In addition, volunteers are always needed to help with parking, registration, and course monitoring.  If you’d like to help, please contact Margaret Alexander at cmmalexander@cybermesa.com

In support of National Heart Month the Santa Fe County Mobile Health Van is offering free total Cholesterol testing during the month of February.  The Mobile Health Van offers a variety of services to residents 18 years of age or older at multiple locations around Santa Fe County.  The van is in operation Tuesday through Saturday and all services provided are free to residents. To view the full Santa Fe County Mobile Health Van February schedule please visit www.santafecounty.org/community_services/hhsd/mhv

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

Staff 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.santafecounty.org/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.santafecounty.org/ordinances_and_resolutions once they are recorded.

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

A small red 2 door car license plate KBZ 364 with two males inside parked on the road at 155 Tano on Dec 26. I was returning from a run when I saw one of the men walking out of my driveway. I stopped the car as it was leaving and asked the men if I could help them, and they gave me the “we are looking for odd jobs” line. Interesting thing was they never actually knocked on the door to ask, as there were people in the house at the time.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. Dec 27 A LARGE WHITE VAN with New Mexico plates drove onto our property , 237 Tano Rd. The van drove right up to our garage. I flipped on some lights and it quickly drove away. I have notified the Santa Fe Police Dept. they said they will patrol the area at night for the next 2 weeks.

After putting out my garbage, I noticed about an hour later that someone had taken my bag of paper intended for recycling. Just another warning about identity theft, be careful out there!

Jeff Kosberg and Jerri Udelson (of Tanoito Rd.) and Steven and Mitzi Maras (of Tano Rd.) will be collecting food and other items and cash contributions for the SF Food Depot.

There is a huge need for food and other items this year.  According to the Food Depot, there is an increased need and a decrease in donations this year.

We will be at the Camino de los Montoyas U.S. Mail Postboxes on Tano Rd. on Saturday, December 10 from 10:30 AM to noon.  We will collect bags and boxes of food and checks payable to “The Food Depot” which will be picked up at noon on Saturday by a truck from the Food Depot.

If you prefer to mail a check directly to the Food Depot, the address is 1222 Siler Road, SF 87507.  Please put “Tano Rd. Assn.” on the check so that the TRA can get credit for your contribution.

Suggested items:
Non-food items such as hygiene or paper products
Baby items, infant formulas and baby food
Paper goods, personal care items and household items (e.g. laundry detergent)
Canned fruits & veggies
Milk – dried or evaporated
Soups – canned & dried
Peanut butter
Canned meats
Canned juices
Cereal, oatmeal
Stuffing mixes
Beans – canned and dried
Raisins and other dried fruit
Canned yams, canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce
White flour & cornmeal
Mac & cheese dinners
Canned and dried pasta
Spaghetti and tomato sauces

If you are unable to drop off donations on December 10, we will be happy to pick up items from your home if you call us to make arrangements.

For more information, contact Jerri Udelson at (505) 992-0055.  Thank you so much.

Beth Beloff
Polaris Road
505 467-8143 (home)
beth@bethbeloff.com