Residents praise first responders after Bosque fire; one questions library resolution support

During the public forum, two residents addressed the governing body: one praised emergency responders after a Bosque arson and urged restoration; the other criticized how the city gathered support for a library-related resolution.

Brian Womackie thanked police and the Rio Rancho Fire Department for their response to a recent fire in the Bosque, called the department "phenomenal" and said bulldozer-created firebreaks had altered the environment, urging the city to marshal resources for restoration. "I would hope that we have a plan going forward to do some restoration work down there," Womackie said.

Another resident, Mike Jacobich, criticized Resolution 68, alleging the city's posted list of supporters disproportionately included librarians and nonresidents. Jacobich claimed roughly 45% of the supporters were librarians and 49% nonresidents, and said the city pushed the resolution through with limited notice to rural residents. He also referenced an unnamed city power broker colloquially as the "Wizard of Rio Rancho." The council did not take action on either public-comment item during the meeting.

Acting Mayor Tyler and several councilors later thanked responders and staff; the city manager also recognized mutual-aid agencies and Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue for their work on the Bosque fire during his report.