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Record of Proceedings

Rio Rancho City Council Meeting: May 8, 2025 – Chamisa Hills Plan Postponed, Election Change Fails

Meeting Portal — Thursday, May 8, 2025
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, May 8, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:49:22

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:01

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

0:02

Would you please rise for the pledge of the week?

0:06

Councillor Lenintine, would you lead us, please?

0:23

Thank you, and please remain standing as I like to take this time to reflect on our first responders and take a moment of silence and reflection and prayer as they're always out there putting themselves between us in danger.

0:36

And so we want to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

0:38

And then also this week we're uh dealing with law enforcement memorial week, and there's some memorials that are coming up, and we just uh always want to keep their families in our thoughts and prayers as well.

0:48

So, with that, a moment of silence, please.

0:58

Thank you very much.

0:59

You may be seated.

1:03

Okay, welcome everybody.

1:05

And uh please ask that you silence all electronic devices while attending the governing body meetings that if you need to take a call, uh please either step into the hallway or outside.

1:14

And uh for the record, I will announce the governing body members.

1:18

When I say your name, please acknowledge your presence by saying present.

1:21

Councilor Dabson.

1:23

Thank you.

1:24

Councillor Lennon Time.

1:25

President.

1:25

Thank you.

1:26

Councilor Tyler, present.

1:28

Thank you.

1:28

Councilor Weimer.

1:30

President.

1:30

Thank you.

1:31

Councilor Colbrigh.

1:32

Present.

1:33

Thank you.

1:33

And Councilor List.

1:34

Present.

1:35

Thank you.

1:36

All right, we have a quorum.

1:38

No proclamations and awards of merit.

1:40

Uh public forum this evening.

1:42

As we get started.

1:44

Let me see here.

1:45

I just do with my public forum list.

1:48

Oh, here it is.

1:49

Got it.

1:50

Okay, so we'll move right into public forum.

1:52

Uh public forum will be set this evening at two minutes.

1:55

And our first speaker is uh April Trujillo.

2:02

Yeah, that's we're good.

2:06

I'm just I'm not gonna get into a bunch of good evening, Council members.

2:15

Um I would like to pass something around if you could all have something.

2:20

I could give it to the clerk if you wish.

2:22

Yeah, if you hand it to the clerk.

2:25

And go ahead.

2:28

Good evening.

2:29

My name is April Trujillo.

2:31

My son is Gabriel Trujillo.

2:34

We come before you to ask that an internal investigation be conducted against Rio Rancho Public Schools, Rio Rancho Police Department, and the City of Rio Rancho.

2:45

I request this be done because my son was falsely accused and targeted by all three of these entities.

2:52

There is believed to be an unethical law practice from Rio Rancho PD, the city of Rio Rancho, due to the lack of an investigation.

2:59

My son was put in front of a judge in the 13th court district without a proper investigation and lack of.

3:06

My son's civil rights as a juvenile were wrongfully attacked from these three entities within Rio Rancho, such as Rio Rancho Public School District, Rio Rancho Police Department, and the City of Rio Rancho.

3:18

I have contacted the City of Rio Rancho by submitting a complaint, who then pawned me off to the New Mexico Self Insurance Fund, who is an insurance for the Rio Rancho Departments within the City of Rio Rancho.

3:29

The mayor was aware of this after I was contacted, after I contacted him as well.

3:34

Um, when then he said this was a weird case.

3:36

I need to look into this.

3:39

Everyone involved thinks that I'm going to let the sweep under the rug.

3:42

Fat chance.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural█████████████13%
Election Process████████████12%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Transportation Safety████4%
Miscellaneous█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Rio Rancho City Council Regular Meeting – May 8, 2025

The governing body convened at 6:00 PM on May 8, 2025, with Mayor Greggory D. Hull presiding. The meeting covered routine approvals, public hearings on the Chamisa Hills Master Plan and associated zoning changes, and a second-reading ordinance to shift municipal elections to the state-run regular local election. Two director hires were confirmed, the Chamisa Hills items were postponed to August 14, 2025, and the election ordinance failed due to a 3-3 tie.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of April 24, 2025 approved.
  • D24: Appointment of Carolina Couoh to the Lodger’s Tax Advisory Board approved.
  • D25: Appointment of Tyler Lloyd to the Public Infrastructure Advisory Board approved.
  • R46: Budget adjustment for Law Enforcement Retention Fund approved.
  • Vote: 6-0 (all present).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • April Trujillo requested an internal investigation into Rio Rancho Public Schools, Police, and City regarding her son’s false accusation, alleging unethical practices and lack of transparency.
  • Susana Vasquez criticized the city’s lack of support for small businesses, stating leaders have failed to help during crises.
  • Tanya Watkins urged the council to pass a “Sanctuary City for the Unborn” ordinance, referencing petitions with thousands of signatures, and expressed frustration with inaction.
  • Stephan vanHorn expressed concerns about the dissolved Utilities Commission’s replacement advisory board lacking expertise and noted outdated water quality reports (last from 2003).

