Now that I have the graphics
Okay, if you'll all please find your
seats. We're going to get going. Please
got the today.
Okay, good morning everyone.
Today is September 9th. We're starting a
little late. I apologize. It's 9:08 a.m.
and we are here at the Donana County
Commission Chambers for our regularly
scheduled commission meeting. First up
on the agenda is going to be a moment of
silence.
Okay, if you are able to stand, please
join me in the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
Okay, Brandy, go ahead and roll call us
for determination of quorum, please.
Commissioner Gometo,
present.
Commissioner Reynolds,
here. Commissioner Sanchez
present.
Vice Chair Chaparo,
Chord Nandez.
Here we do have quorum this morning. The
commission convenes as a board of county
commissioners and the county board of
finance in open session.
County manager Andrews, do we have any
changes to the agenda today?
Good morning, sir. Good morning,
everyone.
No additional changes to the agenda,
sir. Wonderful. Thank you, sir. It's Mr.
Chair to have Vice Chair Chapado joining
us at 9:09 this morning. Welcome, Vice
Chair.
Good morning, Mr. Chair. And Mr. Chair,
just for your information and and
anybody else that might be watching on
WebEx,
um it's freezing and I'm not able to
connect via audio or
video this morning. So, I'll try my
Okay. Um, we are able to hear you, Vice
Chair. Um, but I'll make sure that one
of the guys in the booth gets a hold of
you.
Thank you.
Okay. Uh, moving on. We do have the
consent agenda first and foremost where
the board will be asked to approve by
one motion the following items of
routine business. And this morning we do
have items number one through seven.
Commissioners
on the approval.
Second.
Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner
uh Sanchez and we have a second by
Commissioner Reynolds.
Any comments, questions, or concerns on
the consent agenda today?
Seeing none, Brandy.
Commissioner Gomedos,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes. Vice Chair Chaparo.
Yes.
Chair Shell Jordan.
Yes. Motion carries. Consent agenda is
approved.
Brandy.
Okay. I have resolution
item number two. Resolution number
2025-10.
Item number three 2025-101.
Item number four 2025-102.
Item number 52025-103
and item number 62025-104.
Wonderful. Thank you.
So, really quickly, Mr. Lopez, before
you kick it off for employee
recognition, um we do have a special
guest here that has to also make it to
another meeting here in a moment. Uh we
did hire and appoint a new executive
director of the South Central Solid
Waste Authority. His name is Mr. Jose
Gagos and he is here today with us and I
we asked him to come and join us and
introduce himself. Welcome sir. Thank
you for joining us.
Thank you very much for this time Mr.
Chair and and uh fellow board members.
So, Jose Gyos, I am the new executive
director for South Central Solid Waste
Authority. Just want to take a few
minutes to introduce myself and what our
organization does. For those that aren't
familiar with the organization, I feel
like I should like turn around and face
the group, but okay, that's good. All
right, I'm good. So, first of all, uh
for those that are football fans, this
is a good morning. If you're a Minnesota
Viking fan in particular, but anyway,
for those that know what I'm talking
about, they'll know. Uh so, I am a
30-year veteran of the federal service.
I I am an environmental engineer. I'm a
native of New Mexico State University of
the community and graduated with a
master's degree in environmental
engineering. Uh I look very much forward
to being part of this organization, part
of this community after 30 years of
working at the federal level. Uh I just
I really am um honored to serve the
local community in this capacity. A
little bit of our organization. Uh if
you don't know, South Central Solid
Waste Authority, which was set up in the
1990s, is a partnership with the county
and the city to provide solid waste
management services. And especially for
those of the public that are listening
to this, uh we got quite a reach on
Donatana County. Uh plus not only
serving the community of Lasus, but also
Sunen Park, uh in some capacity, Tierc
and other other communities within that
organization uh within that community.
So, we also have eight community
collection points that the county used
to run and those are throughout the
county. Uh, we look forward to improving
those services, providing top
professional
uh quality service to our to our
residents and make sure that we provide
that in the least cost possible to to
those that have to pay their utility
bill monthly. So, again, thank you for
the opportunity. I look forward to
working with the board and the city
council and our key partners.
Thank you so much, sir. I appreciate I
appreciate you coming and joining us
today. Commissioners, anything? I know
three of us sit on sit on the board with
Mr. Ggo, so it's great to have you here.
Silence. Oh, you're off the hook, sir.
Thank you.
Thank you for joining us.
Have a good day.
You as well.
Next up, we do have employee recognition
where the commission will recognize
Donana County employees for their years
of service to Doniana County. And we do
have our assistant county manager, Mr.
Lopez, here today. Good morning, Mr.
Chair and commissioners. We'd like to
recognize five employees this morning.
Uh, if the employees are in the
audience, please stand and don't be shy
about it so we can properly recognize
you. Starting off with from the
sheriff's department, Mitchell Moore
with 10 years. Let's give him a hand.
[Applause]
Also with the sheriff's department is
Nathan Gmerson with 10 years.
And moving over to the detention center,
Noel Hernandez.
Noel. No.
Also with the detention center, Jonathan
Gonzalez with 10 years.
[Applause]
And finally from the detention center
with 20 years, Joab Pente.
[Applause]
And those are the employee anniversaries
for this meeting. And uh I believe HR is
ready now for our special recognitions.
Good morning. Welcome.
Sorry. Good morning.
Um, Christina Homeman with HR would like
to take a moment to thank everyone that
participated and nominated u fellow
employees for the employee of the month
and for the special recognition for the
month of August. The follow employees
were nominated. We had Jacob Alder from
detention center, Jerry Baldonado from
the assessors and Michelle Blackwell
from Flood. The following employees have
been selected. So for employee of the
month for internal customer service was
officer Jacob Alddere. Unfortunately he
was not able to be with us today but we
would still like to um recognize him. So
among some of the comments that led
Jacob to be selected was that he has
demonstrated professionalism with
processing inmates to ensure no
unauthorized items are entered into the
facility. Also, Jacob's commitment and
attention to detail is appreciated for
the safety and security of safety and
inmates.
So, thank you, Jacob Aldre, or Officer
Alderee uh for getting employee of the
month for internal customer service.
[Applause]
We would also like to invite Michelle
Blackwell to come up.
Michelle Blackwell um has been selected
for employee special recognition.
Among some of the comments that led
Michelle to be selected is that Michelle
has worked with the New Mexico
Department of Finance and Administration
to revise the standard operating
procedures and also assisted in
developing a framework for all local,
tribal, and rural communities throughout
the state. This process would improve
the administration for matching funds
for FEMA and other federal wards. And
also, Michelle is appreciated for her
dedication and hard work. Thank you,
Michelle.
[Applause]
And at this time we would also like to
invite Mara Rasone to come up. Madea was
not able to be with us
last month. Uh she was selected as the
employee special recognition.
[Applause]
Madea was selected for employee special
recognition for the month of July. Um so
we would like to recognize her as well.
Um
so for Meda uh she always goes above and
beyond to ensure the safety of her
employees, other employees and
residents. She has worked long hours
into the night and morning during field
emergencies. MA shows exceptional
leadership in the office and when she's
out in the field. Thank you, Maria.
[Applause]
And also, thank you again to everyone
that participated. Um, employees may
access the electronic nomination form
and it is open for September. Thank you.
Wonderful. Thank you.
Okay,
one moment.
Mr. Chair,
Mr. Chair.
Yes, sir.
Yeah. You know, I'd like to say this
employee recognition is a great event
and it's nice to see the people from the
departments come to support their peers
as well, the other the other people in
the office. So, um I really appreciate
this uh part of the u part of the
agenda.
Of course. No, I like it as well.
It flows nicely.
Okay. Now, we do have two proclamations.
The first proclamation is uh declaring
the week of September 21st through the
27th as startup week. And I'm going to
go ahead and kick this off where
entrepreneurs are the heart of
innovation. They turn ideas into
reality. They create jobs. and they help
grow our economy. That's why in
partnership with the city of El Paso and
our community partners, we are proud to
celebrate Startup Week. From the 21st of
through the 27th of this month, I
encourage all entrepreneurs and
innovators, whether just starting out or
already established, to join us Friday,
September 26th at the Government Center
right here. Let's nurture the
entrepreneurial spirit, spark new ideas,
and build a stronger future together.
Economic Development Department and
partners are here today to receive the
proclamation and tell us more. Welcome,
Miss Carter.
Good morning, commissioners. Denise
Carter, economic development director.
At this time, I would like to invite our
community partners uh to come and
introduce themselves and thank them for
being here.
Wonderful. Thank you. Come on up.
Hello everyone and good morning and
thank you for this. I'm Nancy Lowry, a
senior director of innovation with the
medical center of the Americas
Foundation in El Paso, Texas. And we've
been organizing startup week for three
years now. And uh it really is a
celebration of entrepreneurs and the the
community that support them. And so this
year we have about 32 events going on
between Dona Anna Las Cusus uh the city
of El Paso and the county of El Paso and
we're really really glad you all could
join us.
Thank you.
Good morning. Debbie Moore, president
CEO of the Greater Los Cruises Chamber
of Commerce. If you know me, you know
who when the word small business comes
up, I'm very passionate and the chamber
is just really happy to be partnering in
this new adventure for our entrepreneurs
and the future of business within Donana
County. So, thank you for this
opportunity.
Good morning everyone. I'm Beth
Williams, president and CEO of the
Bridge of Southern New Mexico. We work
very closely with the chamber and
currently we are launching some
microlearning courses that will assist
businesses with um getting their
employers employees certified for
different skills. Thank you.
Thank you.
Good morning. My name is Sonia White. I
am the current chair of the Los Cusus
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Um I am
just very honored for the chamber to be
part of this event. Um I am also part of
the NMSU Global. Um, and so I am just
very happy to help with any um,
community events um, and the small
business opportunity with all of the
students from NMSU and in the community.
Thank you.
Hello, I'm Isaac Holene with the city of
Los Cruus's economic development
department and we're excited to be a
part of this first week of start or the
first startup week here in Donana
County. small businesses are the
backbone of our community and it's
important to make sure that we're
fostering uh growth for these new
businesses or if they're looking to
expand. So, we're excited to be a part
of this.
Thank you.
Good morning, commission. My name is
Elizabeth Teeters. I'm the economic
development director for the city of Los
Cusus. Um just Isaac took what I wanted
to say, but that's okay. Um it's always
good to partner with the county,
especially helping out small businesses
and entrepreneurs. So, thank you. You
Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners.
I'm Julia Brown, New Mexico Economic
Development. Um,
southern New Mexico, particularly Donana
County, have long been economic drivers
in this state. And it's very exciting
and very productive to see the county
taking its place as a leader in economic
development in the region. We're happy
to be participating in this first
startup week and look forward to many
more.
Commissioners, thank you very much. I am
Cardinal Spot with Msia Valley Economic
Development Alliance. uh substituting
for Jessica Lynn, but we we look at
entrepreneurs as the heart and sometimes
the unsung heroes of small businesses
and with programs like Automate Up and
uh and that's just allowing these
companies to thrive to look at their
employees to get the training that they
need. So, we thank you for having us as
part of this uh this economic
development. Thank you.
Awesome. Thank you.
Good morning, commissioners. Um I am
Tara Winter. I am the president and CEO
of the Community Foundation of Southern
New Mexico. Um I'm really honored to
stand with all of our partners. Um
there's many of us that work not only on
Startup Week, but many many community um
projects throughout Los Cusus and Donana
County. So these are your go-to worker
bees um that really do a lot for here in
our community. Um the Community
Foundation of Southern New Mexico has
economic development grant making that
we're really proud of. Um, so through
the New Mexico Economic Development
Grant and our economic development
revitalization and um, retention
program, um, we're really happy to be
able to be part of Startup Week and talk
about the grants that can go out to our
community. So, thank you.
Hi, good morning. My name is Rubiao. I
am a business development coordinator
with the Rio Grande Colonia's Regional
Food Business Center. This is a program
led by Texas A&M Agra Life Research
Center in El Paso. I work directly with
agricultural producers that are also
entrepreneurs in the rural areas
including Sakoro, Horizon, and
surrounding areas in El Paso. And I am
excited to highlight all the
entrepreneurship happening in the rural
areas and surrounding areas extending
all the way out here to New Mexico.
Thank you so much for allowing us to be
here today.
Thank you.
Mr. MSAS, go ahead and read the
proclamation for us.
Thank you, Chair. And a couple of things
I'd like to add in terms of what the
county is doing as part of its
commitment to economic development is
that it's been focusing not only on the
large businesses and the
entrepreneurship, but also the small
businesses, as evident by the uh the
direction that has been given uh to the
economic development department, which
is newly formed, as well as some of the
efforts under ACM Lopez to create a
community kitchen at our own state
fairgrounds. So, we are walking that
walk alongside y'all, and we appreciate
y'all being entrepreneurs. I appreciate
that y'all are here and I'm amongst
friends as well having worked in the
Border Plex. Whereas entrepreneurs are
and have been a key source of economic
innovation, they have had a positive
impact on our society by bringing ideas
to life, driving economic growth and
expanding our well-being. And whereas in
partnership with the city of El Paso and
along with our community partners, we
will celebrate Startup Week from
September 21st through September 27th.
