Good evening.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Councilor Lynnentine, would you lead us, please?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Thank you.

Please remain standing as I like to take this moment to take a moment of silence and reflection for our first responders who are out there each and every day putting their lives on the line to protect our lives and our property.

And so they deserve to be in our thoughts and prayers constantly.

So with that, we'll take a moment of silence.

Thank you very much.

You may be seated.

Okay.

For the record, I'll announce the names of the governing body members.

When I say your name, please acknowledge by your presence by saying present.

Councillor Dabson.

Present.

Thank you.

Councilor Menantine.

Present.

Thank you.

Counselor Tyler.

Thank you.

Councillor Weimer, who is attending online.

Present.

Thank you.

Councillor Cobra.

Present.

Counselor Lish.

Present.

Thank you.

We have quorum.

So we're gonna make a few uh uh agenda adjustments so that we can get through the business.

So uh we're gonna move counselor comments uh to the to the bottom of the agenda just above the city manager's report, and then we're gonna move public comment down to just before counselor comments as well, so we can get through the business of the agenda.

So thank you all for that.

Any objections from the council?

Okay.

Hearing none, thank you.

And uh no proclamations or awards of merit this evening, and moving on to the consent calendar.

I'll take a motion to approve the consent calendar, motion to approve consent calendar.

Second, I have a motion and a second.

Ms.

Davis.

Thank you, sir.

Uh councillor Calbrank.

Yes.

Counselor Weimer.

Yes.

Councillor Lynnentine?

Yes.

Counselor Dabson.

Yes.

Counselor Tyler?

Yes.

Counselor List.

Yes.

Thank you.

The consent calendar is approved.

Thank you.

Moving on to second reading of ordinances, ordinance zero five, ordinance amending chapter 36 of finance and revenue.

Uh Director Yara.

Mayor and Counselors, good evening.

Um, this is a second reading of uh ordinance proposal.

Um, which is proposing to amend the city's procurement code.

Specifically, we are looking to add an exemption for um employee benefits, insurance, and retirement products that are paid for by city employees.

Um there are several reasons why we are requesting this exemption.

Um, first of all, the procurement process for uh these benefits often requires the analysis of very sensitive employee demographic and health data.

Um the city uses a benefits consultant to help us collect, summarize, and analyze that data and cleanse it of any um personal identifiers that might put the city or the employees at risk.

Um the consultant we have on on staff on on contract also provides input in developing the specifications for the the individual procurements based on this data and their analysis.

Um secondly, um because city employee benefits the process itself is very deadline driven.

We have to be able to act very quickly to make sure that all of the the pricing and everything is in place in May, so that they can do their benefit enrollment by the July of that year.

Um thirdly, there are times when we may have a product or a service as part of our benefit package that is just not working for the city or it or its employees.

In those cases, we have to be able to pivot very quickly so that there's not a gap in any of these benefits for our employees.

I want to emphasize too that it is not uncommon for local governments to have this exemption.

Now this exemption doesn't mean we're going to ignore the competitive process that's dictated in our code.

However, it just gives us a little more flexibility to work with the consultant, shorten some of the timelines that are prescribed.

And so also I wanted to Director Martinez is here to discuss how she engages with the consultant and uses these procurements for her department.

So thank you.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor, members of the governing body.

Yes, sort of to re-emphasize a bit of what Director Yada has conveyed to you guys in the last meeting and also today during the second reading.

Would like to speak on this item as human resources is the department primarily responsible for procuring these types of services, specifically insurance coverage, retirement programs, and other employment benefits.

So again, first and foremost, the city remains committed to a structured procurement process for these services.

But because insurance procurement operates within a fundamentally different framework than the procurement of other services that the city procures in ways that it is highly specialized, market-driven, where pricing coverage terms, terms of coverage, carrier participation can shift rapidly based on underwriting conditions and other risk profiles.

Um which the city procures through its uh through its standard process where scope and deliverables are clearly defined, insurance products uh require careful evaluation of complex policy language, uh coverage items, exclusions, and carrier stability.

Um given these complexities, uh the proposed exemption allows the city to work alongside the consultant that we work with regularly on our benefits as a self-insured entity whose uh who possesses the technical knowledge and market access necessary to navigate these variables effectively.

Um again, as Director Yada mentioned, the risks of a failed or ineffective procurement uh in this area are significant with direct impact on the city's financial liability and the security of our workforces benefits.

Uh leveraging an experienced consultant helps us mitigate those risks.

Um and again, finally, and probably the most important to note uh this exemption does not remove the requirements uh governing how the city expends public funds.

Oversight accountability and transparency remain fully intact.

Rather, uh, this will provide the necessary flexibility in how we navigate the procurement and contract negotiation process within a uniquely complex and dynamic marketplace.

Um so with that, I also stand for any questions.

Our consultant is also available online uh to field any questions related to this item.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'll take in a motion to approve uh O5 and move to approve L5.

Second.

I have a motion and a second.

Uh is there anybody signed up to speak on this item?

No, Mr.

Mayor, there is not.

Thank you.

Any comments by council hearing none.

Ms.

Davis, 05.

Thank you, sir.

Councillor Weimer?

Yes.

Councillor Lennon?

Yes.

Counselor Colbright.

Yes.

Counselor Liszt?

Yes.

Councillor Tyler.

Yes.

Councillor Dabson.

