News and Articles

January 25, 2011 - BCC Meeting Summary

Santa Fe – January 27, 2011 – All five commissioners were present and below is a summary of the actions and matters that came before the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners:

Presentations / Matters of Public Concern

The Commission recognized the recent Paramedic Student graduates from the Santa Fe Community College Paramedic Program: Pedro Nandino, Steven Vogel, Jeffrey Matchison, Adam Quinn, Samantha Ramirez, and Daniel Meyer. The Commission also recognized Program Director Eve Kwiatkowski and Lead Instructor Dave Huckabee.

New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Abandoned Mine Land Program provided a review of their community-based planning project taking place in Madrid. The report highlighted community concerns, opportunities, constraints, environmental findings, community findings, and project goals and strategies. Goals include restoration of the watershed, improvement of public open space and securing a long-term community water supply.

Sheriff Robert Garcia discussed law enforcement efforts to address the County’s Ordinance regarding excessive noise. He indicated that noise monitoring through instruments may be cumbersome and the State Statute for disturbing the peace may be more applicable. He suggested a meeting with Land Use staff to discuss the issue further.

County Treasurer Victor Montoya provided a status report of the County’s investments, which included CDs, Government Agencies/Bonds, Treasury Bill, Local Government Investment Pool, and demand deposits. The Treasurer’s primary objective is to insure the County’s portfolio contains safe, liquid and diversified investments while earning a market rate of interest on all money that is not immediately required to meet the County’s cash flow needs.

Town of Edgewood Mayor Bob Stearley and Councilwoman Rita Loy Simmons thanked the County for partnering with the Town. They spoke of the importance of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) agreements the town and the County have developed since Edgewood was incorporated 11 years ago.

Carl Dickens, La Cienega/La Cieneguilla Planning Committee, thanked Jack Kolkmeyer and Land Use staff for their assistance in community planning. The committee is working with large landowners to shape the future by preserving the traditions and history of the community. He also stated how vital water is to community.

Ana Cardenas said Galisteo Village is small, but it makes a lot of noise. She credited the leadership of the village for protecting the water and way of life.

Matters from the Commission:

• Commissioner Stefanics recognized the efforts of Jewel Pacheco, who works at the Eldorado Senior Center, in preventing a reckless driver from potentially causing an accident.
• Commissioner Stefanics recognized the work of the Santa Fe County Safety Committee and the Risk Awareness Program Two-Year Award that the committee received from the New Mexico Association of Counties for completing the Risk Awareness Program and reducing workers compensation by 14.8 percent.
• Commissioner Anaya requested an update on the San Marcos transfer station. Utilities Director Patricio “Pego” Guerrerortiz stated there have been difficulties with the design and it is not ready to go out to bid.
• Commissioner Holian announced the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area will soon be eligible for federal funds and urged that a link to this organization be placed on the County website. The link has been placed and is located under “Hot Topics” on the homepage www.santafecountynm.gov
• Commissioner Anaya recognized the following people for their outstanding contribution to the County: Anna Cardenas and Paul Dixon from the Village of Galisteo, Todd and Patricia Brown from the Village of Cerrillos and members of the Santa Fe Fair Board.
   

A moment of silence was held in remembrance of Galisteo Village residents Mela Montoya, Richard Griscom and Moira Walden.

Resolutions

The Commission unanimously (5-0) approved a resolution urging the legislature to maintain the State’s film tax credit at it current levels. This comes in light of the Governor’s intent to lower the film tax credit. The commission agreed that film production represents a clean industry that brings jobs and revenue to the state.

A resolution recommending retention of the state’s existing driver’s license regulations, irrespective of immigration status, passed (4-0) with Commissioner Anaya abstaining. Commissioner Stefanics said this sends a message to the legislature that this is a public safety issue.

Appointments/ Reappointments/Resignations

Regional Economic Development Initiative Broadband Network Board (REDI Net Board) – County Planner Duncan Sill was appointed to serve as designee to the Regional Economic Initiative Broadband
 

County Open Land, Trails. And Parks Advisory Committee (COLTPAC)- Sandra Massengill, Scott Stovall, Sam Pallin, Eliza Kretzman, Jerry Rogers, Judy Kowalski, Matthew Montoya, William Hutchinson and Michael Patrick.
 

Ethics Board - Adair Waldenberg, Estevan Baca and Randy Forrester
Ethics Board alternate -David Mittle

Staff and Elected Officials

County Clerk, Valerie Espinoza gave an update on her office’s e-recording program, documents received from title companies, banks, and other entities and are reviewed and recorded immediately through the internet. The program has brought in $63,000 in fees.

County Assessor

A resolution that would have allocated an additional $67,148 for an organizational evaluation of the Assessor’s Office was tabled.

DWI Program Administrator Rebecca Beardsley gave an update on the status of the DWI program, reviewing its participation in law enforcement, courts, detox, prevention and education. She said the budget is approximately $1.3 million and monitors 1,100 active offenders. Prevention Specialist Frank Magourilos cited a need for a strategic plan and outside evaluation.

Matters From the County Manger

Legislative update: Rudy Garcia, Community Services, indicated they are monitoring the following issues for possible impact to the County:

Property tax lightening
Affordable housing/local option
911 surcharge
Right-of-way and franchise fees
Hold-harmless provision of Gross Receipt Tax
Film tax credits
Return to work requirements
Procurement code modifications
Preference for in-state food producers
Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds (QECBs)
Teen court funding
Capital outlay requests
 

A public hearing and discussion for Annual Required Discussion relative to Low Income Tax Rebate, County Attorney Steve Ross explained there is a cap of $350 and State Statute sets the specifics. County participation in this program resulted from the annexation agreement with the City.

A resolution reimbursing the State for property tax rebates claimed by low-income County residents in the amount of $331,103 was unanimously approved (5-0).

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 after they approved at www.santafecountynm.gov .