Public Meetings - Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Albuquerque City Council met on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting began with a moment of silence, pledges of allegiance, and proclamations recognizing Donate Life Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Much of the evening was devoted to completing the 2023-2032 Decade Plan for Capital Improvements (R-100) carried over from the April 3 meeting, followed by new business including appeals, approvals, and final actions. Eight councilors were present; Councilor Trudy Jones was excused. Proclamations & Presentations - Councilor Lewis presented a proclamation declaring April 2023 as Donate Life Month. Speakers from Donate New Mexico highlighted that one organ donor can save up to eight lives and noted a record 28 heart donations in New Mexico the prior year. - Councilor Bassan introduced representatives from All Faith's Children's Advocacy Center, who presented on their forensic interviewing and trauma-informed clinical services serving approximately 2,500 clients annually. Councilors expressed strong support for the center's work. Administration Question & Answer Period - Councilor Sanchez asked for transparency regarding the One Albuquerque Fund, including who contributes, how funds are spent, and Mayor's involvement. The administration stated city employees are not required to contribute and offered to arrange a meeting with the fund's executive director. - Councilor Lewis inquired about progress on Inspector General recommendations regarding parking violations. The city attorney noted discussions among departments and an extension request to the OIG; Councilor Lewis requested a formal response. - Vice President Grout questioned Planning Director about ADU permits (historical data not readily available) and code enforcement staffing. Code enforcement is fully staffed with 43 positions (19 inspectors); average 1,733 requests per month. Emergency code enforcement responses occur within 0-2 hours. - APD reported results of a no-license-plate enforcement initiative: in 10 days (Feb), 934 citations from 271 stops; March 1-16, 1,802 citations from 1,670 stops, 13 vehicles towed, 25 arrests. Focus will now also include red-light violations. - Director Montoya confirmed stop-on-red signals activated on Lead and Coal at three intersections; no reported accidents in the prior 7 days on that corridor. Public Comments & Testimony - Senator Bill Tallman (Albuquerque Museum Board) requested reinstatement of funds for the Museum's education center, citing 130,000 in-person visits last year and 15,000 children via the Magic Bus program. Other museum docents and supporters echoed the request. - Several speakers (Monet Archibek, Erica Davis Crump, Shauna Brown) urged adoption of the Cannabis Equity Working Group's recommendations, including an Office of Cannabis Equity and dedicated use of cannabis tax revenues to repair harms in impacted communities. Councilor Peña indicated the council is working on related legislation. - Carl Videl opposed Short-Term Rental Ordinance O-23-69, arguing it would harm local businesses and jobs; he requested a vote rather than further delays. - Lewis Cisneros (metro security officer) described two homicides at the Albuquerque Transit Center and expressed concern that security officers are asked to handle police work. He noted five more officers are leaving. Councilor Sanchez voiced concerns about liability and DOJ implications. - Bex Hampton (People's Housing Project) supported limiting Airbnbs and a landlord registry to address the housing crisis. - Corey Lee (via Zoom) opposed short-term rental limits citing impacts on contractors and local economy, and questioned safety data comparing hotels vs. short-term rentals. Discussion Items - R-100 C/S - 2023-2032 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP): The council debated and voted on numerous floor amendments (6 through 18) over several hours. Key amendments included: - Amendment 6 (as amended): Revised funding sources for park irrigation and multigenerational center (passed 8-0). - Amendment 7: Shifted $400K from transit vehicle replacement to planning