Alamogordo City Commission Honors Labor, Tackles Reservoir Security and Future Planning

Alamogordo N.M.- The Alamogordo City Commission held its regular meeting Tuesday evening, with Mayor Sharon McDonald and commissioners addressing several key agenda items, including a proclamation honoring labor unions and discussions about the city’s natural resources and event planning.

Labor Unions Recognized During Appreciation Week

The commission unanimously approved a proclamation designating September 6-12, 2026 as Labor Union Appreciation Week in Alamogordo. Mayor McDonald read the proclamation, which acknowledged the significant contributions of organized labor to the American economy and society.

“Organized labor has raised living standards and built our middle class,” the proclamation stated, noting that labor unions are responsible for establishing protections including the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, paid vacation, sick leave, and workplace safety standards.

Tamara Hanson, president of ASME Local 3818, addressed the commission to thank the city for recognizing union contributions. “Citizens working together, not kings, established this country and its principles,” Hanson said, referencing the work of union members in the city’s Police and Fire Departments.

Hanson also introduced Thaddeus Skilmore, the union’s newly appointed steward, who will work to support city employees.

Earth Day 2027 Event Planning Underway Announced via Public Comments:

Russell Davis appeared before the commission to discuss planning for Earth Day 2027 at the Alameda Park Zoo, scheduled for April. Davis noted that the zoo has already announced next year’s event date on its social media platforms to avoid scheduling conflicts.

“This isn’t like other zoo events,” Davis explained, emphasizing the significance of Earth Day as the only event where Otero and Lincoln counties come together to celebrate the environment. Davis referenced a scheduling conflict from April 2026, when the Earth Day event coincided with Holloman Air Force Base’s air show, creating complications for attendees, vendors, and both organizations.

Tourism Tax Revenue Proposal Also in Public Comments:

Charles Burress, a resident and advertising specialist, brought attention to Ordinance 1666, which establishes a 5 percent lodger’s tax on hotel and short-term rental stays. Prior to the pandemic, Burress noted, the city collected approximately $250,000 annually from this tax, which was previously used to fund the civic center.

Burress proposed that increased tourism and hospitality development could generate additional tax revenue that could support the golf course management contract and further economic growth in the city.

Consent Agenda Items Approved 

The commission approved several routine items on the consent agenda:

• Approved minutes from the August 11 regular meeting
• Accepted a $167,218.90 grant from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs for library materials and equipment
• Approved the quarterly investment report for the period ending June 30, 2026
• Approved Resolution 2026-32 regarding revised budget allocations

Dilapidated Building Declared Public Hazard

The commission unanimously passed Resolution 2026-31, declaring a structure at 1221 Cuba Avenue to be a menace to public safety and ordering its abatement. According to a Code Enforcement report, the building exhibits multiple code violations including deteriorated exterior surfaces, compromised structural integrity, unsafe stairs and walking surfaces, non-functional doors and windows, and defective interior conditions.

Code Enforcement Manager Josh Sides indicated that the city has been working with the property owner since June 2024 to allow access for inspections. After initially requesting consent to inspect, the city obtained an Administrative Search Warrant from the 12th Judicial District Court on June 17, 2026 and conducted a comprehensive inspection the same day. 

A violation letter was sent to the property owner immediately following.
The commission’s approval of the resolution authorizes the city to proceed with abatement procedures.

Bonito Reservoir Closure Plan Delayed Pending Further Study

The commission’s most contentious discussion centered on a proposal to fence off and restrict public access to the Bonito Reservoir, which has served as a recreational area for decades and supplies water to both city residents and Holloman Air Force Base.
 
The multi-part proposal involves ending an open-gate fishing agreement with the New Mexico Game and Fish Commission, closing the reservoir to all recreational activities, installing security fencing, and using remaining campground funds for improvements. City officials cited security concerns, environmental protection, aging infrastructure, and violation of Dam Safety Bureau requirements as reasons for the closure.

Historical Context

The reservoir, constructed in 1929 and completed in 1931, has operated continuously for 72 years under city and Department of Defense partnership. However, the facility has suffered significant damage in recent years. The June 2012 Little Bear Fire burned 85 percent of the watershed, depositing massive debris flows into the reservoir and compromising both water quality and access infrastructure. The reservoir was drained for extensive cleanup and reconstruction, remaining offline for 12 years reopening as a priority under previous acting city manager Dr Stephanie Hernandez in 2024.

The May 2024 Blue 2 Fire burned over 7,500 acres within the campground area, triggering new emergency debris removal annd preventative maintenance efforts.  Despite installation of 25 federally-funded debris retention basins that have successfully prevented debris flows and protected the water source, the public facilities to include the campground remains in poor condition with tripping hazards, deteriorated infrastructure, and debris-filled canyon areas. The city’s campground fund currently has insufficient resources to fully restore recreational facilities.

Concerns and Delayed Decision

Some commissioners questioned the necessity of complete closure, noting the reservoir’s long history without major incident or injury claims. “We’ve owned it for the better part of 70 years, and it’s never been secure, never really had any problems,” one commissioner noted.

City officials proposed using cell phone tracking software to gather visitor usage statistics before making final decisions, though they acknowledged having limited historical incident data.

The commission voted to table the five-part agenda item until the September 22 meeting, requesting additional information including incident reports, visitor usage statistics, and input from stakeholders before proceeding.

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