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City Attorney

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1. Do you give out legal advice to the public?

No. The city attorney only provides legal advice to the Governing Body, city manager and staff. Citizens requiring private legal advice need to consult a private attorney. The NM Bar Association can help in this matter. Their phone number is (505) 797-6000.

2. How do I file a complaint against the city for damages?

We have Notice of Tort Claim forms in our office that you will need to fill out and complete with written estimates/repair receipts attached. We then forward to our insurance carrier.

3. Where do I go if I want to file a civil suit against someone for money owed me?

Depending on the amount, either Magistrate Court in Bernalillo or Sandoval County District Court. They have packets you can pick up for a nominal fee if you would like to do this on your own. You can call Magistrate Court at (505) 867-5202 or the District Court Clerk’s office at (505) 867-2376.

4. Where do I go to get a restraining order on someone?

You will need to go to the Sandoval County District Court. One of the judges will need to sign the order for it to be in effect. You may contact the District Court Clerk’s office for more information (505) 867-2376.

5. How do I reach Legal Aid?

Northern NM Legal Services can be reached at 1-800-373-9881.

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City Clerk

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1. How can I get on the Governing Body meeting agenda?

If an issue is part of the agenda, the presiding officer always asks for public input. If you want to speak in reference to an issue not on the agenda, the Governing Body reserves the public forum section at the beginning of the meeting for public input.

2. When and where are Governing Body meetings?

The Governing Body meetings are on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE. Agendas for the meeting are available in the Office of the City Clerk at least 24 hours before each meeting.

3. Where do I register to vote?

The Sandoval County Clerk is responsible for voter registration. Voter registration forms may be obtained from the Office of the City Clerk. For additional voter registration information, contact the County Clerk at (505) 867-7572. More...

4. What do I need to do to start a business?

Any person intending to engage in business must register with the City Clerk. The City Clerk's office will provide the steps required to become a home-based or commercial business.

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Convention and Visitor's Bureau

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1. Where is Rio Rancho in relation to Albuquerque and Santa Fe?

Although the city limits of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque are close to each other, the city centers are approximately 15 minutes apart. Santa Fe is approximately 50 minutes north of Rio Rancho.

2. Can I get a Rio Rancho travel guide sent to me?

We are happy to mail our brochures anywhere in the world.

3. Where can I pick up brochures about the area?

At the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce located in the New Mexico Bank & Trust Building on Southern Blvd. and NM 528.

4. How can I find the location of land I purchased in the 1960s and 1970s?

Please call the Sandoval County Assessor (505) 867-7562.

5. Do you have a relocation packet?

No, but we will forward your request to the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and they will mail a relocation packet to you.

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Financial Services

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1. What types of tender does the city of Rio Rancho accept?

The city of Rio Rancho currently accepts cash and checks, debit and credit cards (Visa, American Express, Master Card and Discover). Debit and credit cards are not accepted at all city locations. To find out which locations are currently accepting credit cards please call Financial Services at (505) 891-5010.

2. I am a vendor for the city of Rio Rancho and expecting a payment. How can I find out when I will get paid?

You may call Financial Services at (505) 891-5010 and ask for the accounts payable clerk that is assigned to your business account.

3. I am currently billed by the city of Rio Rancho for a special assessment on my property. Who can I contact regarding my account?

Please call Financial Services at (505) 891-5010 and ask for the special assessment billing clerk.

4. How does the city procure goods and services?

All procurement is achieved by competitive sealed bids except when competitive sealed proposals are authorized for small purchases, sole sources, emergency procurement or for purchases under existing contracts.

An Invitation for Bid (IFB) is a solicited competitive sealed bid for the purpose of procuring services, construction or items of tangible personal property.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a solicited competitive sealed proposal for the purpose of procuring professional services or when the purchasing office makes a determination that the use of competitive sealed bidding is either not practicable or advantageous to the city.

5. What does our business need to do to provide goods or services to the city of Rio Rancho?

A vendor who wishes to do business within the municipal limits is required to obtain a city business license. In addition, it is recommended that your business register as a vendor with the city.

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Parks, Recreation and Community Services

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1. Where can I find out about special events in Rio Rancho?

