Gallup staff propose six-month meet-and-greets to boost transparency

City staff presented a proposal for a series of monthly meet n' greet events aimed at increasing direct contact between residents, the mayor, city councilors, and department staff. The pilot session is suggested for Jan. 30 at the El Morro Event Center, and the program would run tentatively for six months with rotating city departments to give citizens opportunities to ask questions about operations and services.

The proposal was discussed at the council meeting but was not acted on. Councilors weighed scheduling options intended to maximize public participation, debating evening sessions versus daytime gatherings and how to rotate departments so residents could meet staff from different offices. Officials emphasized the value of placing staff in front of the public to build relationships and demystify how city business gets done.

If adopted, the program would aim to increase transparency by making department staff more accessible in a neutral, community-focused setting. The rotating format would allow residents to engage directly with the offices responsible for areas such as permitting, utilities, and community services. Organizers said the intent is to make routine municipal functions more visible and to give residents a chance to raise specific questions or concerns in person.

The El Morro Event Center was proposed as the pilot venue to accommodate larger attendance and to provide a central location that is familiar to many Gallup residents. Councilors discussed trade-offs between evening sessions that may be more convenient for working residents and daytime events that could be easier for seniors or those with daytime availability. Scheduling decisions will shape who can participate and how inclusive the series becomes.

For McKinley County residents, the proposal signals a push toward more open lines of communication at a time when local trust and civic engagement are often tested. Increased face-to-face contact can make city procedures more intelligible for residents who do not regularly interact with municipal staff and can help city officials hear a broader range of concerns, from small administrative issues to larger service priorities.

Next steps will depend on further council discussion and any formal approval process to finalize dates, participating departments, and outreach plans. If the council moves forward, the Jan. 30 pilot at El Morro Event Center would offer an early chance for residents to test the format and for officials to adjust logistics before a potential six-month rollout. The program could change how Gallup residents access information about city operations and who they meet when seeking answers.