Yes.

O5 is approved.

Thank you.

Okay, moving on to R 31 resolution establishing an annual schedule of governing body meetings.

Ms.

Davis.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

So tonight I have before you R 31, and we do this every year at the second meeting in April, where we set forward our open meetings act so that we have a schedule of winter meetings are, but also what constitutes reasonable notice and the definition for all of our boards and commissions.

So a few things that everybody needs to be aware of.

The meetings are going to continue on the second and fourth Thursday of every month, with the exception of July, December, and November.

And in July, it will be the fourth Thursday of the month.

November and December will be the third Thursday of each month.

And this also outlines when our work sessions are which the they will continue to be in June, August, and October, as well as February and April.

The December meeting will be work session will be right before the governing body meeting.

And so those will continue to be from three to five.

This resolution also details changes to our ADA reasonable accommodation.

And so we've moved that out of the clerk's office and into legal so that we can ensure people are getting the support and guidance that they need to attend our meetings.

And with that, I stand for questions.

Thank you.

I'll take a motion to approve R 31.

Motion to approve R 31.

Second.

I have a motion and a second.

Do we have anybody signed up to speak on this item?

No, sir, we do not.

Any comments by council?

Hearing done, Miss Davis, R 31.

Thank you.

Councilor Lenintine?

Yes.

Counselor Colbright?

Yes.

Counselor List?

Yes.

Counselor Dabson?

Yes.

Counselor Tyler?

Yes.

Counselor Weimer.

Yes.

R 31 is approved.

Thank you.

Moving on to item number eight, selection of deputy mayor.

Traditionally I would be the presenter on this.

But I'm going to defer to the council on this one.

So we normally take nominations from the council.

And so Councillor Tyler.

Mr.

Mayor, if I may, I would like to uh make an amendment or move that we postpone or and or uh continue councilor Lennantine's uh deputy mayorship until the new mayor is seated so that that we that we can take care of business once that has occurred.

Okay, you're gonna make that a motion to postpone, yes.

So excuse me, counseling.

I probably have an emotion to postpone.

We probably need to vote on him still staying in office, correct?

Yes, sir.

That is correct.

You'll have to have a motion to either maintain councillor Lynentine as the deputy mayor.

Um this also just so everybody's aware, you can change whoever the deputy mayor is, it can come back before the council at any time.

Okay.

So I would like to make that motion to continue the uh councillor Lenintine as a deputy mayor and until the next meeting.

Until the next meeting we'll do it at that time.

Okay, so we're nominating councillor Lennon Tyne as the deputy mayor, so we'll need um a confirmation of that, and then we'll need a second on that as well.

Second, Mr.

Mayor, great.

Yes, yes, Councillor Lennon Time.

Due to the events of tonight, and then also getting uh uh Councillor Weimer into his new role.

Uh I will accept that uh nomination by counselor Tyler until uh the next meeting.

Okay, I have a nomination and a second to the nomination.

Any any other comments?

Hearing none, Miss Davis, thank you on the nomination of uh uh councillor Lennon Time.

Thank you, sir.

Councilor List, yes, Councillor Dabson, yes.

Councillor Lynnantine?

Yes, Councillor Tyler, yes, Councillor Colbreth, yes, and Councillor Weimer.

Yes.

Thank you.

Counselor Lennantine, congratulations.

Okay.

Okay, Mr.

Mayor, yes, members, yes, uh, Mr.

City Manager.

If I just for for you know, for confirmation or clarification, make sure I understood correctly that um it's the will of the governing body for this item to come back on the agenda of the next governing body meeting, which I believe off the top of my head is May 14th or May 12th, something like that.

Yes.

Okay, thank you.

It will be on the agenda.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, um R 32 resolution to write off and remove uncollectible ambulance utility parks and recreation alarm and library accounts from the city's ARs accounts receivables.

Director Yara.

Mr.

Mayor, Counselors, thank you.

Um this resolution is for the annual write-off of uncollectible accounts receivables that the city um uh collects for different very various services.

Um state statute allows municipalities to do a write-off every year for accounts that are over four years old and have been for which there have been significant collection efforts to get those monies back into the city.

Um I created a graph here of the last five years of the average write-offs that um have been approved through this governing body.

I I created a graph here of the last five years of the average write-offs that have been approved through this governing body.

The bulk of that, of course, is our ambulance billing.

Um except for fiscal year 24, there was some uh an outlier there with the utility billing.

Um part of the the requirement uh of the state statute is that I produce a statement of what these um accounts receivables relate to and how our collection efforts have gone.

I uh there is a memo in the packet stating all of that information.

I am happy to go through any of these um AR types or answer any of your questions.

Um I want to note that basically this allows us to write these accounts off of our books, and more importantly, um we can stop collection efforts on these accounts.

Um in some cases we will leave the accounts, the account information as it is today.

Um for the slim chance that we might recover those monies later, but we are not going to focus any of our efforts on collecting them anymore.

Um I I recommend approval and I stand for questions.

I'll take a motion to approve R 32.

I move to approve R 33.

Second and a second.

Do we have anybody signed up to speak on this item?

No, sir, we do not.

Any comments by council?

Mr.

Mayor, Counselor Tyler, comment every year on this, so I'm gonna do it again.

I hate this and I despise it, so I just want to get that out there.

So I we all it is what it is.

