05-03-1999L 3
LOWER RIO GRANDE
WATER USERS ORGANIZATION
MINUTES
May 3,1999
The Lower Rio Grande Water Users Organization met at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 1999,
at 200 N. Church St., Las Cruces, NM.
LRGWUO Board Members Present:
Chairperson Ruben Smith, City of Las Cruces
Gary Esslinger, EBID
Gilbert Bartlett, Village of Hatch
Cesario Alvillar, Town of Mesilla
Dr. Tom Bahr, Director, WRRI, NMSU
Pat Banegas, Anthony NM
LRGWUO Board Members Absent:
Joseph Cervantes, Dona Ana County Commissioner
Others Present:
Naren N. Gunaji, ISC
Jesus Nava, City of Las Cruces
Robert Monday, City of Las Cruces
Dr. Jorge Garcia, City of Las Cruces
Ken Needham, Parson's Engineering
Len Stokes, PES
Albert Racelis, Dona Ana County
Chairperson Smith called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.
1) Approval of Minutes for March 23,1999
The motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes for the March 23,1999 meeting.
The minutes were approved as presented.
2) Presentation by City Utilities Staff and Len Stokes, Consultant
Mr. Monday opened the briefing by outlining the parameters by which the City utilities
operates.
Dr. Garcia followed with an overview of projected surface water treatment plans for the City
of Las Cruces.
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May 3,1999
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Dr. Garcia fielded questions.
Mr. Stokes followed with information on surface water acquisitions, assets and funding
possibilities for local entities attached to LRGWUO.
3) Proposed Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement
Mr. Smith distributed copies of the proposed resolution to amend the Joint Powers
Agreement. Ms Driggers advised the Organization that the Department of Finance must
also approve the amendment.
Discussion followed.
The motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution subject to approval by the
Department of Finance. The motion carried.
Mr. Smith advised Mr. De La O he would be notified as soon as the resolution was approved
by the Department of Finance.
4) Consideration of Resolutions
Mr. Racelis distributed copies of a proposed resolution titled: REQUEST TO THE NEW
MEXICO/TEXAS WATER COMMISSION TO RECONSIDER THE LEASBURG SURFACE WATER
TREATMENT FACILITY SITE, BEEP THE SOUTH PLANNING AREA SIT AND THE CANUTILLO
SELECTION OPTION OPEN AND ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR FEASIBILITY, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND
MANAGEMENT LEVEL SERVICES AND FINANCIAL STUDIES.
Mr. Racelis outlined his interpretation of the resolution.
Discussion followed.
Mr. Smith assigned 99 -01 to the resolution.
Mr. Bartlett moved to approve Resolution 99 -01. Mr. Alvillar seconded the motion.
Dr. Bahr moved to delete number three, "Reallocate funds from existing and future
Congressional project appropriations which cover management, organization, level of
service and participation, cost of services and financial considerations for water supply
related utilities in Dona Ana County." from the second page as well as the "and" at the end
of number two. Mr. Alvillar seconded the motion. The motion carried.
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May 3,1999
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Dr. Bahr moved to amend the fourth whereas to read "WHEREAS, the LRGWUO requests
the Leasburg site be considered for inclusion in the amended phase I selection and NEPA
process; and"
Mr. Esslinger seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Mr. Esslinger moved to delete "WHEREAS, information such as ownership, management,
operations, level of participation, organization structure and cost to water recipients is
needed for the New Mexico community of water users and the LRGWUO to make prudent
decisions which will have a significant impact upon their operations, as well as the economy
and culture of Dona Ana County." as well as removing the "and" from the previous section
and changing the semicolon to a period. Dr Bahr seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Mr. Esslinger moved to remove the words "and allocate funds for feasibility, organizational,
management level of service and financial studies" from the title of Resolution 99 -01 and
add a period to the end of the title. Mr. Alvillar seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Dr. Bahr moved to delete "Whereas, the Alliance of Water and Wastewater Providers
membership within the Central Planning Area have determined that the Leasburg location
for the water treatment plant site might be more advantageous for the entire Central
Planning Area than the currently selected site; and" from the resolution. Mr. Alvillar
seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Mr. Smith stated that all members in favor of approving Resolution 99 -01 as amended
should signify by saying aye. The motion carried.
Mr. Smith asked that an amended copy of the resolution be prepared for signature.
5) Other Items of Interest
Dr. Bahr gave a brief overview of a hearing he recently attended given by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. The hearing was to garner input regarding the designation of critical
habitat for the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow, an endangered species.
Dr. Bahr proposed sending a letter from the LRGWUO to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
urging them to prepare a full environment impact statement prior to designating a critical
habitat for the Silvery Minnow, the result of which is likely to have far - reaching social and
economic impact on the State of New Mexico.
Discussion followed.
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May 3,1999
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Mr. Alvillar moved to send the letter as presented by Dr. Bahr. Mr. Bartlett seconded the
motion. The motion carried.
As there was no further business or discussion, the motion was made and seconded to
adjourn the meeting. Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 5:10 p.m.
APPROVAL:
Ruben Smith, LRGWUO Chairperson
Transcribed by:
Faith Anne Hignight
City of Las Cruces Utilities Division
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