Albuquerque City Council Meeting - November 4, 2024
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Albuquerque City Council Meeting - November 4, 2024
The City Council held its 19th meeting of the 26th Council on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, administration Q&A, consent agenda approvals, public hearings, and final actions on several ordinances. Key topics included the Homewise home rehabilitation program, domestic violence commission report, opioid settlement strategic plan, Gateway West shelter contracts, the Apprenticeship Empowerment Ordinance, and legislative priorities.
Consent Calendar
- EC-24-218: Approval of city-wide on-call architectural services – Approved 9-0.
- EC-24-238: Grant application to FAA for Double Eagle II Taxiway B Edge Drain Installation – Approved 9-0.
- EC-24-239: Lease agreement with IO Management Company, LLC for 5400 Gibson Blvd. SE – Approved 9-0.
- EC-24-240: Supplemental agreement for outside counsel legal services – Withdrawn by administration, 9-0.
- EC-24-244: Social service agreement with Chicanos Por La Causa for assessment and case management for guests under 60 at Gateway West – Withdrawn by administration, 9-0.
- EC-24-250: Appointment of Onastine Nunez Jaramillo to Housing & Neighborhood Economic Development Committee – Confirmed 9-0.
- EC-24-251: Re-appointment of Guillermina Osoria to Older American’s Act Advisory Council – Confirmed 9-0.
- EC-24-255: Award for Financial Services and Strategic Planning Consultant – Approved 9-0.
- OC-24-25: 2024 1st Half CPOA Semi-Annual Report – Receipt noted 9-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple speakers expressed strong opposition to the city's proposed internal guidelines for encampment sweeps, arguing it criminalizes homelessness and fails to address root causes. Speakers urged more street outreach, housing vouchers, and funding for ACS.
- Several speakers supported the Apprenticeship Empowerment Ordinance (O-24-39), citing the need for skilled trades and career pathways. Union representatives spoke in favor; contractors' associations (ABC, AGC) opposed, citing insufficient apprentices and burdensome mandates.
- A speaker played audio of a woman living in a tunnel, Gabby, who said she has never received hotel vouchers despite 15 years of homelessness. Others echoed the need for immediate shelter and resources.
- Public comment also addressed the need for rent control, affordable housing, and a data-driven approach to homelessness interventions.
Discussion Items
- Homewise Home Rehabilitation Program Update: Joanna Gilligan and Elena Gonzalez reported that $3.3 million in ARPA funds have deployed over $1.5 million to complete work in 29 homes, serving over 60 homeowners (below 80% area median income). Clients reported high satisfaction; 85% response rate on survey. Councilor Peña thanked Homewise for keeping people in their homes.
- Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission Annual Report: Chair Theresa Garcia presented data: between June and December 2023, the 2nd Judicial Family Court conducted nearly 2,800 domestic violence hearings and issued over 440 protection orders. The commission requested $871,638 to fill VOCA funding cuts (40-60% federal cuts) and support housing, recruitment, and a lethality assessment tool. Councilors Sanchez and Baca expressed support.
- Opioid Settlement Strategic Plan: Julie Rowan of Vital Strategies presented a draft plan with 28 recommendations informed by over 1,700 community members. The plan focuses on data-driven, evidence-based interventions across crisis response, prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and stabilizing supports. A subcommittee (Councilors Grout, Rogers, Peña) will meet Nov. 8 to refine proposals.
- Administration Q&A: Topics included: (1) Uptown Transit Center bathroom locked for three days – administration clarified it was unlocked and attributed to a reporter's experience; (2) Code enforcement process – Director Varella explained no follow-up letter is sent after compliance, but will consider; (3) MRA grant program – soft launch occurred; (4) 3401 Pan-American site – administration confirmed the site is intended for a temporary micro-community using opioid settlement funds, while also planned for a future transfer station; (5) Housing vouchers – HHH discussed plans to improve tracking via a new software system (Qualtrics, Unite Us, or Roofs) and monthly reporting; (6) Street outreach – HHH reported 425 individuals served by First Nations and 90 in intensive case management via Street Connect in Q1; (7) Shelley Road safety – Director Montoya noted plans for 52 lights and fencing, and will meet with NMDOT and county; (8) Campaign billing – Councilor Sanchez questioned inconsistencies in billing for campaign visits; administration stated they bill for extraordinary costs (e.g., overnight stays) but not for routine escorts.
- O-24-51 (Kairos Power Economic Development): Approved 8-1. City provides $500,000 (plus $3M from state) to support research and development facilities. Councilor Fiebelkorn voted no.
- AC-24-25 (Barelas Neighborhood Association Appeal): Appeal of drive-through conditional use for 310 Avenida Cesar Chavez (Dunkin' Donuts). LUHO recommended denial; council approved 8-1 (Councilor Baca dissenting).
- EC-24-245 (Gateway West 24/7 Operations Contract): Approved 9-0. Chicanos Por La Causa will operate Gateway West. Transition plan from Heading Home to be completed by December 1.
