A. The
corporate authority of the town is vested in the governing body, the
town council, which shall constitute the legislative branch of the
town, and shall not perform any executive functions, except those
assigned to it by law.
B. A majority
of the governing body is a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.
C. Unless
otherwise provided by law, a question before the governing body shall
be decided by a majority vote of the members of the quorum present.
D. The
governing body of the town is the town council, whose members are
the mayor and the four (4) councilors. The election of the mayor and
councilors shall be on an at-large basis.
E. Whenever
there is a requirement that a certain fraction or percentage of the
members of the entire town council [vote for a measure], or all the
members of the town council, or of the entire membership of the governing
body, or other similar language, other than the requirement of a simple
majority, in order for a measure to pass, the mayor shall have no
vote except in the case of a tie, and the mayor shall not be counted
in determining the actual number of votes needed.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)
The town council shall:
A. Elect one of its members to act as mayor pro tem as provided in section
3.32.040 of this title;
B. Possess
all powers granted by law, and such other municipal powers not conferred
by law or ordinance on another officer of the town;
C. Manage
and control the finances and all property, real and personal, belonging
to the town;
D. Determine
the time and place of holding its meetings, which shall be in accordance
with the New Mexico Open Meetings Act;
E. Determine
the rules and/or procedures of council proceedings;
F. Keep
minutes of its proceedings;
G. Adopt
rules and regulations necessary to effect the powers granted to municipalities;
H. Prescribe
the compensation, including but not limited to benefits and fees,
to be paid to town officers and employees;
I. Prescribe
the powers and duties of those officers whose terms of office or powers
and duties are not defined by law, and impose additional powers and
duties upon those officers whose powers and duties are prescribed
by law;
J. Discharge
any appointed official, department director, classified or other employee
by a majority vote of the entire council subject to the provisions
of this title, any collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the merit
employment system described in this title, and this personnel policy,
as applicable.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)
The town council shall:
A. Control
the finances and property of the town;
B. Appropriate
money for municipal purposes only;
C. Adopt
the annual operating budget of the town;
D. Prescribe
policies and procedures for fiscal control;
E. Provide
for payment of debts and expenses of the town; and
F. Meet
at least annually as the board of finance.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)
A. The
town council shall determine at least annually in a public meeting,
and provide public notice of the dates, times, locations and notice
requirements of all public meetings.
B. The
town council may compel the attendance of absent members, in such
manner and under such penalties, as it deems desirable.
C. The
town clerk shall be responsible for the preparation of the agenda
and for providing notice to all members of the town council and to
the public which shall be made available to the public pursuant to
the provision of the Open Meetings Act, New Mexico Statutes Annotated
1978 section 10-15-1 et seq., as amended.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)
A. Meetings
of an emergency nature may be called by the mayor to consider any
matter that needs emergency action because of a clear and present
danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the town.
B. The
only subjects for discussion at an emergency meeting shall be the
matters designated by the mayor in his emergency call.
C. Notice
of such an emergency to the members of the council shall be by telephone,
direct home delivery, or by the town police.
D. Notice
to the public of such meeting shall be by whatever notice is practical
under the circumstances.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)
A. Any
vacancy on the town council shall be filled by appointment of a qualified
elector, by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the town council.
B. Any
qualified elector, appointed to fill a vacancy on the town council,
shall serve to fill the remaining unexpired term, if any, until the
next regular municipal election; or any special election called for
such purpose, at which time a qualified elector shall be elected.
C. A special
election, for the purpose of filling a vacancy on the town council,
may be called by the mayor with the consent of the town council, or
by the town council.
(Ordinance 18-01 adopted 2018)