Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 22, 2023
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Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 22, 2023
The City Council met on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public comments, numerous legislative actions, and budget amendments. It extended until approximately 11:30 PM.
Consent Calendar
- EC-22-214 (FY22 Year-End Department Quarterly Savings Use Report) – Receipt noted.
- EC-22-216 (Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency 2022 Annual Report) – Receipt noted.
- EC-23-228 (Appointment of Michelle Denbleyker to Affordable Housing Committee) – Confirmed.
- EC-23-231 (Appointment of Jason Cordova to Urban Enhancement Trust Fund) – Confirmed.
- EC-23-232 (Appointment of Dana D. Sherrill to Old Town Portal Market Advisory Board) – Confirmed.
- EC-23-233 (Re-appointment of Larry P. Hinojos Jr. to Human Rights Board) – Confirmed.
- EC-23-238 (Albuquerque Street Connect Encampment Program) – Approved.
- EC-23-240 (Sports Officials Coordinator Services contract with Ramsey Charitable Trust Inc.) – Approved.
- EC-23-242 & EC-23-243 (Appointments to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission) – Confirmed.
- EC-23-250 (Pharmacy Benefit Manager Services contract with OptumRx) – Approved.
- EC-23-251 (Employee Vision Insurance Services contract with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company) – Approved.
- OC-23-27 & OC-23-28 (Appointments to Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board) – Postponed to March 6, 2023.
- O-22-57 (Wrongful Use of Bus Stops Ordinance) – Withdrawn by sponsor.
- R-22-85 (Nuisance abatement at 3709 Lombardy Rd NW) – Postponed to April 17, 2023.
- R-22-93 (Grant application for Rapid Transit Operating Costs) – Passed.
- R-23-101 & R-23-108 (Certified Local Government Subgrants) – Passed.
- OC-22-23 (2022 1st Half CPOA Semi-Annual Report) – Receipt noted.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Diane Leyden spoke on the Juan de Oñate statue, recommending relocation to the National Hispanic Cultural Center with full historical context.
- Tad Numitzki defended six firefighters who were publicly criticized for high overtime earnings during the COVID-19 staffing crisis, stating they worked excessive hours to maintain minimum staffing levels.
- Patricia Wilson (via Zoom) raised concerns about the Housing Forward Initiative (O-22-54), citing understaffed plan review and code enforcement departments, and urged amendments to enforce setbacks for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
- Renee Horvath (via Zoom) opposed the proposed suspension of west side bus routes 92 and 790, urging the council to maintain peak-hour service for commuters and students.
Discussion Items
- APD Presentation on Catalytic Converter Theft (Proclamations): Detective Richard Lucero reported 1,229 theft reports in 2022 (1,260 converters stolen). Repair costs range from $900 to $3,500. Precious metal values: platinum ~$1,135/oz, palladium ~$2,332/oz, rhodium $10,000–$21,000/oz. Toyota Prius is the most targeted vehicle in Albuquerque. Serializing converters and etching were recommended as prevention measures.
- Administration Q&A:
- Councilor Davis raised concerns about encampments near the Gibson Health Hub; Director Pierce committed to following up.
- Councilor Sanchez questioned AFD overtime; Chief Gallegos explained that last year's high overtime was due to COVID and vacancies, but the department is now better staffed with 190 paramedics (funded for 212). He noted incentive programs to retain paramedics.
- Councilor Sanchez raised APD recruitment; Mr. Royale cited national challenges, retention bonuses, and a new recruit class, but acknowledged the consent decree as a barrier.
- R-111 (Ken Sanchez Pillar of the Community): Councilor Peña sponsored naming the west-end pillar of Civic Plaza after the late Councilor Ken Sanchez. Family members and the Guardian of the Children spoke in support. Passed unanimously.
- R-80 (Nuisance Abatement at 629 San Mateo Blvd SE): Property owner Busaba Sukhuan, assisted by a translator, described the building's decline (three fires, 64 code enforcement visits, 25 APD calls, 7 fire department responses). The city estimated demolition at ~$25,000. After discussion, the council deferred for two weeks to March 6, 2023, to allow more time for the owner to work with the planning department and consider a lien-based demolition.
- O-61 (Secondhand Catalytic Converter Purchase Ordinance): Sponsors Councilor Grout and APD detailed the ordinance to require record-keeping by scrap dealers. Two floor amendments were adopted: removing thumbprint and photo requirements, and setting a one-year record retention period. The ordinance passed 7-2 (Councilors Bassan and Lewis opposed).
- O-63 (LEDA Plan Amendment): Director Gruner explained that the amendment removes a barrier for small businesses by allowing LEDA deals of fewer than 10 years and creating a new category for
Meeting Transcript
No, I'm gonna lie. I want to see it too. Okay. Okay. Am I gonna do that or you? Oh, yeah, that's right. Yep. So okay. And uh we'll get started here in just a minute. We're bringing our tech online ish. Madam Vice President. Um, a moment of silence, and then we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance by Counselor Jones and the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish by Councillor Bassano. Under God DASU. Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from counselor staff at the table near the chamber entrance. Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person and on live streams through four different platforms. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers. Also, this meeting is closed captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this in all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the council website. Council staff is available via telephone. If members of the public need assistance finding the videos online, please call 505-768-3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 p.m. The council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening if needed. With regard to decorum in the chambers, we want tonight's proceedings to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applause or other outbursts during the meeting. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are able to respect be respectful of one another. We have proclamations and presentations at this time. APD detective Richard Lucero from the organized crime unit. Lee and um Ann Chavis, the recycler recycled metals prosecutor with the New Mexico regulation and licensing division will present. Excellent. Is that better? Um as earlier, I'm Secretary Lucero with Yaburker, please torment. Thank you guys for having me. President, Vice President, and additional council staff. As I was asked, I was asked to give a quick presentation regarding catalytic converters, um, more specifically, not just for within the nation, but within obviously the city of Albuquerque, and what we've seen. If you could you can run through the next slide. So catalytic converters, obviously, has been uh there's been a significant increase in influx in catalytic converter depths, uh, specifically for the catalytic converters. Um, it's not only causing an issue for uh our citizens, but it's also causing an issue where we're getting inundated, obviously, with um multiple reports and capable of following up with those um on a day-to-day basis. You can flip to the next slide. Uh catalytic converters, obviously, what's making them um such a targeted item is the value of the precious metals within side of the catalytic converter. Uh the precious metals that were present within that uh catalytic converter are going to be platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Uh those metals um they can pretty much vary. It's very much like the market, stock market, and also with precious metals. The values of those metals have a tendency to fluctuate in value. Um, currently based off of the uh JD. Sorry, I can barely see the water. Um so right now, platinum based off of the values on current market per ounce, they're running around 1135 or 1,135 for platinum. For palladium, they're ranging around $2,332 per ounce. And then per rhodium, rhodium is going to be ranging, as I said, based off of the market, it fluctuates, but it can go from anywhere from about 10,000 up to 21,000. Um, with that being said, per ounce, each individual catalytic converter contains approximately three ounces of each metal uh give or take.
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