department hardware/software (passed 8-0). - Amendment 8: Shifted $300K from transit to Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (passed 8-0). - Amendment 9: Shifted $750K from transit to Explora Cradle-to-Career Campus (passed 8-0). - Amendment 10: Shifted $650K from open space to Bosque restoration ($150K) and pool renovation ($500K) (passed 8-0). - Amendment 11 (as amended): $2.5 million from multiple sources (including $1M from APD facilities, $500K from AFR apparatus, $500K from revenue vehicles, etc.) to Albuquerque Museum Education Center (passed 7-1, with Sanchez opposed). - Amendment 12: $2 million from stormwater and veterinary clinics to Animal Shelter rehab (passed 8-0). - Amendment 13 (withdrawn): Would have designated affordable housing funds for specific entities; ruled inconsistent with competitive solicitation requirements. - Amendment 14: $1M from Alameda Barstow to city vehicle replacement (passed 8-0). - Amendment 15 (withdrawn): Would have restricted MR funds to projects outside downtown. - Amendment 16: $6M from council neighborhood set-aside to Gibson Health Hub ($5M) and Ken Sanchez Sports Complex ($1M). After a motion to amend the $5M for Gibson to affordable housing failed (2-6), the original amendment passed 8-0. Council also supported consolidating funding streams for the Ken Sanchez Sports Complex. - Amendments M1, M2 (disallowed on a 5-3 vote to uphold rules prohibiting new amendments not originally filed). M3 (Broadway street segment designation) was allowed after a rules suspension (6-2) and passed unanimously as Amendment 18. - The final bill as amended passed unanimously (8-0) after all amendments were adopted. - AC-23-9 - Appeal of Car Wash Site Plan: The council voted 7-1 (Sanchez opposed) to reject the Land Use Hearing Officer's recommendation and schedule a full hearing for May 1, 2023. The appeal concerns sidewalk and landscape buffer placement on North 4th Street; Councilor Benton expressed concerns about consistency with the North Fourth Corridor Plan and Complete Streets policy. Approvals & Consent Agenda - Consent agenda items (EC-23-266, EC-23-267, EC-23-269, EC-23-274, R-23-116, R-23-124, and other deferred items) were approved except for those pulled for discussion. - EC-23-268, EC-23-271, EC-23-273: Three media/programming contracts for public, educational, and government access channels were pulled by Councilor Sanchez for explanation. After discussion confirming they are funded by Comcast franchise fees, not general fund, all were approved unanimously. - R-23-125: Continuum of Care grant application to HUD ($3.5M) was explained and approved unanimously. - OC-23-26 Policy Brief - Repealing No-Cruising Legislation: The council adopted the floor substitute and then passed the policy brief unanimously, noting Albuquerque is a national leader in repealing anti-cruising laws. Final Actions - M-23-9: Urging the NM Legislature to adopt the lowrider as the official state car in 2024. Passed 7-1 (Sanchez opposed). - R-22-85: Nuisance abatement at 3709 Lombardy Road NW. After hearing from the property owner who expressed commitment to demolish and develop a community garden but needed time, the council voted unanimously to defer to May 15, 2023, to allow the owner to demonstrate progress. - R-23-103 F/S: Directing evaluation of bilingual pay differential programs for city employees. Passed unanimously after public comment. Key Outcomes - Approved $760,000 in cable franchise-funded contracts for public access programming. - Completed and passed the 2023-2032 Capital Improvements Plan (R-100) with 18 amendments, adding over $2.5M to the Albuquerque Museum Education Center, $5M to Gibson Health Hub, $1M to Ken Sanchez Sports Complex, and other adjustments. - Deferred Short-Term Rental Ordinance (O-23-69) to May 15, 2023. - Postponed Firearms Tip Line Program (R-22-75) to May 1, 2023. - Deferred MDC Opioid Treatment MOU (R-23-121) to May 15, 2023. - Scheduled a full hearing on North 4th Street car wash appeal for May 1, 2023. - Adopted policy brief supporting repeal of anti-cruising ordinances nationwide. - Approved memorial urging state adoption of lowrider as official state car.

