Alamogordo City Commission Advances Natatorium Financing, and Reviews Infrastructure Milestones

Summary of the City of Alamogordo Commission Meeting – February 24, 2026

This document summarizes the detailed proceedings of the City of Alamogordo Commission meeting held on February 24, 2026, which covered a broad range of topics including public comments on commissioner appointments, updates on city projects, financial matters, and personnel discussions. The meeting included candid public input, candidate interviews, project presentations, and administrative updates.

Key Themes and Highlights

• Public Comments and Community Engagement
• District 5 Commissioner Vacancy and Candidate Interviews
• City Infrastructure Projects Update
• Financial and Loan Approvals for City Projects
• Personnel and Employee Policy Discussions
• Recognition of Local Community Contributions

1. Public Comments and Community Input on District 5 Commissioner Appointment

Multiple citizens provided comments primarily focused on the appointment of the District 5 City Commissioner. The public expressed concerns and support for various candidates and highlighted themes of transparency, community engagement, and accountability.

Key points from public speakers:

• Concerns about candidate Al Hernandez’s long tenure and repeated attempts at office, with some viewing his repeated candidacies as problematic.
• Advocacy for diversity and increased female representation on the Commission following the loss of a previous female mayor.
• Calls for transparency and accountability in the appointment process, with criticism of some commissioners for absence at community forums.
• Emphasis on the need for a commissioner who is responsive, honest, and represents community interests over political or personal agendas.
• Support for candidates Shelley Dahanik Baron and Vista Cherie Edmond, highlighting their qualifications and community involvement.
• Requests for youth leadership opportunities and support for initiatives like the Alamogordo Drug Free Community Coalition.

2. District 5 Commissioner Vacancy: Candidate Interviews and Appointment

Three candidates applied to fill the District 5 commissioner vacancy: Vista Cherie Edmond, Shelley Dahanik Baron, and Alfonso “Al” Hernandez. Each was interviewed by the Commission, addressing qualifications, experience, vision for District 5, and responses to hypothetical budget challenges.

Appointment Outcome:

• Initial nomination of Shelley Baron failed (vote 3-3).
• Alfonso Hernandez was nominated and approved with a majority vote (4-2).
• Hernandez was sworn in as the new District 5 City Commissioner with term expiring December 31, 2027.

3. City Infrastructure and Construction Project Updates

The meeting featured a comprehensive update on multiple ongoing and upcoming city projects, focusing on water, sewer, road infrastructure, public safety facilities, and community improvements. Key project managers, including Justin Boyle (Senior Project Manager) and Joe Samora (Project Manager), presented details.

Major Projects and Status

Additional Notes:

• Many roads and infrastructure elements date back 40-50 years, requiring extensive rehabilitation and master planning.
• City is implementing a comprehensive pavement management plan in collaboration with Lee Engineering to optimize future investments and coordinate with water/sewer projects.
• Challenges include aging water and sewer infrastructure, drainage issues, and supply chain delays.
• Public outreach efforts are ongoing to improve awareness of projects and traffic pattern changes.

4. Financial Matters: Ordinance Approvals and Loan Agreements

• Ordinance 1721: Amending Chapter 23 of the City Code to rededicate local economic development gross receipts tax funds towards the Natatorium’s construction, operation, and maintenance. The ordinance was amended for consistency with existing code and approved after clarifications.
• Loan Agreement Ordinance 1722: Approved the first publication of an ordinance authorizing a $12,865,000 loan over 25 years to finance the municipal Natatorium project. The total project cost is estimated at around $16 million when including interest and issuance costs. The loan is expected to be secured through the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) at favorable AAA rates.

• Rededicated gross receipts tax fund generates approximately $1.2 million annually, expected to comfortably cover debt service.

5. Personnel and Employee Policy Highlights

• City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez emphasized high expectations for customer service and employee professionalism, backed by a signed public servant policy that all employees acknowledge.
• The policy includes commitments to responsiveness, integrity, and respectful treatment of citizens but also protects employees from harassment or threats.
• Recent concerns addressed include threats towards employees linked to political pressure, with emphasis on personnel matters being handled administratively, not politically.
• The city currently employs over 300 individuals with multiple vacancies; recruiting and retaining qualified staff remains challenging.
• The formal Weeds and Drainage Department was eliminated due to inefficiency and restructured to improve accountability and results.
• Plans to add two new positions: a full-time laborer for Parks & Recreation and an additional staff member to manage increased workload related to body camera law compliance.

