CITY COUNCIL MEETING WORKSHOP Wednesday, April 2, 2014

CITY COUNCIL MEETING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
103 Water St. Elephant Butte, NM 87935
MINUTES
Mayor Eunice Kent called the workshop to order at 1:00 PM. Councilor Sarah Stagner was not in attendance.
Water & Wastewater Deposit Fee Discussion
Superintendent Dean Banks and Utility Clerk Susanah Sivage presented Council with a presentation overview of the current
and proposed fee structure for homeowners and renters. Councilor Stagner at the previous Council meeting has requested
this item be discussed. Items that were discussed were:
1. Current and proposed Administration Fees
2. Current and proposed Deposits for Homeowners and Renters
a. It was noted that Renters do not have the sewer bill in their name because service can't be terminated
like it can for water services
3. Current and proposed connection fees
4. Late fees for sewer bills
The proposed pricing structure reduces the fees associated, with the exception of having a higher deposit for Renters
acquiring water service. Currently the City has risk and exposure because a percentage of renters' deposits do not cover the
cost of their last water bill (due to late or no payment in certain cases).
Banks and Sivage briefed the Council and the current situation and recommendations, which includes reducing the fees
significantly, but raise the renter deposit, whith will only be refunded at the time of disconnect/termination of service.
At the conclusion of the discussion, City Manager Briley indicated that an ordinance would be needed, which will require
fifteen (15) days' notice. The earliest the ordinance could be acted upon will be the first Council meeting in May.
The agenda item "Boards & Committee Assignments" was postponed until the action item at the regular meeting.
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The Mayor closed the workshop at 1:55 PM with a 5 minute break prior to the regular meeting•
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REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 2, 2014 2:00 P.M.
103 Water St. Elephant Butte, NM 87935
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kent called the Regular Meeting to order at 2:00 PM, Councilor Skinner lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL- Rose Garretson, City Clerk called the roll. Councilor Stagner was absent; all other Councilors were present.
STATEMENT OF OPEN MEETINGS RESOLUTION AND THREE. MINUTE LIMIT PER SPEAKER ON ALL ISSUES
PUBLIC INPUT - None
PRESENTATIONS - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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The agenda was amended to remove the Executive Session. Councilor Rogers moved to approved the amended
agenda. Councilor Lafont seconded; the motion carried.
m MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS m
Mayor's Report - The Mayor reported to the Council that she had attended an SJOA presentation which included a
proclamation and recognition of volunteers.
She summarized the New Mexico True Tour which had taken place the previous Friday, hosted by Secretary Monique
Jacobson at the Elephant Butte Inn. Nathan LaFont will be attending the International Pow-Wow tourism conference in
Chicago, IL
The Mayor also thanked City Planner Bradford Dyjak for the Spaceport Corridor Plan document that he had created as a
conceptual planning tool for a strategic meeting the week before.
The Mayor also told Council that the City of Elephant Butte's Veteran's Park or "presence" would not interfere or compete
with the Veteran's Museum in Truth or Consequences. The park is in direct response to requests from the citizens of
Elephant Butte. She also mentioned County Commissioner Bobby Allen said they are having difficulty staffing the Veteran's
Museum with volunteers. The Mayor agreed to spread the word. They also require approximately $80,000 to repair the
Vietnam wall, which is sustaining weather-related damage.
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The Mayor asked City Manager Briley to include thefunding need as a topic during budget discussions.
Councilor Rogers - The Councilor summarized the meetings he and City Manager Briley have had with SCRDA. He described
them as "lengthy", and consensus had been reached on several items, but they were still discussing the budget. There were
several possibilities for assignment offunding, but none have been agreed upon or put in the draft document which will
require review and approval before implementation.
Concern was voiced over the expense of SCRDA having their attorney present for the entire duration of every meeting
(estimated to be approximately 13 hours recently). The Mayor urged that the attorney situation be addressed, as well as
getting:
1.
2.
A good budget
Report on the calls and dispatch efforts (some require more effort)
Currently the software has limitations on logging the efforts. In the interim is was asked if the responders could create a log
and write things down?
