Work Session of the Otero County Commission, January 12, 9 am and "informational" meeting the same day called by Commissioner Herrell to gather information on tire recycling operation/ Chaparral which I will report on later as it was very lengthy.

You may view the Work Session when it is posted at http://www.alamogordolive.net/. The meeting was approximately 3 hours. The tire recycling meeting was approximately 2 hours and not recorded by Alamogordo Live. You may read the agenda and related documents at http://www.co.otero.nm.us/.

The Regular Meeting is Thursday, January 27 at 1:00 pm. This is a departure from the last evening meetings. If this is a hardship for you, you need to contact your commissioner and let him/her know. I voiced my opinion in opposition for those who have regular jobs.

1. High Desert Landfill was first approved by the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) in 2002. After a voluntary agreement between Colonias Development Council/Otero County/EIB and Waste Connections (2007), a new location of 325 acres has been purchased from the State. This site will utilize 244 acres with 11 cells with liners. The profiles of the filled cells are said to be approximately 100' high and not visable from Chaparral. The final permit is expected April 2012.

2. Greg Smeltzer, Acting Supervisor was in attendance with David Warnack, to discuss with commissioners possible projects for the $257K (some question about the actual number)available for forest projects. Some proposed projects are ongoing and others are new. The list is due by February 25. It was suggested that the commission and the FS agree on a final list and work together to get approval.

3. Dr. Alex Thal is at a cross-roads and needed direction from the commission on how they want the update to the Otero County Resource Management Plan noticed to the public, i.e. at one location or to go out to various locations.

4. Marie Vallejos, with three other representatives present in favor of Otero Mesa being designated as a National Monument, addressed the commission. Ms. Vallejos and Terry (?) were advised that the commission has taken action in the form of an ordinance to prohibit this action. This ordinance came as a result of a lengthy public hearing where opposition to the designation as overwhelming.

5. James Ray (?) addressed the commission asking it to consider repair of appriximately 20 miles of paved/chip sealed NM 506 just north of the Texas border. I am speculating that with 255 miles of paved roads to maintain in the county, that this will take awhile.

6. Lou Wilkerson and Charles Walker asked that the county pave one more mile at Sixteen Springs. Apparently, the county was not able to do it last year and every mile helps with the mud, dust and washboards.

Bill Mershon of the Soil and Conservation District wants to complete a study and needs $208K and it was suggested that this might be a part of the RAC discussion in 2 above.

7. Internal promotions will be the topic of a public hearing, 9 am, January 27th.

8. Chairman Rardin asked to be the replacement, Commissioner Herrell to be alternate, for NM Counties Insurance Authority Multi-line Pool Board. Voted and passed.

Next numbers 9-19 are Consent Agenda items, meaning the commissioners can take one vote at the Regular Meeting for all actions unless someone disagrees and wants to discuss the item. We were told that now Consent Agenda items can only be pulled at the Work Session unless you are a commissioner. In the past, anyone could question an item at both the Work Sessions and the Regular Meetings. If I misheard or got this wrong, I am sure I will hear.

I have not done all the research needed on the Consent Agenda items, so will move on to Commissioners' Reports:

Commissioner Rardin showed pictures of unlawful dumping of trash and talked of possibilities to curb the behavior and the need to get this cleaned up quickly.

Commissioner Herrell is now the commission representative on The Committee of 50. He announced a tire recycling meeting later in the day. I attended and will report.

Topics for Executive Session [not listed on original schedule]:

Pending/Threatened Litigation [Dan Bryant]; Personnel Issues (1) Public Works Director (2) Commission Liaison; Contracts [Dan Bryant] 1. Weed Community Center