City Auctions Now On-line
BELEN -- The City of Belen has partnered with Public Surplus,
an internet auction company, for them to conduct public auctions
for the City. Whenever the City has any surplus items to dispose
of, the items must be offered to the public for purchase. In the
days before the Internet, a public auction was usually held at a
specific time and location. Today, the City’s auction is virtual
and can be done right from the City of Belen’s website (www.belen-nm.gov).
It’s easy to set up an account where you can bid on items
offered by many government entities across New Mexico and the
United States. Public Surplus is the broker; the buyer pays a
10% premium for items bid on the site. Follow the instructions
on the website for setting up the pickup day and time for the
items. All transactions are done with Public Surplus, not the
City of Belen. At the end of the auction, the City receives a
check from Public Surplus along with the proper documentation
for the sale of the items.
The City of Belen and the Los Lunas Schools are the first
Valencia County government agencies that have signed on with
Public Surplus for Internet Auctions. Other municipalities
include the Cities of Albuquerque, Farmington, Las Cruces,
Bloomfield, Alamogordo, Santa Fe and along with Bernalillo
County, Lincoln County and Los Alamos County, just to name a
few. “Using the internet auction site is convenient and easy to
use,” said IT Specialist, Lawrence Kaneshiro. Kaneshiro went on
to say, “although there is a small charge to the buyer for using
the site, there is absolutely no cost to the City. Given our
economic situation today, I felt that teaming up with Public
Surplus was the way to go to bring in some revenue.”
The items up for auction right now are small miscellaneous
items ranging from office chairs and bookcases to some audio
equipment. The asking prices on some of the items are also small
and insignificant, but it’s a place to start”, said Leona Vigil.
Vigil is the auction coordinator for the City of Belen. “Later
in the year, we hope to place vehicles and much larger items up
for bid”,
said Vigil.
To visit the auction site, click here, and you will be diverted to Public Surplus.
Last Stand, Has Done Stood
 |
 |
 |
|
|
It's all over. The interior at Irv's Diner (pictured above) is gone, except the old neon sign. The sets are coming down. "The Last Stand" did not leave much except the old Bell Tower Fountain at the end of Becker Avenue. The City plans to keep the fountain in place. Attempts to work with the property owners to keep the sets up failed, and within a few weeks the corner of 2nd and Becker Avenue will be returned to it's former self. |
|
Belen Soccer Team Honored
Members of the 2011 Belen soccer team was recognized at Monday nights City Council meeting. The Belen Eagles were 21-1 on the year appearing in the state finals for the first time. The Eagles lost to Farmington 2-0 in the title match.
The Last Stand Begins Filming in Two Weeks
 |
 |
|
HOLLYWOOD -- Breaking News, Rodrigo Santoro (left) will co-star with Arnold Schwarzenegger in
"Last Stand" as work continues on construction of the fictional town of Sommerton Junction near the Mexican border. Actually this construction site is located at the corner of 2nd and Becker Ave. Belen. Filming is scheduled to begin in about two weeks for what is being called the “Comeback
Action" vehicle for the former governor. |
|
2011 Fire Prevention Week
BELEN - Mayor Rudy Jaramillo has proclaimed October 9 through the 15 as “2011 Fire Prevention Week”. Firefighters of the City of Belen are recognized for their diligence in protecting the residents of Belen.
US Constitution Week
BELEN -- Mayor Rudy Jaramillo proclaimed the week of September 17th through 23rd as Constitution Week. The Constitution of the United States, this week is 224 years old.
City Completes Hospital Feasibility Study
BELEN -- At Monday's City Council meeting it is expected that the council will announce that Ameris can proceed with the completion of a feasibility study that they started three months ago. The study will assess the feasibility of building a hospital on publicly-owned land on the City's Westside along Christopher Road. For more details on this late breaking news, click here.
Remembering September 11, 2001
WASHINGTON DC – Last winter my family
and I visited our nation’s capital. While in Washington DC
you always take a tour of the US Capitol, it’s required.
While touring the Capitol we came across a plaque in a quite
corner near some elevators. This unassuming plaque was a
memorial to United Fight 93 that crashed into a cornfield
near Shanksville, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.
The plaque lists the 41 names of the
brave soles that died on that flight that fateful day.
Flight 93, originally bound for San Francisco, was over Ohio
when it suddenly turned and headed South then East toward
Washington DC. Passengers onboard Flight 93 was already
aware of what was happening in New York and at the Pentagon.
Now it was abundantly clear what fate had in store for them.
Later that morning Flight 93 flew into the ground at over
553 miles per hour. It was believed to be headed towards the
US Capitol building.
An overwhelming and profound feeling
of sadness came over the three of us as we stood there
reading the names of the passengers and crew aboard that
flight. After leaving the Capitol we wondered about those
people. Who they were, their families and their fear in the
moments before the plane flew into the ground. Did they ever
think that this one selfless act in their lives would ever
be memorialized in such a noble way?
The Last Stand; Schwarzenegger Style
 |
BELEN – Filming is slated to
start this fall on Hollywood’s latest action flick
“The Last Stand,” a modern day western. The film
takes place in a small town called Sommerton
Junction near the Mexican border. Sheriff Owens is a
former LAPD officer that retired in humiliation
after a bungled operation that left his partner
crippled. Owens is played by former California Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in his first movie roll since
leaving office. Sommerton Junction, played in the
film by Belen, is a small sleepy town where very
little crime takes place. |
|
After escaping from an FBI
prisoner convoy, the most notorious drug kingpin in
the northern hemisphere, is headed toward the border
at 200 miles per hour in a specially outfitted car
with a hostage and an army of gang members. As it
turns out the dangerous desperados are headed
straight for Sommerton where the whole U.S. law
enforcement will have their "last stand". At first
reluctant to become involved, and then counted out
because of the perceived ineptitude of his small
town force, Sheriff Owens ultimately accepts
responsibility for the face off. Paul Roberts, location
manager for the "The Last Stand," said in a
copyrighted story in the
Valencia County News-Bulletin, Weekend Edition,
he's coordinating the details for the filming with
the City of Belen. "The city takes constituents and
residents into concern," Roberts said. "They aren't
just opening their doors to us and allowing us to do
what we want. They are respectful of the local
neighbors and businesses and very accommodating with
us as well." |
|
|
Belen has served as the
backdrop for many films and television shows over
the last few years. Most recently an episode of “In
Plain Sight” was shot downtown and former Mayor;
Ronnie Torres’s home was used in the independent
film “As Cool As I Am”. Mayor, Rudy Jaramillo said
the movie will help generate money for the city and
local businesses, as well as generate excitement in
residents. "People have something to look forward
to, and it stimulates the motivation of the
community," Jaramillo said in the article in the
Valencia County News-Bulletin, Weekend Edition. |
 Top Left, on the set of "As Cool As I Am". Above, setting up lights for "In Plain Sight" in downtown Belen. |
|
Set construction will begin
downtown along Becker Ave. between Third and Second
streets in a few weeks with principal photography
slated to begin mid to the end of October. There will be
some old school special effects using pyrotechnics
and a lot of CGI possibly including the old water
tower. The film is produced by Di Bonaventure
Pictures and Directed by Jee-woon Kim. Watch the website for road closures and
delays along Becker Ave. |
|
National Night Out in the "Heart of Belen"
| BELEN – An estimated 800 residents attended the National Night Out event held Tuesday August 2, in the "Heart of Belen". The Belen Police and Fire Departments along with Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, served close to 800 hamburgers and hotdogs to anybody that wanted one. Door prizes, donated by Wal-Mart, were given away every 15 to 20 minutes between performances by Jr. Jazzercise and Lori's Boardwalk. Play the video at right to see more of this year’s festivities./td> |
Public Hearing on Technology Fee set for Monday
BELEN – At the August 15th
City Council Meeting, the Council will hold a hearing on the
Technology Infrastructure Fee (TIF). The proposed fee of
$1.80 per resident will be assessed on the water bills each
month. “The fee will be deposited in a special account to be
used to help maintain current technology and more
importantly to promote the use of new technology for the
Public Good”, says Information Technology Specialist,
Lawrence Kaneshiro. The “Public Good” is any technology that
directly serves the residents of the City of Belen such as;
Utility Management, Solid Waste Management, Recreation
Management, Public Information, Public Transparency,
Telecommunications and Public Internet Access.
