OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 21, 2024: Black History Month, IPRA Backlog, and Human Feces Disposal Program Approved

City Council — Wednesday, February 21, 2024
BodyAlbuquerque, New Mexico
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 21, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
1:08

The fourth meeting of the twenty sixth council will come to order.

1:12

All counselors are present this evening with Councillor Basson, who's joined us via Zoom.

1:16

We're gonna have a moment of silence, and then the Pledge of Allegiance in English led by Councillor Champine, and then Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish led by Councillor Sanchez.

2:30

Live streams can also be assessed from this from smartphones, tablets, or computers.

2:34

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

2:40

Video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time in the council's website.

2:45

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

3:27

Counselor Rogers.

6:52

Thank you so much, gentlemen.

6:54

Thank you.

6:54

Thank you all.

6:56

So are y'all awake now?

7:00

But do you know why we bring in the African drum?

7:04

Why?

7:05

For the heritage, right?

7:07

Black heritage, because all across America, the African drum was banned, right?

7:11

And that's why you don't see it in a lot of spaces anymore, right?

7:15

And so it's important that we bring the heritage into the state, right?

7:18

That's how we do that.

7:20

Again, my name is Timothy Green the Fourth, and I'm culture change leader for the city of Albuquerque, and I'm honored to be with you all today.

7:28

I want to take a moment to thank all of the city counselors, uh, specifically uh Councilwoman Rogers for inviting me here today.

7:36

As culture change leader, my job is to provide anti-racist professional development, right?

7:43

To over fifty eight hundred employees in twenty-four different departments, right?

7:48

And within that, what we do is we look at the structural and systemic issues, and we look to alleviate those barriers so we can allow more inclusivity and accessibility for our city of Albuquerque residents.

8:00

So today, I'm honored to be with you all.

8:03

Um, and we're gonna talk a little bit about black history months.

8:07

So whenever you're ready to put it up, uh please do that.

8:10

Do you mind if I take a moment to talk about myself before we jump into black history?

8:15

Um so uh let's see.

8:19

I have a bachelor's in African Studies and Political Science.

8:24

I have a master's in political science, and I'm currently working on my PhD in educational thought and sociocultural studies, right?

8:31

Um, and I'm really really happy to be with you all today.

8:34

Um, I've taught internationally in Berlin, Germany.

8:38

I have a history of teaching high school here in Albuquerque, the seniors, uh, and I currently teach an undergraduate course to all APS incoming teachers.

8:48

Um I also am getting ready to uh write curriculum at the state level for the Black Education Act.

8:54

So super super honored to be with you all today.

8:57

So let's go ahead and jump into Albert.

8:59

I might ask you all some questions.

9:01

Hopefully, you'll give me some responses.

9:02

Um then hopefully you'll learn something today.

9:05

How does that sound?

9:07

Sounds good?

9:08

Good.

9:09

And the one most important thing that I forgot to introduce when introducing myself is that I'm a proud uh girl dad of a five-year-old and a 19-year-old, and I've been with my partner for 16 years and happily married for 11.

9:23

So that really kind of sums me up.

9:28

So with that said, um, before we jump, we have to do a land and labor acknowledgement.

9:33

Right, Albuquerque sits on the land with the Tijuana people, people, we're surrounded by 24 Pueblos, and um oh, 24 Pueblos and nations.

9:44

Okay, can y'all hear me now?

9:46

Oh so we need to acknowledge the lands that we sit on, and we also want to acknowledge the labor, right?

9:52

And the twelve million African slaves that were forcibly brought here to America, to the Americas.

9:57

Uh right, for forced labor and exploitation.

10:02

So it's important to understand, ask the question why is black history important, right?

10:08

Um and I think we need to start off by understanding there's been a 400-year anti-literacy campaign, right?

10:16

Starting from enslavement, moving into Jim Crow, moving into the civil rights era, and the list goes on and on and on, right.

10:24

We can see this in contemporary times, and there's a nationwide anti-literacy campaign aimed at BIPOC communities, scholars, histories, and culture, right?

10:34

Book bannings, right?

10:36

Uh anti-DEIA legislation, and so much more.

10:40

And the last thing of why this is important is because black history is our history in particular.

10:46

We're gonna talk about black history in particular today, but we're really talking about American history in general, right?