I hate it.

So thank you.

Um I'm sorry, before I speak on this, any any other counselors.

So uh now in the past we've uh oh I'm sorry, uh, counselor Weimer.

Counselor Tyler.

Okay.

Um I'm about to ditto it too.

Uh in the past, though, we've uh we've always maintained uh that we do continue to try to collect these to some degree.

So I understand writing them off and and getting them off the books, but that's you know uh in the past our discussions have been around what are you know what are we gonna do to continue to try to collect in the event that we receive payment against these things.

You know, this doesn't this doesn't eliminate that possibility to actually get this money in and get it accounted for and get it on the books, correct?

Correct.

We we will continue to receive these monies if they come in, um, but we aren't going to focus as much of our effort on collecting them.

We will focus most of that effort.

Right.

Okay.

And so um okay, I but uh once again, I I'm I I stand with uh uh counselor Tyler and Councillor Weimer in uh this is very frustrating because uh not being able to collect these revenues has a straightforward impact on uh our ability to provide services uh to the community.

So umce again thank you, Director Yara.

I know it's not never easy to come and present this uh this particular item.

It's not your fault, right?

Thank you.

Uh I see a hand up in the no.

Oh no, that's the is that the mouse?

Yeah, that okay, that's the okay.

Right, no problem.

Um all right, any further questions by council hearing none.

I have a motion and a second.

Ms.

Davis, R32, please.

Thank you.

Councillor Dabson.

Yes, Councillor Lynn-Time.

Yes.

Counselor Tyler.

No.

Counselor Weimer.

Yes.

Counselor Colbreth.

Yes.

Counselor List.

Yes.

R 32 is approved.

Okay, thank you.

That concludes our regular scheduled scheduled agenda.

Um, we'll now move on to public comments.

We have the sign-up sheet, or you're gonna you're gonna call the sign-up sheet.

Okay.

So uh what we'll do is our uh just on the rules uh for public uh forum.

Each comment will be limited to two minutes, uh, and then no more than two hours will be allotted for public comments at any meeting.

So with that, um we'll go ahead and start public comment and Ms.

Davis, you can uh call people up.

Well, thank you, sir.

Um, our first step is Jared Liker.

Good evening, mayor members of the governing body.

My name is Jared Liker, and I'm here tonight representing Amrap Southwest.

We are formally requesting a reconsideration of the Orchard Park Master Plan, which was denied on April 9th.

We make this request, noting the plan was previously recommended for approval by both city staff and the planning and zoning board.

Last week I provided directoring con each member of this body with a detailed response addressing specific concerns raised during the April 9th hearing.

I have additional copies available tonight, and respectfully ask city staff to ensure this document is included in the official record for this meeting.

While we maintain that our original submittal complied with the city requirements, we have heard and value your feedback.

Our written responses provided clarity on the technical aspects of the plan, specifically addressing the master plan boundary and ownership percentages, the scale and elements of designated park areas, sidewalk connectivity, our extensive efforts to acquire adjacent properties and road improvements along Progress Boulevard.

In the spirit of partnership to ensure Orchard Park becomes a premier residential asset for the city, Amrip is prepared to offer a significant new commitment.

We are willing to accept a condition of approval requiring Ambrep to provide a neighborhood park of at least three contiguous acres.

This park will be dedicated to the city for ownership and maintenance and will include amenities required by the development process manual.

This would exceed the park area and amenities otherwise required by the subdivision of this size.

This would also alleviate any concerns if unfortunately any out parcels are not required and trespassing issues for a public park would then go away.

Approval of this master plan is the first step in the collaboration process.

We remain fully committed, meeting all subdivision ordinances technical requirements as we move forward.

We respectfully request the governing body approve this reconsideration in accordance with the rules of procedure, allowing this project to proceed with the enhanced community benefits.

Thank you for your time and consideration this evening.

I'd also like to thank uh the mayor for his dedication to the city.

I know this is your last meeting.

Um you have done some great things for the city, and we appreciate all those efforts.

We know you'll do well moving forward in your future endeavors.

And we'd also like to uh congratulate Mr.

Weimer, becoming mayor, and look forward to that uh working collaboration with him as well and the and the governing body.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And next up is Arthur Martinez.

Uh good evening, uh Mr.

Mayor.

Sorry, I'm I'm mixed up.

Uh Mayor Hall and Counselors.

I'm Arthur Martinez.

I've lived in Rio Rancho 40 years.

I live at 1423 31st Street Southeast.

Uh in 1997, I bought two half acre lots on 10th Avenue Southwest, and I went through a real rancho realtor and a title company.

I went out and looked at them, and they had all utilities but sewer.

The water was in the street.

There was a hydrant right across the street from me.

Uh all the houses, north, south, east, west, above me, they all had uh water meters and hooked up to city water.

In uh 2023, I I found out that in 2012, another city council uh passed an ordinance taking away the right for uh burnout uh Sandoval County residents to connect city water, and that affected me.

Nobody told me nothing, I got no letter, I got nothing in the mail until 2023.

It's when I found out I tried to get a water meter, and I couldn't.

Well, everybody knows what happened in January of this year.

Project Ranger, uh out of state company comes in, moves to the Northwest uh part of the city in the council.

The city gives them water.

So I called and tried to get it, and the city won't give me water, but they give somebody else water.

I would just like what is fair.

