East Gateway Coalition: December 2010

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2010 MEETING

The meeting held in the Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center was called to order at 6:43 p.m. by President, Roger Mickelson.
APD Foothills Area Commander, Cliff Saylor, told the audience that burglaries in the area have increased with the manner of access being: ring the front doorbell, then go to the back and kick in the door to gain entrance to the home. Auto thefts are on the increase, especially in commercial areas, and with people leaving their cars while they allow it to warm up.
Senator Tim Keller noted New Mexico has no law governing homeowner associations. He is preparing a bill to be presented to the Legislature this year. His committee is basing its work on Arizona, Nevada, and California laws. Several local public forums have been held in which the attendees submitted suggestions for rules they would desire to be covered (or excluded). He noted that hearings would be before two committees in the House and 2 committees in the Senate; then it would go to the Legislature.
Representative Jim White informed the audience that the budget will be a huge problem this year, as one of the major things the Legislature will have to deal with is a $1,000,000 cut in Medicaid subsidies from the Federal government. He noted that the session, which begins January 18, 2011, will be a sixty day session.
Bernalillo County Commissioner, Michael Brasher, thanked the audience for allowing him the privilege to serve on the commission. As his term ends December 31, 2010, he is very concerned with the fact that the County Manager will continue to have the power to approve contracts up to $300,000 without open bidding, or commission approval. He noted that the commission continues to work on an ethics bill. He stated that he is continuing to work on I-40 closures and noted that a meeting is to be held shortly with all concerned agencies.
Dr. Dan Derksen, a twenty-six year UNM faculty member, spoke on the “Affordable Health Care” Act. He noted after this law goes in to effect, the U.S. will be short about 90,000 physicians by 2014. He also noted that presently New Mexico loses three out of four graduates from the medical school to other states.
A Joint Land Use Study for future use of a five mile area around Kirtland Air Force Base was presented. There are recommendations concerning funding, coordination of problems, study of land use compatibility, building code considerations, Base growth, as well as many others.
The President noted that the Sector Development Plan was passed by the City Council on October 4. Many amendments were made to the plan by Council members without public awareness or input. The plan was sent to the Mayor on October 22.
Ted Korbin, Traffic Engineer, discussed the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. The plan, presently in draft form, would review methods of traffic calming, and discuss new methods for handling the process.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.