Taos council appoints initial members to Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency board

The Taos Town Council on July 8 approved the mayor’s appointments to the newly formed Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency (MRA) board, contingent on each appointee submitting a letter of interest before the board’s first official meeting.

Staff member Charles presented five candidates who had agreed to serve if appointed: Mr. Irion (downtown business stakeholder), Wayne Rutherford, Jake Cisneros, Yvonne Trujillo and Donald Wood. Council discussed candidate backgrounds: Rutherford was described as a long-standing community member and builder; Cisneros was noted for historic-preservation experience; Trujillo was identified as a Taos Pueblo community participant; Wood was noted for prior MRA experience in another state; and Mr. Irion represents downtown business interests.

Council approved the appointments contingent upon receipt of formal letters of interest and asked that the letters arrive prior to the MRA board’s first official meeting. The council also agreed to stagger initial terms so that not all commissioners’ terms expire simultaneously. The mayor and staff said the first onboarding meeting will include technical assistance and education on MRA authority, bylaws development and role definition.

Councilor Oswald moved to approve the mayor’s appointees with the condition that letters of interest be submitted before the first meeting; Councilor Ortega seconded. The motion passed 4-0 (Council Member Oswald: yes; Mayor Pro Tem Fambro: yes; Council Member Fernandez: yes; Council Member Ortega: yes). Staff said the appointed members will be onboarded with guidance from state technical-assistance resources and will return to council with proposed bylaws and staggered term lengths for council confirmation.