Connecting the Dots - Dec 2010

tions to date include the following authentic sites:

El Morro National Monument

Chaco Canyon NHP

El Rancho Hotel

Wines of the San Juan

Old School House Gallery

Three Rivers Brewery

Bisti / De-na-zin Wilderness Area

Salmon Ruins

Road Apple Rally Route

Kokopelli’s Cave B&B

Totah Festival Indian Market

Animas Riverwalk

Winfield Trading

Perry Null/Tobe Turpen Trading Company

Gallup Cultural Center More Details on page 4

sites that qualify under its “geotourism” philosophy. Geotourism is defined as "tourism that sustains or en-hances the geographical charac-ter of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents." This project will join 12 other projects of its kind in the world. A sampling of other projects and regions include:

California’s Redwood Coast

Portugal’s Douro Valley

Baja California

Guatemala

Peru Please help nominate and spread the word about this op-portunity to local businesses, places, and events.

Examples of NWNM nomina-

FOUR CORNERS GEOTOURISM PROJECT: “ENCHANTING LANDSCAPES AND ENDURING CULTURES”

THE FORUM 2010—STIMULATING THE REGION Moving the Region Forward.

For two days in November, down-town Gallup welcomed and served as backdrop for the COG’s ‘2010 Fall Fo-rum’. With the historic El Morro Theater serving as the central location for the Forum, the COG staff engaged approxi-mately 60 regional public and private stakeholders in venues throughout downtown Gallup in discussions in-tended to examine and strengthen ef-forts related to development of the re-gional economy. In addition to facili-tated discussions, Forum attendees were offered an impressive array of speakers and panelists from both the regional and state level to provide perspective on, help inform, and stimulate the regional conversation.

The 2010 Fall Forum was designed to build upon progress made from the 2009 Fall Forum held in Farmington, NM. With the 2010 Fall Forum, the regional conversation focused and elaborated on 5 common themes (which were previously identified in the 2009 Fall Forum) impacting the regional economy:

Tourism & Downtowns;

Strategic Infrastructure & Hous-

ing;

Energy & Natural Resources;

Business Policy & Entrepreneurial

Support;

Education & Workforce.

For their efforts and contributions, Forum attendees were treated to buffet-style dinner at the historic El Rancho hotel, complete with a live perform-ance by ¡Oralé!, Gallup’s best live band. (It should be noted; ¡Oralé!’s lead singer is the son of Jeff Kiely, COG’s Interim Executive Director.)

The 2010 Fall Forum represents an extension of efforts related to the implementation of the recently com-pleted 2009 – 2014 Northwest New Mexico Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Publication Period: September 3—December 8, 2010

Produced by: The Staff of the Council of Governments

Volume 2, Issue 2

Winter Edition

2010 ...CONNECTING THE DOTS...

NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Serving San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola counties for almost 40 years

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BILLY MOORE

Chairman, McKinley County

DR. WILLIAM A. HALL Immediate Past Chairman City of Farmington

DR. JIM HENDERSON 1st Vice-Chairman, San Juan County

JOE MURRIETTA 2nd Vice-Chairman, City of Grants

LOUIE BONAGUIDI Treasurer, City of Gallup

Member Governments

Cibola County McKinley County San Juan County City of Aztec City of Bloomfield City of Farmington City of Gallup City of Grants Village of Milan

Affiliates

NWNM Reg. Solid Waste Authority

Inside this issue:

Brownfields:

Key to Redevelopment

2

$180M for Navajo-Gallup

Water Supply Project

3

NAT-GEO Four Corners

Geotourism Project (cont)

4

Forum 2010 (cont) 5-6

COG Congratulations to

Newly Elected Officials

7

Capital Outlay Monthly

Reports Due December 15

7

Much, Much More 8-9

BRANDING THE FOUR CORNERS.

The COG staff has been working to advance a significant project in our region: a partnership with National Geographic’s Maps Division to in-crease tourists stays and economic impact by creating a MapGuide and interactive website that appeals to international, national, and regional visitors that want to immerse them-selves into the Four Corners region and local cultures. The project is community-driven and all site nominations are submit-ted via the internet and the follow-ing website: www.fourcornersgeotourism.com

The deadline is approaching rap-idly and all submissions need to be in by December 17.

