Albuquerque City Council Meeting: May 15, 2023 - Budget, Charter Change, and Policy Actions
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Albuquerque City Council Meeting - May 15, 2023
The City Council met on May 15, 2023, starting at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, administration Q&A, consent agenda approvals, public comments, and final actions on multiple ordinances and resolutions. Key outcomes included passage of the FY2024 budget with amendments, approval of a film production temporary use stay, deferral of a nuisance abatement resolution, and advancement of a council-manager government charter amendment to a second hearing.
Consent Calendar
- Appointments confirmed (9-0): Chiderah Ezims (Youth Advisory Council), Joseph D. Grasso (Airport Advisory Board), Anthony Harkness (Para Transit Advisory Board), Sebastian Noel (Cable, Internet and PEG Advisory Board), and Dennis F. Armijo Sr. (Joint Air Quality Board, added late by rule suspension).
- Awards approved (9-0): DNA Labs International and Bode Cellmark Forensics for APD forensic biology testing services; TischlerBise, Inc. for impact fee update and ordinance development.
- Deferred items (all 9-0): O-22-54 (IDO housing amendments) and O-23-77 (IDO annual update) to June 5, 2023; O-23-69 (short-term rental ordinance) and R-23-121 (opioid treatment MOU with MDC) to June 21, 2023.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment (about 30 speakers): Topics included support for free transit fares, opposition to housing forward IDO changes, calls for higher employee wages (2% COLA inadequate), concerns about crime and bus safety, and support/opposition for council-manager government.
- Specific Agenda Items:
- R-23-123 (Budget): Multiple speakers urged full funding for zero-fare transit ($3M) and $14M for housing vouchers as recurring. Bernadette Hardy (NEVA) and others emphasized need for free buses for low-income residents.
- P-23-1 (Council-Manager): Timothy Krebs (UNM professor) opposed, citing lower voter turnout in council-manager cities. Others voiced support for accountability and professionalism.
- R-22-85 (Nuisance dwelling): Property owner testified she was trying to preserve the adobe home and secure the property, but faced financial hurdles and liens.
- Administration Q&A: Councilor Lewis questioned Transit Director Ryel about Operation Sticky Fingers data showing one-third of arrested shoplifters used free buses. Chief Medina confirmed 30 arrests, many released. Director Ryel noted the analysis will include nationwide comparisons. Councilor Sanchez raised fentanyl safety concerns for bus drivers.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation for Police Week (May 14-20, 2023): Councilor Sanchez read a proclamation honoring fallen officers, accepted by FOP representatives.
- Proclamation for National Foster Care Month: Marilyn Beck (New Mexico Child First Network) highlighted 1,800 foster children in New Mexico, over half in Bernalillo County, and announced a foster care picnic on July 15 at Tingley Beach.
- O-22-55 and O-22-56 (Inspector General and Accountability in Government): Councilor Bassan moved floor substitutes, then deferred both to June 5, 2023 (9-0).
- AC-23-9 (North Valley Coalition appeal): Council adopted remand instructions (9-0) directing planning to evaluate sidewalk layout, landscape buffer, and findings for a car wash at 5307 4th Street NW.
- R-22-85 (Nuisance dwelling at 3709 Lombardy Rd NW): Deferred to June 21, 2023 (6-3) after owner discussed efforts to secure property and plans for demolition and community garden.
- R-23-130 (Film production temporary use): Passed unanimously (9-0). Director Gruner (Economic Development) supported the stay and proposed permanent IDO amendment.
- P-23-1 and R-23-131 (Council-Manager charter amendment): Floor substitute passed 7-2 (Fiebelkorn and Jones opposed). Sponsors Sanchez and Grout argued for voter decision. Deferred to June 5, 2023 (9-0).
- R-23-122 (One-year objectives): Passed as amended (9-0) with five amendments including transit network concept report, west side shelter shade, APD in-service training, OEI performance metrics, and a half-acre park at Fire Station 4/Coronado Park.
- R-23-123 (FY2024 Budget): Passed as amended (7-1, Lewis opposed, Benton excused). Amendments included:
- Technical adjustment for arts funding (9-0).
- $150,000 for public guarantee program feasibility (9-0).
- $40,000 restored to Animal Care Center (9-0).
- $30,000 for B New Mexico sponsorship (9-0).
- $20,000 for Grief Center (9-0).
- $232,000 shifted from early retirement to planning department for commercial property enforcement (9-0).
- Acceptance of state capital grants (8-0, with condition to clarify Desert Hills $70K usage).
- $280,000 restored to Office of Equity and Inclusion (8-0).
- $62,805 for IG salary increase (7-1, Davis opposed).
- $100,000 for wage adjustments to bring employees under $15/hr to $15 (8-0).
- R-23-138 (AREA board representation): Passed as amended (8-0) to allow council president to designate a council member.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously with deferrals noted.
- Appeal AC-23-9 remanded to planning department with specific instructions.
- Inspector General and Accountability ordinances substituted and deferred to June 5.
- Nuisance dwelling (R-22-85) deferred to June 21 (6-3).
- Film production temporary use (R-23-130) passed.
- Council-manager charter amendment (P-23-1, R-23-131) floor substitute adopted, deferred to June 5 for second hearing.
- One-year objectives (R-23-122) passed with five amendments.
- FY2024 budget (R-23-123) passed as amended (7-1) with a total of 10 amendments, including wage floor for lowest-paid employees.
- AREA board representation (R-23-138) passed.
Next Meeting: June 5, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, folks, good evening and welcome to the May 15th edition of your Albuquerque City Council meeting. All of our counselors are present or will be with us before we get to our action items this evening. Like all meetings, we begin our meeting with a moment of silence in our pledge. Madam Vice President. Thank you, Mr. President. At this time, I'd like us all to stand, uh, take a moment of silence to um think about those up in Farmington. And then Pledge of Allegiance by Counselor Jones and Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish by Counselor Kenya. Thank you. Mr. President. Thank you, Madam Vice President. Just a point of privilege here to introduce uh some uh some personnel changes in the lineup. Uh this will be the last meeting for Chris Melindrez as our city council services director. Uh Chris is taking another position uh in government here locally, and uh we want to introduce sitting next to him is Julian Moya, who's our new acting director, and we want to welcome Julia Julian and say thank you to Chris for all your years of service and and we appreciate you. And we're gonna send you off with a six or eight hour meeting tonight just for old time's sake. So yay. Thank you, gentlemen, and uh and welcome Julian. Congratulations. Counselor Sanchez. Thank you, Counselor Davis. I just would like to recognize Chris as well and just thank him for his his service. It's just amazing. You know, he has a lot of personalities up here, and um we all have different ideas and different ways of thinking and and sometimes different mindsets. And Chris has been amazing in how he keeps everything separate and just makes sure that all of our separate needs are met. And I just want to commend um Chris Belendres and a job well done. You're gonna be very, very hard to replace. And um, I'd just like to give them a round of applause. Thank you. Good idea. We can do that. It'll make him come back even. So thank you. Civic plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from council 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 cat closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the city council's 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 regard to court 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 all respectful of one another. Proclamations and presentations. Thank you, Councilor Graph. The proclamation is being signed. We have a few copies, but um I have one.
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