OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - April 17, 2023

City Council — Monday, April 17, 2023
BodyAlbuquerque, New Mexico
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, April 17, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Are present or will be with us here shortly.

0:02

To get us started, I will ask our vice president to lead us in our moment of silence and uh our pledge and then move into our uh first items of business.

0:11

Thank you, Mr.

0:11

President.

0:12

Um at this time we'd like to um have our moment of silence uh pledge of allegiance.

0:17

I'll do that one, and then in Spanish, uh Councillor Passan.

0:33

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic of Stan.

0:40

One nation, under God.

0:43

Indivisible liberty and justice overall.

1:02

Thank you.

1:05

Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public.

1:09

You can obtain a parking pass from council staff at the near table of the chambers um entrance.

1:16

Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person or on live streams through four different platforms.

1:25

Gov TV on channel 16, Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube and Zoom webinar.

1:34

The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers.

1:40

Also, this meeting is closed, captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time.

1:49

The video recording of this in all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the city council website.

1:57

Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance finding the video videos online.

2:06

Please call 5057 3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 to 5.

2:14

The council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m.

2:18

this evening if needed.

2:20

With regard to decorum in the chambers, we want tonight's proceedings to be as civil and respectful as possible.

2:26

Please do not make any personal attacks, please no applause or any other outbursts during the meeting.

2:33

The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are all respectful of one another.

2:40

This time we have proclamations and presentations.

2:43

Councillor Lewis.

2:47

Thank you, Madam Vice President.

2:49

I have a proclamation.

2:50

This is uh uh what we're gonna we're gonna proclaim at Donate Life Month in the city of Albuquerque, and we have some wonderful folks from uh from uh uh donate uh uh from New Mexico donates, and so we're gonna um uh recognize uh donate life month here briefly.

3:08

Uh whereas one hero organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people through the selfless gift of organ donation and improve the lives of up to 75 others with eye and tissue donation, and whereas more than 105 patients are waiting for life-saving organ transplants across the nation, including more than 600 new Mexicans, and whereas another person is added to the national wait list every nine minutes, and whereas all new Mexicans can register to be organ donors regardless of their age or medical history, and whereas we we truly honor those who gave the extraordinary gift of life through the living and deceased donation, and whereas we encourage every new Mexican to register as a donor on their driver's license or ID card at the Motor Vehicle Division, or online at DonateLifeNewMexico.org and talk to their family about the gift or the giving of giving the gift of life.

3:57

Be it proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque hereby recognizes April uh 2023 as donate life month.

4:07

We have some wonderful folks here uh from Donate New Mexico here, and so have them say a few words.

4:13

Thank you so much, City Council and Councillor Lewis.

4:16

Counselor Lewis is a living kidney donor to his brother Tim, so it was really uh meaningful to us that you helped us with this proclamation.

4:24

I want to introduce Deborah and Raul Talavera.

4:28

They lost their son a year ago almost to both today is now today.

4:34

He um tragically was working with his brother and um they own a tree trimming company here in the city and fell out of a tree while they were working.

4:45

He was able to save three lives by his gifts, and that's three lives that help continue culture, help continue families, and really strengthen our traditions.

5:00

And we are just so thankful for the Talaveras for Bill, our donor hero, and for all the donor heroes in our state.

5:04

Donation has increased year over year in New Mexico.

5:08

Last year we had a record number of heart donations.

5:12

We donated 28 hearts, including Bill's.

5:15

And we're just so thankful for everybody who's willing to give that gift.

5:20

So thank you.

5:23

Great.

5:24

Thank you so much.

5:25

And just a few words about the organization and all the wonderful folks that uh that really, you know, champion champion this around our state, donate live New Mexico as well as other organizations that just do a wonderful job working with uh uh working with the state and the people in New Mexico to really raise awareness to so many people that are in need.

5:43

My brother and I had a chance to do the transplant games.

5:47

Uh in uh we really enjoyed that.

5:49

My brother competed in the transplant games, and so um there's just so many wonderful opportunities to really be able to um uh to promote um uh you know uh donations, uh, organ donations in our state.

6:02

So thank you again.

6:03

Thank you so much.

