RAC Announces Community Meetings

Dear Taskforce Members,

The announcement below will be running in the paper beginning next Thursday. As you can see we will be holding several community meetings in the first week of March regarding the various projects we have going on in the office. I have debated as to whether or not to schedule a taskforce meeting on the same issues prior to the public meetings, but actually, I think it would just be better if taskforce members could attend the public meetings and offer their input there.

As you remember, we had discussed using taskforce members to rally public participation at our community meetings and this is exactly when we need that support. We hope to have engaging discussions and we need taskforce members to attend meetings and encourage neighbors to attend. If anyone would like digital copy of the announcement to email around, or would like to pick up some hard copies to post we can offer that assistance.

The current animal control ordinance and the proposed draft ordinance can be found under codes and ordinances on the Rio Arriba County website. www.rio-arriba.org. The current comprehensive plan is also there. We will be posting the proposed amendments as soon as we have them completed. I am always accepting emailed or written suggestions/comments and of course you will have a chance for public participation at the meetings.

Please give us a call if you have any questions or comments.

Thank you,

Louise

Please join the Rio Arriba County Planning & Zoning Department

For Community Meetings Regarding the following issues:

1. Proposed Amendments to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan

2. Verification of 2010 FEMA Floodplain Maps

3. Proposed Animal Control Ordinance

These meetings are your opportunity to provide your input into the County planning process and we encourage you to come and express your views. Document drafts may be found at www.rio-arriba.org or in person at the County Clerk’s Office. Please call 505-753-7774 for more information.

Community Meetings:

Date: Monday March 1, 2010

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Lindrith Firehouse

Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Rural Events Center

Date: Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Tierra Amarilla County Complex

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Onate Center

ORDINANCE 2010-02 Draft Version – November 20, 2009

ORDINANCE 2010-02 Draft Version – November 20, 2009

Linked: Draft Animal Control Ordinance 12-21-09

Animal Control Ordinance: Rio Grande Sun

County Should Pass Tougher Animal Control Ordinance

By R. Braiden Trapp

Published:

Friday, November 6, 2009 9:12 AM MST

To read the complete editorial: Click here: Rio Grande Sun. Thanks! Support our local media!!

It’s hard out there for an animal control officer.

The two hardy souls who take on that task for Rio Arriba County are fighting a losing battle. Loose, uncontrolled, un-spayed or un-neutered dog packs roam much of the County and there’s not much David Gasca and Cipie Maez can do about it.

The County is preparing to pass a tougher animal control ordinance but the task will still be daunting. Two men, one county the size of New Hampshire.

Add to that there’s really nothing they can do except write a citation that a judge won’t fine them on or the offender will get it tossed with the aid of elected officials.

Assistant county planner Louise Pocock couldn’t have said it better. “It’s a politically unpopular thing to do,” Pocock said. “The commissioners don’t want you going around citing their relatives.”

Add to that, their voters and you’ve got a big problem no one wants to address. And it comes back to how the majority of County pet-owners refuse to spay, neuter, care for and protect their animals. Letting an un-spayed or un-neutered dog or cat run around loose all day and night is not proper care and that’s what Gasca and Maez are trying to address.

For the full article click here: http://www.riograndesun.com/articles/2009/11/06/opinion/editorials/doc4af1a1616eb0a128997044.txt

1996-02 Control and Care of Animals Ordinance

Here is link to the current RAC Control and Care of Animals Ordinance

1996-02 Control and Care of Animals Ordinance

Solid Waste Ordinance or Nuisance Ordinance?

Here is a link to the RAC County Solid Waste Ordinance

1997-04 Solid Waste Ordinance

and a link to the DRAFT Nuisance Ordinance

Draft Ordinance - Nuisance

How will these be merged?

Correction: Sept. 30, 2009 Meeting

FYI – Rol Murrow requested that the following changes be reflected in the meeting minutes.

NOW =

Rol mentioned that there was another local man, Mr. Connolly, that had developed a book discussing the best design and construction techniques for roads.

CHANGE TO =

Rol mentioned that there was another local man, Mr. Conley, who helped develop a book discussing the best design and construction techniques for unpaved rural farm, ranch, and access roads. The recommendations could be very useful to those contemplating new development. Perhaps the County could make this information available as part of the permitting process.

November 2009 Task Force Meeting TO BE ANNOUNCED

The taskforce will now be meeting on an as needed basis as opposed to having regularly scheduled meetings. We are currently working on an animal control ordinance with the Animal Control Division and our next meeting, which we anticipate to be in late November, will be on that topic. Please contact us if issues come up around the County that you think we need to address at the taskforce level.

Thank you,

Louise