CHARTER OF THE
TOWN OF COCHITI LAKE

The Pueblo de Cochiti, an Indian Tribe recognized by the United States Department of the Interior and having accepted the provisions of the Indian Reorganization Act of June, 18, 1934  (48 Stats 984, et seq.), and having secured the approval of the Bureau of Indian Affairs pursuant to delegation of approval of authority from the Secretary of the Interior dated August 7, 1970, does ordain and establish this Charter as the organic law of the Town of Cochiti Lake.  

TOPICAL INDEX       
                                            

ARTICLE I.   GENERAL PROVISIONS                                             

Section           100   Name 
  
                    101   Definitions and Rules of Construction  

ARTICLE II.  BOUNDARIES                                                               

Section          200   Boundaries                                                                                      

ARTICLE III. SUCCESSION                                                              

Section          300   Rights and Liabilities 
                     301   Laws Continued in Effect
                     302   Pending Actions and Proceedings
                     303   Dissolution
                     304   Effective Date of Charter

ARTICLE IVPOWERS                                                                                 

Section          400   Scope
                     
401   Procedures                                                                                                

ARTICLE V.   FORM OF GOVERNMENT                                   

ARTICLE VITHE ASSEMBLY                                            

Section          600   Composition 
                    
601   Selection
                     
602   Term
                    
603   Qualifications 
                    
604   Elections 
                    
605   Compensation
                     
606   Vacancy
                    
607   Assembly Officers 
                    
608   Powers of the Assembly
                    
609   Regular Meetings of Assembly

                    
610   Special Meetings of Assembly
                    
611   Place of Meeting 
                    
612   Meetings Open to Public
                     
613   Assembly Proceedings

                    
614   Adoption of Ordinances and Resolutions
                     615   Codification of Ordinances
                    
616   Ordinances – When Effective

ARTICLE VII.  THE JOINT COMMISSION ON  
PUEBLO-TOWN RELATIONS 
                                                

Section          700   Composition
                    
701   Selection
                    
702   Term 
                    
703   Compensation 
                    
704   Responsibilities 
                    
705   Regular Meeting 
                    
706   Place of Meeting 
                    
707   Proceedings 

ARTICLE VIII.   TOWN OFFICERS                                             

Section          800   Appointment by Assembly
                     801   Powers and Duties of Town Clerk                                                   
                     802   Powers and Duties of Town Treasurer 
                    
