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. 

All MRA Commission meetings are subject to the Open Meetings Act. Let me remind everyone that the New Mexico “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.

My citizens’ petition to the County Council to establish a MRA Commission on July 23, 2024 was rejected. On Nov. 5, 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. At the Nov. 5 meeting, our County staff gave instructions to property owners within the East Downtown MRA area on the application process for MRA funds. It is unclear when and how the decision to create a MRA Review Committee was made and whether this actually complies with New Mexico statutes governing MRAs. There was no cap for MRA funds given. Are we talking about a few million dollars for help with infrastructure and utilities, or are we talking about $50M+ in tax breaks and public funds?

I have heard that property developers do not like MRA Commissions: it slows down the process and they have to answer to people who have no idea how property development works. True enough. But if we are talking about many millions of our tax dollars, there must be assurance of clear public benefit. We must assess the impact on local small business owners and our open spaces/environment and understand total cost.

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? This is not enough. Why are we on the fast track to blow public resources? 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.

Given the function of the MRA Review Committee to determine which contracts move forward and to develop County ordinances, this Committee is indeed subject to the Open Meetings Act. This ensures our right to know, with advanced notice of meetings, agendas, and minutes open and accessible to the public. On our County website, we should see all future meetings for our newly formed MRA Committee, just like our Boards and Commissions. I am in contact with the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government regarding this important community issue.