On the agenda: Deming Minutes Council 9-15-2026 Regular — data center (Sep 15)

CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
September 15, 2026
Remote meeting in compliance with the
New Mexico Open Meetings Act
Council Present:
Michele C. Shillito, Mayor
Laura Parra, Mayor Pro Tem
Catherine Gutierrez, Councilor
Council Virtual Attendance:

Julian Monjaras, Councilor
Stephen Westenhofer, Councilor

Council Absent:
Staff Present:
Aaron Sera, City Manager
Cassie Arias-Ward, Assistant City Manager
Azucena Vargas, Public Works Director
Ryan Robinson, Community Dvlp. Director
Sergio Lara, Chief of Police
Mary Corral, Deputy Clerk
Valeria Tapia-Adame, Public Relations

Liliana Pena, Treasurer/Finance Director
Spenser Baca, City Attorney
Adrian Coloma, Senior Systems Analyst
Jay Enemenzo, IT Support
Joe Owen, Fire Chief
Sandra Gunter, Public Works Clerk

Recording Secretary: Karen Reed – Clerk
Mayor Shillito called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A quorum was verified by roll call. Councilor Monjaras, Mayor Pro Tem Parra, Councilor Gutierrez,
Councilor Westenhofer
1. Consent Agenda
Councilor Westenhofer motioned to remove item C from the consent agenda; motion seconded
by Councilor Monjaras; carried by the following roll call vote:
ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Westenhofer
Councilor Monjaras
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
Councilor Gutierrez

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

Councilor Westenhofer motioned to approve the consent agenda with item C removed; motion
seconded by Councilor Monjaras:
Councilor Monjaras appreciates the commissioners appointed to the various commissions and boards.
They have been doing many things to help the city.
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September 15, 2026

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Councilor Parra asks for clarification on the resolutions. Mr. Sera states one is a grant application and
the other is the application for the water trust board for different projects.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
Councilor Gutierrez
Councilor Westenhofer
Councilor Monjaras

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

Approval of item C on the consent agenda failed due to a lack of motion.
Councilor Westenhofer stated there have been five trainings in eight months offered, there would not
be a benefit for out-of-state training.
Councilor Monjaras stated the funding should be used in a different capacity.
2. Proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Mayor Shillito read the proclamation.
Councilor Monjaras motioned to approve the proclamation as read; motion seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Parra.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Monjaras
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
Councilor Gutierrez
Councilor Westenhofer

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

3. Resolution Acceptance and Approval of the FY 22 Audit
Ms. Pena introduced the audit firm that conducted the fiscal year 22 audit. The firm was online and
presented their findings and timeline from completion of the audit.
Councilor Westenhofer motioned to approve the Resolution Acceptance and Approval of the FY
22 Audit; motion seconded by Councilor Monjaras.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
AYE
Councilor Gutierrez
AYE
Councilor Westenhofer
AYE
Councilor Monjaras
AYE

4. Ratification of Physical Inventory for Fiscal Year 2026
Ms. Pena presented the list of inventories and stated that is had been inspected and certified by the
supervisors and directors.
Councilor Monjaras motioned to approve Ratification of Physical Inventory for Fiscal Year
2026; motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Parra.
Councilor Monjaras added that this is well documented and shows accountability.
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Mr. Sera added that departments must purchase items if they are going to another department.
Councilor Westenhofer asked about the depreciation rate and if it changes from the different types of
vehicles.
Mr. Sera said yes, equipment and vehicles do have different depreciations, vehicles are ten years. Police
vehicles are replaced at 100,000 miles or in the event of an accident regardless of depreciation.

ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Gutierrez
Councilor Westenhofer
Councilor Monjaras
Mayor Pro Tem Parra

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

5. Approval of the Ethics Policy
Mr. Sera stated this is narrowed to thirteen items for employees and public officials.
Councilor Westenhofer motioned to approve the ethics policy; motion seconded by Councilor
Monjaras.
Councilor Gutierrez asked why now and without input requested.
Mr. Sera stated the policy was emailed and Councilor Westenhofer was the only response.
Councilor Monjaras read some of the highlight points and stated this is what they already following
and doing.
Councilor Parra asked what the city follows now, and Mr. Sera stated the state code of conduct.
Councilor Gutierrez asked when this was first presented and Councilor Monjaras stated two months
ago.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Westenhofer
AYE
Councilor Monjaras
AYE
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
AYE
Councilor Gutierrez
AYE
6. Managers’ Report
Mr. Sera reported that 5 Below is working on a lease agreement and should be opening around June
2027. The brackish water exploration will continue to see if there is water to utilize. The moratorium
on water can be utilized against data centers and others to analyze and see the use and impact on
the water supply. The quiet zone is suspended on Ruby St. however the documents have been
requested to re-establish the quiet zone and Mr. Robinson is working on it. NMFA has approved
the Go Bond, and street projects should move forward in October. Florida lighting contractor did
not apply for permit with DOT. The permit will be applied for and then continued. Audit is moving
forward and Ms. Pena has a corrective action plan. A special meeting will be called for two
resolutions that are due October 20th, so it needs to be approved before the next council meeting.
Councilor Parra reiterated that data centers can be stopped or analyzed for economic impact for the
next five years.
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Councilor Gutierrez asked what audit year we are on. Mr. Sera stated FY 23 currently and FY 2426 will be completed by May 2027. Councilor Westenhofer asked about the burnt buildings in town.
Mr. Sera stated they are being rated and ranked for priority; the current focus is the demolition of
the Hitchin’ Post.
7. Closed Session: Pursuant to NMSA 1978, 10-15-1(H)8 To Discuss purchase of real property
Mayor Shillito asks if Council is ready to make a motion.
Councilor Westenhofer motioned for closed session; motion second by Mayor Pro Tem Parra.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Monjaras
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
Councilor Gutierrez
Councilor Westenhofer

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

8. Open Session: Motions, if any
Mayor Shillito asks if Council is ready to make a motion.
Councilor Westenhofer motioned for open session; motion second by Councilor Gutierrez.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
Councilor Gutierrez
Councilor Westenhofer
Councilor Monjaras

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

Mayor “Only those items listed on the agenda were discussed and that no motions were made
during closed session.”
Mayor Shillito asks if Council if anyone wants to make a motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Parra motions to approve the purchase of thirty acres of land; motion seconded
by Councilor Monjaras.
ROLL CALL VOTE
Councilor Gutierrez
AYE
Councilor Westenhofer
AYE
Councilor Monjaras
AYE
Mayor Pro Tem Parra
AYE

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9. Adjourn Meeting
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Shillito entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Councilor Westenhofer motioned to adjourn; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Parra. The meeting
adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
CITY OF DEMING, NEW MEXICO
_____________________________
Michele Shillito, Mayor

ATTEST:

____________________________
Karen Reed, Municipal Clerk

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