Albuquerque City Council Meeting – January 22, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Albuquerque City Council Meeting – January 22, 2025
The 24th meeting of the 26th Council was called to order at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers, with all nine Councilors present. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM. Discussions covered the Point-in-Time homeless count, a new music and film initiative, administration questions on debris cleanup, federal funding tracking, human feces removal procedures, the Planning Department’s permit software transition, and structural issues at a city-owned apartment complex. The Council approved several appointments and resolutions, deferred one appointment, and heard public comments on homelessness, bicycle safety, and meeting procedures.
Presentations
- Point-in-Time Homeless Count (2025 Kickoff) – William Bowen (Albuquerque Coalition to End Homelessness) reported that the 2024 count found 2,740 homeless individuals, including over 1,000 unsheltered for the first time. 51% of respondents were homeless for the first time. An increase in seniors (55+) and persistent racial disparities (Native and Black persons disproportionately represented) were noted. The 2025 count runs from January 22–29, with a full‑week survey – a first. Councilor Rogers confirmed that no encampment sweeps would occur during the count.
- Bands of Enchantment – Ken Peterson and Vince Chavez (Elkhorn Media Entertainment) presented a video promoting the music‑focused global marketing campaign for Albuquerque, including live events, job training, and artist support. Season four’s red‑carpet premiere is January 23. Councilors expressed strong support for the program.
Consent Calendar
- EC-24-206 – Pilot program for homelessness employment support – withdrawn by administration (9‑0).
- EC-25-284 – Age‑Friendly Quarterly Update – receipt noted (9‑0).
- EC-25-287, EC-25-288, EC-25-289, EC-25-290 – Re‑appointments/appointments to Municipal Golf Advisory Board, Albuquerque Housing Authority Board, and Youth Advisory Council – confirmed (9‑0).
- EC-25-294 – Military Housing Developer Partner award – approved (9‑0). Note: EC-25-283 (Revenue & Expense Report) and EC-25-291 (Old Town Portal Market Advisory Board appointment) were pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Let’s Otvo – Criticized city accountability, mentioned a pending civil rights lawsuit, alleged trespass from police, and lack of public restrooms in the police station.
- Brick Jonasi – Challenged decorum rules, stated police do not sign an oath to the U.S. Constitution, and accused the Council of violating free speech.
- Rudolph Serrano – Expressed support for Bands of Enchantment, proposed paid breaks for city employees, and called for cleaning certain corridors.
- Lisa Christofferson – Shared personal experience of being briefly unhoused after a water‑heater failure; praised the city inspector’s response but noted privilege helped her avoid prolonged homelessness.
- Tad Numinsky – Criticized city spending on affordable housing, claiming $40 million went to small units with no oversight.
- Marcelin Costoner – Asked for public restroom locations to be publicized; described barriers for elderly individuals facing debt from Heading Home vouchers; requested more legal aid and safe outdoor spaces.
- Janice Herrera – Reported on a hit‑and‑run victim who is still in a wheelchair; described outreach on cold nights and called for faster ACS transport, more vans, aluminum blankets, and a pause on sweeps during extreme weather.
- James Freeman – Urged the Council to stop sweeps during the Point‑in‑Time count to improve accuracy.
- David Harding – Noted the death of cyclist Chuck Malagodi (a city employee) in a hit‑and‑run; called for safer cycling infrastructure, lower speed limits, and automated speed enforcement.
- Brian McQuiston – Asked the Council to revisit electric scooter rules, citing sidewalk obstructions and dangers to pedestrians, especially those with disabilities.
- David McGibbon – Spoke about his own homelessness while working and studying; urged the Council to listen to those with lived experience.
- Ian Gates – Asked for the 30‑speaker cap on general public comment to be lifted, for earlier notice of controversial ordinances, and for a third meeting per month to reduce late‑night sessions.
- John Vaughn – Delivered a sovereign‑citizen argument regarding flags and jurisdiction.
- Ralph Ronz – Honored Chuck Malagodi’s bicycle safety work and called for justice and safer infrastructure.
- Nami Das – Reported that a woman died due to the camping ban; urged the Council to reconsider the ban and lift it.
Discussion Items
- Administration Q&A: Topics included broken glass on Tramway (state jurisdiction), child development bonus payouts (only YFS received them), federal funding inventory (compilation underway), the human feces removal contract (solid waste staff doing work, not contractor CGS; Councilors Sanchez, Rogers, Fiebelkorn, and Baca questioned training, PPE, and contract compliance), the Planning Department’s permit software transition (ABQ Plan; $1.9M budget; 352 inspections performed; no backlog expected), and structural issues at the Beach Apartments (46 stairways to be replaced; city and property manager Monarch communicated over time; displaced residents offered relocation assistance, one month free rent, $2,000 financial aid, and right of return).
- EC-25-283 Revenue & Expense Report (Q1 FY2025) – Councilor Grout questioned why the Housing & Homelessness Department projected a $10.5M overspend; the administration cited conservative early projections. Motion for receipt noted passed 9‑0.
