OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

26th Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission - March 16, 2026

Meeting Portal — Monday, March 16, 2026
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, March 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 29:40

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

26th meeting of the parks and recreation commission to order.

0:04

Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:21

Undergone.

0:37

First item on the agenda is our consent calendar, which is the approval of the February 16th, 2026 minutes.

0:45

Commissioners, have you all had a chance to review those?

0:50

Anyone have any comments, changes, corrections?

0:57

There being none, may I have a motion to accept them?

1:04

May I have a second?

1:09

Need a roll call vote.

1:18

Commissioner Romero.

1:20

Do you approve?

1:22

Uh Commissioner Herrera.

1:27

Commissioner Edwards, do you approve?

1:33

Here and approved.

1:35

Commissioner French Barger.

1:37

Here and approved.

1:38

Commissioner Leedy.

1:40

Commissioner Marsh.

1:42

Yes, approved here.

1:43

The March or the February 16th meetings have been approved.

1:48

Thank you.

1:49

Next is staff presentations.

1:52

We'll start with project update with Diane Sony, our project's division manager.

1:59

Good evening, Ms.

2:00

Chairwoman.

2:01

Commissioners.

2:03

First up, we have confirmed that our wood removal contractor will be helping to remove down dead wood in the Rio Rancho Willow Creek Boski before the end of April of this year.

2:18

It's a small area that's almost like a blow-down area.

2:22

We have had wood removal there before last fall with our fire division, also with one of the local pueblos of downed wood.

2:34

And we're just trying to remove material that is a fire hazard in that specific area.

2:41

Last year, there was also work done through the forestry division with this same contractor in the north loop of the Willow Creek area as part of a forestry prescription treatment.

2:55

We then followed up or also used goats, and I'm hoping to see if I can secure our local galloping goats for a couple of days after this wood is removed to remove some of the duff and some of the non-native vegetation that is grown in amongst these trees.

3:13

And I'll provide an update after that work is completed, probably in May.

4:25

But one of the smaller little league fields, that's to the west of the somewhat newly constructed concession building, and then also King Meadows parking lot replacement.

4:39

Parks that are projects that are in process right now.

5:01

Um we also are in the process of ordering the equipment for the Haynes Pool Pump Replacement Project.

5:08

The hope is that it will only take a couple of weeks to get the equipment in, and that the replacement can occur before May 1st and the start up of the pool for the 2026 pool season.

5:20

We also have funding and have uh are in the process of ordering the equipment for rainbow pool pumps replacement, but due to the timing of the delivery of that, it's likely that that replacement will not occur until after this pool season, the 2026 pool season.

5:39

Also, we have our Haynes Pool parking lot replacement that will be scheduled for that work to commence in the fall as well after the pool season has ended.

5:52

Right now, that's what we've got in the works.

5:55

Um last time I also gave you an update about Broadmoor Senior Center.

6:00

There's nothing very significant for me to add to that schedule for you at this time.

6:05

And with that, um, for parks and park construction, if you have any questions, I'll I'll stand for those questions.

6:12

If not, I'll move on to Keeper Rancho Beautiful.

6:15

Any questions?

6:16

Remarks?

6:17

No, then please move on.

6:19

Okay, thank you.

6:20

Um so for Keeper Rancho Beautiful.

6:23

Um, our staff obviously continue to always clean up a legal dump sites as they have done in the past.

6:29

Um they also have I'd just remind you, have around our various public facilities the um kind of recycling drives going on for batteries and for like cords and cables, and then small electronics, which can include tablets, laptops, and small things like cell phones and the like, and you can find those at our libraries here at City Hall, and um come into like the parks and rec office.

6:57

You can look for these small cardboard boxes, they say terracycle, they have images of those materials on the front.

7:03

And if you want more specific information, you can call the parks and recreation main number and ask for the Keeper Rancho Beautiful division for more information.

7:13

Also coming up on April 11th here at City Hall in the parking lot from 10 until noon, we'll be having our 2026, also tied to the Great American Cleanup tree seedling giveaway, where people can drive through and pick up tree seedlings that'll have information about planting, also information about our upcoming uh Great American cleanup, which is the first weekend of May, and I just spaced what date that is.