803   Town Attorney
                     
804   Powers and Duties of Chief of Police

                    
805   Powers and Duties of Town Administrator                            

 ARTICLE IX.  PARKS AND RECREATION                                

Section          900   Parks and Recreation                                                                       

ARTICLE X.   BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT                 

Section       1000.   Board of Zoning Adjustment                                                            

ARTICLE XI. APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS    

Section       1100    Appointive Boards and Commissions                                               

ARTICLE XII.    GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING
 
TO OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 
                                             

Section       1200    Official Bonds 
                 
1201    Conflicts of Interest                                                                                  

ARTICLE XIII.    ZONING POWERS                                                      

Section       1300    Scope 
                 
1301    Administration                                                                                            

ARTICLE XIV.   SUBDIVISIONS                                                  

Section       1400    Subdivisions                                                                                     

ARTICLE XV. BUILDING REGULATIONS                                

Section       1500    Building Regulations                                                                       

ARTICLE XVI.   ELECTIONS                                                       

Section       1600    General Elections
                 
1601    Special Elections 
                 
1602    Procedure for Holding Elections
                 
1603    Initiative, Referendum and Recall 

ARTICLE XVII.   FINANCIAL AND FISCAL MATTERS           

Section       1700    Fiscal Year 
                 
1701    Tax and Assessment System 
                 
1702    Tax Limit  
                 
1703    Contract for Public Works
                 
1704    Use of Cochiti Lake Improvement Trust Fund Money
                  
1705    Annual Audit 
                 
1706    Annual Budget Preparation 
                  1707    Submission of Budget to Assembly
                 
1708    Budget Hearing
                 
1709    Adoption of Budget
                  1710    Budget Appropriation
                 
1711    Amendment to Budget
                 
1712    Cash Basis Fund
                  1713    Capital Outlay Fund 
                 
1714    Warrants on Treasury
                 
1715    Requirements of Verified Demands
In Action Against Town
                 
1716    Indebtedness

ARTICLE XVIII.    FRANCHISES                                                              

Section       1800    Granting of Franchises
                 
1801    Resolution of Intention, Notice and  Public Hearing
                  1802    Term of Franchise
                 
1803    Grant to be in Lieu of All Other Franchises
                  1804    Eminent Domain – Not Impaired 
                 
1805    Duties of Grantee                      

ARTICLE XIX.     EMINENT DOMAIN                                                   

Section       1900    Eminent Domain                                                                               

ARTICLE XX.      ALTERATION OF BOUNDARIES                      

Section       2000    Annexations
                 
2001    Detachments                                                                                     

ARTICLE XXI.   WATER, MINERAL, OIL AND 
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS EXPLORATION, 
PRODUCTION AND USE 
                                                                             

Section       2100    Water, Mineral, Oil and Petroleum Products, 
                               Exploration, Production and Use                                                       

ARTICLE XXII.  AMENDMENT, REVOCATION 
AND EFFECT OF CHARTER
                                                                     

Section       2200    Amendment, Revocation and Effect Of Charter                                

ARTICLE XXIII.  VALIDITY                                                                        

Section       2300    Validity                                                                                           

 

ARTICLE I.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 100. Name

The political entity created hereby shall be known by the name of the “Town of Cochiti Lake.”

Section 101. Definitions and Rules of Construction

            Unless the provisions of the context require otherwise, the definitions and rules of construction hereinafter set forth shall govern the construction of this charter.

Headings, Effect of

Article and Section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify or in any manner affect the scope, meaning or intent of the provisions of any Article or section hereof.

Reference to Acts or Omissions Within this Town

This Charter shall refer only to the omission or commission of acts within the territorial limits of the Town of Cochiti Lake and to that territory outside of the Town of Cochiti Lake over which the Town of Cochiti Lake has jurisdiction or control by virtue of the Charter or by reason of ownership or control of property.

Notices, Service of

Whenever a notice is required to be given under this Charter, unless different provisions herein are otherwise specifically made, such notice may be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified, by deposit thereof in the United States mail, in a sealed envelope, postage prepaid, addressed to such person to be notified, at his last known business or residence address as the same appears in the public records of the Town of Cochiti Lake or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed, or by telegram sent by Western Union, or its successor in interest.  Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the post office.  Service by telegram shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of delivery to a representative of Western Union.

Proof of Notice

Proof of giving any notice may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the Town of Cochiti Lake, or by affidavit of any person over the age of eighteen (18) years, which shows service in conformity with this Charter, or other provisions of law applicable to the subject matter concerned.                                  

Tenses

The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present.

Gender

The masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter.

Number

The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.

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ARTICLE II . BOUNDARIES

Section  200. Boundaries

            The territory of the Town shall encompass such territory as shall actually be under lease to Lessee in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of the Master Lease.

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ARTICLE III
. SUCCESSION

Section 300. Rights and Liabilities

The Town shall not own, possess, control or in any way succeed to any rights or property of any kind or nature of the Pueblo, except as otherwise provided herein, and shall not be subject to any of the debts, obligations, liabilities or duties of the Pueblo, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 301. Laws Continued in Effect

            All ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations, or portions thereof the Pueblo, in force at the time this Charter takes effect, not in conflict or inconsistent herewith and which are clearly applicable to this grant of power to the Town and to the jurisdiction of the Pueblo with respect to its members, shall continue in force until duly repealed, amended, changed or superseded by a proper authority.

Section 302. Pending Actions and Proceedings

            No action or proceedings, civil or criminal, pending at the time this Charter takes effect, brought by or against the Pueblo de Cochiti or any of its officers, employees or agents, shall be affected or abated by the adoption of this Charter.

Section 303. Dissolution

            Upon the expiration of the term of this Charter or any extensions thereof, the Town of Cochiti Lake shall be dissolved.  Such dissolution, however, shall not affect any pending actions and proceedings brought by or against the Town of Cochiti Lake.  Upon dissolution, all real property within the territory of the Town of Cochiti Lake shall become the property of the Pueblo de Cochiti.

Section 304. Effective Date of Charter

            This Charter shall take effect upon and after the date of its approval by the Pueblo and the Bureau of Indian Affairs pursuant to delegation of approval of authority from the Secretary of the Interior, whichever is last to occur.  The term of this Charter shall be the same as the term of the Master Lease, and any lawful extensions thereof.