Upgrades and maintenance of current
software and hardware could begin within months of
collecting the fees, while capital expenditures to expand
the City’s wireless network will be prioritized by an
internal IT Committee. The IT Committee is made up of
representatives from each of the major departments that
include Finance, Utilities, Public Safety, Judicial and
Community Services.
The Public is invited to attend
Monday’s City Council Meeting to offer any input. The TIF
Ordinance will then go up for a vote in a September council
meeting.
Monsoon Rains Brings Flood Damage to Municipal Court
BELEN -- Sunday night's rain fall that brought over half an inch of rain to the Belen area, also brought a little indoors to the Municipal Court. Carpet and ceiling tiles throughout the building suffered extensive damage from water that leaked through the more than 30 year old roof.
As court staff is relocated to City Hall, all court proceedings for the week are canceled. Beginning August 1st court transactions will take place in the Water Department at City Hall. Court will be held daily 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The Mayor and City Council are looking for solutions to the leaky roof problem under the City's tight financial situation. The leaky roof was discussed at Monday's Special Meeting.
Mayor Proclaims Selma B. Martinez Day
Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and the City Council has proclaimed July 5, 2011, as Selma B. Martinez Day for her outstanding volunteer work for the City and the Community. Selma has served as chairperson for three years of her ten year stint on the Board of the RSVP. She chaired the Volunteer Appreciation Lunch for three years. Selma was also a member of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce and the Belen Rotary Club as well as participated in the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life”.
Ameris Reports to the City Council
"As far as we're concerned, almost any of these sites would work," he said. "But you have to build your medical staff to serve all the community. To get the doctors, you have to acquiesce to a site that will work for them, where they are willing to send patients. You have to have the majority of your elected officials and community leaders support it. Without the medical staff and solid support, the site is immaterial." said CEO Sam Lewis of Ameris in a copyrighted story in the Midweek Edition of the Valencia County News Bulletin.
Ameris, CEO Sam Lewis and Vice President of Development Frank Schupp, appeared at the last City Council meeting to discuss their findings and subsequent separation with Valencia Health Commons last May. Click here to read more of this story.
SOP: Fatal Crash Investigation
BELEN -- The Crash Reconstruction SOP
Policy was approved by a vote of 4 to 0 at the last City
Council Meeting. The SOP or Standard Operating Procedures is
an internal document, in this case used by the Police
Department, as standard procedures for a fatal crash
investigation. The new SOP added a new section as follows; “An
immediate family member of the fatality (parent, brother,
sister, spouse and/or child) may request to the department a
reconstruction of the crash within 30 days of the crash.
Within 10 days of the request from an immediate family
member, the department will submit the request to a
Reconstructionist.”
For questions about this change or to review the SOP,
contact the Belen Police Department.
Respect for Law Week
Mayor Rudy Jaramillo has proclaimed the week of June 1, through June 6 as “Respect for Law Week”. Two members of the Belen Optimist Club Patricia Torres and Cindy Clark were on hand for the presentation. Members of law enforcement agencies understand their duty to serve the people of their Community as well as to safeguard their property and protect the citizens of Valencia County from violence and deception.
Taylar Jaramillo Day Proclaimed
Pictured
with the Belen City Council is Taylar Jaramillo, a Junior at Belen High School,
who won the
individual Girls State Golf Championship for Belen High
School on May 10, 2011, with a score of 76 for the final day
of competition. Jaramillo has been playing competitive golf
since she was 10 years old and plays golf as part of the
Future College World Tour, The American Junior Golf
Association and Golf Week Golf Tour, playing in many
tournaments throughout the country. She is currently being
recruited to play golf at several colleges with Texas Tech
being the most interested Jaramillo excels in school as well
as golf, carrying a 3.85 grade point average and is a member
of the National Honor Society at Belen High School. Rudy
Jaramillo, Mayor of the City of Belen, do hereby proclaim
this 16th day of May 2011 as “TAYLAR JARAMILLO DAY”
Look mom it's a Bear!
Security Officer Eddie Jaramillo and Sgt. Jose Natividad have their picture taken with a bear that was caught on South Mesa Road on Wednesday. The department received reports of a bear in the area earlier in the morning. It was first seen by Security Officer Eddie Jaramillo at 8:40 AM. Five officers from the Police Depart along with four officers from New Mexico Game & Fish finally cornered the bear in a tree around 11:16 AM. The bear was tranquilized and later taken into the Manzano Mountains and released.
East side Hospital Site Rejected
BELEN -- In a copyrighted story in the Valencia County News-Bulletin, they are reporting that Ameris has rejected the east side location on which to build the hospital. Belen City councilors Jerah Cordova and Lorenzo Carrillo each made comments.
Cordova, said the city sees this newest development as encouraging. The city offered 14 acres it owns on Camino del Llano to VHC as a possible location for the hospital.
"We have never lobbied for our site over another," said fellow councilor Lorenzo Carrillo. "We did have concerns and we're glad Ameris spoke up and expressed their concerns."
Cordova said the city is asking Valencia Health Commons to be open and transparent in their development of this project.
"The city has always been up front about what we were offering and what our weaknesses were," Cordova said.
To read more about this late breaking story click here.
Hidden INPLAINSIGHT
 |
|
|
Recently the streets of Belen served as a
backdrop for the television series “In Plain Sight”
or IPS. Titled “Something's A-Mish” the production shot
for a day on Becker Avenue between Third and First
Streets closing the street to normal traffic, as it
was transformed into a quant Amish community lined
with trees and produce stands complete with horses
and buggies. In this scene the show’s principal characters
Mary and Marshall, navigate through the impromptu
farmers market in front of the Belen Hotel. The show
stars Mary McCormack and Fred Weller who portrays
special agents for the US Marshall Service attached
to the Witness Security Protection Program where
government witnesses and their families are hidden in
exchange for their testimony. The identities are
changed and the witnesses are relocated to a
different part of the country. On the TV show it’s
usually Albuquerque. This television series is one of many televisions
shows that is shot in and around Albuquerque. IPS is
in its fourth year of shooting in New Mexico and is
not expected to be impacted by the changes in the NM
Film Incentive package recently passed by the
legislature. Television shows like “In Plain Sight”
and “Breaking Bad” shoot exclusively in the state.