National Geographic is looking for

FOLLOW-UP:

COG staff anticipates the release of

a 2010 Fall Forum Report in near future.

properties, including HUD’s Choice

Neighborhoods, Low-Income Housing

Tax Credits equity, Economic Develop-

ment Administration, USDA, Tohatchi

YouthBuild, and other innovative

mechanisms.

“The COG held this year’s regional

Economic Forum in Downtown Gallup,

as a statement that we must focus less

on bailouts to ‘Wall Street’ and more

about reinvesting in the ‘Main Street”

and the heart of our communities,”

stated COG Director Jeff Kiely. “We

hope that positive collaborations like

this can serve as an example to our

entire region that this program works

and is successful even in the most

trying economic times. Brownfields,

symbolized by EPA and its Phoenix

Award representing re-birth, is about

taking blighted areas and creating vital

assets.”

Gallup Industrial Site. Lastly, the

COG is partnering with the City of

Gallup to perform a Phase II assess-

ment an old industrial site that is being

targeted for re-use as an economic

driver with the potential to employ a

significant number of workers.

The COG can provide Brownfields

funding throughout Northwest New

Mexico (Counties of San Juan,

McKinley, and Cibola), is actively look-

ing for projects, and maintains a strong

desire to market the program to all

potential private, non-profit, or govern-

mental developers interested in eco-

nomic, housing, and greenspace re-use.

“To understand a little easier the

Brownfields program”, Program Man-

ager Evan Williams explains, “a ‘Phase I’

environmental assessment is really like

a background check on a property and

its neighboring properties to find out

historic use and determine if there

could be any environmental concerns

that need to be probed deeper in a

Phase II assessment. If someone is

interested in purchasing a property –

this program can assist in determining

risk, all the way to costing out remedia-

tion, and more importantly provides a

liability shield to

the purchaser of

the property and

access to other

government

programs.”

Success Story:

Ramah Navajo Foods

The COG’s EPA CARE-Brownfields pilot

project had its first re-use success.

Ramah Navajo Chapter and its partners

McKinley County and Blue Mountain

Meats requested to enter the Brown-

fields program and receive a free Phase I

environment assessment on a property

along US 491. The County was con-

cerned about illegal dumping and aban-

doned structures and potential asbestos

on the site, as well as other historic coal

mining in the area, and wanted an

assessment performed. The Phase I

report determined no recognized envi-

ronmental concerns and in November

2010, the joint venture of Ramah Navajo

Foods LLC purchased the 15 acres of

private land in McKinley County and

will begin building a mutton and lamb

processing plant by next spring. Ramah

Navajo Foods LLC will be the first me-

dium sized USDA certified plant in the

state and will provide the first Navajo

raised, Navajo-branded product for

Navajo people. They expect to process

2,000 animals annually and will initially

employ 12.

This project represents one of the first

tribal-private-public partnerships in

history supported from investments by

tribal, local, State, and Federal entities

(including State Legislators, USDA, and

EPA). In addition to the unique col-

laborative and economic aspects of this

project, Ramah Navajo Foods will have a

lasting cultural effect. The Navajo

Nation represents the largest concen-

trated market for lamb and mutton in

the US, and this will help encourage the

return of the traditional sheep ranching

economy in northwest New Mexico.

“Our journey has been a long and inter-

esting one, but we have had the fortune

of having champions at the state,

county, tribal and local levels who held

fast to their belief in this project,” said

Yin May Lee, Board Member of Ramah

Navajo Foods LLC. “To our elders,

sheep is life, and we hope that our work

will draw respectfully from, and honor,

their wisdom.”

To learn more about the program and

the COG, visit

http://www.nwnmcog.com/

brownfields.html.

Brownfields: Breaking Ground on the First of Wave of Redevelopment. Council of Governments breaks ground on turning “brown into green” in Northwest New Mexico

December 1, 2010—The Northwest

NM Council of Governments (COG)

understands that the term “Brownfields”

is not a household term used by its

region’s residents. However, that has

not stopped us from forging ahead in

breaking ground on several Brownfields

projects. The COG has learned that this

program is really a significant develop-

ment tool that, when utilized, can pro-

tect and incentivize private and public

investors to reuse vacant buildings and

properties. Today, the COG announced

that it is moving ahead with 3 area

projects through a $1 million grant

under the American Recovery & Rein-

vestment Act, which provided funding

to the Northwest NM Brownfields As-

sessment Coalition for its program.

