Gross-receipts taxes down 9.6 percent

Gross-receipts taxes in Santa Fe dropped 9.6 percent for July compared to July 2007, according to recent tax reports that represent sales activity from May.

The revenue decline was anticipated by the city's budget for the current fiscal year, however, and doesn't call for emergency budget balancing measures, said city Finance Director David Millican.

Last month's tax report showed a 15 percent decline in revenues for April spending, which led to a temporary hiring freeze at the city. Millican said the news coming from the state now is more positive.

"We expect to see further strength in June and July (reports) when the tourism season increases," he said.

Construction continues to be the hardest-hit sector in the economy, showing a 34 percent decline over the same month last year.

City plans upgrade for Tino Griego pool

The city is moving ahead with its plans to renovate the former Tino Griego pool into a teen center and to make more improvements to the adjacent La Farge Library Branch.

City councilors on the Finance Committee on Monday recommended that the city hire Terraplen/Integrated Design Architects of Santa Fe to design site improvements for the facility on Llano Street, including remodeling the former pool into a gathering place with a snack bar, dance floor, computer area, performance stage and outdoor patio. The firm was selected from about 20 applications.

The pool has been closed for more than six years. City Council passed a resolution in 2007 ordering the project and has $500,000 in capital funds from the Legislature. The proposed contract with Terraplen would cost about $79,000 if the full council approves it during a meeting planned for July 29.

Budding authors, take note

Journalist and digital pioneer Tom Johnson will host a workshop, "Be Your Own Publisher," on how to use applications already on your computer and the Internet to publish your novel, poetry, cookbook or photo book.

The event is 7 p.m., July 28 at the Santa Fe Complex, 632 Agua Fría St.

School hosts annual anime festival

The Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences hosts it annual Japanese Anime Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the school, 5912 Jaguar Drive.

The event includes free movies all day; an art contest for kids, sumo contest, origami, Japanese food and Japanese gifts.

All activities are free and there is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Santa Fe Opera looking for young voices

The Santa Fe Opera's Young Voices is scheduling auditions for high-school students who want to participate in its 2009-10 season.

The program is under the direction of Kirt Pavitt with weekly instruction by Santa Fe Opera artists and music staff. The sessions begin in September and culminate in a public recital in May featuring all the singers. There are no fees for participation in Young Voices.

The Santa Fe auditions are 1-4 p.m. Aug. 1 at The Santa Fe Opera in the Ranch Lounge.

To request an audition time, and for more information e-mail kpavitt@santafeopera.org or call 505-946-2402.

Public meeting on annexation

Santa Fe County Commissioner Virginia Vigil will host a public meeting Monday focusing on the ongoing annexation of county land by the city of Santa Fe, particularly Rural Residential Zoning districts which will mandate the preservation of rural density in certain pockets within the presumptive city limits.

The meeting might be of interest to residents who live in "Area 1" west of the city limits between Agua Fría Street and N.M. 599 and "Area 12" along the south side of Rodeo Road just west of Richard's Avenue, two areas the city plans to designate as Rural Residential Zoning districts.

To see a detailed map of the annexation areas log on to www.santafenm.gov, click on "Hot Topics" on the left, then select "City Initiated Annexation."

Grant to go toward canyon restoration

WildEarth Guardians, a Santa Fe-based nonprofit environmental organization, was awarded $119,992 in a federal grant to do the initial legwork toward restoring a 10-mile stretch of the Santa Fe River Canyon.

The funding will allow the group to conduct environmental analysis and seek public feedback required under federal law.

"We'll be doing the archaeological survey work, possible designs," said Jim Matison, restoration projects director for Wild Earth Guardians. "This involves the BLM, the Forest Service, Cochiti Pueblo, and local communities," including La Cieneguilla, La Cienega and others.

The ultimate goal is to remove nonnative species and restore aquatic habitat, he said.

The Collaborative Forest Restoration program is unique to New Mexico. Funded projects are supposed to thin out small-diameter trees to reduce fire hazards, create jobs and include a variety of partners. The program has funded 116 grants and more than $34 million in the last eight years. This year, 13 of 38 proposals were funded.

BLM seeks comments on plan

The Bureau of Land Management is extending the public comment period on a proposed 500 kilovolt power transmission line planned in Southern New Mexico and Arizona to Aug. 28.

The proposed SunZia Southwest Transmission Line is would stretch 460 miles between Socorro or Lincoln County to Pinal County, Ariz. The line is planned to carry connect renewable energy project to the Western grid.

"The extended scoping comment period will give the public more time and an additional opportunity to share comments and concerns and identify issues and alternatives to be considered," said Linda Rundell, BLM New Mexico State Director.

Comments can also be made to the BLM via the BLM Project Web site at www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/more/lands_realty.html via the project e-mail address at NMSunZiaProject@blm.gov or in writing to the Bureau of Land Management, SunZia Transmission Line Project, P.O. Box 27115, Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115. Deliveries will be accepted via courier/hand delivery to the Bureau of Land Management, SunZia Transmission Line Project, 1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505.