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Jemez Springs grants mayor authority to negotiate MOU with Pueblo of Jemez; residents seek transparency
Summary
Council unanimously authorized the mayor to begin negotiations with the Pueblo of Jemez over a potential memorandum of understanding tied to a trust‑to‑fee application appeal; the Mayor said any agreement would return to the Council for public review, but a resident urged open negotiations and transparency.
The Jemez Springs Village Council voted unanimously on Aug. 20 to grant Mayor Mike Nealeigh authority to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pueblo of Jemez in exchange for the Village not pursuing an appeal of the Pueblo’s trust‑to‑fee application for property within village limits.
Trustee James McCue moved the motion, seconded by Trustee Manolito Sanchez, and the Council approved the action. During discussion a community member expressed concern that negotiations could proceed behind closed doors; Mayor Nealeigh clarified that the motion authorizes him only to initiate negotiations and that any proposed MOU will be brought back to the Council for public input and final decision.
Trustee Robert Wilson asked whether the subject might fall under an Open Meetings Act exception for contract negotiations; the Mayor said his understanding was that the cited exception applies to contract negotiations generally but not to the specific issue. The Council emphasized that it retains final authority and that transparency will be preserved by returning any proposed agreement to the Council and the public for review before final action.