Breaking New Ground.

Zuni Medical Transport Pad.

The historic first project belongs to the

Pueblo of Zuni. The Tribe requested

assistance to perform a Phase I environ-

mental assessment on a site that, if

needed, will be cleaned up and consid-

ered for re-use as the home of a new

medical and emergency air transport

pad for the area. This new service will

help the community close the gap on

access to emergency healthcare services

that remain scarce in many tribal and

rural communities.

CARE 66: “Chuska 2”. The next

project started through the program by

CARE 66, a local non-profit housing

provider, which is receiving a Phase II

assessment on a site in Downtown

Gallup that is slated to become home

of Chuska 2, a mixed use development

of housing, offices, and a low-income

service one-stop headquarters. CARE

66 has partnered with the COG’s

Brownfields program in its pilot pro-

ject leveraging assessment funding for

two other downtown and infill housing

projects targeted for veterans and low-

income individuals. CARE 66 is work-

ing on applying to other financing

programs to remediate and redevelop

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Ramah Navajo Foods, LLC.:

Profile on Regional Business

Development

COG staff worked over a 5 year period on making a long-term community vision of Ramah Navajo Chapter, a reality. On November 22nd, a inti-mate gathering was held to celebrate this unique project representing the first tribal, public, and private eco-nomic development project in the state of New Mexico, and is a collec-tive effort of the Ramah Navajo Chap-ter, McKinley County, the City of Gallup, Blue Mountain Meats, the NWNM Council of Governments, the New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), New Mexico Economic Development Department and the United States De-partment of Agriculture (USDA).

“Today’s event is a testimony to our dedica-tion in promoting economic cooperation between the state and its Native peoples, helping to realize the economic potential within our tribal communities,” stated Economic De-velopment Department Cabinet Sec-retary Fred Mondragón. “Positive collaborations like this stand as an example to our entire state that by working together, we can accomplish great things.”

CARE 66—A believer in COG’s Brown to Green” Brownfields Program

Before

Future

Future

Before

“Doing the Impossible just takes a little

longer”.

During my tenure at the COG, I have had the

recurring déjà vu experience of seeing two

“opposites” come together at the COG: One is

hearing people say “that’s impossible—it’ll never

happen” and the other is watching the COG staff

make the impossible happen. These experiences

are no better illustrated than by the Navajo Water

Rights Settlement in the San Juan River and the

recent legislation appropriating the first federal

installment of $180 million now awaiting Presi-

dent Obama’s authorization.

Just over a year ago, the region and our part-ners celebrated the passage of Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009, which included the approval of the settlement of Navajo Nation in the San Juan River, and as part of the settlement, authori-zation to construct the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP). This momentous occasion represented over 52 years of thinking and planning around this solution and 18 years of COG chairing the NGWSP Steering Committee at the behest of Senator Pete Domenici.

I wanted to thank all the partners who made this possible and especially the long-term com-mitment of the COG for not believing that this was impossible but only seeing the need for regional leadership and a sustainable water sup-ply solution. This project will not only bring real water to real people that have never had a secure and convenient water source but also create jobs and strategic infrastructure that can advance economic development in the region and on the Navajo Nation.

CONGRESS APPROVES MEASURE ALSO FUNDS THOSE CLAIMS AND

THE NAVAJO-GALLUP PIPELINE

November 30—U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall announced that Congress has approved legislation to settle the water rights claims of Taos Pueblo and the claims of the Pueb-los of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque – claims that have been in the courts for more than four decades. The bill also provides funding to implement the settlements, and in-cludes $180 million to implement the Navajo

settlement that Congress enacted last year.

The legislation approved today – which must be signed by President Obama -- resolves disputes over two of the longest-standing water rights cases in New Mex-ico. “With the strong backing of the Obama administration, we are able to finally bring these long-standing water claims to a positive conclusion. Under these settlements, thousands of New Mexi-cans will have the certainty about their water rights – a goal that is 40 years in the making,” Bingaman said.

The bill sets aside $180 million to imple-ment a third water settlement approved by Congress last year and construct the Navajo-Gallup pipeline.