And whereas our inaugural startup expo
will take place on Friday, September
26th at the government center here
hosted by the city of Los Cusus Economic
Development Department, the Community
Foundation of Southern New Mexico,
Donana Community College, the Greater
Los Cusus Chamber of Commerce, the Green
Chamber of Commerce, the Messia Valley
Economic Development Alliance, otherwise
known as MVita, New Mexico State
University and MSU, and other
entrepreneurs and small businesses and
supporters. And whereas we will connect
participants with the region's
resources, services, and entrepreneurial
support in higher education
institutions, potential collaborators,
mentors, and lenders, introducing them
to new and exciting possibilities. And
whereas we urge all current and
potential entrepreneurs, innovators, and
small business owners to take advantage
of the opportunity and nurture their
entrepreneurial spirit. Join us and
explore new ideas, seize opportunities
of foster and accelerate innovation and
economic growth in our region. Now
therefore, County Manager Andrews hereby
proclaims the week of September 21st to
27th as Startup Week. Congratulations.
[Applause]
Yeah, we're going to do a picture. So,
if you all sit up, you can take a
picture.
Yes, ma'am.
Whatever you say. You're the boss.
Come on up.
I know this is not a shy group. Come on.
Come on.
Scoot this way a little more.
Hi.
I usually wear
is going to be in the picture.
Everybody's eyes opening.
at least one of them.
You Yeah, your turn.
Okay, next up we have item number nine
which is a proclamation recognizing the
30th anniversary of Po del Norte
Healthcare Foundation Health Foundation.
I apologize.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Today we proudly honor the Po de Norte
Health Foundation on its 30th
anniversary. Since its founding in 1995,
the foundation has been a catalyst for
positive change across our bational and
tri-state region, investing more than
266 million in programs that empower
healthier lives. Here in Donana County
and southern New Mexico, their impact
has been transformative. On behalf of
Donana County, we extend our deepest
gratitude to the health foundation's
board and the staff who have made this
work possible. We proudly celebrate 30
years of extraordinary service to the
health and well-being of our residents
and the region. And here to receive the
proclamation is Tracy Yellen, CEO of the
Pascal Norte Health Foundation and the
Pasel Norte Community Foundation.
Good morning. Thank you for joining us.
Good morning. Uh Mr. Chair,
commissioners, county manager, and all
the staff at Doniana County. We are
really so honored and grateful for the
opportunity to be here. Uh as you may
know, the health foundation was
established when Tenant Corporation that
owns the hospitals of Providence bought
Providence Memorial Hospital. That
created an endowment in 1995 of about
$130 million. that's been invested over
time and allowed us to invest in health
education and disease prevention in
southern New Mexico, Dona County, Ottoo
County and Luna County, El Paso and Husb
counties in West Texas and Saades. And
we have um hundreds of partners in this
county that we are so honored to work
with. Individuals, organizations from
the county, the city, NMSU, Los Cruus,
public schools, nonprofit organizations,
um and individuals like Jamie Michael,
uh Tara Winter, uh so many great
partners who make very difficult work in
diabetes, mental health, um healthy
living. You may remember don't walk
doniana walk um 25 some years ago. It's
you know a jingle to get people active.
We want to do as much upstream to
prevent disease as we can and it takes
all of us to do it. So really thank you
for the opportunity to celebrate this
30th anniversary with you this morning
and we look forward to continued
partnerships.
Mr. MS take it away sir.
Whereas the Paso and North Health
Foundation was established in 1995 with
130 million from the sale of the
Providence Memorial Hospital, creating a
lasting commitment to improve health in
the bational tri-state region. And
whereas for over three decades, the
health foundation has been a catalyst
for positive change, empowering
residents of Donana, Luna, and Otto
counties in southern New Mexico as well
as in El Paso and Hudset counties in
Texas and in Sulath Chihuahua to lead
healthy healthier lives through
knowledge, resources, and advocacy. And
whereas a health foundation has invested
over 266 million in grants and programs
with more than 300 nonprofit academic
and governmental partners to advance
health and prevent disease. And whereas
in Donana County and southern New
Mexico, the health the health foundation
has supported transformative initiatives
including promoting physical activity,
expanding health education, encouraging
healthy eating, improving mental health,
providing out of school time, promoting
health healthy smoke-free and vape-free
living, advancing diabetes management,
growing the health healthc care
workforce, is strengthening community
resilience. And whereas these
achievements reflect the vision of the
Health's Foundation's board, the
dedication of its staff, and the
collaboration of its partners. Now,
therefore, be it resolved, the Donana
County, New Mexico proudly honors the
30th anniversary of the Paso North
Health Foundation for its extraordinary
service to the health and well-being of
our residents and region. Happy 30th
anniversary.
[Applause]
Where's
He wore the right shoes today, but I
didn't. If we could all come down
actually. Could I have commission?
Are you done?
This looks good.
You are
Okay, just one more for the health
foundation.
Do you want to get in the middle?
I'm shorter than you.
[Laughter]
Thank you.
Yes, you're welcome.
Okay, thank you everyone for joining us
today. We appreciate you all.
Next up, we do have public input. If any
member of the public would like to give
input, if they can please join us at the
podium today. We do have a beautiful
white binder to your left hand side. If
you can please state your name and sign
the binder after. If you are here to
give public comment on any agenda item,
if you can please wait until that agenda
item comes up and we'll have public
comment during that time.
Welcome. Brandy, you're up by the way.
Got it. Good morning, commissioners,
chair, and county manager. Uh, my name
is Lance Renfro. I'm the district
legislative aid for Representative
Jennifer Jones, House District 32. I
wanted to introduce myself to you all
and to the community. Our district
includes part of Hatch and goes all the
way to the Arizona border. So, we have a
large territory we're working with. Uh
we have open office hours in Deming, but
if you want to meet with me here in Los
Cusus or anywhere else in this county or
the representative, please reach out to
our office. Uh feel free to come up to
me and we can exchange contact info.
Thank you.
Sorry. Hello. Uh, my name is Abigail Suk
Sugan and I've been living in Donana
District 1 since I migrated to America.
Um, I just wanted to give a shout out to
Mchai Recreation Summer Programs. You
are the initial spark that um to the
love that I have for this community and
our children. Um, uh, thank you for
feeding me. Uh, there seems to be a lot
of unanswered questions that I feel like
Project Jupiter folks in Borderlex are
gaslighting me with. Um, I'm new to
these AI data centers, right? um but not
new enough to know that AI is currently
harming immigrant communities and
marginalized folks and weaponizing AI as
a surveillance tool. I see flock cameras
in AI powered license plate reader
system all around the county. That data
is then used by ICE. A Texas cop used
those same cameras to track a woman down
who got an abortion as well. I do know
there are leaders and constituents here
that have done the thing and fighting
for years and decades in regards to the
ongoing drinking water and general water
issues in our community such as
Empowerment Congress who have been
supporting community members in Sunland
Park and Santa Teresa and advocating
with them. I have seen them show up in
every meeting. Um I feel like this board
has been disregarding them. I feel like
this board is speedrunning this
decision. There's absolutely no
information on how much water and
electricity is being used during
construction. I learned yesterday at the
meeting that natural gas would be used
in the first stages of these centers.
Um, how long are they going to be using
natural gas for? Um, none of these are
mentioned and considered in their
website and their pamphlets. Uh, just a
bunch of clean energy propaganda. And
the topic on desalination,
um, it is harmful to the environment
because of the leftover crud that is
left from that process. Where is that
crud going to be dumped? Vaporized into
the into the air that was suggested
underneath the water table. With all the
information I have gathered from these
meetings and my prior knowledge with AI,
I will continue to voice my opposition
on Project Jupiter. And I ask this board
to stand alongside me, the many youth
leaders, and your constituents against
Project Jupiter. I also ask that we can
assure that every constituent will be
able to have three minutes to speak on
their comments on September 19th and not
two minutes like August 26. Um, thank
you and have the day you deserve. Um,
okay, I have 40 seconds. Uh, Project
Jupiter folks can't rule out nuclear
power plants because there's nothing to
rule in um, according to what they said
yesterday. Um, so the women that brought
it up at the meeting yesterday, I see
them in every city council meeting I
attend. um they were not able to give um
border plex and um project Jupiter folks
were not able to give a concrete answer
um so I think it's a good idea to start
ruling that in so that they can yeah
talk about it um also yeah have the day
you deserve thank you
[Music]
Hello uh chairman uh commissioners. My
name is Yavanni Seastan Nandez. Um I
live in district 1 and I attended a
meeting uh from uh Borderlex Digital,
Project Jupiter, Stack and their uh
shell companies that they recently uh
incorporated um in uh the eastern part
of the country to give their project a
little bit more legitimacy. And I have
to say the results of that meeting were
disastrous, embarrassing, and quite
frankly uh disrespectful to the
community. Um, I want to uh ask you all
a question. Whenever you're driving down
the interstate um and you look uh south
towards El Paso and to Huarees, um can
you see blue skies?
I can't. I see smog. I see dust. I see
air pollution that are that is a result
of unconstrained growth in Texas and in
that part of Mexico. And I just want to
highlight that the southern part of the
state has historically had um an F
rating from the American Lung Cancer
Society in terms of air quality, ozone
part uh ozone uh pollutants, dust
particles, and this year makes it is is
not any different. In fact, it was much
worse. I learned yesterday at the
meeting from at the propaganda meeting
from Border Plex Digital that they're
planning to use gas turbines to power
their um their facility which uh we know
in Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia um
are always located in communities of
color. And that's exactly what Borderlex
Digital is planning to do. They're
planning to use gas turbines that will
release uh uncontrolled amounts of
pollutants into the region, into the
air, and that will settle here. because
as we all know we live in the Messia
Valley. This valley and the mountains
that surround it trap uh pollutants and
keep it there.
There are roughly 16,000 individuals in
the southern part of the state who
suffer from asthma and other uh
respiratory issues. This project and
their plans to use natural gas, um
diesel and other pollutants uh to power
it are deeply harmful to our
communities. And I hope that as your as
my commissioners, as my uh county board,
y'all will um uh vote no on this uh uh
keeping keeping this project to go
forward. And I want to second the
comment that was made earlier that uh
would allow uh public comment to be
remain remain at 3 minutes. I know that
the county has no obligation to even
allow public comment. Um, but I hope
that you uh maintain your um
your decency and your responsibility to
the community to let us uh speak our
peace and let you know that this is not
a project for New Mexico. This is highly
irresponsible and dangerous. Thank you.
Hello. Good morning, commissioners,
chair. I'm here as well uh to talk about
the data center. As we all know, we have
had a lot of problems with the water in
Sunland Park and Santa Teresa. For over
20 years, there has been um problems in
this area. I think that we have already
I am a Santa Teresa resident as well. I
think that we have already been put
through quite a bit. You know, first it
was asarco asarco caused a lot of
illnesses as far as like cancer um lung
cancer, messyltheloma
and also asbestous.
Then we had uh the carinal rial
environmental center which has h caused
a lot of contamination in that area um
as well as in our water. The arsenic
from the water was another situation
that we have been put through in that
area as well. um at least a couple of
years uh while the arsenic treatment
plants uh were bypassed, we were getting
straight arsenic.
Um what's the use of having an uh AI
infrastructure if our area is not even
livable? We won't be able to live in
that area due to the water droughts, uh,
possible blackouts, the noise, the air,
and now that we recently heard that it's
going to be gas. These contaminants, uh,
travel up to 20 miles out. I live 3
miles away. That is really unfair.
So, I ask you all to please take into
consideration uh for this project not to
go through. It will affect us and I'm
right close by. Thank you.
[Applause]
Hello, my name is Jose Sana. Hello,
chair. and the uh county commissioners.
Yes, I have a concern also with the data
center also being in there. Um how much
water is the system going to use? We
don't have any um record of that or
anything in writing how much uh water
we're going to be use consuming with
that data center. I'm going to piggy
back a little bit on uh what the
previous person said. I'm a survivor
from uh Asaro be having lead on my lungs
when I was younger and um we have that
the landfield also there not too long
ago they dispose uh 10 and 10 horses
nine horses um this is just hazard for
for the city of Sunland Park I'm a
resident there I've been there all my
life and we don't get any benefit off of
that landfield out of this data centers
they are proposing a lot of jobs and uh
it's only for construction construction.
They get their own people from outside
and then once they're done, they're
gone. I'm an electrical engineer and uh
I haven't even seen no drawings, no IFC
drawings, no IFA for issued for
approval. Can we have some drawings on
that too? See what what they're planning
on doing.
Um it's real sad that you guys are
considering uh and uh giving us this
short time, short notice, trying to pass
all these bills away, passing all the
all these laws so that they uh can
benefit off of the rich benefiting off
of the rich and leaving all the
community in uh in hazards once they're
gone. After these 30 years, we'll be in
a worse drought. We're going to have to
leave. And uh they make their money and
they're gone. So, and also they want to
get uh exempt with all these uh taxes.
What about uh business owners? Uh small
businesses, they don't get away with
nothing. Why should they? They're
proposing all these jobs and uh
once it's done, can we find them? Can we
penalize them for not meeting their
quota? And uh also they're just going to
be they're using as of yesterday's
meeting they're using a lot of water for
the development there at uh the data
center and they're using all this public
water in Sunland. It's ridiculous what
you guys are doing to us. Thank you.
[Applause]
Good morning. Um, this is my second time
giving public comment and um, I'm
nervous again, but I'm here doing it
because I'm finding the courage. I'm
finding the courage to speak in front of
you guys and tell you guys. And I want
to say thank you first off for
recognizing small businesses, small
nonprofits. Um, we're we're them. We're
the ones that build the the city. We're
we're the people that build for the
state. We want you guys to look at the
New Mexicans out of Santa The Teresa,
out of Sunen Park. They're proud people,
hardworking, bluecollar people out there
doing whatever it takes to survive. And
this task of, you know, finding clean
water. I've talking to community members
where they struggle. And the the work
has been over the last six years, I bet,
and maybe 20 years of people that have
been living there their whole life. and
now to have another another crisis come
their way. I'm sorry to say data
centers.