Whenever possible in-state locations like Belen,
serve as far away locations such as this
community in Pennsylvania. “Short of actually
taking the cast and crew to Pennsylvania, the producers were
looking for buildings that had that eastern look
such as you would find in Pennsylvania,” said
locations manager Sam Tischler. He added, “This
small stretch of Becker Avenue, fits the bill”. “It is hoped that more television productions
like this come to Belen to shoot their TV shows
here”, says Mayor Rudy Jaramillo. A number of
local residents served as “background” players in
the opening scene that sets up the story for this
episode. This episode titled “Something's A-Mish” also
includes scenes of farmland from around the county. This is
the second time IPS has shot in Valencia County. In
season one the Los Lunas High School Gymnasium
served as the backdrop for an episode about a high
school basketball player that was relocated into
WITSEC. "In Plain Sight" begins their fourth season Sunday May 1st at 8:00 PM Mountain on the USA Network. Check your local listings for channel details. |
|
 |
|
 |
 Pictured Top: The old Belen Hotel was transformed into a furniture store. Top Left: Mary McCormack's, chair stands empty while she does her scene. Above Center: Belen residents were hired as extras, receive instructions from a production assistant. Left: actors rehearse their parts. Above: One of four digital cameras is prepared for shooting. |
BELEN
DOWNTOWN -- You live in a small Amish community in
Pennsylvania. You witness a horrific crime involving
a gang of ruthless bikers. You go to trial and you
know in order to survive you must disappear. You
must hide in In Plain Sight. Where do you go?
Well, you end up in Albuquerque, New Mexico as part
of the US Marshall’s WITness SECurity Protection
Program or WITSEC for short. BPD Completes Re-accreditation Process
BELEN -- The Belen Police Department is one of the first departments statewide to successfully complete their re-accreditation. Read all about this in the April 13, 2011, edition of the Valencia County News-Bulletin. At the April 18th, City Council Meeting, Interim Chief, Dan Robb is expected to report to the council on the accreditation process.
Belen Little League Opens Sat., April 2nd.
 |
 |
 |
 |
BELEN - Nearly 378 boys and girls ages 4 to 15 will begin Belen Little League play on April 2nd and continue through June 10th at Belen’s Vivian Park. The fields have undergone major clean up in recent weeks in preparation for this weekend’s opener. The new president of the Belen Little League, Anthony Aragon, says that his group of volunteers have cut trees, removed dangerous bricks from the older dugouts, created a play area for small children to play in while their older siblings play ball, and laid down a new layer of soil on all the fields. The old Vivian Fields have undergone a complete facelift for the first time in several years.
Belen Little League this year
consists of 28 teams: all the 4-year-olds are in a league of
their own playing tee ball, 5 & 6-year-olds will begin tee
ball league play, 7 & 8-year-olds will play rookie baseball
and softball, 9 & 10-year-olds will play minor league
baseball and softball, 11 & 12-year-olds will play major
league baseball and softball and 13 to15-year-olds will play
junior league baseball. Aragon hopes that the same players
will carry over to the fall baseball season beginning in
August and continuing through the end of October. "This is
the first time ever that fall baseball has been available to
Belen Little League," said Aragon.
Working with Belen’s Adopt a Park program, Aragon and his
group, took over Vivian Park earlier this year in hopes of
revitalizing interest in little league in Belen. For years
the program has seen some hard times and needed a boost. “I
am all for the youth of Belen”, says Aragon who came here
from Texas and has spent a lifetime evolved with baseball in
some form or another playing little league, high school and
college ball and finally some professional ball. He also has
managed and coached Little League for 15 years.
This year Aragon expects to start tournament play with the
Minor League Division April 29th and 30th.
He expects 20 boy’s and 14 girl’s teams. On the following
weekend the Major League Division consisting of 16 boys and
girls teams will begin their tournament play and on May 13th
and 14th the Junior League tournament will close
out tournament play with 14 teams.
Aragon and his Vice-President, Denise Oritz, are part of a
solid core of Belen Citizens that has donated their time and
effort into the facelift of Vivian Park. Aragon says that he
owes a lot of gratitude to the merchants that has helped him
with donations of sand, pipe, and other materials for the
park. He was particularly grateful to the Mayor and City
Council for allowing him to take over Vivian Park and to
City employees Leroy Vallejos and Herman Madrid.
Teacher Excellence Day
Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, has declared March 21, 2011, "Golden Apple Foundation of New Mexico Tribute to Teacher Excellence Day". The Golden Apple Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education in New Mexico. the Foundation believes that the quality of the teachers in the classroom is the single most important factor in student achievement and success at any age or stage of study. Amidst the turmoil of current events, teachers go on day after day helping prepare our children for the future and we salute our teachers, we honor them and we give our thanks to them.
BHS Football Day
 |
| At Monday night’s City Council Meeting, Mayor Rudy Jaramillo declared February 21st as Belen High School Eagle Football Day. Last fall the 2010 Varsity Football Team was District Champions for the third year in a row. They finished the season 11-1 advancing to the Class 4A Semi-finals losing to Aztec. The offense scored a season total of 555 points while giving up only 139 points. This is Coach John Larma’s third year as the Belen Eagle’s head football coach. The coach and some of the seniors were in attendance and received a standing ovation. |
It's Art, It's graffiti NO It's the Process that's Wrong!
 |
| At the February 7th City Council Meeting the public spoke in support and against a mural painted by Zac Meyer a
former student of Belen High School. The mural is on the North side of the Trembly
building located on South Main Street next to the
Belen Bakery which is still under construction. In
recent City Council meetings the issue of murals has
become even more controversial. At the February 21st meeting
the Council decided to approve the existing murals,
and let the Main Street Committee revisit the
ordinance that governs art on public buildings.
However in the mean time, the committee is still taking applications from artists
for future wall mural projects. On Tuesday, February 22nd, the Main Street Committee voted to formally send this issue to the City's Planning & Zoning Commission. The Commission will review the ordinance and recommend changes and come up with guidelines for artists to follow. The Planning & Zoning Commission will take this up at their next scheduled meeting. |
Christmas in the Park
 |
| The Jose Gallegos Mini-Park in Old Town is all decked out this year thanks to the Adopt-a-Park program. The decoration went up shortly after Thanksgiving and was even visited by Santa Clause shortly afterwards. |
Belen Gets Gift of the Maji
 |
 |
|
It’s a very Merry Christmas
for the Belen Chamber of Commerce and the City of
Belen. Wells Fargo Bank donated $250,000 worth of
Christmas decorations, to
the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce, who in turn
donated them to the City. The pieces, 20 in all,
where used at their Albuquerque downtown branch. The
pieces include a giant rocking horse, a jack-n-the
box, four nutcrackers measuring at least 12 feet
tall and an eight reindeer sleigh. The City parks
department has placed the giant Christmas sculptures
in the "Heart of Belen" and in front of City Hall.
Pictured is Mayor Rudy Jaramillo along with Davery
and Rayleen Aragon of Belen as they check out the
14ft. tall rocking horse. |
Council Hears from Ameris VP
BELEN – Frank Schupp, Vice President
of Business Development for Ameris Health System of
Nashville Tennessee, addressed the Belen City Council at
Monday’s night meeting. Ameris Health System was chosen last
month by Valencia Health Commons to plan, build and manage a
hospital in Valencia County. Schupp has been in the county for the last week meeting and visiting with
healthcare providers and other officials. Schupp had high
praise for the quantity of nurses readily available, “Valencia County
is blessed, there is a couple hundred nurses already here,
granted 90% of them drive 25 to 30 miles to the North right
now.” Schupp was also pleased to learn that the UNM
Valencia Campus was beginning a nursing program. Schupp went on to
say, “My understanding is that the collage is starting their
RN program and of course we would like to have them do their clinicals at the hospital.”
