Albuquerque City Council Meeting - April 15, 2024

The Albuquerque City Council held its regular meeting on April 15, 2024. The meeting included proclamations, administrative Q&A, rule suspensions, committee reports, public comments on a wide range of issues, and final action on several resolutions and ordinances. Key topics included the use of opioid settlement funds for a pallet shelter village, grant applications for Route 66 signage and financial empowerment, and a report on homelessness spending.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the April 3, 2024 journal.
• Approval of the consent agenda, including appointments to boards and commissions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple speakers urged the Council to adopt a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to U.S. aid to Israel, and cutting ties with sister city Rehovot. They emphasized the humanitarian crisis and the need to condemn genocide. Some speakers also demanded the release of all hostages.
• A speaker presented data showing a 27.9% increase in APD use of force citywide and a 53.9% increase in southeast Albuquerque, calling for accountability.
• Several community members criticized APD Chief Medina, alleging incompetence and corruption, and called for a vote of no confidence.
• Speakers from the library community requested restoration of $400,000 in recurring IT funding in the FY25 library budget.
• A representative from Explora museum asked that its operating funding be restored to FY24 levels.
• A resident complained about police response to theft and lack of security in her neighborhood.
• A representative from Waste Management expressed willingness to discuss the RFQ for recycling services.
• A senior from a mobile home park criticized Councilor Sanchez for not addressing ADA access issues and threatened recall.

Discussion Items

• Administration Q&A: Councilors queried administration on:

  • Appointment of non-residents to city boards.
  • Annual cost of ShotSpotter and source of funding.
  • APD staffing levels in burglary and homeland security units.
  • APD officers in uniform speaking at a committee meeting.
  • New transit carry-on size restrictions (16x16x43 inches); concerns raised about impact on seniors and low-income riders.
  • Street light outages along Route 66 and compatibility with "Brain" smart system.
  • Status of a $1.8M youth detox facility; administration to provide clarification.
  • Status of the city's appeal of the air quality board rule; the city chose not to file a docketing statement, leading to criticism from Council President.

• Rule Suspensions:

  • R-31 (USDA Forest Service grant for tree canopy) initially failed to be placed on tonight's agenda (5-4), then successfully moved to May 6 agenda.
  • R-34 (Sustainability resolution) moved to May 6 agenda.
  • R-38 (Cities for Financial Empowerment grant) placed on tonight's agenda and passed.

• Committee Reports:

  • Finance & Government Operations Committee reported out several items, including EC-40, EC-67, etc. EC-70 (waste management RFP award) failed in committee but was later revived by Councilor Champagne and placed on the May 6 agenda.
  • Land Use, Planning & Zoning Committee reported out R-26 and R-27 as passed.

• O-10 (Gross Receipts Tax Revenue Bonds): Council introduced a floor substitute increasing the amount to $22.5 million, then deferred the substituted bill to May 6 due to title change.

• R-29 (Opioid Settlement Funds for Pallet Shelter Village):

  • Extensive debate on the $5 million appropriation for 50 pallet homes at an old MVD site for transitional recovery housing.
  • Amendment 1 (by Councilor Baca and Rogers) to clarify location and purpose passed.
  • Amendment 2 (by Councilor Feeblercorn) to reduce appropriation to $1.2 million failed (5-4).
  • Amendment 3 (by Councilor Peña) requiring a formal contract for treatment services before operations commence passed unanimously.
  • Final vote on R-29 as amended passed 5-4.

• R-35 (Report on Homeless Services Expenditures): Passed. Directs the Department of Health, Housing & Homelessness to report on contracts, scope, and persons served.

• R-37 (Route 66 East Gateway Sign Grant): Passed. Authorizes grant application to New Mexico Tourism Department.

• R-38 (Cities for Financial Empowerment Grant): Passed. Authorizes legal department grant application.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:

  • Motion to suspend rules for R-31 (tonight) failed (5-4).
  • Rule suspension to move R-34 to May 6 passed.
  • Rule suspension to move R-31 to May 6 passed.
  • Rule suspension to place R-38 on tonight's agenda passed.
  • O-10 (bonds) substitute adopted and deferred to May 6.
  • R-29 as amended passed (5-4).
  • R-35, R-37, R-38, O-18, R-21, R-22, EC-109 all passed.
  • EC-70 revived and placed on May 6 agenda.

• Referrals/Next Steps:

  • Councilor Feeblercorn to work with Street Cat Hub on proactive trapping in neighborhoods.
  • Administration to provide APD driving simulator usage records.
  • Administration to clarify $1.8M youth detox facility status.
  • APD to provide written position on wall heights.
  • Transit to monitor impact of carry-on policy and consider adjustments for seniors.
  • Plan for opioid settlement funds from joint city-county team expected by fall.