Aztec city commissioners last Tuesday appointed Eddie Chavez to fill the commission seat vacated by former Mayor Mike Padilla, selecting him from a crowded field of applicants in what leaders described as a transparent, first‑of‑its‑kind process for the city.
Chavez, who earned the highest score on two separate evaluation matrices, was unanimously approved after commissioners interviewed six finalists from a pool of 13 applicants – an unusually large turnout that city officials said reflects growing civic engagement.
The meeting also included the announcement that Community Development Director Andrew DiCamillo will serve as interim Public Works director, approval of two business items, and citizen input from youth sports and Gymkhana representatives.
Commissioners praised the community’s involvement and emphasized continued efforts to improve city facilities and maintain open government as they move toward hiring a new city manager.
DiCamillo and Electric director John Wheeler reported on current projects, while two business items were approved prior to reports and Chavez’s recognition and comments and a closed session dealing with city manager hiring.
Item B, Electric Department vehicle purchase was removed from the consent agenda for discussion.
Mayor Brett Lanier asked if the quote for the vehicle, which had expired on July 4, was still good.
Electric director John Wheeler said they have the funding in the budget for $270,000 and the new bid will be good to Sept. 4. They went from a 40 foot to a 48 foot bucket truck after realizing the need while putting up the lights at Hartman Park.
Wheeler said the 2009 model truck will go out for requests to other departments when the new truck arrives and if nobody wants it, it will go to surplus.
The commission unanimously approved item B.
Item A, intent to adopt ordinance 2026-573 change in land districting for unconforming A-1 properties to either AR-1 (agricultural/residential) or R-1 (residential) passed unanimously.
DiCamillo said there was a “lot of chatter and concerns” expressed at the first public meeting, but “oncethe folks allowed us to explain to them what we’re doing, they were all just actually supporting it.”
Item B, appointment of city commissioner for District #3, was addressed by Mayor Pro tem Jason Cortez, who said it was “pretty awesome” to have so many people apply for the commission. He encouraged those not chosen to stay involved and consider running in the future.
Sofia Flores, city attorney, gave a shout out to Karla Sayler, city clerk, saying that she believed this was the first time in 25 years that more than one person has applied for a vacant commission seat, so it kind of sent them both in a “whirlwind.”
Flores said it was essentially her going through policy and the code to figure out the best way to kind of initiate this process.
She also paid tribute to the candidates for their patience with the process which was relatively new to both herself and Sayler.
Flores gave a shout out to Ed Kotyk, special projects and programs coordinator, for his assistance with the math and metrics.
With a total of 13 applicants (one lived outside city limits), Lanier said the quality of those applying made choosing “very difficult.” He encouraged those not chosen to come to the workshops and the meetings and consider running in the next election.
Emphasizing that he and his fellow commissioners ran on the importance of “transparency” and avoiding the “good olé boy system,” Lanier said they each separately looked at the applications and using a point system narrowed it down to six applicants to be interviewed.
“I am pleased to say that (with) both point systems it was the same person that got the highest points, and point system was a good transparent way of how all the commissioners voted on the applications,” Lanier said.
Eddie Chavez scored the highest on both matrices and was selected to fill the vacant commission seat.
“First of all, thank you for the opportunity of being part of the commission,” Chavez said. He added that he wants to be part of “what we can do to better our lives,” for all the different people of Aztec, while retaining the “small town feeling.”
Chavez was unanimously approved as the new city commissioner.
Dustin Titus, with Aztec Youth Sports, Trevor Hatch, YAFL coach and Kathy Mueller with Gymkhana, addressed the commission during citizen input.
“From the entire board and all the kids playing football, first and foremost, I want to thank you guys for the lights,” said Titus. “Absolutely amazing.”
There are some “very excited” kids and parents, he said, adding they are working with Farmington to schedule some night games.
They’re also planning a team clean up project for the city and would like to talk with city officials about where to place their Aztec Sports building.
“It’s getting closer, and if we can get a spot designated, then we can start working with contractors and start making a game plan to make that happen,” Titus said, adding the location near the parking lot at Hartman Park looks ideal.
Hatch said that the Young America Football League contributed $5,000 toward fixing up the fields in the Four Corners area, and they have done work in Ignacio and Durango and are set to make improvements in Aztec at Hartman Park.
Aztec has one of the best facilities in San Juan County and across the state, he said, but more could be done to make it better, while improving safety factors for the kids.
Hatch proposed bringing the field up a notch by upgrading sprinklers, along with other basic landscaping efforts.
They have mowed the tall grass and Hatch said they’re prepared to do more ahead of the YAFL season.
A man in the front row said he’s been with YAFL for 15 years and the field has never looked this good — since Hatch has been working on the field — “that’s awesome and it looks good,” he said.
Mueller, from Bloomfield, thanked the commission by presenting the commission with a photo of some of the kids who participated in Gymkhana during the summer.
“So I just we want to just let you guys know how much we appreciate what you do for us,” Mueller said.
During reports, Police Chief Troy Morris said there will be “no mercy” for those speeding in school zones, with classes beginning Aug. 14.