In a recent Los Alamos County council meeting, significant discussions emerged surrounding a citizen's petition related to the Columbus Merrimack Village project. The petition, presented by local business owner Lisa Shin, garnered 43 signatures and raised concerns about transparency in the decision-making process regarding public funding for the project.

Shin emphasized the importance of the New Mexico Open Meetings Act, which mandates that public policy decisions be made in open forums. She criticized a recent closed meeting between county staff and Columbus Capital representatives, arguing that the public should have been informed about a revised funding request that significantly increased the amount of public funds sought for the project—from $21.5 million to $31.89 million. This request also altered the affordable housing component, reducing the number of affordable units from 10-15% to just 10%, or 32 units.

Shin expressed her belief that the community deserved access to detailed information about the project, including potential profits for Columbus Capital and the implications for local small businesses. She called for the establishment of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) commission to ensure a transparent process for future developments, similar to those in other New Mexico cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

During the meeting, council members engaged in a dialogue about the necessity and structure of such a commission. Some expressed concerns that creating an additional layer of bureaucracy could slow down the development process. Others highlighted the need for more public input and transparency in the planning stages of projects to avoid last-minute decisions that may not reflect community interests.

Public comments included a plea from resident Mike Dempsey, who criticized the council for not addressing urgent infrastructure issues, such as water line repairs, while also expressing frustration over perceived lack of transparency in governance.

Ultimately, the council acknowledged the petition but decided to take no further action at this time, prompting discussions about how to improve communication and transparency moving forward. The meeting underscored the ongoing tension between development interests and community concerns in Los Alamos County, as residents seek greater involvement in decisions that affect their livelihoods and local environment.