I've been doing research and I would
hope you guys do the same research. I am
not here for change but I do vote hi
over AI because that is what we are.
We're human. I want you guys to
understand you guys are human as well.
Please find integrity to look into why
you guys were voted on, why you signed
up for this difficult, difficult task
that you guys are being asked by the
citizens of New Mexico. We voted you
guys on because we believe in you and
we're here talking to you face to face
because we believe you guys have a
heart, a soul, not to sell out on New
Mexicans. I really hope that you guys
know. I know you guys think you're
you're doing a benefit in building jobs
and building a economy stronger. I don't
think that if you guys are going to sign
off for 300 million, 10 million a year,
that is not nothing for your guys'
salaries even and you guys are not even
promising Santa Teresa or Sen Park
anything for the communities there. no
changes other than go bonds and even
them are they're paying out of their
pockets to have their own city built and
we are willing to do anything to see
improvement but I don't think a data
center will bring improvement
and I want you guys to find
the time to research and look at the
history of data centers and please cross
your tees and dots before you sign yes
give us some time this is happening way
too fast you guys can even see other
people are getting way more than you
guys and it makes me feel like we're
we're selling ourselves short. But I say
vote no completely.
Let's look for something else that New
Mexicans can utilize and grow with. You
know, in the next 10 years, these kids
are going to grow up. Give them an
opportunity. Give the new future
entrepreneurs, the new CEOs an
opportunity to develop something for you
guys. Not this data center out of state.
[Applause]
Chairman Commission Juan Garcia Chairman
Shalho on 26th August you quote thanked
me for outing you. That's completely
false. I never did such a thing. I
requested from you the county manager
and attorney to correct this but no
response. Since then, eight people have
confronted me about your false claim.
three were visibly upset. I explained,
"I don't know why you'd make that false
statement. I'm asking you plainly and
respectfully.
Please retract your comments and admit
they were untrue." And I continue.
In my opinion, there's a deliberate
effort to undermine federal initiatives
related to illegal immigration and crime
through Commissioner Sanche's remarks on
August 26th. Number one, Title 8, US
Code Section 1325, makes it a federal
offense for an individual to enter or
attempt to enter the United States
illegally. The federal government
requires a detention center to hold
those who are here illegally. Period.
Did anyone on this commission speak
against or show concern when there were
thousands of illegal crossings near
daily? Number two, militarizing the
border and taking our quote public
lands. New Mexico has a total of 23
million acres of public lands, of which
the federal government is using 109,000
to establish a national defense area to
control the illegal flow across the
southern border.
Striker vehicles with their increased
surveillance and visibility along with
enhanced mobility aid CBP in the huge
reduction of illegal crossings and
drugs. Number three, the federalizing of
troops in DC and in LA. In LA, the
National Guard was calling to protect
federal assets from anarchists
attempting to impede federal officers
from doing their job while attempting to
destroy federal buildings similar to
what was allowed in Portland and Seattle
during the summer riots of 2020. The
deployment allowed LAPD to perform their
mission dealing with public safety.
In the nearly three weeks since federal
troops and law enforcement agents were
deployed in DC, a CBS report shows
violent crime is down in DC by almost
half when compared to the same 19 days
in 2024. How many more predominantly
black lives do you need to sacrifice? Do
you need to sacrifice before you support
these efforts? Commissioner said we
can't allow eyes to come through the
community. We as leaders are not
allowing or not to allow this to happen.
So what exactly are you proposing
commissioner to do to impede the federal
government from doing its job? Citizens
have a right to know. Thank you.
Hi commissioners. Um good morning. My
name is Karolina Deo and I'm here to
talk a little bit about the data
centers.
Um we um look uh we researched the data
centers and it's unfortunately that um
they use a lot of water, they use a lot
of electricity, there's um gases, it's
contamination, it's the noise, it's
everything. And um my question is for
you is what's going to happen to Santa
Teresa and Silent Park in 30 years from
now? Right now there's no drinkable
water, there's no safe water. So, what's
going to happen in the future? What
about the water? What about the
community? I know you care about your
community and I know that you want this
jobs to be available for the community,
but we have to think about their safety
first. Safety comes first. You might
have a lot of things going on that
they're going to have a lot. They're
going to put in um a lot of
infrastructure, but it doesn't matter.
The main thing it's the water. The main
thing it's electric the electrical um to
have electricity. I know these bills are
going to be they're going to raise
unfortunately for the community members.
If this happens, please consider every
single negative thing about the data
centers. Please um we don't want to put
a lot of people through a lot of things.
Um with the flooding in B, I mean it was
a lot of things. Um you guys saw in the
in the news in the news, a lot of people
that suffering. Why put another
community in danger for these data
centers? I don't feel it right. Have it
in your heart to please vote no for the
data centers and think about your
community. What's going to happen to the
community? Think about the people that
are that are living there. What's going
to happen within? They're not going to
have anything safe there in San Park in
Santa Theesa. So, please consider and
say no to data entries, data centers,
I'm sorry. Thank you.
[Applause]
Good morning, uh, Mr. Chairman,
commissioners. My name is Travis Brown
with the Southern New Mexico State Fair
and Rodeo. And, um, just here to, uh,
let you know we are two weeks out from
the start of our event. And, uh,
hopefully you've already received your
invitations to our opening ceremony on
on Wednesday the 24th. And I would just
like to extend a personal invitation
from myself and the board of directors.
Uh we're hoping that Mr. Andrews or uh
one of his administrative staff will be
able to attend and provide some opening
remarks and continue that tradition of
uh you being a part of our opening
ceremonies. Um we uh uh want to thank
Mr. Herrera and the entire facilities
department. They're doing an amazing job
at the grounds getting them prepared,
working very hard and and we're very
happy with that. as well as your county
clerk, DASO, fire and rescue, OEM.
Again, the number of of county
departments involved with preparing for
our event and putting it on uh is
tremendous. So, uh thank thank you to uh
all the staff that helped support us. Um
and and I also just want to comment that
uh find find it uh refreshing and maybe
a little uh ironic that the week of our
fair was uh you gave a proclamation
earlier about promoting small
businesses. Essentially that's what
we've done for 60 years. We have over
300 youth exhibitors who come out. They
show their livestock. They do that
through 4 and FFA. It's a project. They
learn about costs. They learn about
expenses. They learn about whether uh
they're going to make a profit and what
they need to do the following year maybe
to improve on their business. All of
them are entrepreneurs and small
businesses. We have over a hundred
vendors that participate in our event.
Uh many of those from our local area,
some from out of state, but nonetheless,
all of those every food vendor, every
merchandise vendor that is there is also
a small business and and an
entrepreneur. They're trying to uh to
create their own way. So, uh, you know,
we we feel like, uh, just
it never ceases to amaze me. Every time
I come here, it seems like something
that is happening, um, in the county
somehow relates to us. And so, uh, I
think we do touch and perhaps have a
greater impact and effect within the
community than sometimes uh, it's it's
noticed and seen. So, we have a great
event this year. We invite everybody to
come out. Hopefully, uh, we'll get to
see you there. And again, thank you for
all your continued support by you as
well as the your organization and in um
making sure that we continue to put on a
fantastic family event every year.
Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chairman
and members of the commission. My name
is Daisy Malonado. I am the director of
the empowerment congress and I'm here
today to talk about the proposed
construction of data centers and micro
grid in Santa Theesa. First, let me say
thank you to County Manager Scott
Andrews, assistant county manager
Jonathan Msas, assistant county manager
Steven Lopez, and Denise Carter,
economic development director. I know
this team worked very hard to bring this
project to the county and to the
commission and I can imagine how
exciting it must have seemed as a once
ina-lifetime economic opportunity for
our region.
At first glance, this looks like the
kind of deal you don't send back. But
when you look closer, the companies are
making claim after claim. So that's
Borderlex digital assets and stack
infrastructure.
Claim after claim of economic
development to our community. However,
those claims are not facts
and those claims could potentially be
realized in the best of economic times,
but we don't do not find ourselves in
those times.
After two community information sessions
that these companies hosted, the pro we
found out that the project will utilize
natural gras for energy generation which
emits toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
The closest residential community is 2
miles away. Santa Teresa High School is
three miles away.
Not to mention the 7,000 employees that
work at the Santa Teresa Industrial
Park. Every day in that area will be
subjected to these toxic fumes.
And history tells us when we make these
sorts of deals, New Mexicans are asked
to give our land, our water, our tax
breaks, and our labor so that others can
take the profits.
Now, I recognize the county code doesn't
require a contract with the community,
but good governance is not only about
policies and procedures. It is about
trust. And trust means listening,
responding, and protecting the people
that you represent, that you voted or
that you stood up and asked to vote for
you to put you in this position.
New Mexico cannot afford this billion
dollar promise built on just a couple of
million dollar scraps. New Mexicans
deserve better. Morning
[Applause]
K commissioners. My name is Rob Wood.
I'm a little unsettled by the threeminut
time limit and the regards to people
putting up signs in this room. I think
those people who put those signs up had
their three minutes, but they continued
those three minutes on trying to affect
you with signs like this actually that
are in the media seats. So I think that
that should be banned. If there are to
be signs, they can do it outside where
that type of thing is normally done. But
otherwise, this is a violation of the
3minut time limit. So thank you very
much.
Good morning. Name's Jim Hurst. Um, I
want to speak in favor of the,
excuse me,
of project Jupiter. Um,
El Paso burns natural gas
every day making electricity. It burns
it within the city's u city limits of El
Paso.
So, everybody down there is already
breathing plenty of natural gas.
emissions.
Uh businesses need energy.
The best energy for that facility for
the uh for pro for project Jupiter is
natural gas.
Uh
you don't have economic development
without some pollution. That's just a
fact of life. And Sunland Sunland Park
has not developed economically
over these last many decades. And the
reason why is it has no infrastructure.
It has no infrastructure because it has
no economic development. It has no
economic development because it has no
infrastructure. It has no infrastructure
because it has no economic development.
It has no economic development because
it has no infrastructure. this
opportunity, project Jupiter, the
wherever project Jupiter goes, it will
have to have its own power plants and it
will have to develop its own water
sources.
It's coming here. That's the only kind
of company that could come here because
they know they're going to have to
develop their own energy and their own
water source.
So we can escape the loop, the catch 22
of no economic development, no um no
infrastructure.
This is our opportunity to get
infrastructure in that area.
Please do not pass it by. We can deal
with the econ we can deal with the
environmental problems much easier than
we can deal with the economic problems.
It takes something to have something.
We have nothing now. Part of something
is better than all of nothing.
Thank you very much.
I bet I shocked all of you clapping for
Jim.
Good morning, commissioners.
We are in a war and AI with China. We
are going to beat them.
If this project doesn't come here, it's
going to go somewhere else. I agree with
Jim. We can work around the
environmental stuff. I'm all for the
environmental, but I'm we can work
around it.
Our kids have nowhere to go but to leave
this state. That would be a facility.
That's all I have to say on that. So I
have a question for all of you. How how
do we move forward as a civilization?
Root word civil. When some of you pander
or cower to the uncivil,
they are savages, thugs, bullies,
harassing and intimidate anyone who
disagrees with their views. And I say
views because they don't have beliefs.
They changed things daily. They were all
for Tesla until he did something else
and it's like, "Oh, bad. Let's let's
vilify him." Now,
how do we move forward when no one is
going in the same direction?
All nations are established with a set
of morals. Our moral compass has always
been the Holy Bible, like it or not. So,
every blow against the Bible and prayer
is a jackhammer to the foundation of
this great nation.
The choice is the compass of the Bible
or the lefts make up the rules as they
go. Most of us can agree to disagree,
but the tolerant left will not do that.
They hiss at you like snakes when they
disagree with you or shout you down or
bully you or intimidate you. Very civil.
They are not for the whole, but they're
for themselves. Self-esteem,
self-confidence, self-satisfaction is
turned into self-serving, self-centered
narcissism.
What makes me happy? Me, me, me. That's
their song.
Here's one for you. Love is love.
As if the love of a father diving in
front of a car to protect his child is
the same as I love coffee.
In Greek, there's four words for love.
Agape is the highest form. This is the
word that you'll find most often in
often in the New Testament. Agape is
giving without expecting anything in
return.
Then you have fileo and stogab which is
brotherly love, family love and that's
give and take. And then there's os which
is nothing but take me me.
Bullies and thugs. They hiss at you like
snakes when your opinion is different
than theirs. They vilify you by saying
he has the right but he's a religious
bigger or a hater.
I'm amazed I wasn't called a Christian
nationalist.
Savages.
[Music]
Thank you. Have a good day.
Okay. Um
sorry. I just wanted to ask on the
record um if the website could make it
more accessible for people to look up
their district um online. I know in the
GIS hub they used to have that map, but
they no longer have it anymore. There's
five other maps. So, if you could make
it just a little bit more accessible to
look up um PE like people's district.
Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, it would be able to just
make a quick comment reply to that. And
I know on the GIS hub and on the county
clerk's website, there is a uh map. It
doesn't say county. It doesn't say
county commission districts, but if you
look at the precinct map and it can zoom
into where you live, it will show you if
you click on the the precinct, it'll
show you your uh New Mexico House,
Senate, County Commission District, PRC,
PEC. Um, so that you can find what uh
commission district you have there who
represents you.
Mr. Chair.
Yes, of course.
If I may,
Madam Cler,
a really uh probably easier way might be
to head to nmvote.org. og there's a
voter portal, voter information portal.
