Announcements
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Santa Fe NM 87501
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New Mexico State Land Trusts Advisory Board Meeting
New Mexico State Land Trusts Advisory Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 11:00 am.
Conducted via audio and video conference
Join the meeting through the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87137315226?pwd=Z01Lb3BpZWMwQTVoVThpTExMZXB3Zz09
Or dial into the meeting via phone: (346) 248-7799; Meeting ID: 871 3731 5226
Notice of Public Meeting – Rio Rancho
Notice of Public Meeting – Rio Rancho
STATE LAND OFFICE
Notice of Public Meeting to Receive Public Comment Regarding
Proposed Sale of State Trust Lands
Land Sale No. LE-1421
The New Mexico State Land Office (“SLO”) gives notice in accordance with NMSA 1978, Section 19-7-9.1 that it will hold a public meeting at the Governing Body Overflow Room at the Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, on November 9, 2023, starting at 6:00 p.m. MDT.
Those wishing to participate may do so in person or by visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89487108302?pwd=SHBZTFNTRS8rUWZndEdmTzN1RWhWZz09 or by dialing in by phone at 1-669-900-9128 and entering the meeting ID: 894 8710 8302. Any change to the time will be posted with a final agenda on the SLO webpage (http://www.nmstatelands.org) at least 72 hours prior to the date and time specified above.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comment regarding a proposed sale of 44.526 acres of state trust lands located in the Paseo Gateway master plan area of Rio Rancho west of the V. Sue Cleveland High School and north of and abutting Paseo del Volcan. The 44.526-acre tract is designated as Tract 17 of Unit 17 as the same is shown and designated on the plat entitled “Paseo Gateway Parcel A, Tracts 1 thru 9, 10A, 10B, 10C, 11 thru 18, A and B-1A, a Replat of Portions of Tract C in the Town of Alameda Grant Unit Seventeen etc.,” filed in the office of the County Clerk, Sandoval County, New Mexico on November 14, 2008 as Instrument No. 2008033908, in Book 411, Page 33908.
Tract 17 is zoned R-4 (Single Family Residential). It is expected that any buyer of Tract 17 will develop the land for use consistent with the R-4 zoning. The land is currently subject to a 2010 lease (No. BL-1952, as amended) under which the lessee has performed certain real estate planning and development for the purpose of increasing the value of the land by making higher and better uses available and making the land suitable for future sale or lease for those uses, as anticipated by the lease. Pursuant to the lease, which would be relinquished as to the land at the closing of the proposed sale, the lessee has extended or caused to be extended certain infrastructure to the boundary of the land. The City of Rio Rancho may, in accordance with current resolutions, ordinances and policies in effect at the time for any specific proposal, require additional off-site improvements in order to approve development and use of the land and issue required development permits.
Some, but not all, of the land surrounding Tract 17 is state trust land under the custody, control and management of the Commissioner of Public Lands and subject to the aforementioned lease under which the lessee has performed and will continue to perform certain real estate planning and development on a large portion of the land within the Paseo Gateway master plan area. Under that lease, the lessee’s authorized planning and development project involves (i) bringing municipal water and all necessary infrastructure to the leased land; (ii) obtaining all necessary approvals of zoning; and (iii) creating buildable residential, industrial and/or commercial lots or tracts and reserving certain open spaces, all for the purpose of successfully establishing and maintaining a profitable mixed use development on the leased land. Under the lease, the lessee may request that the Commissioner of Public Land offer for sale or long-term lease lands that the lessee has improved by constructing base infrastructure to or through it and obtaining entitlements. An abutting 44.5-acre tract designated as Tract 15 was sold in 2018 and has been fully developed with single-family residences.
Sale of Tract 17 and development by the eventual purchaser is expected to substantially increase the housing stock in this part of the City of Rio Rancho with a commensurate increase in traffic and demand for public services. At the same time, conveyance of the land from state ownership to private ownership would remove its tax-exempt status and increase the tax base substantially.
If the SLO makes a final decision to proceed with a potential sale, the Commissioner of Public Lands would conduct a public auction in accordance with the New Mexico Enabling Act (36 Stat. 557); NMSA Sections 19-7-1, 19-7-2 and 19-7-9; and State Land Office Rule 19.2.14 NMAC. The Commissioner of Public Lands would issue a notice of public auction published for at least 10 weeks as required by law soliciting bids on the land. A minimum sale price would be established in accordance with an appraisal to ensure that any sale is for at least the true value of the land. The land would be offered for a cash sale (i.e., full payment in cash due at closing) as a single tract. Additional requirements may be established for submitting bids and completing the sale. The Commissioner would also reserve the right to reject all bids and withdraw the land from sale or to reinitiate the process of offering the land for sale on the same or different terms. The purchaser would be required to pay all costs associated with the transaction, including but not limited to the cost of the appraisal, advertisement of the auction, and recording fees. Conveyance of the land would be subject to all valid and existing leases, easements, restrictions, and reservations, including a reservation to the State of New Mexico of all minerals and geothermal resources in, under or upon the subject land. The SLO may offer a negative easement or surface non-disturbance agreement with regard to the reserved minerals and geothermal resources.
If you have any questions, please contact Tarin Nix, Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs, at 505-827-5760 or email tnix@slo.state.nm.us.
November 9 at 6 p.m.: State Land Office to Host Public Meeting Regarding Proposed Land Sale in Rio Rancho
SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico State Land Office is hosting a public meeting in the Governing Body Overflow Room at Rio Rancho City Hall on Thursday, November 9 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to collect public comments regarding a proposed sale of approximately 44 acres of state land in the Paseo Gateway master plan area of Rio Rancho to be developed for residential housing.