I get my two water meters back that I bought in good faith and paid for them way back, and I don't know what happened with uh um you know Costellian, the missile factory, why they got it and why I didn't.

I just with respect, I hope you guys would look at my problem and thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I appreciate everything and all you counselors, and I'll see you as the governor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Stephen Van Horn.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor, Counselors.

I told you at our last meeting that I would be emailing you information on water issues.

Um because of what happened that evening, I decided I would wait.

That evening you all voted on a four million dollar well, you approved a four million dollar expenditure on water injection system.

What I noted is there was not one item of not one of you discussed it, not one of you asked a question.

Not one of you did anything which you normally do when things come before you.

And so I I wanted to ask you to consider this.

It would be good, it would be transparent.

Yes, I'm going to use the word.

If you would all just tell us why, why do we have to spend another four million dollars for injection?

What's going on with the water system?

I'd also like to ask the new CEO of the water system, because that's effectively what the air the mayor is, the CEO of the water and wastewater system.

Why?

It's a business.

You collect rates through rates, money for people that pay for their water and sewer.

It's a business.

And so the CEO, I'd like to ask the new CEO, make sure that the entity that's supposed to advise you all actually becomes a reality, that the new mayor would actually appoint people to it that yes are knowledgeable, that would be able to give you input and also answer questions for the public, like I just presented to you.

I hope you will consider what I'm asking.

I think this new year, because of what's happening with water, you can almost I can almost guarantee that the water table for this aquifer is going to be starting to go down again this year because of what Albuquerque is going to do.

They're going to be forced by law to begin pumping from the aquifer again.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Dave Heil.

Mayor, counsel.

Uh, you know, uh, Mr.

Mayor.

About 14 years ago, we stood in the West Mesa or the Mesa Baptist uh parking lot and talked for about an hour and a half.

He's very loquacious.

I'm very loquacious.

And uh discussed your running for mayor.

So here we are today, recognizing you as having been a leader, uh leading a team of counselors and staff, make uh Rio Rancho just a better place to live.

Um Rio Rancho continues to receive awards and recognition uh for being the safest place in the best place to live, etc.

Uh we've uh invested uh our funds in building over 46 major roads, uh building over 50 percent of uh neighborhood uh roads and with the latest bond.

Uh we're extending that into collector roads uh to make uh that 50 percent even greater.

We've had significant economic growth, um thousands of new jobs, many uh new retail and commercial businesses.

Uh our parks have grown um and expanded, and your uh signature park, campus park is now a central location for many of the community to come out and enjoy our uh affairs in the city.

Um Rio Rancho has exercised a very uh physical discipline, including a uh permanent fund, which is uh allowed us to cash fund some of our um uh development.

The water and wastewater utility is uh operationally more sound than it has ever been, and I want to just take this time to thank you for your leadership.

Leadership that works that helps um has helped Rio Rancho grow.

Or we appreciate you.

Okay, next we will have Norman Burns, and following Norman will be Lawrence Griego.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor and City Councillors.

My name's Norman Burns.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Um I'm president of the Trinity Estates Neighborhood Watch, and I'm here to thank Mr.

Mayor for your past 12 years of leadership here in Rio Rancho.

What has happened in Rio Rancho is we're the safest city in the state.

We're the second largest city in the state.

We have no homeless problem.

We're the best 100th city in the country to retire in.

But most importantly, what you've done for our neighborhood, Trinity Estates over the past years.

You've gone beyond what you needed to do to help us.

For example, when the Xfinity came in to our neighborhood to install their cables, we had a lot of problems like everybody else.

But the mayor took it on all the problems, and said, You contact me with every problem that they've created, which we did.

Next thing we we did, he formed a committee of the Xfinity people, city council, city uh members, myself, and we walked the whole neighborhood making sure that Xfinity had fixed every problem that they had created in our neighborhood.

Now, who else would do that except a great leader like you, Mr.

Mayor?

Every year we have a national night out barbecue in our neighborhood, and Mr.

Mayor and Councillor Calbreth has been there almost every year, and we appreciate that very much.

Recently, we were informed that they're gonna put in a roundabout on the corner of uh Meadowlark Lane and Sarah Way, and Mr.

Mayor was kind enough to come to our community and inform us of everything that was going to happen.

And again, on behalf of Trinity Estates, we thank you.

Thank you, thank you, Mr.

Mayor, for all you've done for our not only our community, but our city, and good luck.

Thank you.

And God bless you and your family.

God bless you too.

Thank you.

Lawrence Griego, and then after Lawrence will be Brent Lennon Time.

Mayor Hall, Counselors, Mayor Hall.

I just want to thank you for all your years of service here in Rio Rancho.

You've done an amazing job.

You've always been accessible to the average person.

I've talked to so many people, and I ask them about you, and they say, Yeah, I know Mayor Hall.

You're you're accessible, and you meet the public, you work with the people, and that means a lot to the people.

You've provided excellent leadership for Rio Rancho, made it one of the best places to live, work, to retire.

And we know that you're going to be the next governor, and we're just looking forward to that day when you turn New Mexico around.

And I just want to thank you for your leadership.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Brent Lennon, and after Brent will be Ben Mays.

I speak also very personally because he's such a dear friend, and we just love him so very, very much.

We moved here uh in 1988 to start Gospel by Baptist Church.

When we did, the city was about 30,000.

