Open Meeting Act Overview Given to Planning and Zoning

At Wednesday's meeting of the Torrance County Planning and Zoning Board, county attorney Adolfo Mendez gave a presentation to the board regarding the Open Meeting Act.  The Open Meeting Act is New Mexico's sunshine law that outlines how government bodies are to do business in the open view of the public.  (Click here for video)

Planning and Zoning board members were advised by counsel that they should only rely on information provided by staff and information offered by applicants during open meetings to render decisions.  The board was specifically advised to avoid doing their own investigations on matters to be acted upon by the board.  Rolling quorums were also discussed as well as a rather lengthy dissertation on the merits of disallowing public comment at meetings without a person requesting to be on the agenda itself. 

Based on the last County Commission meeting, this could have been an honest topic for clarification to the members of the Planning and Zoning board or yet another well orchestrated justification for actions by the Torrance County Commission to put a plug in the flow of information coming from the county building. 

The proof will be in the pudding, or rather the format of Torrance County Meeting Agendas - will the 2 minuet public comment section of the Torrance County Commission be removed from their meeting format?  Will Planning and Zoning agenda's remove public input for or against action items?  And if so, as a public, are you comfortable speaking off record to the elected officials, their appointee's and staff?

Please post a comment and on this one.  For those who are afraid to openly post under your real identities, I will allow your posts but only after you contact me directly.  

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Citizen Concerned About Potential Open Meeting Act Violation

As an attendee of commission meetings for years, I found it concerning that our commission would go into executive session, speaking privately and excluding the public without announcing why the meetings were being closed.

In an effort to understand this, I contacted the New Mexico Attorney General’s office as well as New Mexican’s for Open Government (NNMFOG) to obtain a full understanding of a public bodies ability to shut the public out from discussions at meetings.

From my queries I believe that our commission has violated the Open Meeting Act when closing sessions on numerous occasions.  As a citizen I approached the commission’s attorney, Dennis Wallin, expressing my concern and asking if he would address my concerns with the commission.

I did not see any discussion regarind concerns expressed to the county attorney at commission meetings so I brought my concerns directly to our commission at the October 24, 2012 meeting.   

I appreciate that opportunity to express my concerns to our commission and hope that each commissioner will follow up and seek clarification from the agency that has over site of the Open Meeting Act, the New Mexico Attorney General.

Channel 4 New Cast Video - Torrance Co. works to limit media in government meetings

Torrance County Commission - Special Meeting, Tri-County Juvenile Justice Board

A special meeting has been called by the Torrance County Commission.  The Special Meeting Agenda (please contact the county managers office for an official copy) indicates that a "Joint Meeting with the Tri-County Juvenile Justice Board, Discussion Only" will take place on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 12:00pm.

I am unable to attend this meeting so for those who follow my video coverage of commission meetings on YouTube there will not be a video of this meeting on my channel.  Should any one else be able to attend and/or video this meeting, I would be very interested in hearing and/or viewing your video.  Please contact me at George@WhisperingRange.com  - Thanks!

This is an open meeting and any one can attend. 

Regular Meeting Torrance County Commission March 14, 2012

The official agenda can be found on the Torrance County Commission web site.  Please note, it you print the agenda from the Torrance County Web site, there are 14 pages instead of two. 

Torrance County Commission
Regular Meeting to be held at:
Administrative Offices of Torrance County
Commission Chambers
205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation

Approval of Minutes: February 22"*, 2012 Regular Meeting February 16, 20 12 Special Meeting
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda:
  1. Approval of Warrants
  2. Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests: At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

*Department RequestslReports:

1) Department Updates
2) Ratification of AEDICPR Program Agreement - mchelle Wells, Sheriff Department Administrator
3) Voting Machne Techmcian Contract - Linda Kayser
4) Resolution 2012-09 Line Item Transfer - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
5) Resolution 2012-10 Budget Increase - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
6) Martin Gutierrez & Leonard Lujan, Road Foremen
a) Resolution 20 12-1 1 FY 20 1211 3 Financial Hardshp
b) Resolution 2012-12 mleage for County Designated Roadways for Maintenance
c) State Contract County Arterial Program
d) State Contract School Bus Program
e) County Cooperative Program
7) Request Out-of-Sate Travel and Actual Expenses to Attend the National Association of Drug Court Professionals' Annual Training
Conference - Tracey Master
8) Ratification of 2010 SHSGP Amendment -Javier Sanchez, Emergency Manager
9) Contract between Torrance County and HughesNet for Back-up Satellite Internet at EOC - Javier Sanchez, Emergency Manager
Commission Matters:
10) Issue of Emergency Response Time by Superior Ambulance to the Torreon, Tajique and Manzano Areas - John Perea, Dist. 4 Fire Chef
11) Update on Status of District 4 Fire Department - John Perea, District 4 Fire Chef
12) Resolution 2012-07 Recording Policy
13) Resolution 2012-08 Sign Maintenance & Retroreflectivity
14) Torrance County Juvenile Justice Board Request for Vehcle
15) Commission Update

