Gallup BID OK’d

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer

GALLUP —The Gallup City Council approved creation of a Business Improvement District ordinance in its regular meeting Tuesday in the City Council chambers.

What that means is that city businesses falling within the BID boundaries shall be subject to subject to pay 1 percent of the 2006 assessed value for their property on half of the total annual assessment due twice a year. The city of Gallup shall match the money raised by BID assessments dollar for dollar. The management committee of the BID will submit to the City Council within 120 days of the adoption of the ordinance a plan for BID operation, which is to include a list of proposed improvements to be made.

Some changes were made to the BID ordinance since it was tabled at the last council meeting, including minor boundary changes, an incorporation of statutory references to allow BID to accept grants and issue revenue bonds, and a change to assessments to allow them to remain at the same 2006 level.

Mayor Harry Mendoza reiterated his opinion that although he supports the concept of BID, he feels the timing is wrong and he read a letter by Gallup contractor Jerry Garcia who wrote to the council he was not opposed to the downtown BID but felt that money needed to go elsewhere, in particular, the wastewater treatment plant.

Councilors Bill Nechero, Pat Butler and Allan Landavazo voted to approve the ordinance, and Mendoza and Jay Azua voted against it.

The beer and wine liquor license for Fratelli’s restaurant was approved with no opposition.

Gallup resident and former purchasing director for the city of Gallup Danny Diaz was approved as an appointment to the Gallup Housing Authority board.

Work session

Dana Millen gave a presentation at the work session before the City Council meeting, on the New Mexico Health Security Act, a statewide effort to help the state of New Mexico achieve affordable, quality universal health care to everyone in New Mexico.

Putting together a different plan than Gov. Bill Richardson, the Health Security for New Mexicans aims to set up a health plan including everyone in a co-operative-style health plan covering all or most state residents regardless of health status, and shifting the role of private insurance to a supplemental one. Many municipalities and counties have offered support for the health care campaign and a 54-page bill is in the legislative session right now, Millen said. Getting all New Mexicans” in one large health pool will reduce costs” of health insurance premiums, she explained. It would also help small businesses provide health insurance for employees.

Info on the N.M. Health Security Act: (505) 897-1803 or on the net: www.nmhealthsecurity.org.