7:39

I kind of want to say it's May 1st, but I don't think that's correct.

7:42

Um did you have that on your list for this this evening, Connie?

7:48

May 7th.

7:49

May 7th, thank you.

7:50

I knew I couldn't remember which the first weekend in May was, so thank you for that, um, Commissioner.

7:57

Um, so yeah, so in preparation for that, we're kind of letting people know that that's you know coming up as well.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Arts And Culture████████11%
Workforce Development███████10%
Youth Programs█████7%
Procedural████6%
Personnel Matters████5%
Summary of Proceedings

26th Meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission - March 16, 2026

The Parks and Recreation Commission held its 26th meeting on March 16, 2026, at 1:00 PM. The meeting included the approval of the February 16, 2026 minutes, staff presentations on project updates, Keeper Rancho Beautiful, parks and facilities, aquatics, and departmental reports. No public forum was held, and no discussion or deliberation items were brought forward.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of February 16, 2026 Minutes: The minutes were unanimously approved by roll call vote. Commissioners Romero, Herrera, Edwards, French Barger, Leedy, and Marsh all voted in favor.

Staff Presentations

Project Update (Diane Sony, Projects Division Manager)

  • Confirmed that a wood removal contractor will help remove downed dead wood in the Rio Rancho Willow Creek Bosque before the end of April 2026 to reduce fire hazard. The contractor previously worked with the forestry division in the north loop.
  • Goats (local galloping goats) may be used after wood removal to clear duff and non-native vegetation, with an update expected in May.
  • Little league field west of the newly constructed concession building and King Meadows parking lot replacement are in process.
  • Equipment for Haynes Pool Pump Replacement is being ordered; replacement expected before May 1st for the 2026 pool season. Rainbow Pool pump replacement equipment is also ordered but likely after the 2026 pool season.
  • Haynes Pool parking lot replacement scheduled for fall 2026.
  • No significant update on Broadmoor Senior Center.

Keeper Rancho Beautiful

  • Staff continues to clean up illegal dump sites.
  • Recycling drives for batteries, cords, cables, and small electronics are ongoing at libraries, City Hall, and the Parks and Rec office (Terracycle boxes).
  • 2026 Tree Seedling Giveaway: April 11, 2026, 10 AM – noon at City Hall parking lot, tied to the Great American Cleanup. Pre-packaged bare-root seedlings (deciduous, evergreen, and fruit/pollen-bearing species) will be available. Commissioner Edwards asked about selecting three species; Diane Sony explained that 300+ pre-packaged bags are given out to expedite traffic.
  • Great American Cleanup: May 7, 2026 (confirmed by Commissioner).
  • Clean Campus Contest continues with five schools participating.

Parks and Facilities Update (Charles Fernandez, Superintendent)

  • Employee situation: 7 new employees started; currently down 3, with 1 starting Monday, leaving only 2 vacancies.
  • Spring startup underway: transitioning from winter projects, finding and repairing multiple line breaks (more than usual), weed control (manual when windy, pre-emergent when calm).
  • Banners installed at City Center (Campus Park and City Center with various pictures).
  • Planting 40 trees citywide in the next few weeks; Keeper Rancho Beautiful will add 10–20 more, totaling 50–60 trees.
  • Commissioner Edwards inquired about involving local students in tree planting and bosque restoration, similar to efforts in Albuquerque. Diane Sony explained that the Willow Creek bosque is dry with a water table below 15 feet, making plantings difficult without irrigation. The city has worked with schools in the past, but projects often fail due to lack of summer watering. The Clean Campus Contest and pollinator gardens are possible if school district maintains them. Commissioner Edwards suggested high school volunteers for planting and will contact Nick Dahl (Keeper Rancho Beautiful coordinator) for future coordination.

Aquatics Report (Bianca Bacca, via staff)

  • Seasonal positions opened March 2nd; recruiting events held at Rio Rancho High School, Cleveland High School, Cebola High School, and Explore Academy.
  • Outdoor pool preparation for summer begins next week.
  • Commissioner Edwards requested a social media graphic for lifeguard recruiting; staff confirmed it is available.

