The first item on the agenda is approval of the September 15, 2025 minutes.

I make a motion that we approve the minutes.

I'll separate the motion.

All right, I'll take roll call.

Commissioner Romero, do you approve?

Yes.

Commissioner Herrera.

Yes, if we Commissioner Edder.

Commissioner French Barger.

Approved.

Commissioner Greeting.

Approved.

Commissioner Marsh.

Approved.

The September 21st, 25, 2025 minutes are approved.

Thank you.

Next item is staff presentations, reports, and comments.

First, we have Diane Sonye projects update.

She's the project division division manager.

Good evening, Chairwoman French Barger and Commissioners.

Currently we have quite a few good projects that are underway.

You've been hearing about some of them for over a year, so I'm glad they're finally rolling out.

If you were to go by our Vista Cendia Park, you would see the contractors started to demolish the existing playground.

They will be replacing the playground, the two to five year old child playground structure and the five to twelve playground structure.

They're removing the old wood chips, they'll be replacing the wood chips as well as the play structures and adding poured in place accessible surfacing to a portion of the playground, and they will also be adding some additional concrete pad near the playground and a 10 by 30 shade structure.

So we're hoping that that greatly improves the usability of this playground and park and make it much more enjoyable for the neighborhood that uses it.

This is one of our two former bond projects, the 2024 Geobond projects.

The other one was the Star Heights basketball courts, which have been completed already.

We have one for the main Haynes pool and recreation center parking lot that is currently under design.

So we're glad that those are underway.

They are under construction, and the hope right now is to be at substantial completion by or before the end of January 2026.

It will be interesting to see what the outdoor programming space or that terrace can be used for for adult for senior recreation going forward.

We also have a couple of items related to the community development block grant, former COVID funds, and one of the projects was to install shade systems at the Broadmoor Senior Center on the terrace, and that is already underway.

And the other project was to install a 30 by 30 metal shade structure over a concrete pad with benches and tables at the Star Heights Park adjacent to the recently renovated basketball courts that I just mentioned a few moments ago.

And that material or materials for that shade structure should be delivered next week to our contractor's yard.

And as soon as the work is completed at Vista Sandia, I believe they will begin the installation of that shade structure.

They just happen to be the same contractor and they don't have very large crews, so our hope is to have that work also completed before the summer of 2026.

There's definitely other small projects going on.

There's things that we are going to start procurement for, but as those get underway, we'll give you more information about that.

I did want to let you know about a few grant uh grant applications that the department through, I guess our I guess it's our grants administrator or grants coordinator who is contracted to the city.

We submitted grant applications for the design of a I'm gonna call it a pickleball complex at the Sierra Norte Park.

Um earlier this year we mentioned how we had requested funding for that from the city funds, but it's also eligible for certain types of state funding.

And what's nice about this is it would create basically a uh for us a regional pickleball facility at the Sierra Norte Park by adding and constructing six to eight pickleball courts with kind of a dedicated parking area.

Um the hope would be that if we couldn't afford to uh I guess construct them in total, we could either phase that or we could then pursue additional state funds to not only do the design phase first but then come back and do construction.

If for some reason we get design funding, the existing city budgeted funds could also then go towards construction.

So one way or another we will be moving forward with that project, and we should find out about the award of that grant within the next two weeks.

Another project we applied for state funding for was the design for phase one of the Rio Rancho Multi-Generation Center.

Um, this is something that we may not hear about other than it's on the list until the next legislative session.

Um, and then the next item that we had applied for for construction, the remaining construction funds for was to complete phase three of sports complex north.

We pretty much have design.

I'm in the process of procuring the final uh plan review and code compliance for the 99.9% completed plan set that we had for phase three, so that if funding becomes available again through state legislature, we can move forward with procuring the construction of that phase as soon as possible.

The last grant application that we submitted, um, but actually the first one that we did submit was for um improving the Enchanted Hills neighborhood trail, and that would help us to replace the pavement which has started to age and fail in the neighborhood trail that goes not necessarily along the road but through the neighborhood, um kind of from Chote all the way down to uh is it I'm gonna get strong.

Spark light, is it sparkling boulevard or is it please correct me?

Is it Safe Light, Safe Light Boulevard?

I don't know.

They're they all sound the same to me, sorry.

Um, and then again from that point all the way kind of at an angle to Enchanted Hills Boulevard.

Now that grant we should also hear within the next couple of weeks whether or not the design application that we submitted has been approved.

Um, coming up here in December January, we were told to expect the next HUDs CDBG grant application process with a variety of changes that are going on in the federal government, it's unclear whether or not that program is going to move forward in the next fiscal year and how they're going to allocate that funding.

