Albuquerque City Council Meeting - March 17, 2025: Appeals, Ordinance Amendments, and Rental Habitability Directive
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Albuquerque City Council Meeting - March 17, 2025
The Albuquerque City Council met on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM in Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a consent agenda, an appeal hearing for the Mesa Film Studio, public comments, and final actions on two ordinances: O-25-73 (amending appeal costs) and R-25-120 (enhancing rental habitability enforcement). The meeting adjourned at 7:16 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0): Legal Department’s Quarterly Litigation Report for Q1 FY2025; reappointment of Dr. Sherri Burr to the Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees; appointment of Ms. Teisha Holloway to the Arts Board; appointment of Ms. Annie M. Montes to the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; appointment of Mr. Tyler J. Richter to the Impact Fee Committee; reappointment of Ms. Hilma E. Chynoweth to the Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Barbara Taylor (retired capital planner) criticized the geo bond bill process as discourteous to taxpayers and noted that the transportation tax raises $45–50 million annually, 57% for roads, and requested a required report on collections and expenditures.
- Carlos Michelin (Strong Towns) urged downtown revitalization and opposed I-25 expansion, citing high costs for road maintenance ($116 million/year vs. $8 million budget).
- Candice New attempted to support the Mesa Film Studio but was ruled out of order due to closed record on appeals.
- Dr. Lisa Christofferson expressed concerns about the nuisance ordinance potentially criminalizing protest and asked for public input after amendments.
- Peggy Norton (North Valley Coalition) opposed O-25-73, arguing that neighborhood associations are being silenced and that the process circumvented public engagement.
- Anami Das warned that prioritizing property over people could lead to unrest, referencing Sandia National Labs and the Air Force Base.
- Tom Owen alleged that Albuquerque Police officers are not signing oaths of office as required by state statute.
- Chili DeCastro (journalist) complained about police using sirens and horns within 500 feet of pedestrians and horse-mounted units dispersing crowds without proper notice.
- Janice Herrera (Health Equity Council) presented policy one-pagers on extreme heat/cold action plans and nutritional insecurity, recommending cooling centers, backup power, and standardized nutritional guidelines for city meal contracts.
- Benjamin Bean (Strong Towns) supported housing-forward initiatives and suggested city-guaranteed loans for small infill projects and same-day approvals for incremental development.
- Jordan McConnell urged reform of the neighborhood association recognition ordinance (NARO) to increase transparency and inclusivity.
- Rihanna And Samuel (NAOP New Mexico) urged rejection of the repeal of appeal costs, stating the current system is working and discourages frivolous appeals.
- Alfia Atherton (Victory Hills NA president) opposed O-25-73 as originally written but appreciated the social vulnerability index amendment, noting her association has limited funds.
- Leslie Padilla thanked sponsors of O-25-73 but raised concerns about Senate Bill 446, which would collect demographic data on speakers at planning meetings, calling it chilling.
- Tad Numinsky complained about government overreach and homeless issues.
- Other speakers addressed police conduct, rental habitability, and youth engagement.
Discussion Items
- Appeal AC-25-01 (Mesa Film Studio): Five appellants (Santa Fe Village Neighborhood Association, West Side Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, Native American Voters Alliance, Jane Baechle, Michael T. Voorhees) appealed the Environmental Planning Commission’s approval of a site plan for a film studio on approximately 60 acres at Double Eagle II Airport. The Land Use Hearing Officer (LUHO) recommended granting the appeal, finding that the proposed film studio use is not allowed in the NRSU zone district and cannot be considered an accessory use. The Council voted 8-1 (Baca opposed) to reject the LUHO recommendation and place the matter on the April 7, 2025 agenda for a full hearing.
- O-25-73 (Amending IDO regarding appeal costs): Sponsored by Councilors Grout and Rogers, this ordinance sought to remove the provision from O-24-69 that allowed the appellee to recover attorney fees from appellants. After three amendments:
- Amendment 1 (Lewis): Capped appellee attorney fees at $1,000 flat fee (passed 6-3).
- Amendment 2 (Lewis): Removed whereas clauses (passed 5-4).