“One of the most important aspects of this legislation is that it contains fund-ing to implement the settlements of three of the longest-standing water rights cases in our state’s history. I applaud all of the parties who have worked so hard and for so long on these settlements,” Bingaman said.

“What also makes this passage so significant is that it puts in place the fund-ing necessary to finally close the book on these agreements,” Udall continued. “It’s a major accomplishment that could not have been reached without the support of the President and the tribes, city, county, and community groups involved. I look for-ward to the President’s signature on this landmark legislation for these tribes.”

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION BEGINS FIELD WORK ON NGWSP

Sept 20—Reclamation's Four Corners Construction Office will begin field and exploration work for the western portion of the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project on September 20, in the area from Twin Lakes N.M. to Ya-ta-hey junction. The purpose of the work is to investigate the engineering and geologic properties along the project alignment to proceed with the design of the water supply pipeline.

The field work will include ground surveys, geological and geophysical sur-veys, archaeological surveys and subsur-face exploration. Approximately 30 ten-foot deep, temporary test pits will be exca-vated along the project alignment to iden-tify the material the pipeline will be placed in as well as the depth to rock. This infor-mation will help determine the cost for excavation and the type of bedding and trench appropriate for the pipeline. Once this is has been determined, the test pits will be backfilled.

The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project was authorized for construction by Public Law 111-11 as a major component of the Navajo Nation San Juan River Basin Water Rights Settlement in New Mexico. Once completed, the NGWSP will provide a reliable municipal, industrial, and do-mestic water supply to Navajo Nation communities, the city of Gallup, NM, Window Rock and Fort Defiance in AZ, the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry, and a portion of the Jicarilla Apache Na-tion Reservation. These areas currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply that is of poor quality and inade-quate to meet the current and future needs.

The NGWSP will divert a total of 37,764 acre-feet of water annually from the San Juan River and the existing Cutter Reservoir, treat the water at two water treatment plants, and deliver water to the cities and chapters via 260 miles of pipe-

line and 24 pumping plants. The project is designed to provide for the water needs of approximately 250,000 people in these Native American communities by the year 2040. The Navajo Nation water supply will come from water obtained through the Navajo Nation – New Mexico Water Rights Settlement, the Jicarilla Apache Nation water supply will come from water obtained through the Jicarilla Apache Nation – New Mexico Water Rights Settlement, and the City of Gallup will obtain its own water supply, which may come through a contract with the Jicarilla Apache Nation and/or the Na-vajo Nation.

The San Juan River diversion will occur downstream of Fruitland, just above the Public Service Company of New Mexico diversion structure. The water will be treated to drinking water standards at a treatment plant to be constructed near the diversion and piped along Highway N36 and south along U.S. Highway 491to provide water to the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, the adjacent Navajo Chapters, and the city of Gallup. Pipelines will also be constructed to provide water to Crownpoint and the adjacent Navajo Chapters and to Window Rock, Fort Defiance, and adjacent Navajo Chapters.

The Gallup Regional System will be constructed to distribute water through-out the city and to deliver water to Na-vajo Chapters surrounding Gallup. Prior to completion of the entire project, non-project water will temporarily be trans-ported through the Gallup Regional System to satisfy water demands of the surrounding chapters of Manuelito, Chichiltah, Red Rock, Bread Springs, Iyanbito, Church Rock, Pinedale, and Mariano Lake. A system of wells near Twin Lakes will provide the temporary water supply until facilities are con-structed to treat and deliver water from the San Juan River. Construction of Pro-ject facilities from Twin Lakes to Ya-ta-hey is scheduled to start in 2011, depend-ing upon appropriations from Congress and execution of numerous agreements and contracts. On the eastern side, water will be diverted from the Cutter Reservoir, treated at a water treatment plant lo-cated near the base of the dam, and piped south along U.S. Highway 550 to provide water to adjacent Navajo Chap-ters, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and additional Navajo Chapters south of the highway.

The authorizing legislation requires completion of construc-tion of all NGWSP features no later than 2024.

Navajo-Gallup Water Project Appropriation To Be Signed; BOR Begins Field Work


The project’s motto is :

“Provide real water,

to real people,

in real time”

The COG wants to thank New Mexico’s dynamic duo and honorable Senators , who have worked tire-lessly on getting New Mexico’s water needs meet. Senator Jeff Bingaman and Sena-tor Tom Udall con-tinue to champion the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project and the funding needed to bring real water, to real people, in real time. We also remem-ber and thank Senator Pete Domenici for his visionary leadership and long-standing support in making it all possible.