6. Community Recognition and Miscellaneous Updates

• Coach Robert “Bob” Sepulveda was honored for his decades-long coaching career at Alamogordo High School, with multiple state championships and contributions to athletics at the collegiate and senior levels. The track and field at Tiger Stadium is named in his honor.
• The city continues to promote public engagement through forums and workshops, including an upcoming subdivision ordinance workshop.
• Community cleanup initiatives led by commissioners and volunteers continue to be a priority, with events scheduled for July 18 in District 5.
• The Commission plans regular departmental presentations to increase transparency and public awareness of city operations.

Timeline Table of Key Events and Projects

Key Insights and Conclusions

• The appointment of Alfonso Hernandez as District 5 Commissioner was a contentious process marked by strong community opinions both for and against his appointment. Despite opposition, he was ultimately selected by the Commission.
• City infrastructure is undergoing significant investment, addressing decades of deferred maintenance in water, sewer, roads, and public safety facilities.
• A structured pavement management and infrastructure master plan is in development to better coordinate and prioritize future projects.
• The City is leveraging state-level financing options (NMFA loans) for large-scale projects, such as the Natatorium, ensuring cost-effective borrowing.
• Emphasis on employee professionalism and public service standards reflects a commitment to improving customer service and protecting city staff.
• Community engagement, transparency, and inclusivity remain critical themes throughout the meeting, underscoring the city’s efforts to involve citizens in governance and development.

This summary encapsulates the principal content and outcomes of the City of Alamogordo Commission meeting on February 24, 2026, reflecting the city’s current priorities, challenges, and initiatives as presented in the source transcript.

Alamogordo Commission Appoints Hernandez, Advances Natatorium Loan and Infrastructure Projects

The Alamogordo City Commission filled a contentious vacancy, approved financing for a long-planned natatorium, and reviewed millions of dollars in infrastructure work during its February 24 meeting.

District 5 Appointment Draws Public Input

Much of the meeting focused on filling the vacant District 5 seat. Three candidates applied: Vista Cherie Edmond, Shelley Dahanik Baron and Alfonso “Al” Hernandez.

Residents addressed the commission with a mix of support and criticism for the applicants. Some questioned Hernandez’s long history of previous bids for office, while others praised his experience and accessibility. Several speakers advocated for greater diversity and female representation on the commission, and called for transparency and accountability in the appointment process.

Commissioners first nominated Baron, but the motion failed on a 3-3 vote. Hernandez was then nominated and approved 4-2. He was sworn in during the meeting and will serve through December 31, 2027.

Major Infrastructure Investments Underway

City staff presented updates on a wide range of capital improvement projects, many aimed at addressing aging infrastructure dating back 40 to 50 years.

Completed projects included repairs to the Monte Vista Cemetery wall, golf course irrigation upgrades, basin sediment removal, zoo IT improvements and fencing, and the Hubbard Bridge project.

Ongoing work includes rehabilitation of multiple water storage tanks, improvements to Fire Station 2, the expansion of Landfill Cell 6, and installation of a new traffic signal at White Sands Boulevard and Fairgrounds Road. Several projects have faced delays due to weather and supply chain issues.

Officials said the city is developing a comprehensive pavement management plan to better coordinate road repairs with water and sewer upgrades.

Commission Advances $12.8 Million Natatorium Loan

Commissioners also approved the first publication of an ordinance authorizing a $12,865,000 loan through the New Mexico Finance Authority to help fund construction of a municipal natatorium.

The 25-year loan carries an estimated net interest cost of about 4.93 percent. Total project costs, including interest and issuance fees, are projected to reach roughly $16 million. Debt service will be supported by rededicated local economic development gross receipts tax funds, which generate approximately $1.2 million annually.

The commission also approved amendments to the city code to formally rededicate those tax revenues for the natatorium’s construction, operation and maintenance.

Personnel and Community Updates

City Manager Dr. Stephanie Hernandez emphasized expectations for professionalism and customer service among the city’s more than 300 employees, noting recent concerns involving threats toward staff tied to political pressures. She said personnel matters will remain administrative rather than political decisions.

The city is working to fill multiple vacancies and plans to add positions in Parks and Recreation and to address new workload demands tied to body camera law compliance. The former Weeds and Drainage Department has been restructured to improve efficiency.

In other business, the commission honored longtime Alamogordo High School coach Robert “Bob” Sapolvia for decades of service and multiple state championships. The track and field facility at Tiger Stadium bears his name.

Commissioners said additional public workshops and departmental presentations are planned in the coming months as the city continues to emphasize transparency, infrastructure renewal and community engagement.

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