The Albuquerque City Council held its 28th meeting of the 25th Council on Monday, April 3, 2023, beginning at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting lasted until after midnight, covering a wide range of topics including APD alarm response policies, sexual assault awareness, public comment on short-term rentals and zero fares, numerous consent agenda items, and a lengthy debate on the 2023-2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. The meeting was marked by extended discussions on transparency, transit security, and the allocation of capital funds. Consent Calendar - EC-23-229: Report of FY/22 Outstanding Encumbrances Reappropriated in FY/23 – Receipt noted (9-0). - EC-23-230: Revenue & Expense Report for First Quarter FY2023 – Receipt noted (9-0). - EC-23-234: Department of Arts & Culture Progress Report on R-22-53 – Receipt noted (9-0). - EC-23-237: Near Heights Community Planning Area Assessment Report – Receipt noted (9-0). - EC-23-260: Mayor's appointment of Dr. Joseph Galewsky to Joint Air Quality Board – Confirmed (9-0). - EC-23-261: Mayor's appointment of Dr. Anna N. Nelson to Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – Confirmed (9-0). - EC-23-262: Mayor's appointment of Ms. Corrina Jaramillo-Feldman to Open Space Advisory Board – Confirmed (9-0). - EC-23-263: WSP USA Inc. Uptown Transit Center Joint Development – Approved (9-0). - EC-23-264: First Supplemental Agreement for Outside Counsel Legal Services (Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C.) – Withdrawn by Administration (9-0). - EC-23-270: First Supplemental Agreement for Outside Counsel Legal Services (Robles, Rael & Anaya, P.C.) – Approved (9-0). - EC-23-272: Lease Agreement between City and National Alliance on Mental Illness – Approved (9-0). - OC-23-31: Appointment of Ms. Rowan Wymark to Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board – Confirmed (9-0). - OC-23-32: Appointment of Ms. Leslie Dozzo to Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board – Confirmed (9-0). - AC-23-2 through AC-23-8: Seven appeals of Planning Department approval of a Temporary Use Permit for a Safe Outdoor Space (SOS) at 1250 Menaul Blvd. NE – All withdrawn by applicant (9-0 each). - O-23-69: Amending Short-Term Rental Ordinance (caps, local manager, penalties) – Postponed to April 17, 2023 (9-0). - R-22-75: Establishing Tip Line Program for illegal firearms – Postponed to April 17, 2023 (9-0). - R-23-102: Accepting Department of Justice Byrne Discretionary Grant for Albuquerque Community Safety Department – Passed (9-0). - R-23-117: Approving grant application for Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program – Passed (9-0). Public Comments & Testimony - Brian Fayer: Criticized the mayor's office for poor communication and dismissed criticism as partisan; highlighted APD PIO's mean tweets, including derogatory comments about a 15-year-old's death and jokes about Alzheimer's. - Diego Lopez: Defended short-term rentals (Airbnb), citing an example of placing families during an emergency; argued against restrictive ordinance. - Carl Videls, Stacey Seidel, Shane Delinski, Jason Rubin, Tad Nemitsky: All spoke in opposition to the proposed short-term rental caps, emphasizing economic impact, job creation, and support for tourism and historic preservation. - Janice Herrera: Discussed the decommissioning of the I-40 underpass, noting improvements but expressing concern about insufficient vouchers and lack of advance notice. - Dr. Tim Krebs: Supported the housing forward ABQ plan and urged council support for addressing the housing crisis. - Andrea Calderon: Highlighted the Indicators Progress Commission's work on black homeownership and housing strategy. - Dale McClennan: Urged funding for the Gateway Center to address homelessness, citing successful models. - Jesus Hernandez: Supported zero fares for transit, stating it helps people with disabilities gain independence. - Molly Gish, Luis Colunga, Kristen McPeak, Rosemary Blanchard, Michael Brasher, Anita Cordova, Christopher Ramirez, Julie Dreiki: Various speakers supported zero fares, opposed short-term rental restrictions, urged protection of Petroglyph National Monument, and requested more code enforcement. - Tommy Soto (age 12): Advocated for funding the Albuquerque Museum Education Center, describing his personal benefits from art classes. Discussion Items - APD Alarm Response Policy Presentation: Deputy Chief Josh Brown presented data showing 38,619 alarm calls from 2021-2023 (estimated 39,000 officer hours, $1.3 million annual cost), with less than 2% being true alarms. Proposed a verified response policy requiring audio/visual verification before dispatch. Councilors expressed concern about public pushback and urged a public education campaign before implementation. Chief Medina committed to a slow, community-informed rollout. - Sexual Assault Awareness Proclamation: Councilor Jones presented a proclamation recognizing April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Statistics: 537 sex crimes reported in APD in 2022; Rape Crisis Center assisted 1,146 survivors. City Hall illuminated in teal. - Administration Q&A: - Email blocking: Director of Technology Mark Leach explained that 3 million of 8 million incoming emails were blocked for security reasons; a specific email address from a blogger was temporarily blocked, sparking concerns about censorship from Councilors Bassan and Sanchez. CAO Lawrence Rael defended the action as a security measure. - Golf course senior rates: Director Simon noted the department is studying weekend rate parity for seniors. - CAO memo