*County Manager RequestslReports:

16) Update
17) Agreement with NCA Architects for 2012 CDBG Project
18) Grant Agreement for NMEMNRD Re-Leaf Project at Mountainair Senior Center
19) Award Bid 2012-04 Mountainair Senior Center Addition

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State S t a t e Section 10-15-1, the Following  Matters Will Be Discussed In Closed Session:

  1. Personnel Matters: 10-15-1 0 ( 2 )
  2. Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 0(7)
     a. Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

Adjourn

Torrance County Commission Meeting 11-23-2011

Torrance County Commission

Regular Meeting to be Held at:

Administrative Offices a/Torrance County

Commission Chambers

205 9th Street

Estancia, NM 87016

AGENDA

November 23rd, 2011
9:00 AM.
Please Silence All Electronic Devices


Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Approval of Minutes: November 9, 2011
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda:

1. Approval of Warrants
2. Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests: At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

Public Hearing:

Application for Conditional Use Permit by Rito & Maria Jaquez for material storage in conjunction with a landscaping business to be located on Tracts I of Lot 23-D and a portion of Tract 24-B of the Moriarty Estates Subdivision, commonly known as 20 D Consuelo Lane.

* Department Requests/Reports:

1) Updates
2) Request Approval ofEMPG Application -Javier Sanchez, Emergency Manager
3) Discussion of Emergency Management Ordinance - Javier Sanchez, Emergency Manager

Commission Matters:

4) Drug Testing Policy
5) Alcohol Testing Policy
6) Update on Nuisance Abatement Ordinance
7) Discussion of Agenda Format

*Countv Manager Requests/Reports:

8) Clarification of Mileage and Per Diem Policy
9) Discussion of Cell Phone Providers

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15-1, the Following Matters Will Be Discussed In Closed Session:

1. Personnel Matters: 10-15-1 (h)(2)

2. Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 (h)(7)

     a. Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

-Adjourn

Torrance County Commission
Regular Meeting to be Held at:
Administrative Offices of the
Torrance County Commission Chambers
205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

AGENDA

November 9th , 2011

9:00 AM.
Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting to Order

Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Approval of Minutes: October 26th , 2011
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda:

    1. Approval of Warrants

    2. Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests: At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

*Public Hearing:  Request from Cibola Greenworks, LLC for the establishment of a Special Use District to develop a solar power electricity generating facility located within Gov't. Lot 2 & the SW4NW4 Section 2 and Gov't. Lot 1 Section 3, all in T.6N., R.8E., N.M.P.M., Lands of Wrye.

* Department Requests/Reports:

     1) Updates

     2) Juvenile Adjudication Fund Grant Agreement No. l2-JAF-13, Between the County of Torrance
         and the Department of Finance and Administration - Tracey Master, DWI Coordinator

     3) Ratification of Scrap Tire Hauling & Scrap Tire Recycling Services Contract between the
         County of Torrance and State Rubber & Environmental Solutions

     4) Termination of T-Mobile Contract

 *Countv Manager Requests/Reports:

   5) Update

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15-1, the Following Matters Will Be Discussed In Closed Session:

     1. Personnel Matters: 10-15-1 (h)(2)

      2. Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 (h)(7)

          a. Threatened Litigation 10-15-1 (h)(7)

*Reconvene from Executive Session -Adjourn

 If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager's Office at 205 9th Street Room 12 Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4752 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agendas and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Torrance County Clerk's Office at 205 9th Street Room 1 Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

The agenda is provided as a courtesy and could conatin errors during transcription - please contact the Torrance County Managers Office for official copies of this agenda.

No Video for Torrance County Commisison Meeting

My apologies to those who follow my YouTube posts of the Torrance County Commission meetings.  I was unable to attend last nights meeting and so far have not found any one to cover meetings when I am unavailable.  If any one is interested in helping please let me know - contact Edwina (George) Hewett by email at  George@WhisperingRange.com.  Thanks!

