OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 15, 2026

Meeting Portal — Monday, June 15, 2026
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateMonday, June 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:42

There we go.

0:43

So I call the meeting to order, and let's do the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:47

Pledge Allegiance to the fly of the United States of America and to the Republic.

0:54

One nation under God.

1:05

Okay.

1:08

With that, the approval of the last month's minutes.

1:13

Do I have a motion to approve last month?

1:15

Everybody have a chance to look at them.

1:18

Do I have a motion to approve?

1:21

I'll make a motion to approve.

1:22

Okay.

1:24

Okay.

1:39

Okay, this is a roll call for the minutes.

1:41

Uh Commissioner Romero.

1:45

And do you approve the minutes?

1:49

Okay.

1:50

Um stain.

1:53

Uh Commissioner Herrera.

1:57

President.

1:58

Yes.

2:00

Commissioner Edwards.

2:07

Commissioner Edwards, do you approve the minutes?

2:11

No.

2:13

Commissioner Leading.

2:16

Present and I approve.

2:18

And Commissioner Marsh?

2:20

Uh present, I approve.

2:21

Okay, let me see if I can get okay.

2:29

Um so staff presentations.

2:31

Um Diane Soyner?

2:34

Sonye.

2:39

Okay.

2:59

Here in a minute, she said.

3:00

Okay.

3:02

Um good evening, Commissioners.

3:03

Um, I have quite a few projects to give you updates on.

3:07

Um, as I promised at the last meeting.

3:10

Um there's not a lot underway right now as far as construction because we're kind of in that position between closing out one fiscal year, starting another, and quite a few projects are in design.

3:22

So right now, um, some of the projects that are in design include the King Meadows Park parking lot replacement, which would replace the existing asphalt parking lot with a smaller parking lot because the one that's there is greatly oversized for that facility.

3:39

Um, and there's two integrated basketball courts in that system, and we would be designing to replace those and a portion of the old asphalt parking lot with three concrete basketball courts, um, and then also a dog park would be in that area.

3:56

Um, we may not have complete funding to build all of that with a single phase, so it might be in two phases where of course initially we would demo the existing parking lot and replace the necessary parking spaces of that parking lot.

4:13

Um I don't know if somebody needs to let her in.

4:17

She I don't know who that is, sorry.

4:20

I was distracted.

4:21

Anyway, um, also an in design is the Sierra Norte two pickleball courts and park expansion.

4:30

So that's phase two of Sierra Norte.

4:32

Um again, we're looking at creating a new parking lot there as well as a small turf field and or I should say grass field, some site landscaping, um, possibly um designing an area for a shade structure and the eight pickleball courts and any grading and drainage associated with that.

4:53

Then we also have the enchanted hills trail replacement or neighborhood trail replacement project.

5:01

Again, that is in design, and that includes the replacement of the 12-foot wide trail that goes from Chayote through the Enchanted Hills neighborhood down to Safe Light following adjacent to Safe Light, Fulcrum all the way to Enchanted Hills, that is funded with a state grant.

5:22

And once that design is complete, we would pursue funding actual construction construction in two to in up to two phases through that same state grant.

5:34

Then we also have the Rio Rancho Sports Complex North Phase 3.

5:40

That design was just completed, and so our hope is we're going to review all of the documents in the bid tab that the landscape architect had provided to us, and then we would go through the bidding process to bid out the construction of that phase three.

5:59

Hopefully that will happen this coming fall.

6:02

Then the last thing that is in design that has not started yet, but we just wrapped up the conceptual plan for the Rio Rancho Multi-Generation Center, and we will be bringing some of those schematic designs and the programming, which in our instance means how we've allocated space for the list of services or programs we would provide to the public.

6:27

We would be bringing that to the commission for your general review and comments at the July meeting.

6:35

So those are the items that are in design at this time.

6:39

Projects that will start construction in the next coming year.

6:44

Hopefully, once they open up our opportunities to use existing contracts to hire contractors to conduct the work would be to purchase and install the benches and picnic tables, trash cans and dogway stations for the phase two component of campus park, to install two monument signs at campus park and the name Campus Park on the restroom building.

7:15

As well as to install or replace the skate park at the Rio Rancho Sports Complex.

7:24

That is one of the bond election items that came up in this March election.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████66%
Public Engagement██████████████████27%
Procedural█████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 15, 2026

The Parks and Recreation Commission met on June 15, 2026, to approve previous minutes, receive departmental updates on park projects, aquatics, and summer programming, and discuss upcoming events including the July 4th celebration.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Previous Minutes: Motion and roll call vote: Commissioner Edwards voted no; Commissioners Romero, Herrera, Leading, and Marsh voted yes. Minutes were approved.