All events are listed on the city's online calendar found on the main home page of the city's Web site.

2. Does the City of Rio Rancho have facilities available to rent for special occasions?

Please contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (505) 891-5015.

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Police Department

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1. May I burn today?

You may call the burn line at (505) 891-7268 to find out if you can burn.

2. Where can I apply for a Police Officer position?

You can apply at two locations. The Rio Rancho Police Department offices at 500 Quantum Road or at City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE in the Human Resources Office.

3. What are the child restraint laws?

Children less than one year of age shall be properly secured in a rear- facing child passenger restraint device that meets federal standard in the rear seat vehicle, or in the front seat of the vehicle if the passenger-side air bag is deactivated.

Children one year of age through four years of age, regardless of weight, or children who weigh less than forty pounds, regardless of age, shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards; children five years of age through twelve years of age shall be secured in the rear seat of a motor vehicle equipped with a rear seat, unless all available seating positions are occupied by passengers twelve years of age or younger; and children thirteen through seventeen years of age shall be secured by a safety belt in the front seat or rear seat of the vehicle.

4. What can I do about barking dogs in my neighborhood?

You should call Animal Control at (505) 891-5075 to report barking dogs.

5. What do I do about speeding vehicles in my area?

For emergencies, please immediately call 911. For non-emergencies, please call (505) 891-5970 to talk with a representative from the traffic division.

6. Should I call the police if I'm involved in a motor vehicle accident?

By law, you are obligated to report any motor vehicle accident if it causes damage in excess of $500 or causes an injury.

7. What do I have to do to obtain a handgun permit?

Contact the State Department of Public Safety at 1-505-842-3082.

8. How can I pay the penalty assessment for a citation?

Citations issued for violations of a city of Rio Rancho municipal ordinance may be paid in person at the Rio Rancho Municipal Court, 500 Quantum Road SE. Citations issued by state or county law enforcement officers may be paid in person at Magistrate Court, or by mail to the address noted on the back of the citation.

9. What should I do when I see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching?

The law requires drivers to immediately pull to the right and stop on the approach of an emergency vehicle running with lights and/or siren engaged. By approach, the law means from any direction: from behind, side or on-coming. The reason for requiring motorists to pull to the right and stop is so that the emergency vehicle may safely proceed through traffic to their destination. Emergency vehicle operators are instructed to use the center-most lane when responding to an emergency. If you are driving in the same direction as the emergency vehicle and they need to make a right turn, the emergency vehicle cannot safely execute this maneuver until you have either stopped or passed; stopping is the safest action. If you are meeting an emergency vehicle that needs to turn left and if you continue moving, the emergency vehicle must stop and wait for you to clear the intersection before they can safely make a left turn. Emergency vehicle operators are instructed to remain very cognizant of other traffic on the roadway. Therefore, your cooperation while driving, pulling to the right and stopping, makes the roads safer for everyone.

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Public Works

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1. I live on a residential dirt roadway. When will the city pave my street?

The city only participates in the construction of system improvements that include collector streets, such as Western Hills, Pecos Loop, 40th Street and arterial streets such as Southern Blvd and Northern Blvd. Residential streets are built by private developers. In older platted areas, that responsibility belongs to the homeowners. This can be accomplished through the formation of a special assessment district (SAD.

2. What is a SAD?

A Special Assessment District is a process that requires all property owners in the participating district to pay for their share of public infrastructure improvements. These improvements may include roadway paving, storm drainage systems, water and sewer improvements.

3. How do I get a sign installed?

In many cases, having a sign replaced or installed is as simple as calling Public Works and asking for it. After a brief engineering review to check if the sign is appropriate, it will be ordered and installed. This process takes four to six weeks. Public Works will not put up stop signs whose sole purpose is to control speed and will typically not install speed limit signs on every residential road. Studies have shown that unwarranted stop signs do little to control speed and that they are routinely run by drivers. All entries to residential areas have 25 mph signs posted and putting a sign up on all residential roads is a needless expense. Another commonly requested sign is the "Children At Play" sign. This sign is no longer recognized by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices as recommended signing.