T h i s p r o j e c t reflects the real regional value and ability of the COG and its partners.

NAT-GEO DEADLINE APPROACHING TO “GET ON THE MAP”


and adventur-ers, back-packers and foodies, birders and sightseers can discover unique destina-tions based on

recommendations from those who know best—residents of the Four Corners region. Four Corners Region resi-dents and visitors, commu-nity organizations, tourism stakeholders and local busi-nesses nominate sites for in-clusion in a print MapGuide and interactive Web site. Unlike any other mapping project, a favorite local res-taurant, farm, winery, hiking or biking trail, swimming hole, museum or artist gal-lery are samples of the type of nominations National Geo-graphic and its project part-ners will be seeking. The Web site will target a variety of growing travel niches—adventure and nature tour-ism, cultural heritage travel and agritourism—and allow for residents to select the one-of-a-kind places integral to a distinctive character of place.

The nomination process will

only last until December 17th.

It is extremely important

that member governments

and other associations help us

get the word out on this

initiative so that our region

and our sites—

”GET ON THE MAP”.

About Geotourism

Geotourism is defined as "tourism that sustains or en-hances the geographical character of a place - its envi-ronment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents."

Geotourism goes beyond "drive through" travel. It in-volves regional communities in providing the visitor with an authentic, enriching ex-perience. It acquaints tourists with local culture and tradi-tions and offers them in-depth opportunities to enjoy the area's unique natural beauty and biodiversity. Four Corners MapGuide

The Trail of The Ancients Scenic Byway–Colorado pro-gram has partnered with the National Geographic Society to capture the history and heritage of the Four Corners Region through an interac-tive Web site and print map. The Four Corners Region Geotourism Project seeks to celebrate the Four Corners region as a world-class desti-nation, while contributing to the economic health of the region by promoting sustain-able tourism. History buffs

Final Push to Get

NWNM on the Map.

The COG staff has been helping to organize and get the word out in our region about National Geographic Society project to create a MapGuide and interactive website about the Four Cor-ners Region that will be marketed to the world.

Get on the Map!

National Geographic is partnering with the Four

Corners Region to develop a mapguide and interactive web-

site that promotes authentic places, people, and

experiences. The project launched on September 17th at the dedication of the new Four Corners monument and plaza.

The Site Nomination period is now open and totally

community-driven (September 17 – December 17).

To nominate a site, get on the map, or get more information,

check out:

www.fourcornersgeotourism.com

{Continued from Page 1}

www.fourcornersgeotourism.com

MapGuide Sample

DON’T MISS YOUR

CHANCE TO GET

ON THE MAP!

http://www.fourcornersgeotourism.com


For two days in November, as host of the 2010 Fall Forum, downtown Gallup served as the center of northwest New Mexico’s regional universe. Approximately 100 pub-lic and private stakeholders from through-out northwest New Mexico converged on downtown Gallup under the umbrella of the 2010 Fall Forum to strategically exam-ine, strengthen, and focus efforts to grow and enhance the competitiveness of the regional economy.

Building upon the work of the 2009 Fall Forum, in which 5 common themes im-pacting the region were identified, the 2010 Fall Forum took it one step further - organizing individual working groups for the 5 themes to facilitate more in-depth discussions in the hope of generating pri-orities and implementation tasks.

The 5 common regional themes:

Tourism & Downtowns

Strategic Infrastructure & Housing

Energy & Natural Resources

Business Policy & Entrepreneurial Support

Education & Workforce

To add further value and support for the individual working groups, COG secured an array of premium panelists to present to the working groups. It is without a doubt, the panelists assembled for the 2010 Fall Forum was top notch, and added great value to the efforts of the working groups.