on Q&A: Councilors Fiebelkorn and Davis pushed back against a memo limiting questions to written submissions, asserting the council's right to ask questions in public meetings. - APD PIO social media conduct: Councilors Grout, Peña, and Davis criticized the APD Public Information Officer's tweets, calling them unprofessional and disrespectful. Chief Medina said he would have a conversation about professionalism. Council President Davis threatened to work to defund the position if behavior did not change. - Heading Home housing vouchers: Director of Family and Community Services reported that Heading Home owes $56,000 to a landlord, but the agency believes it's $2,000; issues are due to lack of CFO and accurate invoicing. - Doolittle Fountain at Biopark: Director Sanchez stated no decision has been made; the Arts Board is evaluating restoration costs. - Short-Term Rental Ordinance (O-23-69): Postponed to April 17, 2023 (9-0). - Zero Fare Equity Analysis (R-23-120): Approved unanimously (9-0) to accept the transit department's fare equity analysis, paving the way for the permanent zero fare ordinance. - Zero Fare Ordinance (O-23-71): After a failed postponement (4-5), the bill passed 7-2 (Grout and Lewis opposed). The ordinance makes ART and Sun Van permanently free. Debated security concerns, with Metro Security union president Luis Cisneros stating officers lack training and equipment, and that 90% of officers do not want the added duties. Councilor Jones raised concerns about crime on buses. The bill includes penalties for obstructing security officers. - CIP Budget (R-23-100): Extensive debate on the 2023-2032 Decade Plan and 2023 Two-Year Capital Budget. Multiple amendments were considered. A motion to postpone to April 17 failed 4-5; another motion to postpone failed 4-5. The council then considered amendments individually. Key amendments: - Amendment 2 (Grout): Reduced open space set-aside from 3% to 2% to fund Teharas Arroyo Biozone education center and land acquisition – Passed 9-0. - Amendment 3 (Grout): Shifted $1.5 million from District 9 transit station to major paving in District 9 – Passed 8-1. - Amendment 4 (Grout): Shifted another $1.5 million from transit station to street infrastructure in District 9 – Passed 9-0. - Amendment 5 (Lewis): Added language for Unser Boulevard and McMahon Boulevard projects – Passed 9-0. - Amendment 6 (Lewis): Used $2 million from parks/lines to fund C-Bell Multi-Generational Center – Failed after debate, but actual vote result not recorded in transcript; meeting adjourned before final vote. - Short-Term Rental Ordinance (O-23-69): Postponed (9-0). - Historic Protection Overlay for East End Addition (O-23-76): Passed unanimously (9-0) to protect a historically significant African American neighborhood. - North 4th Corridor CPO Text Amendment (O-23-72): Passed unanimously (9-0) to clarify setback/stepback requirements along 4th Street. - Northwest Mesa Escarpment VPO-2 Text Amendment (O-23-73): Passed 6-2 (with Sanchez recused) after a quasi-judicial hearing. The amendment changes the boundary application so that only the portion of a parcel within the VPO-2 boundary is subject to height restrictions, rather than the entire parcel. Councilor Sanchez recused himself. Public testimony was divided, with Petroglyph National Monument representatives opposing the change. Key Outcomes - APD Alarm Policy: No immediate action; department will conduct public education before implementing verified response. - Zero Fare Ordinance (O-23-71): Passed on a 7-2 vote, making ART and Sun Van permanently free. The total annual cost is estimated at approximately $11.6 million (ART: $5.5M operating, Sun Van: $7.1M operating) with minimal fare recovery ($810K for ART, $258K for Sun Van). - CIP Budget (R-23-100): The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 AM before a final vote on the budget. The bill and all pending amendments will be carried over to the next meeting on April 17, 2023. The failures to extend the meeting (5-4 and 5-4 votes) led to adjournment. - Historic Overlay for East End Addition (O-23-76): Approved unanimously, protecting the remaining 10 homes of a historic African American subdivision. - VPO-2 Amendment (O-23-73): Approved, allowing taller structures on parcels partially within the view protection zone, with the restriction applying only to the portion within the boundary. - Various Consent and Appointment Items: All approved or noted as listed. Next Steps - The council will reconvene on April 17, 2023, to continue the CIP budget debate and consider the short-term rental ordinance and other postponed items. - APD will provide a public education plan on alarm response changes. - The administration will report on Metro Security training and transit safety plans. - The council will review the zero fare pilot program analysis due by September 30, 2023.

The meeting took place on 2023-03-22 at 18:00:00 UTC, but the only available source material (raw transcription) consists of garbled, nonsensical text with no coherent agenda, minutes, or discussion content. No public comments, discussion items, or key outcomes can be identified from the provided data. Consent Calendar - No items could be extracted due to lack of usable information. Public Comments & Testimony - No coherent public testimony was recorded in the transcript. Discussion Items - The transcript contains only unintelligible phrases (e.g., "I pulled into the nausea up...") that do not correspond to any recognizable agenda topic. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or directives can be reported from the available source material.

