The ES-CA Board met on Monday, April 4, 2016. In attendance were board members: John McNerney (JM); Susan Fullas (SF); Bob Gorrell (BG); and Chris Daul (CD). A quorum was reached. Lynn Koch (LK) and Jerry Saxton (JS) arrived later. A number of members and residents were in attendance as well.

Jamie Silva-Steele, President and CEO of Sandoval Regional Medical Center made a presentation about the hospital and distributed information to board members.
Of concern to the board and residents of the area is the mil levy on property which helps to fund both SRMC and RUST Medical Center. SRMC is part to the University of New Mexico Health System and RUST is part of the Presbyterian Health System. Both hospitals are located in Rio Rancho and currently receive monies equaling a 4.25 mil levy. Ms. Silva Steele noted that RUST receives approximately 55% of the proceeds from the tax and SRMC receives approximately 45%. This discrepancy was questioned by the board.
Ms. Silva-Steele also noted that the current levy is necessary for current operating expenses and that any lowering of the rate or elimination of the tax would have a negative financial impact upon SRMC. She also stated that SRMC was not in favor of any increase in the rate.
The written materials provided an overview of the hospital services, costs, patient data, etc. SRMC is preparing a strategic plan which should be released this May.
The board asked numerous questions about vacancy rates and how to increase use of the facility. Ms. Silva-Steele stated that she and the CEO of RUST would be willing to make a joint presentation to the Placitas community later this year. The Board will follow-up.

Monthlyreports were given as follows:
a. Treasurer’s Report: SF reported that ES-CA had a balance of $19,002.00 on 3.31.16, which reflected membership dues of $686.00 in March, interest of $0.81 and expenses of $915.79 (Insurance cost of $596.00 and road signs – $319.79). SF filed the yearly corporate report with the NM SOS and sent information to the accountant to file the Federal 990-N form for 2015.
SF reported that the LPT had a balance of $42,659.18 on 3.31.16.
b. Membership: JS reported that there are currently 144 sustaining members. He distributed information about non-renewing members and the board will follow-up with phone calls to individuals listed.
c. Communications: CD reported that the Signpost had an article by ES-CA in the April edition. CD arranged for EM to make a brief presentation at the Placitas Chamber of Commerce meet and greet on April 21. CD drafted a letter to the editor in response to an article in the Abq. Journal about the drilling application. ED to submit revised letter.
d. IT: Tony Pellechio reported that the data base is being worked on and that Kathy Kitts will be taking over most of the work.
e. Watchdogs: There was no report.
f. Political/Legal: JM reported that he had met with Jason Montoya of the NM PRC to discuss the pipeline issue. JM will utilize Montoya to access Federal records and information pertaining to the safety plans of the pipeline companies.
EM reported that he had met with Dwight Patterson about his proposed pipeline monitoring plan. At this time, there is no plan to put any issue to a vote of the public.
g. LPT: Dick Ulmer reported that both Vulcan and Cal Mat have been added as defendants to the County’s lawsuit against Lafarge. We are still waiting for the judge to rule on joining the LPT as a party to the suit.

Current issues discussed included:
County Ordinance/Moratorium on Drilling: BG and Al Friedman reported. It was noted that the moratorium is not on the agenda for the County Commission meeting of April 7. CD to follow-up with Commissioner James Dominguez. BG has offered his assistance to the County in the drafting of an ordinance.
As an update, the County Commission did not discuss a moratorium at its meeting of April 7, since only Commissioners Dominguez and Scherzinger asked for it to be on the agenda.
BLM/RMP: CD reported that he believes the plan will not be issued until the summer. There was no other information at this time.
ESCAFCA: EM reported that the Fisher retention basin was almost complete but that ESCAFCA reported that it is low on funding at this time.

Issues Needing Attention
h. Calendar of Events for 2016: EM reported that the candidates’ forum is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2-4 pm, at the Placitas Community/Senior Center. The Membership Appreciation event is scheduled for October 16, 3-5 pm at the Placitas Library. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2-4 pm at the Anasazi Winery.
i. Hospital Bonds: This item was discussed under the presentation by Jamie Silva-Steele.
j. US 550 Corridor Project: There was nothing new to report. CD to meet with Jack Torres, Bernalillo Mayor, to discuss.

Next ES-CA Board Meeting
The next ES-CA Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2016, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Placitas Fires Station.

Upcoming Events
k. The Highway Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 23.