Discussion Items

  • R48 – Hiring of Stephanie Yara as Financial Services Department Director: City Manager Matt Geisel presented her 23 years of experience and CPA credentials. Motion carried 6-0.
  • R49 – Hiring of Steve Gallegos as Utilities Department Director: Geisel highlighted his practical experience with the utility system. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Hearings

  • D26 – Thicc Pizza Co. Liquor License: Approved for a Restaurant A beer and wine license with patio service at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE. Motion carried 6-0.
  • R47 (Chamisa Hills Master Plan) and O14 (Zone Map Amendment): Combined hearing. The plan redevelops the 256-acre old Chamisa Hills golf course into mixed-use, residential, open space, and commercial zones. Staff, developer (Jim Strozier), and over 15 residents spoke. Key resident concerns:
    • Traffic congestion, especially on St. Andrews Drive, Broadmoor, and Calle Sueños.
    • Uncertainty about open space ownership and maintenance (only a $400,000 bond proposed for the East View Heights area; speakers called for $700,000).
    • Drainage and flooding risks; lack of detailed studies at this stage.
    • Possible inclusion of existing homeowners in a Public Improvement District (PID) — staff clarified any PID would require 75% approval and only apply to new development.
    • Emergency access road conflicts with Enclave neighborhood’s existing infrastructure.
    • Request for a cul-de-sac at Calle Sueños to prevent cut-through traffic; fire department noted it’s feasible but depends on traffic study.
  • Council Discussion: Several councilors expressed support for the concept but raised concerns about missing details. Councilor Tyler and Wymer noted the need for more community engagement and clearer HOA/funding plans. Councilor List called it a “rough draft.” Councilor Lenentine stated infill projects are messy but this plan offers hope.
  • Councilor Wymer moved to postpone R47 to August 14, 2025, specifying a list of required updates: exhibits, maintenance plans, traffic study scope, HOA pro forma, expanded PID memo, and community meetings. Motion carried 6-0. O14 similarly postponed (same date) via a separate 6-0 vote.
  • FY2026 Budget Public Hearing: No speakers.
  • FY2026-2030 ICIP Public Hearing: No speakers.

Second Reading of Ordinances

  • O13 – Ordinance to Opt-In to the Regular Local Election (November odd-years): Deputy City Manager Peter Wells presented cost savings (estimated $450,000 for March 2026 election), citing that 97 of 106 New Mexico municipalities already participate. He noted state law does not allow voter referendum on this decision. The ordinance would eliminate the city’s local photo ID requirement and extend current term lengths about 1.5 years for some incumbents. Sixteen residents spoke in opposition, arguing:
    • Removing voter ID (approved by 79% in 2012) undermines election integrity.
    • The state’s election administration is flawed (examples cited: missing ballot cartridge, disputed judge election).
    • Extending terms is self-serving.
    • The city should not cede control to the county/state.
  • Vote: The motion to approve O13 failed 3-3 (Dapson, Wymer, Culbreath for; Lenentine, Tyler, List against). Mayor Hull recused himself to avoid perceived conflict.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved 6-0.
  • Directors Hired (R48, R49): Approved 6-0 each.
  • Liquor License (D26): Approved 6-0.
  • Chamisa Hills Master Plan (R47) and Zone Change (O14): Postponed to August 14, 2025, with a list of specific deliverables requested from the developer (updated exhibits, maintenance plans, HOA financials, community meetings). Votes were 6-0 for each.
  • Election Ordinance (O13): Failed 3-3, meaning the city will continue conducting its own municipal elections in March of even years with voter ID.
  • No action on FY2026 Budget or ICIP – hearings held without comment.
  • Meeting adjourned at 10:26 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Would you please rise for the pledge of the week? Councillor Lenintine, would you lead us, please? Thank you, and please remain standing as I like to take this time to reflect on our first responders and take a moment of silence and reflection and prayer as they're always out there putting themselves between us in danger. And so we want to keep them in our thoughts and prayers. And then also this week we're uh dealing with law enforcement memorial week, and there's some memorials that are coming up, and we just uh always want to keep their families in our thoughts and prayers as well. So, with that, a moment of silence, please. Thank you very much. You may be seated. Okay, welcome everybody. And uh please ask that you silence all electronic devices while attending the governing body meetings that if you need to take a call, uh please either step into the hallway or outside. And uh for the record, I will announce the governing body members. When I say your name, please acknowledge your presence by saying present. Councilor Dabson. Thank you. Councillor Lennon Time. President. Thank you. Councilor Tyler, present. Thank you. Councilor Weimer. President. Thank you. Councilor Colbrigh. Present. Thank you. And Councilor List. Present. Thank you. All right, we have a quorum. No proclamations and awards of merit. Uh public forum this evening. As we get started. Let me see here. I just do with my public forum list. Oh, here it is. Got it. Okay, so we'll move right into public forum. Uh public forum will be set this evening at two minutes. And our first speaker is uh April Trujillo. Yeah, that's we're good. I'm just I'm not gonna get into a bunch of good evening, Council members. Um I would like to pass something around if you could all have something. I could give it to the clerk if you wish. Yeah, if you hand it to the clerk. And go ahead. Good evening. My name is April Trujillo. My son is Gabriel Trujillo. We come before you to ask that an internal investigation be conducted against Rio Rancho Public Schools, Rio Rancho Police Department, and the City of Rio Rancho.

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