Schupp has also been laying the ground work for physicians to do their rotational work through the hospital once it is operational. He spoke about some of the positive attributes of other facilities that Ameris operates in their other locations in Georgia, Mississippi and Florida.
Recycling Center to Remain Open
LOS LUNAS -- Thanks to a recent unanimous vote by county commissioners, the City of Belen's recycling center will remain in operations. Click here to read more of this copyrighted story in the November 10, 2010, issue of the Valencia County News-Bulletin.
Liberty Swings at Eagle Park
BELEN -- The Belen Pilot Club and the Pilot International Foundation was instrumental in funding and installing the County’s first and only “Liberty Swing”. This huge swing made to accommodate disabled children and their wheelchairs was recently installed at Eagle Park located at the Belen Community Center. To learn more about this remarkable swing, click here and read all about it in the Wednesday, October 27, 2010, issue of the Valencia County News-Bulletin.
CES 2010 Video
|
BELEN -- The first ever "New Mexico Code Enforcement Summit" was
held in Belen on October 13th.. Approximately 138
city, county, planning, zoning and code enforcement
officials and professionals from around New Mexico attended
the day long summit. The day started with the welcome from
Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and a compassionate keynote address by
Senator, Michael Sanchez, Democrat from Valencia County. A
tour of Belen’s most successful projects in community
preservation included a visit to a 100 year old hotel, a
housing project, an old business transformation and a old
drug house waiting to be demolished. |
Foreclosures and a strained economy continue to ravage
neighborhoods throughout the country with Valencia County
leading the state in the number of foreclosures this last
year. The summit, the first of its kind in New Mexico, was
held to bring government officials and the business
community such as real estate brokers together to quickly
address code violations on vacant properties and other
maintenance issues. “This summit and what we have done in
Belen will hopefully serve as a model for the rest of New
Mexico to follow in the many months to come,” said Andrew
iCamillo, Directory of Planning & Zoning for the City of
Belen.
The afternoon concluded with a Community Preservation
Speakers Symposium such as the phenomenon of foreclosed
pets, social impacts and considerations, working with the
community HOA’s, metal theft issues, and code enforcement.
This short video is a City of Belen Production and showcases a tour that participants in the CES took during the morning session. The tour highlighted ongoing projects as well as projects that are poised to start in the coming months. Each of the projects were considered “problem” communities that city officials are hoping to revitalize.
White Ribbon Week
BELEN
– The Catholic Daughters of America Our Lady of Belen #1359
and Mayor Rudy Jaramillo has proclaimed October 31st
through November 7th as White Ribbon Against
Pornography (WRAP) week. A small community such as Belen is
not immune to problems of this nature. WRAP’s purpose is to
increase public awareness of the harm done by exposure to
pornography.
-
Many parents and
children/teens are not aware of the quickness of pornography
addiction, the ease of acquiring inappropriate pictures or
sexual information, etc.
-
Inappropriate images
can't be erased from the mind and they influence actions.
Children/teens need to abandon the "everybody's seeing these
things" mindset and be responsible for what goes into their
minds.
-
Sexual addiction can
occur within a week and easily within three months for many
people.
-
Entry into pornography
addiction can be inappropriate swimsuit or lingerie images.
-
"Crash and Tell" and
other Internet safety ideas can protect children. Knowledge
gives parents and children/teens the wisdom they need in today's
world.
Bully Awareness Month
BELEN – Mayor, Rudy Jaramillo has
proclaimed the month of October as “Bully Awareness Month”.
There are many people in Belen that has lived or is living
with bullying. Bullying and violence is a learned behavior
and occurs in more environments than just our schools. The
City of Belen, Belen Consolidated Schools along with La
Merced Elementary School has proclaimed the community to be
Bully Free.
Lenore Pena Day
 |
BELEN -- Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, has proclaimed October 4, 2010, as “Lenore Pena Day”. Pena, a 16 year veteran of the City of Belen, is the City’s Risk Manager and has made it her goal to “rubout” graffiti across the City. She spends at least 10 hours a week of her own time painting walls that have been tagged. Pena’s other efforts include the 911 Memorial, 4th of July Celebration and the Martin Luther King Memorial. She is also a Fire Fighter/EMS volunteer. Pena is a 1971 graduate of Belen High School.
Fire Prevention Week: Oct 3rd to 9th
BELEN -- Fire is a serious public safety
concern both locally and nationally. Nearly 3,000 people die
each year as a result of a house fire that resulted in which
no smoke alarms were installed or in working condition. The
firefighters of the Belen Fire Department are dedicated to
reducing the occurrence of home fires, deaths and injuries
through its fire code enforcement, prevention and fire
safety education programs. City of Belen residents are
responsive to public education measures and are able to take
personal responsibility to increase their safety from fire,
especially in their homes. Each resident of Belen should
install smoke alarms in their homes, establish a home fire
evacuation plan, and test it regularly. Belen Mayor Rudy
Jaramillo, has proclaimed the week of October 3rd
through the 9th as Fire Prevention Week 2010.
Citizens Award of Appreciation
 |
 |
|
In other fire news, Belen Fire Chief,
Manny Garcia, recognized four city residents for their
efforts to safeguard fellow citizens in assisting
Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians. In mid
September Kelly Rierson (pictured above left) and Rebecca
Trujillo where at the scene of an accident on the 400 block
of North Main St where a pedestrian was hit by a car. The
two ladies were offering aid to an elderly gentleman while
they waited for help to arrive. Rebecca Trujillo was not
able to attend the meeting. |
|
Maria Cordova Day
BELEN -- Mayor Rudy Jaramillo declared September 20th as "Maria Cordova Day". Maria works with the Adelante Development Center in Belen. Over the years, she has established a positive relationship with 57 employers who provide jobs for people with disabilities. Maria was also instrumental in establishing the "Clothing Closet" that offers professional attire for client job interviews. She was recently named by ANCOR Magazine as the 2010 Direct Support Professional of the Year.
Parade Marshall
By Lawrence Kaneshiro, August 28, 2010
 |
 |
| The “Graffiti Warrior”, Lenore Pena, leads this year’s Valencia County Fair Parade as Parade Marshall. Pena and a few of her friends armed with the “weapon of choice", rode in back of her pickup truck Saturday during the 77th Annual County Fair Parade. Pena has led the effort against graffiti in the city for over 20 years and earned recognition for her work. Mayor, Rudy Jaramillo, will proclaim "Lenore Pena Day" throughout the City of Belen in October. | |
Feil and Ellermeyer Day
BELEN – Mayor Rudy Jaramillo has proclaimed Saturday, August 21, as “Feil and Ellermeyer Day” commemorating the centennial of the arrival of Paul Feil from Hamburg and William Ellermeyer from Hanover Germany. The two men were brought here to America by John D. Becker in 1910 to work for him in his mercantile business. After several years, Feil and Ellermeyer became close friends with Becker who helped them get into the mercantile business. The”Feil and Ellermeyer Mercantile Store” sold almost everything from apples and alfalfa to clothing and coffins. Feil and Ellermeyer continued to thrive in Belen until 1982 when it closed its doors for the last time.
Literacy Week Proclamed
BELEN – The week of September 5th through 11th has been proclaimed “Literacy Week” by Mayor Rudy Jaramillo. The Proclamation states that, “the ability to read is essential to personal freedom and to the functioning of a democratic society. Our society is dependent on an informal citizenry, and the ability to read is necessary to be informed, and as our culture becomes ever more technologically complex, literacy becomes even more basic to survival and the achievement of one’s potential.” Retired Belen Public Librarian, Dolores Padilla, was on hand at Tuesday night's Council Meeting to accept the Proclamation on behalf of the Literacy Council.