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.

The ES-CA Board had its monthly meeting on March 7. Board members attending were Ed Majka (EM); Bob Gorrell (BG); Susan Fullas (SF); Lynn Koch (LK); Jerry Saxton (JS); and Chris Daul (CD). Guests included John McNerney – chair of Political/Legal; Peter Adang; Jacque Moise; Marcia Adang; Roger Deavey; John Coelho; Jim Harve; Mike Neas; Dick Ulmer – Chair of LPT; Jodilynn Ortiz; and Sandoval County Commissioner James Dominguez.

The following reports were presented:
Treasurer’s Report: SF reported that ES-CA had a balance of $19,230.98, with income of $337.75 and expenses of $907.85 over the last month. SF reported that the LPT had a balance of $42,657.38 with income of $1.68 and no expenses over the past month.
Membership: JS reported that late notices have been sent out for overdue dues payments. He noted that ES-CA has 373 contacts, 222 past members and 177 current dues paying members. Discussion ensued about whether to change the definition of a member and the Board agreed to let the current definition of member stand – which is a current dues paying person who has contributed $50.00.
Communication: CD reported that ES-CA had an article published in the March edition of the Signpost.
IT: EM reported that he had met with Kathy Kitts and Chris Miller to discuss making the website easier to update and he is in the process of making updates to Political/Legal: John McNerney reported that he has been working on the pipeline issue and is reviewing the information we have already received from the various pipeline companies and is in the process of updating this information. EM reported that he met with Enterprise to be briefed on the maintenance work that they will be doing on 3/28/16. He noted that Enterprise will be meeting with the SC Fire Department on 3/21 to brief them.
Watchdogs: LK proposed sending an e-mail to the current Watchdog alerting them to the major issues in the hope of getting more of them to attend government meetings.
LPT: Dick Ulmer reported that the County had added Vulcan and Cal Mat as defendants to the lawsuit. Commissioner Dominguez stated that the County was pursuing a way to impose a deadline on closing the Vulcan operations. Dick noted that NMED has selected a site for the air monitoring.
Current Issues discussed were:
BLM/RMP: The RMP may be released any day and a flyer is ready to be sent to all residents notifying them of the RMP and the need to submit comments. BG noted that the Governor has said she will take the full 60 days to review.
KUPR Fundraiser: EM reported that he was at the fundraiser and contributed $600 from ES-CA.
Oil and Gas Drilling: EM reported that he had sent a letter to the County requesting a moratorium on reviewing any new applications until an ordinance is in place. Comm. Dominguez stated that the County Commission will be discussing both a moratorium and an ordinance at a special work session schedule for March 28. BG noted that Thrust Energy claims there may be 800 million barrels of oil in the area around Rio Rancho.

Upcoming events include The Highway Cleanup, which is scheduled for Saturday, April 23, the Annual ES-CA meeting on June 11, the Candidates Forum on September 10, and the Member Appreciation Event on October 16.
John McNerney was appointed to fill the vacant District 4 Director position. This seat has been open since Tony Hull resigned.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 4, 2016, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Placitas Fire Station.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

Since the Commission meeting was so short, I joined our watchdogs Marjorie Majka and John Coelho to hear the update on the project to widen Rt 550 from Rt 313 to Rt 528.

The decision on choices for design was presented to be a 6 lane widening from Rt 313 to the Rio Grande bridge with a median preventing lefthand turns except at proposed signals or at several U-turn locations.

From the bridge to Rt 528 the widening would be a 6 lane “super street” concept (restricted crossing U-turn Intersections). If you think the I-25 interchange was confusing just wait until you view this concept. The website www.keep550moving.com will have the proposed concept detailed along with some computer animations of the various stretches along RT 550. It may take several days before the website is updated, but I think you should take the time to view the computer graphics.

If that’s not enough, how about the first stage which will be to build a second bridge across the river just North of the existing bridge. At this time they have $13 million appropriated and no defined schedule. They would like to start construction of the bridge by this Fall with this being the first phase and upon completion opened to traffic as the rest of the project continues.

Many attendees, including Mayor Torres, spoke regarding negative impact on the businesses along Rt 550. Other questions ranged from the super street concept, Sheriffs Posse intersection, funding, scheduling and concerns about construction. Attendees requested additional public meetings as the project progresses. NMDOT said they would consider the request.

Please go to the website for further information and updates as the project gets underway.

Ed Majka