Albuquerque City Council Meeting - January 10, 2024

The Albuquerque City Council convened on January 10, 2024 (originally scheduled for January 8) at 5:00 PM in Vincent E. Griego Chambers for the first meeting of the 26th Council. The meeting covered officer elections, extensive administration question-and-answer sessions, consent agenda approvals, a land-use appeal, public comments, and final actions on resolutions and a memorial. Key themes included public safety, homelessness, air quality, federal priorities, and pretrial detention reform.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments confirmed unanimously: Dr. Michael Wartell and Teresa Geoffrion-Redd to the Personnel Board (EC-23-391 postponed); Mikhail Ganadonergro and Dillon Shije to the Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs; Scott J. Steffen to the Technical Standard Committee; Deborah Kuidis (re-appointment) to the Public Safety Tax Advisory Board; Shama E. Newton to the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board.
• Contracts approved unanimously: Mayor’s recommendation of award to multiple firms for “Redevelopment Services” (EC-23-406); Terminal Building Lease and Operating Agreement with United Airlines (EC-23-407).
• Legislation passed unanimously: O-23-95 adopting a uniform administrative code and technical codes for building construction, fees, and penalties.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sister city relationship with Rehovot, Israel: Multiple speakers (Francesco Artist, M. Berg Brown, Anastasia Desamier, Caleb Wallace, Jenna Snowden, Bex Hampton, Cameron Martinez, Tasneen Basis, Cynthia Rodriguez, Sarah Azebo, Angelina Crowley) urged the council to urge Mayor Tim Keller to terminate the relationship, citing Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the history of Palestinian displacement. They described it as a genocide and apartheid, and called for a ceasefire.
• Homelessness and encampments: Janice Herrera read a poem about a neighbor who died of exposure after the city removed his sleeping bag. She and others demanded an end to cyclical discarding of belongings and urged support for safe outdoor spaces and housing-first policies.
• Pretrial detention reform: Angela Leary and Nicole Chavez spoke in favor of M-24-1, sharing personal tragedies of family members killed by violent repeat offenders on pretrial release. They called for accountability and changes to the system.
• Mesa del Sol height increase: Two speakers (Rudolph Serrano, Andrea Calderon) supported R-23-196, citing forward-thinking land use and economic development.

Discussion Items

• Administration Q&A:
  • APD enforcement: Deputy Chief Smathers answered questions on speeding (56,000 citations by traffic unit in 2023), fentanyl enforcement (felony possession, officer discretion, LEADS diversion program), and drug trafficking arrests. Councilors Sanchez and Champine sought clarification on officer discretion and the need for more narcotics detectives.
  • Gateway Center: Director Gilbert Ramirez explained that the receiving area is open but not for walk-up services; referrals are controlled. A new ACS transport number (505-549-044) was provided for overnight shelter transport.
  • USS Albuquerque project: Dave Simon updated that the submarine sail is in port, geotechnical assessments are ongoing, and funding is adequate for planning and design; they may seek state help for construction.
  • Portland Loo: Director responded that the Uptown Transit Center bathroom should be open 24/7; a reported lockout was investigated and corrected.
  • Opioid settlement planning: Councilor Fiebelkorn pressed for an update on R-23-174; Director Ramirez reported meetings with two consultants (Invive Solutions, Vital Strategies) but no contract yet; procurement may take 4–8 weeks.
  • Encampment policies: City attorney clarified that the city is complying with a court injunction; no arrests for distributing flyers; signs labeling city land as “private property” have been replaced; belongings left behind may be discarded after 72-hour notice, but storage is offered.
  • One Albuquerque Housing Fund: Councilor Grout questioned why a 501(c)(3) organization’s website is on city servers and whether contracts exist; administration promised a full report.
• Election of officers: Councilor Bassan nominated Councilor Lewis for President; Lewis elected 8-1 (Fiebelkorn opposed). Councilor Peña nominated Grout for Vice-President; elected unanimously. Councilor Baca nominated Peña for Chair of Committee of the Whole; elected unanimously. Committee appointments deferred to January 22.
• Appeal AC-23-18: Rafael Juarez appealed a zoning hearing examiner’s approval of a conditional use for a horse at 900 Alta Vista CT SW. The Land Use Hearing Officer recommended denial of the appeal and required the applicant to comply with three conditions (manure disposal, fly traps, vegetative buffer) by March 30, 2024, and a wall by August 30, 2024. Council accepted the recommendation unanimously.
• R-23-196 (Mesa del Sol): Planning staff presented amendments to the Level A Community Framework Plan to increase allowable building height from 80 to 110 feet and allow NR-GM land uses on the 30-acre Kairos Power property. Public speakers supported the change. Council passed the resolution unanimously.
• R-24-2 (Federal priorities): Councilor Fiebelkorn moved to adopt the resolution establishing federal fiscal year 2024/2025 priorities. Councilor Lewis objected to including paid sick leave and student loan debt relief as policy items, arguing they were controversial. After debate, Councilor Peña moved to defer to January 22 to allow further review; motion carried unanimously.
• M-24-1 (Pretrial detention reform): Councilor Champine introduced the memorial urging the New Mexico State Legislature to consider changes to the pretrial detention system. Councilor Peña proposed amendments to insert “violent” before “criminals” and “repeat offenders” in several clauses. Amendments were seconded and passed unanimously. The amended memorial then passed unanimously.
• Veto of R-23-197: The mayor vetoed the resolution creating a joint city/county working group on the Air Quality Control Board. Councilor Lewis made no motion to override, and the veto was sustained. Public comment speakers supported the veto, arguing the timeline was too tight and collaboration with the county is needed.

Key Outcomes

• Officers elected: Dan Lewis (President, 8-1), Renée Grout (Vice-President, unanimous), Klarissa Peña (Chair of Committee of the Whole, unanimous). Committee appointments deferred to January 22.
• Consent agenda approved (9-0) with one item postponed.
• Appeal AC-23-18: Land Use Hearing Officer recommendation accepted; modified compliance deadlines.
• R-23-196 passed (9-0).
• R-24-2 deferred to January 22, 2024.
• M-24-1 passed as amended (9-0).
• Mayor’s veto of R-23-197 sustained (no override motion).
• Public comment recorded strong opposition to sister city relationship with Rehovot, Israel, and support for homelessness solutions and pretrial detention reform.