Council also reappoints probate judge to Planning and Zoning Commission; charter amendment process to receive separate coverage
GRANTS, N.M. – The Grants City Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 to remove longtime Lodgers Tax Advisory Board member Aaron Dean after city officials determined he no longer met the qualifications required to serve on the board.
Dean has served for years on the Lodgers Tax Board, including as its chairman, and has played a significant role in reviewing funding requests from organizations seeking city lodgers tax dollars to promote events and tourism.
His tenure has stretched across years in which Grants and local nonprofit organizations have worked to establish, preserve and expand community events following the end of some of the city's larger former attractions, including the motorcycle rally that once drew visitors to Grants.
The issue before the council Aug. 12, however, was whether Dean remained legally qualified to hold his seat after retiring and no longer operating a business connected to the city's tourism or lodging industry.
During the special meeting, Councilwoman Beverly Michael referred to a city memorandum concerning Dean's eligibility.
“Your memo indicates that Mr. Dean no longer owns an industry, therefore he no longer meets qualifications. Is that correct?” Michael questioned Mayor Erik Garcia who responded that she is correct.
Councilor George Garcia said the qualification was also tied to state law.
“That's also a state law that we have,” Councilor Garcia said.
Councilor Fred Rodarte said he had the same question as Michael. Councilor Garcia then moved to remove Dean from the Lodgers Tax Advisory Board. Rodarte seconded the motion, and the council approved it unanimously.
The vote comes as the City of Grants has placed increased attention to its compliance with its City Charter, ordinances, board requirements and meeting procedures. Councilors have repeatedly discussed the need for city government to follow the rules governing its various boards and official actions.
The Lodgers Tax Advisory Board has an important role in recommending how revenue generated through the city's lodgers tax should be used to advertise and promote Grants and events intended to attract visitors.
Dean's removal does not erase his years of service on the board or his involvement in helping local organizations navigate that funding process. Rather, the council's action centered specifically on whether he continued to satisfy the qualifications for membership. Because he no longer owned an industry that contributed to lodger’s tax, he was unqualified to continue serving.
Planning and Zoning Reappointment
The council also unanimously reappointed Josephine Hurtado to the Grants Planning and Zoning Commission.
Hurtado currently serves as Cibola County probate judge, a position to which she was appointed.
Garcia expressed support for her reappointment, saying there was little need for discussion and describing Hurtado as “a good person.”
Garcia made the motion to approve the reappointment, with Rodarte providing the second. The council voted unanimously in favor.
Municipal League Representatives Selected
Councilors also selected their representatives for the New Mexico Municipal League.
Michael moved to designate Garcia as the city's voting delegate and Rodarte as the alternate. The council unanimously approved the appointments.
Charter amendment process begins
The Aug. 12 special meeting also included discussion of the process for amending the Grants City Charter.
Because that process involves broader questions about the city's home-rule Charter, amendment procedures and the steps the City Council is considering, the Cibola Citizen will examine the charter amendment process in a separate story in next week's edition.