Connecting the Dots - Dec 2010 by Northwest New Mexico 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 Publication Period: September 3—December 8, 2010 Produced by: The Staff of the Council of Governments

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

FOUR CORNERS GEOTOURISM PROJECT:

BILLY MOORE

“ENCHANTING LANDSCAPES AND ENDURING CULTURES”

Chairman, McKinley County

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

BRANDING THE FOUR CORNERS.

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

The COG staff has been working to advance a significant project in our region: a partnership with National Geographic’s Maps Division to increase tourists stays and economic impact by creating a MapGuide and interactive website that appeals to international, national, and regional visitors that want to immerse themselves into the Four Corners region and local cultures.

JOE MURRIETTA nd

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

The project is community-driven and all site nominations are submitted via the internet and the following website:

Affiliates

www.fourcornersgeotourism.com

NWNM Reg. Solid Waste Authority

The deadline is approaching rapidly and all submissions need to be in by December 17.

Inside this issue:

National Geographic is looking for Brownfields: Key to Redevelopment

$180M for Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project

NAT-GEO Four Corners Geotourism Project (cont)

Forum 2010 (cont)

5-6

COG Congratulations to Newly Elected Officials

Capital Outlay Monthly Reports Due December 15

Much, Much More

8-9

sites that qualify under its “ geoto ur is m ” p hilos op hy . Geotourism is defined as "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character 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 opportunity to local businesses, places, and events. Examples of NWNM nomina-

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

THE FORUM 2010—STIMULATING THE REGION Moving the Region Forward. For two days in November, downtown Gallup welcomed and served as backdrop for the COG’s ‘2010 Fall Forum’. With the historic El Morro Theater serving as the central location for the Forum, the COG staff engaged approximately 60 regional public and private stakeholders in venues throughout downtown Gallup in discussions intended to examine and strengthen efforts related to development of the regional economy. In addition to facilitated 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:

    

For their efforts and contributions, Forum attendees were treated to buffet -style dinner at the historic El Rancho hotel, complete with a live performance 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.)

Energy & Natural Resources;

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

Business Policy & Entrepreneurial Support;

FOLLOW-UP:

Education & Workforce.



Tourism & Downtowns; Strategic Infrastructure & Housing;

COG staff anticipates the release of a 2010 Fall Forum Report in near future.

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Page 2

Brownfields: Breaking Ground on the First of Wave of Redevelopment.

Ramah Navajo Foods, LLC.: Profile on Regional Business Development

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 development tool that, when utilized, can protect and incentivize private and public investors to reuse vacant buildings and properties. Today, the COG announced that it is moving ahead with 3 area

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 intimate gathering was held to celebrate this unique project representing the first tribal, public, and private economic development project in the state of New Mexico, and is a collective effort of the Ramah Navajo Chapter, 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 Department of Agriculture (USDA).

projects through a

million grant

under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which provided funding to the Northwest NM Brownfields Assessment Coalition for its program.

Breaking New Ground.

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

Zuni

Medical

Transport

Pad.

The historic first project belongs to the Pueblo of Zuni. The Tribe requested assistance to perform a Phase I environmental assessment on a site that, if needed, will be cleaned up and considered 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 project leveraging assessment funding for two other downtown and infill housing projects targeted for veterans and lowincome individuals. CARE 66 is working on applying to other financing programs to remediate and redevelop

Before

Future

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

Before

Future

properties, including HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits equity, Economic Development 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 assessment 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 looking for projects, and maintains a strong desire to market the program to all potential private, non-profit, or governmental developers interested in economic, housing, and greenspace re-use. “To understand a little easier the Brownfields program”, Program Manager 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 remediation, 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 Brownfields program and receive a free Phase I environment assessment on a property along US 491. The County was concerned about illegal dumping and abandoned 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 environmental 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 medium 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 collaborative and economic aspects of this project, Ramah Navajo Foods will have a lasting cultural effect. The Navajo Nation represents the largest concentrated 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 interesting 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.