- Amendment 3 (Peña): Exempted appellants who demonstrate hardship, low income, or indigent status, or entity appellants located in areas with a social vulnerability index score of 50 or greater (passed 5-4). The final ordinance as amended passed 6-3 (Baca, Fiebelkorn, Grout, Lewis, Rogers, Sanchez in favor; Bassan, Champine, Peña opposed).
- R-25-120 (Rental unit habitability enforcement): Sponsored by Councilor Fiebelkorn, this resolution directs the administration to hire a dedicated code enforcement officer to assist renters with life safety issues (e.g., no hot water, broken locks). The administration supported the measure. Debate highlighted 5,000 related 311 calls in the last three months, 50 budgeted code enforcement positions with three vacancies, and concerns about whether adding one position would be effective. The resolution passed 9-0.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda: Approved unanimously.
- Appeal AC-25-01: Council rejected LUHO recommendation (8-1) and scheduled full hearing for April 7, 2025.
- O-25-73: Passed as amended (6-3), establishing a $1,000 flat fee for appeal costs with exemptions for low-income appellants and vulnerable neighborhoods.
- R-25-120: Passed unanimously (9-0), directing the administration to hire a dedicated code enforcement officer for rental habitability issues.
- Administration Q&A: Councilor Grout requested the Youth Advisory Council report to the City Council; Councilor Rogers suggested funding for youth to attend the National League of Cities conference.
Meeting Transcript
Gov slash ACS jobs. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the 28th meeting of the 26th Council. We will now come to order. It's March 17th. Maybe with a little bit of luck tonight, we won't be here till midnight. Oh, I planned it all day for you guys, all day. All counselors are present this evening. We're going to go ahead and start with a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance in English and then in Spanish. The video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the City Council's website. City 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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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 proceedings 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. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are all respectful of one another. We're going to begin with proclamations and presentations tonight. Councilor Pena. Thank you, Madam President. Um we have a proclamation. We have some guests here this evening to accept the proclamation. If you can make your way up to the podium, this proclamation recognizes the 32nd annual César Chavez, Dolores Puerta Fiesta, and Marche de Justicia. Um we have uh Ms. Linda Garcia here, Benavides with us, and Recuerdo Cesar Chavez Committee Chair, Lala Gonzalez, and then Beatrice Valencia, and then I don't see Jonathan or Judy, so but we'll recognize them and Virginia Thompson to accept. So we will get started. And Councilor Rogers. Thank you, Councillor Pena. Whereas Cesar Estrada Chavez was a migrant farmer worker during the Great Depression and experienced harsh working conditions faced by many agricultural workers, and Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta continues to fight the harsh working conditions faced by many agricultural workers, and whereas Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta have dedicated their lives, their lives work towards pursuing equity, justice, and dignity for all Americans, and whereas Caesar Chavez left behind a legacy of humble service and extraordinary achievements. Whereas in 1994, Cesar Chavez was awarded the Medal of Freedom. And in 2012, Dolores Huerta was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is America's highest civil honor. And whereas Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta gave our nation and each of us a unique example to live our lives by a selfless dedication to the rights of all workers to economic justice, civil rights, environments, justice, peace, nonviolence, and empowerment of poor and disenfranchised. And whereas after Cesar Chavez died, local community members established the Recuerda Cesar Chavez Committee, whose mission is to educate people about the life and work of these great American leaders and to encourage each of us to carry on their values and timeless vision for a better world. Today, Dolores Huerta carries on the work to honor the values and vision that they aspire to and have worked tirelessly towards the vision for a better tomorrow. And whereas this year's theme is sembrando el futuro, unidad, justicia, libertarian para todos. So in the future, unity, justice, liberty, and action for everyone. So congratulations, ladies. Thank you. Great years. And we would love to have you say a few words. I just kind of just briefly want to say thank you for your work, ladies. I know you work on this tireless every year, and this is a volunteer, so this is labor of love, and I really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules and away from your families to do this important work. So thank you. Thank you. Um we don't know how to thank you all very, very much. This is really a great honor for us. And as we come here and we think about coming, it really warms our heart. Um, my name is Linda Garcia Benavitas.
openpublica.com