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Deming, NM - In an effort to maintain transparency and adhere to the Open Meetings Act, the City of Deming has officially released a legal notice acknowledging the potential presence of a quorum at Deming Rotary Club meetings and associated activities, due to the active participation of Mayor Shillito and City Council Members Monjaras, Rodriguez, Milo, and Westenhofer in Rotary Club affairs.
The Rotary Club convenes every Thursday at the Rio Mimbres Country Club, unless specified otherwise by the Rotary Club for special events. The notice explicitly states that, in the event of a quorum during Rotary Club meetings or events, no discussions or votes pertaining to City of Deming business will take place.
Deming Municipal Clerk Mary Jo Valdez clarified to Deming Radio News that this protocol is implemented to ensure compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Valdez further outlined her process when faced with the potential for a quorum:
Valdez encourages anyone with questions to contact Deming City Hall for further clarification on this matter. The City's proactive approach aims to ensure transparency and compliance with legal regulations in the interest of public awareness and participation.
The Rotary Club convenes every Thursday at the Rio Mimbres Country Club, unless specified otherwise by the Rotary Club for special events. The notice explicitly states that, in the event of a quorum during Rotary Club meetings or events, no discussions or votes pertaining to City of Deming business will take place.
Deming Municipal Clerk Mary Jo Valdez clarified to Deming Radio News that this protocol is implemented to ensure compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Valdez further outlined her process when faced with the potential for a quorum:
- "Upon receiving information indicating a possible quorum at a public meeting, whether facilitated by the City of Deming or not, I issue a notice of a potential quorum. For meetings not facilitated by the City, there is no statutory timeframe for public notification, but I make every effort to inform the public before the meeting, hence the standing notice for all Rotary meetings."
- A quorum for the City Council involves more than half of its members, including Mayor Shillito and Councilors Monjaras, Rodriguez, Milo, and Westenhofer.
Valdez encourages anyone with questions to contact Deming City Hall for further clarification on this matter. The City's proactive approach aims to ensure transparency and compliance with legal regulations in the interest of public awareness and participation.