Rio Rancho City Council Meeting Summary: December 18, 2025

The City of Rio Rancho Council convened to conduct a busy evening of business, including the approval of multiple site plans, zoning changes, and a significant contract for a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The meeting featured extensive public comments regarding water system transparency and IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) reform, followed by the Mayor's final State of the City address and a comprehensive City Manager's report on government transparency and media relations. The Council subsequently approved city legislative priorities and capital outlay requests for the upcoming 2026-2030 session.

Consent Calendar

• Routine Appointments: Councilors thanked community members appointed to city commissions and boards. Councilor Weimer and Councilor List specifically noted the importance of community representation on these boards.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Transparency and Water Systems: Mr. Van Horn criticized the city's lack of transparency regarding a recent significant water eruption, urging the utilities department to identify systemic causes. He questioned the utility of the Public and Infrastructure Advisory Committee, noting it does not currently meet.
• Community Recognition: Councilor List, Councilor Tyler, and Councilor Linantine recognized Rio Rancho PD officers for a Christmas party for families, the Castillion company for handling a busy meeting with grace, and the Winter Fest team, including director Connie, for their event success.
• School Construction Concerns (Item D71):
  • Mr. Joseph Carreri and Mr. Daniel: Expressed strong opposition to the Ask Academy Gymnasium application as submitted. They argued the proposal conflicts with the comprehensive plan and zoning standards, citing unnecessary impacts on neighboring homes. They requested denial of the current proposal and revision to relocate the structure away from residences and reduce its size.
  • Patrick and Manuelita Wolf: Opposed the location of the gymnasium near residential properties, requesting relocation to the southern parcel to minimize visual and scale impacts and improve traffic circulation.
• Legislative Priorities (Item R143):
  • Stephen Van Horn and Michael Farrell: Expressed strong opposition to the proposed IPRA reform. Mr. Van Horn characterized the priority list as a "political signal" that would allow the city to limit public access to records while seeking more data for the city. Mr. Farrell argued the city is prioritizing public record requests over substantive issues like water security and infrastructure capacity.
  • Jillian King: Expressed concern regarding the retirement "return to work" provision, questioning the lack of a transparent recruitment plan and warning against a future workforce reliant on retirees.

Discussion Items

• D70 - Liquor License: Approved onm Ja LLC for a restaurant beer and wine license. Councilor Tyler commended the business for community engagement.
• D71 - Ask Academy Gymnasium:
  • Discussion: The Council debated the site plan, specifically the building's height (34.5 feet, approved under a 10% variance) and placement near residences. Councilor Tyler questioned the feasibility of moving the building. Councilor Weimer proposed a condition to move the building 30 feet east or re-evaluate placement.
  • Positions: Councilor Colbreth and Councilor Linantine opposed the specific relocation condition, arguing against the city mandating specific site layout changes without full financial examination and noting the importance of protecting property rights. Councilor Weimer acknowledged these points and withdrew the condition proposal.
  • Outcome: The item was approved as presented.
• D72 - Church Site Plan: Approved for a church site plan in the Village location with shared access points.
• D73 - Solar Facility Site Plan: Approved for an 80-acre solar generation and storage facility featuring a 6-foot fence with barbed wire atop.
• O29 - Zone Map Amendment (Plaza Rio): Approved rezoning from SU to Special Use (limited commercial retail) to permit multifamily townhomes, capped at 12 units per acre and 32 feet in height. Staff recommended approval despite a Planning and Zoning Board recommendation for denial.
• O30 - Zone Map Amendment (Vista Hills): Approved rezoning from C1 to C2 for a marketing and design business. Councilor Tyler asked about current operations; staff and applicant clarified the building currently lacks power and only hosts occasional maintenance for printers, but the rezoning is a prerequisite for bringing the structure up to code.
• R140 - Papillon Master Plan: Approved amendment to expand the master plan boundaries by approximately 98 acres (43 acres south, 55 acres north) and update park locations.
• R141 - High Range Six Master Plan: Approved amendment adding four lots and amending their zoning to R5, creating a roadway connection to Broadmoor.
• O31 - Zone Map Amendment (High Range Six): Approved zoning changes for the four lots added to the High Range Six Master Plan.
• D74 - ERP Contract Award: Approved contract award to DLT Solutions for an Enterprise Resource Planning system to streamline city operations (finance, HR, permitting, etc.).
• R142 - Budget Adjustment: Approved a $1.9 million budget adjustment to fund the ERP implementation and software licensing. Councilor Tyler noted the costs are offset by eliminating legacy software licenses. Councilor List questioned future staff efficiencies.
• Legislative Priorities and Capital Outlay (R143 & R144):
  • Discussion: The Council reviewed legislative priorities (including IPRA reform and return-to-work laws for retirees) and capital outlay requests totaling millions for sports complexes, fire equipment, and street medians.
  • Transparency Defense: City Manager Geisel and Mayor presented a detailed defense of the city's IPRA compliance and media practices. The City Manager argued that the 400% increase in IPRA requests (from ~900 to ~5,000) necessitates new staffing and that the city follows state guidance on "broad and burdensome" requests. The Mayor defended IPRA reform efforts as necessary to prevent commercial exploitation of public records (e.g., monetizing body cam footage) while maintaining compliance.
  • Positions: Councilors supported the priorities but sought clarification on costs and IPRA impacts. The debate highlighted the tension between transparency and administrative burden.
• State of the City (Mayor): The Mayor delivered his annual State of the City address, highlighting 12 years of service, city accolades (safe city rankings, affordability), private investment ($2 billion in commercial/Residential), new fiber infrastructure (Comcast, Easy Fiber), the return of professional hockey (Goatheads), and infrastructure achievements (road bonds, water line replacements paid in cash, no new debt for specific projects).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Items: D70 (Liquor License), D71 (Ask Academy Gymnasium), D72 (Church Site Plan), D73 (Solar Site Plan), O29 (Plaza Rio Zoning), O30 (Vista Hills Zoning), R140 (Papillon Master Plan), R141 (High Range Six Master Plan), O31 (High Range Six Zoning), D74 (ERP Contract), R142 (ERP Budget), R143 (Legislative Priorities), and R144 (Capital Outlay Priorities).
• Vote Tally: All final votes were unanimous (Yes: 6, No: 0).
• Directives: The City committed to pursuing IPRA reform at the state level and capital outlay funding from the state legislature.
• Next Steps: Implementation of the ERP system by DLT Solutions; preparation for the upcoming 30-day legislative session in Santa Fe; and execution of the capital outlay projects including sports complex expansions and fire truck replacements.