WHAT: Public meeting regarding the proposed sale of about 44 acres of state land in Rio Rancho
WHO: New Mexico State Land Office staff
WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Governing Body Overflow Room at Rio Rancho City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144
REMOTE OPTIONS: Click here OR dial 1-669-900-9128; when prompted, enter the meeting ID: 880 5856 8292
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised more than $8 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.
State Land Office Named a Top Woman-Led Workplace in the Nation
SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico State Land Office has won the Woman-Led Organizations Award as part of the October 2023 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence national awards presented by human resources and technology research company Energage. The Woman-Led Organizations Award recognizes outstanding organizations whose most senior leader is a woman who has fostered a stand-out workplace culture that performs. The State Land Office qualified for the award earlier this year when it was named the #1 Midsize Employer by the Albuquerque Journal as part of Energage’s annual Top Workplaces Awards.
“The State Land Office is fortunate to have so many strong women in positions crucial to the success of the agency,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard. “Since taking office, I’ve prioritized creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for employees, and that includes elevating women leaders to the important roles they deserve based on their experience and skill. These amazing women are a big part of why we’ve been able to break revenue records and blaze new trails on behalf of New Mexico’s public schools year after year”
Energage’s Top Workplaces Awards are based solely on employee feedback to an anonymous survey that measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution and connection. 97.6% of State Land Office employees took the Energage survey. The agency ranked in the top 1% in the State Government category for work-life flexibility, meaningful work, employee appreciation, inclusion and confidence in leadership.
Over the past several years, Commissioner Garcia Richard has instituted agency-wide policies that invest in employees and promote fairness, including placing women in leadership positions and correcting pay equality disparities. The State Land Office’s mission is to earn money for schools and other public institutions by responsibly leasing state lands for energy production, commercial development, and agriculture, among other uses. The State Land Office continued to earn record-breaking revenue every year since 2019, exceeding $2.75 billion last year alone, as these cultural changes were implemented.
State Land Office Hires New Outdoor Recreation Specialist
SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico State Land Office has hired Maria Lohmann to serve as the agency’s new Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard announced today. Lohmann fills a role crucial to Commissioner Garcia Richard’s efforts to increase outdoor recreation opportunities on state lands for all New Mexicans.
“We are so thrilled to have Maria on board. She comes to us with a deep passion for New Mexico’s public lands and outdoor spaces and years of experience that will suit her well in this position,” said Commissioner Garcia Richard. “We have made tremendous strides in improving access to state lands for outdoor recreation purposes in recent years. Maria’s past work managing natural resources and creating outdoor recreation opportunities will help even more New Mexicans get outside and enjoy our beautiful state lands. I made it a priority to open up our state lands to adventure when I took office, and Maria’s skillset will help us continue to meet and surpass our goals in this area.”
“I’m excited to hit the ground running and find more ways for New Mexicans to experience all that state lands have to offer,” said Lohmann. “In my opinion this is the best state in the country to explore the outdoors, and there are amazing sites on state lands like Moon Mountain and White Peak that not enough New Mexicans know about. I’m looking forward to building on the progress the State Land Office has already made in enhancing the outdoor experience in New Mexico.”
Lohmann comes to the State Land Office from the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, where she served as its Sustainability and Resilience Officer. Prior to that she spent nearly a decade working for the Santa Fe County Open Space and Trails Program, where she gained experience in developing recreation opportunities, managing natural resources, and promoting outdoor stewardship. Born in Gallup, N.M., Lohmann holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico.
Commissioner Garcia Richard established the first Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Surface Resources Division of the State Land Office in 2019 and launched the “Open for Adventure” initiative to improve access to outdoor recreation activities on state lands. The Commissioner prioritized streamlining the process to access state lands by creating the online permit portal that accepts online credit card payments for outdoor recreation permit applications and waives a requirement to have the application notarized in person. These changes have roughly tripled the number of outdoor recreation permits the agency has processed per year since fiscal year 2018. Additionally, the Commissioner piloted the Luera Mountain Backpacking Permit program to allow licensed hunters overnight backpacking access to these state lands. The pilot program was a success and continues to be offered every hunting season.
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised more than $8 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.
State Land Trust Advisory Board Meeting Sept 22, 2023
NEW MEXICO STATE LAND OFFICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
STATE LAND TRUSTS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
The New Mexico State Land Trusts Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., and continuing thereafter as necessary. The meeting will be held in New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 801 Stephen Moody St SE, Albuquerque NM 87123. The meeting can also be attended via audio and video conference. The public may join the meeting through the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85262376184?pwd=eGFob3BjelVKWDh2TzlCaXhLVmZkdz09
The public may also dial into the meeting via phone: (346) 248-7799; Meeting ID: 852 6237 6184. You may sign up for public comment in advance by calling (505) 827-5761 or emailing fdipalma@slo.state.nm.us.
Any change to the location or time of the meeting will be posted with a final agenda on the SLO webpage (www.nmstatelands.org) at least 72 hours prior to the date and time specified in this notice.
The agenda includes: Call to Order, Roll Call, Welcome, Introduction of Board Members, Beneficiaries, Guests, and State Land Office Staff, Approval of Agenda, Approval of June 14, 2023 Minutes, Agency Update, Questions and Answers, Public Comments, Beneficiary Presentations, Closing Remarks, Adjournment.
The Agenda is available on the State Land Office website. To request a hard copy, contact Francesca Di Palma at (505) 827-5761 or fdipalma@slo.state.nm.us.
If you are an individual with a disability and you require assistance or an auxiliary aid (such as a sign language interpreter) to participate in any aspect of this meeting, please contact Francesca Di Palma by Thursday, September 14, 2023 at (505) 827-5761 or fdipalma@slo.state.nm.us.