Albuquerque City Council Meeting – March 3, 2025

The Albuquerque City Council held its 27th meeting of the 2025-2026 term on March 3, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on anti-human trafficking training, numerous public comments, and action on several resolutions and ordinances. Key decisions included overriding a mayoral veto, approving a contract for opioid recovery services, adopting nuisance abatement amendments, and passing a resolution to require two paramedics on fire rescue apparatus.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Councilor Grout presented a proclamation recognizing the Albuquerque Public Schools Education Foundation's "Selfless Seniors" Class of 2025. Dr. Gabriela Duran Blakey (APS Superintendent) and Shannon Barnhill (APS Education Foundation) accepted.
• Ian Stoker, Director of Human Resources, presented an update on the anti-human trafficking training campaign (Resolution R2442). As of the meeting date, 3,956 city employees had completed training. Signage has been placed at the Sunport, Alvarado Transit Center, bus stops, and city buildings. The program cost approximately $24,000 for licenses. Councilors Grout and Sanchez asked about collaboration with local organizations and inclusion of local emergency numbers on signage.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda unanimously, approving appointments to various boards and commissions.

Public Comments & Testimony

Numerous members of the public spoke. Key positions included:

• Fire staffing (R122): Multiple current and retired Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) firefighters and union representatives expressed strong support for maintaining two paramedics on rescue apparatus. Speakers argued that a single-paramedic model would reduce patient care quality, increase risk, and lead to burnout. No public speakers opposed the resolution.
• Performing Arts Center (P7): Several representatives from the New Mexico Philharmonic and community members urged removal of the city charter restriction requiring a public vote on expenditures over $10 million for a performing arts center, calling it a necessary catalyst for cultural and economic growth.
• Rail Trail funding (veto override): Speakers were divided. Some opposed the original reallocation of funds from the rail trail to the Westside Youth Sports Complex, arguing the rail trail is already under construction and provides connectivity. Others supported the override, emphasizing the need for indoor sports facilities on the West Side.
• Family Endeavors contract (EC318): One speaker raised concerns about the organization’s past contracts with ICE and CBP, urging the council to vote no. Another speaker requested the contract language specify secular services and include both NA and AA.
• Guaranteed Basic Income (R116): Multiple speakers supported the pilot program at Whittier and Carlos Rey Elementary Schools, citing research and success in other cities.
• Nuisance abatement (O63): One speaker thanked the council for amendments protecting domestic violence victims and homeless individuals.

Discussion Items

• EC330 – Veto Override of R25112 (Rail Trail funding): Councilor Sanchez moved to override the mayor’s veto of the resolution that reallocated $500,000 from the rail trail to the Westside Youth Sports Complex. After discussion, the override passed 8-1. Several councilors expressed frustration with the mayor’s veto process and noted that both projects could be funded through other means.
• EC318 – Social Service Agreement with Family Endeavors: The council approved a contract for up to $8.1 million over three years (using opioid settlement funds) to provide recovery-focused services for individuals with opioid use disorder. Councilors questioned the organization’s past immigration-related contracts and its ability to bill Medicaid in New Mexico. The contract includes clauses limiting the city’s obligation to appropriated funds. Passed 6-3.
• O63 – Nuisance Abatement Ordinance Repeal and Replacement: Councilor Grout introduced seven floor amendments, which were adopted. Key amendments: (1) clarified the definition of "imminent hazard" to match the uniform housing code; (2) exempted victims of crime from nuisance violations; (3) exempted domestic violence victims; (4) added specificity to penalty provisions; (5) limited daily $500 fines to cases of imminent hazard; (6) removed requirements for APD and Environmental Health to set cleanup standards for drug labs; (7) struck a provision that prevented nuisance designations based solely on camping on private property. The final ordinance passed 6-3.
• O70 – Boards and Commissions Ordinance: Councilor Pena moved an amendment to change the waiting period for submitting a single nominee from 45 days to 60 days. Passed 8-1. The amended ordinance then passed 9-0.
• R116 – Marijuana Equity and Community Reinvestment Fund Appropriation: Councilor Pena introduced a resolution to appropriate $4 million from the fund, allocating $2 million for a guaranteed basic income pilot at two Title I elementary schools, $1.2 million for inpatient substance abuse treatment, $500,000 for prevention/intervention, and $300,000 for program administration. After public comment and discussion, the resolution passed 5-4.
• P7 – Charter Amendment for Performing Arts Center: Councilor Baca moved to adopt a proposition for the 2025 regular local election to repeal Article 11, Section 7 of the city charter (requiring a public vote on performing arts center expenditures over $10 million). Passed 9-0.
• R119 – Companion Resolution for Ballot Language: Adopted with an amendment to allow the city clerk to consult with the Bernalillo County clerk and Secretary of State on ballot language. Passed 9-0.
• R122 – Minimum Staffing for AFR Rescue Apparatus: Councilor Lewis and Baca sponsored a resolution to require a minimum of two paramedics on every rescue apparatus, codifying the current practice. The debate featured testimony from fire department leadership, union representatives, and the medical director. The administration argued the change would hamper operational flexibility and noted a similar pilot at two stations had been successful. A floor amendment (adding a whereas about training paramedics) was adopted 8-1. The resolution passed 7-2.
• R124 – Capital Implementation Program Amendment: Councilor Sanchez moved to allocate funding to restore the $500,000 cut from the rail trail project, as a compromise following the veto override. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Veto Override: The council overrode Mayor Keller’s veto of R25112 (8-1), reallocating $500,000 from the rail trail to the Westside Youth Sports Complex. However, later in the meeting, R124 restored the $500,000 to the rail trail.
• Approved Contracts: EC293 (Old Town board appointment) confirmed unanimously; EC318 (Family Endeavors) approved 6-3.
• Ordinances: O63 (nuisance abatement) passed 6-3 after amendments; O70 (boards/commissions) passed 9-0 after amendment.
• Resolutions: R116 (marijuana equity fund) passed 5-4; R122 (fire staffing) passed 7-2; R119 (ballot language) passed 9-0.
• Charter Amendment: P7 placed on the November 2025 ballot to repeal the performing arts center spending vote requirement, passed 9-0.
• Dinner Break: The council took a 30-minute dinner break at approximately 8:00 p.m. and returned to complete the agenda.