Alamogordo NM
2-10-2026 10:10pm

Alamogordo City Commission Meeting Recap: February 10, 2026 – Transparency Tensions, Executive Session Scrutiny, and Key Discussions Amid Leadership Transition

Alamogordo, NM – February 11, 2026 — The Alamogordo City Commission held its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald E. Carroll Commission Chambers, presided over by Mayor Sharon McDonald. With a full quorum present—Mayor Pro Tem Josh Rardin, Commissioners Baxter Pattillo Steven Burnett, Warren Robinson, and Mark Tapley—the session opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by unanimous approval of the agenda (6-0 vote). No formal presentations were on the docket, but the meeting quickly turned to heated public comments and substantive discussions on governance, fiscal matters, and ongoing projects.

No action was taken or vote recorded on $934,000  in Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funds during this February 10 session, based on the official transcription and available public records. Recent LEDA-related decisions have included allocations such as $650,000 for bowling center upgrades in December 2025 and rededication guidance for economic development tax funds toward a municipal natatorium (aligned with a 2024 referendum).

Ongoing scrutiny of LEDA processes—often linked to commissioner networks and past proposals—continued to fuel broader transparency concerns but did not culminate in a new LEDA funding vote or allocation on this date. Discussions touched indirectly on economic development priorities through project updates and public input, but no new LEDA item appeared on the agenda or resulted in a vote. The LEDA discussion was tabled till a later date. 

Public Comment: Intense Focus on City Manager Search and Transparency

Public comment featured five speakers emphasizing continuity, stability, and transparency in the prolonged city manager selection process. Residents overwhelmingly supported Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez for the permanent role, praising her qualifications, community relationships, and handling of challenges.

Evan Lambert, a resident since 2020, emphasized the need for continuity, stability, and professionalism amid recent turnover in city and county leadership. He noted the community’s ongoing challenges, including high poverty rates and the need for reliable governance.

Pastor Jerry Martinez highlighted transparency issues with both city and county responses to homelessness, particularly during cold weather, and reiterated strong community support for Hernandez

Kim “Great White Owl” Marilla invoked themes of forgiveness and accountability, criticizing the commission’s silence on citizen concerns and praising Hernandez’s leadership.

Rudy Contreras echoed calls for honesty, asking each commissioner to publicly explain their criteria for the city manager position and why delays persist.

The commission reminded the public that it cannot respond directly during open comment but encouraged written questions via email for later replies.

Earth Day Concerns and Event Scheduling Conflicts

Russell Davis, speaking on behalf of vendors, detailed logistical challenges with the Alameda Park Zoo’s Earth Day celebration. In 2025, the event overlapped with Easter, leading to limited setup time and an early closure due to high winds. For 2026, the event conflicts with the Holloman Air Force Base Legacy of Liberty Air Show, creating attendance dilemmas for participants. Davis expressed disappointment over potential cancellation in 2027 and called for better outreach and support from the city.

Mayor Sharon McDonald reiterated that it cannot reply during open comment but encouraged email submissions for follow-up and those commissioners may respond if they choose to. 

Detailed Discussion on Transparency, Executive Session Rules, and Training Needs

A major portion of the meeting—woven through public comments, commissioner remarks, and references to recent closed sessions—involved significant dialogue on transparency, executive session confidentiality, and the need for formal training.

Recent executive sessions (including February 5 interviews and upcoming February 12 finalist discussions) have sparked allegations of leaks, with media correspondence tracing potential sources to networks associated with Commissioners Josh Rardin and Steven Burnett. Public speakers and coverage criticized patterns of silence, deflection, and possible conflicts of interest tied to past advocacy and business connections.

Key points raised:

• Strict adherence to the New Mexico Open Meetings Act (OMA): Executive sessions limited to noticed topics (e.g., personnel under NMSA 10-15-1(H)(2) or litigation under (H)(7)); unrelated talk requires returning to open session.

• Attorney-client privilege and risks of breaches eroding trust in the city manager search.

• Calls for mandatory executive session training for all commissioners to prevent violations, ensure ethical conduct, and protect confidentiality.

• Broader demands for transparency training and ethics education for elected officials, amid a decade of leadership turnover and community distrust.

The city attorney has previously reminded members of OMA compliance, complaint options via the New Mexico Attorney General or State Ethics Commission, and the importance of accountability. These exchanges aligned with pre-meeting announcements and amplified public pressure for reforms to rebuild confidence.

City Manager’s Report and Commission Inquiries

Acting City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez delivered updates:

• City facilities closed for Presidents’ Day (February 16, 2026).

• “Budget week” in progress: Line-by-line review of over 10,000 items to cut waste, realign resources, and justify expenditures for the upcoming fiscal plan.

• Positive notes on completed bowling alley renovations (smooth operations, busy weekends) and RAD Retro Arcade progress at White Sands Theater (targeting Christmas 2026 opening).

• Unresolved Ultra Health audit referred to the city attorney for potential legal action to recover funds.

Commissioners inquired about road repairs (e.g., potholes on 13th Street), the golf course comprehensive plan (presentation scheduled for March 24, 2026), and follow-ups on prior issues like Code Blue sheltering and downtown trash (ongoing county outreach and plans in development).

Mayor McDonald announced a District 5 candidate forum on February 19, 2026 (6:00–7:30 p.m. at Dudley Community Center), and shared her experience judging the Royal Angel pageant.

New Business: Fireworks for July 4, 2026 (Nation’s 250th Anniversary)

Staff presented options for Independence Day celebrations:

• Traditional fireworks (~$55,000) from the sole available provider, but with risky contract terms (full payment even if weather cancels; provider controls cancellation).

• Drone shows (~$80,000 previously) unavailable.

• No drones or combined options viable due to timing and vendor constraints.

Discussion weighed public preferences, past cancellations (e.g., wildfires), and risks vs. proceeding. A suggestion for a city website poll was raised, but urgency limited options. A vote occurred with a 5-1 vote allocating $55,000 for fireworks.

Consent Agenda and Adjournment

The consent agenda (routine approvals) passed unanimously (6-0, moved by Commissioner Robinson, seconded by Commissioner Burnett). The meeting included a personal note, with Mayor McDonald introducing her visiting daughter from Colorado.

The full meeting recording captures every element discussed.

Watch the full video here:

Alamogordo City Commission Meeting - February 10, 2026

Sources: Official meeting transcription l, City of Alamogordo YouTube channel, CivicClerk portal agendas/minutes, Alamogordo Town News coverage on executive session and LEDA matters, 2nd Life Media / Alamogordo Town News reporting on transparency allegations and city manager search and related public records on prior LEDA allocations.

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