The twenty-seventh meeting of the twenty-fifth Albuquerque City Council was called to order at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. All nine councilors were present (one via Zoom). The meeting included proclamations, an administration question-and-answer period, consent agenda approval, public comments, final actions, and a veto override attempt. The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:10 PM. Proclamations & Presentations - Women's History Month (March 2023) was proclaimed, with a presentation to the Barrett Foundation, which annually serves approximately 300 women and children, providing 34,000 meals, more than 11,000 bednights, and over 1,000 hours of case management. - Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta were recognized for the 30th annual celebration of their work, taking place on March 25, 2023. Dolores Huerta, aged 93, was noted to be from New Mexico. Administration Question & Answer Period - Councilor Bassan asked about police officer retention and pay raises. Administration stated union negotiations were underway, a 2.4% revenue growth was expected, and the budget was not flat; cadet salary improvements were anticipated. - Councilor Lewis questioned the status of the Heritage Hotels project in the Sawmill/Old Town District. The administration noted the applicant's GRT payback application had issues (requesting GRT from existing properties) and awaited a revised proposal. - Councilor Sanchez raised concerns about the TERF turf project in Rio Rancho (a 40-minute drive from District 1 high schools), alleging violations of the anti-donation clause per DFA and OIG findings, and questioned a $400,000 settlement payment. Administration said the settlement was confidential and that they disagreed with OIG findings. - Councilor Peña asked about ShotSpotter expansion in District 3. APD confirmed it is a successful crime-fighting tool; statistics on cost and placement were promised. - Councilor Grout asked about competitive bidding for office supplies. Purchasing director identified three local vendors: Mountain Top Office Supply (veteran-owned), Sandia Office Supply, and Stride and Diverse. - Councilor Sanchez inquired about proceeds from the mayor's book sales going to the One Albuquerque Fund. Administration said $2.35 per book goes to the fund, and that 80–100 books had been sold (approx. $200). The fund is a 501c3 with annual reporting. - Councilor Grout asked the aviation department about consultants and retired employees. The department has 13 consultants and one retiree past the six-month waiting period; two temp employees were identified as not meeting the period. Consent Agenda All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (9-0). Items included: - Appointment of Sonja Y. Brown to the Personnel Board. - Appointments of Kimberly D. Andujo and Anami Dass to the Human Rights Board. - Supplemental legal services agreements with YLaw P.C. and German, Burnette & Associates, LLC. - Re-appointment of Dr. Colin Barnett to the Biological Park Board. - R-22-75 (tip line for illegal firearms) was postponed to April 3, 2023. - R-23-107 (Downtowner redevelopment tax abatement) passed. - R-23-109 (grant acceptance for Parks and Recreation) passed. Items G (O-23-74) and K (R-23-114) were pulled for separate consideration and passed unanimously as substituted. Public Comments & Testimony - Brian Feager requested increased police foot/bicycle patrols downtown, citing a recent murder and safety concerns. - Barbara Taylor (former CIP official) raised three issues with the GO bond committee substitute: lack of time to review, raiding of generic project funds, and reduction of the 3% open space land acquisition fund. - Chris Smith (Knob Hill business owner) expressed concerns about the cannabis consumption lounge approval process, specifically lack of guidelines for air handling and odor control. - Rafa Hell highlighted New Mexico's rank of 7th in traffic deaths per 100,000 and asked for better bike lane enforcement. - Tad Namiski complained about fire department actions and threatened a lawsuit. - Rory Veranda (owner of Empire Burke & Library in Knob Hill) asked for more community input on cannabis businesses. - Dom Schrader gave religious commentary. - Joe Hastings (Explora co-executive director) requested support for the Briante Early Learning Center, asking for increased GO bond funding above the proposed $250,000. - Chris Love thanked the council for the paratransit self-certification ordinance (O-22-47). - Rahim Kassam (Knob Hill property owner) asked for updated rules requiring air circulation plans at the time of cannabis lounge applications. - Debbie Conger called for better code enforcement staffing and notification about the Housing Forward initiative, noting discrepancies between the website and O-22-54 regarding parking. - Peggy Neff also criticized the Housing Forward process and called for more public outreach in English and Spanish. - Dale McClennan accused the council of ignoring broken amendment processes for substantive zone code changes. Final Actions - R-23-112 – City of Albuquerque project recommendations to the Mid-Region Council of Governments for the 2040-2045 Metropolitan Plan and FY2020-2025 Transportation Improvement Program. Passed unanimously (9-0). Projects include Unser widening, BRT on University, electric bus purchases, and intelligent transportation system upgrades. - EC-23-259 – Line item veto override attempt of R-22-91 (mid-year budget cleanup). The mayor vetoed Section 10, which restricted vacancy savings use to personnel costs in Q4 FY23. The motion to override failed 4-5 (For: Bassan, Grout, Lewis, Sanchez; Against: Benton, Davis, Fiebelkorn, Jones, Peña). The veto was sustained. Other Business - Announcement of an Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Commission plus APS meeting on March 23, 2023. Key Outcomes - All consent agenda items approved unanimously. - O-23-74 (GO bonds up to $34.3 million) and R-23-114 (bid sale authorization) passed as substituted. - R-23-112 passed unanimously. - Veto of Section 10 of R-22-91 sustained; motion to override failed 4-5.

