EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting Minutes
12 August 2024
4:00 PM
A. Call to order. President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
B. Roll Call. Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Jim Harre, Phil Messuri, Jacques Ramey, Rich Reif, and Jean Roberts. Gary Madee and Myron Temchin were absent.
C. Minutes: Minutes from the July meeting were approved.
D. Introduction of Guests: LPT Chair Mary-Rose Valladares, County Commissioner Katherine Bruch, Judy Labovitz, Vicki Gottlieb, and Lance Voss.
E. Monthly Reports
1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $5,277.63. Income included $225 in dues and $0.02 interest. Expenses were $7.73 for credit card fees. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $36,280.33. Income included $0.04 in interest on the savings account and $134.68 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $41,557.96.
The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,302.90, with no income or expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $31,121.76. Income for the month was $0.04 in interest on the savings account, $115.44 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $33,424.66.
2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported that ESCA has 48 standard members and 32 joint members, for a total of 112 votes.
3. LPT Report: Mary-Rose reported that the BLM’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) was released August 12, comprising four volumes. The withdrawal of the Buffalo Tract from mining will need to be added once the withdrawal period is completed. Mary-Rose is working with Las Placitas Association to review the RMP. The withdrawal period provides for a 30-day period for any public protest, which ends September 8 and will need to be in writing. The Governor of New Mexico will have 60 days to approve or disapprove the RMP.
In an email to the Board, Myron Temchin reported that Las Placitas Association has signed the New Mexico Economic Development grant, with regard to the Buffalo Tract. An organizational meeting was held on August 8, which included steps to hire an environmental consultant.
4. Fuel Reduction Project USFS Report: George reported that the Forest Service is required to acquire reports from a broad range of agencies to determine the implications of their plans to reduce the chances of a fire. Funding, timing, and the method of fuel reduction will then be determined. Gary Madee is attempting to set up a meeting with USFS, preferably with the entire community.
5. Status of the Buffalo Tract Grant: George reported that Las Placitas Association is ready to sign the paperwork for the grant, and at their request, George provided a letter to explain ESCA’s role in working with LPA.
F. Old Business:
1. Communication With Members: George asked Jean to gather information about community events each month that Jim can send out to the ESCA membership. OPEN—Jean, Jim.
2. ESCA Bylaws Changes: George confirmed that the bylaws change has been completed. Rich Reif will research whether the bylaws need to be submitted to the State of New Mexico. OPEN-Rich
3. Motion by Gary Madee on Sandia Fuel Reduction Project: George reported that the motion asking the USFS to consider lessons learned in previous New Mexico fires was approved by the board and submitted to the USFS. CLOSED
4. Vulcan Recommended Drainage Change: ESCA is recommending that the agreement to end mining and reclaim the land not be reopened. A letter to this effect was sent to the County. ESCA has not received a plan, and Commissioner Bruch noted that the County has not received a plan, either. She also commented that Vulcan’s recommendation is still tentative, but that Placitas has flood control problems and may want to organize to address this in the future. Resident Lance Voss expressed concern that Vulcan and Mount Adams have not divulged plans for the future of the land. Mary-Rose commented that Planning and Zoning has no plans to amend the Placitas master plan, which would be a major undertaking. CLOSED
5. E-Bikes in ABQ Open Space: Jean reported that the Albuquerque City Council met on August 5 to consider the E-bike ordinance, which passed in an 8 to 1 vote. ESCA provided a letter to each member of the council asking that they vote against the ordinance. The letter was included in a packet put together by a coalition of Albuquerque organizations opposing the ordinance. CLOSED
G. New Business:
1. Pipeline Work on the Buffalo Tract: George reported that the new pipeline will be installed and buried but the old pipeline will not be removed. CLOSED
2. Election of Board Office: George reported that each of the board members whose terms are ending have agreed to continue. We will discuss the election at the next meeting. OPEN
H. Open Discussion:
1. Signpost article: No article needed at this time.
2. Jardineros donation: Wayne noted that we have received a $1,000 donation from Jardineros, and we need to provide a response with how the money helped us perform our mission.
I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.
Next meeting: 4 pm, September 9, 2024, at the Placitas Community Library.