The meeting was called to order at approximately 11:30 AM on May 2, 2024, and was extended to about 11:15 PM. All councilors were present, with Councilor Baca arriving later and Councilor Champagne attending via Zoom. The meeting focused on the first of three public hearings for the city's FY25 operating budget, specifically the social goal departments: police, fire, civilian police oversight, community safety, health housing and homelessness, youth and family, parks and recreation, city clerk, economic development, arts and culture, and senior affairs. The council heard public testimony, reviewed department presentations, and discussed key issues including staffing, fee increases, and funding for critical services. The two budget-related resolutions (R36 and R40) were deferred to the next meeting on May 9, 2024.
Welcome everyone. I would like to call this committee the whole meeting to order. Um, all counselors are present. Uh, Councilor Baca will be here shortly, and we have Councilor Champaign on Zoom. So, welcome again. Um, Vice President Grout. Thank you, Madam Chair. 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. Gov TV on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers. Also, this meeting is closed caption, and you may enable your closed captioning services on your television or at um device at this time. The video recording of this meeting will also 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 768-3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 to 5 p.m. Members of the public have the opportunity to address the committee if they have signed up to speak on an item per the rules published in on the agenda and on our website on Friday. Today is the first of three public hearings the council is required to hold on the city's operating budget. Today's meeting will focus on the social goal budget budgets, which include police, Albuquerque fire rescue, civil police uh civilian police oversight agency, community safety, health housing, and homelessness, youth and family, parks and recreation, city clerk, economic development, arts and culture, and senior affairs. On May 9th, the council will hold a second hearing to discuss the city's physical goals budgets, which will include municipal development, planning, general services, environmental health, transit, animal welfare, aviation, legal, solid waste, internal audit, inspector general, human resources, technology and innovation, finance and administration, and city support. The council will hold a third committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, May 16th, to consider amendments or substitutes. No live public comment will be taken at the May 16th meeting, although written comment will be accepted. At the end of the May 16th meeting, the budget as amended or substituted will be sent to the Monday May 20th City Council meeting for adoption. Live public comment and written comments will be accepted at the May 20th council meeting. Thank you, Madam Vice Madam Vice President. So I think we will start with our budget staff. So Mark, this is your budget first budget meeting with us at council. So do you have any opening remarks? Madam Chair, committee members, members of the administration. Before we delve into the City of Albuquerque's FY25 operating budget, I'd like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to City Council's effort in this critical capacity. As someone more experienced in capital budgeting, I am very eager to apply my skills while also embracing the learning curve associated with the intricacies of the operating budget. To ensure we are well prepared to address your questions and provide detailed insights. And in our next session next Thursday. Should there be any need for further detail? We are supported by department directors and deputy directors present here who can offer additional clarity. Preparing the city's budget is a fend is the fundamental responsibility of the city council, and it is one we approach with utmost seriousness. Thank you for your guidance, support, and commitment to this process. We look forward to working closely with all of you to craft a budget that reflects our shared priorities and aspirations for Albuquerque. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Motsko, and to the rest of the finance staff, so appreciate that. We'll now move on to public comment. Members of the public are able to address the committee if they have signed up for the agenda item for the instructions published on the agenda and our website. So here are the public comment ground rules. Each participant has one minute to present. Comments are to be addressed to the committee members only through the chair. Any disruptive conduct or a non-germane commentary will result in removal from the meeting. So Mr. Cornelius, with those nice words, would you please call up the first speaker? Thank you, Madam Chair. Tonight's first speaker is Mitch Graham, followed by Richard Ms. Skimmons.