And uh and I'll say just honestly, really the leadership was terrible in our city uh and it was so bad as it went forward from there.

We tried to make some contact with mayors following after that, but um I would jokingly say that it was the incredible disappearing mayor, you could not find him.

Uh, or when you had him set to come to a special grand opening for our church building uh that was confirmed the day before he chose to simply not show up.

But the contrast of that is just amazing to see the accessibility that you've had uh for uh all of the residents.

I've never seen a public uh official uh work as hard and be as accessible to the people as you have uh working so busy.

You've set a very high bar uh for Mayor Weimer that will follow behind you.

But I want to say that not only have you done an excellent job with our city in bringing it to be really top and first in so many different categories financially and uh by way of attracting business and just a uh law abiding and a peaceful city to be a part of, but I appreciate also your faith in Jesus Christ and your personal walk with the Lord.

Now I realize I say that as a pastor, but I say that also with a lot of personal experience.

Uh I talked with the mayor back probably about nine years ago, uh, and we agreed together that we would start a Bible study every Tuesday morning uh at uh 7 a.m.

We met at Chick-fil-A and other places, and we've been in our church building now for many years.

It's a joy to see just your love for the Lord and just your personal concern, your concern for personal growth in your life, uh, and just to see how that God has had his hand on you and blessed you.

And the wonderful thing about when you're in a position of leadership as God has blessed your life, uh, we've also been the beneficiaries of that.

So we want to say thank you so much for 12 years of service.

Uh, that again has been a great blessing to all of us.

So thank you for all that you've done.

We're praying for you and looking forward to you being the next mayor of our state.

Next governor of New Mexico.

Ben May, Ben Mays, and following Ben will be Jim Mays.

Benjamin, hello, uh, Mr.

Greg and Cosmand.

And as a congrats to uh Paul Weimar, uh.

Hello.

Um, my name is Ben Mays, Rio Rancho High School, Homecoming King, 2016.

Greg is a good man, strong leaders, supporting the police, supporting uh final, uh, hates crime, hates goods, he loves kids, and fakes roads.

I'll pray for Greg for next governor of New Mexico.

Thank you.

Congrats, Paul.

We love you.

And Mayor Greg Hall.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor and governing body.

My name is Jim Mays.

Um, my family and I have been residents of Rio Rancho for 23 years.

Our kids were raised here, and of course, Ben is our youngest son.

I want to give you a little bit of my background very briefly, just to kind of put things in perspective here.

I retired from the federal government after 29 years.

Um, served in Washington, D.C., served in Thailand, Arizona, New Mexico, and my last job was with the U.S.

Forest Service here in New Mexico and Arizona.

Um I always like to tell people that I did time in Santa Fe, but it was not in the prison, it was in state government.

And um, I was actually a deputy cabinet secretary for Gary Carruthers when he was uh governor of New Mexico.

I was an economic development and tourism.

So I worked very closely with Gary.

I have had university experience with UNM, New Mexico State and the College of Business, and I was actually the first director of the Highlands University Center here in Rio Rancho across the street from Mintel.

I also did a little bit of time with private sector with my father-in-law, Abe Chavez, who ran Abe's Fly Shop up in Navajo Dam.

My point being is I've interacted with ambassadors, cabinet secretaries, senators, congressmen, federal agency heads, and many people in different lives, uh different levels of uh government.

I've enjoyed and our family has enjoyed a close relationship with Mayor Hull.

He's always very accessible, excellent leadership and management skills, is always open to new ideas and gets things done.

He's a strong supporter of our education in Rio Rancho, strong supporter of public safety, infrastructure development.

Our roads were recently paved.

Thank you, Mayor.

And as an uh excellent leader in terms of economic development.

In short, he knows how to get things done.

He's a good role model for our community, and is also a strong Christian man, which we appreciate.

Um is my political analyst.

He knows and interacts with people very well.

So I join Ben in praying that Mayor Hull will be elected as our next governor of New Mexico.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

Jay Block, followed by Joshua Hernandez.

Senator Block, let me take the opportunity to personally welcome you and Representative Hernandez.

Probably should have made that recognition.

Take your time.

I just wish you could have been a great first lady like her.

You know, um, you and I met, in fact, you were the first public servant uh I met in New Mexico 11 years ago.

We met at a Jason's deli, and I was uh coming off active duty as a lieutenant colonel and ending my career in the Air Force, and we met at Jason's Delhi and uh you were late at our first meeting.

Uh but from there I always uh appreciated um your friendship, your mentorship.

I think a lot of people might say you still need to do a lot of mentorship with me.

Um there we go.

And your fellowship with our Tuesday uh prayer uh men's prayer meetings at Gospel Late Baptist Church with our great pastor back here.

I just want to I don't want to go over a lot of things that were said earlier because I agree with uh a lot of them, and I think um Dave Heil captured a lot of that.

But I will say you have been New Mexico's mayor.

You've done you've just been a leader of all the mayors in New Mexico who look up to you and respect you.

I can tell you for uh fellow counselors here that this mayor goes up to Santa Fe every 30 and 60 day session, and he advocates very, very hard for the city and the people of Rio Rancho, not on his behalf, but on our behalf, and I want to thank you for that.

And I want to thank the counselors and the staff who have supported you over 12 years because our staff has just been amazing.

Our police and our fire, our first responders, all the counselors that have been here for the past 12 years.

