OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Rio Rancho Public Infrastructure Advisory Board Meeting - July 15, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, July 15, 2025
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, July 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:54

Good evening, board members.

0:56

I will take the roll.

0:57

Member Lloyd.

0:59

Here.

1:00

Member Pearson.

1:02

Present.

1:04

Member Martinez.

1:07

And Member Iyer.

1:08

Present.

1:09

Thank you, ma'am.

1:10

We have a quorum.

1:16

All right.

1:20

So I guess we'll go to the do you have yours on?

1:29

Yeah.

1:30

I have mine on, I think.

1:32

Can you hear me?

1:34

Okay.

1:35

All right.

1:37

So we will go to the consent agenda, the approval of the April 29th, 2025 regular meeting minutes.

1:45

Can I get a motion for approval of those?

1:52

I motion.

1:54

Is there a second?

1:56

Yeah.

1:57

Okay.

2:01

Yes, ma'am.

2:02

Thank you.

2:04

So Member Pearson.

2:08

Yes.

2:10

Member Lloyd.

2:12

Yes.

2:13

And Member Iyer.

2:14

Yes.

2:15

The consent calendar is approved.

2:22

Okay.

2:23

Um so the second agenda item is staff presentations, reports, and comments.

2:30

Um boards, commissions, committees, and advisory body body rules of procedure.

2:39

Our city clerk will present this item.

2:45

Excuse me.

2:46

Thank you, ma'am.

2:48

So this evening we will be running through a PowerPoint presentation covering our rules of procedure as well as the Open Meetings Act.

3:12

Okay.

3:15

Apologize, I had the wrong presentation up personally.

3:34

Okay.

3:35

So the public infrastructure advisory board was established to provide input to the governing body regarding water and wastewater utilities, roadways, and drainage matters, including the annual operating and capital improvement budget, a five-year capital improvement program, water and wastewater rates and charge adjustments, project funded projects funded through bonds or loans, and in addition, you are required to provide an annual report to the governing body.

4:16

And so the Open Meetings Act is a sunshine or a transparency act, and it is to ensure that public policy is made in public, meaning that all of our notice, all of our meetings are held in public forums where individuals are allowed to attend as well as view the meeting materials ahead of time.

4:38

So this makes sure that we are operating in a transparent manner, and it's basically good government.

5:01

And the public, this basically details when how far out we need to notice all of our meetings, and that's to ensure that the public is aware again of when we're meeting, sets requirements and rules for our agendas.

5:16

It ensures that we have quorums of members and sets rules for the quorums, and it's formulating, discussing, or talk taking action.

5:28

So we adopt the governing body adopts this annually.

5:32

It's usually done, I want to say in January, because we have to do it to comply with the open meetings act.

5:41

What the governing body adopts impacts your advisory board as well as all of the other boards throughout the city of Rio Rancho.

5:50

So in addition to the Open Meetings Act, you are all subject to our rules of procedure.

5:58

So the governing body has adopted rules of procedure for both their meetings as well as your individual meetings as board members.

6:07

So the rules or procedure are necessary to provide order within, but it also sets kind of a tone.

6:14

Gives you guys an operating procedure.

6:16

It helps guide motions so that you know when you need to make a motion, the procedure set forth in there.

6:24

This is also available on our website.

6:27

And if you need a copy of it, just ask me.

6:29

I can print out a copy or I can provide it to you electronically.

6:34

But it's also available for the general public.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████████████████28%
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Capital Improvement Planning██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management███████████████15%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Transportation Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Rio Rancho Public Infrastructure Advisory Board Meeting – July 15, 2025

The Public Infrastructure Advisory Board (PIAB) met on July 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The board approved the consent agenda, selected a chair and vice-chair, reviewed the 2026 Road General Obligation Bond proposal, received updates on utilities and public works projects, and heard one public comment. The board voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation for the GO Bond allocation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of the April 29, 2025, Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (3-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Van Horn submitted a copy of the 2024 Water Quality Report, noting it was posted late. He raised concerns about the aquifer recharge project (ongoing since 2017), stating that the 2024 report lacked a dedicated page and that injection volumes had fallen far short of the target (only 50 million gallons injected in 2024 vs. a target of 1 million gallons per day). He asked the board to consider these questions.