But if the grant does become available again, we had planned to submit for replacing the playground and kind of making a larger playground at Los Milagros Park.

Um, it's one of our older parks, and I believe Charles could correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe if oh wait, no, he's not here tonight, is he?

Um, but uh I believe it still has some sand in it, it's one of our older um playground surfaced um playgrounds, and so we would like to make that more compliant and also just kind of freshen that playground up for families in the neighborhood who do walk to and use that park.

Um, the very last thing I'd like to let you know about as it relates to parks and facilities as far as improvement type programs is this past month, and actually um a month or so leading up to this, we have been trying to remove uh fire fuel load from the Rio Rancho Boski, at this time focusing specifically on the Willow Creek Boski by utilizing our partnership with State Forestry.

I don't know, pardon me, state forestry to hire a contractor to remove downed dead lumber from the northern end of the Rio Rancho Boski at the Willow Creek area, and then utilizing goats to remove what's called the duff or understory um buildup of leaves and other debris.

Um they are mostly complete with that work plan or prescription that we had worked with forestry to conduct in about a week or so after Thanksgiving, um, the goats should be back in the Willow Creek area to kind of tidy up the area closest to the Willow Creek parking lot, and then they will be done in that immediate area for the season.

We were also able to work with our wildland fire staff who um a little over a week ago were able to come out and with about six staff chop they shouldn't say chop, they use chainsaws to cut up down to dead wood south of the Willow Creek uh classroom, and then also to fell a few additional hazard trees in the immediate area.

They then cut it up and put it in a trailer and took it to the parking lot for us, again, removing fuel load from that area.

We hope to continue to utilize FY26 funding that was already allocated to the Boski project to then in that same area, it's not even quite two acres, but we had a massive area of die-off due to the dynamics of the changing river pattern and then the resulting underground water table pattern in that area.

It has called caused a relatively large die-off.

Um, but we will be able to utilize the FY26 funds in that area to have a contractor continue to remove the down dead wood that are owned while in fire staff were not able to remove that material will go to Willow Creek parking lot, and then once that material is removed, we will again have the goats come in to basically graze away a lot of the uh buildup of understory debris again, being leaves and other types of small branches and things that because we don't have flooding in this area of our boski, um, the material builds up instead of being washed away or getting water inundation that helps it to decay at a faster rate that you might see in some other bosky areas.

Um, so again, we hope to get that work completed by spring of 2026, and right now there is a very very large amount of wood chips in the parking lot or just north of the parking lot at Willow Creek, and we encourage everybody to commentate.

With that, um, I will stand for questions.

Commissioners, are there any questions or comments?

There being none, we will move on.

Oops, hold on, sorry.

Um, on that one, that would be it.

Then if I could please give you a quick update on our keep your rancho beautiful activities for the month.

Sorry about okay, thank you.

Um, while our staff have done a variety of things, the most recent um thing that Keeper Rancho Beautiful has done is they hosted a America Recycles Day event on Saturday, this past Saturday at Woma Colorado Library, where we had eight other community partners come and help us focus on uh unique part of America Recycles Day because it's not just about recycling, it's also about waste reduction and waste management.

And so this year's theme was about um reducing food waste in all facets of our consumer process.

So not only when you buy food, planning how you might prepare meals, how you can can preserve foods, how you can make the most out of your foods by storing it properly to extend shelf life, refrigerator life, freezer life, and then um if you wish to how to even harvest and and save seeds from some of your food so you can grow it yourself the following growing season, and then also ultimately how to compost.

Um we also hosted a backyard composting pro uh class at that same event, and um it was a pretty calm day at the Loma Colorado Library, but over 50 people came, attended, had great one-on-one conversations with our partners, which range from Soyolutions to Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, the Master Gardeners, um St.

Felix Pantry, which was bringing awareness to the need for providing food to people in our own community, and how people can volunteer for that, um, as well as uh we had a presentation by a master um somebody from the Sandoval County property extension office who is a master canner or a master food preserver, and she showed how every piece of apple could be used from when you buy it as a whole apple to the very end.

And so she showed how you could make apple cider vinegar, applesauce, apple juice, apple butter, apple jam, dried apple, and even more.

So I I didn't even know that much about apples, but it was a very enjoyable day, and everyone who attended um was actually walked away with a lot of information, and it was just a lovely day.

So, with that, I would stand for any remaining questions.

And if there are none, then I hand it over to Miss Bianca or Charles, whomever is next.

We're going to um put Bianca in next.

Are there any questions, Commissioners?

Okay, Bianca.

Uh Bianca's our division manager of the indoor outdoor pool facilities.