6:04

I'd like to give this proclamation to you, and we'd love to shake your hands if you don't mind.

7:07

Okay.

7:09

All right, counselor Bassant.

7:12

Madam Vice President, counselors, this month is national childhood abuse prevention prevention awareness month.

7:21

Uh, and you know, it's come to my attention that a lot of people are not aware of all Faith's Advocacy Center here in Albuquerque and what they do for children who have either undergone trauma or witnessed trauma and or abuse.

7:37

So I thought it would be very beneficial to make sure that they were able to come and present to the council so that more people in Albuquerque were aware of their services because this is the only forensic interviewing organization in the state of New Mexico who does this for young children and any children.

7:56

So this is this is a nugget that we need to make sure to continue to advocate for in order to help prevent some of the future trauma for the children that are of our future.

8:07

I mean, we need to we need to help them so that they are not continuing down a negative cycle.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████14%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Land Use Planning████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Child Abuse Awareness██████6%
Affordable Housing████4%
Homelessness████4%
Inspector General███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - April 17, 2023

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.

Meeting Transcript

Are present or will be with us here shortly. To get us started, I will ask our vice president to lead us in our moment of silence and uh our pledge and then move into our uh first items of business. Thank you, Mr. President. Um at this time we'd like to um have our moment of silence uh pledge of allegiance. I'll do that one, and then in Spanish, uh Councillor Passan. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic of Stan. One nation, under God. Indivisible liberty and justice overall. Thank you. Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from council staff at the near table of the chambers um entrance. Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person or on live streams through four different platforms. Gov TV on channel 16, Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube and Zoom webinar. 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 city council website. Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance finding the video videos online. Please call 5057 3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. 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, please no applause or any other outbursts during the meeting. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are all respectful of one another. This time we have proclamations and presentations. Councillor Lewis. Thank you, Madam Vice President. I have a proclamation. This is uh uh what we're gonna we're gonna proclaim at Donate Life Month in the city of Albuquerque, and we have some wonderful folks from uh from uh uh donate uh uh from New Mexico donates, and so we're gonna um uh recognize uh donate life month here briefly. Uh whereas one hero organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people through the selfless gift of organ donation and improve the lives of up to 75 others with eye and tissue donation, and whereas more than 105 patients are waiting for life-saving organ transplants across the nation, including more than 600 new Mexicans, and whereas another person is added to the national wait list every nine minutes, and whereas all new Mexicans can register to be organ donors regardless of their age or medical history, and whereas we we truly honor those who gave the extraordinary gift of life through the living and deceased donation, and whereas we encourage every new Mexican to register as a donor on their driver's license or ID card at the Motor Vehicle Division, or online at DonateLifeNewMexico.org and talk to their family about the gift or the giving of giving the gift of life. Be it proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque hereby recognizes April uh 2023 as donate life month. We have some wonderful folks here uh from Donate New Mexico here, and so have them say a few words. Thank you so much, City Council and Councillor Lewis. Counselor Lewis is a living kidney donor to his brother Tim, so it was really uh meaningful to us that you helped us with this proclamation. I want to introduce Deborah and Raul Talavera. They lost their son a year ago almost to both today is now today. He um tragically was working with his brother and um they own a tree trimming company here in the city and fell out of a tree while they were working. He was able to save three lives by his gifts, and that's three lives that help continue culture, help continue families, and really strengthen our traditions. And we are just so thankful for the Talaveras for Bill, our donor hero, and for all the donor heroes in our state. Donation has increased year over year in New Mexico. Last year we had a record number of heart donations. We donated 28 hearts, including Bill's. And we're just so thankful for everybody who's willing to give that gift. So thank you. Great. Thank you so much. And just a few words about the organization and all the wonderful folks that uh that really, you know, champion champion this around our state, donate live New Mexico as well as other organizations that just do a wonderful job working with uh uh working with the state and the people in New Mexico to really raise awareness to so many people that are in need. My brother and I had a chance to do the transplant games. Uh in uh we really enjoyed that. My brother competed in the transplant games, and so um there's just so many wonderful opportunities to really be able to um uh to promote um uh you know uh donations, uh, organ donations in our state.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com