Albuquerque City Council Meeting - April 21, 2025

The Albuquerque City Council held its 30th meeting of the 26th Council on April 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including executive session, presentations on the rail yards firehouse and gross receipts tax, approval of a film studio appeal, numerous consent and approval items, and extensive public comment and council discussion on homelessness, the National Guard deployment, and fiscal matters.

Consent Calendar

• EC-25-354: Metropolitan Redevelopment’s State of New Mexico Trails+ grant request for Central Crossing – Approved 9-0.
• EC-25-357: Mayor’s re-appointment of David A. Mueller to the Albuquerque Energy Council – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-25-358: Mayor’s appointment of Roman Varela to the Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-25-359: Mayor’s appointment of Konrad A. Jeungling to the Library Advisory Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-25-362: Mayor’s re-appointment of Tara M. Trafton to the Albuquerque Energy Council – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-25-363: Mayor’s appointment of Mariah Tallent to the Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee – Confirmed 9-0.
• R-25-123: Approving expansion of the Downtown 2025 Metropolitan Redevelopment Area boundary to include McClellan Park and Railroad areas and property at Broadway and Lomas – Passed 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Loretta Naranjo Lopez (Santa Barbara Martinez Town Neighborhood Association) opposed R-25-123, alleging violations of the Open Meetings Act and that the properties do not meet blight criteria. She requested the neighborhood’s MRA boundaries be reinstated.
• Lisa Christofferson (District 3) expressed concern about fascism and civil rights, criticizing the deployment of the National Guard and the city’s treatment of unhoused individuals. She noted she received a settlement from APD for injuries.
• Jane Baechle (Santa Fe Village Neighborhood Association) read a quote from her 2023 comments, urging collaborative engagement with neighborhood associations.
• Walter Treadwell (student) complained about homeless encampments near CNM and UNM, suggesting gating campuses or mandatory rehab for drug users.
• Ernest Sturdivant recited poetry against fascism and oppression.
• Let's Otto emphasized the importance of free speech in council meetings.
• Brick Jonasy criticized APD and the National Guard, calling for accountability.
• Natalie Dosseter (grandmother of missing person Anastasia Ferrera) reported over 300 missing people in Albuquerque since 2020, with 99 missing in the first four months of 2025. She asked for media coverage and a liaison.
• Anami Das discussed police accountability, body cameras, and the rise in transient inmates at MDC.
• Sarah Azebo (via Zoom) criticized the city's disregard for rule of law, referenced the 1970 National Guard deployment at UNM, and urged a humane, long-term plan for homelessness.
• Angela B. Hill (Martinez Town property owner) opposed moving her property to the downtown MRA, citing lack of due process.
• James Hoffman (via Zoom) requested that the Volcano Heights Transit Boulevard be included as a publicly funded project in the 2045 MTP.
• Mark Bylone praised shared active transit (scooters) and supported using tax dollars for public projects, opposing the National Guard deployment.
• John Edward (via Zoom) supported Hoffman's request for the transit boulevard as publicly funded.