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ARTICLE IV . POWERS

Section 400. Scope

The Town hereby is delegated the governmental and proprietary powers of the Pueblo within the territory of the Town as set forth in this Charter.

All rights and privileges accorded to residents of the Town, including but not limited to the right to the full benefits of the recreational facilities and institutions of the Town, shall be accorded to all Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the Pueblo regardless of their place of residence, except that no nonresident of the Town shall have the right to vote in any election of the Town.

            The Town shall have the power to purchase, lease, receive, hold, control and enjoy real and personal property, and may lease and dispose of it in any manner and subject to the terms of the Master Lease.

Section 401. Procedures

            The Town shall have the power to establish any procedures for the exercise of its powers, unless a different procedure is provided in this Charter.

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ARTICLE V . FORM OF GOVERNMENT

 The government of the Town of Cochiti Lake shall be vested in an Assembly and such other boards or advisory agencies which it may appoint or which are provided herein.  The Assembly may appoint an Administrator as the Chief Executive Officer of the Town, with the powers and duties prescribed herein.

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ARTICLE VI . THE ASSEMBLY

Section 600.         Composition

The Assembly shall consist of five (5) members.

Section 601. Selection

The initial members of the Assembly shall be selected by the Lessee.

            If ninety (90) days prior to a regular election date, there are 300 residents in the Town (and subsequently thereafter even though the number of residents may fall below 300), three (3) members of the Assembly shall be elected from the Town at large to fill the vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of three (3) members appointed by the Lessee.  Two (2) members shall be elected from the Town at large at the second regular election held after there are more than 300 residents of the Town to fill the vacancies created by the expiration of the terms of the two (2) members appointed by the Lessee.

Section 602. Term

Except for the terms of the members appointed by the Lessee, the term of each member of the Assembly shall be four years.

            Members appointed by the Lessee shall serve at the pleasure of the Lessee except that three (3) of said appointed members, or their successors, shall hold office until the first Tuesday following the first regular election at which time members are elected and two (2) members, or their successors, shall hold office until the first Tuesday following the second regular election at which members are elected.

Section 603. Qualifications

            Except for persons appointed by the Lessee, no person shall be eligible to hold office as a member of the Assembly unless he shall be at the time he takes office (i) a resident of the Town, or (ii) a sublessee of land within the Town for six (6) months.  A member of the Assembly must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date he assumes office.

Section 604. Elections

            Members of the Assembly to be elected shall be elected on the regular election date preceding the expiration of their term; provided, however, special elections to fill unexpired terms of vacated offices of members of the Assembly may be held at such times set by resolutions of the Assembly.  The candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.  The term of all such members shall commence on the first Tuesday following such election, and each member shall serve until a successor is elected and qualified.  Any ties in voting shall be settled by the casting of lots.

Section 605. Compensation

            The members of the Assembly shall receive such compensation, if any, as is set by ordinance of the Assembly; as compensation for their services, and shall receive reimbursement for necessary travel and other expenses when on official duty on order of the Assembly.  The compensation, if any, so set shall not be changed for any member during his then current term of office.

Section 606. Vacancy

            A vacancy in the office of a member of the Assembly appointed by the Lessee from whatever cause, shall be filled by appointment by the Lessee.  Such appointee shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of office vacated, and until his successor is elected and qualified.  A vacancy in the office of a member of the Assembly elected to that office, shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Assembly.  Such appointee shall hold office until the next general Town election and until his successor is elected and qualified.

            If any member of the Assembly absents himself from three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the Assembly, unless by permission of the Assembly expressed in its official minutes, or is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, or ceases to be or is not a resident of the Town, and is not a sublessee within the Town, his office shall become vacant and shall be so declared by the Assembly.

Section 607. Assembly Officers

            At the first meeting of the Assembly and on the first Tuesday following each regular Town election at which Assemblymen are elected, the Assembly shall meet and elect one of its members as its presiding officer, who shall have the title of Mayor.  The Mayor shall have a voice and vote in all Assembly proceedings.  He shall be the official head of the Town for all purposes, including ceremonial functions.  He shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by this Charter or as may be imposed by the Assembly, consistent with such office.  The Mayor shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Assembly.

            The Assembly also shall designate one of its members as Mayor Pro Tempore.  The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform the duties of the Mayor during his absence or disability.

