Albuquerque City Council Meeting - May 5, 2025
Albuquerque City Council Meeting - May 5, 2025
The Albuquerque City Council held its 31st meeting of the 26th Council on May 5, 2025, starting at 5:00 PM and adjourning at 11:34 PM. The meeting included proclamations, a consent agenda, public comments, and action on numerous ordinances and resolutions. Key decisions included the failure of agricultural lease agreements, passage of a distressed lodging property ordinance, defeat of a quality-of-life gross receipts tax proposal, and approval of several contracts and grant applications.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0) a series of routine items including agricultural leases for Los Poblanos Fields (EC-25-328) and Rio Grande Community Farm (EC-25-329), five-year forecast (EC-25-332), public artwork appropriations for ABQ Sunport (EC-25-333, 334, 338, 343), appointments to various boards (EC-25-364, 365, 377, 378, 379, 380, 382, 383, 384), a grant application for Section 5312 funds (EC-25-366), a supplemental legal services agreement (EC-25-372), and other items. Item g (EC-25-342) was pulled for separate discussion and later approved 9-0. Several items were withdrawn, including EC-25-371 and R-25-125.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Maureen Baca (Board Chair, New Mexico Philharmonic) expressed strong support for Councilor Baca's proposed 0.375% gross receipts tax (O-25-77) to fund a new performing arts center and other quality-of-life projects, calling it a small investment with large returns.
- Lisa Christofferson (District 3 resident) spoke in support of Quirky Books, criticized the use of National Guard, and urged funding for ACS and youth shelter alternatives.
- James Freeman discussed housing vouchers, noting that $8 million buys 596 vouchers but the list churns to serve about 2,000 people annually, and that providers operate at a loss.
- Marcelin Costner criticized increased police funding and APD actions against homeless individuals, calling it cruelty.
- Stephen Baca (New Mexico Philharmonic Foundation President) urged support for O-25-77, citing the need for a new performing arts center.
- Anami Das expressed concern that encampment bans have pushed homeless people into residential areas and offered advice on safe handling of drug paraphernalia.
- Brick Jonasy criticized security restrictions on cameras in public buildings and commended certain councilors for their scrutiny of APD.
- Tad Numinsky urged support for Rethink I-25, questioning the use of $500 million on highway expansion.
- Nikhil Ananda (Chair, Albuquerque Democratic Socialists) noted that APD data shows crime is down (e.g., homicides -48%, auto thefts -46%) and questioned why the governor called in the National Guard.
- Mark Bylone expressed excitement about vacancy notices in downtown and support for making Central a festival street.
- Jordan McConnell highlighted permitting delays as a bottleneck for development and urged support for hybrid work options for planning staff.
- James Shanley described blight on Central Avenue, with 27% of commercial properties closed, and criticized the city's approach to homelessness.
- David McKibben criticized the city for prosecuting Quirky Books for sheltering homeless people while government fails.
- Quinton Middleton and Benjamin Bean spoke about their substance use disorder recovery and business, offering collaboration.
- Jacobo Sanchez (Southwest Soil Health) spoke in favor of agricultural lease EC-25-326, emphasizing challenges with water and drought.
- Scooter Haynes opposed the lease, citing management concerns and urging an RFP process.
- Chris Gallegos (Alamo Farm) showed photos of his work and described a total crop loss due to water cutoffs, asking for a five-year lease.
- Lisa Christofferson urged support for the Chicanos Por La Causa contract (EC-25-375).
- Marcin Costner and others spoke on the distressed lodging ordinance and its impact on homeless individuals.
- Several speakers supported the gross receipts tax (O-25-77) but expressed disappointment when it failed.
Discussion Items
- EC-25-326 and EC-25-327 (Agricultural Leases): The council debated two lease agreements for open space farms at Southwest Soil Health and Alamo Farm. Supporters argued the process using an expression of interest was thorough and accommodative, and the five-year leases are needed for farmers facing drought and water curtailments. Opponents (Councilors Lewis, Grout, Champine, Sanchez, Bassan) cited concerns about management, desire for a formal RFP, and community complaints. Both leases failed on 4-5 votes.
- EC-25-375 (Chicanos Por La Causa Contract): After discussion about the procurement process and ratification language, the contract for Gateway Women’s Housing Navigation was approved 8-1 (Champine opposed). Councilor Rogers raised concerns about direct assistance to beneficiaries (only $160,998 out of millions) and the startup costs.
- O-25-75 (Distressed Lodging Property Ordinance): This ordinance targeting problematic hotels was debated with three amendments. Amendment 1 (technical) passed unanimously. Amendment 2 (adding “if available” to guest log requirements) passed 7-2 (Sanchez and Bassan opposed). Amendment 3 (allowing photo ID alternative instead of government ID) passed 5-4. The amended ordinance then passed 5-4 (Bassan, Fiebelkorn, Grout, Lewis, Peña in favor; Baca, Champine, Rogers, Sanchez opposed).
