News and Articles

January 31, 2012 BCC Meeting Summary

Santa Fe – February 2, 2012 – Below is a summary of the actions taken by the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners (BCC), all five Commissioners were present.

The December 13, 2011 BCC minutes were approved.

The Consent Calendar was approved, several items were removed from Consent for further discussion.

The BCC accepted the resignation of Ken Coleman form the DWI Planning Council.

Finance Department

•Finance Director Teresa Martinez provided an overview of the Quarterly Financial Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2011.

Public Works

•A resolution restructuring the Road Advisory Committee with a 12-person membership. The Memberships will be divided into Commission Districts and based on mileage within those districts. The resolution passed 4-1 (Commissioner Mayfield voted against).

•Authorization to publish title and general summary to amend Ordinance 2010-17 "To expand the list of roadways within Santa Fe County where engine retarders/Jake brakes are prohibited" passed by unanimously. The roads will include: I-25 between the Old Pecos Trail exit and Lamy exit at US 285; NM 14 between mile posts 23 and 38; CR 42/Camino de los Abuelos extending east from SR 14 to SR 41; CR 45/Bonanza Creek Road extending north from SR 14 to I-25 Frontage Road; CR 70/W. Alameda and extending from the City of Santa Fe limits west to Via Abajo Road; and SR 344 from mile post 1 through 7.

•A resolution authorizing staff to file an application with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) that will result in advancing the County's long-term effort to restore the Santa Fe River by providing a public greenway and trail. There is no cost to the County in acquiring the 0.58 acres (unanimously approved).

Public Safety Department

•Santa Fe County Attorney Steve Ross gave a presentation on legal obligations of ICE holds at County Detention Facilities.

County Manager

•IT introduced three new employees: Daniel Fresquez, Jim Sisneros and Robert Martinez. Manager Miller noted new employees have been added to other departments.

Legislative Update

County Staff Rudy Garcia and Hvtce Miller reviewed legislation noting the County was seeking design funding for senior centers and libraries. Staff is tracking bills regarding teen court as well as indigent providers. To view all resolutions passed by the BCC in support of legislation visit www.santafecountynm.gov/county_manager/lobbying. Deputy County Assessor Perez discussed "Tax Lightening" SB 145.

Project Updates

Public Works Director Leigland provided an update on the following projects:

•Reuse of portables buildings for a temporary extension of the Eldorado Library and creation of Wellness Center in Stanley.

•Identifying eight to ten formal parking spots at CR 72A/Bishops Lodge with improved signage for the trailhead.

•Nambe Community Center is 80 percent complete.

•The Judicial Facility Master Plan regarding inventory, needs assessment and a financial analysis will be available in April

•The state-of-the-art Pojoaque Wastewater Treatment Plant is operational and according to the MOU, the County will take over the plant once it achieves operational capacity of 50 percent. At this point it is at 18 percent and it is estimated the 50 percent will be achieved in about 15 or 20 years.

County Manager Katherine Miller spoke to the Commission about Low Income Property Tax Rebate. Pursuant to ordinance, Santa Fe County residents paying property taxes and earning annually between $8,000 and $24,000 are entitled to a rebate up to $350. The Department of Tax and Revenue administers the program and recently sent the County notification that $420,000 was rebated for Tax Year 2011. This is a 30 percent increase over the previous year and a draw of $70,000 will be necessary from the County's contingency fund to cover this rebate. There were 1,442 tax returns that met the statutory requirements and the medium rebate was $292. There was Commission consensus to review the enabling ordinance.

Appointments

•Health Policy and Planning Commission - Richard Rodriguez (District 2), Bertha Blanchard (District 4), Catherine Kinney and Shirlee Davidson (District 5). The appointment to District 3 is pending.

•Maternal and Child Health Council - Elias Ponton, Lori Pearson-Kramer and Bonnie Keene.

•Ethics Board - David Mittle was appointed as a member (he had been serving as an alternate). Additional appointments will be made once all applications are processed.

Recognitions

•The Board passed a proclamation recognizing Ben Lujan, Sr. , Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, for his dedication and resolute commitment to Public Service on behalf of the people of New Mexico and Santa Fe County.

•Chris Madrid, a Santa Fe County resident from Stanley, NM, recently competed on the television show "The Best in the Business" where Chris won the title of "The Best in the Business, Blacksmith" the BCC recognized him as "Home Town Hero" for his accomplishments.

Resolutions

•A Resolution supporting the assessment of the feasibility, commercialization and deployment of Microgrid systems within Santa Fe County to support economic and workforce development, Broad renewable energy penetration and effective energy conservation solutions at the consumer level was unanimously approved.

•A Resolution in support of Senator Wirth's legislation SB 9, which closes the tax loophole for corporations was unanimously approved.

•Transferring the cable franchise in northern Santa Fe County from US Cable of Texas to Baja Broadband (public hearing).

Ordinances

•An Ordinance revising the County's Affordable Housing Ordinance to replace the 30 percent requirement for major subdivisions with a 15 percent requirement; and for minor subdivisions from 16 percent to 8 percent. Provisions include alternative means of compliance and changes to the appreciation share lien to protect long-term affordability was unanimously approved.

•An Ordinance authorizing a grant and loan from the State Water Trust Board for a vegetative management and bank stabilization on the Rio Quemado was unanimously approved.

All approved Ordinances and Resolutions are available on the County website at www.santafecountynm.gov/ordinances_and_resolutions once they are recorded.

All BCC meetings are broadcast live at www.santafecountynm.gov, on Comcast Ch. 28 or Que Suave AM810. To view recorded video of this BCC meeting visit www.santafecountynm.gov/video_on_demand/. Transcripts of the meeting will be available within 10 working days at www.santafecountynm.govonce approved.