Section 608. Powers of the Assembly

            All powers of the Town of Cochiti Lake shall be vested in the Assembly, subject to the provisions of this Charter.  The Assembly shall take no action, however, except during a duly called meeting.  The Assembly may not delegate any of its legislative powers.

Section 609. Regular Meetings of Assembly

            The Assembly shall hold regular meetings as least once each month, at such times as it shall fix by ordinance, and may adjourn any regular or adjourned regular meeting to a date certain, which shall be specified in the order of adjournment, and when so adjourned, each adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting for all purposes.

Section 610. Special Meetings of Assembly

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Mayor or by three (3) members of the Assembly, by written notice to each member at least seventy-two (72) hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting.  A special meeting also shall be validly, called, without the giving of such written notice, if all members shall give their consent, in writing, to the holding of such meeting, and such consent is on file in the office of the Town Clerk at the time of holding such meeting.  A telegraphic communication from a member consenting to the holding of a meeting shall be considered a consent in writing.

Section 611. Place of Meeting

            Regular meetings of the Assembly may be held at any place designated by resolution of the Assembly.  Special meetings of the Assembly may be held at any place designated by the Mayor or majority of the members of the Assembly in the written notice of such meeting.  However, in the event that such meeting is held outside of the boundaries of the Town of Cochiti Lake, then such notice must be posted in at least three public places within the boundaries of the Town, as specified by ordinance of the Assembly, 48 hours prior to such meeting.

Section 612. Meetings Open to Public

            All meetings of the Assembly and such other boards or advisory agencies appointed by it or provided herein, shall be open to the public.

Section 613. Assembly Proceedings

            Three (3) members of the Assembly shall constitute a quorum to do business, except for the purpose of filling vacancies on the Assembly, in which case a majority of the remaining members shall constitute a quorum.  Less than a quorum may adjourn from time to time any meeting of the Assembly.  The Town Clerk also may adjourn any meeting of the Assembly to a time and place certain in the absence of all members of the Assembly.

            The Assembly shall Judge the qualifications of its members as set forth by this Charter and shall judge all election returns.

            The Assembly may establish rules for the conduct of its proceedings not in conflict with any provision of this Charter, and may punish any member or other person for disorderly conduct at any meeting.  It shall have the power an authority to compel the attendance of witnesses, and to compel the production of evidence before it.  Subpoenas may be issued in the name of the Town and be attested by the Town Clerk.

Section 614. Adoption of Ordinances and Resolutions

With the sole exception of ordinances which take effect upon adoption, hereinafter referred to, no ordinance shall be adopted by the Assembly on the day of its introduction, nor within five (5) days thereafter.  At the time of adoption of an ordinance, it shall be read in full, unless, after the reading of the title thereof, the further reading thereof is waived by unanimous consent of the Assemblymen present.  In the event that any ordinance is altered after its introduction, the same shall be reintroduced and not finally adopted except at a meeting held not less than five (5) days after the date upon which such ordinance is so reintroduced.  Correction of typographical or clerical errors shall not constitute the making of an alteration within the meaning of the foregoing sentence.

            The affirmative votes of at least three (3) members of the Assembly shall be required for the enactment of any ordinance.

            Any ordinance declared by the Assembly to be necessary as an emergency measure for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety and containing a statement of the reasons for its urgency may be introduced and adopted at one and the same meeting if passed by at least four (4) affirmative votes.

Section 615. Codification of Ordinances

            Any and all ordinances of the Town which have been enacted, and which have not be repealed, may and within three years shall be compiled, consolidated, revised, indexed and arranged as a comprehensive ordinance code, and such code may be adopted by reference by the passage of an ordinance for such purpose.  When a code is prepared not less than three (3) copies thereof shall be maintained on file, for use and examination by the public, in the office of the Town Clerk.  Subsequent amendments to sections of such code shall be enacted in the same manner as herein required for the amendment of ordinances generally.

Section 616. Ordinances – When Effective

            No ordinance shall become effective until thirty (30) days from and after the date of its adoption, except the following, which shall take effect upon adoption:
An ordinance calling or otherwise relating to an election;
An ordinance declaring the amount of money necessary to be raised by taxation or affixing the rate of taxation; or
An emergency ordinance adopted in the manner provided herein.
 

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ARTICLE VII . THE JOINT COMMISSION ON
PUEBLO-TOWN RELATIONS

Section 700. Composition

            The Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall consist of six (6) members.