Posting Circulars and Handbills on Vehicles: Unlawful
BELEN -- Interim City Manger, Lucy Baca, wants to remind the citizens of Belen that it is unlawful for any person to distribute any commercial advertising such as show cards, posters, brochures, circulars or handbills upon any public street right away, personal property, or public building without the express consent of the owner or occupant of the property, Belen Ordinance Title 9 Section 3-1-4 A, B & C. The City has received complaints recently of circulars and handouts being placed on vehicles parked in the parking lots at local business. The Belen Police will be actively enforcing this law.
USDA Obligation of Funding
Obligation of Funding Signing Ceremony, left to right; Michael Lopez, representing Senator Tom Udall, USDA Rural Development State Director,Terry Brunner, Undersecretary USDA Rural Development, Dallas Tonsager, Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, Belen Fire Chief Manny Garcia, Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Matt Munoz, representing Congressman Harry Teague.
BELEN – The USDA Rural Development along with local
officials and US Senator Jeff Bingaman held an obligation of
funds ceremony at the Belen City Hall for $500,500 in
federal funds to buy two fire trucks for the Belen Fire
Department. USDA Rural Development State Director Terry
Brunner, and City of Belen Mayor Rudy Jaramillo signed the
obligation paperwork in front of a small crowd of local
dignitaries that included; a representative from Congressman
Harry Teague’s office, US Senator Tom Udall’s office, State
Senator Michael Sanchez, State Representative Andrew
Barreras, and City Councilor Wayne Gallegos.
The USDA Rural Development is providing a $427,000 loan
and a $73,500 grant to purchase the two fire trucks through
its Community Facility Program. The program helps small
communities like Belen, obtain essential community buildings
and equipment such as fire trucks. The new fire trucks
include a 3,000 gallon capacity pumper/tanker capable of
pumping 1,200 gallons of water per minute. The other truck
is a heavy-duty brush truck. The multipurpose truck will be
used to respond to rescue calls, wild land fires, motor
vehicle accidents and general assistance calls.
Fire Chief Manny Garcia addressed the group saying that,
“In the 89 years history of our service we have not ever
received an appropriation of this amount. And today we do
make history for the city, the fire deptment and its
members. With this funding we are able to provide our city
most importantly, with two brand new fire trucks to provide
excellent service for them.“
The City will repay the loan over the next 10 years in yearly installments of $48,050 including interest from the Fire Protection fund. Both fire trucks will be ordered this fall with expected delivery within 12 months.
Coach Edwards Day Proclaimed
BELEN -- Friday, August 6th has been proclaimed James Robert Edwards day in the City of Belen. The City Council at last night’s meeting presented Coach Edwards with a proclamation. The Belen High School Coach a graduate of Santa Fe High School, and former Marine Sergeant led the Belen Lady Eagles to a district championship in 2005 and Medley Relay Team State Championship in 2008.
City Council Recognizes TLC
BELEN -- Mayor Rudy Jaramillo and Brenda Gurule, Director of the Belen Parks and Recreation recognized TLC Plumbing for their generous donation of $5,434.00 for the 2010 Independence Day Celebration. Jared Knight, Project Manager and local resident accepted the plaque on behalf of TLC. Knight concluded the presentation saying, “There’s lots of TLC employees that are within the Belen area including me, so we are glad we could help out.”
Planning & Zoning: Connie Baca Retires
BELEN -- The City Council recognized outgoing Planning & Zoning Board Member, Connie Baca. Baca resigned from the board in April of this year after 11 years of dedicates service on the board. Appointed to the P&Z Board by former Mayor Ronnie Torres in 1999, Baca was one of the original board members. Max Cordova, Projects Manager, for the Belen Schools was appointed to replace Baca on the P&Z Commission in June.
Our Lady of Belen Celebrates 217 Years
Our Lady of Belen 217th
Fiesta Celebration is coming soon on August 13th,
14th, and 15th. Come and join us. We
will have free entertainment all weekend that will include
Bandalegre from Pecos on Friday Evening Gonzalo
and his band on Saturday Evening and New Mexico’s Band of
the Year, Cuarenta Y Cinco from Española on Sunday.
1st Prize in our annual raffle will be $5000.00, 2nd Prize will be $2000.00, 3rd Prize will be $700.00, 4th Prize will be a recliner. Promotional Carnival Wrist Bands for a cost of $15.00 for unlimited rides on Friday night only. Booth Vendors welcome. Call 864-8043 or 615-5713 for more information.
Graffiti Warrior
BELEN -- Lenore Pena is painting the town.
Pena, the city's safety risk manager, is leading the way in an effort to help rid the city of its graffiti problem since layoffs depleted the recreation department in April. Read more of this story in the latest issue of the Valencia County News-Bulletin, Saturday, July 24, 2010.
If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood that could result in graffiti, call the police at 966-2680 or the police tip line at 966-COPS (966-2677). To have graffiti removed click here.
Summer Reading Program Winners
BELEN
-- The Teen Summer Reading Program came to an end July 22nd
with a pizza party at the Belen Public Library. The teens
participated for seven weeks in events held at the Library
which included movies, t-shirt designs, acrylics, karaoke,
rock band and other activities. Teens were give one ticket
for each event they participated in. Reading was also how
teens were awarded the most chances in the drawing. Teens
were awarded 1 ticket per 150 pages read.
First prize was a Mountain Bike won
by Samantha Moss, second prize was a $30.00 Wal-Mart gift
card won by Niya Bhingi Wallenborn, third prize was a $20.00
Wal-Mart gift card won by Treena Kirkland, and forth prize
was a Artemis Fowl Collection won by Nathan Gale.
Pictured above; from left are Nathan
Gale, Niya Bhingi Wallenborn, Samantha Moss and Treena
Kirkland. The bike was donated by the local Bethlehem Lodge
# 56 of the Masons. Funding for the program, the celebration
and the other prizes were provided by the Friends of the
Library.
YES: Is Affordable Housing
BELEN-- The Director of Housing
Development for YES Housing Inc., Michelle Den Bleyker,
addressed the City Council Monday night to update them on
the purchase and renovation of the old La Hacienda
Apartments located at 400 N. 2nd St. The 50+
year-old apartment complex has fallen into disrepair and has
been a subject of repeated calls to the Belen Police
Department and the City Council for the criminal activity
that has taken place there over the years.
YES Housing Inc. originally created
by YDI in 1990 to improve communities by providing poor
disenfranchised children and families a good home in safe
neighborhoods. The YES Housing Inc. has established itself
as an affordable housing provider in the Southwest. The
company based out of Albuquerque, NM is developing
affordable housing throughout New Mexico, Texas and Arizona.
YES Housing Inc. has just completed a project in the Dils
Addition of Belen, a single family house that was foreclosed
on last year, has been remodeled, and will be sold as
affordable housing in the next few months. Funding for this
project was through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP).
The New Mexico Finance Authority has
committed $1.7 million dollars of NSP funding for the
purchase and renovation of the La Hacienda Apartments. Den
Bleyker expects that it will take approximately 6 months to
renovate the 22 unit apartment complex which consists of
electrical and plumbing upgrades as well as bringing the
units up to current code and ADA compliance. When complete
the apartment complex will be managed by a third party
property management company.
