A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND THE CHARTER COMMISSION OF BERNALILLO COUNTY FORM A TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO EXAMINE THE EFFECTS OF THE UNIFICATION OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY ON THE AREA OF THE SANDIA MOUNTAINS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE EAST MOUNTAINS.

WHEREAS, the east mountain area of Bernalillo county has a diverse community with an independent history, distinct culture and a rural lifestyle that may not be compatible with the goals and needs of an urban county government and its generally urban people; and

WHEREAS, the east mountain communities currently exist within the counties of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance; and WHEREAS, the current movement to unify the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo county may not sufficiently address the concerns of the residents of the east mountain area;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the city of Albuquerque and the charter commission of Bernalillo county be requested to form a task force to determine the impact of the unification of the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo county on the rural way of life of the residents in the area known as the east mountains; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include community leaders from Edgewood, Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Moriarty, Albuquerque, Bernalillo county, Sandoval county, Torrance county and Santa Fe county and that it conduct at least two town hall meetings in the east mountain area in order to obtain public input; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine the different options available to the residents of the east mountain area, including the feasibility of creating a separate east mountain county and other options presented to the task force by community leaders; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the findings of the task force be compiled in a report and presented to the city of Albuquerque, Bernalillo county and the legislature of New Mexico and be made available to the residents of the east mountain area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the charter commission of Bernalillo county, the city of Albuquerque and Bernalillo county and be made available to the residents of the east mountain area.