The Albuquerque City Council Committee of the Whole met on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers to consider Resolution R-23-100, which approves the programming of funds and projects for the 2023-2032 Decade Plan for Capital Improvements, including the 2023 Two-Year Capital Budget (GO Bond program). Councilor Pat Davis was excused. The meeting included a presentation from Mark Motsko, CIP Official, followed by department Q&A and a series of amendments. Discussion Items - Presentation and Overview: Mark Motsko presented the Mayor's recommended 2023 GO Bond program and 2023-2032 Decade Plan. He noted that financial advisors RBC Capital support an increased bonding capacity of about $200 million, but construction inflation and tight labor markets limit how far funds will stretch. The $200 million is allocated approximately 51.5% to basic services ($103M), 36.5% to community facilities ($73M), and 12% to mandated programs ($24M). Mandates include 1.5% for public art and 3% for open space land acquisition. - Departmental Q&A: Councilors asked questions of department directors for Municipal Development, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety (Albuquerque Community Safety, Fire, Police), Transit, Community Facilities (Animal Welfare), Arts and Culture, City Clerk, DMD CIP and Parking, Economic Development, Environmental Health, Family and Community Services, General Services, Office of Emergency Management, Planning, Senior Affairs, and DTI (Technology). Topics included specific projects (e.g., Paseo/Unser widening, West Mesa Aquatic Center renovations, Bosque restoration, veterinary clinics, cybersecurity, median landscaping, roof repairs, parking garage safety, affordable housing, and others). Key Outcomes - Motion to Substitute (Councilor Bassan): Carried 8-0. - Amendment No. 1 (Fiebelkorn): Changed title from "Zuni Pennsylvania storm drainage" to "Southeast Heights green stormwater improvements" and increased amount by $1 million; decreased "Pueblo Alto flood mitigation" by $1 million. Carried 8-0. - Amendment No. 2 (Fiebelkorn): Decreased "advanced right-of-way acquisition" by $150,000 and increased "Animal Shelter Rehab" by $150,000. Carried 6-2. - Amendment No. 3 (Fiebelkorn): Decreased "median and interstate landscaping" by $500,000 and increased "veterinary clinics" by $500,000. Carried 7-1. - Amendment No. 4 (Fiebelkorn): Decreased "pool renovations" by $500,000 and increased "metropolitan redevelopment" by $500,000. Carried 5-3. - Amendment No. 5 (Fiebelkorn): Withdrawn. - Amendment No. 6 (Bassan): Proposed increasing "parking garage public safety monitoring" by $500,000 and decreasing "roof repair city buildings" by $500,000. Failed 4-4. - Amendment No. 7 (Grout): Changed open space land acquisition from 3% to 2.25%, reduced that line by $1.5 million; reduced "Albuquerque Community Safety Facility" by $500,000; added $1.5 million for "Teharas Arroyo BioZone Education Center". Carried 8-0. - Amendment No. 8 (Lewis): Designated $1 million of "reconstruction major streets and major intersections" for the intersection of Paseo and Unser Boulevard. Rule suspended 6-2 to allow late introduction; amendment carried unanimously. - Final Motion (Bassan): To send the committee substitute, as amended, to the full City Council with a recommendation of Do Pass. Carried 8-0.