You put your name in it, it will show
you uh without having to look at a map
very specific information connected to
your address. Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Commission.
Thank you, Madam Clerk.
Yeah.
Go.
Pardon?
I was asking if I was good to go.
Yeah.
Okay. Awesome. Good morning, board, Mr.
Chair. My name is Casey Hubden. I'm a
resident of Donana County and a staff
attorney with the New Mexico
Environmental Law Center. Now, y'all
already know we have our concerns around
Project Jupiter. What I'm actually here
to speak with you guys about today is a
separate issue about the misconduct by
Commissioner Shannon Reynolds that
placed community members of Donana
County in the state of New Mexico
and in harm in harm's way in safe in
their safety was placed in danger. On
Friday, September 5th, Commissioner
Reynolds made a public post listing
community members names and personal
information,
all because they submitted a public
comment to the board in opposition of
Project Jupiter. Commissioner Reynolds
even went as far as to put a community
member's full home address and contact
information online.
Acts of intimidation will not be
tolerated. Posting public information
and personal identifiying information is
an act of intimidation
and infringement on community members
rights to free speech, their rights to
petition the government, and their right
to participate freely in public
processes.
Acts like doxing, as Commissioner
Reynolds has done, essentially puts
community members lives in jeopardy.
It's been known that doxing causes over
time acts of political violence against
community members who speak up and out
against
projects like Project Jupiter, topics
that are of contentious matter like
Project Jupiter.
Not only did he put community members
safety in jeopardy, but this is also a
borderland community. And by what
Commissioner Reynolds did, he has also
publicly exposed community members names
and put them at risk of targeting by
immigration officers.
Acts of intimidation
infringe upon community members rights
to freely participate in public
processes no matter where they live.
Commissioner Reynolds says that it's
because these people are not from Donana
County. However, many of the names that
he posted and posted their personal
information of are in fact residents of
Doniana County. As a longtime resident
and elected official of Donana County,
Commissioner Reynold Commissioner
Reynolds should know better. And
arguably, he did know better. But he
chose differently on Friday and he put
community members safety in harm's way
all because they wanted to make their
community voices heard in a public
process.
Thank you.
[Applause]
Okay. Any other public comment this
morning?
Okay. Seeing none, we do have commission
input if any member of our commission
would like to give public or commission
input today.
Commissioner Reynolds.
Yes, sir. Thank you. You know, if u
anybody saw my post, um they would
notice that what I was doing is simply
recognizing and saying thank you to my
constituents for their opinion. I did
not challenge anyone. I did not point
out that anyone did anything wrong. I
simply said thank you. And when I
received the emails, which I still have
several others to respond to um that
were sent from a no reply
um form letter, then I wanted some way
to reach out to my constituents just to
say thank you. Now, if you consider that
doxing, I would say that if you write
something to the county and someone
wants to my email, they can get a list
of everyone that sends me an email and
what they said. So, it's public
information once it's sent to me and my
response to it is simply to say thank
you. It was not to challenge anyone. I
didn't accuse anyone of anything. I
simply said that some of the information
they had I felt was maybe not correct
and u and thank them for their response.
Uh if that's doxing um sorry I didn't
even know what doxing was until I got a
letter but uh it was not intentional to
u put anybody at risk. it was something
to say thank you and I appreciate your
all's input here as well and your
comments and um I'm even thinking about
uh sending some more emails out and
posting some other names because I want
to say thank you to my constituents for
participating in the process and I
always appreciate it and um thank you
Mr. Chair. Would you be kind enough to
have the gentleman sit down with a sign?
Sir, if you can please do sit down. You
can hold your sign in your seat. That's
fine. I'm not going to do that. But if
you could sit down for us, please.
No.
No, sir. Thank you.
Okay. Any other commission input today?
Oh, Miss Neil. Yes,
Mr. Chair. I was just going to um remind
you and the commissioners and the public
that um by county ordinance we subscribe
to the Robert's rules of order which
allow for public comment in respectful
ways but also allow you Mr. Chair to um
sort of control that process and the way
that the public interacts. And so we
would appreciate when the um when
comments are made by members of the
public or by the commissioners that
there be no applause or verbal response
to that under Robert's rules of order.
That is not allowed. Um and you, Mr.
chair have the ability to remove uh
anyone and remind them that they are not
allowed to make those public comments or
those types of comments um in response
to things that are said either from the
dis or by others in the um room who are
publicly commenting in accordance with
the rules.
Thank you, Miss Neil. Commissioners,
anything else?
No. Okay, moving on to county elected
official input.
Any county elected official?
Madam assessor, welcome.
Good morning, Chair Shelder Hernandez,
commissioners Reynolds, Sanchez and
Gomedos, Gina Montoy Ortega, assessor
here at Donana County. Uh just wanted to
inform the public that currently we are
having uh issues with where a customer
could go to our website and review their
property record card. This is due to a
current upgrade that we had with our KMA
system. Um and they are working to
correct that. We're just not sure how
long that will take. However, on our
assessor's website as well, you still
can pull up your property record card.
Um, and if anyone has any questions on
how to do so, uh, please don't hesitate
to reach out to our office. As I've said
many times, we are here to help. Um,
just wanted to give an update as well.
Our appraisers, our residential
appraisers are currently working on new
construction and permits. Uh, our
commercial appraisal staff is working on
preparing for our protest hearings. will
be that will be October 6th through the
10th and that consists of uh commercial
properties, land, vacant land and
multifamily.
Um title is currently working very uh
diligently on they're averaging on
approximately 6 to 800 deeds a month. Um
so they are in the process of conveying
those on a daily basis working very very
hard. Our GIS department is currently
working on COE's splits and
subdivisions. Uh once again, I've always
told the public if you have any
questions, please don't hesitate to
reach out to our office. A lot of times
you might not agree with what we have to
say, but we are here to help and try to
make life a little easier. Thank you.
Thank you.
Any other public or elected official?
Seeing none, we'll move on to staff
input.
Thank you, sir. Uh we have our lobbyists
on the line now, Randy and Ricky Lee for
an update and then we'll have one quick
update after that from our HR director,
Me.
Welcome Randy.
Oh, good morning. Oh, good morning.
Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the
commission, and uh Mr. County Manager.
Is everybody able to hear me?
Yes, ma'am.
Great. Thank you so much. Uh my name is
Ricky Lee Chavez. I am your um contract
lobbyist. Thank you for making an
accommodation for us to appear
electronically this morning. With
regards for a brief legislative update,
the governor has announced that a
special session will be called on
October 1st. Um the special session um
is going to be around uh federal funding
shortfalls and um rural hospital access.
Um we right now do not know how long the
special session will last. Um special
sessions in New Mexico are called um
under our constitution at the pleasure
of the executive office holder. And when
those special sessions are called, the
um executive, our governor, Michelle
Luhan Gisham, has the authority to set
the agenda. And so that um is what we
will see at the end of this month. Our
um interim committees continue to uh
progress. As we mentioned in our last
update, uh Los Cusus and the Donana
County area had the pleasure to host
several of those committees. This week
they are hosting the legislative health
and human services committee. Um all of
those agendas are available online at
www.nmmledlegis.gov
And um the uh special session um did
have some uh there was a dialogue about
the special session that happened
earlier this summer that had a little
bit of a different agenda um from what
we have heard in the um press release
from the governor's office. Um and so
we'll be keeping an eye on those. And it
seems that any agenda items that were
discussed um that didn't make it into
that official announcement are likely to
be discussed during the regular session
which starts um in January of 2026. And
this year's session will be a 30-day um
it will relate to budgetary matters and
what is put on the executive's call per
our state constitution. Um and I think
that concludes Mr. share the update that
we have since we appeared before you
last.
Thank you so much for that update.
Commissioners, do you have any questions
while we have them on the on the phone?
None. Okay. Well, Randy and Ricky, we
really do look forward to your updates
during the special session and leading
up to that. Um, I think we're really
excited to kind of track um where things
are headed. I'm getting a look. Yes,
sir.
Commissioner Reynolds. Thank you, Ricky,
for the update.
There you go. Thank you. We appreciate
you all.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the
commission. Have a nice rest of your
morning.
Thank you.
Okay, moving on.
Welcome, Miss Haynes.
Good morning, Chair Sheldro Hernandez,
commissioners. Meg Haynes, HR director.
At a recent work session, the vacancies
in the assessor's department were
discussed. I'm here today to give an
update on those vacancies. Um, there are
currently 17 vacancies. Um there is one
administrative assistant, three document
technicians,
an appraisal data entry lead, a personal
property supervisor, a GIS mapping
specialist, a title examiner, two senior
appraisers, three appraiser assistants,
and four appraisers.
With that said, um I have ensured that
weekly meetings are scheduled between HR
and the assessor's office uh to ensure
that recruitment continues to move
forward.
Uh each week we review the vacancies and
their status. We started these meetings
about a month ago and so far they seem
to be effective in moving the process
along. um it helps not only HR but it
also helps the assessor's department and
so that way we have um ongoing dialogue
for that. Uh when a position is vacated
in any department our um HR
representatives D Erica and Daniel reach
out to the department with the exception
of public safety because they have their
own recruiters. um they reach out to the
department as soon as there's a vacancy
to ensure that there's no um delay in
communication and filling the positions.
As we know, the assessor's department is
busy and HR has been working with Gina
and Ruben on recruitment efforts as soon
as positions become vacant. Uh however,
department responsibilities include
screening the applicants for those to be
interviewed and also conducting the
interviews. HR reaches out to the
department in in this case to the
assessor's department and to all
departments throughout the process. The
areas that can slow down the process um
to fill positions are inadequate
applicant pools. That does happen.
Sometimes we do not have um any
qualified applicants or very few. Um it
could be departments aren't screening
and holding interviews in a timely
manner. And it could be also delayed
communication on either party, either
the department or HR.
It was mentioned during the work session
that pay may be an issue. However, the
recent change in the pay plan for
unrepresented employees will help um if
this is an issue. HR reviews positions
and if there are issues obtaining
qualified applicants, we work with the
department to determine solutions. For
example, the senior appraiser, as was
mentioned at the work si session, um
they've been typically hard to fill for
those positions. So, we are in the
process of advertising with a hiring
incentive.
With most of the other positions, delays
in completing the processes have been an
issue um
with filling the positions. Sometimes it
is the um
uh you know it could be the like I said
earlier it could be the delay in
screening um for the department andor
holding the interviews. Um HR has had
conversations with GINA on reviewing
their positions and ensuring there is
enough space between positions for
adequate career ladders. We will also be
working together to create internal
training for future promotion
opportunities. So um as our offices
continue to work closely together, I
feel that these vacancies will be
filled. We will also be looking at a way
um to ensure that um internal candidates
have training andor um opportunities to
apply for those vacancies.
And
um I do have the numbers on on
vacancies, how long they've been vacant,
and what has um transpired in between,
but I don't want to take up all your
time this morning. I just wanted to give
you a brief update on where we are on
filling vacancies since it was brought
up at a work session.
Thank you, Meg. So, just to kind of just
briefly go over that, 17 current
vacancies with weekly meetings, but I
just checked and there's none posted so
far on our website. Do we know about an
ET and when things will be posted?
Um, yes, some of the positions have
already been posted and closed. Okay.
And then um at our meeting last week um
we should have I left those notes in my
office but um we should have one or two
positions posted this week uh based off
of um I think it's the senior appraisers
because of the hiring incentive. We're
in the process of finally finalizing
that memo
and I believe one uh the doct was going
to be uh posted. Additionally um
uh the appraiser or the assessor's
office has given us a draft of an
appraisal data entry lead job
description. So we should be able to um
get that finalized and then have that
posted too. So we there is movement on
all positions and with our weekly
meeting we're ensuring that um
nothing is getting left behind.
Okay, perfect. I I do appreciate that.
Um
I know that we you all did a lot of work
with the sheriff's office to get them
fully staffed a couple years ago and
that was a huge concern of ours. I know
that when we challenged the sheriff to
staff, we got full staffing and 100%
compliance on that. So, I'm really
hoping that we can do that in the
assessor's office um to make sure that
we're we're meeting the community's
needs. So, thank you on your work. Thank
you for your staff on their work on
this. Um commissioners, any other
thoughts or questions?
Thank you, Meg. I appreciate you.
Thank you so much.
Thanks, Meg. And that is all for staff
input today, sir.
Awesome. Thank you, sir. Next on, we do
have commissionapp appointed board
report backs. if any member of the
commission had any board meetings. Um
I'll go ahead and kick it off. We did
have a
um our animal services meeting. Uh we
have been having regular meetings on the
executive director position that has
been open since the beginning of the
year. They did put out the posting. They
are actively recruiting for that role.
And I know that the animal services
really does hope that board hopes that
we can get a executive director
appointed here pretty soon. Um I think
that process is finally moving in the
right direction. Uh with that's really
all I have to say at the moment on board
report backs. Any other commissioner?
Mr. Chair, I do have
Yeah, of course. Go ahead, Commissioner
Gometo.
Thank you. Uh so yesterday at 5:00 was a
crew meeting and um the board uh we did
approve to for a uh development
agreement
um with uh so two developers and um it's
to design construct and manage a uh 1
million gallon expansion to the north uh
wastewater treatment plant cell number
two.
Um the uh developers they propose to
fund and construct that plant.
Um trying to get here the logistics. So
the developers um are going to pay for
the construction and they're going to
pay for the capacity used and it's uh uh
paid for the project management as well.
Uh they of course will be providing that
funding and managing that construction.
And that's all I have.
Awesome. Thank you, Commissioner
Gometos.
