[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6558419,"mediaKeyId","3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09","parentId",3255452,"title","Council approves beer-and-wine license for Thick Pizza Co. in Enchanted Hills","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",1011000,"endMs",1119000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09&start=1011&end=1119","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09/thumbnail_1011000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558419/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-approves-beer-and-wine-license-for-Thick-Pizza-Co-in-Enchanted-Hills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558419-bcafdc5e06441c9ac9c6a0451659799f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504955&Signature=PcpApucmMw3GcDGNLrtd~XjUQVast7YdOxnC2gpn4kazkVtlb9-aor5ehPVPu1W~WqX6aaNr60EO3WDliVQ59tBZ-VPV4sOy24G3KaS3D7rlqzIBCNkZmSYWZ-iJ7LUbxpa7tS9-n4yZ4dftqsVdH-GFyrqodZxEvosobN468~g4YdCVAVyO2y1UEBK8o9dMfu33s9UdyM9-mc6m6UDBFvog0bi41uws1bhB4NFnd9dwCDAY084VgvHiMECW2YqHYdX9rQEruk~9peUgSmvbVPQXXVvRxdMnuTWMdqvEKyvppr8TiyTSqoKit3a90H0vnPpDUr3tiQW5Lv1XgznlKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Rio Rancho","date","2025-05-08T18:00:00Z","article","The Governing Body approved item D26, an application for a restaurant beer-and-wine liquor license (on-premises consumption, including patio service) for Thick on the Block LLC, doing business as Thick Pizza Co., located at 7805 Enchanted Hills Boulevard, Suite A102.

Regulation and Licensing staff advised the council that the application had received preliminary local approval and would be forwarded to the state Regulation and Licensing Department for final action after the council’s local approval. The applicant was present and council members welcomed the new business in the Enchanted Hills area. No opponents were registered and no public speakers addressed the item; the council voted to approve the request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Rio Rancho - Governing Body Regular Meeting - May 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved D26, granting a restaurant beer-and-wine on-premises consumption license for Thick on the Block LLC (Thick Pizza Co.) at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd., Suite A102; staff indicated local/regulatory approvals were complete and the license will proceed to state final approval.","taxTitle","Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, New Mexico","taxId",2726,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558423,"Council confirms Steve Gallegos as Utilities director",80,879000,959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09&start=879&end=959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09/thumbnail_879000.jpg","/articles/6558423/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-confirms-Steve-Gallegos-as-Utilities-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558423-7805816de1540c24cdd714462cb6525d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504955&Signature=ZfXWoMgUYQPtGeE620bVfPYfn1ACpRoY-TX7pNyDiwTJWjFE7QQXYEIb49YSW6VLvF3HkUZXH4vw3LcfLNTA1YxN~xARtYtbQ8FVN1EKF3lIe1~hPA6~2BSOvTjU6a~cDPMJyb21UY2v13LWUgJQOlzFPtgw5JgPKDV6J1cHz4pqwYd8ArnNayzau1ADZjR-Q2Vq0R06~geqBe6Zyaydc3iNFayn5kEScp7XY4dvm7yGxtXo8LnSSjtLrzhpbmOhXiT3zIxIRmnc5gpiz5BCUDQHBhvwYrCdQnnuSLVyaKsXHIAM2wZiSNc6zKTCquyHFkNAePDCWYw3WK55TmCEBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Governing Body approved Resolution R49 to confirm Steve Gallegos as director of the City of Rio Rancho Utilities Department.

City Manager Mike Geisel introduced Gallegos, saying Gallegos has worked in the utilities department for roughly 23 years, moving from project manager to deputy director and acting director. Geisel noted Gallegos’ practical experience with the city’s water and sewer system and capital project management, and said Gallegos holds a degree in civil engineering. Gallegos was present and the council voted to confirm his appointment by resolution; no public speakers registered on the item.

Councilors approved R49 by roll-call vote as read by the clerk; the item will allow Gallegos to continue in the director role following his period as acting director.","The council unanimously approved Resolution R49 to confirm Steve Gallegos as director of the Utilities Department; he has served as acting director since October and has about 23 years with the department and a civil engineering degree.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558428,"Council confirms Stephanie Yarra as Financial Services director",124,755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09&start=755&end=879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09/thumbnail_755000.jpg","/articles/6558428/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-confirms-Stephanie-Yarra-as-Financial-Services-director","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558428-6cb93b76506de853692dd25d7ad4fac8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504955&Signature=hlTrPBzuyCcecPzKOhDyTXV9xL7gcQNtCkWWTCdyJs5iiSC-qj1K8v-7jJOGBUenyuzgQOHig7po1xG95jtQU5H-bacZcMYSAdMVncbS2TRaeT0U5JzMf7Yuw6ELCi4SKkQEkL97G~8RYRvPQHsUX7A4YH-W469CjQe1bMXoQa66ZHfBr2PSdbyi-aad7BRbaeQ7ThdVE6kSXYIB0VXiLul-GV4CRmZEd6TlXKUeKu5lD8u1~Kvc2eK11JRvJxzGkQQEalozV10s5tMCvn4pICaKyq9kSwurZzSX4uI~x5vr~dxVh9agSxUGp5MwUpO~ezx1BLVm-trwrdHlf15vLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Rancho Governing Body approved Resolution R48 to confirm the appointment of Stephanie Yarra as director of the city’s Financial Services Department.

