City of Santa Fe Occupancy Tax Advisory Board met Jan. 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
1. CALL TO ORDER
10:01 AM
2. ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Member Aurore Bleck
Member Hope Reed
Member Kendra Garcia
Member Kathlyne Gish
Member Pam Parfitt
Member Angelique Montoya-Chavez
Member Meriam Jawhar
Member Jose "Eli" Fresquez
Members Excused:
Member Victor Hughes
Others Attending:
Tom Graham, ADA Coordinator
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Member Parfitt moved, seconded by Member Bleck, to approve the agenda as presented.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Reed, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Montoya-Chavez, Member Jawhar, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. December 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Member Bleck moved, seconded by Member Reed, to approve the December 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes as amended.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Reed, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Montoya Chavez, Member Jawhar, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: None
Chair Gish pointed out two typographical errors that were corrected by Mr. Graham.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS (15 MINUTES TOTAL)
a. Public Comments from Website
No public comments were received on the website.
All Public Attendees should sign in on chat for the record to be able to reflect their attendance at this meeting and if you wish to speak, please raise your virtual hand and you will be recognized and allowed to speak.
Public Attendees for this meeting were:
Anne Marsh – Available for questions during discussion of Santa Fe Reporter article to be discussed. Tom Andrews – Available for Noise Ordinance discussion.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. None
7. ACTION ITEMS: DISCUSSION
a. Noise Ordinance issues that require revision to current requirements (Pam Parfitt)
MOTION: Member Garcia moved, seconded by Member Reed, to approve the motion to compose a letter to the Police Chief.and Mayor to support enforcement of the Noise Ordinance composed by Member Parfitt and her subcommittee.
VOTE: The motion was approved on the following Roll Call vote:
For: Member Bleck, Member Reed, Member Garcia, Member Gish, Member Parfitt, Member Jawhar, Member Fresquez
Against: None
Abstain: Member Montoya-Chavez
Member Parfitt and Mr. Andrews discussed the need for enforcement through the Santa Fe Police Department. Seven points were brought to the MCD for information: 1) Police officers need (and currently don’t have) sound detecting meters. 2) The community needs education on noise level hazards over time and Police Officers need training on the existing Noise Ordinance. 3) There needs to be more officers hired, so they are available to enforce the ordinance. This could be partly accomplished by allowing retired officers to rejoin the force without losing their retirement benefits. 4) Increase signing bonus for new officers to $20K. 5) Employ unmanned speed vans and equip them with sound meters. 6) More efficient processing of constituent traffic calming requests by City (providing speed humps and speed vans). 7) Revise current Noise Ordinance to reflect $200 for first offense and $500 for subsequent offenses.
Member Bleck suggested the MCD send a letter to improve the health of citizens and visitors.
Mr. Graham mentioned that the initial task for this concern was to revise the existing Noise Ordinance to levels that would be enforceable and that draft legislative changes were put forth with Member Parfitt to secure a sponsor for the changes.
Member Parfitt mentioned that the sponsor required extended research to make changes to the existing ordinance, so the immediate concern is now focused on enforcement.
Member Fresquez mentioned the possibility of presenting this concern to the Quality of Life Committee. Member Parfitt also mentioned that solar powered electronic speed signs are very helpful with traffic calming.
Member Parfitt asked if the MCD (specifically her subcommittee) has the ability to reach out directly to the police department to educate them on the hazards and need for enforcement.
Chair Gish stated the we (the MCD) can educate them on things that effect the community related to disabilities and make suggestions, but we don’t have the authority to tell them what to do in the matter of hiring and bonuses. We can make suggestions, but not create policy.
Member Reed suggested (if possible) to provide, in addition to electronic speed signs, electronic sound signage that can detect noise levels and will create awareness for the community.
Member Bleck suggested that some motorists might want to brag about how high they could get the meter to go.
b. Continuation reviewing 2019-2020 MCD Priorities and beginning process to update priorities for 2022 - (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish shared draft list of MCD Priorities to discuss changes needed. She requested members to Email her any desired changes that should be included with their subcommittees or in general.
