More Notice Proposed for Council Meetings

Albuquerque city councilors would have to give the public an extra two days in advance to view their meeting agendas under a proposal backed by Mayor Richard Berry.

Berry and Councilor Michael Cook announced the measure Monday afternoon. They are seeking a requirement for the council to publish its agendas 72 hours in advance, instead of 24.

As a practical matter, that means the final agenda would be available on Wednesday rather than Friday for the typical meetings on Monday. That’s because the weekend days don’t count, the administration said.

“It’s just another step on the path to a more transparent government,” Cook said.

The council usually publishes its final agenda about 5 p.m. Friday, though a draft is often made available on Wednesday.

Gwyneth Doland, executive director of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, said she hopes other government will follow suit by providing extra notice.

State Rep. Jim Smith, a Republican from the East Mountains, has sponsored similar proposals in the Legislature, but they haven’t been enacted.

The Bernalillo County Commission publishes agendas 96 hours in advance.