10:53

And that's why it's important.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████20%
Public Comment█████████████13%
Racial Equity██████████10%
Public Records Management█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Mental Health Awareness██████6%
Municipal History████4%
Public Health Awareness████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 21, 2024

The City Council of Albuquerque held its 26th Council, 4th Meeting on February 21, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included a Black History Month presentation, an administration Q&A on IPRA backlog, public comments, and final actions on several resolutions. The council passed a resolution to create a program for the disposal of human feces, approved Central Avenue improvement projects, and supported state legislation on criminal competency determination.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (8-0, with Councilor Bassan excused): Items EC-24-2 (Long Range Transit Security Plan), EC-24-6 (Grant Consulting Services award), EC-24-10, EC-24-15, EC-24-16, EC-24-17, EC-24-18, EC-24-20, EC-24-21, EC-24-22, EC-24-23, EC-24-24, EC-24-27, EC-24-28, EC-24-29, EC-24-30, EC-24-32 (Litigation Report), EC-24-34 (FY23 Audit), EC-24-37, EC-24-39, EC-24-42 (CPRG Public Engagement Services award), EC-24-44 (CPRG Environmental Consulting award), OC-24-5 (Public Safety Tax Advisory Board), OC-24-6 (Correction of Renn Halstead), R-24-1 (Capital Appropriations), and R-24-12 (deferred to March 4, 2024).
  • Items pulled from consent: EC-24-8 (reappointment of Skye Morris-Devore) deferred to March 4, 2024, by Councilor Rogers; EC-24-36 (reappointment of Bruce Perlman) withdrawn by administration; EC-24-38 (appointment of Sharla Parsons) withdrawn by administration.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jackie Davis (university student) urged the city to replace unused crosswalk signs with actual crosswalks in the university area to reduce pedestrian fatalities, citing the city's status as the most deadly state for pedestrians.
  • Sue Flint (Sun North Estates resident) alleged the city violated her community's rights by misclassifying it as a mobile home park and discussed a pending legal takings claim.
  • Ernest Sturdivant praised the council for standing with the community during past crises.
  • Mervyn Tilden (Navajo Nation) spoke about indigenous homelessness and dignity, asking for representation and mechanisms to help indigenous people.
  • Charles Powell (Veterans for Peace) urged the council to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing 68% public support and UN resolutions.
  • Andres Valdez (police oversight activist) raised concerns about lack of accountability in APD, including mishandled rape cases and officer court attendance.
  • Rudolph Serrano discussed constitutional issues and mental health system concerns.
  • Tad Numinsky (via Zoom) complained about ongoing vandalism at a property at Central and Wisconsin and criticized APD inaction.
  • Elizabeth Berry (Oxpo Park resident) described a decade-long problem with a neighboring property at 3827 Tundra Swan Court, including drug activity, break-ins, and unsafe conditions, asking the city to work with the county to expedite resolution.

Discussion Items

  • Black History Month Presentation (Proclamation): Tim Green, Culture Change Leader for the City, presented a comprehensive overview of Black history in Albuquerque, focusing on historic churches, organizations (NAACP, Home Circle Club), neighborhoods (South Broadway, Kirtland Addition, East End), and key figures. He called for combatting the "tri-cultural myth" and prioritizing the Black Education Act and hiring more Black educators.
  • Administration Q&A – IPRA Backlog: Ethan Watson, IPRA Administrator, reported that the city received over 12,000 public records requests in the last year (double from five years ago), with 1,100-1,200 per month (50% related to traffic accidents). The backlog plan includes digitization, large requester outreach, staffing (18 additional staff funded), and process improvements. Councilor Grout and Councilor Sanchez questioned about uncollected requests and settlement costs; Watson noted that 20 uncollected requests cost almost 40 hours of staff time. A request for a presentation on police reform superintendent was made.
  • O-24-1 (Administrative Demolition of Unsafe Buildings): Deferred to March 4, 2024, on a motion by Councilor Grout (8-0, Bassan excused).
  • EC-23-383 (Declaring 508 1st Street NW Not Essential): Deferred to March 4, 2024, on a motion by President Lewis (9-0).
  • EC-23-391 (Appointment of Dr. Michael Wartell to Personnel Board): Motion to confirm failed 0-9.
  • OC-24-4 (Appointment to Accountability in Government Oversight Committee): Withdrawn on a 6-3 vote (Fiebelkorn, Peña, Rogers voting no).
  • R-24-3 (Human Feces Disposal Program): Councilor Fiebelkorn introduced a floor amendment (changing 2023 to 2024 and clarifying contract language), which passed unanimously. The bill then passed 9-0. Councilor Sanchez noted it was unprecedented, and Councilor Fiebelkorn stated there were 400 requests for cleanup last year, all previously denied. The program will be administered via 311.
  • R-24-10 (Central Avenue Right-of-Way Improvements): Passed unanimously (9-0). Creates projects between 1st and 8th Streets and converts Marquette and Tijeras Avenues to two-way.
  • R-24-11 (Route 66 Centennial Quarterly Reports): Passed unanimously (9-0). Directs APD, ACS, and Planning to report quarterly; Dr. Shell Sanchez confirmed all departments are engaged.
  • M-24-2 (Support for State Competency Legislation – HB 233/SB 16): Councilor Baca moved a floor amendment (supporting governor's public safety initiative), which passed 8-1 (Peña against). The amended memorial passed 6-3 (Lewis, Peña, Rogers against). Councilor Baca cited it as a path to treatment for vulnerable individuals arrested for misdemeanors; opponents cited lack of treatment facilities and due process concerns.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (8-0) with three items pulled and deferred/withdrawn.
  • R-24-3 (Human Feces Disposal) passed as amended (9-0). The administration will contract with a biohazard waste removal service, accessible via 311.
  • R-24-10 (Central Avenue Improvements) passed (9-0).
  • R-24-11 (Route 66 Quarterly Reports) passed (9-0).
  • M-24-2 (State Competency Legislation Support) passed as amended (6-3).
  • O-24-1 deferred to March 4, 2024.
  • EC-23-383 deferred to March 4, 2024.
  • EC-23-391 (Dr. Michael Wartell) failed confirmation (0-9).
  • OC-24-4 withdrawn (6-3).
  • EC-24-8 deferred to March 4, 2024.
  • EC-24-36 and EC-24-38 withdrawn by administration.
  • The meeting adjourned at 7:13 PM.

