Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting - March 26, 2026
Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting - March 26, 2026
The Regular Governing Body Meeting of the City of Rio Rancho convened on March 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting included public forum, consent calendar approvals, two public hearings, and three discussion and deliberation items. Mayor Greggory D. Hull presided, with six of seven council members present (Deputy Mayor Jeremy Lenentine excused). All action items were approved unanimously.
Public Forum
- Juan Martinez (Public Infrastructure Advisory Board member) questioned the city's policy restricting the sale of retired police vehicles and government assets to government agencies only. He argued that public auctions could generate competitive bids and higher returns, and that partial decommissioning could reduce costs while still making vehicles suitable for civilian purchase.
- Matt Wasson (District 1 resident) criticized the enforcement of traffic camera citations, stating they are legally unenforceable due to Sixth Amendment concerns. He asserted that the city benefits from payments made out of fear and compared the practice to fraud and extortion.
- Stephan vanHorn (District 4) provided handouts on water sustainability. He questioned city leaders' recognition that the Santa Fe Group Aquifer is not limitless, noting that the planned injection system is not functioning at permitted capacity. He expressed concern that approving new developments (e.g., the multifamily project on the agenda) is inconsistent with the stated need to replenish the aquifer.
- Dr. Herrera Spinelli (District 4, mental health practitioner) requested an audit and cost-benefit analysis of the red light camera program, citing increased mental distress among clients. She also requested a corrective action plan regarding the lack of warning signs for mobile red light cameras, which she said violates existing law.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (6-0) the following items:
- Minutes of the March 12, 2026 Regular Meeting.
- R19: Resolution authorizing disposal of obsolete and non-working minor equipment and office furniture (City Attorney's Office).
- R20: Resolution authorizing disposal of obsolete and nonworking equipment and furniture (Public Works Department).
- R21: Resolution authorizing a budget adjustment to the Library Fund (220).
Public Hearings
- D5 – Laguna Burger Liquor License: Approved unanimously (6-0) a Restaurant A (Beer & Wine) liquor license with on-premises consumption for Fuego Enterprises LLC, DBA Laguna Burger, located at 2401 NM HWY 528 SE, Suite 2A. The state Regulation and Licensing Department had granted preliminary approval; local district approval was required.
- D6 – Encore Multi-Family Subdivision Site Plan: Approved unanimously (6-0) a site plan for an 11.09-acre parcel in Unit 13, Block 46, Tract A (near Broadmoor and Headingham). The use is permissible under the SU/R-6 Multi-Family Residential District as described in the Tierra del Oro Master Plan and Lomas Negras Specific Area Plan. Staff recommended approval with findings and conditions. The agent Nina Villa and engineer Justin Simernson were present for questions. Councilor Wymer confirmed the use is permissive. The next step is a preliminary plat review by the Planning and Zoning Board.
Discussion Items
- D7 – Young Guns Construction – Public Safety Complex Building: Mayor Hull and Councilor Wymer recused themselves to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Police Captain Nick Army presented the project: a 4,800-square-foot engineered metal storage building at police headquarters (500 Quantum Road) for specialized vehicles and equipment (mobile command post, armored vehicles, ATVs, UTVs). The building is designed to be expandable or relocatable. The contract with Young Guns Construction (which has a cooperative price agreement with the State of New Mexico) is for $1,449,881.04, funded from current Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Construction timeline is approximately 8 months. Councilor Tyler asked about the importance of the building, and Captain Army cited protection from UV degradation, wildlife infestation, and theft/vandalism. The motion carried 4-0 (Dapson, Tyler, Culbreath, List; Hull and Wymer recused).
- D8 – Albuquerque Asphalt – Library Parking Lot Reconstruction: Public Works Director BJ Gottlieb presented the award to Albuquerque Asphalt for $1,203,836.79 (including NM Gross Receipts Tax). The project includes full-depth pavement reconstruction, new storm drain system, driveway improvements, ADA compliance, new communication conduit, and LED lighting conversion at Esther Bone Memorial Library (built 1992) and Veterans Memorial/Monument Park (added 1997). Funding comes from state capital outlay, general obligation bonds, and city general fund. Construction is expected to start after Memorial Day and be complete before Veterans Day. Councilors expressed appreciation to the legislative delegation (Rep. Case, in particular) for capital outlay support. The motion carried 6-0.