For several years the apartment
complex has had several complaints against it. And with the
full cooperation of the Belen Police Department and interim
Police Chief Dan Robb, the City Council is hoping for the
best when the revamped apartment complex opens next year.
City Planning Director, Andrew Di Camillo said, “With Chief
Robb and myself, we are going to enter into an abatement
plan with the new management company so that they have
really for the first time a resource here with the police
department with our office to do their tenant screening and
if that doesn’t work and they have tenants that even though
they screened aren’t working out, they will now have a
resource through the chief, the police department and
planning zoning, so we will make sure that those apartments
don’t return to what they were.”
Three Belen Citizens Awarded for Valor
BELEN-- Fire Chief Manny Garcia
recognized 3 outstanding citizens during Monday’s City
Council meeting. Receiving Citizens Award of Valor
are Gary Stevens and Randy Gettings for their valiant effort
and bravery by helping to extinguish a residential fire
on Esperonza Dr. earlier this spring. They alerted the
occupant and kept her safe, while fire fighters went to work
extinguishing the blaze.
Because of their valiant efforts and quick response the home
suffered minor damage, according to Chief Garcia. The third
recipient of the Citizens Award of Valor was Marcella
Lindsay for her efforts by stabilizing a critical patient
after a one-vehicle roller over on I-25. When EMTs arrived
on the scene, Ms. Lindsay who is studying to become a nurse
was already in the van providing aid the victim.
Thank You! Moose
BELEN – Parks and Recreation
Director, Brenda Gurule, presented a special award to the
Governor of the Belen Moose Lodge, James St. Clair and
Administrative Secretary, Toby Jaramillo at Monday's City
Council Meeting. Last spring the
Summer Recreation Program was going to be cut due to staff
reductions and funding priorities. To make the program more
self-sustaining, registration fees where raised to $75.00
per child. When the Belen Moose Lodge heard about this, they
contacted the Mayor to see what they could do to help.
“Through their generosity, we were able to fund our summer
recreation program and sponsor kids that would never be able
to afford it.” said Brenda Gurule. The local Moose Lodge
donated $3000 to sponsor children that would otherwise not
be able to afford to attend this summer’s recreation
program.
Camino Project: Will it Affects Arroyo Flows?
BELEN-The second phase of the Camino de Llano project continues. It is not scheduled to be completed until December 2010. In the mean time city officials and business owners along the construction route are wondering how this road realignment will affect the water flow when the monsoon season kicks in.
"There is better control for curb and gutter," said Dan Hogan, project engineer in a copyrighted story in the Valencia County News-Bulletin, Wednesday, July 14, 2010. "It's less likely to flood the Holiday Inn Express hotel and the Rio Grande diner. But the water is basically going to go where is has gone in the past."
Last year the city purchased a 14-acre section of property just north of Camino del Llano between the Belen Highline Canal and Christopher Road. The city hopes to use a portion of the land for a retention pond. It is also the same piece of property that the city has talked about donating for a new hospital site, see Belen's Healthcare Hub.
According to Hogan, workers have installed new culverts and a 60 inch storm drain that will eventually drain into the retention pond when the city has obtained additional funding to complete this portion of the project. Hogan went on to say in the News-Bulletin story, that a rush of flood waters down Camino del Llano can lead to an overflow of the Highland Canal before it creeps into the homes of Belen residents below the canal. "...the nice thing about the 14 acres is that they address two major arroyos", said Hogan.
Councilor Wayne Gallegos said, "It's important for officials to keep the flood issue as a priority for the city. You need to put projects in phases until you can get it done." He went on to say that Belen is not a rich community and officials will try to come up with the money to complete the project
Excerpts from Brent Ruffner/News-Bulletin, July 14, 2010
Latest ARRA Project: Reinken Overpass Pedestrian Crossing
BELEN-Local, state and federal dignitaries got together Wednesday, June 23rd for the ground breaking of the $3 million dollar America Recovery and Reinvestment Act project for the Department of Transportation. The New Mexico Mid-Region Council of Governments and DOT started construction of a Pedestrian Crossing on Belen's Reinken Ave. overpass.
The
crossing will transport New Mexico Rail Runner Express foot
traffic from the east side of the railroad tracks to Belen's
downtown district. "Visitors to Belen will be able to walk
over to the Harvey House Museum, the Doodle Bug Park,
restaurants, the library and Anna Becker park", said Mayor
Rudy Jaramillo. This project will be the start of the
revitalization of Belen, Jaramillo went on to say. The
pedestrian crossing consists mostly of a series of stairs
and ramps on both the east and west side of the Reinken Ave.
overpass. A foot bridge 17-feet above Reinken Ave. will be
built on the west side of the overpass to allow pedestrians
to cross over to the south side of Reinken Ave. making it
safer for visitors to cross the busy street. "Solar panels
will be installed to help light the structure at night", said
Planning and Zoning Director Andrew DiCamillo.
Construction is expected to continue
all summer long with little or no impact on traffic and
should be completed later this fall. Below are two artist
renditions of what the bridge will look like when complete.
 |
 |
|
 |
||
| Left to right; Interim City Manager, Mary Lucy Baca, Councilors Lorenzo Carrillo, Jerah Cordova and far right Mary Aragon listens to Mayor Rudy Jaramillo, State Senator Michael S. Sanchez, and State Representative Andrew Barreras. Representatives from Congressman Harry Teague and US Senator Jeff Bingaman's office also addressed the crowd of 40 county and city officials. | ||
City of Belen's Healthcare Hub
LOS LUNAS-On June 16th Councilor Jerah Cordova and Planning, and Zoning Director Andrew DiCamillo went before the Valencia County Commission and took their two minutes under citizen’s comments to pitch an alternate site for the proposed hospital. "The site we are offering is near a clustered medical facility akin to a health commons already. If we can donate the land, we have every intention of doing so," Cordova said in a copyrighted story in the Valencia County News-Bulletin, Saturday, June 19, 2010. "Second, we are interested in a complete, comprehensive study of all the sites offered for this project. And finally, we are not opposed to the Rio Communities site or any other site in the Belen area."
The 14 acres of land is located north of
Camino del Llano on Christopher Road, directly east of the
Presbyterian Urgent Care Center. DiCamillo said, “A hospital located
in Belen would be an economic boon and allow us to get us back on
our feet. It will be triple the impact of Solo Cup before they
closed. He said the city has already invested $10 million in
infrastructure in the area. The property is serviced by two 8” water
lines and an 8” and 10” sewer line is located along Camino del
Llano. High speed Qwest fiber optic as well as Comcast fiber is
located at the curb. The Public Service Company has three phase
power available, more than adequate for a hospital and the New
Mexico Gas Company has gas lines running to the property. DiCamillo
in his proposal went on to say that traffic signaling infrastructure
is already in the ground at the corner of Camino del Llano and
Christopher road.
"The location is three minutes from the
county's only public airport. The nearby medical offices are already
part of the Rio Metro transit system, it's four minutes from the
Rail Runner and we have Belen High School nearby for a partnership,"
DiCamillo said, referring to the high school's medical curriculum
and career academy.
Valencia Health Commons is the hospital advisory board that is reviewing and scoring the proposals for an alternate site. VHC is also in the process of reviewing proposals for a health care provider. County Commissioner Georgia Otero-Kirkham sits on the board of VHC and will take the City’s proposal back to the VHC board. County Commissioner Pedro Rael responded to Cordova's comments noting that the city could not donate the land without violating the state’s anti-donation clause, but also said, "This locale is very palatable compared to the current one. This is much, much better. Don't give up the ship." Click here to read the full proposal.
