Public Encouraged to Join Public Comments City Commission to Meet Tuesday 630 pm

Alamogordo NM- The Alamogordo City Commission will take up the future of Bonito Lake, a code of conduct complaint against one of its own members and a new management contract for Desert Lakes Golf Course when it meets Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The regular meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Donald E. Carroll City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 1376 E. Ninth St.

Complaint against Commissioner Hernandez

Commissioners will decide whether to move forward with a code of conduct complaint filed against District 5 Commissioner Alfonso "Al" Hernandez.

According to the agenda report, the complaint was reviewed by a three-member Preliminary Review Committee, as required by the city's municipal code. Two members found "no cause" on all four counts of the complaint, while the third member found cause on all four counts. The specific allegations are not detailed in the agenda packet.

Because the committee majority found no cause, city code requires the full commission, minus Hernandez, to vote on whether to take further action. The recommended motion needs five affirmative votes from the six eligible commissioners to pass. If it falls short, the complaint cannot proceed any further.

If the motion does pass, the complaint's merits would be taken up at a future meeting. City Manager Robert Stockwell's report stresses that Tuesday's vote is not about whether the allegations are true, only whether the process should continue.

Bonito Lake access

The commission will also revisit Bonito Lake, the city's reservoir in Lincoln County, after tabling action on Aug. 25 on possible closure of or restrictions on fishing and camping access. Since then, the city has held a community forum and continued to receive public comment. State legislators, state agencies and officials from Lincoln County, Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs have also expressed interest in discussing the lake's long-term use, including a Sept. 15 meeting with several legislators and the state Secretary of Tourism.

Stockwell is recommending that the commission formally declare that the lake's top priority is serving as a water source for the city and Holloman Air Force Base, with recreation secondary. Under the recommendation, the lake would remain open for fishing under the city's current Open Gate agreement with the state while crews make access improvements. The city would also work with the state and neighboring communities on long-term options and report back to the commission within six months.

According to the report, detention basins built to catch debris flows have kept a significant amount of mud and debris out of the lake, though those basins continue to fill after each rain. Crews have begun repairing salvageable stairways and removing ones beyond repair. Rebuilding the ADA ramp, funded in part by a $250,000 state appropriation, must wait for a design and bidding process that cannot begin until the state money arrives later this fall.

Golf course management contract

Commissioners will also consider awarding a contract to Maxim Golf Solutions LLC to run the Desert Lakes Golf Course pro shop, clubhouse, restaurant and course maintenance. Maxim was one of two firms that responded to the city's request for proposals and received the higher score from a five-member evaluation committee, 81.6 out of 100.

Maxim would receive an $84,000 annual base management fee. The city would keep all course revenue and pay approved operating costs. Maxim projects first-year revenue of about $2.01 million against expenses of about $1.77 million, leaving an estimated city subsidy of $274,394. That compares with a city subsidy of $530,894 in fiscal year 2026 and $774,566 in fiscal year 2023, according to figures in the agenda packet.

Other business

Also on Tuesday's agenda:

• A public hearing on transferring the off-premises liquor license at the Walgreens at 955 N. White Sands Blvd., prompted by a merger with the parent company.

• Resolution 2026-33 accepting a $950,000 state Department of Transportation grant for pavement work on South Florida Avenue, with a $50,000 city match.

• An application for a $99,000 state Outdoor Recreation Trails+ grant, with a $69,200 match, to build and improve 1,260 feet of the Indian Wells Trail.

• Approval of revised budget figures to be sent to the state Department of Finance and Administration.

• A proclamation from Mayor Sharon McDonald declaring Code Compliance Month.

Residents who want to speak during public comment must sign up with the city clerk, and comments are generally limited to three minutes and must arrive prior to 630 to sign up. The full agenda packet is available on the city's website. Mayor McDonald is at an out of town conference and may call in to the meeting. 

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