- EC-24-254 (Gateway West Case Management Under 60): Approved 9-0. $750,000 allocated for 200 clients annually under 60; additional $200,000 for seniors (over 60) via Sierra Ensemble. Monthly reporting required.
- O-24-39 (Apprenticeship Empowerment Ordinance): Withdrawn 5-4 after testimony and debate. Sponsors Councilors Fiebelkorn and Champine withdrew, citing incomplete implications and insufficient apprentice numbers. Councilor Fiebelkorn argued the ordinance was a lead-by-example tool; opponents saw it as a mandate with penalties.
- O-24-53 (Intergovernmental Relations Ordinance): Initially passed 8-0, then reconsidered and deferred to Nov. 18 to clarify language regarding separate accept/reject of mayor's and council's legislative agendas.
- R-24-99 (Legislative Agenda): Substituted, amended, and postponed to Nov. 18 for further revision to align with revised ordinance.
- EC-24-252 (Appointment to Joint Air Quality Board): Confirmed 6-2 (Councilors Champine and Sanchez dissenting).
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Kairos Power economic development (8-1); Gateway West operations and case management contracts (9-0 each); BioPark Children's Fantasy Garden consultant (7-2); various consent items.
- Denied/Withdrawn: Apprenticeship Empowerment Ordinance withdrawn (5-4); Barelas drive-through appeal denied (8-1).
- Deferred/Postponed: Small Business Regulatory Committee appointments (EC-24-248, EC-24-249) to Nov. 18; Intergovernmental Relations Ordinance (O-24-53) to Nov. 18; Legislative Agenda (R-24-99) to Nov. 18.
- Directives: Administration to provide monthly reports on Gateway West case management metrics; to explore software for tracking housing vouchers; to address Shelley Road safety with county and state; to provide detailed transition plan for Gateway West operator.
- Next Steps: Opioid settlement subcommittee meets Nov. 8; IGR committee meets Nov. 6; Land Use Planning and Zoning committee meets Nov. 13.
Meeting Transcript
The 19th meeting of the 26th Council will come to order. All counselors are present this evening with Council Penya join us via Zoom. Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from council staff at the near at the table near the chamber's entrance. 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 of 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 captioned, closed captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the council's website. Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance finding the videos online. Please call 505-768-3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday from 8 to 5. The council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening. With regard to decorum in the chamber, we want tonight's proceedings to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applause or other outbursts during the meeting. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are respectful of one another. Mr. President. Well, we go to proclamations and presentations. We have three presentations tonight. We'll hold them to three minutes apiece. Councilor Pena to start. Mr. President, I'm having some technical difficulties. Can you proceed, please? Presentation by Joanna Gilligan with Homewise, who will provide an update on the home rehabilitation program. Thank you for coming tonight. Yes, I'm here with my colleague Elena Gonzalez, who is our chief operating officer. So three short minutes. We just wanted to give a quick update on the deployment of 3.3 million dollars in ARPA funds for the home preservation program. We wanted to give Councillor Pena a thank you for her work securing these funds in August of 2022. And we've been working with the Department of Health, Housing, and Homeless and Homelessness to assist residents in the city. So we have over 60 residents being served by the program, which provides grants of up to $50,000 for homeowners on below 80% area median income. And these clients are coming from a wide range of council districts across the city, which is great. To date, we have completed work in 29 homes and deployed more than 1.5 million of the 3.3 million dollars in ARPA funds to help these homeowners. We recently surveyed clients on the first 19 clients who got through the program. We had an over 85% response rate. So we have seen pretty high satisfaction rates from clients, uh both regarding the overall experience and communication, which is always a really important and challenging part of the job, making sure we're communicating well. Um, we are also hearing from clients that they're generally, although not entirely satisfied, but generally satisfied with the contractor experience. Um, finding contractors to work in the program has been a challenge. Um, small contractors are hard to find, and so we have been able to, I think, deliver um a fairly high quality experience. And then for any contractors that are not delivering them, we've moved them off of the program list. Um, we're also following two CFR 200 procurement requirements, so that's added a little bit of complexity. Um, and part of the program design has really been to ensure that any improvements that are made are increasing the energy efficiency of the home. So we're generally seeing costs flat or decreasing almost half of program participants report that their utility costs decreasing, which is great because often these folks are moving from gas to electric, and so keeping those costs flat or lower has been a big priority. Um, and you know, I think we wanted to share just a few bit of of what we heard from clients in the first round. I think that they're feeling like their homes are safer and more comfortable. Um, that we've often found um unaddressed issues like outdated electrical systems, things like that that can cause home safety problems and are really trying to, as we said, keep a focus on addressing um the energy use so that that the homeowner um is able to live in a more comfortable home without spending more money. Um, so uh I'll close with a quick photo of generational homeowners Francis and Tanya and Borelis, who have owned this home for 300 years. They got a new roof, an electrical upgrade, and mini splits. Thank you.
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