1. The pet of the week was presented. Pet adoption fee is $75 which includes neutering, shots, and implanting of a microchip
2. The US Corps of Engineers made a presentation on the ecosystem restoration and ancillary recreation of the 700 acres behind the Las Cruces flood control dam. The period 2006-2011 was the feasibility study period and cost $1.2 million. 2011-2013 will be the design and implementation phase estimated to be $2-3 million (depending on option and available funding).
· The goals for this project are to increase riparian and wetland habitat, Increase diversity of native vegetation, and decrease wind and water erosion. The goal of creating a sediment trap was removed as cost prohibitive. The plan will add cottonwood and willow trees and other native plants, grasses, and bulrushes.
· The Corps of Engineers recommended three plans. Two were considered “best buys” and one was considered cost effective. Option 2 would include arroyo enhancement and stabilization and cost $460,000. Option 9 would include everything in option 2 plus include a one acre wetland at a cost of $1.4 million. Option 4 (recommended option) included everything in options 2 and 9 plus enhancing the playas in three areas at a cost of $1.6 million.
· The recreation plan would add an information type kiosk at the North and South ends of the area, 2 wildlife viewing blinds (one near the T-Time property and the other behind the commercial development on the southern end of Roadrunner Parkway, enhanced trails system and 2 or 3 bridges over the drainage canals.
· Construction would tentatively begin in October 2011.
· The City would have to provide 25% matching funds which can be in-kind work or be funded through flood control funds. Additionally the City will have to acquire all the mineral rights within the property.
· All Councilors and Mike Johnson, Director of Public Works recommended option #4. No public input was allowed.
· Councilor Sorg supports option #4 and commended Nancy Stotts for all her work. He was concerned about the off road vehicles and wants their use prohibited. Additionally, he wants the City to impose upstream sediment trap plans. He claimed “Birding” is now the #1 sport in America and that it provides a $517 million economic impact to New Mexico and will bring economic prosperity to Las Cruces.
· Councilor Connor supports option #4 but wants the T-Time property included in the plan.
· Councilor Silva said he used that area 2-3 times a week and believes it should be considered our “central or Premier Park” and was concerned that option #4 did not go far enough because it did not include soccer fields. He opposes bicycles on the trails on top of the dam and wants to include equestrian access to the plan.
· Councilor Small also supports option 4 and wants to insure it maintains natural spaces.
· NOTE: No one discussed the impact of the increased traffic on Roadrunner Parkway or parking in the High Range Neighborhood as a result of the increased use of this area.
4. The Bus Stop signage was presented by City Public Services Director Lori Grumet. The City already has an approved and funded project to upgrade all the Bus Stop signs and now wants to assist the visually impaired by identifying all the Bus Stops with square sign poles. American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds are available. There are 255 sign poles that need to be retrofitted at a cost of $75 each.
· CC Connor wants the poles removed from any Bus Stop that has a shelter.
· Councilor Silva wanted to know if square poles are industry standard and was informed that there is no standard but only the recommendation of the Easter Seals Foundation which works on these issues. All the work will be contracted out. He also wanted to know how many of seeing impaired used the Bus system. He was informed that the City did not have a way of capturing that information. He was concerned that there are other areas that could be better served by ARRA dollars.
· Councilor Sorg wanted to know how a square pole helped identify it as a Bus Stop. He obviously had not been listening to the presentation because it had been clearly explained that seeing impaired individuals use their hands to feel the pole. He also questioned if this was the best use of ARRA funding and was informed it was funded under ARRA transit funds.
· Councilor Small wanted to know where the majority of Para-transit calls come from? Public Services Department is trying to develop a scatter diagram to reflect their calls. Para-transit calls cost approximately $20 each while standard bus costs are approximately $4 per rider.
· The Council agreed to install square poles
5. Burn Lake Phase II.
· $400,000 is available for phase II options.
· Option 1 would be to install lighting on the soccer fields at a cost between $350,000-$400,000 and would have budget impact for annual maintenance
· Option 2 would be a general park renovations that would add walking paths around the park, site furnishing, and trees..
· Option 3 concerned Regulating water level, installing reservoir pumps, and filtration systems to improve and control water quality. Total cost for this project exceed the funds available and would require additional State funding grants
Council Comments:
· Councilor Small questioned if lighting the soccer fields shouldn’t be a higher priority. Consolidation of agencies but recommended option #2 due to return on investment considerations and it is a better strategy to obtain State funds for the follow-on option #3.
· Councilor Pedroza thinks the project should proceed with option 3 first because “bodies of water make it attractive to the public which will increase their use of the park”
· Councilor Connor wanted to know if the El Molino drainage project (flood control and discharge into Burn Lake) included the cost of the spillway. Asst City Manger Garza said it did. The spillway will also provide filtration. Burn Lake is #2 on the City priority list at a cost of $3.4 million. She recommended Option #2 because it shows the State we are working to improve Burn Lake
· Councilor Sorg wants solar panels installed in the parking lot to provide lighting to the fields even though he isn’t sure it will be cost effective.
· Mayor Pro Tem Thomas personally prefers option #1 but reluctantly supports option #2 because it is best for the public
· Councilor Silva supports option #1 to install the soccer field lighting first and wants a cost benefit analysis for each option before it comes back to the Council
· Director Denmark said he would rather have more fields in the City than lighting the fields at Burn Lake. He stated that the City could use park impact fees to add lights to new parks but not Burn Lake. Reinstallation of lights could be accomplished through the City’s sinking fund account. Elephant Butte Irrigation will provide “pass through water” for recreational purposes. State Representative Gutierrez was working with the City to get funding to support increasing the water level and quality in Burn Lake. The request is due March 2011 and hopefully available in July 2011
· Option 2 was approved by a vote of 5-1.
6. City Public Works Director Mike Johnson gave a presentation on ADA improvements in the Downtown revitalization project. Total upgrades will cost approximately $990,000 and many of them will be accomplished in conjunction with other improvements projects. Water Street ($375,000) and Church Street ($150,000) will be on hold until the streets are changed back to 2-way traffic. The City can also use TIDD funds for projects within the TIDD. Additionally the City is applying for Tiger II funds. The City currently does not have an inventory of the ADA needs of the City.
· Councilor Sorg believes the TIDD should be the appropriate funding source
· Councilor Connor doesn’t want the City to use State MAP or Co-op funds for downtown ADA improvements because it has other funding sources. Districts 2-3-4 do not have any other funding sources and should have priority on the MAP/Co-op funds for their ADA projects.
· Councilor Pedroza agreed with Councilor Connor
· Councilor Silva was concerned that the ADA projects in his district have not been completed. Solano Street still needs to be completed from Cactus to N.Main. He recommended the City establish and follow a priority list.
7. The meeting was called to recess at 4:35 pm.
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