Chair Gish added a priority requirement for ADA crosswalks to be cleared of snow and ice. Photographs were shared of unacceptable conditions.
Mr, Graham shared these photos with City staff when first seen from Chair Gish and was informed that the City sent out staff for another attempt to clear the barriers identified in the photos.The City is also experiencing the same employee shortages as everyone else during the pandemic, but the Streets Maintenance Department is diligently doing their best to clear and maintain safe operation of City streets. The Department Director suggested reporting situations like these to the City website on the Constituent Services Report & Request webpage (www.santafenm.gov/report_a_problem) to create a work order that can be supplemented with photos also. Complaints or requests can also be be received at the Streets Division Customer Service telephone number (505) 955-2411.
Member Fresquez stated that snow removal is an important issue for people with disabilities and that there should be a public outreach to businesses. He said it is okay to go through community channels to file complaints, but for tracking purposes as disability issues, it might be better served as a Grievance.
Chair Gish and Vice Chair Garcia discussed private businesses plowing snow into their accessible parking spaces.
Mr. Graham emphasized the need for public education to inform businesses how they are violating ADA requirements. Through requests to him, he can educate the management , or through the Report & Request module on the website mentioned previously, a Notice Of Violation might be issued, which can be an actionable way to see results.
Vice Chair Garcia and Member Fresquez agreed to campaign to educate the public under their Core Advisory Group subcommittee.
Member Parfitt expressed the importance of all disability related education.
Member Montoya Chavez expressed her appreciation of Santa Fe businesses. In her experience, if a disability issue is brought to management and businesses, they want to be inclusive and fix the wrongs. Kindness goes a long way and sometimes just requires bringing it to someone’s attention, that’s how change happens.
Member Jawhar also expressed the importance of educating businesses.
Chair Gish stated that her issue is more concerned with streets and will be added to the MCD priority list.
Chair Gish brought attention to the Santa Fe Reporter article Downtown (In)access that focused on Santa Fe constituent Anne Marsh.
Ms. Marsh was in attendance and stated that she is pleased with the work of the Committee and asked if the MCD could educate through presentations to other City committees.
Mr. Graham informed the MCD that a Notice of Violation was issued by the City to the Property Owner where Ms. Marsh fell, as a result of this article.
Member Fresquez stated that now is an opportune time to go after potential state and federal funding for the City, homeowners and businesses to work together at removing some of these barriers in the public right of way.
Member Reed asked about the transition plan for the city.
Member Bleck mentioned that an extensive plan was done that prioritized each barrier identified.
Mr. Graham provided a link to the City website for the Transition Plan and GEO Mapping of Barriers. https://www.santafenm.gov/transition_plan is the address and if you click on the PROW Transition Plan GIS Map, you will access the mapping of the barriers.
Chair Gish will be organizing and prioritizing this (along with any comments she receives) to be a functional 2022-2023 MCD Priorities Draft.
c. Mayor’s Committee on Disability (MCD) webpage - review and update content - (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish requested suggestions or thoughts to include on the MCD webpage that would make it more friendly, accessible, inclusive and more expressive of what the MCD does as a committee, so she can prepare a draft for the next meeting.
Mr. Graham added the 2022 MCD schedule of meetings to the website to ensure people were aware when the meetings are occurring and information how to access them.
Member Reed suggested showing accomplishments that have been successfully completed within town and she will send examples of her suggestions to Chair Gish.
Mr. Graham mentioned that he can add links to the website and request additional subpages added to the MCD webpage.
Member Fresquez recommended adding accessibility statement to the page and having an accessibility assessment done.
Mr. Graham said he would like to eventually bring a specialist to review and make adjustments for the entire City website.
Chair Gish and Member Fresquez agree that the City website should be accessible.
Vice Chair Garcia suggested adding local disability organizations to the MCD website.
