Albuquerque City Council Meeting – June 5, 2023

The City Council met on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers at One Civic Plaza. The meeting included presentations on homelessness counts and forms of government, extensive public comment (over 127 speakers signed up), and action on numerous ordinances, including housing and zoning changes, inspector general reforms, and a proposed charter amendment. The meeting was extended twice, ending after midnight.

Consent Calendar

• EC-23-288 – Confirmed Olivia Adkins to the Youth Advisory Council (9-0).
• EC-23-290 – Re-appointed Lovie McGee to the Albuquerque Housing Authority Board (9-0).
• EC-23-291 – Approved award for Homemaker/Respite Services to 1st Premier Home Care, La Vida Felicidad, Inc., New Mexico Consumer Direct Personal Care LLC, and Corus Health (9-0).
• EC-23-292 – Approved award for Personnel Hearing Officers to Rita G. Siegel, LLC, Ripley B. Harwood, PC, and Coppler Law Firm P.C. (9-0).
• EC-23-293 – Approved Risk Second Supplemental Agreement for outside counsel with YLaw P.C. (9-0).
• EC-23-294 – Withdrawn by Administration (Age-Friendly Quarterly Update) (9-0).
• EC-23-295 – Approved lease agreement with CLNKids at John Marshall Health and Social Service Center (9-0).
• EC-23-297 – Approved on-site medical services with Occupational Health Centers of the Southwest (Concentra) (9-0).
• OC-23-34 – Reappointed Joshua Martinez to Board of Ethics & Campaign Practices (9-0).
• OC-23-35 – Reappointed Susan M. Selbin to Board of Ethics & Campaign Practices (9-0).
• O-23-79 – Passed repeal and replacement of Free Expression and Parade Ordinance (9-0).
• O-23-80 – Passed amendment to Urban Enhancement Trust Fund Ordinance (9-0).
• R-22-75 – Postponed to August 7, 2023 (firearm tip line program) (9-0).
• R-23-126 – Passed acceptance of grant funds for Parks and Recreation (9-0).
• R-23-127 – Passed support for pollinator conservation and Bee City USA standards (9-0).
• R-23-129 – Passed requiring Solid Waste Management Department report on shopping cart collection pilot (9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Homelessness and PIT Count: Many speakers commented on the point-in-time count, including volunteer Ilse Beal who criticized decommissioning of encampments during the count. Others expressed concerns about accuracy and the true number of homeless individuals.
• Housing Forward (O-22-54): Extensive testimony both for and against. Supporters emphasized the housing shortage, need for ADUs and duplexes, and reducing regulatory barriers. Opponents cited concerns about neighborhood character, parking, property values, and lack of evidence for affordability. Some requested conditional use instead of permissive use.
• Council-Manager Form: Several speakers supported placing the charter amendment on the ballot, while others urged caution and noted the value of the current mayor-council system. A letter from 88-year-old Charlie Evans was read in support.
• Air Quality Board: Sophia Martinez and others expressed disappointment over the council's previous resolution on the air quality board, arguing it interfered with community rights.
• Other: Comments on short-term rentals, parking, and the need for transparency in government.

Discussion Items

• PIT Count Presentation: William Bowen (New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness) presented data on the 2023 point-in-time count, noting it is an undercount (estimated true homelessness ~5,000) and that volunteer numbers tripled this year, partly explaining the increase. He highlighted racial disparities and shelter quality issues.
• Council-Manager Form Presentation: Jason Grant (ICMA) compared council-manager and mayor-council forms, citing data that council-manager cities often perform better in education, economy, and safety, but noted Albuquerque ranked #1 among mayor-council cities in WalletHub's best-run cities. Professor Krebs later argued against switching, citing citizen engagement and voter turnout.
• O-22-55 / O-22-56 (Inspector General and Accountability): Councilor Benton offered amendments (by request of administration) to change removal process and salary review. All four amendments failed (2-7, 3-6, 0-9, 0-9). The bills passed unanimously (9-0).
• P-23-1 / R-23-131 (Charter Amendment): Two amendments were adopted giving the mayor a vote and requiring council confirmation for police chief, fire chief, city attorney, and city clerk. The bills were then deferred to June 21, 2023.
• O-23-81 (CIP Set-Aside): Passed unanimously to increase council district set-aside to $18 million by 2029.
• O-22-54 (Housing Forward): After extensive public comment, the council debated amendments. Only one technical amendment (B3B) was approved. The bill was continued to June 21, 2023 (7-2).
• O-23-77 (IDO Annual Update): Four amendments were passed (B1, B2, B3, B4) concerning light vehicle sales, film production, cottage development patios, and barbed wire sunset extension. The bill passed as amended (7-2).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (excluding EC-296) approved unanimously (9-0).
• EC-296 (Off Duty Management) approved unanimously (9-0).
• O-23-81 passed unanimously (9-0).
• R-140 (Omnibus grant bill) passed unanimously (9-0).
• O-22-55 passed unanimously (9-0) after all amendments failed.
• O-22-56 passed unanimously (9-0) without amendments.
• P-23-1 amended (5-4 and 6-3) then deferred to June 21, 2023 (9-0).
• R-23-131 amended (6-3 and 6-3) then deferred to June 21, 2023 (9-0).
• O-22-54 continued to June 21, 2023 (7-2) after approving one technical amendment.
• O-23-77 passed as amended (7-2).
• Executive session held on limited personnel matters; President Davis affirmed the discussion was limited to specified matters.
• Meeting extended to 11:30 PM and then to 12:00 AM to complete agenda.