Notable presenters included:

John Badal, CEO, Sacred Wind Communications

Lawrence Rael, Former Executive Director, Mid-Region COG

Mike Gibson, Executive Director, Associated Contractors of NM

Sanjay Choudrie, Executive Director, CARE 66

Sandra Begay Campbell, Sandia National Labs

Felicia Casados, President, NMSU-Grants

Michael Emerson, NM Community Capital

Bill Stenberg, UNM-Gallup Entrepreneur-ship Program

Sammy Chioda, Owner Sammy C’s & Millen-nium Media

John Shaw, Bio-PAPPEL, Prewitt

Patrick Keptner, TAOS & Tohatchi YouthBuild

Danae De La Cruz, Gallup One-Stop & Department of Workforce Solutions

Dale Dedrick & Liz Sparks, First Financial Credit Union

Ed Michael, Cibola County Commissioner, Topic: Red Mesa Wind Farm

Bill Lee, Executive Director, Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce

Mary Jean Christensen, President, Gallup

Business Improvement District

Ross Muir, NMED Brownfields VRP Team Leader

Joe Tracy, Intera, Inc., Northwest NM

Brownfields Coalition Assessment Project

Keynote speakers for the 2010 Fall Forum included renowned economic developer Marc Lautman, NM Legislature House Minority Leader Tom Taylor, and NM State Senator George Muňoz.

In large thanks for regional partners and sponsorships, Forum attendees were treated to a buffet-style dinner at the historic El Rancho Hotel. ¡Oralé!, Gallup’s own and most talented band, provided live music after the dinner, offering an opportunity for Forum participate to re-flect on the days conversations and to allow for networking.

The decision to hold the 2010 Fall Forum in downtown Gallup was a strategic deci-sion intended to lend support to the ‘Tourism & Downtown’ working group, while additionally showcasing first hand the downtown revitalization efforts of the City of Gallup. It is expected that future Forums will continue to be held in loca-tions that symbolically lends itself to the 5 common themes highlighted above.

The 2010 Fall Forum represents an exten-sion of efforts related to the implementa-tion of the current 5-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Northwest New Mexico.

Based on working group notes, plenary session notes, panelist and speaker pres-entation; COG staff will now develop a survey for attendees to confirm forum priorities and to help begin the process of implementing forum recommendations.

COG staff anticipates the release of a 2010 Fall Forum Report in the near future. Please visit the COG website www.nwnmcog.com for the latest infor-mation related to the 2010 Fall Forum.

FORUM—2010 (continued)

“THIS AIN’T YOUR DADDY’S FORUM – MOVING FROM WALL STREET BACK TO MAIN STREET”

http://www.nwnmcog.com


IMAGES FROM THE FORUM—2010 “THIS AIN’T YOUR DADDY’S FORUM –

MOVING FROM WALL STREET BACK TO MAIN STREET”

“OUR REGION, YOUR COG”


Congratulations to Newly Elected Officials

egy. During this process, DFA and other Depart-ments voided the majority of appropriation agreements from previous years. After the Ses-sion, DFA and other Departments re-issued new agreements for projects that were considered ongoing, moving, and/or under 3rd party con-tracts. When these contracts were re-issued by DFA, they added the monthly reporting require-ment as part of the new agreements.

Older appropriations that do not have new agreements or the new provision are not re-quired to submit monthly reports.

The first on-line reports are due on Decem-ber 15th. This is a good reminder for govern-ments in terms of moving projects and getting 3rd party contracts by Session to prove activity.

First Monthly Reports Due Dec 15th.

The Department of Finance & Admini-stration–Local Government Division and its Capital Outlay Bureau have begun capital outlay appropriations reform by increasing reporting. Division Director Rick Martinez and Bureau Chief Renee Borrego an-nounced at NewMARC (the statewide as-sociation of COGs and Regional Councils) that all entities will be responsible to learn and utilize the new paperless tracking sys-tem—‘Capital Outlay Monitoring System’ and produce monthly reports through this system the 15th of each month, starting in December.

Reporting deliverables will be required for the following appropriations:

1. Any new 2010 or later appropriation that has monthly reporting require-ments in its agreement; and,

2. Any older appropriation that was re-issued by DFA under a revised agree-ment whereby the monthly reporting requirement was added.