Discussion Items

  • Staff Presentation on Rules of Procedure and Open Meetings Act: The city clerk presented an overview of board responsibilities, meeting decorum, rolling quorum rules, and conflict-of-interest requirements. The board acknowledged the information.
  • Selection of Chair and Vice-Chair:
    • Chair: Juan Martinez was nominated by Member Iyer and seconded by Member Lloyd. Although Martinez was absent, the board proceeded to a roll call vote. Passed unanimously (3-0).
    • Vice-Chair: Dailo Lloyd was nominated by Member Iyer, seconded by Member Pearson, and accepted the nomination. Passed unanimously (3-0). Terms begin at the next meeting on October 14, 2025.
  • 2026 Road General Obligation Bond Proposal (Discussion and Motion): Deputy City Manager Wells presented the proposal. Key points:
    • The city has issued GO bonds every two years since 2016, with strong community support.
    • A total of $18 million in bond questions could be placed on the March 3, 2026 ballot with no property tax increase. If increased to $23 million, a $300,000 home would see an annual tax increase of $47. If no bonds were placed, property taxes would drop by $277 in the first year.
    • Staff recommended three bond questions totaling $18 million (public safety, quality of life facilities, and roads). Roads would receive $12.4 million, yielding $11.2 million after mandated arts costs and issuance costs.
    • The proposed $11.6 million in road bond proceeds would be combined with $8.8 million from the new fiscal year budget and $1 million in utility funds to complete four projects totaling over $21 million. Projects are: (District 3) Springer Road improvements ($5M), (District 4) Ridgecrest Drive improvements ($1.4M), (District 1) Baltic Avenue reconstruction ($1.5M), (District 6) I-40 corridor improvements ($3.5M).
    • Districts 2 and 5 are not on this list but will receive work via the Unser Boulevard widening (District 2) and state-funded projects (District 5).
    • A board member asked why Ridgecrest Drive, with higher average daily traffic (5,800 vehicles), had lower funding than Springer Road. Staff explained that project cost depends on road length, width, and features like striping and bike lanes, not solely traffic volume.
    • A motion to support the proposed GO Bond allocation was made and seconded. Passed unanimously (3-0).
  • Utilities Project Updates: Presented by Micah Sidio.
    • Wastewater Treatment Plant 2 Headworks Replacement ($28M, ARPA-funded $11M+, construction starts late fall 2025).
    • Lift Station 22 Upgrades and Willow Creek Force Main (bids due late summer 2025).
    • WWTP5 Membrane Bioreactor expansion (500,000 gpd capacity, design review underway).
    • Well 13 equipping and treatment (completion by end of July 2025, adding 1 MGD).
    • Unser Transmission Line (5-mile secondary water supply, 90% design, Army Corps funding 75% of $9M, construction late fall/winter 2025).
    • AMI meter installation (5,500 meters being replaced, wrapping up next week, $2.2M).
    • Well 9 equipping with arsenic treatment and 3-mile pipeline ($7.6M, Army Corps contributes $1M, environmental assessment underway).
    • Upcoming projects: Well 17 booster station (FY26), Barba Loop and Sarah Road water lines (concurrent with roadway projects), replacement of sodium hypochlorite system at Well 21.
    • A board member asked about rainwater harvesting; staff said none currently planned but would consider the idea.
  • Public Works Project Updates: Presented by Director Gottlieb.
    • 2024 GO Bond Projects: Safe Light Boulevard complete; Lima Road to governing body July 24, construction starts late August; Broadmoor Boulevard progressing; 19th Avenue out for bid.
    • 2026 GO Bond Projects: As discussed, awaiting voter approval.
    • Neighborhood Streets Improvement Program (NSIP): Hybrid mill-and-inlay phases ongoing; patch-and-seal project completed districts 1-3, to resume in district 4 in September; supplemental contractor phases still facing delays.
    • Sarah Road and Meadowlark Lane Project: Design 100% complete but lacks construction funding. Only $1M of $7M total secured (HUD grant). Seeking additional funds via Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant for roundabout; decision expected by September 2025.