Meeting Transcript

The fourth meeting of the twenty sixth council will come to order. All counselors are present this evening with Councillor Basson, who's joined us via Zoom. We're gonna have a moment of silence, and then the Pledge of Allegiance in English led by Councillor Champine, and then Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish led by Councillor Sanchez. Live streams can also be assessed from this from 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. Video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time in the council's website. Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance, finding the videos online. Counselor Rogers. Thank you so much, gentlemen. Thank you. Thank you all. So are y'all awake now? But do you know why we bring in the African drum? Why? For the heritage, right? Black heritage, because all across America, the African drum was banned, right? And that's why you don't see it in a lot of spaces anymore, right? And so it's important that we bring the heritage into the state, right? That's how we do that. Again, my name is Timothy Green the Fourth, and I'm culture change leader for the city of Albuquerque, and I'm honored to be with you all today. I want to take a moment to thank all of the city counselors, uh, specifically uh Councilwoman Rogers for inviting me here today. As culture change leader, my job is to provide anti-racist professional development, right? To over fifty eight hundred employees in twenty-four different departments, right? And within that, what we do is we look at the structural and systemic issues, and we look to alleviate those barriers so we can allow more inclusivity and accessibility for our city of Albuquerque residents. So today, I'm honored to be with you all. Um, and we're gonna talk a little bit about black history months. So whenever you're ready to put it up, uh please do that. Do you mind if I take a moment to talk about myself before we jump into black history? Um so uh let's see. I have a bachelor's in African Studies and Political Science. I have a master's in political science, and I'm currently working on my PhD in educational thought and sociocultural studies, right? Um, and I'm really really happy to be with you all today. Um, I've taught internationally in Berlin, Germany. I have a history of teaching high school here in Albuquerque, the seniors, uh, and I currently teach an undergraduate course to all APS incoming teachers. Um I also am getting ready to uh write curriculum at the state level for the Black Education Act. So super super honored to be with you all today. So let's go ahead and jump into Albert. I might ask you all some questions. Hopefully, you'll give me some responses. Um then hopefully you'll learn something today. How does that sound? Sounds good? Good. And the one most important thing that I forgot to introduce when introducing myself is that I'm a proud uh girl dad of a five-year-old and a 19-year-old, and I've been with my partner for 16 years and happily married for 11. So that really kind of sums me up. So with that said, um, before we jump, we have to do a land and labor acknowledgement. Right, Albuquerque sits on the land with the Tijuana people, people, we're surrounded by 24 Pueblos, and um oh, 24 Pueblos and nations. Okay, can y'all hear me now? Oh so we need to acknowledge the lands that we sit on, and we also want to acknowledge the labor, right? And the twelve million African slaves that were forcibly brought here to America, to the Americas.

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