Yes, Commissioner Reynolds. Yeah, you
know, um we are having these meetings to
talk about um the uh GO bond and also
the project Jupiter with the in the
communities and um we've had a few few
meetings and I understand that there are
some people who are
um when they're not speaking they're in
the audience yelling and making noises
like you know booing and actually I
think that's that that's kind of
counterproductive. to the process and
also somewhat disrespectful and and I I
appreciate everyone having an opinion
and speaking when it's their turn and
having an opportunity to voice their
opinion, but to harass someone else
while they're trying to speak publicly
is actually not only rude, but it's also
um disruptive and potentially dangerous
to the audience and the people speaking.
So, I would appreciate it if in all of
our meetings in the community that you
would remember that your voice is
important and everyone else's voice is
important and be respectful while
they're speaking and allow them to have
their opinion and if you have your
opinion and get up and speak when it's
your turn, but please don't harass by
yelling at people from the public and
from the seats. Thank you very much.
Okay. Thank you, sir.
Okay, with that being said, we'll move
on to presentations this morning. We do
have two presentations. The first up is
going to be Jeff, our IT applications
program manager with a overview and
current updates on workday. Welcome,
sir.
Good morning, commissioners. Chair
Hernandez. Thank you for having me. Um,
I wanted I realized that it's actually
been about 10 months since I've
presented on the status of the ERP
project, which is now the workday
project since that was our chosen uh
system. So,
let's have a look.
So, I want to start by just talking
about the team that is working on this
project and a little bit of the history
behind it. Some of this is going to be a
repeat for most of you because you've
been here for a good chunk of the
project, but I did want to touch on them
at least a little quickly.
Um, we have a
kind of a structure set up in terms of
providing support for the usage and and
the configuration and uh issues that
come up within workday. Um, we have a
steering committee which consists of the
directors of the four key departments.
Uh those would be finance, HR, treasur's
office, and IT. Um and on that steering
committee, we also have all of the ACMs,
assistant county managers for those that
don't know the acronym. Um
I I meet and present uh to the steering
committee monthly. Um they know what
we're working on, where our issues are,
and what we're doing to resolve that. Um
I am actually technically the agenda is
wrong. I'm now IT assistant director and
I am I was project manager during
implementation and I'm also the primary
conduit between the steering committee
and the support team.
And so we have people from within IT,
within HR, within finance and within
treasure that are working on the system
and providing support. Uh and I could
list names but I just want to shout out
to all of them. They've been doing an
absolutely excellent job. I'm really
proud of the work that we've been doing.
Our our responsibilities really break up
into two sections. One is supporting
what is already an existing, finding
issues, fixing them. I'm not going to
read through the whole list. The other
half of what we do is we look for parts
of the system, things that aren't
working well, and what can we do within
workday. Can we reconfigure it in a way
that does our work for us better and get
makes us more productive?
Um, and again, I'm not going to read the
whole list. Um, just a little bit of
history. I I was actually really
surprised when I was making this slide.
We actually started in 2020, September
of 2020. So, it's been a five-year
project at this stage. Now, the first
few years were actually selecting the
product before we started implementing
it. uh we started with a committee that
had four staff members from HR, four
from finance, two from IT and two from
treasures to make the decisions on the
process to move forward. We did an RFP
to find a company to help us build the
RFP.
Um that company was Barry Dunn. Um and
they did an evaluation of all of our
needs. They spoke to departments uh
throughout the county and came up with a
requirements document that we used as
the RFP to select the actual
application.
That process ended with a selection in
January or actually technically December
of 2022. We brought it to the board in
January. You approved it and we began
implementation in February. So then we
implemented for approximately 16 months.
Um, you've all seen this slide before
multiple times. I just wanted to point
out how long this process has been. And
uh, we are now past all of these
implementations.
Um,
and these are the dates that we actually
stepped through everything. Um, a lot
the the the biggest chunk was the the
architecture and configuration and then
testing testing testing testing. um lots
of testing because we needed to make
sure that it worked.
Um we put together at the very beginning
of the project, I didn't mention this,
but it was on the slide. We had a a
strategy uh session sessions uh with our
key stakeholders, our our directors, our
assistant county managers to come up
with what we expected to get out of that
project. Most of those goals are listed
on the right hand side there. And you
can see they've been tied to strategic
initiatives. The main one being a
quality strong administrative backbone.
That's really what workday does and it's
its primary function. However, it also
provides transparency into the process
and it helps increase our uh staff's
digital literacy, our ability to uh get
things done using the technology that we
have.
So, wanted to call out a few uh major
accomplishments from FY25. The obvious
one is that we actually did launch on uh
we started timekeeping on June 16th, but
the the application went into production
on July 1st, the beginning of FY25.
We had 25 uh work streams uh that were
setting up different sections. We had
three technical resource roles for data
conversion, for uh integrations, that
sort of thing. and then three
administrative resource roles that were,
you know, project manager, testing
manager, things like that. Um, we also
got some significant assist from some
staff within the HHS department,
facilities and parks, and the sheriff's
department, and I want to thank them for
the efforts that they put in on the
project. Um, we launched on time. That
was a huge accomplishment. Um, but it
wasn't perfect. And that's kind of
standard with these sort of things. The
goal is to launch and then fix all of
the problems once it's actually in
production. Um, it's taken us a little
longer to get that done than I had
initially hoped, but we're really
getting close to a fully functional
system. There's still some small bugs
that we are working through, maybe one
or two large ones. Um,
some of the benefits of of moving to the
new system is we've been able to replace
multiple systems, banner, workforce
dimension, iims, asset panda. Plus, we
had a lot of internally developed
software that we were having to maintain
ourselves that we could walk away from
now that workday could take care of that
for us. The system provides electronic
distributions of payubs, W2s, and 1095s.
It has a built-in mechanism for open
enrollment which was very successful uh
this past spring. ACA reporting is like
a thousand times better than the way we
were doing it under the previous system.
That was a huge win for me because
myself, Christina, and Matt were the
primary people that were making it work
in the old system and now Christina does
it with a click of a button which I
love. Um, and we've got much more
transparency to the processes. We can
see workflows. We can see where things
are getting held up. We can find
problems and fix them because it's all
visible within the system to us.
So, jumping on to the next big success
is postimplementation
uh we added a new feature to workday
called advanced scheduling. Um, this was
done with uh the detention center and it
was done specifically for the detention
center.
The the core scheduling within workday
didn't really suit their needs for uh
their scheduled overtime work uh or
their um their bianual shift bidding. So
the the detention center plus uh it
helped on the implementation of this and
I want to do a huge shout out to Tim
Barreris within the detention center. He
did an amazing job. He completed a three
a four-month project in two months and
it's working for them. They're very
happy with it. The next step and this is
actually beginning a little later today
is phase two which is going to be
implementing the uh the bianual shift
bidding. So I think that's been a huge
win. Um we also did a lot of work when
we went live. We found that the
recruiting process had a lot of that was
set up within workday didn't really meet
our needs. So HR has up till now been
using the beginning of the recruiting
process and the ending of it within
workday but have been doing manual
processes in the middle. Another huge
shout out uh Sean Spain with the HR
department did an amazing amount of work
on this uh with our contractor AVAP. We
were able to process the system end to
end. So it's now in production and it's
functional. Um, and it one of the big
things is the process for recruiting and
hiring for public safety departments has
some significant differences from the
rest of the the county. And so that was
a big part of what Sean and uh the AVAP
contract staff were working on. Um, and
that's been, I think, a huge success. We
don't see it yet because it's just
starting to get used, but the process
will be end to end within workday. And
so we'll have full tracking and
reporting on everything within that
process.
Okay. I just wanted to couple slides on
our performance. This is just from go
live July 1st to the end of FY 25, which
would be June 30th, 2025.
We closed 1,270
workday related tickets. That to me is
just blows my mind because if you
actually start doing the math, 365 days
a year, that's about four tickets a day,
even including the days that are not uh
work days. So, we did this amazing
amount of work there. 201 closed from
the sheriff's department, 186 from
finance, 97 from HR, and all the way
down the list. So, I'm really happy. For
for a long time during post go live, we
were running a ticket count of 60 to 65
open tickets at any particular moment.
We're now under 20, which makes me feel
like we're really getting a handle on
everything.
So, in terms of our strengths, our
weaknesses, um,
we a new we have a new system and
there's a lot of stuff that we don't
know about the new system and we're
still learning. That's that's definitely
a weakness that we need to remedy. Um,
but we've been able to build some great
stuff, some integrations. Um, and and
this and the skills that we are
developing and our team honestly is a
strength. Our team is is really good.
Very happy with with everybody on it and
and the support that we're being able
to, you know, get things done. Um, do we
have threats? Yeah, the biggest threat
to me is sticking with the processes
that we had before workday because well
that's the way we've done it before. I
think we're being being able to get rid
of that. We're moving past it and
finding that there are better ways to do
things. Uh that's a slow process. It
doesn't happen all at once and it wasn't
completely finished by go live which
means we're still working it. Um,
and in order to deal with those threats
and weaknesses, we do have plans. So,
the staffing issues, we're reviewing
positions, making sure that if we're
hiring people, they have uh the the
right type of skills to be able to work
within workday. We're doing staff
augmentation through Robert Half um to
bring on uh contractors that can help us
in certain areas. We have two that are
working with the finance staff right
now. Uh in terms of completing the
period close and getting our working on
our audit
um knowledge, we've uh taken courses. We
have still some uh training credits that
we can use. So if a staff member uh
needs better knowledge of a particular
system, we have the ability to give them
training on that. Um turnover in finance
has caused obviously some issues.
finance has lost a number of people
recently, but we have some new hires
that seem to be excellent with the month
or so that I've worked with them. So,
I'm really optimistic that that's not
going to be a long-term issue. Um
then uh in terms of the fact that we
have these uh legacy setups that we
really want to turn into something
that's more adaptable is we're going
back and I mean that was exactly what
happened with the recruiting uh project.
It was going back looking at what we set
up and finding the best way to match
what we need with how workday is
supposed to function. Um and we're also
working on uh you know documenting our
procedures. Uh it is I know finance is
pretty sure HR is as well. Um and and
that that documentation a lot of us we
had it on our previous systems but the
new system is so different that it
requires a little bit of change.
So what are we planning for FY26? I have
three listed here. Um, so let's go
through them quickly. Stabilizing
operations. So this is what I was
hinting at a little earlier
when the our our our implementation
contractor
suggested that usually it takes about 3
months post go live to stabilize
everything. It's been a little bit
harder for us. We're a smaller
organization. When I went to a workday
conference a few years ago, I didn't see
any organization that had the staffing
level that we had. Everyone was twice
the staff count or higher. I think that
it made getting certain things done a
lot harder for us and it means that it's
getting it was harder for us to get to
the point where everything works the way
we expect it to. And we're still not
quite there. Um, our asset process is
broken and I've been working with with
the finance team on that and I'm hoping
that we'll be able to rebuild that
process by the end of the fiscal year or
sorry, by the end of the calendar year.
Um, uh, finance accounting has had some
issues. Again, there's been turnover
related to that. Um, and we had had
difficulty closing periods early on. It
looks like we've gotten past most of
that, but we need to just keep an eye on
it, make sure it uh doesn't break on us
or that we keep moving forward. Uh
working on uh new integrations, which
I'll talk about in a moment. Uh and then
the security review. The security setup
works within workday, but I think uh it
has the primary people that are
maintaining and and working with the
security setup. We've seen some issues
that we'd like to do a review of all of
what's been set up. So that's going to
be planned for this fiscal year.
So new implementations. I hinted at this
a moment ago. Uh phase two for advanced
scheduling uh go live date is projected
to be October 31st. They're getting
started today literally. Um we descoped
a couple of integration or actually
three integrations that we want to put
back on the plate and get them done this
year. One of and they're all uh accounts
receivable related. So payments that are
taken in systems that are not workday.
So the the Cassell which is the utility
system uh clarity which is the new uh
land management system that uh community
development uses uh and the county
fusion uh the clerk's recording system.
All of those systems take payments and
we want to integrate that directly into
workday.
Um we're also working on an integration
with Procore which is a project
management system. um usage of brokers
not
in full swing yet. Uh but they do have a
workday integration. So there's certain
pieces of that integration that we'll be
building this year. Uh and then we're
looking at any other county initiatives
such as the the Vantage Circle that has
been set up, the um the
what is it called? Achieve it. I forget.
Uh we've got a number of systems that
we're looking at additional integrations
on. Um and then the last one is
training. Uh that means both training
for the support staff, making sure that
all of our people are knowledgeable.
That is a big issue. When we have
turnover, we have to train the new
people, but we also want to build better
training. We did a whole lot of training
for go live, but we need to revisit that
and find the areas where additional
training needs to be done. It has a a
training
uh person, forget his exact position
title, sorry, but but Daniel Mouri is
working on building additional trainings
and HR has a training staff member who's
also working. Uh Nathaniel, I believe
his name is.
So, with that, and I'm sorry if I
sounded like I kind of speedrushed
through that, but if you have any
questions, I'm more than happy to answer
them.
Thank you so much, Jeeoff. Great
presentation. Commissioners, any
questions?
No,
no, I think we appreciate the update.
Um, I'm excited about Cassell. I know
that's something that we were asked
about on the South Central Solid Waste
Authority. Um, so I'm glad to see that
still in the plans for later on. So,
thank you, sir.
That when we're actually meet meeting
with the contractor tomorrow to get that
started.
Awesome.
Thank you, commissioners. I appreciate
your giving me the opportunity to
present. Thank you so much, sir. I
appreciate you. Good job.
Okay. Next up, we have an overview of
Colonia's Windshield Survey Data
Collection Project, HHS Director, Miss
Michael. Welcome.
