Fund forestry grant to budget a new Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant in the amount of $10,135 to purchase six new digital radios and accessories to be distributed between the Pojoaque, Stanley and Galisteo Volunteer Fire Districts.

Sheriff’s Equipment: A budget increase to the Sheriff’s Office General Fund by $10,763.00 to fund purchase of wireless service and surveillance equipment

Bonds: A resolution determining the exact principal amounts, maturities, prices, redemption features and other details of the Santa Fe County Capital Outlay Gross Receipts Tax Revenue Bonds, series 2009 in the maximum principal amount of $13,000,000 [4-0 Commissioner Vigil was not present for this action.]

Miscellaneous budgetaryitems approved:

SF River Greenway Project: The funding of one new FTE (Term Position) from the 2008 General Obligation Bond Revenues for Open Space, Trails and Parks. This FTE will be strictly assigned to the acquisition, design, construction, and restoration of the Santa Fe River Greenway Project versus any management and maintenance activities.

Nambe Park: A Resolution Granting the County Manager signature authority for the execution of a Lease Agreement Between Santa Fe County and Robin Martin for a 1.0 acre parcel In the Nambe area for park improvements.

Mental Health Services: Resolution Authorizing the County Manager to execute all documents necessary to purchase property in Santa Fe County for a program serving people with severe mental illness.

Cuatro Villas Water Association: Approval of a Joint Powers Agreement between the County of Santa Fe and the Cuatro Villas Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association (CVMDWCA) to fund, construct, and improve a water system to provide adequate water supply and fire protection for residents in the area. The county will provide GRT funding for $500,000.

Federal Stimulus Funds/Rail Trail: Approval of the Certification of Pre-Construction Phase and Resolution with the New Mexico Department of Transportation to enable the receipt of funds pursuant to the American Recovery Reinvestment Act of 2009 Cooperative Project Agreement for construction of a portion of the Santa Fe Rail Trail.

Water Rightsexchange agreement between the County of Santa Fe and Victor Montaño.

South Meadows Road Project: Approval to enter into an agreement with Contractor, Gannett Fleming, for Professional Engineering Services for the South Meadows Road Project.

Wastewater Collection System for Arroyo Seco/Sombrillo: A Resolution Authorizing the County Manager to submit an application for financial assistance to the United States Department of Agriculture for financial assistance for a wastewater collection system for the Unincorporated Communities of Arroyo Seco and Sombrillo.

Santa Fe Canyon Ranch: The County Manager recommended and the Commission voted unanimously, with Commissioner Vigil abstaining, to proceed in negotiations to purchase approximately 470 acres of Santa Fe Canyon Ranch for $7 million. Most of this land has Phase 1 master plan approval. The Trust for Public Land is negotiating the purchase of additional tracts. Staff is asking to restrict the density on some of the tracts to one dwelling per 12.5 acre.

Recession Impact on County: Finance Director Teresa Martinez announced that revenue from gross receipts tax is coming in line with budget predictions.

Informational Updates:

• Sustainable Land Development Plan (SLDP) Update: Planner Robert Griego announced the rollout of the first draft of the SLDP at the County Development Review Committee meeting on October 1 at 6:00. The four volumes of the plan with appendices and maps will be available to the public at the public library, on the website and in CD form. Four additional meetings will be held throughout the county in October to get input from stakeholders.
• Solid Waste Fees: Solid Waste Task Force concluded the current fee structure is inadequate and a countywide assessment is not a good solution. Free recycling is encouraged and there is a recommendation to open services to incorporated areas with two purchase options. The short-term fee structure recommended for residential users is $55 for 24 trips, $35 for 10 trips, $15 for 1 trip, and $5 for 5 bag tags. For small commercial: $100 for 10 trips, $60 for 5 trips and $50/ton on billable accounts. In addition, the task force developed possible long-term solutions. An ordinance will be coming forward.

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.