4. How does the city decide to install a traffic signal at an intersection?

Public Works conducts a warrant study at the intersection in question. The warrant study determines the total number of cars on each approach, total delay for vehicles on the side street as well as the number of accidents. The values from the study are then compared with values found in the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). If the number of cars counted equals or exceeds the number given in the MUTCD, then the city will consider installing a signal. If, however, an intersection is functioning efficiently and safely, the city will not put up a signal even if the volumes meet MUTCD standards. Obtaining funds for installation of a new signal is also a consideration. A new traffic signal ranges in cost from approximately $100,000 to $300,000 depending on the location and type of roadway geometric improvements required to accommodate its placement. Funding is allocated annually and no traffic signal project can begin until funding is appropriated.

5. How does the city prioritize roadway projects?

Roadway projects can be classified in two categories:
Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction/New Construction.
Public Works maintains a Pavement Management System, which is an inventory of all city roadway facilities. The roadways are classified by roadway type (major arterials, minor arterials, collectors and residential) as well as Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and Pavement Condition Rating (PCR). Other relevant data such as structural features (number of lanes, medians, curb and gutter, water valves, bike paths, etc.) are listed. The overall length and width of each roadway segment is also shown. This data base serves as a baseline indicating which city streets are in need of rehabilitation.

Major roadway projects that would increase the volume capacity of a roadway or address safety deficiencies follow a different process. This process includes the city updating its Infrastructure Capital Improvements Program (ICIP). Each department is responsible for submitting an outline and summary of needed capital improvement projects. The ICIP committee prioritizes these projects and then the Governing Body approves or modifies these priorities. Public Works is charged with identifying potential funding sources for these projects (local, state and federal). Qualifying roadway projects may be eligible for funding through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Funding categories include Surface Transportation Urban (STPU) and Surface Transportation Enhancement (STPE) which are federal funds that require a 20% and 25% local match, respectively. Rio Rancho projects would compete with other projects in our region for inclusion for funding in the Albuquerque Metropolitan Planning Area (AMPA) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as administered by the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG). An approved TIP becomes part of the STIP once approved and adopted by the Urban Transportation Policy and Planning Board (UTPPB) and finally the State Highway Commission (NMSHTD). Other funding sources include Municipal Arterial Project (MAP) funds and Cooperative Project (COOP) funds administered by the State Highway and Transportation City Listing. These are state monies competed for both on the local and statewide level.

6. How can you control speeding on my street?

Traffic calming consists of a variety of methods - from speed humps to traffic circles to rumble strips - used to slow down or divert drivers on a residential street.

7. How do I get a grading permit?

A grading permit is required for any construction or development related grading, clearing, grubbing or earthwork. Typically a grading permit is approved as part of the building permit and no separate process is required. When the only work to be done is grading, or when it is desirable to proceed with grading prior to a building permit being issued, it is necessary to acquire a grading permit from Public Works. This department provides an information packet entitled "Summary of Grading Permit Requirements" that includes directions for completing a grading permit application.

8. I am building on a vacant lot and need access to a city roadway. How do I get access?

A curb cut permit allows an individual property owner to access an adjoining city roadway. Although unpaved roads have no curb and gutter, a "curb cut" permit is still required to ensure that the private driveway is located and constructed correctly. To get a curb cut permit, it is necessary to contact Public Works and complete an application. A sketch of the proposed access point will need to be included with the application as well as the contractor's name, address and license number.

9. How do I get an unmaintained roadway opened?

There are many unmaintained roads within the city of Rio Rancho. If you are building on a lot where the only access is by an unmaintained road, you may ask that the road be graded by the Department of Public Works. Public Works schedules regular road grading only on streets with occupied homes. A road opening must be requested in writing to Public Works, which should include the address of the lot to be accessed and a sketch or map of the property.

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Utilities

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1. How do I open a water/wastewater account?

To open a new account or reactivate water service, every customer must fill out an application. Call 891-5020 for more information.

2. How do I finalize my account?

You may call the office at (505) 891-5020 or come into the office to finalize your account. The city will endeavor to act upon telephone or verbal orders to discontinue service, but in the event of a dispute, only a written notice will be considered proof of notification.

3. There is water bubbling up and running down the street. What do I do?

Call our office at (505) 891-5020.