Hi, good evening, commissioners.

Um, we are getting settled back in from our six-week renovation with the Rio Rancho Aquatic Center being closed.

It's still an ongoing project now.

Um, working with building maintenance.

That is scheduled to be finalized January, February-ish.

So far, our community feedback has been positive, so that's exciting to report.

Uh outdoor polls have all been closed and winterized.

Although this week at Rainbow, we're working with building maintenance.

Um, last week they installed a new water heater, which is definitely needed.

This week they are painting the exterior doors.

They are giving a fresh coat of paint to all of Rainbow, and we're also getting new flooring.

So this is exciting.

These facilities are very old and uh they need a little bit of a face lift.

So I think the community will be excited with this.

Uh we're back to our fall operating hours at the aquatic center.

High school um Rio Rancho High School Cleveland High School Swindon Dive Team started the first week of November.

Rio Rancho Aquatic Center will be closed Thursday, Friday, November 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We have hired two replacement head guards.

We lost two of our head guards.

I shouldn't say we lost.

We transferred to Rio Rancho Fire Department, so that's exciting news that two of our own will still be part of the city.

We've replaced those positions.

We had interviews two weeks ago.

They've been replaced.

We're just waiting for their start date.

And we are moving to fill eight vacancy lifeguard positions at the aquatic center.

So we will be doing interviews within the next couple of weeks to hopefully get as many of those positions filled as possible.

That's what I have for this evening.

I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you, Bianca.

Commissioners, any questions?

There being none.

Um the next item on the agenda is parks and facilities update by Charles Fernandez.

And Connie, did you want to give that now or in your report?

If you want, I can just wait for the report.

Okay.

So then we will do uh the deputy director's report.

Nora Trujillo, Deputy Director.

Good evening, Commissioners.

Um just want to go over two quick things.

One is I wanted to recap our fall festival event that took place on October 18th, obviously last month.

Uh we didn't get a chance to go over it at our last meeting.

Um, obviously because that one was uh cancelled.

So fall festival, we're able to actually gather data now in terms of attendance.

We had over six thousand uh people attend that event.

Um we had a lot of community involvement, especially when it came to our um trunk retreat.

So uh again, I just want to report back that it was a successful event.

I believe it was our fourth or fifth.

Yeah.

So it's uh turned into a great event.

Obviously, uh we will be back next year for that event.

Um and then looking ahead, um our probably our most popular program in terms of of how many children take put take part in it is our youth basketball league.

Um so we have 450 kids taking part this year, in line with uh kind of what we had last year.

Uh practices already started, and our first games uh take place on December 6th.

Uh again, we uh have to partner with the schools uh because we don't have any gymnasiums, but um worked through that, got those scheduled uh 10-game season for all these um kids that uh live and play in real rancho with that always time for any questions.

Commissioners, any questions?

Thank you, Noah.

Thank you.

Next is our director's report, Connie Peterson director.

Good evening, commissioners.

Uh again, first I'll start on Charles's uh update on parks and facilities.

He's out celebrating his birthday today.

So you all got traded in for candles and cake and presents, so we'll have to give them a hard time next month.

Uh but I have an update on what parks and facilities division has been working on over the last few weeks and what we've been coming up on as we move deeper into the season.

Right now we're in the process of slowly shutting down the irrigation systems across the parks for the season.

As the temperatures drop, we're doing this in phases to make sure everything is winterized properly and nothing gets damaged.

Um, with irrigation winding down, mowing has been minimal as well.

And again, that's typical for this time of year.

We've also begun rolling into our winter project schedule, which is always a big focus for us starting now through February.

And this includes a lot of pruning and hedging throughout the parks as well as repairing washouts that happened earlier in the year from the heavy rains.

Uh, we also are taking time to clean curbs and gutters in our parking lots, which helps with the drainage and keeps the areas looking sharp.

Several signage replacements are also underway as well, updating old or damaged signs throughout the system.

Uh, we're also adding crush refin to a number of paths throughout the city, improving walkability and keeping them in good condition.

On the landscaping side, we've been removing dead bushes and shrubs, uh thinning out vegetation and some of the holding ponds to keep them functional and compliant.

Uh, we're also tackling all the dead tree removal and reworking a number of tree wells uh where the roots have flifted or the soil has eroded.

Our crews are already busy completing playground repairs from safety surfacing issues to equipment adjustments.

Some gazebos are getting a uh some fresh paint, and we're also cleaning out valve boxes, replacing railroad ties where needed along borders and pathways.

Uh, we've got several parks where we're installing or adjusting sprinkler systems, maybe modifying the layout so they make more sense for the space and improve our water efficiency.