Deputy Director’s Report (Noah Trujillo)

  • Focus on summer hiring: aquatics, summer camps, and a new spring basketball league (registration opens end of Sunday, league runs April through May).
  • Upcoming events: Spring Craft Show (March 22 at Sabana Grande), Eggs and Bacon (March 28 at Cabazon), Shop Local Market (April 4 at Cabazon), Spring Cleaning Rummage Sale (April 11 at Cabazon), Park in the Park Car Show (April 25 at Campus Park).

Director’s Report (Connie Peterson)

  • Distributed flyers for upcoming events and seasonal hiring (pool managers, lifeguards, cashiers, summer camp staff).
  • Presented the new Rio Rancho Public Art Guide, developed by the Art Commission. It serves as an educational resource and self-guided tour, highlighting public art installations, artists, locations, and themes. Links to the guide will be emailed to commissioners.
  • Reminded of online registration via RRNM.gov.
  • Provided March Senior Services newsletter.
  • Commissioner Edwards complimented the art guide; Diane Sony noted it is hyperlinked and available on the city website.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up for forum.

Discussion Items

  • No discussion or deliberation items were brought forward by commissioners.

Key Outcomes

  • Approval of February 16, 2026 minutes: Unanimous approval via roll call vote.
  • Directives: Commissioner Edwards to follow up with Nick Dahl regarding student volunteer opportunities for tree planting and bosque restoration.
  • Next Steps: Staff will continue spring startup, tree planting, and pool preparations; Keeper Rancho Beautiful will host tree seedling giveaway on April 11; Great American Cleanup on May 7; various events through April and May.

Meeting Transcript

26th meeting of the parks and recreation commission to order. Would you all please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? Undergone. First item on the agenda is our consent calendar, which is the approval of the February 16th, 2026 minutes. Commissioners, have you all had a chance to review those? Anyone have any comments, changes, corrections? There being none, may I have a motion to accept them? May I have a second? Need a roll call vote. Commissioner Romero. Do you approve? Uh Commissioner Herrera. Commissioner Edwards, do you approve? Here and approved. Commissioner French Barger. Here and approved. Commissioner Leedy. Commissioner Marsh. Yes, approved here. The March or the February 16th meetings have been approved. Thank you. Next is staff presentations. We'll start with project update with Diane Sony, our project's division manager. Good evening, Ms. Chairwoman. Commissioners. First up, we have confirmed that our wood removal contractor will be helping to remove down dead wood in the Rio Rancho Willow Creek Boski before the end of April of this year. It's a small area that's almost like a blow-down area. We have had wood removal there before last fall with our fire division, also with one of the local pueblos of downed wood. And we're just trying to remove material that is a fire hazard in that specific area. Last year, there was also work done through the forestry division with this same contractor in the north loop of the Willow Creek area as part of a forestry prescription treatment. We then followed up or also used goats, and I'm hoping to see if I can secure our local galloping goats for a couple of days after this wood is removed to remove some of the duff and some of the non-native vegetation that is grown in amongst these trees. And I'll provide an update after that work is completed, probably in May. But one of the smaller little league fields, that's to the west of the somewhat newly constructed concession building, and then also King Meadows parking lot replacement. Parks that are projects that are in process right now. Um we also are in the process of ordering the equipment for the Haynes Pool Pump Replacement Project. The hope is that it will only take a couple of weeks to get the equipment in, and that the replacement can occur before May 1st and the start up of the pool for the 2026 pool season. We also have funding and have uh are in the process of ordering the equipment for rainbow pool pumps replacement, but due to the timing of the delivery of that, it's likely that that replacement will not occur until after this pool season, the 2026 pool season. Also, we have our Haynes Pool parking lot replacement that will be scheduled for that work to commence in the fall as well after the pool season has ended. Right now, that's what we've got in the works. Um last time I also gave you an update about Broadmoor Senior Center. There's nothing very significant for me to add to that schedule for you at this time. And with that, um, for parks and park construction, if you have any questions, I'll I'll stand for those questions. If not, I'll move on to Keeper Rancho Beautiful. Any questions? Remarks? No, then please move on. Okay, thank you. Um so for Keeper Rancho Beautiful. Um, our staff obviously continue to always clean up a legal dump sites as they have done in the past.

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