Discussion Items

  • Staff Presentation – Diane Soyner (Parks Projects):
    • Projects in design: King Meadows Park parking lot replacement (smaller lot, three concrete basketball courts, dog park; may be phased); Sierra Norte phase 2 (eight pickleball courts, new parking, grass field, shade structure); Enchanted Hills trail replacement (12-foot trail, state grant funded, construction in up to two phases); Rio Rancho Sports Complex North Phase 3 (design complete, bidding anticipated fall 2026); Rio Rancho Multi-Generation Center (conceptual plan complete, schematic design and space programming to be presented at July commission meeting).
    • Projects starting construction in coming year (pending bond sale and fiscal year): Campus Park phase 2 amenities (benches, picnic tables, trash cans, dog stations); monument signs and restroom building branding; skate park replacement at Sports Complex; playground replacement and improvements at Sugar Park; Rainbow pool pump replacement (post-2026 outdoor season); Haynes Pool parking lot replacement; Western Winds playground structure replacement (ages 5–12); Star Heights Park playground repairs; exercise equipment at Broadmoor Senior Center terrace (funding dependent on federal CDBG approval; city may pursue alternative funding or reapply to state).
    • Tomorrow presentation to Sandoval County Master Gardeners and Rio Rancho Bosque group on Bosque history and habitat.
  • Commissioner Edwards noted public interest in Multi-Generation Center on social media; asked about inviting public input. Director Connie responded that the July presentation is a public meeting but does not include public Q&A; a separate town hall at Sabana Grande Recreation Center is being planned for renderings and questions.
  • Staff Presentation – Charles Fernandez (Parks Maintenance):
    • Still short-staffed (six positions down). Weed control ongoing (spray and manual removal). Growing season maintenance: irrigation, mowing, aeration, fertilizing completed. Irrigation breaks repaired quickly. Site printer upgrades continuing citywide for next 2–3 months. Preparing Campus Park for July 4th event; coordinating with Noah for decorations and flag setup.
  • Staff Presentation – Bianca (Aquatics):
    • Summer aquatics in full swing: swim lessons session 3 started June 1, session 4 started today. All levels 3 and 4 seashells and sun horse classes full; waitlist called. Two club teams practice at Rainbow. Rentals at Haynes, Rainbow, and Rio Rancho Aquatic Center booked through August; limited weekend availability at Haynes. Summer pool hours: RRAC Wednesday–Sunday 12-5; Haynes and Rainbow Monday–Sunday 12-6; Cabazone Wednesday–Sunday 12-6. Two new benches installed at Aquatic Center.
  • Staff Presentation – Connie (Parks and Recreation Director):
    • Juneteenth celebration at Haynes Park this Saturday, June 19 (or 20?) – program includes proclamation, performances, historical portrayals, vendors. Theme: Remembering African American Unsung Heroes.
    • Summer camp ongoing at all five community centers. Recreation centers offering fitness, arts, sports, dance, pickleball. Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful supports volunteer-led cleanups.
    • July 4th celebration at Campus Park: Saturday, July 4, 5:30–9:30 PM. Parade (registration free, required by June 26), New Mexico Philharmonic, Rio Grande Symphonic Band, food trucks, fireworks. Blankets and coolers allowed; no glass or alcohol (alcohol in designated area). Library hosting traveling exhibit "Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy" at Loma Colorado Main Library July 1–September 12. Commissioners invited to serve as parade float judges.
  • Commissioner Edwards inquired about Movies in the Park program. Connie explained it was discontinued last year due to frequent weather cancellations and high licensing costs. Edwards suggested "dive-in movie nights" at indoor pools as an alternative; Bianca noted safety concerns with lighting and flotation devices but agreed to explore the idea. Commissioner offered to volunteer.
  • Commissioner (unidentified) praised the Women's Veterans event at the Skyroom, noting attendees were impressed. Also mentioned Commissioner Leading was nominated as a New Mexico hero by a student for the nation's 250th anniversary flag program.
  • No public forum was held.

Key Outcomes

  • Previous minutes approved (4-1).
  • Staff will bring Multi-Generation Center schematic design to July meeting; a public town hall is being planned.
  • Parks maintenance continues with weed control and irrigation, short-staffed.
  • Aquatics programs fully booked; caution about dive-in movies but further discussion possible.
  • July 4th parade registration deadline June 26; commissioners interested in judging should contact Connie.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

There we go. So I call the meeting to order, and let's do the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge Allegiance to the fly of the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation under God. Okay. With that, the approval of the last month's minutes. Do I have a motion to approve last month? Everybody have a chance to look at them. Do I have a motion to approve? I'll make a motion to approve. Okay. Okay. Okay, this is a roll call for the minutes. Uh Commissioner Romero. And do you approve the minutes? Okay. Um stain. Uh Commissioner Herrera. President. Yes. Commissioner Edwards. Commissioner Edwards, do you approve the minutes? No. Commissioner Leading. Present and I approve. And Commissioner Marsh? Uh present, I approve. Okay, let me see if I can get okay. Um so staff presentations. Um Diane Soyner? Sonye. Okay. Here in a minute, she said. Okay. Um good evening, Commissioners. Um, I have quite a few projects to give you updates on. Um, as I promised at the last meeting. Um there's not a lot underway right now as far as construction because we're kind of in that position between closing out one fiscal year, starting another, and quite a few projects are in design. So right now, um, some of the projects that are in design include the King Meadows Park parking lot replacement, which would replace the existing asphalt parking lot with a smaller parking lot because the one that's there is greatly oversized for that facility. Um, and there's two integrated basketball courts in that system, and we would be designing to replace those and a portion of the old asphalt parking lot with three concrete basketball courts, um, and then also a dog park would be in that area. Um, we may not have complete funding to build all of that with a single phase, so it might be in two phases where of course initially we would demo the existing parking lot and replace the necessary parking spaces of that parking lot. Um I don't know if somebody needs to let her in. She I don't know who that is, sorry. I was distracted. Anyway, um, also an in design is the Sierra Norte two pickleball courts and park expansion. So that's phase two of Sierra Norte. Um again, we're looking at creating a new parking lot there as well as a small turf field and or I should say grass field, some site landscaping, um, possibly um designing an area for a shade structure and the eight pickleball courts and any grading and drainage associated with that. Then we also have the enchanted hills trail replacement or neighborhood trail replacement project. Again, that is in design, and that includes the replacement of the 12-foot wide trail that goes from Chayote through the Enchanted Hills neighborhood down to Safe Light following adjacent to Safe Light, Fulcrum all the way to Enchanted Hills, that is funded with a state grant. And once that design is complete, we would pursue funding actual construction construction in two to in up to two phases through that same state grant.

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