The later needs some explanation. During the last Legislative Sessions there was an ongoing debate around reverting appropriations as a budget solvency strat-

NM Capital Outlay Reform Equals Increased Reporting Next Steps

State Grants to Local Entities for Capital

Projects: Process Improvements

1. Use budget and timeline to determine

initial milestones for each project

2. Review grant agreement language with

your agency legal counsel to identify any

necessary deviations

All deviation requests must be

submitted to Rick Martinez and Judie Amer

3. Issue grant agreements and make sure

grantees know third party agreements must

be submitted before they are fully executed

4. Issue timely notice of obligation – this is

critical to avoid project delayed

All proposals to encumber based

on a planned budget for multiple small pur-

chase orders must be submitted to Rick

Martinez

5. Monitor project status and prepare for

monthly reporting from the grantee

Make sure all amendments to

third party agreements are submitted to

your agency and that new notices of obliga-

tion are issued

COG staff worked to thank all the regional candidates for their interest in bettering our communities, and wanted

to welcome those that ran, won, and will take office in January. Always know that we are here to help:

NM Congressman

Rep Martin Heinrich, District 1 | Rep Steven Pearce, District 2 | Rep Ben Ray Lujan, District 3

Governor / Lieutenant Governor

Susana Martinez | John Sanchez

Navajo Nation President / Vice-President

Ben Shelly | Rex Jim

State Representatives

Tom Taylor, D-1 | James R. J. Strickler, D-2 | Paul Bandy, D3 | Ray Begaye, D-4 |

Sandra Jeff, D-5 | Eliseo Alcon, D-6 | Patty Lundstrom, D-9 |

James Madalena, D-65 | Ken W. Martinez, D-69 |

County Commissioners

Cibola County: Eddie Michael, D-1 | Antonio ‘Tony’ Gallegos, D-3

McKinley County: Genevieve J. Jackson, D-2 | Carol Bowman-Muskett, D-3

San Juan County: GloJean B. Todacheene, D-1 | Margaret McDaniel, D2

SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP:

Go to website to learn system and reporting: http://www.state.nm.us/capitalprojects/zCipHelp/COReform.jsp

Produce list of current projects and review pro-

jects that have not been expended

Review all grant agreements for reporting provi-

sions

Select a point person to complete and contact

COG for assistance

Bienvenidos!

Yá'át'ééh!

Welcome!


COG’s “Join the Circle” Campaign

Pinnacle Bank | RDC Capital Markets

Gallup Vision Source | Newberry & Associates

Gurley Motor Company | Millennium Media

Rosebrough Law Firm P.C. | Wilson & Company

Joyce Planning & Development | Elite Laundry

Rio Grande Resources | Grants State Bank

DePauli Engineering & Surveying | Rico Motors

AZ Public Service | Vectra Bank

Merrion Oil & Gas | BHP Billiton

George K. Baum & Co | San Juan College

San Juan Economic Development Service

New Members and Sponsors

of Fall Forum 2010:

B u r l i n g t o n N o r t h e r n — S a n t a F e

Gallup Business Improvement District

Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce

F i r e R o c k N a v a j o C a s i n o

Continental Divide Electric Cooperative

Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

Investors in Our Region & Your COG:

HELP EXPAND

THE CIRCLE:

Investors in the COG receive the following

year-round benefits:

Invitation to the Annual Luncheon;

Receiving quarterly newsletters and

annual report;

Information blasts on NM conferences and

trainings (if desired);

Consultations with COG staff and contacts;

Access to COG research, publications,

data, and library of planning documents;

Recognition in helping us provide local and

regional forums, conferences,

town halls, and reports.

THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT

…JOIN THE CIRCLE... “Creating the Venue for Regional Leadership”

OUR REGION, YOUR COG.

At the COG’s Fall Forum 2010, the COG paid special tribute to all of those private businesses and public entities that

contributed to COG’s forums, events, and other activities throughout the year. These contributions allow the COG and our staff to create

the venue for regional leadership—bringing broad-based groups and stakeholders together to discuss and initiate strategic

actions to: (1) compete in a global marketplace, (2) retain and train a ready-to-work labor shed, (3) plan and develop sustainable communi-

ties that local people love to live, play, work, and retire, (4) support regional transportation and an intermodal approach to transporting

people and goods; and (5) work for a beneficial balance of energy, economy, and the environment.

The COG continues to connect and move the region.

Now, its time to expand the circle and recruit you and your organization or business to the regional table.

We need your active participation to make our region excel.

panelists was incomparable. And the dialogue

among all of the participants was also top-drawer.

Feedback was positive, good strategic ideas were

generated and refined, and relationships were

strengthened. And we “broke even” on the event

plus a little more to float our boat! Look for our

Forum Report, to be posted soon on the COG web-

site www.nwnmcog.com. Even more importantly,

look for some new actions and collaborations, as

we lock arms with our partners and crank up the

effort to “move the region.”