Excerpts from Julia M. Dendinger/News-Bulletin, June 19, 2010
 |
Download and read your own copy of Belen Rail Runner Station Infrastructure and Development Plan. This document was compiled from a workshop held September 23, 2009. The plan looks at the Pedestrian Bridge, 1st Street Reconfiguration, Harvey House Plaza, 2nd Street Plaza, Becker Avenue. between 3rd and 1st Streets, Arrival Park, Commercial Redevelopment East of the Station and Reinken Avenue Reconfiguration. Click here or the picture at the left to read the plan. |
 |
|
| An artist rendition of Doodle Bug Park located at Castillo and 2nd Street. The project will feature structures that mirrors the two historic brick buildings on the northeast and northwest corners of Becker Avenue. The park will contain flexible areas for wall mounted art throughout the plaza. New plantings will reinforce the style implemented at the pedestrian bridge landing on 1st street and at the Harvey House Plaza. | |
Newsletters
- City of Belen Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 3 September 2008
Fourth Street gets new pavement, Delgado Street gets much needed utility work and phase II of the Community Center is complete.
- City of Belen Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 2 July 2008
Brand New City Fire Truck -- On May of 2008 the Belen Fire Department received its new fire pumper truck purchased from monies provided by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Foundation and Rancho Cielo.
- City of Belen Newsletter
Volume 5 Issue 1 March 2008
Your Tax Dollars At Work -- Thursday, March 27, 2008 marked the Grand Opening of the newly renovated and expanded Public Library.
Action Items in Brief
- 2012 Paid Holiday Schedule was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Resolution 2011-27 supporting the New Mexico legislature to modify the Recycled Metals Act was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- The Council recognized Pamela Toledo, Payroll Clerk as the Employee of the Quarter.
- The Lease Agreement between the City of Belen and Plateau Telecommunications was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Resolution No. 2011-25, a one-time salary adjustment was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Regular Municipal Election Resolution No. 2011-26 was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- The Lease Agreement between the City of Belen and Plateau Telecommunications was tabled 3-1.
- Approval of city vehicle for auction was approved 4-0.
- Approval of awarding the contract for the Becker Project was approved 4-0.
- Resolution 2011-16 Franchise Agreement between City of Belen and ENMR Plateau Telecommunications was approved 4-0.
- Award of contract for legal services to the law firm of Robles Rael and Anaya was approved 4-0.
- A resolution to submit an application to the Water Trust Board in reference to Project Funding was approved 4-0.
- The Alexander Municipal Airport Lease between the City of Belen and Gordon and Cynthia Smith was approved 4-0.
- Appointment of Alternate Judge, Tommy Sanchez, was approved 4-0.
- Approval to award the bid for the Fire Pumper/Tanker Truck to Monarch Equipment Industries in Belen was approved 4-0.
- Adoption of the Resolution in reference to the preferred alternative for the Corridor Study was approved 4-0.
- Approval or Disapproval of Resolution No. 2011-22 Infrastructure Capital Improvement Projects was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Approval or Disapproval of leasing the City Building on Fifth and Becker Ave. was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Approval or Disapproval of renting the available Office Space at the Belen Alexander Airport was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Approval or Disapproval of the submission of the CDBG application was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Approval or Disapproval of the Ameris Feasibility Study Executive Agreement was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- The Community Gardens Park located on Dalies Avenue is now called the
"El Corazon de Belen Garden Parks" by a vote of 4-0.
- Ordinance No. 2011-12 to repeal Ordinance No. 351 entitled Dances was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Ordinance No. 2011-13 to repeal Ordinance No. 1997-13 entitled Smoking in Municipal Buildings was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Ordinance No. 2011-14 to repeal Ordinance No. 251 entitled Bicycles was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Brass Letters and Numbers for auction was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Resolution No. 2011 - 11 Technology
Infrastructure Fee was approved by a vote of 3 to 2.
- Resolution No. 2011 - 20 an application for State
Maintenance Grant Funds was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- The appointment of Tami Wiggins to the Airport
Commission was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- The Council recognized Roseann Peralta from the Finance Department as the Employee of the Quarter.
- Request for the sale of surplus property for Auction (Eagle Tank and Ball Fields Lights) was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Request for minor repairs to the Municipal Court Building was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- The lease of the Recreation Building on South Main St. was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Request for the sale of brass letters taken from the Becker Avenue that was previously sold was approved by a vote of 3 to 1.
- Adoption of Resolution No. 2011-16, final budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2010/2011 was approved by a vote of 3-0.
- Adoption of Resolution No. 2011-17, final budget approval Fiscal Year 2011/2012 was approved by a vote of a vote of 3-0.
- Resolution No. 2011-18 Match Waiver for
the CO-OP Agreement Program was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- Resolution No. 2011-19 Match Waiver for the
Municipal Arterial Program was approved by a vote of 4-0
- The MOU between City of Belen and Valencia
County in reference to the City of Belen’s Transfer Station was
approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Amendment to Ordinance No. 1999-08,
Creating a Charter for the Belen Airport Commission was approved by
a vote of 4 to 0.
- The City Council approved the Design and Engineering Study
for ponds on the West side of I25 by a vote of 3 to 0.
- The Crash Reconstruction SOP Policy was approved by a vote of 4 to 0.
- Dan Robb has been officially named as Belen’s newest Police Chief by a vote of 4-0.
- Final Approval of NMFA Refinance of Loan, Ordinance 2011-08 (first read on February 21, 2011) was approved by a vote of 4-0.
- The Council approved a list of items to be placed into auction by a vote of 3-1.
- A Memorandum of Understanding between Valencia County and The City of Belen for the use of the Transfer Station was tabled.
-
The council has appointed the following names to the Municipal Boundary Committee: Sandra Roselle Martinez, George Moscona, Holliann Hoks, Debbie Thompson, Jay Peters, Councilor Aragon and Abenicio Sisneros as alternate.
-
A Request to Amend the Zoning Map on a section of tract A from A-R to R-1 leaving the remaining 1 Acre to maintain the A-R Zone was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution Number 2011-14 Final 2011-2012 FY Budget was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution Number 2011-15 (Transfer Station Policy) was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Ordinance No. 2011-04 Outdoor Sales Ordinance was approved by a vote of 3-0.
-
Ordinance No. 2011-05 Speed Humps for Streets was approved by a vote of 3-0.
-
The council has placed the following names into nomination for the
Municipal Boundary Committee: Sandra Roselle Martinez, George Moscona, Holliann Hoks, Debbie Thompson, Jay Peters and Abenicio Sisneros.
-
The City Council also reversed an earlier decision to enforce the Solid Waste Ordinance. Until further notice, all city residents will continue to use the stickers until the current solid waste ordinance is changed. County residents that use the transfer station will be required to come into the water department to obtain a dumping permit.
-
Herman Madrid, Street Supervisor, is the Employee of the 1st. Quarter for 2011.
-
The City Council approved Weeds Resolution 2011-03 by a vote of
4-0.
-
The council also approved the Municipal Boundary Resolution
2011-04 by a vote of 4-0.
-
The City Council also discussed a speed hump ordinance change, and
finally the council discussed an ordinance concerning Impact Fees.
-
Resolution 2011-13 in reference to the Open Meetings Act: was adopted by a vote of 4-0.