- EC-25-291 Appointment to Old Town Portal Market Advisory Board – Councilor Baca moved to defer to February 19, 2025, citing the administration’s non‑compliance with the relevant ordinance. Motion passed 9‑0.
- Suspension of Rules – Rules were suspended (9‑0) to add EC‑293 (ICAST weatherization) and EC‑294 (military housing partner award) to the agenda, and to introduce R‑4 (amending Council Rules of Procedure) for the February 3 meeting (8‑1).
- R‑110 – Balloon Museum Playscape – Councilor Bassan requested a $500,000 capital outlay for an outdoor playscape at the Anderson‑Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Passed 8‑1 (Baca opposed).
- 2025 Committee Appointments – Approved 9‑0.
Key Outcomes
- Withdrawn Items: EC-24-206 (homelessness pilot) and EC-24-278 (MRA annual report) – both withdrawn by administration, unanimous.
- Confirmed Appointments:
- Cal A. Lanouette, Municipal Golf Advisory Board (9‑0)
- Barbara J. Lawrence, Municipal Golf Advisory Board (9‑0)
- Maurreen Skowran, Albuquerque Housing Authority Board (9‑0)
- Eli Hi Crowley, Youth Advisory Council (9‑0)
- Caren M. Phillips, Small Business Regulatory Committee (8‑1; Champine opposed)
- Kat Bloom, Small Business Regulatory Committee (8‑1; Champine opposed)
- Approvals:
- EC-25-294 – Military Housing Developer Partner (9‑0)
- EC-25-293 – ICAST weatherization initiative (9‑0)
- Deferral: EC-25-291 – Appointment of Marie E. Coleman to Old Town Portal Market Advisory Board – postponed to February 19, 2025 (9‑0).
- Receipt Noted: EC-25-283 – Revenue & Expense Report (9‑0).
- Final Action: R-24-110 (Balloon Museum playscape) – passed 8‑1.
- Committee Appointments: 2025 slate approved (9‑0).
- Meeting Adjourned at 6:57 PM.
Meeting Transcript
To go ahead and call the 24th meeting of the 26th council to order. All counselors are present this evening. We're going to start with a moment of silence and then the pledge of allegiance in English and then in Spanish. Good evening, everyone. Civic parking plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. I'm going to talk from way back here. Okay, I I did. Move my mic. I'm gonna okay, let me know. Or maybe I'll just know. Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from council staff at the table near the chamber 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 GovTV 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 captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at any time. We haven't, I was reading through the script, so I'm gonna read this one full time this time. Uh but then after that, when you sign up for public comment if it's online and you use your email address, you will receive all of this information moving forward as an automatic confirmation portion, or you can end up getting this information when you sign up in the in the lobby outside, too, if any of you are interested in receiving a document of what I'm about to share. The council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening, if needed, with regard to decorum in the chambers. We want tonight's proceeding to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applause or snapping or other outbursts during the meeting. I will say that this is something I want to take just one quick second to say that in years past, clapping was not allowed in the council meetings because of the potential for a disruption. And although snapping, I believe started out with a good intention of a very discrete uh method of support for certain things. It has gotten to the point, in my opinion, while being here for five years that snapping has also become a distraction. So at least while I'm council president, I am not going to allow snapping or clapping, and that will consider be considered a disruption moving forward. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are all respectful to one another. To that end, I want to say a few more words about just decorum and the rules that have been put into place. Handouts of the rules are available at the staff table near the chamber entrance if you would like a copy. There will be absolutely no signs, props, posters, or banners allowed in the chambers other than that which can be displayed on the overhead during presentations. No sheets larger than eight and a half by 11. Such material shall not be held or waived in a manner that blocks the view of others or creates a distraction from the speaker or the business at hand. Items displayed on the overhead projector must be removed from the projector at the end of that person's public comment. Only the individual whom the council president has called upon to provide public comment may stand at the podium. Multiple persons will not be permitted to stand behind the presenter, and the only exception will be for those who need a translator or reasonable accommodations to provide public comment. The time limit for public comment will be strictly enforced. Public comment must be directed to the council through the council president and not at staff or members of the audience. There will be no tolerance for disruptive public outbursts, including applause and snapping. The handicapped landing to the right of the dais must be kept clear at all times. Those desiring to record the meeting will be directed to the landing area on the left side of the dais. The fire marshal will strictly enforce ingress and egress rules so as to ensure public safety. I will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption. Upon the second or continued disruption, that individual will be asked to leave the chambers, and if necessary, security will be asked to escort that person out of the chambers. Such removal from the council chamber will be effective for the remainder of the meeting. And if continued disruptions occur, I may recess the meeting until order is restored, and if necessary, may clear the chambers of persons participating in the disturbance. I don't want to do this, but I do want us to be professional. I want council to be professional. I want administration to be professional. I want the people that come here to participate in this business proceedings to also have some expectations and rules for their their decorum as well. That being said, we're going to move on to proclamations and presentations. Councillor Rogers, you have.
openpublica.com