Um a few aesthetic improvements are underway too, including adding river walk and river rock in certain parks and adding mulch around trees to protect the roots throughout the winter.

We've been raising bubblers that have sunk, uh replacing shrubs, and continuing our cycle of tree wood placement where needed.

Uh, we're also going to be addressing artificial turf repairs at the facilities that have artificial turf, like a park above, star heights, rainbow, and a few others.

Uh, we're making sure the seams and the infill and the wear spots are all handled before spring.

And in a few parks, we've been adjusting gates to make sure they close properly and meet our safety inspections.

Another project we're excited about is adding solar lights and selected parks to approve to improve the visibility and safety without increasing energy use.

We are also scheduling parking restriping, parking lot restriping that is just to refresh the lines and the ADA markings and overall clarity for visitors.

And then we're also going to be doing repairs to a lot of the wind fence at several parks, which always takes damage throughout the year, and we're going to get them back into fully fully functioning.

Overall, winter is always a busy time for us, not with uh mowing and watering that we see all summer, but with the behind the seeds improvements that keep the park safe, functional, and looking good throughout the community so that when spring rolls back around, we're in good shape.

And that's all I have.

I wish I could stand for questions when it comes to Charles Parks, but I'd recommend waiting until next month when he returns because if you have specific questions about a specific park, he would be he would be better to answer that.

If we have any questions, we can save them until next month.

It's all good.

And then I'm gonna um give you a quick recap of our Veterans Day events from Tuesday, November 11th.

We had a great turnout for the Veterans Day Parade.

We had over 40 floats, many with multiple vehicles that signed up for the parade.

The parade kicked off around 10 a.m.

And ever like every year it traveled east along Southern and wrapped up at Veterans Monument Park.

Everything went smoothly.

Southern Boulevard was closed between Country Club and Pine Tree for about an hour while the parade was moving.

And the citizens this year appeared to be patient with all the traffic changes, and we're always appreciative to our fire and police department for helping us with that event.

We couldn't do it without them.

And after the parade, we held the Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m.

at Veterans Monument Park next to the Esther Bone Library.

The ceremony featured several guest speakers, including Mayor Hall, who shared messages honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans.

We had a very large crowd this year.

We had a great weather day of weather for both the parade and the ceremony.

The parade participants and the families and the community members all stuck around after the parade to take part in the ceremony, which was really nice.

Overall, it was a meaningful and well attended event, and we want to thank everybody who helped from the veterans organizations who organized, participated, or just came out to show support.

It was a really nice way for the community to honor our veterans.

And now for a recap from last weekend's holiday arts and crafts festival at Savana Grande.

Holiday shopping is definitely underway, and citizens had a great opportunity to pick up a really special gift again this year.

This year, a unique gift that was available was a copy.

We we were had copies of the New Mexico historical novel The Golden Cup by Lydia Sanchez and Renee Wishman.

The authors were there, and the book was available on hardcover and soft cover uh editions, and so that drew a lot of interest throughout the day, and that was something special and unique this year.

Uh the event took place on Saturday the 15th at Savana Grande, and as always, we had a great turnout.

Uh, lots of people stopped by, chatted with the authors, picked up books for themselves or uh or for or for gifts, um, and that doesn't even include the dozens of other booths that we had where people were selling homemade items as well.

Overall, it was a really nice addition to the festival and a great way to disport to support a local author and also local artisans.

Uh, a winter fest, I'll give you a quick um update on the upcoming uh winterfest celebration.

Um, this is a perfect way for our citizens to take a break from the holiday crowds and enjoy some family activities while celebrating the winter season.

This year is shaping up to be a lot of fun.

We'll have the parade.

Uh all Santa Claus will be there, the music, fireworks, but this year's a little bit different than years past because we're also gonna have the artisans market.

Um, and then we'll also have the annual tree lighting at camp, and all of this is taking place at campus park, so that's a great way to kick off the holidays uh with your family.

Um, again, it's at Campus Park, it's open to all ages, and for spectator admission, it's free.

A little bit more about the parade.

We're looking for fun festive parade participants to join us that night.

If anyone has friends or family or coworkers who love getting into the holiday spirit, this is a great chance to put together a float and help spread some cheer along the parade route.

Uh as always, we love to make the the parades um bright, and so participants are encouraged to decorate their float with lights, uh, the more the better.

Um, if anybody wants to be a part of the parade that they can, or or an artisan, a vendor, they can the registration is online, and the deadline for both of those is November 21st.

The event is on Saturday, December 6th from 2 p.m.

till 7 p.m.

Again, because we're having the the um artisan vendors as part of the event this year.

Again at Campus Park, right across the street here.

