Rio Rancho Regular Governing Body Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Governing Body of Rio Rancho met on September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a public forum with several speakers criticizing the city's use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and questioning water billing credits, followed by a public hearing and vote on a proposed Maverik gas station site plan that was ultimately rejected due to traffic safety concerns.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0) the consent calendar, which included: minutes from the August 18, 2026 Special Meeting and Work Session; minutes from the August 27, 2026 Regular Meeting; resolutions authorizing disposal of property from the Police Department (R65), Library and Information Services Department (R66), and Financial Services Department (R67); and the appointment of Holly Barela to the Planning and Zoning Board (D55). Councilor Tyler noted a scrivener's error in the Work Session minutes to correct his title from "Councilor" to "Mayor."

Public Comments & Testimony

• Grace Dukes (Albuquerque resident) criticized the city council and mayor for what she called incompetence and for violating Fourth Amendment rights through Flock ALPR surveillance cameras, demanding their removal.
• Joaquin Montoya (speaking for DFLAC New Mexico) presented statistics on ALPR inaccuracies, citing a 71% error rate in Roseville County, California, and incidents in Española, Aurora, and Ventura County. He argued the technology is a financial liability and accuracy failure.
• Ronald Bjorkland (Rio Rancho resident) expressed concern that Flock cameras violate Fourth Amendment rights, though he acknowledged the police department's good work.
• Casey Robinson (District 2 resident) warned about privacy risks of ALPR data collection, referencing historical parallels and noting that private companies could misuse data. He quoted Benjamin Franklin on liberty and safety.
• Corrine Rios (Rio Rancho resident) asked when residents would receive refunds for overcharged water bills due to the city's failure to properly prorate bills across July 1 rate increases since 2020.
• Michael Farrell (Rio Rancho resident) criticized the city for prioritizing privacy reform in December (IPRA) but now collecting license plate data, calling it a "dragnet" and asking to hear from the "silent majority" supporting the cameras.

Discussion Items

• D23 – Site Plan Approval for Maverik Gas Station: Director of Development Services Amy Rincon presented the item, postponed from June 25, 2026. The applicant, Richard Piggin (Maverik), and engineer Brian Haran were present. The revised site plan added a right-in access from NM 528 after discussions with NMDOT, but NMDOT only allowed a right-in (no right-out), meaning all exiting traffic must use Monterey Road, a residential street. The project would generate an estimated 850 vehicles per day onto Monterey. Three residents spoke in opposition:
  • Christine Eisenberg (Chemisa Estates Neighborhood Association) argued that only six homes directly in front were notified, but all homes on Monterey would be affected. She disputed the developer's traffic study and provided her own count: 586 cars on a school day and 219 on a non-school day on Obregon between 7-9:30 AM. She cited 20 accidents at the intersection since January 1, 2026.
  • Thomas Krupiak (retired firefighter) cited Rio Rancho Police safety concerns already raised with NMDOT about turning lanes at NM 528 and Obregon. He noted children walking to Enchanted Hills Elementary and raised environmental concerns about drainage and groundwater.
  • Kim Gonzalez (resident at 1201 Monterey Road, directly across from the proposed site) said 850 additional vehicles would make it difficult and dangerous to enter/exit her driveway and asked council to consider the impact on residents.
  • Councilor Lenentine expressed support for the project, arguing that development will push for infrastructure improvements and that most exiting traffic would turn left onto NM 528, not onto Monterey. He stated the applicant met the council's request to go back to NMDOT.
  • Councilors List, Tyler, Culbreath, Mann, and Dapson all opposed, citing safety concerns, the failure of ingress/egress and circulation (required under Section 154.43 A3F of the special use permit), and frustration with NMDOT for not approving a right-in/right-out or a corridor-wide review. Councilor List noted the property could meet spacing requirements for a right-in/right-out if NMDOT cooperated.
• City Manager Report: Matt Geisel noted September 11 is a day of remembrance; Pooch Plunge and Governing Body Meet & Greet at Haynes Park on Saturday; the general election is in November (reminder about sign permits); a dedicated webpage on license plate readers has been added to the city website; and water rate adjustment credits are being issued: FY26 credits on August 11, FY25/FY24 in September, FY23/FY22 in October, FY21/FY20 in November. A handful of residents opted for manual credits earlier.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 6-0 (all members present except Mayor Wymer, who does not vote).
• D23 – Maverik Gas Station Site Plan: Motion to approve by Councilor Lenentine, seconded by Councilor Dapson. The motion failed by a vote of 1 FOR (Lenentine) and 5 AGAINST (Dapson, Tyler, Mann, Culbreath, List). The item was postponed from June 25, 2026, and has now been denied.
• Water Bill Credits: The city manager confirmed the process for issuing credits is underway, starting with FY26 bills.
• Next Steps for NM 528 Corridor: Multiple council members called for a coordinated effort with NMDOT to address the corridor comprehensively to enable safe development.