Discussion Items

• Executive Session: The council moved into executive session (8-1, Lewis excused) to discuss attorney-client privileged matters related to OC-25-35 and litigation in Mayor Tim Keller v. Albuquerque City Council. President Bassan affirmed the discussion was limited to the specified topics.
• Presentation – Rail Yards Firehouse: Nathan Martinez (General Services) provided an update on a $250,000 state grant for stabilization of the historic firehouse at the rail yards, including building envelope repairs and site drainage improvements. Councilor Sanchez questioned the scope of stabilization.
• Presentation – Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) Report: City economist Christine Berner reported that FY25 GRT growth was slightly negative (-1.1%) in January but rebounded to 4.7% in February. Cumulative growth stood at 2.6%, above the budgeted 2.1%. Retail struggled, while construction and professional services performed well. Councilors discussed the impact of online sales and requested more detailed data.
• EC-25-355 – Housing Forward Fund FY25 Report: Pulled from consent. Director Montoya answered questions about apartment fund revenues, emergency repairs at Beach Apartments ($3.3 million), and the balance of city-owned vs. gap-financed affordable housing. The report was noted as received.
• R-25-136 – Adjusting FY25 Operating Appropriations: Pulled from consent. Councilor Champagne proposed reallocating $85,000 from unspent HHH contracts to other uses. Discussion revealed potential conflicts with a $75,000 contract for Locker 505 and an ordinance requiring a public hearing. Deferred to May 5, 2025, 9-0.
• O-25-82 – Vitality Works Expansion: Approved 9-0. The ordinance provides $600,000 ($500,000 state LEDA, $100,000 city) to support a $5 million expansion, creating 18 new jobs. Staff noted a 10-year net benefit of $1.75 million to the city.
• AC-25-01 – Mesa Film Studio Appeal: The council voted 9-0 to adopt findings denying the appeal and upholding the Environmental Planning Commission’s approval of the site plan. Findings addressed standing, burden of proof, and compatibility with airport use.
• EC-25-360 – Farolito Senior Community Development Agreement: Approved 6-0 (Baca, Lewis, Rogers excused). Second supplemental agreement with Sol Housing using ARPA funds for senior rental housing.
• EC-25-361 – Somos Apartments Development Agreement: Approved 9-0. Agreement with Sol Housing using HUD HOME and ARPA funds for new senior rental housing. Councilor Champagne questioned the $1 million gap financing and commercial square footage requirements.
• EC-25-368 – HR Flexible Spending Accounts Administration: Suspended rules and approved 9-0.
• EC-25-369 – HR Basic Life/Supplemental Life Insurance: Approved 8-1 (Champine opposed). Discussion centered on the delayed RFP process and selection of incumbent Mutual of Omaha over lower-cost Dearborn.
• EC-25-374 – Gateway Family Housing Navigation with YDI: Approved 9-0. Immediate action needed due to lack of RFP responses.
• EC-25-375 – Gateway Women’s Housing Navigation with Chicanos Por La Causa: Postponed to May 5, 2025, on a 5-4 vote. Councilors expressed concerns about contractor performance and capacity.
• R-25-131 – City Project Recommendations for 2045 Metropolitan Plan: Initially passed as amended (Amendment 1 added projects). Later reconsidered and Amendment 2 corrected clerical errors and changed the Volcano Heights Transit Boulevard from public to private funding. Passed as amended 7-0 (Baca and Lewis excused).
• OC-25-35 – Response to Mayor’s Statement of Issues: Approved 9-0. The response will be filed on behalf of the council.
• Administration Q&A: Topics included:
  • Park grass conditions (Academy Hills, ADO golf course) – Director Simon acknowledged irrigation issues and plans for remediation.
  • National Guard deployment – Councilors Rogers, Sanchez, and others questioned the lack of council consultation, the role of the Guard, and concerns about militarization. Administration promised to follow up on humanitarian aid contacts and uniform policies.
  • Indirect overhead rate (IDOH) – CFO Soraso explained the increase from 2% to 12% for the last quarter of FY25 to capture administrative costs, generating an estimated $2-3 million. Councilors challenged the sudden increase and its impact on capital projects.
  • Missing persons data – Councilor Lewis asked for more information on the registry.
  • Route 66 streetlights – Director Turner reported that replacement lights are on order; temporary lighting will be considered.
  • Pool safety protocols – Director Simon described early-morning opening procedures and panic alarm systems.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: Held 8-1, limited to attorney-client privileged matters.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Film Studio Appeal (AC-25-01): Denied; EPC decision upheld; findings adopted 9-0.
• Vitality Works Expansion (O-25-82): Passed 9-0.
• R-25-136 (Operating Appropriations): Deferred to May 5, 2025, 9-0.
• EC-25-369 (Life Insurance): Approved 8-1 (Champine opposed).
• EC-25-375 (Gateway Women’s Navigation): Postponed to May 5, 2025, 5-4.
• R-25-131 (2045 MTP Projects): Passed as amended (7-0) after reconsideration and second amendment.
• OC-25-35 (Response to Mayor): Approved 9-0.
• Indirect Overhead Rate: Set at 12% for final quarter of FY25; administration will present a more sustainable rate for FY26.
• National Guard: Council to request detailed briefings from APD and the Mayor’s office.
• Missing Persons: Councilor Rogers to connect speaker with APD’s missing persons task force.
• Meeting Adjourned: At 10:04 PM.