The Albuquerque City Council met on Monday, March 6, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting began with a presentation on electric vehicle charging stations, followed by an administration question-and-answer period, consent agenda approvals, general public comment, a land-use appeal, and final actions on several ordinances and resolutions. The most contested item, the Residential Tenant Protection Ordinance (O-22-60 C/S), failed on a 4-5 vote. A nuisance abatement resolution (R-22-80) passed 7-2, and a resolution prioritizing the restoration of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Fire Station (R-23-97) passed unanimously. Consent Calendar - EC-23-223: Approved the Downtowner Development & Disposition Agreement for housing projects in Downtown and Railroad Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas (unanimous, 9-0). - EC-23-236: Approved a Land Lease and Agreement with High Flying Hangars LLC (unanimous). - EC-23-239: Legal Department’s Quarterly Litigation Report for 2nd Quarter FY2023 – pulled from consent by Councilor Sanchez for discussion; later approved (Receipt Noted) unanimously. - EC-23-244: Confirmed Mayor’s appointment of Ms. Caryn Wagner to the Arts Board (unanimous). - EC-23-245: Confirmed re-appointment of Dr. Bernadine Hernandez to the Arts Board (unanimous). - EC-23-247: Withdrawn by Administration. - EC-23-248: Approved Mayor’s Recommendation of Award to Evergreen Solutions, LLC for classification/compensation consulting (unanimous). - EC-23-249: Authorized Social Service Agreement with Crossroads for Women for outpatient case management (unanimous). - EC-23-257: Confirmed appointment of Mr. Victor J. Segura to the Balloon Museum Board of Trustees (unanimous). - OC-23-25: Confirmed appointment of Mr. Giovanni Coppola to the Environmental Planning Commission (unanimous). - OC-23-27: Withdrawn. - OC-23-28: Confirmed appointment of Mr. Aaron Calderon to the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board (unanimous). - R-22-75: Tip line program for reporting illegally used/possessed firearms – postponed to March 20, 2023 (unanimous). Public Comments & Testimony - Short-Term Rental Regulations (O-22-54 related): Multiple speakers (Kenneth Ellis, Carl Videl, Lacey Pontus, Jimmy Harper, Diego Lopez, Greg Kaufman, Robin Krauss-Wareham, Michelle Walsh, Sophia La Ferio) opposed any cap on short-term rentals, citing economic impact (e.g., 2,200 jobs, $26 million in tourism impact, 14 million in taxes, 66% part-time rentals), personal investments, and reliance on this income. Stacy Seidel and Carl Videl emphasized that many units are not viable as long-term rentals. - Residential Tenant Protection Ordinance (O-22-60 C/S): Supporters (Alex Adams, Bex Hampton, Serge Martinez, Cameron Martinez, Patricia Wilson, Ann Lynn Hall, Riley Massey, Charlton Simmons, Catherine McGill, Kendra Hill, Craig Boney, Rosemary Blanchard, Rachel Biggs) argued that excessive fees, lack of transparency, and non-refundable application fees harm low-income renters. Serge Martinez (UNM Law) stated half of surveyed tenants list fees as a top concern. Rachel Biggs (Albuquerque Healthcare for the Homeless) noted people experiencing homelessness are 25 times more likely to face violent victimization and die 30-40 years early. Opponents (Todd Clark, Alan Lisseck, Steve Grant, Craig Boney, Patricia Wilson) argued the ordinance conflicts with state law, would result in lengthy fee disclosures (20+ pages), force rent increases (86% of landlords surveyed said they would raise rents), and infringe on property rights. Alan Lisseck noted that the disclosure requirement is impractical for single-family home management. - Land-Use Appeal (AC-23-1): The president reminded the public that the record was closed and no comments could be heard from parties. Renee Horvath (Westside Coalition) spoke generally about planning processes, asking for more public dialogue before zoning changes. - Housing Forward/ADUs: Patricia Wilson and Julie Drakey urged consideration of fire safety setbacks (10 feet between buildings) and requested amendments to the ADU ordinance (O-22-54). - Other: Chris complained about non-emergency police response and lack of public safety; Kenneth Ellis discussed eminent domain issues regarding Paseo del Volcan. Discussion Items - EV Charging Station Presentation: Sustainability Officer Kelsey Rader and Energy Manager Saif Ismail presented on the city’s 20 level-2 charging stations (36 ports) at 12 sites, supporting 481 