Section 701. Selection

Three (3) members of the Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall be appointed by the Council of the Pueblo of Cochiti, two (2) members shall be appointed by the Assembly and one (1) member shall be appointed by the Lessee.

Section 702. Term

            Members of the Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing entity.

Section 703.  Compensation

            The members of the Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall be compensated by the Town at the same rate at which members of the Assembly are compensated and shall be reimbursed for necessary travel and other expenses when on official duty on the same basis as members of the Assembly.

Section 704. Responsibilities

            The Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall discuss all matters of mutual interest to the Pueblo, the Town and the Lessee.  It may pass resolutions of an advisory nature for consideration by the Pueblo, the Town, and the Lessee.

Section 705. Regular Meetings

            The Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall hold regular meetings once each month, at such times as it shall fix by resolution, and may hold special meetings by unanimous consent of its entire membership.

Section 706. Place of Meeting

            Regular and special meetings of the Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations may be held at any place set by resolution of the commission.

Section 707. Proceedings

            Four (4) members of the Joint Commission on Pueblo-Town Relations shall constitute a quorum to do business.

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ARTICLE VIII . TOWN OFFICERS

Section 800. Appointment of Assembly

            The Assembly shall appoint a Town Clerk, Town Attorney, Town Administrator, and Town Treasurer, and may appoint a Town Engineer, Building Official, Fire Chief, Chief of Police, and such other officers deemed necessary or desirable.  Such officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Assembly and the powers and duties of such officers shall be as prescribed by ordinance of the Assembly, except as otherwise provided herein.  One person may be appointed as two or more such officers.  The duties to be performed, by any of the officers of the Town may be performed, by agreement of the Assembly, by such appropriate officers of another political entity.

Section 801. Powers and Duties of Town Clerk

            The Town Clerk shall have the powers and be required to:

Attend all meetings of the Assembly and record a full and true record of all the proceedings of the Assembly in books that shall bear appropriate titles and be devoted to such purposes.  Such books shall have a general index sufficiently comprehensive to enable a person readily to ascertain matters contained therein; Maintain ordinance and resolution books, into which shall be recorded all Town ordinances and resolutions with the certificate of the Town Clerk annexed to each thereof stating the same to be a correct copy, and giving the number of said ordinances or resolutions; Take affidavits or depositions pertaining to the affairs and business of the Town; and Certify copies of official records.

Section 802. Powers and Duties of Town Treasurer

            The Town Treasurer shall be custodian of all public funds, which shall not be construed to include the Cochiti Lake Improvement Trust Fund, belonging to or under the control of the Town, or of any office, department or agency thereof, and shall have the power and be required to:

Receive and have custody of all monies receivable by the Town from any source; 

Deposit all monies received in such depositories as may be designated by resolution of the Assembly and in compliance with all other applicable laws;

Disburse money on demands properly audited in the manner provided in this Charter;

Prepare and submit to the Assembly monthly written reports of all receipts, disbursements and fund balances;

Maintain a general accounting system for the Town government and each of its offices, departments and agencies;

Submit to the Assembly a complete financial statement and report, audited by an independent accounting firm, at the end of each fiscal year, showing the exact financial condition of the Town;
Audit and approve before payment all bills, invoices, payrolls, demands or charges against the Town government, and, with the advice of the Town Attorney when necessary, determine the regularity, legality, and correctness of such claims, demands or charges;
Assess property within the Town for purposes of ad valorem property taxes; and

Perform all the necessary functions of tax collector.

Section 803. Town Attorney

            The Town Attorney shall have the power and be required to:

Represent and advise the Assembly and all Town officers in all matters of law pertaining to their offices;

Represent and appear for the Town and any Town officer or employee or former Town officer or employee, in any and all actions and proceedings in which the Town or any such officer or employee, in or by reason of his official capacity, is concerned or is a party, but the Assembly shall have the control of all legal business and proceedings and may employ other attorneys to take charge in any litigation or matter or to assist the Town Attorney therein;

Attend all meetings of the Assembly, unless excused, and give his advise or opinion in writing whenever required to do so by the Assembly, or by any of the boards or agencies or officers appointed by the Assembly or provided for herein;

Prepare upon request any and all proposed ordinances or resolutions for the Town and amendments thereto.

Section 804. Powers and Duties of Chief of Police

The Chief of Police shall employ such number of policemen and other staff as shall be authorized by the Assembly.