We also inaugurated our first three brown-

fields assessments under our “ARRA” Brownfields

Assessment Coalition grant from EPA. The ground-

work is done, the gears are meshed and now we

are seeing some assessment activity on carefully

vetted sites within the region. Soon we will know

what needs to be done to clean these sites up, then

we will go for the resources to do the remediation

and then … we’ll look for new development on

these restored sites in our regional community.

Remember: if you’ve got former commercial/

industrial sites in your community that you want to

redevelop – but which need to be cleaned up first –

give Evan a call at the COG office.

Our Annual Meeting & Luncheon in Septem-

ber was also a great success, where we hosted

about 100 folks from around the region and heard

Dear Friends, Partners & Colleagues,

The tide is turning … but if anyone out there knows

“which way” it’s turning, please be sure to let us know!

Actually, we know that the story of the hour is about

a change in the political mix and dynamic in both Washing-

ton and Santa Fé. We wish Governor-Elect Susana Marti-

nez and Lt. Governor-Elect John Sanchez all the best as

they organize to implement a new Administration in New

Mexico. Congratulations also to newly-elected officials

across our region and State, whom we have identified and

honored within the pages of this newsletter.

We also know that the story is about belt-tightening

at all levels of government. Of course, it’s not getting

tightened very hard in some areas … so it’s looking to get

even tighter in the others, from the Feds on down to the

States and the localities. We are learning that it’s in times

of struggle and self-discipline that strong organizations and

strong businesses find a way to adapt and “turn crisis into

victory.” At the COG, we believe we are doing just that,

and in the face of short-term distress we are optimistic

about the future.

We recently sponsored the 2010 “Fall Forum” on

Economic Development for the Northwest New Mexico

Region, with all activities taking place in and near down-

town Gallup. Yes, attendance was “down” a bit, but the

quality of the presentations by outstanding speakers and

excellent presentations by the

Presidents of three of our re-

gion’s community colleges:

NMSU-Grants; UNM-Gallup; and

San Juan College. We also

distributed our first comprehen-

sive “Annual Report” – which you can now find on our

website.

At the annual business meeting, the COG Board heard

from its former Executive Director, Patty Lundstrom, who

provided an interim report based on her work under special

contract with the COG to provide advice on helping the

COG sustain itself going forward. On October 27th, the

Board met again to receive Patty’s final report and consult

on its recommendations. Emerging from the process was

the primary initiative of forming a new regional nonprofit

corporation as a partner to the COG, for the purpose of

expanding access to resources, engaging the private sector

and providing new capacity for implementing economic

development projects in the region. The working of form-

ing up this new entity is now in its developmental stages.

As always, please know of our appreciation and grati-

tude for your support and partnership, and we’ll see you

down the road – in many venues – as we work together to

“move the region”!

Jeff Interim Executive Director

Notes from the Director

409 South Street

Gallup, NM 87301

Phone: 505-722-4327

Fax: 505-722-9211

“Advancing Northwest New Mexico

by serving local governments through

regional partnership,

since 1972.”

NORTHWEST

NEW MEXICO

COUNCIL OF

GOVERNMENTS

COG Calendar — Important Dates:

www.nwnmcog.com

The COG is now on the internet, and trying to

make this a powerful tool for our members.

Please feel free to contact us with comments

and advice on how to make it user-friendly and

an interactive regional resource.

Meeting Date Time Place

Economic Development

Administration Grants

Due—Cycle 1

December 15 COB Region 6 Office

Austin, TX

NAT-GEO Nomination

Deadline

December 17 All Day www.fourcornersgeo

tourism.com

Holiday Schedule—COG

Office Closed

Dec 24, 31 &

January 3

All Day Happy Holidays

NW RPO Meeting January 12 10AM TBA

COG Executive & Budget

Committee Meeting

January 12 10AM Gallup

NM Legislative Session January18 –

March 19

10AM Santa Fe

Roundhouse

NW RPO Meeting February 9 10AM TBA

COG Board Meeting February 23 TBA McKinley County

http://www.nwnmcog.com

Connecting the Dots - Dec 2010

Documents

Transcript of Connecting the Dots - Dec 2010