Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting May 26, 2026: Fire Station 8 Contract Approved, Orchard Park Master Plan Rejected
Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting – May 26, 2026
The Rio Rancho Governing Body met on May 26, 2026, to recognize retiring Superintendent Dr. V. Sue Cleveland, hear public comments, approve a consent calendar, and vote on several agenda items. Key actions included the unanimous approval of a contract for Fire Station 8, a procurement code amendment, investment policy changes, and a utilities budget adjustment, while the Orchard Park Master Plan was rejected.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Minutes of the March 26, 2026 Regular Meeting; Resolution R22 (budget adjustment to the Fire Protection Fund); and Resolution R23 (disposal of property from the Library and Information Services Department).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Cheryl Gantz (Los Rios neighborhood, District 6) reported that the 2014 outdoor lighting ordinance is often not enforced for new residential homes. After contacting the Building Department, she learned that staff would add lighting to the plan review checklist and address the issue. She praised the responsive city employees.
- Tom Dixon (23-year resident) requested vehicle barriers on a pedestrian path from Chiote Road to Springer to prevent vehicles from using the path. He asked that funds be set aside in the 2027 budget for this purpose.
- Van Horn urged the governing body to study aquifer subsidence issues and make the Public Infrastructure Advisory Board actionable. He also noted upcoming Colorado River negotiations and said he would email additional research papers to councilors.
Discussion Items
- R24 – Orchard Park Master Plan: Director Amy Rincone presented a 43-acre master plan north of Northern Meadows proposing 278 single-family lots on 4,000 sq ft lots, with 2.4 acres of parkland in four separate parcels. The plan excluded several holdout lots within the boundary, allowing the developer to claim 100% ownership of included parcels. Councilors expressed concerns about the piecemeal parks, lack of park equipment, interior holdout lots creating disconnected sidewalks and open spaces, and the potential circumvention of the DPM ownership requirements. The applicant (AMREP Southwest) stated they are actively trying to acquire holdout lots. The motion to approve failed on a vote of 2 in favor (Councilor Weimer, Mayor Hall) and 4 against (Councilors Lenentine, List, Dabson, Culbreath).
- O5 – Ordinance Amending Chapter 36 (Finance and Revenue): First reading. Director Yara explained the amendment exempts contracts for employee insurance and retirement services from standard procurement to allow flexibility due to sensitive data. Other local governments have similar exemptions. The motion passed unanimously.
- R25 – Resolution Amending the Permanent Fund Investment Policy Statement: Director Yara presented minor language changes to clarify the role of the New Mexico State Investment Council and to memorialize the ability to invest in real return assets (up to 5% of the portfolio). Approved unanimously.
- R26 – Resolution Authorizing a Budget Adjustment to the Utilities Operation Fund: Director Gallegos requested a $1.5 million adjustment—$1 million for water infrastructure repairs and $500,000 for lift station and treatment plant repairs. Approved unanimously.
- D10 – Advice and Consent for Contract to Enterprise Builders Corporation for Fire Station 8: Fire Chief Winslow presented the project to build Fire Station 8 on the UNSER corridor at Veranda and Cabezon. The 15,461 sq ft station will include four apparatus bays, 12 bunk rooms, and a community room. The total contract cost is $13,666,323.97 (including GRT), funded by state capital outlay ($6M+), a revenue bond ($8.4M), and other sources. Groundbreaking is scheduled for May 4, 2026. Councilors praised the collaboration and design. Motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- R24 (Orchard Park Master Plan) failed, with 2 in favor and 4 against.
- O5, R25, R26, and D10 were all approved unanimously.
- Dr. V. Sue Cleveland was recognized with a proclamation for her 31 years as superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools.
- City Manager updated on early voting (through April 10, election day April 14), and upcoming events: Tree seedling giveaway (April 11), Rummage Sale (April 11), Vendor event (April 16), Sabinar Grande (April 17), Park in the Park and Star Wars Fest (April 25).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for rising for the Pledge of Allegiance. Let's see. Councilor Colbrook, would you leave, please? Liberty and Justice Raw. Thank you. If you'll please remain standing for just a moment, as uh I'd like to do take a moment of silence to reflect on our first responders uh and just keeping them in our thoughts and prayers as they uh uh protect us on a day-to-day basis. Thank you very much. You may be seated. As I go ahead and call this meeting to order, please silence all electronic devices while attending governing body meetings. And for the record, I'll announce the names of the governing body members. When I say your name, please say present. Um Councillor Dabson, who is online. President. Thank you. Councillor Linantine, present. Councilor Tyler has been excused, Councillor Weimer. Present. Thank you. Councillor Colbrece. Present. Thank you, and Councillor List. Present. Thank you. All right. Um we're gonna start this evening off with uh some prop a proclamation and awards of merit, uh recognition this evening. We're joined this evening by Dr. V. Sue Cleveland, uh School of Super Superintendent Extraordinaire. So we're gonna have you join us down here, Dr. Dr. That would be wonderful. And so we've got a proclamation here, and then we're gonna have you say a few words if you don't mind. And uh recognizing you here at the city, we want to make sure that uh we give you that uh appropriate recognition because we are gonna miss you. From the Office of the Mayor City of Rio Rancho, the certificate of recognition, whereas after 31 years of service, Dr. V Sue Cleveland, real Rancho Public Schools, superintendent of schools will retire in the spring of 2026. And whereas Dr. Cleveland is a native New Mexican, and after gaining experience as a teacher and administrator and superintendent in New Mexico, Texas, South in South Carolina, Dr. Cleveland returned to New Mexico to become Rio Rancho Public Schools first and founding and up until this point only superintendent. And whereas Dr. Cleveland shepherded Rio Rancho Public Schools growth from 5,900 students and seven schools in 1994 to more than 16,000 students and over 20 schools in 2026. And whereas over the years, Dr. Cleveland and Rio Rancho Public Schools have been recognized nationally for performance and excellence, and whereas Rio Rancho Public Schools under Dr. Cleveland has been a major force in encouraging industry, business, and families to choose Rio Rancho as a place to live, work, and raise children. And whereas Dr. Cleveland provided leadership to Rio Rancho schools for more than three decades, and upon her retirement is the longest serving superintendent of schools in the state of New Mexico. So now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gregory D. Hull, as mayor of the City of Rio Rancho, do hereby recognize Dr. V. Sue Cleveland for her outstanding service as the superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools to the City of Rio Rancho and its children and families and citizens.
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