Two interesting items in tomorrow’s (Tuesday, August 23) regular meeting for Mayor and Taos Town Council’s agenda are related to the new Taos Eco Park

The first item is about threatened litigation about Taos Eco Park, and because it involves attorney-client privilege, will be conducted in executive session.

The other item is consideration and approval of a roughly $23,000 (twenty-three thousand dollar) contract to Living Group Designs to review and prepare additional paperwork related to the construction of Taos Eco Park.

 Following a presentation of a study for new police department facility by Don May, of Rohde May Keller Mcnamara Architecture -- along with Town of Taos Police Department Chief Rick Anglada – Taos Mayor Darren Cordova and Council agreed that a new facility makes more sense than trying to retrofit the Mary B. Medina Building at their regular meeting Tuesday.

May’s study concluded that it would be nearly as expensive to redesign the older facility as it would be to start from scratch. So after comparing all advantages and disadvantages, what appears to make the most sense to the Mayor and Council at this time is to build a new facility -- given the architect's evaluation.

 Town of Taos has rescinded fire restrictions imposed since June 15.  Administrative Fire Chief Eric Montoya requested that Council keep up the push with the State Legislature to allow local jurisdictions to have their own fireworks restrictions.

He also wanted to make recommendations concerning the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge in the pursuit of increased safety.

Mayor Darren Cordova said Representative Carlos Cisneros has taken up that issue, so he and council will be drawing up a resolution later, and he said Chief Montoya’s concerns and suggestions would be passed along.

 Although the exact details of the five-year lease agreement are still under review, the Town of Taos Central Dispatch will be moving to Kit Carson Electric Cooperative new Regional Command Center on Gusdorf.

Councilors Amy Quintana and Gene Sanchez votes against the move. Quintana said the town couldn’t afford the move and Sanchez said there were too may vague things about the lease at the Special meeting of the Town of Taos Mayor and Council Monday (Aug. 8).

Councilors Mike Silva and Rudy Abeyta voted in favor of the move. Mayor Cordova cast the tie-breaker in favor and said the move will cost around $50,000.

Since the lease for the center is still under review, there may be adjustments as to the total number of square feet the Town will occupy, which will determine the final lease details.