"Ainsworth is a leading city developer from El Paso," Mayor Robert Vialpando said. "She was chosen out of 38 applicants."

Ainsworth will begin her employment with the village on March 8.

"She is a Yale graduate," added Councilor Cecilia Castillo.

Councilor Charles Griego said Ainsworth's salary will start in the mid-range, according to the council's studies.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the appointment of the village's former clerk-administrator, Phillip Jaramillo, as a new labor management relations board member to replace the late Anthony Apodaca.

• Approved a resolution of acknowledgement of the funding shortfall in the local government road fund and the need for the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to request a 25 percent reduction in the funding awarded in COOP agreement, which are the funds allotted for repairing roads and sidewalks.

Betty Behrend, the village's utility director, said it wouldn't affect the village projects underway, or those in the wings, because the projects are prioritized anyway, Behrend explained.

"We just can't do really big projects," Behrend said.

The village recently received $118,750 of federal funds, secured by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help complete the next phase of the transportation center, which is located adjacent to the Rail Runner platform at the corner of Juan Perea and Courthouse roads off of N.M. 314

Phase two is envisioned to house retail and office space to support a higher density and a more pedestrian-friendly area. The funds will be added to another earmark of $950,000 the village has already received, said village administrator Peter Fernandez.

The project is estimated to cost $6.5 million. About $1.1 million has been secured, leaving $5.6 million still to be found, he said.

"We are still trying to identify the rest of the funding," said Fernandez.

There was $1.25 million in federal funding for phase one, but the whole project cost more than $4 million, Fernandez said.

"So, it'll be a while yet before we begin (phase two)," he said.