unique drivers/month, saving 60,000 gallons of gasoline and 16.7 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions yearly. Stations are funded primarily by VW settlement grants. Future plans include 17 additional sites (Westgate, International District Library, etc.), focusing on equity and network gaps. Councilors Bassan, Peña, Lewis, and Sanchez raised concerns about geographic equity, especially for the West Side (only 6 stations) and Northwest quadrant (none shown). Councilor Benton asked about placing stations near housing; Rader noted upcoming low-income EV ride-share project at Nueva Atrisco apartments and Highland Department complex. - Administration Q&A: - ACS San Mateo & Catherine Site: Director Montoya provided update: ground breaking April 8 for 10,000 sq ft ACS facility at south end; courtyard completed; north end options include fire station 11 relocation, housing, or retail; full development in 2.5-3 years. Councilor Sanchez questioned need for new build given empty substations. Director answered that Gibson Health Hub is fully utilized and not approachable; out-of-substations are being considered. - Planning Department/ Permitting: Director Borella reported 171 building permits submitted since Feb. 1, 101 for single-family housing; no multifamily applications in last month, but three projects with 500+ units expected permits in 1-2 months. Barriers: rising interest rates. Streamlining: cross-training, reclassification of 5 permit tech positions, new Tyler Technology software (go-live Sept. 2024). Starting salaries: permit tech 1 at $14.79/hr, plans analyst at $22.97/hr. Councilor Sanchez raised constituent complaint about inability to reach staff; Director Borella acknowledged website issues and promised improvements. - Appeal AC-23-1 (Volcano Cliffs development): Appeal of DRB approval for 238-unit three-story multifamily development on Rosa Parks Rd NW (18.79 acres). Appellants (Michael T. Voorhees, Pueblo of Laguna, Westside Coalition, Baxter Sosebee) argued that comp plan should have been considered for petroglyph views, and alleged ex parte communication. Land Use Hearing Officer (LUHO) recommended denial, finding DRB is a technical body limited to IDO criteria, no due process violation, and no evidence of ex parte communication. Councilor Lewis denied any such communication. Council voted unanimously to accept LUHO recommendation and findings, upholding DRB approval. - Final Actions: - O-22-60 C/S (Residential Tenant Protection Ordinance): Sponsor Councilor Fiebelkorn moved do pass. After extensive public comment and council debate, motion failed 4-5 (Yes: Benton, Davis, Fiebelkorn, Peña; No: Bassan, Grout, Jones, Lewis, Sanchez). Councilor Sanchez and Jones expressed concerns about unintended consequences (e.g., cap on application fees at $150 might become a floor) and requested deferral for more work; sponsor declined, citing six months of meetings. - R-22-80 (Nuisance abatement at 629 San Mateo Blvd SE): Councilor Davis moved do pass. Property owner had mental health crisis after last meeting; Asian Business Collaborative reported a letter of intent for private sale and demolition. Director Borella stated city will proceed with resolution unless signed contract with demo date arrives. Motion passed 7-2 (For: Bassan, Benton, Davis, Fiebelkorn, Grout, Jones, Sanchez; Against: Lewis, Peña). - R-23-97 (Prioritizing AT&SF Railway Fire Station): Sponsor Councilor Benton moved do pass. Passed unanimously. - R-23-112 (COG project recommendations): Sponsor Councilor Peña moved an amendment (to correct technical error) then motion to postpone as amended for two weeks; both carried unanimously. Key Outcomes - O-22-60 C/S (Tenant Protection) failed 4-5. The ordinance would have required landlords to disclose all fees upfront, cap application fees at $150, refund unprocessed applications, accept money orders, and prohibit forcing tenants to buy renters insurance from the landlord. - R-22-80 (Nuisance abatement) passed 7-2, ordering removal of the dilapidated structure at 629 San Mateo Blvd SE. - R-23-97 (Railway fire station) passed unanimously, prioritizing maintenance, restoration, and active use. - R-23-112 was amended and postponed to March 20, 2023 (unanimous). - Appointment of Deputy Chief Emily V. Jaramillo as Fire Chief confirmed unanimously. - Land-Use appeal AC-23-1 denied unanimously, upholding DRB approval of the 238-unit multifamily development. - Consent agenda approved with nine items (one pulled and later approved).