Um, it's been a real team Rio Rancho effort, and I greatly appreciate that.

So I want to thank you all.

I'll just close by saying this.

The people of New Mexico may take you out of Rio Rancho.

But Rio Rancho will never leave you.

Mr.

Mayor, God bless you, sir.

I wish you nothing but success, and I don't think uh Rio Rancho can thank you enough for the 12 years of just incredible leadership that you've provided.

Uh your sir your your servant attitude and your servant leadership to this great city.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you.

Hold on, that's whole thing.

I wrote something because I was trying to think of what to come up with, and how do you put now 14 years into a minute and a half?

So Mr.

Mayor, 12 years ago, Rio Rancho took a chance on a guy with big ideas about what this city could become.

Today we're stronger, more connected, and more ambitious because of it.

The roads, the parks, the businesses that chose us, the neighborhoods that grew up under your watch, they'll go down in the history books.

But I've had a seat that most people haven't.

Fourteen years, eight campaigns between us, countless late nights, so many early mornings, you know, they're my favorite, uh, parades, community events, council meetings, legislative sessions, and we have to have broken 100,000 minutes on the over the phone by now.

Uh, what I can tell you is you know, you are a man that you fight for, worry about Rio Rancho like it's your family because it is.

Without Rio Rancho, you would not be the man you are today.

So thank you for your 12 years.

Rio Rancho will always be better because of your leadership.

And with that, I would also like to present you with a legislative certificate from the New Mexico State Legislature for our appreciation for all the things you've done for us.

I don't really want to read it, but we can go through that if you'd like.

Well, your timer hasn't gone off yet, but uh let me come.

I'll come down and receive it.

I spent through it, it's you.

That's it.

That wraps up public forum.

Okay.

Comments by council?

Yes, so we can counsel comments.

I'd like to say a few words, and then I'll turn it over to counselor comments.

Well, good evening, everybody.

Let's do this.

There we go.

Good evening, everybody.

Thank you so much for being here this evening.

And uh all of the wonderful kind things that each and every one of you have said, and I'm just so grateful and humbled by the support that I've received.

So tonight, uh, as I take my seat at this day for one final time as mayor of Rio Rancho, I do so with a full heart, deep gratitude, and immense pride in what we have accomplished together over the last 12 years.

Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

When I first took office, we set out with a clear vision to make Rio Rancho safer, stronger, and more prosperous city for every family, every business, and every future generation.

Together, we didn't just talk about that vision, we delivered on it.

Over the last 12 years, Rio Rancho has become one of the safest cities in New Mexico, recognized nationally as a best place to raise a family, a best place to retire, a most affordable community, and numerous other national recognition.

We made critical investments in public uh safety, expanding our police force and upgrading critical equipment needs, strengthening our fire and rescue services, and planning for new facilities to ensure faster response times and better protection for our residents.

We made transformational investments in infrastructure that will serve our city for decades to come, such as the completion of the aquifer recharge facility.

Projects like the expansion of Broadmoor Boulevard, the reconstruction of more than 50 roads, and critical road improvements throughout our community have improved connectivity and prepared Rio Rancho for us for sustained growth.

We also prioritized quality of life through major investments in parks and community spaces, such as Broadmoor Senior Center and the hub.

The development of a park above.

We invested in our future through education and workforce development, strengthening our relationships with Rio Rancho Public Schools and higher education partners to ensure that our students and our workforce are prepared for the opportunities ahead.

Because of that discipline, Rio Rancho stands today on strong financial foundations.

And importantly, we didn't just plan for today, we planned for tomorrow.

Together, we created Rio Rancho's first permanent fund, laying the foundation for long-term financial stability and building a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations.

That fund represents more than dollars.

It represents our commitment to ensuring that Rio Rancho's best days are always ahead.

And through it all, we remained focused on what matters most, the people of Rio Rancho.

None of these accomplishments happened because of one person.

The people uh they they happened because of a team.

To the members of the city council, past and present, thank you for your partnership, your leadership, and your willingness to work through challenges for the good of our community.

To our city staff, the men and women who show up every single day to serve this city, thank you.

Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment are what keep Rio Rancho running.

You are the backbone of this organization, and I am incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.

To our public safety personnel, our police officers, firefighters, first responders, thank you for your courage and your service.

You put your lives on the line to protect our residents and our community is stronger because of you.

Chief Steele, Chief Winzel, and all of your team, thank you.

As one chapter closes, uh I'm sorry, and to the citizens of Rio Rancho, thank you for your trust, your support, and your belief in what we could achieve together.

It has been a privilege to serve you.

As one chapter closes and another begins, it is my honor to welcome the incoming mayor, Paul Weimer.

Paul, your stepping into this role at a time when Rio Rancho is strong, growing, and full of opportunity.

I have confidence in your leadership and your commitment to this community.

I ask everyone here and across our city to support you as you take on this important responsibility.

And while tonight marks the end of my time as mayor, my commitment to Rio Rancho does not end here.

This community will always be home, and I will always be one of its biggest supporters.

Thank you all for allowing me to serve.

Thank you for believing in what we could accomplish together, and thank you for 12 incredible years.

God bless you and God bless the City of Rio Rancho.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I would I would be remiss if I didn't send out a special thank you and ask her to come down here for our first lady and my wife Carrie, who has been right there with us the whole time.