Councilor Lafont - No report
Councilor Skinner - Councilor Skinner reported on the Spaceport Corridor meeting and the activities with Tourism to
further create a destination.
Virgin Galactic had a public meeting that the Councilor had attended. A list of business opportunities have been createdr
offering opportunities for community businesses. She estimated 75 -100 people attended the meeting.
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The Councilor also said that New Mexico Tourism is having an event grant. The event grant is not a co-op grant, but fully
funded and does not have to be reimbursed. Clerk Garretson is investigating.
New Mexico Tourism and the Secretary had a tour on the Lake. They were very impressed with the experience.
BOARDS AND COMMITTEE APOINTMENTS - The Mayor informed the Council that Board member Terry Dalrymple has
resigned from the Board, being concerned with his role as Alternate Municipal Judge. The Mayor recommended Paula
Baker as a replacement.
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Councilor Rogers made the motion that Paula Baker be appointed to the Lodger's Tax Board. Gerald La Font
seconded; the motion carried.
MANAGER'S REPORT rn
City Manager Briley gave the floor to City Planner Dyjak.
Citv Planner - City Planner Dyjak briefed the Council on the activities associated with P&Z, and provided them a
memo of current projects, tasks and accomplishments.
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Dyjak told the Council that the Sunset Ridge Rd. damage will have FEMA reimbursement to offset a
percentage of the costs.
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He told Council that he and City Manager Briley had attended a grant writing training last week.
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A season worker solicitation has been published. A second worker will be added in July
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He requested the Council consider being available for joint workshops to be held to get the Comprehensive
Plan moving.
The Mayor asked Dyjak to organize and prioritize the list to keep the meeting(s) efficient.
City Clerk - Garretson spoke about the Tourism Grant, and requirements for the tiered levels of funding,
Garretson thanked the City Manager for spearheading a different internet service provider and network .upgrades
for the City.
Garretson then passed out a draft Flag Day poster, which was approved for distribution by Council.
City Manager Briley-The City Manager reviewed the current project on Rock Canyon Rd. and gave an update. The current
work is scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day. Other information included:
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Water Trust Board - received final approval for the specifications on the Booster Well. Bidding ;;hould be able to
occur in approximately two (2) months.
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Final Inspection on the Sludge Beds had taken place, and the work "looks good". The Polymer Injection is on back
order.
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District Meeting - Briley talked about the "hold harmless" legislation, and that the City of Elephant Butte is under
the 10,000 population threshold, so funding will be unaffected. Also, the Self Insurer's Fund will not have an
increase.
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A Hospital Board Meeting was scheduled for April 3, 2014
CONSENT ITEMS (Routine items) - Approval of Minutes - March 4, 2014
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Councilor Lafont motioned to approve the minutes and Councilor Skinner seconded. The motion carried.
REGULAR ITEMS
Community Center Exercise Agreement - City Manager Briley described the past agreement (January- March) with the
exercise group at the Community Center. A new Agreement was proposed, with a streamlined pricing system for easier
reconciliation.
+ Councilor LaFont made a motion to approve the new Agreement. Councilor Rogers seconded. The motion
passed.
Lodger's Tax Funding Awards-The City Manager asked the Council to approve funding for the Chili Cook-off, with the new
70% - 30% split.
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Councilor Skinner motioned to approve the funding with a 70/30 split, Councilor Rogers seconded. The motion
carried.
NM Tourism Grant Amount-The City Manager reviewed the funding requirements and asked the Council the level of
grant they wished to pursue. A discussion indicated the full $40,000.
Boards and Committee Assignments-The Mayor asked the Council to table the Board and Committee Assignments until
the next meeting, on April 16, when Councilor Stagner could participate.
Councilor Lafont motioned to postpone the Board and Committee Assignments until April 16, 2014, Councilor
Rogers seconded. The motion carried.
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ADJOURNMENT
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Councilor Lafont moved to adjourn; Councilor Rogers seconded.
Motion carried. 3:34 PM
Minutes adopted at the regular meeting on April 16"d, 2014
Rose Garretson, City Clerk
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