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Page 3

Navajo-Gallup Water Project Appropriation To Be Signed; BOR Begins Field Work “One of the most important aspects of this legislation is that it contains funding to implement the settlements of three During my tenure at the COG, I have had the of the longest-standing water rights cases in our state’s history. I applaud all of the recurring déjà vu experience of seeing two parties who have worked so hard and for “opposites” come together at the COG: One is so long on these settlements,” Bingaman hearing people say “that’s impossible—it’ll never said. happen” and the other is watching the COG staff “What also makes this passage so make the impossible happen. These experiences significant is that it puts in place the fundare no better illustrated than by the Navajo Water ing necessary to finally close the book on Rights Settlement in the San Juan River and the these agreements,” Udall continued. “It’s a major accomplishment that could not have recent legislation appropriating the first federal been reached without the support of the installment of $180 million now awaiting PresiPresident and the tribes, city, county, and dent Obama’s authorization. community groups involved. I look forJust over a year ago, the region and our part- ward to the President’s signature on this landmark legislation for these tribes.” ners celebrated the passage of Omnibus Public

“Doing the Impossible just takes a little longer”.

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

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, authorization 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 commitment of the COG for not believing that this was impossible but only seeing the need for regional leadership and a sustainable water supply solution. This project will not only bring real water to real people that have never had a secure p r o j e c t and convenient water source but also create jobs and strategic infrastructure that can advance the real economic development in the region and on the value and Navajo Nation.

This reflects regional ability of the COG and its partners.

CONGRESS APPROVES MEASURE ALSO FUNDS THOSE CLAIMS AND THE NAVAJO-GALLUP PIPELINE

November 30—U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman

The project’s motto is : and Tom Udall announced that Congress has

“Provide real water, to real people, in real time”

approved legislation to settle the water rights claims of Taos Pueblo and the claims of the Pueblos 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 includes $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 longeststanding water rights cases in New Mexico. “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 Mexicans will have the certainty about their water rights – a goal that is 40 years in the making,” Bingaman said.

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 surveys, archaeological surveys and subsurface exploration. Approximately 30 tenfoot deep, temporary test pits will be excavated along the project alignment to identify the material the pipeline will be placed in as well as the depth to rock. This information 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 domestic 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 Nation Reservation. These areas currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply that is of poor quality and inadequate to meet the current and future needs.

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 Navajo 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 throughout the city and to deliver water to Navajo Chapters surrounding Gallup. Prior to completion of the entire project, nonproject water will temporarily be transported 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 constructed to treat and deliver water from the San Juan River. Construction of Project facilities from Twin Lakes to Ya-tahey is scheduled to start in 2011, depending 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 located near the base of the dam, and piped south along U.S. Highway 550 to provide water to adjacent Navajo Chapters, the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and additional Navajo Chapters south of the highway.

The NGWSP will divert a total of The bill sets aside $180 million to impleThe authorizing legislation ment a third water settlement approved by 37,764 acre-feet of water annually from the requires completion of construcSan Juan River and the existing Cutter Congress last year and construct the Navajo tion of all NGWSP features Reservoir, treat the water at two water -Gallup pipeline. treatment plants, and deliver water to the no later than 2024. cities and chapters via 260 miles of pipe-

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Page 4

NAT-GEO DEADLINE APPROACHING TO “GET ON THE MAP” Final Push to Get NWNM on the Map.

and adventurers, backGeotourism is defined as packers and "tourism that sustains or en- foodies, birders hances the geographical and sightseers character of a place - its envi- can discover ronment, culture, aesthetics, unique destinaheritage, and the well-being tions based on of its residents." About Geotourism

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 Corners Region that will be Geotourism goes beyond "drive through" travel. It inmarketed to the world. volves regional communities in providing the visitor with Get on the Map! an authentic, enriching experience. It acquaints tourists with local culture and tradiNational Geographic is tions and offers them inpartnering with the Four Corners Region to develop a depth opportunities to enjoy mapguide and interactive web- the area's unique natural site that promotes beauty and biodiversity. 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 recommendations from those who know best—residents of the Four Corners region.

