OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting - August 27, 2026

Meeting Portal — Thursday, August 27, 2026
BodyRio Rancho, New Mexico
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, August 27, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 52:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Please remain stand remain standing and I want to take a moment to recognize uh our first uh responders and their commitment to our safety.

0:19

I also want to take a moment to think about the folks in Nepal and the horrific incident that they're dealing with right now.

0:33

Thank you.

0:34

You may be seated.

0:44

All right, I'm gonna read a read a statement here that we always read.

0:48

Please silence all electronic devices while attending the governing body meeting.

0:51

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

0:54

I don't think we can hear you.

0:58

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

1:01

Counselor Dabson.

1:02

Counselor Dabson is running late and will be here shortly.

1:06

Councilor Lennon.

1:11

Councilor Lenantine, can you hear well?

1:15

We see him there, but oh there he is.

1:17

Yes.

1:17

Yes, we can now.

1:18

Thank you.

1:20

Councillor Tyler has been excused.

1:22

He is in Las Cruces attending the New Mexico Municipal League conference and is representing the city of Rio Rancho at that event.

1:31

Councilor Mann.

1:32

Present.

1:33

Councilor Colbret.

1:34

Present.

1:35

Counselor List.

1:38

Present.

1:41

Thank you.

1:41

All right, we will move on to proclamations and awards of merit.

1:45

We have none.

1:46

So we will move on to public forum.

1:48

We have several folks signed up for them.

1:51

Each comment will be limited to two minutes and no more than two hours total will be allotted for public forum comments at the meeting.

1:59

So we will start with Amanda Luddenberg.

2:09

All right.

2:14

I'm Amanda Lenberg.

2:15

I live in Rio Rancho.

2:17

On July 27, 2026, eight approximately three-week-old puppies were dumped in Rio Rancho.

2:23

The shelter, with the help of social media and people sharing, did manage to get them out to rescue before the end of the day when they would have been euthanized because the shelter did not have anyone to care for them.

2:34

Our animal shelter needs a foster program for situations like this, and also to help animals that have been there for a long time to become better candidates for adoption.

2:43

If you need help, reach out to the community and ask.

2:46

People want to help, but currently it's pretty difficult to help.

3:05

So my second suggestion this evening is a humane one.

3:09

The dogs in the care of the city of Rio Rancho need to get out of their candles every day or every other day, because I assume they're being euthanized for kennel stress since the shelter is never full.

3:20

If staffing does not allow this, the city needs to endeavor to have a robust volunteer program and do what other shelters do.

3:26

Allow for doggy day outs, let volunteers take dogs' places, and do adoption events.

3:33

If I do not see the City of Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center at the upcoming pooch plunge, I will be very disappointed.

3:40

There are rescues and shelters making long drives to save lives.

3:44

So y'all can drive down the road, set up some crates, and get the dogs out in public.

3:49

Thank you.

3:50

Thank you very much.

3:51

Next on the list.

3:56

Next on the list, Nicole Graeber.

4:08

Thank you for your time this evening.

4:09

My name is Nicole Graber.

4:11

I'm a constituent of District 5 in Rio Rancho.

4:14

And hi I am here tonight to talk to you about a vital community asset, the Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center, and more specifically, the missed potential of its volunteer program.

4:25

If you visit the city's website, you will find a link to a volunteer application.

4:30

On paper, it looks like an opportunity for residents to get back.

4:34

In practice, however, the program is severely limited.

4:38

Currently, there is no formal training provided to volunteers to teach them how to properly handle animals or assist with enrichment.

4:46

More importantly, volunteers are restricted, prohibited from walking dogs or taking them out of their runs to the designated play yards.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Technology and Innovation███████████████████████████27%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Affordable Housing██████████████████18%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Animal Welfare████████8%
Land Use Planning███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Rio Rancho Governing Body Meeting - August 27, 2026

This regular meeting of the Rio Rancho Governing Body began at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting covered a consent calendar, public comments, a public hearing for a townhome subdivision, discussion and approval of well rehabilitation contracts, and approval of a consolidated Axon contract for police technology. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously: Minutes of the August 13, 2026 Regular Meeting; Resolution R62 (Budget Adjustment to General Fund); Resolution R63 (Disposal of Fleet Vehicles and Obsolete Items); Resolution R64 (Budget Adjustment to Public Safety Donations Fund); Decision D50 and D51 (Variance approvals for 50' lot widths on two lots in Rio Rancho Estates Unit 11, Block V, Lots 48 and 49).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Animal shelter concerns: Amanda Luddenberg and Nicole Graeber urged the city to create a foster program, provide formal volunteer training, and allow volunteers to walk dogs and assist with adoptions, citing kennel stress and euthanasia risks.
  • Surveillance cameras (ALPRs/Flock): Multiple speakers (Joaquin Montoya of DFLOC New Mexico, Matt Griffin, Chris Adams, Ronald Borkland) opposed the existing Flock license plate readers, arguing they violate Fourth Amendment rights and constitute mass surveillance. Joaquin Montoya noted a petition with 3,700 signatures. Speakers requested removal of the cameras and non-renewal of contracts.
  • Water usage concerns: Crystal Quinans questioned the amount of fresh water being used by a construction project west of the city for dust control, citing the ongoing water crisis.
  • Mayor's response: Mayor acknowledged both sides of the surveillance issue and directed attendees to a police department presentation on the city website.