The Town police force is hereby authorized to enforce within the confines of the Town against Indians such laws and ordinances as the Pueblo may enforce against them.  Any Indian arrested by the Town police force shall promptly be turned over to appropriate authorities of the Pueblo.

The Chief of Police is authorized with the consent of the Assembly, to enter into an agreement with appropriate authorities of the State of New Mexico for the enforcement within the confines of the Town against non-Indians of the laws of the State of New Mexico.

Section 805. Powers and Duties of Town Administrator

            The Town Administrator shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Assembly and shall hold office for and during the pleasure of the Assembly.  He shall be chosen by the Assembly solely on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications in the field of local government.  He need not be a resident of the Town.  No Assemblyman shall be appointed as Town Administrator during the term for which he shall have been elected or appointed nor within one (1) year after the expiration of his term, except upon the unanimous consent of all members of the Assembly.

The Town Administrator shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Assembly, one of the other officers of the Town to serve as Administrator Pro-Tempore during any temporary absence or disability of the Town Administrator.

The Town Administrator shall receive such compensations as the Assembly shall from time to time determine and fix by resolution, and shall be reimbursed for sums necessarily incurred or paid by him in the performance of his duties or when traveling on business pertaining to the Town under direction of the Assembly.

The Town Administrator shall be the administrative head of the government of the Town, under the direction and control of the Assembly, except as otherwise provided in this Article.  He shall be responsible for the efficient administration of all of the affairs of the Town which are under his control.

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ARTICLE IX . PARKS AND RECREATION

Section 900. Parks and Recreation

            The Town may own, lease, license, operate and maintain any parks, open spaces and recreational facilities either within or outside the boundaries of the Town.  The Assembly may make such charges for use of its recreational facilities as it finds necessary or desirable; provided, however, the Assembly shall recognize all rights and privileges of persons who hold recreation privilege cards issued by Lessee and further no such charge shall be imposed upon the members of the Pueblo de Cochiti and their immediate families.  The Assembly may appoint a Parks and Recreation Board to administer parks, open spaces and recreational facilities.

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ARTICLE X. BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT

Section 1000. Board of Zoning Adjustment

            The Assembly shall appoint a Board of Zoning Adjustment to administer the zoning powers delegated to the Town by this Charter.  Such Board shall consist of five (5) members and shall have such powers and duties granted to them by the Assembly as are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

         The Assembly may act as the Board of Zoning Adjustment.

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ARTICLE XI. APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Section 1100. Appointive Boards and commissions

         The Assembly may create by ordinance such boards, agencies or commissions as in it judgment are required in addition to those enumerated in this Charter, and may grant to them such powers and duties are consistent with the provisions of this Charter.

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ARTICLE XII . GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO
OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

Section 1200. Official Bonds

            The Assembly shall fix by ordinance the amounts and terms of the official Bonds of all officials or employees, in a form approved by the Town Attorney.  All such bonds shall be filed with the Town Clerk.  The bond of the Town Clerk shall be filed with the Town Administrator.  The premiums on official bonds shall be paid by the Town.

            In all cases wherein an employee of the Town is required to furnish a fidelity bond, there shall be no personal liability upon, or any right to recover against, his superior officer or other officer or employee, or the bond of the latter, unless such superior officer, or other officer or employee is a part to, or has conspired in, the wrongful act causing directly or indirectly the loss.

Section 1201. Conflicts of Interest

No member of the Assembly shall be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract, sale or transaction to which the Town is a party, neither shall any officer or employee, or member of any board, agency or commission of the Town, be interested in any contract, sale or transaction to which the Town is a party, and which comes before said officer or employee, or member of such board, agency, or commission, or the department or office of the Town with which he is connected, for official action.

            No member of the Assembly, Town official or employee, or member of any board, agency or commission, shall be deemed to be financially interested, within the meaning of the foregoing provisions, in any contract made with a corporation by reason of (i) the ownership of stock in such corporation, unless such stock owned by him shall amount to at least three per cent (3%) of all of the issued and outstanding stock of such corporation, or (ii) his employment by or being an officer of such corporation.

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ARTICLE XIII. ZONING POWERS

Section 1300. Scope

            The Town shall have the power to make and enforce land use regulations through exercise of the zoning power, subject to the limitations imposed by the Master Plan, Architect’s Design, comprehensive plans, and specifications, including any amendments thereto, as approved pursuant to Sections 8 and 9 of the Master Lease.

