Regular Governing Body Meeting - September 10, 2026
Regular Governing Body Meeting - September 10, 2026
The Rio Rancho Governing Body met on September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public forum with strong opposition to Flock license plate readers, a public hearing on a proposed Maverik gas station site plan that ultimately failed, and updates from the city manager on water bill credits and other items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (7-0) after correcting a scrivener's error in the August 18, 2026 Work Session minutes (Mayor Weimer's name corrected from "Counselor Weimer"). Items included approval of meeting minutes, resolutions authorizing property disposal for Police, Library, and Financial Services departments, and appointment of Holly Barela to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Grace Dukes (Albuquerque resident): Criticized the city for violating Fourth Amendment rights with Flock ALPR cameras, called for their removal, and accused the mayor of gaveling down applause. Expressed desire for recall.
- Joaquin Montoya (speaking for DFLAC New Mexico): Presented statistics on Flock camera inaccuracies (71% error in a California analysis), cited cases in Española and Aurora where misreads led to police stops, and warned of financial liability and data sharing failures. Not a Rio Rancho resident but conducts business there.
- Ronald Borkland: Argued that Flock cameras violate Fourth Amendment rights despite praising the police department. Noted he had to leave early.
- Casey Robinson (District 2 resident): Opposed Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns and analogies to historical data misuse. Quoted Benjamin Franklin: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Noted he is not affiliated with any organization.
- Corinne Rios (Rio Rancho resident): Asked when residents would receive refunds for water rate overcharges that occurred since 2020 when bills were not properly prorated across July 1 rate increases. Stated the city acknowledged the error but refunds had not been issued.
- Michael Farrell: Criticized the city for supporting privacy reforms while deploying Flock cameras, calling it a "dragnet." Questioned the "silent majority" that supposedly supports the cameras.
Discussion Items
- Public Hearing D23 – Maverik Gas Station Site Plan (continued from June 25, 2026): The applicant proposed a gas station on the northwest corner of NM 528 and Obregon, with access off Monterey Road and a newly added right-turn-in only from NM 528 (no right-turn-out). Director Amy Rincon presented the updated plan requested by the governing body. Public speakers opposed the project:
- Christine Eisenberg (Chemisa Estates Neighborhood Association): Argued only six homes were notified, not all affected residents on Monterey. Cited 850 daily vehicle trips, dangerous conditions for pedestrians and children, and a resident traffic study showing 586 cars on Obregon during a school day. Claimed the developer was "less than honest."
- Thomas Krupiak (retired AFD lieutenant): Asked to deny the plan due to safety concerns for children walking to school, lack of dedicated right-turn lanes, weaving concerns near the intersection, and unresolved drainage/groundwater issues from an environmental engineer.
- Kim Gonzalez (resident at 1201 Monterey Road): Opposed the plan because 850 vehicles per day would be forced onto a residential road, making it dangerous to enter her driveway. Asked council to consider residents' perspective.
- Councilors debated extensively. Most expressed frustration with NMDOT for not allowing a right-in/right-out. Councilor List and others noted that with only a right-in, 100% of exit traffic must use Monterey, a residential road with front-yard homes. Councilor Lenentine supported the project, arguing the developer met the condition to approach NMDOT and that the city needs GRT. Councilor Mann said routing commercial traffic onto a residential front-yard road was unreasonable. Councilor Dabson echoed safety concerns. Councilor Culbreath cited the special use permit requirement to evaluate ingress/egress and found it insufficient.
Key Outcomes
- D23 Maverik Gas Station Site Plan: Motion to approve failed 2‑5 (Councilors Lenentine and Dabson voted yes; Councilors Tyler, Mann, Culbreath, List voted no; Councilor Dapson? Actually Dapson voted yes? The roll call: Lenentine yes, Dabson yes, Tyler no, Mann no, Culbreath no, List no – that is 2 yes, 5 no. The item failed.)
- City Manager Report: Announced water bill credits for FY26 began August 11, 2026, with FY25 and FY24 credits in September, and earlier years rolling out through November. Only 5–10 residents requested manual credits. Also reminded of sign ordinance for election candidates, directed them to email planning@rrnm.gov. Noted a dedicated webpage for license plate reader information. Mentioned upcoming Pooch Plunge event on September 12 and general election on November 3, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please remain standing. I'd like to take a moment to recognize the brave men and women from our law enforcement folks that are always um out there protecting us and are always putting their lives on the line. I also want to take a minute on the eve of the 9-11 catastrophe to thank and to try to remember all of the folks who lost their lives, including the brave firefighters who went into the 9-11 towers. Thank you. You may be seated. All right, take silence all electronic devices while attending the governing body meeting. For the record, I will announce the names of the governing body members when I say your name. Please acknowledge your presence by saying present. Councilor Debson. Present. Councilor Lenatine. Present. Councilor Tyler. Present. Councillor Mann. Present. Councillor Cobrat. Present. And Councilor List. Present. Proclamations and awards of merit. We do not have any this evening. Public forum. Each comment will be limited to two minutes and no more than two hours in total will be allotted to the public forum comments at any meeting. Each speaker must spate state their name and address or Rio Rancho District for the record. And I know we've got one, two, three, looks like six people signed up. Um we are going to follow strict decorum during this public forum. What that means is we will not tolerate clapping, whistling or any sort of other booing, sign waving, or anything. If we can't if we can't abide by that quorum, we will ask you to leave the chambers. First up. Grace Dukes. Hi Mayor, my name is Grace Stukes, and I'm an Albuquerque resident. So what's going on here? A small town of almost a hundred and fifteen thousand people, which is the second largest city in the state, which is even more captured by bureaucracy than the city of Albuquerque. What? The logic isn't carrying in my head. As soon as the slightest level of scrutiny comes upon this body, it folds under the pressure. Good job. What a good way to run the second largest city in the state. Paul, Mr. Mayor, you are the essential figure in this Terrent County clone for continuing to violate people's rights. There they close polling places. Here, you gavel when applause is given to opinions you don't you don't like because of decorum. This is not a mature way to run a city, and it is deeply unserious. I truly feel bad for the people of Rio Rancho for having to be burdened with this incompetent of a city council mayor in government. I hope that they realize what they got themselves into and that they recall you, Paul, and replace you with a real mayor, not a make-believe mayor, with a gavel you like to throw down when people clap. Also, just so you know none of us voted to have our Fourth Amendment rights violated for these flock AALPR surveillance cameras, and we want them gone. Thank you.
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