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The Corrales Village Council approved county dispatch agreement changes, discussed infrastructure updates and announced staff changes during the Dec. 10 meeting.
Councilors had a busy final meeting of the year, approving an addendum to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) for the Sandoval County Regional Emergency Communications Center, marking a key step in preparation for Rio Rancho’s impending separation from the regional dispatch center. The council also approved new staff positions to strengthen the public works and administration departments and received updates on ongoing infrastructure projects and the expansion of the elementary school.
“Rio Rancho decided they didn’t want to be sharing anything with the rest of us and so they’ve kind of divorced us,†Mayor James Fahey said. “So we’re in the process of setting up another (communications center) and this is the addendum so we can split up.â€
The separation will divide assets, including millions of dollars, and establish new fiscal agents. Sandoval County will oversee the regional dispatch center, while Rio Rancho will manage its own Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). This restructuring will allow Rio Rancho to gain more control over its emergency services.
Corrales was the first of five entities to approve the JPA amendment, followed by Rio Rancho, Bernalillo and Sandoval County. Santa Ana Pueblo’s governor and tribal council have yet to approve the amendment.
At the recent County Commission meeting, Sandoval County Fire and Rescue Chief Eric Masterson said the JPA amendment will go to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) for final approval once all partners sign. He stressed the importance of completing the process before the legislative session to avoid delays, as DFA attorneys will have limited availability during that time.
“We are on a little bit of a time crunch at the dispatch center,†Masterson said. “We need to start doing this so that our contractors can get this equipment in on time.â€
According to Fahey, Corrales has historically contributed about 3% of the regional center’s total budget. With the new structure, he anticipated the village’s contribution would rise as the regional system would be divided into two separate entities.
Fire department updates
During the administrator’s report, Fire Chief Anthony Martinez updated the council on funding for the long-awaited fire suppression system on Angel Hill. This project, a top priority for the village, will connect fire suppression water lines throughout Corrales and enable the installation of a sprinkler system to combat fires in the Bosque.
Martinez said the village received a $500,000 New Mexico State Fire Protection grant, combined with capital outlay funds earmarked for the tower, to build a 500,000-gallon water tank. The village will seek legislative funding this year to connect the tank to Loma Larga Road as construction progresses.
The new tank will connect to the existing 120,000-gallon fire suppression system along Loma Largo and Corrales Roads, increasing water availability during emergencies that require large amounts of water. The village also connected the Loma Largo system to the main fire system to further boost capacity.
This project is part of ongoing efforts to enhance fire safety infrastructure, ensuring a reliable water supply for firefighting and reducing emergency risks.
Martinez also updated the council on several ongoing and upcoming projects, including a new water line from the back of the elementary school to Dixon Road, funded by a grant from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The project aims to install a hydrant in the Bosque by the end of Dixon Road. Once completed, the village will extend the water line south along the ditch shared with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
The chief also announced a Christmas tree recycling program for residents, with support from the administration, Public Works and the Fire Department. Information about the program, including the location and time, will be shared through the mayor’s message and social media. Residents are asked to remove all tinsel and ornaments and flocked trees will not be accepted.
Personnel Updates
The village will have a new look after the new year.
Public Works Director Michael Chavez retired on Christmas Eve, and Steve Lesku, formerly a public works maintenance employee with the village, will succeed him. The council recognized Chavez for his years of service to the village.
“In my time here in Corrales, Michael is the go-to person to talk anything about Corrales,†said Village Administrator Ron Curry. “He comes to our workplace every day with a smile on his face and an intense pride in trying to do the best for the Village of Corrales.â€
Curry said Chavez, a lifelong Corrales resident with deep family roots, worked at the Sandia Bar and Los Padillas before spending years in construction and founding his own excavating company in 2001. He joined the Village of Corrales in 2015 and became the public works director in 2018, focusing on improving response times, problem-solving, and addressing flooding. In retirement, Chavez plans to raise cattle and hunt.
Curry introduced three new hires for the village. Jolene Trappit, finance director, a New Mexico native and retired Air Force veteran with business operations experience, began Dec. 4. Juliana Wiggins, account specialist, who has worked with various government entities in Sandoval County, also started on Dec. 4. Jared Garcia, a Corrales native with degrees in community and regional planning, will join the Planning and Zoning Department on Dec. 16.
The council also approved the creation of three new positions.
A heavy-equipment operator will improve the department’s ability to manage infrastructure projects and grants, funded by reallocating an unfilled wastewater operator position. A new administrative assistant will help manage the growing workload related to grants and legislative funding. A temporary training specialist will use outgoing Account Specialist Cindy Gomez’s expertise to train new finance staff and department heads on financial procedures and the Tyler software system.
Other council news
The council discussed Corrales Elementary School renovations and the development of Salce Park.
The village is moving forward with a $1 million application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to support the development of Salce Park. The grant requires a 50-50 match, but the village may use a separate state grant to cover its portion.
Architects also presented updates on the expansion of Corrales K-8 School, which will include a new dining hall and renovations for additional administrative offices and kindergarten classrooms.