City Manager Mike Geisel presented Yarra’s nomination and summarized her background, saying she has approximately 23 years of experience including work for the State of New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque and the Pueblo of Sandia; Geisel said Yarra holds a master’s degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant. Geisel noted the timing will allow Yarra and the current director, Carol Harmi, to work side-by-side for several months before Harmi’s retirement to support knowledge transfer.

Councilors asked no substantive questions and no members of the public spoke on the item. The council’s roll-call vote approved the resolution; the clerk announced R48 was approved.","The City Council approved Resolution R48 to confirm Stephanie Yarra as the new director of Financial Services. The appointment followed a city manager nomination; council voted unanimously.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558433,"Council rejects ordinance to move Rio Rancho municipal elections into county-run November cycle",852,6462000,7314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09&start=6462&end=7314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09/thumbnail_6462000.jpg","/articles/6558433/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Council-rejects-ordinance-to-move-Rio-Rancho-municipal-elections-into-county-run-November-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558433-112129ec22eae6a9ddf1f7c5edae0460/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504955&Signature=BKiMhI38aZ9FRuliU5i0TpnbayM9mAn1ZbmPoIMExOG1m5EEmWCe3sW~HiUu9CgMIfHoK4y6m0RyPLLqHPHRHF~oN4d2G4VDYR3fVj8Qzrib6RibOuXs2O2Z37CFhZu~AoUZeyADbqU4LktBsnmKR8R8d9BKRCVVsN4zqWQKRElFO6~qv9XyyRPZEVkZylFIdOLOCuSKH3jJbnKo5FRcxeXMZA4kFLyRNnWPsstTaa4nZ6PUaluNQf6hoUU~enSicXTdwmsGkTPBXT4~vKgHerEzpOh68tfi5MUhpxnWspv-~kq8APbagxZbh56AHF9e1Qt7HkgSRtPge8QppnNP6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Rancho Governing Body voted to reject Ordinance O13 — a proposed opt-in to the state’s regular local election calendar and attendant changes to municipal terms — after public comment and roll-call voting produced a tie against adoption.

Deputy city staff summarized the ordinance on second reading, saying adoption would opt the city into county-run November elections, change the timing of candidate filings and extend current officeholders’ terms to align future local elections with state-administered cycles. Staff told the council that 97 of 106 New Mexico municipalities already participate in the regular local election and that consolidation is intended to save the city money and increase voter turnout; staff estimated the city could save roughly $450,000 by not holding a standalone March municipal election in 2026.

Many speakers opposed the change and urged the council to preserve the city charter’s local photo-identification requirement for municipal elections, saying the charter-protected voter-ID requirement was approved by Rio Rancho voters in 2012. Public commenters argued the city should retain local control over municipal elections rather than shift administration to the county and state. Speakers also raised concerns about election security, state-level election administration practices, and potential conflicts of interest when elected officials’ terms are extended.

After public comment, the council considered the ordinance. The roll-call vote recorded three yes votes (Councilors Japs0n/Dapson, Weimer, and Culbreth) and three no votes (Councilors Tyler, List and Linnentine) with the mayor recused on the item; the tie vote caused the ordinance to fail.

