-Gila Region Community News, Calendar, Forum-

Above is a Screen Shot dated Feb 16, 6:14 pm as shown in the upper right corner. This is one of the official notices of the upcoming meetings. Note that there are no Dates, Times nor Location for either meeting nor is there an Agenda for the Work Session. To read it clearer zoom your browser window.

From the web site screen shot above:
"Note: In accordance with County Resolution 14-01-A, Work Session and Regular Meeting agendas may be altered up to thirty-six (36) hours prior to the meeting. Special Meeting agendas may be altered up to seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting. Copies can be obtained from the County Manager's Office."

This is another clear violation of the Open Meetings Act. the "County Resolution 14-01-A" is from the 2014 resolution and the 2016 County Resolution 16-01, no longer states this. Though the State Act does state this, the Note does not invoke the State Act but a 2 year old County Resolution.

Below is from the Press Release to all the media, note that there is no Agenda for the Work Session that is scheduled at the same time as the Regular Meeting, a questionable practice as the New Mexico Open Meeting Act and the County Resolution 16-01 both clearly stae that each meeting must have a Date, Time and Place stated and an Agenda. There is no Agenda for a Work Session.

"LEGAL NOTICE
Work Session/Regular Meeting
The Grant County Board of Commissioners will convene in a Work Session AND a Regular Meeting BOTH on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. The meetings will take place in the Commissioner Meeting Room at the Grant County Administration Center located at 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City, New Mexico. The tentative agenda is as follows:

AGENDA

I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance and Salute to State Flag
III. Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda
IV. Public Input
....."

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The hard copy I received today (Tuesday) from the County Managers Office had a Date and Time but no Location and no Agenda for a Work Session. In fact it had no mention of a Work Session.

Even if the County invokes the NM Open Meetings Act 36 hour rule it is now far past that. Per the 72 hour rule for publishing an Agenda, Time, Date and Location, at this time a Work Session Agenda cannot be published. The County Resolution states that there will be a Work Session with a Date, Time, Location and Agenda published at least 72 hours before the meeting.

Read the New Mexico Open Meeting Act HERE:

Download the County Open Meeting Resolution 16-01 below: