Alamogordo, NM – The Alamogordo City Commission convened on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with Mayor Sharon McDonald presiding. A full quorum was presen.  Pastor Lance Garrison delivered the invocation, and Commissioner Al Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The commission approved an amended agenda that moved Item 11 to later in the meeting. All actions on the agenda proceeded with strong consensus.

Sunspot Solar Observatory Preservation Efforts Spotlighted

One of the meeting’s highlights was a detailed presentation by Dave Dooling, former NSO Sunspot Education Officer and contributor to Alamogordo Town  News, and Heidi Sanchez, Visitor Center Manager and Sunspot Community Centre President. They addressed a significant mercury leak at the historic Dunn Solar Telescope and urged the commission and community to help save the facility.

Established in 1947, Sunspot Solar Observatory stands as a pioneering space weather observing station. The Dunn Telescope, which rotates on mercury bearings, released approximately 186 pounds of mercury, creating environmental and health concerns. While the National Science Foundation plans to remove the mercury and demolish the site, community stakeholders argue that once the mercury is cleaned, the facility can be safely preserved and repurposed.

Dooling and Sanchez proposed transforming the Dunn site into a Hands-On Solar Physics and Optics Education Center. They noted that the Evans Solar Facility remains operable, and other structures could support new instrumentation. They also suggested converting prefabricated housing sites into RV camping spots to boost astronomy tourism in the dark-sky location.

The visitor center currently draws about 2,500 visitors annually, with 75% adults and significant out-of-state and international attendance. Educational programs reach over 60 schools and host numerous community events. Presenters emphasized that Sunspot’s infrastructure remains viable and urged formation of a funding consortium involving city, county, state, private donors, foundations, and universities to prevent demolition.

Public Works Department Reports Progress Amid Staffing Challenges

Public Works Director Jimmy Vargas provided an overview of departmental operations and ongoing projects. The department is fully staffed in Facility Maintenance (9 employees) and Fleet Maintenance (6 employees), but Street Maintenance is operating with only seven employees—six below its full complement of 13.

Key updates included:

• Completion of Phase One energy efficiency improvements, including solar panels at six facilities and LED lighting upgrades.

• Ongoing vehicle replacement program with 73 units ordered for 2025-2026.

• Street maintenance addressing roughly 150 current potholes (down from a previous backlog of 350-400).

• Drainage projects contracted to KENG for sediment removal and erosion control in multiple ditches.

Vargas noted continued work on roadway repairs, including grant applications for South Florida Street improvements.

Union Opposes Outsourcing of Desert Lakes Golf Course Maintenance

Marcus Bartlett of AFSCME, joined by Union President Tamara Hanson, expressed support for improving operations at Desert Lakes Golf Course while strongly opposing the outsourcing of maintenance staff. The union called for a full cost-benefit and risk analysis before any decision.

Bartlett argued that in-house maintenance provides accountability, leverages existing employee expertise, and aligns with prior city assessments. He cited examples from other cities where outsourcing led to higher costs or reduced service quality. The union proposed several alternatives, including an operator-only model for pro shop and restaurant functions while keeping maintenance public, or a phased pilot approach.

Community Development Projects Advancing

Justin Boyle and Joseph Samora updated the commission on department projects. Notable construction updates include:

• Fire Station 2 Renovation at 42% complete, projected for June 2026.

• Upper & Lower Heights Water Line at 95% complete.

• Fairgrounds Intersection at 42% complete, targeting July 2026.

• Multiple other projects ranging from the Zoo Duck Pond to landfill cell expansion.

The department is implementing the OpenGov platform to increase transparency in bidding and project management. Several shovel-ready road, water, and storm drain projects are planned for later in 2026.

Public Comments and Commission Actions

Public commenters addressed golf course conditions and outsourcing concerns, environmental issues such as urban canopy development, animal control ordinances, and infrastructure needs like pothole repairs.

The commission approved the consent agenda with minor corrections, a government-to-government asset transfer between airports, a water line relocation change order, participation in the NMDOT capital outlay program, and the preliminary 2026-27 budget submission.

In a closed executive session, the commission discussed collective bargaining with the Alamogordo Public Safety Officers Association and City Manager recruitment. Following the session, the collective bargaining agreement was approved unanimously.

The meeting underscored ongoing efforts to balance infrastructure investment, historic preservation, fiscal responsibility, and community priorities in Alamogordo but little was voted on as action and this meetings focus was information sharing with the commission and the public. 

More News from Alamogordo

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• Otero Arts Inc to Screen “Frida: The Making of an Icon” at Otero Artspace in Alamogordo Screen documentary Frida: The Making of an Icon on Tuesday, June 17, at 5:30 PM at Otero Artspace