Councilors who supported the opt-in cited cost savings and the practical efficiencies of consolidated election administration; opponents focused on preserving the city charter’s photo-ID requirement and the principle of local control. The failure of the ordinance means Rio Rancho will continue to administer its municipal elections under the current city charter and calendar, including the local photo-ID provision, unless the governing body or voters pursue a separate change in the future.","After nearly 20 public speakers — the majority opposing — the Council voted 3–3 to defeat O13, an ordinance that would have shifted Rio Rancho municipal elections into the state’s regular local (November odd-year) cycle and removed the city’s local photo-ID requirement.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558438,"Rio Rancho council pauses Chamisa Hills master plan after hours of public concern",9997,1245000,11242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09&start=1245&end=11242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3255452-75fae74cd40521944127191ed3b1da09/thumbnail_1245000.jpg","/articles/6558438/Rio-Rancho/Sandoval-County/New-Mexico/Rio-Rancho-council-pauses-Chamisa-Hills-master-plan-after-hours-of-public-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558438-adc4eb2dc8be6a417f4b2ea83ae7a362/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504955&Signature=TWRFhhckLiC-uXHGS4UfRQFnTKDiy5iwzRsun0An8h1BL7xlqEdGUI3BzDGbClYy-MLqjSVkMULdiMCNe624Yi~aUoNU2QifHdFSuqNvPLgSsLGT6lZf-TvPsEqn62xB6QOJPYwBz74lHeBTNdNVdGk7qg4OS1etTXgJcL0ffOo909-jpA3jLKUY6W-IiKp7taSAlEpdSHkwNQ70XggBR5zaJJ8Sww7flAaAnF2704bpA6FukuWwaJWW5OmQA6oO0rZ-XZCbCZuaImD3LXIQgCUiLkoSTq6sJr6xR3icIoz9fkvbzJJm7hUWwF6ZvYIGW1FDvzFyteXqzSdv1LAPkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Rio Rancho Governing Body postponed votes on Resolution R47, the Chamisa Hills master plan, and Ordinance O14, the associated zoning and conditions, until an August 14 meeting after more than two hours of staff and applicant presentations and extended public comment.

Amy Rincon, director of Development Services, presented the master plan and zone map amendment and described the staff-recommended changes adopted by the Planning and Zoning Board, the additional zoning districts proposed, and the technical documents that will be required at later development stages, such as traffic impact analyses and detailed drainage plans. Rincon told the council those technical reviews and outside agency approvals (including SCAFKA and the New Mexico Environment Department where applicable) are required before construction could proceed.

The applicant’s lead consultant, Jim Strozier of Consensus Planning, summarized the plan for redevelopment of the former golf course into a mixed residential, commercial and open-space project and described proposed neighborhood names, a town center with a public plaza and a business park. Strozier and other project team members said the plan is conceptual and that more detailed traffic, drainage, grading and subdivision-level reviews will follow if the master plan and ordinance advance.

More than two dozen residents spoke during the public hearing, and nearly all urged the council to delay or deny approval in the plan’s present form. Speakers raised a series of concerns the council repeatedly flagged in its questions: (1) who will own, fund and maintain the proposed Eastview Heights/North 9 open space and trails; (2) whether the $400,000 financial guarantee referenced in the master plan is sufficient for restoration and long-term maintenance; (3) traffic and emergency access, especially the potential for new cut-through traffic on Calle Suenos, St. Andrews and Broadmoor; (4) drainage, pond dewatering and remediation of former golf course irrigation/pond infrastructure; (5) the proposed use of PIDs and assessments for future buildout and whether existing homeowners would be liable; and (6) the effect on nearby neighborhoods of building up to roughly 302 dwelling units under the proposed zoning versus the current zoning.

Residents representing several neighborhood associations asked for clearer, enforceable commitments before the council approves any master plan. They asked for (a) stronger guarantees about long-term ownership and funding of the large open space (not just a developer promise to solicit a nonprofit or government partner), (b) an increased financial assurance amount or more detailed escrow/reserve mechanics, (c) a traffic management plan showing alternatives that would avoid routing substantial new traffic through existing neighborhoods, and (d) an explicit timeline and enforcement mechanism tying park construction and conveyance to building permits rather than leaving those details to later stages.

Councilors questioned the applicant about access options and reiterated staff comments that a master plan does not grant permission to “move dirt” but does create a framework for later engineering, permitting and approvals. Several council members expressed support for the concept of redeveloping the blighted site but said they were not prepared to approve the documents as drafted. Councilor Weimer and others asked that the applicant and staff prepare a consolidated list of requested additions and clarifications and suggested a continuance. The governing body voted to continue both R47 and O14 to the August 14 meeting to allow staff and the applicant to provide revised exhibits, clarify the park and open-space stewardship and funding, expand the PID analysis and boundary mapping, produce HOA pro formas and maintenance plans, confirm closeout of pond/dewatering permits and present a pedestrian access/traffic management approach.

The postponement preserves the council’s ability to require additional conditions and later technical reviews. Staff repeatedly emphasized that technical documents — a traffic impact analysis, drainage and grading plans, environmental assessments, and SCAFKA/ENMR reviews — remain required before any subdivision plats, site plans or building permits could be approved.","The City Council postponed action on the Chamisa Hills master plan (R47) and associated zoning ordinance O14 to Aug. 14 after a lengthy staff presentation, applicant remarks and more than two dozen public speakers who raised traffic, drainage, open-space stewardship and maintenance financing concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves beer-and-wine license for Thick Pizza Co. in Enchanted Hills

Council confirms Steve Gallegos as Utilities director

Council confirms Stephanie Yarra as Financial Services director

Council rejects ordinance to move Rio Rancho municipal elections into county-run November cycle

Rio Rancho council pauses Chamisa Hills master plan after hours of public concern