Michelle Dent

The meeting included a review of the agenda, with the addition of the Dan Goodman award ceremony. Discussions covered the district staff's monthly report, focusing on fire-related activities, a meeting with local residents concerned about fires, and a visit to Corrales to examine shaded fuel breaks. Other topics included the possibility of switching to electric hand dryers, upcoming events such as the Agricultural Appreciation Day and Earth Day Fiesta, and updates on the Youth Conservation Corps, the East Vala Urban Garden program, and habitat restoration efforts. The meeting also touched on the overabundance of mulch from the roqa thinning project and potential redistribution strategies.

The meeting addressed several agenda items, including the adoption of the agenda with one modification concerning training expenses for the conservation program manager. The board approved the minutes from the March 21, 2024, regular board meeting. A significant discussion involved revisiting and ultimately modifying the previously approved hourly salary rate for the Garden Manager position from $20 to $17 per hour, deemed more appropriate for the required duties. Furthermore, the board approved the purchase and installation of a new informational sign for the Candy Cove Trail Head at a cost of $146, plus installation fees, ensuring compliance with NRCS regulations. The regular session concluded with a motion to enter an executive session to discuss limited personal matters pertaining to District director performance and attorney-client privilege concerning litigation.

The regular board meeting agenda included administrative items such as verifying the quorum, conducting the Pledge of Allegiance, and the administration of the Oath of Office for newly elected/re-elected Board Members. Key discussion areas covered highlights from District Staff Reports, partner reports, and the Treasurer's Report, which included reviews of reconciliation reports, the Third Quarter Report, cooperative pricing agreement costs, measures to address cash flow issues due to delayed property tax collection (Resolution No. 4-2026), compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (payroll), and approval for training costs and temporary appointment of a Chief Procurement Officer. Further items involved updates on H20 data and the protest to the State Engineer regarding rights transfer, an update on the Board appointment for Blane Sanchez for the Pueblo of Isleta, discussion from the Funding Opportunities Committee, and a Personnel Committee report addressing the District Assistant/Business Assistant positions update and review of the updated Employee Handbook section on flex and comp time. The meeting concluded with the Election of Officers and a Round Robin session.

The board discussed suspending the district director pending further action at a special board meeting. The meeting was then adjourned.

The agenda for this special board meeting included verification of quorum, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the agenda. A period for public comment was scheduled. The board planned to enter an executive session to discuss limited personnel matters, specifically concerning an employee's notice of resignation, an interim promotion of another employee, and performance reviews and assignments for another employee. The executive session also covered pending litigation involving the District. Following the executive session, motions were anticipated regarding the interim promotion, additional assignments for two district employees, the resignation of another employee, and the pending litigation.