Four Corners Region residents and visitors, community organizations, tourism stakeholders and local businesses nominate sites for inclusion in a print MapGuide and interactive Web site. Four Corners MapGuide Unlike any other mapping project, a favorite local resThe Trail of The Ancients taurant, farm, winery, hiking Scenic Byway–Colorado proor biking trail, swimming gram has partnered with the hole, museum or artist galNational Geographic Society lery are samples of the type to capture the history and of nominations National Geoheritage of the Four Corners graphic and its project partRegion through an interacners will be seeking. The tive Web site and print map. Web site will target a variety The Four Corners Region of growing travel niches— Geotourism Project seeks to adventure and nature tourcelebrate the Four Corners ism, cultural heritage travel region as a world-class destiand agritourism—and allow nation, while contributing to for residents to select the one the economic health of the -of-a-kind places integral to a region by promoting sustaindistinctive character of place. able tourism. History buffs 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”.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GET ON THE MAP!

MapGuide Sample

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Page 5

FORUM—2010 (continued) “THIS AIN’T YOUR DADDY’S FORUM – MOVING FROM WALL STREET BACK TO MAIN STREET” 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 public and private stakeholders from throughout northwest New Mexico converged on downtown Gallup under the umbrella of the 2010 Fall Forum to strategically examine, 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 impacting 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 priorities and implementation tasks. The 5 common regional themes:

 Tourism & Downtowns  Strategic Infrastructure & Housing  Energy & Natural Resources  Business Policy & Entrepreneurial Support

 Michael Emerson, NM Community Capital    

The decision to hold the 2010 Fall Forum in downtown Gallup was a strategic deciBill Stenberg, UNM-Gallup Entrepreneursion intended to lend support to the ship Program ‘Tourism & Downtown’ working group, Sammy Chioda, Owner Sammy C’s & Millen- while additionally showcasing first hand the downtown revitalization efforts of the nium Media City of Gallup. It is expected that future John Shaw, Bio-PAPPEL, Prewitt Forums will continue to be held in locations that symbolically lends itself to the 5 Patrick Keptner, TAOS & Tohatchi common themes highlighted above. 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,

Based on working group notes, plenary session notes, panelist and speaker presentation; COG staff will now develop a  Bill Lee, Executive Director, Gallup-McKinley survey for attendees to confirm forum County Chamber of Commerce priorities and to help begin the process of implementing forum recommendations.  Mary Jean Christensen, President, Gallup Topic: Red Mesa Wind Farm

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 To add further value and support for the individual working groups, COG secured an Minority Leader Tom Taylor, and NM State Senator George Muňoz. array of premium panelists to present to the working groups. It is without a doubt, In large thanks for regional partners and the panelists assembled for the 2010 Fall sponsorships, Forum attendees were Forum was top notch, and added great treated to a buffet-style dinner at the value to the efforts of the working groups. historic El Rancho Hotel. ¡Oralé!, Gallup’s

 Education & Workforce

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

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

own and most talented band, provided live music after the dinner, offering an opportunity for Forum participate to reflect on the days conversations and to allow for networking.

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 information related to the 2010 Fall Forum.

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

IMAGES FROM THE FORUM—2010 “THIS AIN’T YOUR DADDY’S FORUM – MOVING FROM WALL STREET BACK TO MAIN STREET”

“OUR REGION, YOUR COG”

Page 6

Page 7

“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

Congratulations to Newly Elected Officials 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

Bienvenidos! Yá'át'ééh! Welcome!

