Merchants Speak, Council Listens, Public Works Info

Due to my obligations as an instructor at UNM’s Bachelor and Graduate program I arrived late at Councilor Cantu’s meeting with Taos Plaza Merchants last night. As a practiced politician, Councilor Andrew Gonzales spoke eloquently, admitting that he might have been wrong to support the Farmer’s Market in the past and said he would introduce a motion at the next Council Meeting to offer alternatives that could resolve the controversy on the Plaza.

Indeed, several creative suggestions were offered as alternatives to closing the Plaza: the return to Town Hall on Camino de la Placita; moving to Kit Carson Park; reconfiguring the set-up and spreading throughout the alleys to the Dunn House Parking Lot; and moving back to the original site at the Taos County Courthouse Complex. Moving back to the Courthouse has been the position of Daniel Carmona, I believe, one of the original founders of the Farmer’s Market. The location makes sense in terms of exposure, growth, and convenience.

According to a survey produced by the Plaza Merchants, 36 oppose closure, 26 don’t want booths in front of their businesses, and 27 have seen no increase in sales. Three merchants favor closure, 11 support booths in front of their buildings, and five had seen an increase in sales. The survey seems to reflect the reality of merchant experience on the Plaza. Most visitors and even merchants opposed to the location of the Farmer’s Market on the Plaza appreciate the “ambiance.” But you can’t keep your doors open based solely on the subtle atmospherics.

Mayor Dan Barrone was particularly open and understanding last night, suggesting that members of the community are all struggling to survive in this economic recession and saying that Town government was trying to draw visitors via marketing and special events. He urged everyone to cooperate. Most community members support the Mayor’s “good intentions” but believe the Town Government needs to refine its proposals: reconfigure or move the Farmer’s Market.

As for supporting special events, Lodgers’ Tax dollars should be used to promote events, sponsored by the private or nonprofit sector but not as direct investment. Folks who were burned by Solar Fest promoters don’t believe public dollars should be invested in music producers, who file for bankruptcy, stiff local merchants, then return under the guise of some other legal entity.

Recently the town advertised for “events coordinators” in the legals for the Farmer’s Market and the Fiestas. I’m not sure why the Town needs ‘coordinators” when they already have a “coordinator” as well as paid staff, like meter minders and cops, who can be trained in house to manage crowds. I’m all for the annual Fiestas but the Committee should manage itself, given the current public subsidy. Yet the Fiesta Committee ignores local vendors and artisans, both Hispanic and Native American, while promoting the sale of products from China on the Plaza during the annual blowout.

Town Public Works Department: Information

Last Fall, 2014, the Town of Taos received two bids for repairs and improvements to Camino de la Placita and Civic Plaza Drive, according to town documents. The engineer estimated project cost at $475,760.00. The first bid came in from Northern Mountain Constructors (Perovich) at $909,720 or 91.21% above the estimate. The second bid from Silva’s Excavation (Michael Silva) came in at $722,285.00 (52% above the estimate).

Where the engineer estimated “mobilization costs (moving equipment) at $15,000, Perovich’s bid estimated mobilization at “80,000.00 and Silva at $49,000.00. Whereas the engineer estimated “traffic controls” at $15,000, your friendly local contractor, Mr. Perovich estimated the cost at $30,000 and Mr. Silva wanted to charge, $26,000.00. Traffic control consists of guys standing around in hard hats and colorful vests, i.e. “flaggers.”

Regardless, the bids were then rejected. We don’t know if Public Works has gone back into negotiations or not since the Barrone announcement and insistence on “getting on with it” in terms of finding and filling potholes and fixing the streets. As for the above information, it will become more relevant as Friction follows the “fix” in other road cases, where nobody was looking and the Public Works Department made sweetheart deals with local contractors.

There’s more, much more about the way taxpayer money has subsidized and enriched private contractors, the ones who have been paid. Some haven’t been paid despite doing emergency work for the Town. We’re curious about the “great grease trap” controversy at Graham’s Grill and whether that contractor was paid?

Does the Council know? Is the Director of Public Works accountable? Or is the Council accountable to the Public Works Director? We’re only asking.