Mayor’s Monthly Town Brief

By: Contributor
18 November, 2011

(From the Desk of Mayor Darren Cordova)

As Mayor of the Town of Taos I am directly and daily involved in issues and events that are being reviewed and researched by staff, and often pre-date agenda items that ultimately go before the Town Council for their eventual input and vote.

To better brief everyone concerning some of these issues and areas of focus, I am sending out this “Mayor’s Monthly Town Brief ” overview. My hope is to forward it monthly, providing background information on some of the topics that will come before Council in the future as they are ready for potential action.

Planning Code: I have placed on Council’s November 22nd agenda (attached) an item to completely leave alone the current Town prohibition against 80,000+ sq. ft. “big box” structures. In essence, with Council’s agreement on the 22nd, my item proposes to leave the prohibition against such structures in place. Why? To communicate clearly to our community that nothing along these lines is proposed, even though rumors abound. A council workshop (discussion only – no action) on other planning issues is planned by the Council for early December, and the public will be notified of this meeting.

Free Box: Town liability, community safety, Town staffing and budgetary considerations have forced closure of the Free Box on Bertha. I continue to meet with community representatives who are exploring alternative, creative solutions so this “community exchange” may happen elsewhere at a different location.

Airport EIS and Taos Pueblo: We continue meetings with Taos Pueblo in hopes of finding common ground for moving forward with the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), and a Memorandum of Agreement concerning the Taos regional Airports cross wind runway.

Legal Counsel: Independent legal counsel has been retained by the Town to assist us while we continue to search for a Town Attorney. RFPs have been completed and assistance is now provided in the areas of Code Enforcement (i.e., Hacienda Inn, Bigby’s, El Pueblo Café, etc.), Franchise Agreements, Affordable Housing and Sign Code issues.

Town’s Southside: Chamisa/Este Es improvements will soon be complete, with an eye toward long-term connection of Salazar to Este Es as part of the larger, eventual picture.

Waste Water: The $10.4 million waste water treatment plant improvement project is now going online for the Town of Taos. Its affects are to improve the quality of the treated effluent that is released into the Rio Pueblo, which flows into the Rio Grande, to a level almost as good as drinking water, and to increase waste water treatment capacity by more than doubling it – from the current 1.1 million gallons per day to 2.4 million gallons per day – estimated to accommodate area needs for the next 20 years. This is a major infrastructure improvement for area constituents, and was paid for by: $4.5 million in federal American Investment and Recovery Act grants along with $1.2 million in loans, plus $4.1 in state Water Trust Board grants and $600,000 in loans. Photos of the infrastructure improvements are available from the Town’s Public Affairs office, cconnelly@taosgov.com

Art in Town Hall: New art is now on display in Town Hall, and the public is invited to view it 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays (excluding holidays). Thank you to the Art In Town Hall community committee that has continued this program started by me over a year and a half ago. Artists interested in participating in the next exhibit should contact Paul Valentine at paulavalentinephotography@gmail.com

The Holidays: I am proud to announce that the Town is participating in the Historic District’s push to again have businesses participate in Tax Free Shopping for the Holidays by providing two hour free parking at all meters in the downtown district from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Last year, nearly 90 merchants participated, and this year the Taos Tourism Council, the Taos Project and the Town of Taos hope there will be even more. Just look for Taos Free window decals in the downtown area to identify the merchants who are participating. For further details, also check a new Facebook page, Christmas in Taos.

We have also participated in a new Region 5 tourism promotion, Give the Gift of Travel. As of Monday, November 28, the public can go to www.giftnm.com, and purchase Taos travel gifts $100 & under. Region 5 collaborative advertising for this promotion will be focused in the Albuquerque and west Texas travel markets – but be sure to also let you friends and family know of these great Taos travel deals.

And most important for the holidays, please join the Town of Taos December 2nd for our tree and farolito lighting kick-off on Taos Plaza – continuing every night for 26 days during the 2011 Holiday Season. Ceremonies begin December 2nd at dusk with Town of Taos-led music and caroling, hot chocolate and cookies, and other festivities – including the early beginnings of an annual Light Parade!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and see all of you on Taos Plaza December 2nd,

Mayor Darren Cordova
Town of Taos
dcordova@taosgov.com
Cell 575-770-2606

Added News Brief Items:

Taos Turkey Trot – Tomorrow, Saturday: Help support the Taos High School Athletics Department. 5k Road Race & Fun Run/Walk. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011. Taos Youth & Family Center. $20 registration / Kids 11& under Free • First 100 registrants receive a t-shirt • Winners receive a TURKEY! Onsite registration begins at 8:00am • Race begins 10:00am at the Taos Youth & Family Center. Call (575) 758-4160 for information • REGISTER ONLINE at www.taossports.com THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS! CHOICE WIRELESS, HoldMyTicket.com, Studio Karina, Taos Ale House. This is event is brought to you by the Town of Taos and Taos Sports Alliance.

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter Events and Announcements: Dog Adoption Event, Saturday, November 19 in front of Puss ‘n Pooch in the Bent Street Shops, from noon ‘til 2p.m. Stop by, say hi, and maybe meet your newest best friend! Cat & Kitten Adoption Event , Saturday, November 19 in Los Alamos, featuring kittens from Stray Hearts Animal Shelter and adult cats from the Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 10:30 a.m. ‘til 2:00 p.m. Email Nicki for details and for other needs — enkorjen@taosnet.com

Sipapu Opens Tomorrow, Saturday, November 19: Sipapu is proud to be the first resort to open for skiing and snowboarding in New Mexico – lifts start running this Saturday at 9 a.m., and we expect to open more terrain and run more lifts than any other opening day in resort history.