BY LISA SHIN
Los Alamos Family Eyecare
Last July 2024, I submitted an editorial, ¨Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Commission Necessary for an Open and Transparent Government.” In compliance with the New Mexico Redevelopment Code, this Commission would not include County Councilors or County employees, but rather key members from the community with experience in commercial property development, affordable housing, finances/banking and environmental sustainability. The MRA Commission would make recommendations to our County Council and would reflect a diverse and broad range of perspectives, including our small business community.
Farmington, Santa Fe, Clovis and Albuquerque have also established MRA Commissions with the following responsibilities:
- Review responses from property developers
- Identify priorities for the use of public funds
- Review applications for MRA Bonds and LEDA grants
- Review fiscal impact and financial analysis of proposed redevelopment plans
All MRA Commission meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act. Let me remind everyone that the New Mexicoś “Open Meetings Act,” NMSA 1978, Sections 10-15-1 to 10-15-4, is known as a “sunshine law.” All states have such laws, which are essentially motivated by the belief that the democratic ideal is best served by a well-informed public. Sunshine laws generally require that public business be conducted in full public view, that the actions of public bodies be taken openly, and that the deliberations of public bodies be open to the public.
When I presented my citizens’ petition to the County Council on July 23rd, 2024, not only was it rejected, our County Attorney claimed that County Staff was not subject to the NM Open Meetings Act.
On November 5th, 2025, we learned that instead of a citizen-led MRA Commission, we would have a Los Alamos County staff-led MRA Review Committee. This guarantees that we will have no independent review and oversight. County staff can continue to meet with Columbus Capital behind closed doors and out of public view. At the November 5th meeting, our County staff gave detailed instructions to small business owners on the application process for MRA funds.
At the same time, Columbus Capital has direct and personal access to County staff for application preview and is offered legal advice. This sort of favoritism and preferential treatment leads to corruption, is unfair to smaller property owners, and is wholly inappropriate. This is a huge blow for transparency and further undermines public trust in our local government.
What this means for citizens: when public funds are used to benefit big profit-driven entities like Columbus Capital, expect your cost of living to increase and quality of public services to decrease. Our County just raised Gross Receipt Taxes for what? For this?
After this Review Committee has drafted an MRA Development Agreement, Council will consider it over two public meetings, first for introduction and second for approval and adoption. Only two? What does the ordinance appeal process entail? Will there be any meaningful public input? Remember public outrage over the purchase of Diamond Drive properties at 2x the appraised value was effective at stopping this terrible use of public funds.
On their website, Los Alamos claims to be committed to an open and transparent government. An MRA Review Committee with only County staff directly contradicts this claim. The New Mexico Open Meetings Act ensures our right to know, with advanced notice of meetings, agendas, and minutes open and accessible to the public. Moving forward, our County Council could require that our newly formed MRA Review Committee comply with the Open Meetings Act just like our Boards and Commissions. Please contact our Councilors and urge them to do so.