Good morning, commissioners. Jamie
Michael Countyy's Health and Human
Services Department. I'm excited to
provide you with this information today
and I am joined by our partners at um
Burell and NMSU along with the Donana
Wellness Institute. So we um have uh
Sylvia Selenus who is serving as our
postoc fellow who will provide um some
information for you. She is leading the
study. We also have Dr. Andola who is
the chair of the wellness institute that
serves as the health council. Um he will
speak. We have Tara Winter here who also
represents the um wellness institute.
And then um we've had some students from
NMSU and Burell College here. Some of
them had to leave to get back to class
but a few are here. And um at the end
we'll provide some public input to share
their experience.
So, we are here today um to provide you
some information about this study. Um
it's we're in the middle of the study.
We don't have any of the results yet,
but it's important for everyone for you
all and I think the other directors to
know that we're doing this because it
directly links to our um strategic plan.
It overlaps with the vital conditions
and it is a great starting place for a
needs assessment and and a way to gather
information. so we can make datadriven
decisions and so we have some baseline
um metrics on the work that we're doing.
Our focus um as the wellness institute
is health equity and so we want to look
at what um what health equity is. Um,
and I think everyone has a different
definition of health equity, but here we
really are looking at um, among
different populations, among different
people or geographic areas in our
community, is there a difference in
their health outcomes and why is that
difference? So we've looked at just
morbidity and mortality data and we do
know that just based on geography there
is anywhere from a four to sevenyear
difference in life expectancy in our
community. So now we're trying to answer
the question why is there such a such a
difference in that life expectancy? So
we want to look at health equity so we
can help everyone attain their full
potential for health and well-being. And
a lot of the work that we do um
collectively focuses on the social
drivers of health. And I have Dr.
Andisola here to um to speak and then
after him we will have Sylvia Selenus um
share some of the nuts and bolts of the
program. So I'll have both of you join
me. Thank you.
Um chair and commissioners, thank you
for having me. Um this is my soap box.
So if you guys have ever heard me talk,
this is what I talk about all the time.
But so I think this is really important.
The social determinance of health as you
guys know it's about where you live,
work and play. It's your health is
determined not by what you do in the
clinic, not what I do in the clinic, not
what's happens in the hospital, but it's
about your built environment. It's about
your education, it's about the food you
eat, it's about is there parks, what's
the condition? So it's about where you
live, work, and play that makes a
difference in health. And as
commissioners, I think that's really
important for you to understand because
the decisions you make every day
addresses a person's built environment,
addresses how they live, and so it
impacts um their overall health and the
health of the community in general. I
think this is the next one. So why is it
important? So this Camden, New Jersey is
I think a great example. Camden, New
Jersey is is in South New Jersey and it
had horrible health outcomes. It didn't
have a medical school, had high poverty
rates, poor housing, poor conditions
throughout. And what they found out is
that these people were seeing ER visits.
Um, they were in the hospital, they were
costing a lot of money. They didn't have
good housing. They didn't have a good
built environment. They didn't have
green spaces. They didn't have
sidewalks. And intervention was taken to
address health education, but also
access to care. They had clinics built.
They have a medical school built there
that was huge. That medical school was
specifically built to address community
needs and community access. And then
they had housing and environment and
other in in I guess um interventions and
investments into the community which
made a big difference and it really
improved overall health outcome um
improvement community um scale but it
took policy change to make this happen.
The Camden School of of the Camden
Medical School is a very unique medical
school that was supported by these
policy changes and it's now become one
of the most sought-out medical schools
in the country because it teaches the
root of why people get sick. And in a
couple of slides, I'm going to talk a
little bit more about the root of why
people get sick.
So, thank you for your time,
commissioners. And follow up on what Dr.
Andas just said, uh, let me talk to you
about the windshield survey project. Uh
we have 38 colonials within Donana
County and the objective of the project
is to assess the neighborhood
characteristics and potentially identify
social drivers of health to better
understand the factors that are
influencing the health outcomes among
these communities.
But how can we assess the neighborhood
characteristics and the built
environment that is related to social
drivers of health? We are using a
windshield survey approach. A windshield
survey is an observational research
method where a researchers drive to a
community to collect data on it social
and physical environment. And below you
can see a few examples uh cited there
that is a proven research instrument and
how this has been used in public health
and community assessments.
So how can we assess the neighborhood
characteristics and potential identify
these social drivers of health in our
community in a effective and
cost-effective manner. So we can observe
the conditions of the homes, the
presence of the vacant property and the
general upkeep of the community. We can
also observe the infrastructure
such as the quality of the roads, the
presence of sidewalks, the availability
and visibility of the public
transportation in these communities. We
can also observe the safety indicators
such as pedestrian accessibility, the
presence of crosswalks or the street
lighting.
But also we are able to observe uh the
community resources availables for each
of these communities such as access to
healthcare facilities, grocery stores,
parks, schools. So these observations
give us available insights into the
everyday life of the residents in these
communities. and it might help us
potentially identify social drivers of
health that are affecting their health
outcomes and their well-being.
So we developed a survey based on a
on a literature review in order to
facilitate
systematic data collection because we
wanted to collect the same type of
information in each colonia and we did
this under the advisory the donana
wellness advisory council. The final
survey has eight main section as you can
see listed in the slide and it includes
a mix of open question and multiple
choice. Depending on the characteristics
of the colonia then total number of
questions will be between 50 and 140
items. This instrument is helping us to
guide the data collection while the
students drive and assess the colonials.
These are the 38 colonialas within
Donana County where we are collecting
data using the windshield survey. And as
you will hear in the following slides,
students from New Mexico State
University and Burell College of
Osteopathic Medicine are actually the
ones driving to the communities and
acquiring the data. They all attended a
hands-on training to learn how to
implement the survey. And as part of the
training we actually visit their fisc
colonia with them to practice. Then we
also provide them them with material to
facilitate the data acquisition.
And this is an example of one of the
maps that we created. We have created
one of these for each of the 38
colonials in order to provide them the
locations, the points of access, the
boundaries of the colonia and make this
as a guide for the students to make it
more efficiently and safely for them
when they visit the colonas.
While the windshield survey provide us a
valuable on the ground observation,
we are not stopping there. In order to
create a more comprehensive and complete
pictures of the colonials and the social
drivers of health uh with the NMSU team,
we are also gathering information from a
variety of publicly available databases.
For example, in relation to education
access, we are identifying the nearest
schools to each colonia. Regarding
transportation, we are learning about
the available routes and identifying the
nearest bus stops. And we are also
looking at the available services in
these colonials. We are looking at the
closest emergency rooms, the health
clinics, the fire stations, the police
stations, and more.
And now that the solo will continue.
So I said I was going to tie um
the data that we're going and why is it
important for education and research. We
have been bringing in first the the
windshield survey goes to the colonials
and we're looking at what exists in
these communities. What what are the
drivers of health? What's the built
environment? What are what's access to
services exist in those community? If
you talk to a medical student, if you
talk to a practicing doctor, you know
what they say? They they're like, "This
guy never gets his medication. You know,
it's difficult. This guy, he he doesn't
follow instructions." We used to call
that non-compliant patient, right? So,
that patient isn't doing his job, but
they don't know what that person faces
every day. They don't know what that
community looks like. They don't know if
they have roads. They don't know if it
got flooded out yesterday. They don't
know any of that. Right? And so I think
this is really important because if a
person comes to me with diabetes and I
prescribe that pill, that's down the
street, how do I prevent the diabetes?
And I think that's the key, right?
What's happening in that built
environment that prevents that from
happening? So how do we do this? We
bring in NMSU students in public health
and other um health related resources to
learn about this to be part of this to
go to the communities to formally
understand what infrastructure exists
and we're bringing in Burell College our
local medical students right so they
understand and they it's interesting
because they're like oh my god this is
another thing I have to do right then
they go and they come out and they're
like now I know now I know this is why
there's disease in our community. Now I
know the barriers and it's been eye
opening. So um I'm going to share the
next one. Sorry for the sorry for the
formatting. It got it got funky. But
anyways, I think the thing is is that we
have brought in BCOM students and it's
been really easy working with BCOM
because BCOM has created mi mission
medicine. Their dean has said we
understand that there's something more
and we need to reach out and understand
what's happening in the community. We've
only scripted the service. We've only
had a few students come with us, but the
students have s have learned that
there's um lack of healthcare access.
There's no clinic in this community.
They've learned that there's
transportation um challenges. Um they've
learned that there's lack of grocery
stores, lack of gyms, lack of sidewalks,
and if there's a sidewalk, there's no
trees, and they can't walk on the
sidewalk because there's no shade,
right? They've learned about um um other
social um barriers and inequities, lack
of education, lack of employment, and
from this they understand that that's
the root of health. And we're we're able
to understand as they become physicians
how their work is impacted and how they
can impact the health of the community
by thinking bigger.
Thank you. um some of the next steps.
This is going to be an ongoing project.
We will bring the results back to you
probably in early spring, late uh
winter. So, the data collection
continues. The data analysis will be
done um led by um Dr. Selenus and her
team at NMSU. Um and then there'll be
these reports that will be provided to
you to other organizations um in the the
county that need this information. um we
can decide as a county if we want to
invest in this and do this annually so
we can measure changes. Um this is a
great way to kind of reinvigorate the
Colonius initiative really identify the
communities that we want to work on and
the community needs that we want to
address because it will be quantified in
this report and then we can look um for
changes in that over time. So this is
continuing to to happen. and the last
group of students are doing the
observational uh surveys right now. Um
and then it will take a couple months
for the team to put all of the data
analysis together and create the
reports. Um again, we had great um these
are some photos from the pilot tests
that were done in Chapperel and Vado. Um
again, they take photos. they have a
very um consistent way of collecting the
data and were grateful for all of the um
the work that the students did. They
also partnered with the promotas so they
were able to get a really good tour of
the different communities um and get to
know them. We also have one of our BCOM
students here with us today who would
like to just provide their their
reflection. So Christian, do you want to
come and join us? Thank you.
Hey, good morning all. Thank I know that
you've had a long morning so far, so
thank you for for hearing us out. Uh, so
I'm a secondy year medical student at
BCOM. Uh, I actually come from New
Hampshire. New Mexico is brand new to
me. Uh, this project really hits home
because before, uh, coming here, I was a
congressional staffer, so I worked in
healthcare. I have a masters of public
health so I really understand you know
what the guise of this project is why
they're doing it and just understanding
that we're learning what's happening in
our communities now but what we're going
to have to do is see what does that mean
in 10 years what um uh things can we
implement uh resources can we put in we
won't see it right away uh what I think
for me this project has really helped me
understand is I'm not from here I don't
really know the area I don't get out
much frankly because I am just studying
this is yes something else I have to do
but it forces me to engage with a
community a community I don't really
know that well and understand what are
the needs why are the presentations here
and maybe why structurally why we're
seeing that um and so when I I go out
you know a typical uh survey day will be
it's me and another person one person's
driving the other person has a survey
out and is collecting notes taking
photos Uh these communities are very
small if you've been to and I'm sure you
have. Uh there's limited access even to
get in. So often we're doing these weird
loops trying to figure out and navigate
because sometimes Google maps and the
maps that we have may not be accurate.
Uh sometimes the dirt roads which may
you think is a road really isn't and
then you're offroading by accident and
you have to kind of turn around. So,
it's a little bit of, you know, uh,
touch and go, but it's really involved
in the way that we have to do this and
trying to understand, you know, putting
your place in living there. Well, I just
got lost real easy. Uh, I didn't know
how to get there and thinking about, oh,
how far was this from the nearest uh,
pharmacy? You know, it puts into
perspective and at least for students
that are doing this, this is what I I've
heard from uh, us. But I I would say
that it does open the doors and it
really helps the students at BCOM. You
know, we we have two years that we're
here in Las Cruises. The third year
we're off at our rotation sites and that
might not be here. That's wherever
really. It's across in Mexico, some in
Arizona, Texas, Florida. Uh and so the
hope of BCOM, I think, is to really
engage and keep future positions in
town, right, in this area. Uh but
projects like this I think make sure
that us as we're learning are being
involved in the community and have
actual ties and connections and
understanding to hopefully come back
after that time of uh rotations,
residency, however long that might be
but depending on your specialty. Um but
I don't know if there's any questions or
if my colleagues here have anything else
but I just thank you very much for your
time. I hope that's some helpful insight
of this project. Thanks.
Thank you for your time here today as
well.
That is the um end of our presentation.
Again, we just want to acknowledge um
everyone that worked on this. This is a
collaborative project. Um Dr. Palasios
at NMSU worked very closely with uh
Sylvia, the advisory council for the
Wellness Institute, uh Gina and Claudia
from our office. Everyone contributed to
this. And we want it to be a community
product. So once it's complete, we want
everyone in the community to own it. And
I do hope that the county will see this
as something that um pushes forward our
strategic plan and overlaps with the
seven vital conditions. So any
questions? Um we are here to to share.
Yeah, I think um I'm going to say a
couple things and then I'll get to
Commissioner Reynolds. So I'm really
excited to see this. I'm really excited
to see the tiein with our strategic
plan. Um, I think that's really great to
kind of see how it's all going to flow
together and really tie to those social
determinants of health. Uh, something
that I would like to see is as we get
closer to
um the finalization of this report in
early spring, late spring, what are we
thinking?
Early spring.