- O-25-77 (0.375% Gross Receipts Tax for Quality of Life): Councilor Baca’s proposal to put a tax increase on the ballot for a performing arts center and other projects faced extensive amendments. Amendment 1 (oversight) passed 7-2. Amendment 2 (equal district allocation) failed 2-7. Amendment 3 (specifying projects) failed 2-7. Amendment 4 (striking all dedication language) passed 5-4. Amendment 5 (changing to affordable housing) failed 2-7. After a call to question (passed 7-2), the bill as amended failed 0-9. The companion resolution (R-25-127) was unanimously withdrawn.
- R-25-141 (Opioid Settlement Funds): An amendment to add autonomy and Medicaid waiver language failed 3-6. The resolution then passed unanimously.
- R-25-139 (Omnibus Grant Application): An amendment to strike a $110 million line item (from HB2) passed 7-2, after debate about the need for council oversight on how the funds are allocated. The amended resolution passed unanimously.
- R-25-144 (Employee Benefits Survey): The resolution directing HR to conduct a satisfaction survey passed unanimously after assurances it does not duplicate existing work.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda items: All passed unanimously (9-0).
- EC-25-326 and EC-25-327 (Agricultural leases): Failed 4-5.
- EC-25-342 (PATH Voucher Database): Approved 9-0.
- EC-25-375 (Chicanos Por La Causa): Approved 8-1.
- EC-25-370 (Revenue & Expense Report): Receipt noted, passed 9-0.
- O-25-72 (Appeals procedure clarification): Passed 8-1 (Sanchez opposed).
- O-25-75 (Distressed Lodging Property Ordinance): Passed as amended 5-4.
- O-25-77 (Quality of Life Gross Receipts Tax): Failed 0-9.
- R-25-127 (Companion to O-25-77): Withdrawn 9-0.
- O-25-80 (Zoning Map Amendment, Salazar Family Trust): Passed 9-0.
- R-25-129 (2025 HUD Action Plan): Passed as amended 9-0.
- R-25-136 (FY25 Operating Adjustments): Passed 9-0.
- R-25-139 (Omnibus Grant Application): Passed as amended 9-0.
- R-25-141 (Opioid Settlement Funds): Passed 9-0.
- R-25-144 (Employee Benefits Survey): Passed 9-0.
- R-25-137 and R-25-140 (Public Improvement District appointments): Passed as amended 9-0.
- Financial Instruments (O-25-76, bonds): Passed as substituted 9-0.
- Call to question on O-25-77: Passed 7-2, leading to the final vote.
- Meeting extended to 12:00 AM: Passed 7-2.
Meeting Transcript
The Dara's night range will be open April through October. Good evening, everyone. Happy Cingo de Mayo. It's May 5th, 2025. It's the 31st meeting of the 26th Council, and we will come to order. All counselors are going to be present tonight with Councilor Pena joining us on Zoom. We're going to start with a moment of silence and then followed by the Pledge of Allegiance in English and then in Spanish. 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'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, Gov TV and on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar. The live streams can be accessed from your most smartphones, tablets, or computers. And this meeting is also closed captioned, and you may enable your closed caption services on your television or device at this time. The recording, the video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the city 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, 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 proceeding to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applause or snapping, clapping, or outburst during the meeting. This meeting will go a lot smoother if we can all respect one another. We're going to begin with proclamations and presentations. Councillor Grout. Thank you, Madam President. I would like to ask Miss, oh, there she is. Um Miss Marilyn Beck, Miss Ann McKinney, and granddaughter to come to the podium. Hello, thank you for being here. Today, uh this uh this is foster care month. Yay. Thank you for being here. Um Marilyn is with the New Mexico Child First Network. And I can't remember your grant, your niece's name. Marin. Maren. Hi, Marin. Thank you for being here. Uh, whereas safe, healthy children are the key to a safe, healthy future for our community. And whereas during these unfortunate times, when children cannot safely remain in their primary homes, community members who open their hearts and homes to foster care, foster children, provide a vital service to our community. And whereas nationally, one in three foster families quit within their first year of fostering, and New Mexico has unique challenges that make the job even more challenging. And whereas quality foster parent recruitment and retention is the foundation of fixing our broken foster care system and getting children out of state offices and into caring homes is important. And whereas the 2025 legislative session was historic for children welfare in New Mexico, with the creation of the Office of the Child Advocate. Yay. A reformed CARA law to help children born exposed to drugs, a revised confidentiality code in the children's code, increased monthly stipend for foster families and kinship care providers, a new law to ensure that foster that youth in foster care will always receive their federal benefits, and evidence-based tools for child protective services service workers to help families in crisis. Whereas Ms. New Mexico USA McKinsey Siddown and her brother Michael were in foster care as children, and she is Michael's legal guardian now. She is using her platform to bring awareness to foster care, people with autism, and substance misuse. And whereas the city of Albuquerque recognizes the importance of foster families, kinship caregivers like McKinsey, and advocates who work tireless tirelessly to provide substitute care and love to ensure that all children are supported and successful. Thank you for being here, Marilyn. We mentioned uh Miss New Mexico McKenzie. She was scheduled to be here this evening, but she has COVID, so she's at home getting better.
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