-
Councilor Lorenzo Carrillo was nominated and elected the new Mayor Pro-Tem for the next year by a vote of 3-0.
-
Final Approval of NMFA Ordinance 2011-08 (first read on February 21, 2011) was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Final Approval of NMFA Ordinance 2011-09 (first read on February 21, 2011) was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Adoption of Resolution 2011-12 referencing Budget Adjustments for FY 10-11 was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Ordinance No.2011-03 City Manager Job Duties was not approved by a vote of 3-2.
-
Request for Out of State travel for RSVP Director Marcia Amaro was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
The City of Belen Audit Report 2009-2010 Fiscal Year as prepared by Accounting and Consulting Group, LLP was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution No.2011-10 regarding authorization of submission of application to NMDOT requesting a match waiver of $41,750 for 2011/2012 COOP project was adopted by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution No. 2011-11 regarding authorization of submission of application to NMDOT requesting a match waiver of $65,000 for the 2011/2012 COOP project was adopted by a vote of 4-0.
-
Appointment of Lodgers Tax Board was approved by a vote of 4-0. The appointees are: Danielle Griego-Holiday Inn
Maureen McMillan-Harvey House
Britney Cox-Super 8
Rhona Espinoza-Chamber of Commerce
Michael P. Steininger-Finance Director
Jerah Cordova-Councilor
and Mary Aragon-Councilor.
-
USDA Resolution 2011-09 and Ordinance 2011-07 for the purchase of two fire trucks was both approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Approval of the existing art work on the two buildings on Main Street was
approved by a vote of 2-1. However, authorization for further art work is on hold until the zoning ordinance is clarified.
-
Resolution 2011-06 supporting the Valencia County Commission to seek it’s own certification of transport was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution 2011-07 Budget Adjustments for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 was approved by a vote of 4-0.
-
Resolution 2011-08 adoption of the Procurement Policy was approved by a vote of 3-1.
-
Bond Ordinance 2011-07, relating to the authorization of the City’s Fire Protection Revenue Bonds in the amount of $427,000, was tabled until the next meeting.
-
Ordinance 2011-02, relating to City Council Meetings and Mayoral Veto Power, was approved 4-0.
-
Extension of the existing City Attorney’s contract for one year was approved 4-0.
-
Resolution 2011-05, MRCOG Cooperation and Pursuit of Regionalism was approved 4-0.
-
Edward Jaramillo, Security Officer from the Police Department is the Employee of the 4th Quarter 2010.
-
The Council approved amendment to the Penalty Assessment Program and Schedule Ordinance. Motion passed 4-0.
-
The Council also approved Resolution 2011-02, to amend the scope of the 2010/2011 NMDOT Municipal Arterial Program. Motion passed 4-0.
-
Finally the Council approved Resolution 2011-01, authorizing the submission of two applications to the NM Finance Authority for combining three existing loans into one and the refinance of one loan. Motion passed 4-0.
-
The Council approved the appointment of Councilor Mary Aragon and Mark Rosenblum to the RSVP Advisory Committee. Motion passed 3-0.
- Amendments to the Uniform Traffic Code penalty assessment scheduled were approved. Motion passed 4-0.
-
The reconsideration of the police vehicle take-home policy that was approved at the last council meeting was rescinded. Motion carried 4-0.
-
The Council adopted resolution 2010-24 with the US Air force. The resolution provides the use of airspace over Alexander Municipal Airport for low altitude training. Motion passed 4-0.
-
Holiday Schedule for 2011 was approved. Motion carried 4-0.
- Resolution 2010-25 Budget Adjustments was approved.
-
The City Council approved the appointment of John Kennedy to the Airport Commission 4-0. He replaces Michael Vallejos.
-
The City Council voted to award the City’s Vending Services to 7Up/RC Bottling Company of Albuquerque. 7Up/RC Bottling was the sole the bidder. The motion passed 4-0.
-
The City Council also passed Resolution 2010-23 forgoing a Furlough Day for the month of November. The motion passed 4-0.
-
Fire Department Appropriations for FY 2012 was approved 4-0. This motion would allow the Belen Fire Department to apply for federal funding worth 1.5 million dollars to be used for the construction of a new fire station.
-
Approval or Disapproval of appointee to the Municipal Airport Commission, was tabled,
4-0.
-
After 2 and a half hours of discussion, the council voted 4-0 to
table the prioritization of operations and projects.
-
Charles Woodward, from the Street Department is the Employee of
the 3rd Quarter.
-
The Travel Policy that was discussed at the October 4th meeting
was approved 4-0.
-
Resolution 2010-22, Budget Adjustments for FY 2010-20-11. Passed 4-0.
-
Approval or disapproval of adoption of Ordinance No. 2010-03 amending ordinance 2.16.070 restoring the separation of powers allowing the Municipal Judge to select her own temporary Municipal Judge, Passed 3-1.
- Approval or disapproval of the adoption of a resolution for the State Aviation Division based on discussion held September 20, 2010. Passed 4-0.
-
Approval or disapproval of appeal on the request for a variance on a fence for Karl & Karen Larson.
Approved 3-2.
-
Approval or disapproval of the adoption of an ordinance adopting the NM Uniform Traffic Code.
Approved 4-0.
-
Approval or disapproval of the appointment of Maggie McDonald to the Belen Library Board.
Approved 4-0.
-
Employee of the Quarter for the 2nd Qtr of 2010: Lawrence Kaneshiro.
-
The
Becker Street Phase III Engineering Services Amendment for an additional $8,000 was disapproved 4-0 vote.
-
The
Hazardous Material Training agreement between the Northern New Mexico College
and the Belen Fire Department was approved 4-0 vote.
-
An
MOU between the City of Belen and the NM Film Division of the Economic Development Department was approved 4-0 vote.
- In regards to the Attorney General's Opinion, (discussed at the City Council Meeting August 16, 2010) corrective action concerning the land purchase was approved 3-2 vote.
-
Resolution 2010-17,Local Government Road Fund, hardship match waiver, For
Becker Ave Improvements between 1st and 2nd Streets. Passed.
-
Resolution 2010-18,Local Government Road Fund, hardship match waiver, For
Becker Ave. Improvements between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Passed.
-
Lease Agreement for the Belen Art League. Passed.
-
Resolution 2010-19, Information Technology Security Policy Passed.
-
List of items for Auction. Passed.
- Construction is under way on the
Camino de Llano Project. The 3.6 Million Dollar
project is expected to last a year.
Construction will take place at various locations along Camino de Llano to the top of the mesa. There will be disruptions of water services for those residents in the immediate area as well as road closures as necessary. For more information contact the Utilities Director, Robert Rimorin, 505-966-2735.
- The City Council appointed Max Cordova
of Belen as the newest member of the city's Planning & Zoning
Commission.
- City Council to consider a Water
Amnesty Program. The idea of a resolution was presented at a
City Council Meeting August 2nd
- The City Council approved Resolution
2010-16 "Grant Application to FAA". The resolution is requesting
$91,200 for Apron Rehabilitation at the Belen Alexander
Municipal Airport.
Home |
Disclaimer
|
Calendar |
Employees |
Employment |
Information Links
| News |
Photo Gallery |
City Council
|Services |
Site Map
Copyright © 2011 LK COB. All Rights Reserved.
The statements, views and opinions made at any of the above links are strictly those of the authors. These views may not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the City of Belen, nor its agents, officers, directors, or employees.