Draft Agenda - Torrance County Commission Meeting 10/26/2011

AGENDA
October 26th, 2011
6:00pm
Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting To Oder
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
  Approval of Minutes:  October 12, 2011
  Approval of Meeting Agenda:
  Approval of Consent Agenda:
     1.  Approval of Warrants
     2.  Approval of Indigent Claims

PUBLIC REQUESTS:  At the Discretion of the Commisison Chair.  For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken).  Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on this published agenda.

ACTION ITMES*

*COMMISSION MATTERS:

1.  Nuisance Abatement Ordinance Update
2.  Torrance County Alcohol Policy
3.  Torrance County Applicant and Employee Drug Testing Policy
4.  T-Mobile Update
5.  Plateau Fiber Optic Build Out Request

*DEPARTMENT REQUESTS/REPORTS:

6.  Updates
7.  Resolution 2011-41 Polling Places for 2012 Primary & General Election - Linda Kayser, Clerk
8.  2012-02 Scrap Tire Hauling & Scrap Tire Recycling Services Bid Award - Dan Decosta, Code Enforcement Officer

*COUNTY MANAGER REQUESTS/REPORTS:

9.  Update
10.  Evening Meetings 6-Month Trial Decision

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15-1, the Following Matters Will Be Discussed in Closed Session:

1.  Personnel Matters:  10-15-1 (h)(2)
2.  Threatening and Pending Litigation:  10-15-1 (h)(7)
     a.  Threatened Litigation

*RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION

*ADJOURN

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or
meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager s Offce at 205 9 Street Room 12 Estancia NM 87016 (505) 246-4752 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agendas and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Torrance County Clerk' s Offce at 205 9 Street Room 1 Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Executive Session - Torrance County Commission Meeting 10/12/2011

I was unable to film the return from executive session as I was unaware of when they opened the meeting again.  There was no announcement as to what the executive session was being called for and due to the fact that I was unable to film the return from executive session I am unaware of what was discussed during the session.

Plateau Fiber Optic Extensions - Torrance County Commssion Regular Meeting 10/12/2011

Manzano Mountain Gun Club - Finding of Facts/Conclusions of Law

Draft Agenda - Torrance County Commission

Torrance County Commission Regular Meeting to be Held at:
Administrative Offices of Torrance County
Commission Chambers
205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

(Draft)AGENDA (Draft)
October 12, 2011
9:00 AM.
Please Silence All Electronic Devices

Call Meeting to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation
Approval of Minutes: September 28 , 2011
Approval of Meeting Agenda
Approval of Consent Agenda:
1. Approval of Warrants 2. Approval of Indigent Claims

Public Requests: At the Discretion of the Commission Chair. For Information Only (No Action Can Be Taken). Comments are limited to two minutes per person on subjects not on ths published agenda.

ACTION ITEMS*

*Commission Matters:

1) Update on Salt Mission Trail Scenic Byway Project - Loretta Tollefson, MRGOG
2) Presentation on Redistricting - Rod Adair
3) Findings of Fact/Conclusion of Law ofthe Manzano Mountain Gun Club Special Use Application
4) Letter of Agreement between Torrance County and the Town of Estancia for the Teen Outreach Program - Patricia Lincoln, DFL Associates
5) Plateau Fiber Optic Build Out-Chuck Maynes, Account Executive, Plateau Department

Requests/Reports:

6) Updates
7) Resolution 2011-37 Budget Adjustment - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
8) Resolution 2011-38 Line Item Transfer - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
9) Resolution 2011-39 Budget Increase - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
10) 20 l2-0 lR Material Hauling Bid Award - Tracy Sedillo, Comptroller
11) Ratify Copier Contract Between Torrance County Clerk and IKON - Linda Kayser, Clerk

*Countv Managers Requests/Reports:

12) Update
13) Resolution 2011-40 Adoption ofNMC Legislative Priorities

EXECUTIVE SESSION

As Per Motion and Roll Call Vote, Pursuant to New Mexico State Statute Section 10-15- , the following Maters Will Be Discussed In Closed Session:

Personnel Matters: 10-15-1 (h)(2)
Threatening and Pending Litigation: 10-15-1 (h)(7) a. Threatened Litigation

*Reconvene from Executive Session

*Adjourn

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language
interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Torrance County Manager s Offce at 205 9 Street Room 12 Estancia
NM 87016 (505) 246-4752 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible.  Public
documents, including the agendas and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please
contact the Torrance County Clerk' s Offce at 205 9 Street Room 1 Estancia, NM 87016 (505) 246-
4735 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Torrance County Fair Board - Multiple Issues

Bruner Road - Name Change Request

No More Homeless Pets - Out of State Travel Request

CYFD Juvenile Justice Board, Amendment No. 3 - Torrance County Commission Meeting