Section 1301. Administration

            The zoning powers of the Town shall be administered by the Board of Zoning Adjustment in the manner determined by ordinance of the Assembly.

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ARTICLE XIV . SUBDIVISIONS

Section 1400. Subdivisions

            Control and regulation of divisions of land within the territory of the Town, for purposes of present or prospective sale, lease or financing, including approval of tentative and final subdivision tract maps, shall be exercised by the Town under procedures and standards adopted by ordinance of the Assembly, subject to the limitations imposed by the Master Plan, Architect’s Design, comprehensive plans, and specifications, including any amendments thereto, as approved pursuant to Sections 8 and 9 of the Master Lease.
 

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ARTICLE XV . BUILDING REGULATIONS

Section 1500. Building Regulations

            The construction, alteration and repair of buildings and structures within the Town of Cochiti Lake shall be regulated by ordinance of the  Assembly, which may adopt Uniform Codes by reference, subject to the limitations imposed by the Master Plan, Architects Design, comprehensive plans, and specifications, including any amendments thereto, as approved pursuant to Sections 8 and 9 of the Master Lease.

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ARTICLE XVI . ELECTIONS

Section 1600. General Elections

            General elections for the filling of elective offices shall be held in the Town on the second Tuesday in April of every odd numbered year.

Section 1601. Special Elections

            All other elections of the Town that may be held by authority of this Charter, or of any other law, shall be known as Special Elections.

Section 1602. Procedure for Holding Elections

            All Elections shall be held as provided by ordinance of the Assembly.

Section 1603. Initiative, Referendum and Recall

            The right of the initiative and referendum and of the recall of elective officers are reserved to the electors of the Town, from and after such time as there are more than 300 residents in the Town.  The procedures for initiative, referendum and recall of elected Town officers, shall be established by ordinance of the Assembly.

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ARTICLE XVII . FINANCIAL AND FISCAL MATTERS

Section 1700. Fiscal Year

            The fiscal year of the Town government shall begin on the 1st day of July of each year and end on the 30th day of June in the following year.

Section 1701. Tax and Assessment System

The Assembly shall have the power, and it shall be their duty, to provide by ordinance a system for the assessment, levy and collection of all town taxes.  The taxes referred to herein shall include, but not be limited to, ad valorem property taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, and payroll taxes.  The Assembly may also provide for general and special assessments.

            To the extent that funds are not available from other sources of the Town to satisfy its current obligations, an ad valorem property tax shall be assessed and collected for the purpose of paying such obligations.

            The system of assessment, levy and collection of Town Taxes, however, shall not place an encumbrance upon or subject to sale, any interest of the Pueblo under the Master Lease nor shall failure to pay such assessment or tax create a lien on the fee title in the land.

            Ninety days following the conclusion of each fiscal year, one percent (1%) of all taxes collected in such fiscal year under the provisions of this section shall be paid over to the pueblo.

Section 1702. Tax Limit

Unless authorized by the affirmative votes of a majority of the electors voting on the proposition in any election in which the question is submitted to the electors, the ad valorem property tax of the Town shall not exceed $1 for each $100 of assessed value of taxable property in the Town.  This section does not prevent the Town from having a validly contracted bonded indebtedness or from levying and collecting taxes for payment of such indebtedness and the interest thereon, in addition to the taxes authorized to be levied and collected pursuant to this Article.

Section 1703. Contract for Public Works

            Every contract involving an expenditure of more than $5,000 for the construction or improvement, excluding maintenance and repair, of public buildings, works, streets, drains, sewers, utilities, parks and playgrounds, and each separate purchase of materials or supplies for the same, where the expenditure required for such purchase shall exceed the sum of $5,000, shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, after due notice in the manner prescribed by ordinance of the Assembly.

            The method of determining the lowest responsible bidder, the rejection of bids, and procedures for performance of the proposed work if no bids are received, shall be established by ordinance of the Assembly.

            However, in every instance, such contracts, in excess of $5,000 shall not be entered into by the Town unless and until approved by the Council of the Pueblo de Cochiti, and when required with the consent of the Secretary of the Interior and/or the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Section 1704. Use of Cochiti Lake Improvement Trust Fund Money

No expenditures of money in the Cochiti Lake Improvement Trust Fund shall be authorized by the Assembly without the prior written approval of the Trustee.