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

NM Capital Outlay Reform Equals Increased Reporting First Monthly Reports Due Dec 15th. The Department of Finance & Administration–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 announced at NewMARC (the statewide association of COGs and Regional Councils) that all entities will be responsible to learn and utilize the new paperless tracking system—‘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 requirements in its agreement; and, Any older appropriation that was reissued by DFA under a revised agreement 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-

egy. During this process, DFA and other Departments voided the majority of appropriation agreements from previous years. After the Session, DFA and other Departments re-issued new agreements for projects that were considered ongoing, moving, and/or under 3rd party contracts. When these contracts were re-issued by DFA, they added the monthly reporting requirement as part of the new agreements. Older appropriations that do not have new agreements or the new provision are not required to submit monthly reports. The first on-line reports are due on December 15th. This is a good reminder for governments in terms of moving projects and getting 3rd party contracts by Session to prove activity. 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 projects that have not been expended



Review all grant agreements for reporting provi-

sions



Select a point person to complete and contact COG for assistance

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 purchase 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 obligation are issued

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“Connecting the Dots”: Sept—December 2010

COG’s “Join the Circle” Campaign

OUR REGION, YOUR COG.

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

New Members and Sponsors of Fall Forum 2010: Burlington Northern—Santa Fe Gallup Business Improvement District Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce Fire Rock Navajo Casino Continental Divide Electric Cooperative Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial

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

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 communities 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.

COG Calendar — Important Dates: NORTHWEST NEW MEXICO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

Date

Time

Economic Development Administration Grants Due—Cycle 1

December 15

COB

Region 6 Office Austin, TX

409 South Street Gallup, NM 87301

NAT-GEO Nomination Deadline

December 17

All Day

www.fourcornersgeo tourism.com

Phone: 505-722-4327 Fax: 505-722-9211

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

“Advancing Northwest New Mexico by serving local governments through regional partnership, since 1972.”

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

Place

Notes from the Director 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 Washington and Santa Fé. We wish Governor-Elect Susana Martinez 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.

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 website 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.”

excellent presentations by the Presidents of three of our region’s community colleges: NMSU-Grants; UNM-Gallup; and San Juan College. We also distributed our first comprehensive “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 We also inaugurated our first three browncontract with the COG to provide advice on helping the fields assessments under our “ARRA” Brownfields COG sustain itself going forward. On October 27th, the We also know that the story is about belt-tightening Assessment Coalition grant from EPA. The ground- Board met again to receive Patty’s final report and consult at all levels of government. Of course, it’s not getting work is done, the gears are meshed and now we on its recommendations. Emerging from the process was tightened very hard in some areas … so it’s looking to get are seeing some assessment activity on carefully the primary initiative of forming a new regional nonprofit even tighter in the others, from the Feds on down to the vetted sites within the region. Soon we will know corporation as a partner to the COG, for the purpose of States and the localities. We are learning that it’s in times what needs to be done to clean these sites up, then expanding access to resources, engaging the private sector of struggle and self-discipline that strong organizations and we will go for the resources to do the remediation and providing new capacity for implementing economic strong businesses find a way to adapt and “turn crisis into and then … we’ll look for new development on development projects in the region. The working of formvictory.” At the COG, we believe we are doing just that, these restored sites in our regional community. ing up this new entity is now in its developmental stages. and in the face of short-term distress we are optimistic Remember: if you’ve got former commercial/ about the future. As always, please know of our appreciation and gratiindustrial sites in your community that you want to tude for your support and partnership, and we’ll see you redevelop – but which need to be cleaned up first – We recently sponsored the 2010 “Fall Forum” on down the road – in many venues – as we work together to give Evan a call at the COG office. Economic Development for the Northwest New Mexico “move the region”! Region, with all activities taking place in and near downOur Annual Meeting & Luncheon in Septemtown Gallup. Yes, attendance was “down” a bit, but the ber was also a great success, where we hosted quality of the presentations by outstanding speakers and about 100 folks from around the region and heard Interim Executive Director

Jeff