Early spring. Okay. So when we see this
really come uh to kind of close and
before you all finalize the report, what
I would really like to see is um a work
session done with this particular team
that put this together. I would like to
see insight come in who's been helping
us navigate our strategic plan and all
the relevant department heads that are
really going to be key to kind of
helping with this. Jamie, I want to see
this done at a round table sitting down.
we're all having these conversations
understanding exactly what's going on
because I think a lot of times at least
me personally when I sit up here and
we're talking about the colonials and
we're talking about what's there and
what's missing and you know just looking
at this I'm like we talk about this on a
regular basis here from the dis so I
think bringing us um into the
conversation on the front end before it
gets finalized so that way if there's
any key takeaways or any key objectives
that the commission can help with
whether that's with dollars or that's
with policy decisions or whatever that
is, we can kind of help strengthen this
um and help really integrate it with our
strategic plan. Okay, I'm getting a
headshake so I feel good now.
Sounds good.
Um but that's what I would really love
to see before it gets finalized.
No, absolutely. something just as simple
as the map and the geographic boundary
for each colonia is something we all
need to agree on because I think you
took a lot of time at the beginning um
trying to just identify something that
simple. So having the department heads
and everyone together is a great idea.
Thank you.
Yeah, and I think even with this too,
like if something that I've really
noticed is I'm I use GPS for everything.
I want to know where the where the speed
traps are and I want to know where
there's going to be kind of um traffic
when I travel even within my own county.
I I like to know that. I like to have a
plan. Um so I think really even with the
maps if it's you know you can do a lot
of things on Apple and Google maps where
you kind of highlight the problems and
the issues for residents. So if I type
in La Mesa Community Center, it's going
to take me to La Mesa, Arizona. So, I
think like highlighting the things that
are close to home for individuals to
where they're on their phones doing
stuff like that is also part of this
picture. It's part of knowing your
community and where you're at. Um, so I
think that would be really uh really
great. So, I would really recommend that
work session. I would really recommend
kind of bringing everyone together, all
the community partners that you have on
this, but also the community members
itself to make sure that you know they
are highlighting what their needs are as
well.
Commissioner Reynolds.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. By the way, I want
to say I I echo what uh chair said. I
agree with him and everything he said,
but there's I think there's something
else that we're getting to here that um
is very valuable and that is that we all
know that a lot of the problems in areas
where people are poor or uneducated or
not don't get enough services, food
desert, we know all those things exist.
The challenge we have is how to identify
first where they exist and then secondly
um anticipate what the impact on the
long-term health is for the community
and the people. I know u being from
Kentucky I mean we have similar
situations there. One of the things that
I've noticed uh in here and there too is
when you have when you don't have good
health care, you don't know what you are
facing with your with your with your
environment, with your behavior, with
your way the way you eat, with the
activities you do or you don't do. So
what we if we don't figure out a way to
better reinforce health care and daily
routine health care, meaning you get to
do your visits when they're when they're
needed. My doctor wants for a long time
because um I I I will say I lost six
family members to to diabetes year
before last. Okay? And all of that is
preventable. But if you don't make those
regular meetings with your doctor and
keep track of the
where you are, then it sneaks up on you
and the next thing you know before you
realize it your diabetes is actually
called caused sclerosis of the liver
which is deadly. You can't you can't get
past that even I mean liver transplants
but that's hard to do. The point is is
that as we capture this data, I think
it's important that we recognize first
what the risks are, what the situations
are, which you which you guys are doing.
And I think I applaud that 100%. But I
think the next step is that we at the
county have to figure out ways that we
can actually participate in this so that
we can provide that ongoing uh regular
health care so that they get they keep
track of what's going on. I can um it
was actually about 20 30 years ago my
doctor said you know you're you're
pre-diabetic I'm going to put you on
metformin and I said is there anything I
can do about it and he says well if you
continue the way you're going no and I
said well what do I what do I need to do
to get off of metformant and my doctor
said lose 30 pounds.
So I knew what my goal was. I knew what
I needed to do and I did it. And so I
stayed off of Metformin, didn't have to
go on diabet diabetes medicine. And and
and I think that we need to make sure
that that's available for every citizen
in the county. And I think the county
has to figure out a way to take
responsibility for that and figure out
ways to make that happen. But we
certainly need more health care and more
clinics that they can go to so they can
track it without having to pay pay
through the nose to do the to do it. And
I think this what you guys are doing
here to identify these factors and help
us to prioritize though what will
prioritize those will help the county to
be able to actually actively participate
in the well-being of everybody
especially in all the colonials where
they don't have the services and the
food deserts and things that we are
trying to address. So I think this this
what you're doing is so critical to the
future of this county and the people of
this county and the constituents. I tell
us how we can help. Tell us how we can
make it real. Thank you.
Um, thank you for that. I mean, I I
really wanted to say thank you for
joining me on my soap box because that's
exactly where I live. It's not just the
infrastructure, but it's also the care.
And I think what's important about that
care is what care. And so for me,
primary care is the issue, right? And
how do we support that and how do we
build that and how do we do that?
Preventative care and having doctors in
the community that are actually, you
know, practicing upstream before you
have cerosis of the liver. And so I
think and your example is exactly right.
You know, how do I give you opportunity
to have healthy diet, lose weight,
exercise, and what kind of environment
allows that? And how can I guide you on
that path?
And and something else that we're
working on, and I know that the go bond,
you know, sounds like a pie in the sky,
but one of the things that we're in our
in our discussion about the go bond is
trying to figure out ways that we can
actually provide more services in the
community that actually provide for a
more healthy environment for them to to
live in. And and you know it was uh John
Munoz at the the breakfast we had the
other day. He had he he had raised a
question. He said if he if I could if I
could bring in medical people in the
county okay who would who would we focus
on and who would be our the first
doctors that we would bring in or nurses
we would bring in and he said primary
health care. If we don't have primary
health care which where all the
maintenance is actually done then we
everybody suffers and and we can have
all the specialists you know who may do
all the things that's necessary to pre
to care for problems once you find them
but it's the prevent preventive care
that we have to get ahead of in order to
change lives.
That's exactly right. And so that's what
that and your all study is going to help
us to have the information we need to
know where we have to apply our
resources in order to make those
changes. And I I I think this is so
valuable that we all have to get behind
it. Thank you.
Thank you,
Mr. Chairman.
Yeah, Mr. Commissioner Sanchez.
Um, couple things to note and I hope we
get this updated. There's actually 40
colonials in the county now. That's an
old map. village of Hatch town of Maceia
also declared col or have been certified
as colonia. So I hope we don't leave
those communities out. Um I'm
looking forward to this. I think as the
chair noted if this is going to be in
the early spring I think this it ties in
at a very critical point for our
calendar which is the beginning of our
uh budgeting process for the next fiscal
year. And I think as we continue to tie
in our budget around the strategic plan,
I think that's the perfect time for us
to figure out what are the key
deliverables, what are going to be the
goals and actions we take, and then how
are we going to build that into um our
upcoming years uh the upcoming fiscal
year's uh plan. Um,
and so, you know, one of the things that
I'm I'm I'm looking forward to this, I
think, um, I I will say, and this is
probably just maybe preaching to the
choir a little bit, here in the United
States, our our health system is broken.
It's just broken. And I and I appreciate
the the you know while we talk about
access part of the issue with access is
the the ACA and a lot of these other you
know everything that we've legislation
that was supposed to help us has not
helped us because we see people either
unable to still afford health plans with
subsidies. we we we or they get on to
health care plans that have huge
deductibles that put them into huge debt
when they end up needing to go to the
hospital, which means they don't get the
help they need. They don't do that. So,
you know, I think access um and and
figuring out and and understanding the
the the dynamics or or uh demographics,
excuse me, of our community and how we
can help whether that's through the
through the indigent fund, um through
the FQC's, whatever it may be that we
can use to bring that access teleaalth
um you know, I think when we look at
infrastructure and or you know, it
doesn't even have to be brick and
mortar. What can we do? And I'm curious
to see um especially with I think some
some fresh eyes to figure out what is it
that other communities are doing that we
can bring to our residents and and being
able to do that. But I also think I
think is noted you know we
highlighting in some of our colonials in
the community
what is the key infrastructure that we
are missing if it's you know like we
said sidewalks lighting um
just like a green space something of
that nature I think would be excellent
to note because
you know I think if I if I'm not
mistaken one of the pictures that we had
with the with the tour of the Hatch
Valley was there in Roie
And outside of the the old the historic
uh church there
we don't have something in roadie. We
have to go those residents have to end
up going to either Renon or the Hatch.
And so if we want people to be able to
come out and you know have uh some
outside time whether youth or elderly or
you know we need to create those
abilities to access that. And so, you
know, I think even the next piece that I
would say is, and I'd be curious, I
don't know if we'll look at it, but
public transportation. Is there is there
something that we can bring to bear with
um the South Central Regional Transit
District? Because I know while we've
expanded routes across the county, we
don't hit every community. Um and so,
you know, that's been a big piece of of,
you know, creating access is those
routes. Um, we have made it fair free
along with the city of Los Cusus with
Roadrunner where you can get onto a a
public bus and just ride across the
county and get to where you need to go.
But I said, not every community has
access. So, I think I I'm I'm I'm
excited for what this can bring forward.
And I think like we said, if if we bring
that with a work session and bring it
into for our next fiscal year's plan,
you know, what can we do now? What do we
do in year two and year three? But I I'm
excited to be able to start bringing in
this type of data and building it into
what we're what our you know the
strategic plan and and our actual uh
budgets. So, but I'm excited. I said I
know I just like I said I'm preaching to
the choir here, but I I am excited and
welcome to to the Southwest. Um you
know, where where in New Hampshire?
Uh it's by Manchester. Manchester is
actually the largest city north of
Boston last time I checked. Uh so it's
small but mighty. Uh our our we have
very similar issues with access to uh
you think once you get out of the
populated areas there's not much and we
have snow and so during those times
thinking about getting to an appointment
getting anywhere is really hard. So it's
there's a lot of parallels to living
here but I I the community here is is
just phenomenal. I will say that
like I said, welcome. And um you know, I
think obviously while geographically,
you know, slightly different than New
England, but I think we have similar
challenges. I think as Commissioner
Reynolds was noting, even in in um in
the Midwest and Kentucky, you know, we
we see similar things. And so I'm
excited to have you and and having uh
you know uh Boom as part of a partner.
So I'm excited. So thank you all so
much.
Thank you so much. And as they mentioned
uh this is the first step right and we
know this is like diagnosing the
communities and then we will need to
take a step forward to adapt
interventions real life interventions uh
to the communities or resources for the
communities. But thank you thank you so
much for your time.
Thank you Mr. Chair. I also want to give
a shout out to the Southern New Mexico
Diabetes Organization actually does um
training and also free testing for A1C
which is the only real measure for
finding out whether you have diabetes
and uh so they go all over the county
doing tests and I would look up look for
them. Um uh in addition to that, our
extension program for uh the uh the the
New Mexico extension program which we
helped to fund also does training for um
um how to cook meals that prevent
diabetes and they do that also all over
the county and also in video classes as
well and they're all free both the
Southern Diabetes Southern Diabetes
Southern New Mexico Diabetes
Organization and the extension program
and I welcome all the community to reach
out to them to find out how to eat
healthy, cook healthy, and get their
testing done. Okay. Thank you,
Mr. Chair.
Commissioner Gomedos.
Thank you. Um I just want to share with
the board that yesterday uh Jamie and
and staff um along with uh our chair
here uh we met with some cancer patients
and um their families yesterday uh to
discuss the issues that they're having
accessing um proper health care due to
not being insured. um you know the the
pitfalls that they have. Um and
you know that's it was sad just to hear
what they were going through. You know
just to have a diagnosis of cancer is
very fearful right? You don't know if
you're going to live or die and
having to wait for treatment. That was
one of the big issues that these um many
of them were going through where you
know uh you know an individual waited
like three months to start getting some
chemotherapy and they literally had to
go to Albuquerque to get this done
because here they were taking long to
just even get that service um for them
point you know have an appointment and
uh by the time they did get up there to
Albuquerque to have this treatment
uh the doctor at the end of her
treatment It was like an eight-month
treatment. At the end of the treatment,
they didn't want to tell her at the
beginning, you know. He said, "At the
end, I just didn't want to tell you that
when you came, you had three months to
live." He goes, "But I didn't want to,
you know, he didn't want her progress
hopefully that she would have a progress
in in that." You know, eight months
later, you know, thank God she's alive.
She has a child. Um
it was very disheartening to hear that
that she had to be separated from her
child.
Um
and you know the other stories were also
about the same thing as well that they
weren't getting proper treatment at the
proper time due to insurance having no
insurance you know um and so you know as
I'm glad for SB45 and I'm glad that HHS
you know we're going to see about trying
to get that going. Um,
and I'm I'm grateful that we're doing
this study because it is needed because
these individuals that showed they are
from Colonas and you know it's um they a
lot of them didn't go didn't have a a
primary care physician. They a lot of
these people don't realize or because
they don't have the money and even
though they can go to LA clinic or Ben
Archer or Amadore
you know um they still have to be
eligible to to uh qualify for the
indigent care as well and if they don't
you know then how are they going to pay?
So you know just
th this project here you know getting
all this information understanding
the pitfalls that people have um and not
being able to access um health care um
you know I think it's very important
that we do get that education out there
to people and that we can provide that
and it it is unfortunate that you know
the health system is broken but I'm
hoping with all of us here that we're
all coming together that we can at least
try to fix Donana, you know, and have
better health care and have have better
access and, you know, people not being
denied and turned away from their
appointments and not being able to um
have the treatments that they need in
order to survive. So, I thank you all
for this. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Thank you. Um, we be we will be ready
for that work session. um the the health
care system is is big and complicated
and I think everyone agrees it's very
difficult to navigate regardless of the
resource or the privilege that you have.
