LTE: Open Letter To Councilor Ryn Herrmann – MRA Commission On Agenda For Jan. 13

Editor’s note: The following letter has not been fact-checked.

BY LISA SHIN
Los Alamos

Dear Councilor Herrmann:

I am extremely grateful that you have requested a discussion about the option of creating a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Commission for the upcoming Jan. 13 Council meeting. Currently, the County Council serves as the decision making governing body having authority over the two MRA’s in Los Alamos – White Rock and Los Alamos Downtown East.

As you know, I have been a strong advocate for Los Alamos following New Mexico State Statutes governing MRA’s and neighboring communities to form a citizen-led MRA Commission.

As in Counties across New Mexico, an MRA Commission ensures independent oversight, transparency, and meaningful citizen input. Additionally, a MRA Commission would be subject to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, required to publish agenda/minutes, and invite the public to all meetings.

Instead, Los Alamos County has formed a MRA Review Committee, composed of County Staff, tasked with reviewing applications and deciding which ones move forward. Instead of citizens being able to directly participate in this process in real time, they would be given 3 minute “public comments” when completed applications and redevelopment agreements are up for a Council vote. An MRA Review Committee guarantees the public will be kept in the dark about Marimac redevelopment plans and enables our County Staff to meet with Columbus Capital behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny.

It is unclear whether our County staff believes that our newly formed MRA Review Committee is subject to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act. On January 6th, 2026, County Council approved a “resolution” requiring all Boards, Commissions, Committee, Task Forces, etc. to comply with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act. The MRA Review Committee was omitted in this resolution.

With both a citizen-led MRA Commission and a county-led MRA Review Committee, our Council would make the final decisions regarding applications for public funding. The question here is whether or not our Councilors will enforce our Sunshine laws and truly believe that the democratic ideal is best served by a well-informed public.

I urge the Council to demand transparency in this matter. If our Council decides not to form a MRA Commission, please require that the MRA Review Committee be subject to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.