Southern New Mexico Common Cause
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
· Meeting Location: J.W. Flours Restaurant, Las Cruces, NM 88001
· Members Attending: (10)
John Bloom, Alex Burr, Steve Carter, Lynn Ellins, Dolores Halls, Woodie Jenkins, Jim Kadlecek, John Lazaruk, Mike McCamley, and Charles Welch.
Members Not Attending: (8)
Phil Banks, Mary Ballard, Gus Bigelow, Steve Fischmann, Rose Garcia, Ron Gurley, Vicki Simons and. Tamie Smith..
Guests
Mrs Jenkins
1. Call to Order: Lynn Ellins called the meeting to order at 11:46 AM.
.2. Approval of April Meeting Minutes:
The April 2007 meeting minutes were approved by voice vote.
3. Announcements: None.
4. Projects:
A. Board of County Commissioners – (Charles Welch) The dumping trash was the subject of four meetings. Jesse Williams (the Public Relations Officer for DAC) said that there was no mission statement for the County Waste Management. The commissioners determined the mission of Waste Management. The State Constitution states the DAC mission and the County follows it. (Jim Kadlecek) He said that Strategic Planning, when it is finished, will have a Mission. His question was “Does the Budget Follow anything?” (Charles Welch) He followed up on Charging of Fees for the disposal of Trash. He stated things to consider are sunk costs and budget cycles among others. (Jim Kadlecek) He ended the comments with the fact that we [SNMCC] will ask for a copy of the DAC Budget.
B. City Council (LAS CRUCES) - None.
C. Board of Education (LCPS) - None
D. NMSU Board of Regents – (John Bloom) See Attached Reports (2). (Lynn Ellins) He said, regarding the reports, that it looks like the Regents are back to where they were before, regarding the Open Meetings Act. He said that we (SNMCC) will talk to Bob Johnson about the matter. The cost was mentioned. It will cost no more. During the lunch with Steve Anaya, the disclosure about the Closed Sessions of the Regents was made. (Jim Kadlecek) He mentioned the fact that the Regents won’t act unless they are forced to do it. (Alex Burr) He mentioned that nothing required public input by the Regents. (Jim Kadlecek) He stated that we will encourage them to allow public input. (Lynn Ellins) He mentioned again that we (SNMCC) will go to Bob Johnson. (Jim Kadlecek) He mentioned that Laura Coniff, the current Chair of the Regents, said that we (SNMCC) did everything right.
5. Old Business
A. Annual Luncheon - Lynn Ellins will not be there. Steve Carter will function as his replacement. It will be “pay-at-the-door” and it will be from 11:30 to 1:00.(Steve Carter) He said the space will only hold 100 Persons. [First Come, First (served) ”Let In.” It will be a Buffet Lunch cost $15.00 per person. The Luncheon will be at the Mesilla Valley Inn [Best Western]. (Lynn Ellins) He stated that he wrote a letter to Attorney General Bruce King thanking him for his agreement to speak at the SNMCC Annual Luncheon and he will write a letter to the SUN~NEWS (publicity). The letter to the Attorney General also informed him of the time and place for the Luncheon. (McCamley) He stated that the LOWV, PVA, and The Las Cruces Board of Councilors would be invited to attend the Luncheon. Mary Ballard, Tamie Smith, John Lazaruk and Mike McCamley will/can/may take the money at the door. There will be no head table and Jim Kadlecek will help out.
B. Achievements – We in Southern New Mexico had a lot to do with the law about Public Financing of Elections. (Mike McCamley) He stated that Bill McCamley is on the Ethics Committee.
C. VI Meeting on DAC Budget Project – The Focus of the DAC budget is on Road Maintenance. FTEs are missing and there was no new positions in the budget.
6. New Business – (Jim Kadlecek) he brought up the fact that 140 subdivisions are planned. (Lynn Ellins) stated that a Joint Project between the City of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County and the New Mexico State University, concerning the Master Plan [for the entire County], was ongoing.
7. Next Regular Meeting: July 18, 2007.
8. Adjournment: Lynn Ellins adjourned the meeting at 12:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael McCamley
SNMCC Board Secretary
Date Approved and Signed