So there's a lot that needs to be done
with the health care system. We're all
grateful we have a health care system.
When I need my doctor, I'm glad that she
is there. But with this work, we're
really looking more upstream and trying
to keep people from getting into, you
know, downstream, keep people from um
becoming more ill. But everything that
we're addressing upstream will also
create a better infrastructure. So if
you do need to access the health care
system, there is child care, there is
transportation,
um there there are the resources. So it
makes it even more successful. So
focusing on these upstream um social
drivers of health helps the entire
continuum and it is something that is
squarely within county government's
authority squarely within our resources
and our reach. So that's why I'm happy
that you all have embraced this and I
again want to thank our um chair Dr.
Andola Sylvia the work that you're doing
um and we couldn't do it without the the
students and the people out there
actually doing the observation work. So
thank you all for your time.
Thank you. Thank you everyone. We
appreciate you and we'll be looking
forward to the work session dates.
That'll be great.
Okay, next up we do have
minutes where the county commission is
being asked to approve the minutes from
August 26th and the work session a on
September 2nd. Commissioners, you can do
this one at a time or you can do it in
one fell swoop. It's all up to you. Mr.
Chairman, I'd like to move approval of
minutes from August 26, 2025 in the work
session on September 2nd, 2025.
Second.
Oh, I love it. Thank you guys. We have a
motion and a second. Brandy, I'll let
you pick who you want to do the second.
Any comments, questions, concerns?
No.
No. Okay, Brandy, take it away.
Commissioner Gomez,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes.
Vice Chair Chaparo.
Yes.
Challen.
Yes.
Motion passes. Both minutes are
approved.
Moving on, we will look at approvals
which number 13 is a approval for a
resolution of anou between Doniana
County and the village of Hatch for fire
and EMS services. Commissioners, do we
have a motion?
I'll move approval.
We have a second.
Thank you. We have a motion by
Commissioner Sanchez and a second by um
Commissioner Gomedos.
Interim Fire Chief Bone want to come up
or Mr. Lopez, one of the two.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioners,
Andy Bowen, interim county fire chief.
Uh so today before you uh you have a
resolution uh to permit the county
manager to negotiate and sign anou
between Donana County and the village of
Hatch in order to provide uh fire and
EMS services to the village. Uh so
basically over the last several years uh
we have had a major issue with
volunteerism.
uh we have seen the number of volunteers
uh diminish drastically and in order to
address that uh we staffed the uh fire
station in Rome, New Mexico with career
staff uh last year. Uh that definitely
helped the northern area. Uh but we have
seen that uh that career fire station is
responding to the village of Garfield
and the village of Hatch on a normal
basis. Uh the average response time is
31 minutes to Garfield. Uh so we are
seeking to enter into this agreement
with Hatch in order to more centrally
locate that career staff. Uh so that's
what we have in before you and uh we'll
stand for any questions.
Awesome. Thank you so much
commissioners. Any questions?
Mr. Chair.
Yeah. I I would just say that this is
actually something that we are c
certainly capable of and need to do and
it's it's desperately needed in Hatch. I
mean, we already do it for uh Anthony
and provide some services down there.
So, yeah, we're I think that we should
do this.
Thank you, Commissioner.
Okay. Well, commissioners, any other
questions?
No. Do we have any public input on this?
No. Can I just say I really enjoy our
new executive summaries in our packet
because it tells us what each action
will mean for the exact
um item. I really enjoy that. Did you
all see that? It's very nice, isn't it?
Okay.
It makes it a lot easier to figure out
what how we should vote.
I know, right?
A vote yes, a vote no, and a vote mend
table. I love it. Anyway, okay, cool.
Easy peasy. Thank you, sir.
You know what's missing is abstain.
Not an option.
It is an option.
We'll add it for the next one. Um, okay,
cool. Randy, go ahead.
Commissioner Gomedos,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes. Vice Chair Chaparo.
Commissioner, Vice Chair Chabato, if
you'll say that again, please.
Yes.
Thank you.
Thank you,
Chair Shaw. Jordan on this.
Yes.
That does have a resolution number. That
number is 2025-105.
Fantastic. Thank you.
Okay, moving on. We do have an
authorization to publish notice of
hearing, title, and general summary for
local development act Lita ordinance
approving reduced permit fees for
project Jupiter and commissioners. Do we
have a motion?
So moved.
Second. We have a motion by Commissioner
Gomedos and a second by Commissioner
Sanchez. And
I see Denise coming up. Denise, welcome.
Thank you, Miss Carter.
Hi, Commissioner Denise Carter, economic
development director. Um, this item is
just your approval to publish the notice
of hearing. This is not the final
approval and it's just for uh reduced
permits. This is something that the
local economic development act allows us
to do as a county. So, it's only for
approving the notice of hearing, not
approving the incentive itself.
Okie dokie. Thank you, ma'am.
Just going through that really quick,
Mr. Chairman.
Yes, Commissioner.
Ju just a point of clarity, the uh so
based off of the the notice that or the
the notice that we're considering today,
the uh vote or the hearing will be held
on October 14th, 2025.
That is correct, sir. Because we have
the 14-day um notice that we have to
give. So, since today is just the
introduction for you all to allow us to
post the notice, 14 days have to go by
before we bring it back for approval.
Any other comments or questions,
commissioners?
Seeing none. None.
Okay. Thank you, Denise.
Uh, do we have public comment on this
passage?
Okay, Randy, go ahead.
Commissioner Gomez,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes.
Vice Chair Chaparo,
no.
Chair Jordan,
uh, yes.
Motion passes. We'll get that published.
Thank you, Denise.
Okay, next up we do have a one hearing
and ordinance on our agenda today, which
is item number 15, a final plat approval
for a type two subdivision to be known
as VTO New Horizon subdivision phase
one. And we do have Miss Amsworth, our
community development director here.
Welcome, Miss Amsworth.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair.
Um, this is a final plot approval for
Vado New Horizons.
It's
really quickly. Um, we just don't have a
motion yet, so I'm going to wait on
that.
Uh, I will move to approve.
Second.
Okay. You get to pick again, Brandy.
Thank you.
You're welcome. Okay. Now, go ahead. I
apologize.
You want to swear me in as well?
Yes. Do you promise to tell the truth?
I do.
The whole truth?
I do.
Okay. I believe you.
Okay, so this is a final plat approval
for Vado New Horizons subdivision phase
1. It has 41 lots and is located located
there off of VO drive.
Um
lots range in size from.138 acres to
2.247 247 acres. And they do have um
public water works authority and waste
lower grand lower Rio Grand public water
works authority and wastewater services
uh will be provided by Donana County.
Um this is the layout as you can see
and these are images um along Vado and
Highline.
This is Highline Road,
the ponding area,
and this is off of Camino and Salada.
So, we do have um substantial completion
on this subdivision and the department's
approval.
Okie dokie.
Commissioner, any questions yet?
No.
Okay.
Okay. Do we have anyone here that wants
to speak on the project today?
Do you promise to tell the truth, the
whole truth? I do.
Okay, I believe you. Go ahead.
Thank you. My name is Zach Libbon with
Libon Underwood Engineering and
Surveying
here on behalf of Tier Doul Housing
Corporation for approval of the final
plat of the first phase of a new
horizons.
Um
uh similar to the earlier discussion on
the colonial tier do supports the vision
of uh helping lower income families
achieve housing.
Um and they these families grow equity
in these homes. This is the first phase
of two. Um I do have a couple slides
if they would pull them up for me.
Should have mentioned that.
That's great. Thank you very much.
Again, the the same vicinity map. This
is just to show it was originally
preliminary plat as three phases and it
has been built as two. Um phase 1B is
soon to be uh submitted for design
review, but we're focused on phase one
today,
which is 42 lots. Um and that's the same
final plat. Oops.
Um
just
uh
I guess all that I wanted to show was
that the the projects received achieved
substantial completion uh with county
roads and engineering, the Loro Grand
Public Waterworks Authority, and the uh
county utilities. And uh with that, uh,
Miss Rose Garcia would like to to say a
few words and we stand ready for any
questions that you all have.
Good morning.
Please raise your right hand. Do you
promise to tell the truth, the whole
truth?
Rose Garcia,
do you do you promise to tell the truth,
the whole truth?
Yes.
Okay. Thank you. We believe you as well.
Go ahead.
Okay.
Okay. Rose Garcia, executive director of
Kier Soul Housing. Um, Mr. Chair and
members of the council, I really want to
thank you for the many years that the
county has worked with us on this
subdivision. It's been at least six
years that we've been developing the
subdivision and uh it's it's a large
development master plan of 97 lots and
because of financials
um it is best to split it in two pieces.
Uh it um and this is for the workforce
families in the area. Many employers
have trouble keeping employees to be
stable in the area. And so these these
lots will be provided to lowincome and
moderate income families that that are
in the area and uh qualify for mortgages
and many of them build their homes. They
work each other with self-help housing.
But I wanted to thank you so much
because this is a very special
development for the area of VO. It has
uh in it has induced a lot of
infrastructure that wasn't in existence
with water and sewer and drainage and uh
more recently we've been um interacted
with your emergency department because
of the floods. And so this is where the
drainage issue is very important with
new developments like this. So thank you
so very much. And I I'm just can't
express enough for this and u but I I
appreciate it very much.
If you have any questions, I'm glad to
answer.
Yeah. Go ahead, Commissioner Reynolds.
Um I have no question. We appreciate
what you're doing and uh you know and I
want to also continue to reinforce the
idea that with our go bond, one of the
things we're also trying to do is
hopefully provide more low-income
housing and with any other additional
monies we get from other decisions we
may make as a board. Low-income housing
is certainly very high on our list of
priorities along with health care. And
uh so we we recognize the need. uh we
hope that we can find better ways more
ways to actually fund projects like this
and so thank you for what you're doing.
Yes. And with a high cost of housing,
this is the o one of the only
opportunity that families that are in
the workforce that can afford to buy a
home. And uh so it's very special to the
area of the South Valley.
Okay. Um,
I'm just looking through really quick.
Is there green spaces planned in this
one as well on the in the current phase?
Like parks and recreational areas
or what? I'm sorry.
Are there recreational and green spaces
included in the final phase that you're
doing? Like a park for children?
You mean parks or recreation or
We we don't have any parks in the area.
Are you putting one in the subdivision?
We don't have subdivision uh with parks,
but we'd be glad to build it if you want
to inherit it and help us maintain it.
That's one of the matters that would be
good for the county. uh we've not been
able to build parks because it's been
very expensive, very nonfeasible to
maintain the parks for long term.
Okay. I'm sure that's something that we
can definitely have a conversation
about.
Sure. One one thing we are planning is
to talk with our legislators about um a
walking path or a biking path along from
the dollar store all the way to 478 to
the school so that kids can walk to the
school and to to go biking and and
similar to Anthony where you have the
walking and and that path that's very
very effective and Anthony with the
lighting.
So, that's the next project we'll
probably take on.
Awesome. Thank you. And we'll definitely
be in contact about possibly a park. I
think that would be really great for
that community.
It should be something easy to do.
Okay.
Thank you.
Okay. Any other questions,
commissioners?
No. Any public comment?
Mr. Chair, I'm sorry. I do have a
question.
Yeah, of course. Go ahead.
Um,
I know we have a in a few of our
communities, we do have parks. Okay. If
we do if we do make that part of the
construction of a of a a development, is
it something that we as a county can
take on? And is is do we have anything
in our UDC that actually supports that?
Uh we don't currently have a parkland
dedication ordinance but we have had
some discussions at the staff level
about um bringing something forward for
consideration. I think we should so we
can establish some sort of guidelines
and some sort of priority about how we
do that and work in cooperation with
these developments because going back to
the health care issue we talked about
before obviously having recreation
places to put walk and things like that
are very valuable in these communities
and if we're going to deal with
low-income housing I think we should try
to figure out a way to help to do that
as part of the county's responsibility.
Thank you.
I agree here as well. I I'd love to see
that as well, particularly with the
emphasis on quality of life and economic
development so much recently.
We'll get to work on it.
Sounds good. Okay. No public comment.
Brandy, take it away.
Commissioner Gomedos,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes. Vice Chair Chaparo,
Chernandez.
Yes. Motion carries.
Thank you.
We're in business.
If you want to put in a park, let us
know.
Figure it out.
Okay. Next up, we do have commission
input follow-up. Commissioners,
anything?
No. Okay. Correspondence. Brandy.
correspondence. We have one uh Naomi
Lake versus Doni County.
Okay,
that concludes our um regularly
scheduled meeting, but we do have a
close session on the agenda. So I move
that the board may convene in close
session regarding a limited personnel
matter the purchase, acquisition or
disposal of real property and water
rights to discuss information that is
covered by attorney client privilege
pertaining to threatened or pending
litigation is authorized by the open
meetings act section 10151H278
NMSA1 1978. Do I have a second?
Second.
I have a second by Commissioner Sanchez.
Brandy.
Commissioner Gomez,
yes.
Commissioner Reynolds,
yes.
Commissioner Sanchez,
yes.
Vice Chair Chaparo.
Chair Sha Dortnandez,
yes. Motion carries. We are in close
session. Um
Randy, I think you're good. We'll just
come out and make the statement when
we're done. So, no worries.
Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.
Okay, thank you for coming back. The
current time is 1:11 in the afternoon
and I just want to make a statement that
nothing was discussed in close session
other than the items that put us in to
close session. With that being said, it
is 1 and we are adjourned for the day.
Thank you for tuning in. Bye-bye.
We're done.