Can I have you come down here, sweetheart?

Without her support behind me and guiding us and just cheering us on, we wouldn't be where we are today.

She is, I call her the mayor behind the mayor.

And she takes great care of our family, and she stands strong with all of my crazy ideas.

Little story if I haven't if you haven't heard this one before, but uh after I sold my small business, uh, took some time off and uh was you know had a honeydew list at the house and we were working on that, and she finally got tired of me being home all the time.

Yes, please be seated, thank you.

Um I got tired of me being home all the time, so she said, You need to go get a job.

At that time, she was thinking Walmart greeter, you know.

Finally got tired of me being home all the time so she said you need to go get a job at that time she was thinking Walmart greeter you know uh but uh but uh I came home and I said honey I I think I've I think I've got the job that I want to I want to I want to do and she's like what's that I said I'm gonna run for mayor she's like surprised she didn't break out in tears right there um and after we ran for office and and one one election that I remember that first night we we uh we were driving home after we had found out that I'd uh uh been elected uh and uh we looked at each other in the car and I said what have we done she said no what have you done and then the next morning we're standing at home uh getting ready to come to work here at the city for on my first day and there there I pop up on the TV screen and all I can hear is her crying and and I said what's the matter she says you're on the TV everybody's seeing this and I said yes uh it's life's gonna get a little bit more noticeable uh we're gonna be out there in the in the uh in in the public now and uh I am just grateful to each and every one of you who who have made that life in public one of the best moments of our life the way the community has surrounded us and I have to say thank you to her because she's given up a lot of personal time uh she's given up family time she's given up birthdays she's given up time with me to be at public events to make sure that she was there representing Rio Rancho standing by my side so there were a lot of sacrifices that she made and the city is greater for her sacrifices so sweetheart I just want to say thank you so much and with that counselor comments Mr.

Mayor Counselor Colbras since this has been a very loquacious evening thank you Commissioner Howe I will keep my comments brief that is my new favorite word um uh Mr.

Mayor thank you so much um for your service to the city um but probably uh for the first time I can remember uh I might have to agree with uh Senator Block and say that you are my second favorite whole uh because Carrie you truly are my first favorite I am grateful for you um it has been an honor to serve alongside you Mr.

Mayor and I look forward to continuing to serve as your city counselor yes thank you absolutely she is my counselor that's right thank you Mr.

Mayor Counselor Dabson so I unfortunately don't get didn't get to spend as much time as I would have liked working with you but I also um have had the privilege of being uh one of your constituents for the 12 years that you've been mayor and watching the way things have gotten better since you became mayor so I was really excited to work with you and I'm really sad to see you go but um I think Paul has some big shoes to fill but I think he can do it and um I just want to tell you that I enjoyed every minute of working with the council and with you.

Thank you Mr.

Mayor thank you Mr Mayor Counselor List uh I just want to say thank you so much for your service um it is evident to any of us that have ever been through an election cycle out in the community just the amount of appreciation and respect and connection people have to you in this community and I think that that speaks volumes to who you are I know that we've mentioned before but you you do go above and beyond whether it's showing up at 8 p.m or showing up with your truck to pick up trash or um whatever you can do to bridge a gap and I think that that also speaks volumes of your character and who you are I am so grateful that I think this applies to three of us sitting up here but you took a chance on us when you had an opportunity to appoint someone to be here and you put your name on the line by putting us forward and I am so appreciative that someone that you had never met and you didn't know anything about after I think I grilled you as much as you grilled me you said hey let's let's move forward and so I just want to say thank you so much.

I have absolutely loved and appreciated the opportunity to get to know you to watch you you and Carrie are who you say you are and you are true solid Christian couple and role models and leaders and I just am so grateful that that is the role model that has spearheaded the city and I appreciate um your efforts to continue to to make our our community a better place and I I wish you the best but from me and my family we thank you so much and we love you both and we appreciate you thank you Mr.

We thank you so much, and we love you both, and we appreciate you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, Councillor Lynentine.

Uh I just want to echo the comments of of everyone but Counselor List too, and um thank you for taking a chance um on us.

Um a lot's been said and and should be said for the last 12 years with roads and improvements and you know, all the we I feel like we've done so much with fewer dollars and less staff, and that's something that you can equate and see.

And uh so to all the city staff that has worked so hard um backing your vision for the last 12 years.

Thank you to all the department heads.

You guys are fantastic, you do such a great job.

Um, but Mr.

Mayor, it starts with you, and um what I want to point out is just what I've consistently watched in you over these last 12 years is just your love for um people.

I remember before uh before uh I was in the city council.

I remember you uh pulled me into your house, I was doing something over there, and you were so excited to show me uh a shoe closet that you had had that you had done for Miss Carey, and uh because it I quote she has to put you know some place to put her 97 pairs of shoes, is what I think that you said and uh your love for family was evident, and the the house that you built and for your your kids and for grandkids and all that, and also your love for community.

Um, I always call you the people's mayor.

No one goes to more events, knows more people.

You can't find someone in Rio Rancho that doesn't feel like they know the mayor well, you know, and have a personal story with them because of all of the connections and the the care that you've given to people, and then also your love for under underprivileged people in our community.