Um it's open to all ages, and again, like I said, it's free.

Um if anybody needs details, they can check out our Facebook page or go to the city website.

And for any of you who would like to help us with parade float judging, please text or email me.

We'd love for you guys to be judges again this year for the parade if you're available.

Uh this is a great community event, and we hope to see lots of families there enjoying all the festivities and kicking off the holiday season.

And uh that's my update for winterfest.

Um another quick program update I want to share with you.

We're excited to let you know that several of our adult classes is uh have officially moved from Haynes Community Center to Star Heights Recreation Center.

The same great instructors, same great activities, just a new location that has more room and more opportunities for growth.

So some of the classes that have moved already are the adult knitting, the body balance, the full body yoga, tai chi, chair yoga, bridge, chess, and bidwist.

So if you know anybody who participates in these or anyone who might like to participate in these, uh just make sure they know that the new spot is at Star Heights over on Polaris.

And uh don't forget all the the registration for all these classes can still be done online, same as before.

Um, and uh just wanted to keep everybody in the loop on that.

Um, the Hobbler Gobbler uh Thanksgiving run.

This year's event is going to take place on Thursday, November 27th, starting at 9 a.m.

at the Aquatic Center.

Participants can choose from a 10K, 5K, or the Kids K, so there's an option for everyone, whether you're a serious runner, a casual walker, or bringing the kids along.

Um it's a great way to kick off Thanksgiving with a little energy before the Macy's parade and football game and all the feasting begins.

Uh the run is facilitated by Stephen Pino and Runfit, uh, so you're in good hands with them.

Again, it's a fun and healthy way to start the holiday, get the family moving and enjoy some compute some community spirit.

Um let's see.

Another quick announcement about our Santa for Veterans Program.

We're helping brighten the holidays for veterans staying at the VA hospital by putting together simple gift bags.

Uh, it doesn't take a lot to make, or it doesn't take much to make a big impact for these um individuals.

If you'd like to take part, just fill a bag with things like toothbrushes or toothpaste, deodorant combs, brushes, shampoo, uh, socks, uh, maybe a book, puzzle, um, snacks.

A lot of veterans in the hospital don't get to spend the holidays with family, so these small gifts uh really mean a lot to them.

Um, becoming a Santa for this program is super easy.

You can just drop your gift bags off at the Cabazone Community Center no later than December 11th, and staff will deliver everything to the veterans hospital in Albuquerque um on the 18th, so that they have their gifts before the 24th.

Again, collection is happening now through December 11th.

Drop-off hours are 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m.

Monday through Thursday.

Uh that's all I have as far as updates go for programs, but now I wanted to switch gears and uh remind you that it's that time of year again when the commissions provide their written reports to the governing body.

Our municipal code requires this.

It says that each board or commission or authority has to report at least once a year.

I've prepared our one-page report written report, which covers all the key activities we've undertaken over the past year, along with any recommendations we want to put forward.

Um, I've provided a copy for each of you to a review tonight, and I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions for changes or additions.

Um department, we see this more than just a requirement, it's a chance to keep the gov governing body informed about what we're doing, highlight some of the progress we've made, and ensure some of our work or all of our work aligns with the city's priorities.

So if you wouldn't mind taking uh a look at that document and let me know if there's anything you'd like to adjust or um have any recommend recommendations before it's finalized so that I can include it in the governing body packets on December 17th.

And with that, I will stand for questions or conversation regarding the document.

Any questions or comments or conversation discussion about the document?

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Um this is done in a hard copy as opposed to prior year.

Well, I think last year it was started that way.

If the commission wanted to do an in-person report, that is an option if you prefer to do it that way.

No, I I think this is fine.

It's fine with me normally if if I can't do it with Commissioner.

Yeah, Marshall do it.

Um, but I think this is actually better.

Okay.

If you guys don't see anything on there, then um, I will go ahead and submit that to the city manager to add to the presentation in December.

I don't have any questions or comments.

Anyone else?

Did you did anyone hear about screen actually being a day and they mentioned senior learning?

Yeah, that's I just read that today as well.

We've made um quite a few best plays to do something with recently.

Yeah, very good.

All right.

He is leaving us and moving to Colorado.

And uh, we certainly will miss you.

We appreciate your input.

And um, hopefully, uh, it won't take too long to get someone from District Two to step up and do just as good a job as you've done.

Anyone else want to say anything?

Good luck in your new home.

Sorry to lose you.

Here we are.

Sorry to lose you.

Okay.

Um next is public forum.

We haven't had anyone sign up for public forum this evening.

So at uh whatever time it is.

Uh six thirty-seven, I will adjourn the meeting.