An unusually large crowd turned out for the Aztec City Commission meeting April 28, with residents raising concerns about everything from oil and gas activity near schools to water billing errors – while others offered praise for city staff and updates on local programs.
Over the course of the lengthy public comment period, seven residents pressed commissioners on top-of-mind issues.
The meeting also featured a presentation from the Aztec Farmers’ Market director, who provided an overview of the farmers markets in the county and their benefits, and concluded with announcements about the police chief’s retirement and the city’s Citizen of the Year.
Kasey McCune, Hannah Rankin, Zachary Pettijohn, Luke Dunham, Jens Lange, Tinessa Lee and Jessica Anderson spoke to the commission during a public input period.
Speaking out against the Hilcorp Energy Corp. gas well site near Aztec High School, McCune posed two questions: Was there an environmental-impact statement for the well and was the school board notified prior to beginning the well, and, if so, McCune said as a parent of an Aztec High School student, she was not notified.
“The ordinance for new industry needs to change,” McCune said, noting the well is fracked and impacts 6,700 feet below the well surface laterally. “Air, watershed, noise and light pollution reaches far beyond the 400 feet of residents that were initially notified.”
The entire city of residents should be notified of such oil and gas well sites, McCune said. House Bill 35, the child safety zone, for such wells has been postponed indefinitely, McCune said, asking the city to allow for petitions for such safety zones.
McCune also said Public Works needs to post their schedule so residents can prepare for such public work.
Rankin also spoke out against the well site and future sites in neighborhoods and around schools. She said initially she ignored the situation until her evening ritual of opening the window and listening to the evening songbirds with her daughter was interrupted.
“We couldn’t keep the window open because the smell from the well was so overpowering and nauseating in our backyard,” Rankin said, adding “thankfully the smell has dissipated but the noise has not.”
It’s her daughter’s birthright to have clean air and clean water and being able to live in a safe environment, Rankin said, expressing concerns about the emissions of wells in city limits.
Rankin asked where information can be found about the timeline for new well completion, future leases and well sites next to schools; zoning ordinances around well sites; and buffer zones for schools and neighborhoods.
“I’m here to thank Captain Morris. He’s a pretty awesome dude,” said Pettijohn, adding their neighborhood watch program has been supported by Morris, who gave out his cellphone and quickly responds to texts or calls.
Pettijohn called for a pay raise for Morris and more community support for the Police Department.
Durham introduced himself as the new Aztec Soccer Club president, thanked the city for their support and said he looks forward to building on their success.
Jens Lang, who retired to Aztec 2½ years ago, said he’s attended many commission meetings and watched multiple critical utility issues come before the commission.
“Respectfully, there are occasions when it seems the City Commission and city staff may not be fully aligned on technical or budgetary matters, and decision-making can sometimes appear unplanned,” Lang said.
He asked why Aztec does not have a public utility advisory board, adding his understanding is that at one time there was one.
“Aztec deserves transparent, technically grounded decisions that protect residents and support sustainable growth.”
Aztec Mayor Mike Padilla said it was a good idea and something they have discussed.
“I’m here tonight regarding an issue about a water bill, and it didn’t just affect me,” said Lee, adding, “I was told today it affected 16 other families in the city.”
She said a new water meter was installed on her home in June 2025, along with “apparently 15 other homes throughout the city.” The water meter was installed correctly but the data from her meter “was entered incorrectly into the city’s billing system.”
Lee said she was billed “incorrectly for an extended period of time,” adding her main concern was how long it took to “identify and correct it.”
Anderson also complained about her utility bill, saying “all of a sudden my bill went up to $200-ish for months, to $400 this month.” Acknowledging she needed to go to the utility department, she expressed concerns her meter was “read incorrectly” and that her bill should not have jumped 100%.
Padilla said all issues would be addressed.
After Commissioner Katie Buchholz asked for clarification of which fees would be amended and considerable discussion, the commission voted not to approve the amendment, but to bring it back with proper revisions.
Andrew DiCamillo, Community Development director said the MOU was “really kind of profound” for the city. It will enable the AFM to operate at Armijo Plaza, North Main Extension.
Pauline Pao, AFM director, provided an overview of AFM benefits, including “fresh, high quality agricultural and food products grown and produced locally,” where shoppers can talk directly with the growers.
Pao also provided a history of Farmers’ Market in San Juan County, tracing back to late 1980s, with the Farmington Farmers’ Market, followed by the Aztec, Bloomfield, Kirtland and Shiprock Farmers’ Markets.
Utilizing a USDA grant, the five farmers markets organized to become sister markets under the New Mexico Growers Market Alliance, providing funds for advertising and to pay market managers.
Pao said their goal is to increase community engagement with activities such as building a worm box, learning how to juggle, scavenger hunts, baking contests and others.
During reports, Padilla reported that Aztec Police Chief Joe Gonzales announced his retirement, effective April 30.
Additionally, City Manager Jay Ruybalid recognized Aztec Library director Angela Watkins as Citizen of the Year.