Title
Affirmation of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Open Meetings Resolution No. 25-01
Recommended Action
I move that the Board affirm Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-01; A Resolution Establishing Minimum Standards of Reasonable Notice to the Public for all Meetings of the Council, County Boards, Commissions and Other Public Bodies Created by the State and Those Appointed by the Council (Collectively “Appointed County Committees.”)
Utilities Manager's Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends that the Board affirm the resolution as presented.
Body
By statute, the Council must determine, at least annually, in a public meeting what notice for a public meeting is reasonable when applied to that body (Section 10-15-1D, NMSA 1978). This Resolution satisfies those requirements. This resolution defines and differentiates between "Appointed County Committees" and "County Working Groups" and how the Open Meetings Act applies to their meetings.
At the first County Council meeting of a new calendar year, Council passes an Open Meetings resolution that establishes minimum standards of reasonable notice to the public for all meetings of County boards, commissions, and policy making bodies. After the resolution is passed, the Board of Public Utilities reviews the resolution at the next regularly scheduled meeting and affirms the standards.
Board of Public Utilities Procedures Manual
Section 2.12.c Open Meetings Policy
"Each January the County Council passes and the BPU will affirm a resolution establishing minimum standards of reasonable notice to the public for all meetings of the Council and of all County boards, commissions, and policy-making bodies. 1) The resolution sets the requirements for public notice and agenda publication for regular meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, and closed sessions. 2) Refer to Appendix G, for the current County Open Meetings Resolution."
County Council adopted Resolution No. 25-01 at their regular session on January 7, 2025.
Alternatives
Adoption of a resolution regarding open meeting provisions is required by state statute, however, the Board could choose to alter the time/place of meetings, the specific dates indicated on the calendar, extend the time required for providing notice prior to a meeting, or make other similar modifications as long as they do not violate the statutory requirements for open meetings.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The posting of notices for public meetings is a routine duty of department staff.
Attachments
A - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution 25-01
B - Publication Notice for Resolution 25-01