EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES APRIL 21, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by the President, Roger Mickelson. The President noted that we would deviate from the posted agenda as Mayor, R.J. Berry, had another meeting.
The Mayor introduced a new concept program which is being offered to the citizens of Albuquerque. In fact, the mayor noted that the citizens of the City are going to set the priority list for what is to be included in “Albuquerque –The Plan”. The items thrown out for discussion included bike trails which would form a 50-mile loop around the city for cyclists, joggers and hikers; a sports field at Balloon Fiesta Park; businesses at the state fairgrounds; a facelift for the convention center; overlooks and boardwalks along the Rio Grande; bus rapid transit on Central Avenue from Tramway to 98th Street; revitalization of the Civic Plaza. No individual project would have a price tag over $55 million, and would be financed without raising taxes. Funding would be accomplished by returning money to the capital improvements program which was re-allocated for operating expenditures. The mayor also noted that funds would be sought from private sector investors. He said that after further input to the program has been obtained, some of the ideas would require collaboration among the various other government entities, among public and private officials and among current and future mayoral administrations. The mayor then left for his meeting.
President Mickelson noted dignitaries in the audience: Lenton Malry of the County Managers’ office; and Isaac Padilla, assistant to Councilor Don Harris.
Commander Cliff Saylor, of the Foothills Area Command was introduced. Commander Saylor noted that recently there had been ten cars burglarized in the Singing Arrow area, and there had been several burglaries in the Four Hills area. He noted that two houses in Four Hills are under surveillance as being involved in the incidents. He noted a recent “Amber Alert” which had a good outcome when a tip was received that the child could be located in a nearby casino. Commander Saylor also noted that they had recently been able to relocate twenty-five homeless people to shelters. He stated surveillance of pan-handlers has been stepped up with ten bicycle officers patrolling the frequented areas.
Roger Mickelson then introduced Misty Salaz who represented UNM Hospital. Ms. Salaz stated the hospital has approximately 6,000 employees and payroll is approximately $640 million. UNM Hospital is one of 40 National Cancer Institutes designated as cancer treatment centers in the country. The children’s hospital has the only pediatric ER in the state. The mill levy, which has been in place since 1954, is presently at 6.4 mills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Geneiva Meeker
MINUTES APRIL 21, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by the President, Roger Mickelson. The President noted that we would deviate from the posted agenda as Mayor, R.J. Berry, had another meeting.
The Mayor introduced a new concept program which is being offered to the citizens of Albuquerque. In fact, the mayor noted that the citizens of the City are going to set the priority list for what is to be included in “Albuquerque –The Plan”. The items thrown out for discussion included bike trails which would form a 50-mile loop around the city for cyclists, joggers and hikers; a sports field at Balloon Fiesta Park; businesses at the state fairgrounds; a facelift for the convention center; overlooks and boardwalks along the Rio Grande; bus rapid transit on Central Avenue from Tramway to 98th Street; revitalization of the Civic Plaza. No individual project would have a price tag over $55 million, and would be financed without raising taxes. Funding would be accomplished by returning money to the capital improvements program which was re-allocated for operating expenditures. The mayor also noted that funds would be sought from private sector investors. He said that after further input to the program has been obtained, some of the ideas would require collaboration among the various other government entities, among public and private officials and among current and future mayoral administrations. The mayor then left for his meeting.
President Mickelson noted dignitaries in the audience: Lenton Malry of the County Managers’ office; and Isaac Padilla, assistant to Councilor Don Harris.
Commander Cliff Saylor, of the Foothills Area Command was introduced. Commander Saylor noted that recently there had been ten cars burglarized in the Singing Arrow area, and there had been several burglaries in the Four Hills area. He noted that two houses in Four Hills are under surveillance as being involved in the incidents. He noted a recent “Amber Alert” which had a good outcome when a tip was received that the child could be located in a nearby casino. Commander Saylor also noted that they had recently been able to relocate twenty-five homeless people to shelters. He stated surveillance of pan-handlers has been stepped up with ten bicycle officers patrolling the frequented areas.
Roger Mickelson then introduced Misty Salaz who represented UNM Hospital. Ms. Salaz stated the hospital has approximately 6,000 employees and payroll is approximately $640 million. UNM Hospital is one of 40 National Cancer Institutes designated as cancer treatment centers in the country. The children’s hospital has the only pediatric ER in the state. The mill levy, which has been in place since 1954, is presently at 6.4 mills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Geneiva Meeker
