While businesses in Española continue to close with no new ones opening to replace them, the city’s Community Development director is busy juggling two jobs.
Mike Adams disclosed at the Aug. 26 Española City Council meeting that he works for the nonprofit organization Chicanos Por La Causa. That same evening, Adams presented a resolution to the council to enter into “formal collaboration” with the nonprofit to administer housing and rental assistance programs in the city.
“I do work for Chicanos Por La Causa running the YouthBuild program,” Adams said during the meeting.
He also told the council that he previously served as a CPLC board member.
According to his LinkedIn page, Adams began working as the community development director in February 2023. A city Facebook post states he started the job a year later, in February 2024.
A city pay schedule, which lists the annual salary and hourly wage of every employee, shows Adams makes $72,225.50 a year, or $34.72 per hour. His total compensation, which includes retirement and insurance contributions, fees and taxes, totals $96,215.33. The schedule also states his first day of work was Feb. 6, 2024.
The Rio Grande SUN confirmed Adams’ employment with Chicanos Por La Causa by calling the YouthBuild office located on La Joya Street on Aug. 26. The woman who answered the telephone confirmed it was Adams’ office and took a message requesting a telephone call-back. Adams did not return the phone call.
He also appeared in a July 23 KOAT-TV story about New Mexico YouthBuild wearing a CPLC shirt in front of a CPLC background. YouthBuild is a workforce development program for people who are 17-24 years old and need help getting their high school diploma or GED, according to the CPLC website. They receive hands-on construction skills training to build low-income housing in the community.
District 4 Councilor Samuel LeDoux said he called Adams’ CPLC office earlier in the day on Aug. 26 and spoke to him.
“I had a conversation with him and he said he didn’t believe it was a conflict of interest because the work he does at Chicanos Por La Causa is under a different department than the one that was presented to us at the City Council meeting,” LeDoux said in a telephone interview. “I asked him to disclose that he works there, and he was quite hesitant to. And I told him that I thought it would be a good idea just so that the public is aware and doesn’t think there is a conflict of interest.”
The resolution states that the city would enter into a formal collaboration with CPLC to “provide rental assistance, housing stabilization services, and wraparound supportive services to individuals and families, with a focus on preventing homelessness and addressing co-occurring behavioral health needs.”
After discussion, District 2 Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Peggy Sue Martinez made a motion to table the resolution, which passed in a 4-3 vote.
LeDoux, District 1 Councilor Aaron Salazar and District 4 Councilor Justin Salazar-Torrez voted in favor of tabling the resolution.
District 1 Councilor Pedro Valdez, District 2 Councilor Nanette Rodriguez and District 3 Councilor Felicia Archuleta-Toya voted against tabling it.
According to the resolution, the city would have contributed $77,596 to the programming, with CPLC contributing an additional $310,383 it received from a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department grant.
“We didn’t think we received the funding,” Adams said. “We received the $300,000. One of the few in the state.”
He also contacted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office regarding the possibility of a funding match because of the federal dollars, Adams said.
The city would use opioid settlement funds for its $77,596 contribution, Adams said.
The city has more than $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds that must be used for treatment, prevention and abatement programs to help those with opioid use disorder. Funds can also help those with co-occurring disorders like substance abuse disorder and mental illnesses.
LeDoux asked Adams if he spoke with the city’s Social Services Department to determine whether this project was an appropriate use of the opioid settlement funds.
“I don’t know if it’s the best fit or not,” Adams said in response to the question.
Social Services Director Michelle Fraire told the council that she was not included in any conversations with Adams regarding this collaboration with CPLC and has not recently attended any city meetings regarding the use of opioid settlement funds.
“(Are these) allotted uses going to be for the entire community or is it going to be for one specified community, which is what it’s supposed to be?” Fraire asked. “As far as any other information, I haven’t received. I spoke to finance, but that was only a two-minute conversation but nothing has delved in further, so I’m a bit appalled, not gonna lie.”
Chicanos Por La Causa did not return an email asking about Adams’ employment status with the organization, whether employees are allowed to hold multiple jobs and whether Adams’ involvement with the proposed collaboration and resolution presented a conflict of interest.
City Human Resources Director Sally Baxter responded to an email asking the same questions that were sent to Chicanos Por La Causa.
“We do not have any indication of any improper behavior relating to the outside employment, use of vehicle, or performance of City of Española job duties,” she wrote in an email. “City of Española vehicle use is reviewed by our finance department when mileage and fuel logs are reviewed. Mr. Adams is currently reporting his job activities to Municipal Clerk Carla Martinez, and to the governing body.”
She also wrote that they were aware of his other job.
“Mr. Adams had discussed it with former City Manager Eric Lujan, then documented it for his file when Mr. Lujan stepped down from the City Manager position,” she wrote.
The only personnel handbook available on the city’s website is from 2009. It states that working hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with one unpaid lunch hour. Directors can approve alternative work schedules, but they must conform to Human Resources procedures and guidelines.
It’s unclear is Adams is working full-time or part-time for Chicanos Por La Causa.
Duties
During the meeting, Adams described himself as a grant writer. The goal of his department and his role as a director are unclear.
Businesses and other industries are not coming to Española. Many businesses have closed over the last two years.
In April 2024, the city made a post on its official Facebook account to encourage people to visit Costco’s website and express support to build a location in Española. It is unknown whether the city is in discussions with the company to build a location in the area.
City officials have also spoken about the possibility of chains like Sprouts and Hobby Lobby opening locations, but none of these opportunities have come to fruition.
Since 2024, several retail businesses have closed. These include The Shoe Department, Family Dollar, Del Taco and Game Stop. Lovin’ Oven, DeeDee’s Beef Jerky and Club Tropicana also closed last year, but have since reopened.
Local development initiatives have also failed. In mid-2022, developer Jeremy Rodriguez purchased the former Western Holiday motel property located at 1215 S. Riverside Drive.
He planned to turn the property into a restaurant, brewery and art space. He also wanted to create a mixed-use development on Española’s West side with office space, a café, grocery store and townhomes in a lot near Pippin Way.
He eventually abandoned the plans due to difficulties working with the city.