State asks city for docs pertaining to city manager selection

The New Mexico Department of Justice, which houses the state Attorney General, is investigating possible violations of the state’s Open Meetings Act in the process of selecting a city manager after Ifo Pili announced his resignation in February. 

The investigation stems from concerns raised by the Las Cruces Bulletin in March, based on the city’s news releases and comments from officials suggesting city council members took action on public business outside of open session.

DOJ investigators informed the city in an Aug. 30 letter that “City Council may have decided outside of a public meeting to limit the scope of the city manager search to only internal candidates rather than a national search.” Further, the DOJ is looking into evidence the council took action in closed session to select finalists for the job, and then to make its final selection and agree to contract terms in another closed session, while the law requires actions discussed in closed session to be taken before the public. 

The DOJ’s government counsel and accountability division requested the city provide further documentation about the selection process, copies of internal written communications and meeting notices. It requested a response from the city within seven days. 

Responding to queries from the Bulletin, the city has maintained it complied with the Open Meetings Act. The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and the Bulletin have alleged that a “rolling quorum,” in which elected officers discuss business outside of a properly noticed meeting, appeared to take place before the council voted, in open session, to approve Ikani Taumoepeau’s selection as city manager on April 1.