Southern New Mexico Common Cause
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
· Meeting Location: J.W. Flours Restaurant, Las Cruces, NM 88001
· Members Attending:
Mary Ballard, Phil Banks, Alex Burr, Steve Carter, Woodie Jenkins, Jim Kadlecek, Mike McCamley, Tamie Smith and Charles Welch
Members Not Attending:
Jane Asche, Gus Bigelow, John Bloom, Mary Ann Digman, Lynn Ellins, Rose Garcia, Ron Gurley, Delores Halls, Vicki Simons, and Vanessa Quiroz
Visitors
Fran Clark (LOWV), Paul Klop (PhD), Don Kurtz (PVA) and Don Lazerak
1. Call to Order: Steve Carter called the meeting to order at 12:07 PM.
2. Don Kurtz from the Progressive Voter Alliance (PVA) spoke on what the PVA is and invited us to an election official ‘Roundtable’ to be held on Thursday November 10th, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Munson Senior Center. We, SNMCC, are urged to speak at the ‘Roundtable’ to / for elected officials. [The next regular meeting of the PVA is at 7:00 PM on November 27th.]
Jim Kadlecek has three (3) issues to speak to (possibly) at the upcoming PVA ‘Roundtable.’ They are; The Public Finance Committee, Closed Meetings at the State Level of Conference Committees (Public Sessions have the motions voted on and passed unanimously) and Voter IDs.
3. Introductions and Agenda Approval/Changes:
Introductions were made or all knew each other.
Alex Burr will address the Healthcare Forum at PBS / NMSU on October 24th in the New Business Section at #8 below.
The meeting Agenda was then approved by voice vote.
4. Approval of August Meeting Minutes:
The September meeting minutes were amended and approved by voice vote.
5. Projects:
A. MMC - Jim Kadlecek
No meeting was held. Commissioner McCamley asked some of the “MMC” questions to MMC . The ‘oversight’ question is an issue that hasn’t been resolved.
B. City Charter and The City Election - Woodie Jenkins
The six items that change the Las Cruces Charter will be on the ballot in the November city election. It is anticipated that all six will pass. The letter by Lynn Ellins may have been sent. It should be corrected but maybe it is a moat point because of time.
C. NMSU Regents
We sent another email to the NMSU attorney with no response at this time. Maybe we push it at “State” meeting on November 5th. Maybe we push it with an attorney. It was moved to do this. It was seconded and passed by voice vote.
D. Dona Ana County - Charles Welch
Steve Carter reiterated that Lynn Ellins is an alternate member on the ‘ad hoc committee’ of the ETZ to rewrite the zoning ordinance.
Charlie Welsh stated that the County Board attempted to establish two (2) 1/16% tax increases for both the Corrections Office and the Sheriff’s Department. The one for the Sheriff’s Department would be undesignated and Commissioner Curry questioned if it would be designated for the Sheriff’s Department? The County will have additional funds available when they move into the new facility (Sheriff’s Department moves-in before the others). The Sheriff’s Department will not have to spend money to lease and maintain the older building when they move-in. Jim Kadlecek added that maybe they need a Management Analysis.
E. Las Cruces School Board - Phil Banks
The Las Cruces School Board (LCSB) held three (3) closed sessions about Superintendent Martinez. They negotiated a mutually agreed upon parting of the ways (Superintendent’s release). The Ogas instance started the release issue.
6. Report on last State Board Meeting
The State Common Cause organization will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, November 5th.
The meeting will discuss the New Mexico Legislative Agenda.
7. Website - Alex Burr. The Website has been updated.
8. New Business
Alex Burr stated that a Healthcare Forum would be held at 7:30 PM on October 24, 2005 in Milton Hall (KRWG – PBS). The Forum will consist of a panel with questions from the audience. It will include the overall Federal and State view toward revising (or a review of) the current Healthcare System. There will be no fixed agenda. The Forum will be taped for showing on Thursday, November 10, 2005.
9. Next Regular Meeting: November 16, 2005
10. Adjournment: Steve Carter adjourned the meeting at 1:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael McCamley
SNMCC Board Secretary
Date Approved and Signed