Here's a look at upcoming meetings in San Juan County. Topics include ozone, pets

• The Indian Affairs Committee will honor Sen. John Pinto during meeting in Shiprock
• The Aztec City Commission will discuss proposed animal ordinances.

FARMINGTON — New Mexico Environment Department is kicking off a series of ozone attainment meetings at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at San Juan College’s School of Energy.

The meeting comes as air monitoring data from seven New Mexico counties — including San Juan County — show the ozone levels close to exceeding national standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Ozone, also known as smog, is caused when volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides interact with sunlight. High ozone levels can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma.

NMED is in the process of developing a plan to reduce ozone levels. The public meetings are one step in the process.

Other ozone attainment meetings are scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Santa Fe Public Library’s southside branch, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 25 in the Roadrunner Room of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library in Las Cruces and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center.

"NMED is hopeful that this initiative, alongside efforts to regulate excess methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, will result in improved air quality for all New Mexicans — especially vulnerable populations like children and seniors," Environment Department Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said in a press release issued Sept. 5.

Indian Affairs Committee to honor the late state Sen. John Pinto

The New Mexico Legislature Indian Affairs Committee will honor the late Sen. John Pinto, D-Gallup, when it meets in Shiprock on Sept. 9.

Pinto died in May after serving more than 40 years in the Senate. His granddaughter was chosen to serve out the remainder of his term.

The ceremony honoring Pinto's service is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Sept. 9 at Diné College's south campus in Shiprock. The committee's meeting starts at 10 a.m. at the college. Other topics on the agenda include an update from the Department of Diné Education and an update on protecting Native women and children.

The committee's meeting will continue at 10 a.m. Sept. 10 at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington. Topics on the Tuesday agenda include tribal infrastructure, the tribal libraries program and nurse expansion funding.

The final day of the committee's meeting will start at 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint. The committee will hear updates from the State Land Office and the Navajo Nation Council. The meeting will conclude with a tour of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

Aztec will discuss proposed animal ordinances

The Aztec City Commission will discuss proposed ordinances that focus on what animals can be in city limits and how those animals should be treated.

The agenda packet lists five proposed ordinances dealing with pets. These include:

• Dogs riding in the back of trucks
• Protections for dogs during certain winter weather conditions
• Allowing residents to own chickens, ducks or turkeys
• Spaying or neutering of potbellied pigs
• Prohibiting keeping dogs on chains for extended periods of time

The workshop will be at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 10 at Aztec City Hall, 201 W. Chaco St. A workshop is for discussion only and the City Commission will not take vote on any ordinance changes during the workshop.

The workshop will be followed by a regular City Commission meeting starting at 6 p.m.

Farmington topics include all-abilities park, Complete Streets project

Farmington Parks Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Shaña Reeves will give a presentation about a proposed all-abilities park during the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at Farmington City Hall, 800 N. Municipal Drive. 

Following Reeves' presentation, the Complete Streets project manager Sherry Roach will give an update on the project. Complete Streets is an initiative to make the downtown more bike and pedestrian friendly while also spurring economic development.

More:Here's why downtown Farmington Complete Streets construction has been delayed until 2020

Bloomfield seeks additional funding for wastewater treatment plant

The Bloomfield City Council will discuss applying for funding from the state water trust board to help fund the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.

In a previous City Council meeting, the Bloomfield City Council accepted a loan and grant agreement from the New Mexico Environment Department that will fund the majority of the project. However, it still needs funds to complete the project. The wastewater treatment plant must be replaced by 2024.

The City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Bloomfield City Hall, 915 N. 1st St.

Other upcoming meetings

The Kirtland Town Council meets at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Kirtland Town Hall, 47 County Road 6500.

The Aztec Municipal School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 10. in the board room at 1118 W Aztec Blvd.

The Bloomfield School Board will have a workshop at 5 p.m. Sept. 10 in the administration building conference room located at 325 N. Bergin Lane. The workshop will be followed by a 6 p.m. meeting at the same location.

The San Juan County Commission will meet at noon Sept. 12 at the county administration building located at 100 S. Oliver Drive in Aztec.

Central Consolidated School District Board of Education will have a work session at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Shiprock Board Room in Shiprock.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.

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