    • 15th Street Realignment: Design 90% complete, right-of-way acquisition funded in FY26, construction funding sought in FY27.
    • Broadmoor Boulevard: Construction underway, ahead of schedule, detour in place.
    • Pipeline Projects: Kim Road and Rainbow Boulevard Connection designs awarded for future federal funding.
    • Federal Projects: Idelia Road culvert crossing (~60% complete, opening September 2025); Northern Boulevard Phase B design/right-of-way; Idelia Road preliminary engineering (roundabouts at Broadmoor and Loma Colorado); Loma Colorado Boulevard project; Unser Boulevard widening (construction late fall 2025/early 2026); Southern Boulevard Phase A (Nicholas Drive box culvert, 2026).
    • A board member asked about roundabout costs vs. stop signs. Staff explained that although upfront costs are higher, roundabouts have lower maintenance, fewer crash points (8 vs. 32), and greater safety. The example of Carmel, Indiana (roundabout-only intersections) was cited.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
  • Chair and Vice-Chair selection: Juan Martinez elected Chair, Dailo Lloyd elected Vice-Chair, both unanimously. Terms begin October 14, 2025.
  • 2026 Road GO Bond Proposal: The board voted unanimously to support the staff recommendation of $12.4 million in road bond funds (part of $18M total package) with no tax increase, to be presented to the governing body. The governing body will make a final decision in fall 2025 for the March 3, 2026 ballot.
  • Public Comment: Mr. Van Horn’s questions about the aquifer recharge project were noted for board consideration; no formal action taken.
  • No public forum additional comments or member comments.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, board members. I will take the roll. Member Lloyd. Here. Member Pearson. Present. Member Martinez. And Member Iyer. Present. Thank you, ma'am. We have a quorum. All right. So I guess we'll go to the do you have yours on? Yeah. I have mine on, I think. Can you hear me? Okay. All right. So we will go to the consent agenda, the approval of the April 29th, 2025 regular meeting minutes. Can I get a motion for approval of those? I motion. Is there a second? Yeah. Okay. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. So Member Pearson. Yes. Member Lloyd. Yes. And Member Iyer. Yes. The consent calendar is approved. Okay. Um so the second agenda item is staff presentations, reports, and comments. Um boards, commissions, committees, and advisory body body rules of procedure. Our city clerk will present this item. Excuse me. Thank you, ma'am. So this evening we will be running through a PowerPoint presentation covering our rules of procedure as well as the Open Meetings Act. Okay. Apologize, I had the wrong presentation up personally. Okay. So the public infrastructure advisory board was established to provide input to the governing body regarding water and wastewater utilities, roadways, and drainage matters, including the annual operating and capital improvement budget, a five-year capital improvement program, water and wastewater rates and charge adjustments, project funded projects funded through bonds or loans, and in addition, you are required to provide an annual report to the governing body. And so the Open Meetings Act is a sunshine or a transparency act, and it is to ensure that public policy is made in public, meaning that all of our notice, all of our meetings are held in public forums where individuals are allowed to attend as well as view the meeting materials ahead of time. So this makes sure that we are operating in a transparent manner, and it's basically good government. And the public, this basically details when how far out we need to notice all of our meetings, and that's to ensure that the public is aware again of when we're meeting, sets requirements and rules for our agendas. It ensures that we have quorums of members and sets rules for the quorums, and it's formulating, discussing, or talk taking action. So we adopt the governing body adopts this annually. It's usually done, I want to say in January, because we have to do it to comply with the open meetings act.

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