Um before I was on this council, um, you would call up and we go and clean weeds at a single mom's house or elderly couple or someone that maybe they were getting a notice that they need to pull their weeds, but they couldn't do it, and you just went out there with several of us in your truck and got it done because they needed it to get it done.

And uh that's how you've always been.

Um during COVID, we put together a few a food distribution program just to help people, and all the way I have just watched you be a great servant leader, and um we've seen your vision on display for this city for 12 years, and we're all better for it.

So thank you for your friendship to your mentorship and your kindness uh to me, to my family, to all of us, and uh Rio Rancho is a better place today, certainly than we were 12 years ago because of your influence, because of your family, and because of all you've done for us.

So thank you so much, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor, Counselor Tyrant.

I'm gonna make mine really quick.

Okay, not um you know, I've gotten to serve with the mayor for eight years of his 12, and uh all of it hasn't always been the glorious service sometimes.

We always go behind closed doors and we have our discussions and they're heated and debated, and that's what I'm gonna miss because he was the most open man, the best person to go and talk to, the easiest to talk to, and he always tried to talk me off the ledge because it was never my way, it was always I had to go look down the other side.

But I can remember a time when uh my wife was out, and Greg was like, Well, let me come over and I was having a frustrating day, and he goes, Let me just come over and cook you dinner.

And I'm like, what do you mean cook me dinner?

So sure enough, he came over and he cooked spaghetti for me and my kids, and they hate spaghetti.

They used to, but they used to, but they ate his, and I was like, holy how did you do that?

So, anyways, Greg is an amazing man, he's a great servant for the city of Rio Rancho and was a great servant for the city of Real Rancho.

I don't think anyone will ever deny that fact, and no one can say that he was unapproachable or someone they couldn't communicate with.

If you didn't communicate with them, it was your own fault.

You didn't reach out to him.

Um, I think Greg uh is the vision of City of Rio Rancho, and he believes it, he lives it every single day.

And for me and my family, and I've lived up here for over 20 years.

I appreciate every single thing he's done, not from the city council side, but from a resident of the city of Rio Rancho, because I see the growth of the city of Rio Rancho.

I see where it was, I see where it has come, and I hopefully see where it's gonna go in the future.

And it's all because of this man right here who's done a lot for us.

Um, I I can't say enough.

I think every time I go out, I tell everyone, I'm like, Greg is the most approachable, easiest guy to talk to, and it's just it's amazing to have someone like you there for everyone.

So thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you for everything you've done, and thanks for listening to me yell and scream all the time too.

I really appreciate that.

No, no problem.

I know I know how to get it settled down.

Cook some spaghetti, and you're not doing it.

But thank you.

You gotta do what it takes.

Yes, Councilor Weimer, Mr.

Mr.

Mayor, um, hey, let me first apologize for not being on camera.

My remote location, as I mentioned during the work session, is giving me sporadic problems, so I apologize for that.

I also want to thank Ben Mays for his congratulatory message.

That was an off awesome presentation, Ben.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mayor, as you know, I oftentimes say, I'm not gonna pile on, but I'm gonna pile on.

Um thank you for all the beneficial achievements you championed for the last 12 years.

They will be a continual reminder of the impact that they have every day to both existing and new citizens.

It's pretty amazing.

Those achievements have become everyday expectations.

They're simply a part of living in the best city in New Mexico.

From a personal standpoint, your support of me has been unwavering.

You're always there for me.

Well, that advice and direction, you know, didn't always come solicited from me.

Like I didn't ask you for it.

And sometimes it bordered on bordered on annoying.

Um, I always knew that you had the best intentions.

Still, still I have to say, after listening a hundred times to you need to, you need to, my uh my listening often fell to zero.

I also need to say on the record from a personal standpoint.

I realize and recognize that your support has been instrumental in so many of my accomplishments in business, in government governance, and also in my personal life.

The bottom line, thank you for everything you have done for our city, and thank you for everything you have done for me personally.

This may be the end of a journey for you, sir, but never the end of a friendship.

On to the roundhouse, Mr.

Governor.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you, Mayor Elect Weimer.

And uh as I said, I know you're gonna do a great job, and I want to encourage everybody to please uh support uh Mayor Elect Weimer as uh he takes our our beautiful community forward, so we're very excited for that.

Um if there's nothing further from count uh council comments, Mr.

City Manager will take your report now.

Mr.

Mayor, members of the governing body, good evening.

Um just a couple quick things.

Um busy weekend for city events.

Uh first and foremost, uh, we have our DEA national uh take back event.

Um clean out your old prescription drugs from your closet and take them to uh uh the police headquarters on 500 quantum um between 10 a.m.

and two p.m.

Much safer way to dispose of them and to assure that they uh they are disposed of properly and do not put them down the toilet because that's not good either.

Um so followed by uh a couple other events.

Um we have our Star Wars Fest at Lomo, Colorado Library uh from 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m.

And then park in the park.

I think it's the 20th, some odd 23rd uh iteration of Park in the Park here at campus uh park, longest running event in the city uh from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m.

Uh would also, Mr.

Mayor, uh two stints uh that we got to work together.

Would like to thank you for uh convincing me to come back to the city in 2019.

Uh thank you for the support and the opportunity to become city manager.

Um wish you the best of luck.

I will see you further on up the road because it's literally around the corner.

So I will see you on the road in the neighborhood.

So best of luck to you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right.

If there's nothing further, um that being said, for my last time, we are adjourned.