Public Hearing

  • D52 – Site Plan Approval for 32-Lot Townhome Subdivision (La Plazuela Tract 2A): Director of Development Services Amy Rincon presented the project, noting it meets special use zone standards and a settlement agreement. Applicant Leanne Werblow described the townhomes as affordable homeownership opportunities. Council questioned park requirements; staff confirmed proximity to three parks meets code. Approved unanimously.

Discussion and Deliberation

  • D53 – Well Rehabilitation Contracts: Director Gallegos requested approval of two contracts to Pump Tech, LLC (DBA Alpha Southwest) for Well 7 (cost: $710,537.58) and Well 15 (cost: $526,864.15). Both wells are critical for city water production, with estimated six-month concurrent completion. Approved unanimously.
  • D54 – Axon Contract Consolidation & Expansion: Lieutenant Brandon McKinney presented a plan to consolidate three existing Axon contracts (tasers, body cameras, FUSIS) into one 90-month agreement, adding 25 new cameras, auto-tagging, Axon Assistant (translation), and VR training. The consolidation would save $1,662,572.32 over the contract life. A termination clause allows cancellation for any reason. Public speaker Richard Sanchez (DFLOC) opposed the surveillance expansion. Council clarified that body-worn cameras are distinct from traffic cameras and serve as protections for both officers and citizens. Approved unanimously.

City Manager Report

  • Upcoming events: Car seat clinic (Aug 29), Cabezon Local Market (Sept 5), Labor Day closure (Sept 7), Governing Body Meet & Greet and Pooch Plunge (Sept 12), Fall Community Cleanup (Sept 26, registration deadline Sept 18).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar approved unanimously.
  • D52, D53, and D54 all approved unanimously.
  • No ordinances were read (second or first reading).
  • Meeting adjourned after city manager report.

Meeting Transcript

Please remain stand remain standing and I want to take a moment to recognize uh our first uh responders and their commitment to our safety. I also want to take a moment to think about the folks in Nepal and the horrific incident that they're dealing with right now. Thank you. You may be seated. All right, I'm gonna read a read a statement here that we always read. Please silence all electronic devices while attending the governing body meeting. For the record, I will announce the names of the governing body members. I don't think we can hear you. When I say your name, please acknowledge by saying present. Counselor Dabson. Counselor Dabson is running late and will be here shortly. Councilor Lennon. Councilor Lenantine, can you hear well? We see him there, but oh there he is. Yes. Yes, we can now. Thank you. Councillor Tyler has been excused. He is in Las Cruces attending the New Mexico Municipal League conference and is representing the city of Rio Rancho at that event. Councilor Mann. Present. Councilor Colbret. Present. Counselor List. Present. Thank you. All right, we will move on to proclamations and awards of merit. We have none. So we will move on to public forum. We have several folks signed up for them. Each comment will be limited to two minutes and no more than two hours total will be allotted for public forum comments at the meeting. So we will start with Amanda Luddenberg. All right. I'm Amanda Lenberg. I live in Rio Rancho. On July 27, 2026, eight approximately three-week-old puppies were dumped in Rio Rancho. The shelter, with the help of social media and people sharing, did manage to get them out to rescue before the end of the day when they would have been euthanized because the shelter did not have anyone to care for them. Our animal shelter needs a foster program for situations like this, and also to help animals that have been there for a long time to become better candidates for adoption. If you need help, reach out to the community and ask. People want to help, but currently it's pretty difficult to help. So my second suggestion this evening is a humane one. The dogs in the care of the city of Rio Rancho need to get out of their candles every day or every other day, because I assume they're being euthanized for kennel stress since the shelter is never full. If staffing does not allow this, the city needs to endeavor to have a robust volunteer program and do what other shelters do. Allow for doggy day outs, let volunteers take dogs' places, and do adoption events. If I do not see the City of Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center at the upcoming pooch plunge, I will be very disappointed. There are rescues and shelters making long drives to save lives. So y'all can drive down the road, set up some crates, and get the dogs out in public. Thank you. Thank you very much. Next on the list.

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