- D9 – Pump Tech (Alpha Southwest) – Well 19 Rehabilitation: Utilities Director Steve Gallegos presented a $1,174,496.94 contract (including NM Gross Receipts Tax) to rehabilitate Well 19 near 1st Street and Inca Road. The well produces approximately 2 million gallons per day. Rehabilitation includes replacing the motor and pump (12–14 week lead time) with expected completion by late June/early July 2026. Funded from Fiscal Year 2026 mid-year adjustments (primarily unreserved ending fund balance). Staff noted rehabilitation is far less costly than redrilling ($13 million). The motion carried 6-0.
City Manager Report
- Matt Geisel announced the annual "Eggs & Bacon" Easter event at Cabazon Park (March 28, 2026), including an egg hunt with dogs and pet adoption.
- Early voting for the runoff election begins March 31, 2026, at five locations through April 11; election day is April 14, 2026.
- Geisel confirmed that utility bonds were taken to market. The refunding generated present value savings of approximately $1.267 million (3.64% savings). The new issuance of $25 million had an effective interest rate of 3.84%. Moody's upgraded the city's utility bond rating to AA1.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved 6-0.
- D5 (Laguna Burger liquor license): Approved 6-0.
- D6 (Encore Multi-Family site plan): Approved 6-0.
- D7 (Young Guns Construction contract): Approved 4-0 (Mayor Hull and Councilor Wymer recused).
- D8 (Albuquerque Asphalt contract for library parking lot): Approved 6-0.
- D9 (Pump Tech contract for Well 19 rehabilitation): Approved 6-0.
- Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Let's see. Counselor Tyler, would you lead us, please? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God invisible liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Please remain standing as we take a moment of silence and reflection for all of our first responders out there that put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe. So with that, a moment of silence, please. Thank you very much. You may be seated. That microphone is hot. Okay, please silence all electronic devices while attending governing body meetings. And for the record, uh I will announce the names of the governing body members when I say your name. Uh please acknowledge your presence by saying presence. Uh councillor Dabson is joining us online. Present. Thank you. Councilor Lynentine has been excused. Uh Councillor Tyler. Present. Councillor Weimer, present. Counselor Culbra. Present. Counselor List. Present. Thank you. All right. Moving on to public forum. Each comment will be limited to two minutes, and no more than two hours in total will be allotted for public forum comments at any meeting. And first up, we have Mr. Juan Martinez. Good afternoon. I'm one of the advisory board members for the public infrastructure, and I just had a few questions today. I actually prepared a statement. So I'm going to read it out. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council members. I would like to address the city's justification for restricting the sell of retired police vehicle and government assets to government agencies only on the basis of cost saving and practicality. While the city asserts that removing police equipment costs approximately $1,200 per vehicle, thereby offsetting potential revenue from public auction. This claim does not fully account for the broader financial picture. First, retired police vehicles often retain significant resale value even in their decommissioned state. Across the country, municipalities that allow public auctions routinely generate competitive bids that exceed expected returns. Even after accounting for minimum disminable discommissioning, the assumption that public sal will not be financial beneficiary is not supported by comparative practice and other jurisdictions. Second, the city presents equipment removal as an all-in or nothing expense. However, not all components require full removal prior to sell. Many cities implement partial decommissioning standards that address safety and legal concerns, such as removing emergency lights and insignias while leaving non-critical modifications intact. This significantly reduces the cost while still making vehicles suitable for civilian purchase. Third, by limiting the sales exclusively to government agencies, the city restricts market competition. A smaller buyer pool naturally leads to lower cell prices, open prices. Open public auctions by contrast create competitive bidding environments that can drive prices upward and maximize returns on public assets. Additionally, the argument that these vehicles are unsuitable for civilian use without extensive restoration is not universally accurate. Many retired police vehicles are already purchased and successfully repurposed by civilians and other municipalities.
openpublica.com