Members Present:
Chairman Rick Homans
Casey Luna
Designee: Jerry Hanks
Jim Manatt
Ben Woods
William Loomis
Richard Holdridge

Officials Present:
Lou Gomez

Sum Up:

1. Chairman Rick Homans reported that communities in proximity to Spaceport America are moving forward with proposals to enact local gross receipts taxes to help fund construction.
2. Homans said Dona Ana County is voting on this April 3, 2007. If passed, this could generate $6.8 million annually, with 25 percent going to local education and 75 percent to spaceport infrastructure.
3. Homans said Sierra and Otero Counties have committed to similar referendums later this year. If passed, the two together would generate about $1 million annually.
4. Lou Gomez stated that measures have been identified to ensure that the historic Camino Real remains pristine during and after spaceport construction.
5. Gomez also stated that corrective modifications have been made to UP Aerospace's Spaceloft vehicle, slated for a second launch in March 2007.
6. Authority members voted in favor of creating the New Mexico Spaceport Authority Community Action Committee.
7. Dale Decker of DMJM reported on the design and construction of Spaceport America. Factors considered in the design are: sustainable design, site access, winds, historic Camino Real, ranchers, funding, history, culture and people, spaceport customers, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
8. Decker said DMJM is striving to deliver a sustainable spaceport that incorporates low-energy design, renewable energy resources, and water conservation.
9. Before moving forward on infrastructure construction, the firm must gather data about wind and water at the site.
10. The FAA will use wind data to determine the runway locations. DMJM is planning for a 10,000-foot runway, plus internal paved roads.
11. Jerry Paz stated that there will be a study of six test wells to determine the capacity of the aquifer at the spaceport site. The final design will include a wastewater treatment facility, processing wastewater to be used for irrigation.