Mr. Graham identified that the MCD produced National and Local pamphlets that are available on the Disability Links webpage, but could also be added to the MCD webpage.
d. Discussion for best method to request representation for the Open Meetings Act (OMA) needs of the MCD not being addressed by the current situation without legal attendance - (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish asked Member Fresquez whether he had any success contacting the Attorney General’s Office for training and mentioned that she needs to get with Member Fresquez about composing the letter that was approved at the last meeting for requesting a stenographer or legal representation to adhere to the requirements of our public meetings.
Member Fresquez has connected with the State Attorney General’s Office and believes their office to be flexible for training purposes.
Chair Gish requested the Committee’s thoughts about timing and availability for training.
Mr. Graham asked Chair Gish if it would be best held during a committee meeting format for public information and in the interest of timing, the agenda could be shortened to accommodate the training.
Member Bleck asked Member Fresquez how long the training session would take.
Member Fresquez stated that if the training was limited to the Open Meetings Act, then he believed the session would require about 45 minutes to one hour.
Member Fresquez suggested training during the next meeting with a shortened agenda as suggested by Mr. Graham.
Chair Gish also agreed that because the current items are reaching conclusion, shortening the agenda should be fine as long as the training is concluded within an hour.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. MCD Sub-Committee Reports
There was confusion about the response sent from Brian Williams the Emergency Manager of the City, because after being sent two different Emails for an update to letters provided by the MCD, he responded to the wrong Email. His response was mistakenly sent to Member Bleck concerning the Mobile Emergency Notification System, but was intended for Member Fresquez regarding the AFN Communication Kits. Member Bleck was advised by Chair Gish that she can follow up with the Fire Chief as the subcommittee, or Mr. Graham said that as the staff liaison, he could send any specific questions that Member Bleck has to the appropriate personnel.
Member Fresquez understands that during the pandemic we should be patient with our City officials, but expressed his disappointment that after multiple attempts to make contact, there has been no effort from the City staff to meet with the subcommittee heading up the need for AFN communication kits for a consultation to determine how many kits might be needed for emergency use. He suggested inviting the Mayor to a March or April meeting since the MCD is his titled committee and he has not seen the Mayor attend any meetings during his time with the committee.
Mr. Graham clarified that the Emergency Manager had met with the City Clerk/Constituent Services Director and determined that Constituent Services would be the best location for the City to facilitate the device and would be included in the 2023 budget request.
Chair Gish stated the challenge now is to make sure the budget is sufficient enough to purchase enough kits to distribute throughout the city.
Mr. Graham believes that the message only refers to the purchase of one kit for use as needed to be located within the Constituent Services Department.
Chair Gish stated that one kit is not enough if there is an emergency for a population of 80,000 plus visitors. Member Bleck wondered what happens if the one kit is in the wrong place.
Chair Gish agreed and wondered how they find it and what if it’s being used currently. The purchase of only one kit raises many questions.
Vice Chair Garcia asked the price of these kits.
Member Fresquez stated that depending on what’s included in them they can range from $900 to $2000. The kits can be utilized in many ways and he is not against it being located in Constituent Services, but this is where the conversation with City staff would be helpful in determining the need and identifying how important they are. At the same time he is happy to hear that the City is open to purchasing it and utilizing the kit seeing how to utilize it.
Chair Gish asked about how to communicate to them that there is a need for more than one kit, even it is not included in this budget, but that there is a long term plan and if it can be included in this budget, it should be.
Vice Chair Garcia suggested requesting a meeting or composing a letter suggesting that more than one kit be purchased and the importance of it.
Member Bleck believes that each fire station should have one.
Member Fresquez asked Mr. Graham about the process going forward for having a conversation.
Mr. Graham said that he would reach out to the Emergency Manager to contact Member Fresquez for a conversation.
Member Montoya Chavez has been contacted by the Red Cross about ideas for identifying people with special needs in emergencies and would pass along any ideas from the committee.
B. Update on Crisis Response Team – News Article (Kathlyne Gish)
Chair Gish provided update from Santa Fe New Mexican article about the City’s Alternative Response Unit titled City preparing to expand crisis response program. Noted was that the unit is currently operating Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. which is a considerable expansion of services from the last time this was discussed with City staff at the inception of the program.Much closer to the needed expansion of 24/7. This is very positive, especially for people with behavioral health needs.
C. E-mails regarding MCD priority updates (Kathlyne Gish)
Pacheco Rd sidewalk project (between Alta Vista & San Mateo Rd): We’re receiving $300,000 legislative funding mid-year (2022). We applied for additional $700,000 legislative funding in 2022. If approved, we will receive this funding next year– as soon as we receive funding, we will hire an engineer to design the project.
Henry Lynch Road Reconstruction Project (between Rufina and Agua Fria Sts): We’re receiving $450,000 for engineering design of this project that includes ADA compliant sidewalks, bicycle lanes, stormwater drainage improvements and road repavement– Project design starts early Spring 2022.
St. Michael’s Drive Reconstruction Project: This is next in our list for Transportation Project Funding application this year. If successful, we will receive the funding end of this year.
Above Source: Romella Glorioso-Moss
1) What are current City plans to update play areas in city parks to be disability accessible/inclusive and provide equal access (phase out and replace wood chips and add inclusive play equipment)? This, especially includes plans for Ragle Park.
I am not aware of a capital improvement list specific to ADA. However, I am familiar with ADA requirements, and the need and desire to provide equal access to the park users. As we upgrade facilities or create new parks this is always on my list of requirements and priorities. At Ragle Park we’re replacing the slide and the safety foam below it. In this case, it wasn’t possible to make modifications for equal access due to the steepness of the slope. I know there are some wonderful options available within playground and fitness equipment. I look forward to upgrading our facilities and will include this committee in that process.
2) Fort Marcy Park - Fix pedestrian bridge and pathways in Fort Marcy Park to make them accessible to wheelchairs and scooters; install temporary Signage with directions to accessible route until repairs done.
Fort Marcy bridge and pathway project is currently unfunded, but it is high on the capital improvements priority lists. I hope to receive funds for the project this fiscal year once a bond can be let. I’d be happy to provide signs for the current route. Prior to doing so, I’d like to make sure it does in fact meet the standard. Perhaps, you can assist with this review.
Above Source: Acting Parks Division Director Melissa McDonald
Acting Director McDonald is available to meet with the MCD if sufficient advance notice is provided.
Member Montoya Chavez expressed that she is a big advocate of safe inclusive parks. It is the right thing to do and should be done for the safety and inclusion of disabled children in the city.
Integrated Pest Management update is basically that the City has implemented the suggestions made by the MCD. That item and subcommittee will be stricken from the 2022-2023 MCD Priorities.
Chair Gish and Mr. Graham have received no reply from the questions about bus stop updates.
9. MATTERS FROM STAFF
a. A link to the video recording of this meeting will be added to the Meeting Minutes for this meeting. A video recording of this meeting is available at:
https://santafenm
gov.zoom.us/rec/share/UcV6Dyz5L416i8Yo7f3RqOAyKm9aP3llGq5tuY6Fi1pK8K6B4YFv7v7oKCwOrFwy.aH45M1QZzJA4E98_ Passcode: 75kbV9=!
10. MATTERS FROM THE COMMITTEE
Member Fresquez thanked Chair Gish for the updates and mentioned that maybe they could be applied to the transition plan. He also asked if the MCD wanted to do something formally to request capital improvements for projects in regard to the Public Right of Way because of all the federal funding that New Mexico is going to receive. His last item was about the process to invite the Mayor to the March MCD Meeting.
Mr. Graham agreed to make the invitation request to the Mayor for the March meeting, but the MCD’s request for capital improvements is not within his purview.
More discussion occurred regarding sidewalks and responsibilities.
Member Montoya Chavez wanted to recognize the City Libraries for their efforts of inclusivity to people with disabilities and their families.
11. NEXT MEETING: February 17 2022
12. ADJOURN
https://santafe.primegov.com/public/portal
