Albuquerque City Council Meeting – August 4, 2025

This meeting of the Albuquerque City Council, held on August 4, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers, covered a wide range of topics including amendments to the HEART ordinance regarding animal sales, approval of a resolution for affordable housing projects in District 2, deferral of contracts for Gateway housing navigation expansions, and extensive public comments on immigration enforcement, homelessness, and public safety. The meeting included an executive session on litigation between Mayor Tim Keller and the City Council, and concluded with an administration Q&A period.

Consent Calendar

• EC-25-376: Child Friendly Community Action Plan – Receipt noted (unanimous 9-0).
• EC-25-401: Lease agreement with Heading Home – Withdrawn by administration (unanimous 9-0).
• EC-25-420: Risk First Supplemental Agreement (Mayer LLP) – Approved (unanimous 9-0).
• EC-25-421: Risk First Supplemental Agreement (Peifer, Hanson, Mullins & Baker P.A.) – Approved (unanimous 9-0).
• EC-25-423: T-Hanger Agreement with Department of Public Safety – Approved (unanimous 9-0).
• EC-25-429: Appointment of Mr. Jonathan B. Lipshutz to Municipal Golf Advisory Board – Withdrawn by administration (unanimous 9-0).
• OC-25-42: CPOA 2024 July-December Semi-Annual Report – Receipt noted (unanimous 9-0).
• O-25-86: Short-Term Lodgers’ Tax Improvement Revenue Bonds (up to $1,000,000) – Passed (unanimous 9-0).
• R-25-157: Reserve on proceeds of Lodgers’ Tax Bonds – Passed (unanimous 9-0).
• R-25-156: Grant agreement with NM Early Childhood Education and Care Department – Passed (unanimous 9-0).
• R-25-161: Grant agreement with NM Environment Department (RAID Fund) – Passed (unanimous 9-0).
• R-25-176: Appointment of directors to Ventana West Public Improvement District – Passed (unanimous 9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On ICE and Immigration Enforcement: Multiple speakers expressed strong opposition to ICE operations in Albuquerque, describing them as “kidnappings” and “terrorizing the community.” Speakers demanded that ICE agents identify themselves without masks and with proper credentials. Several urged the city to create policies to protect workers and immigrants, including requiring judicial warrants and designating safe spaces. One speaker stated that as of June 25, nearly 72% of people detained by ICE had no criminal convictions. Another speaker (Alexander Ubaez) proposed 11 policies regarding immigration enforcement and noted the mayor’s recent executive order. A representative from the Renter’s Revolution of Olay called for the Rent Act and immigrant protections.
• On Homelessness and Public Safety Concerns: Multiple small business owners from the area near Quirky Books (120 Jefferson) described unsafe conditions including feces, needles, drug activity, and vandalism, and asked for more enforcement. One speaker said they “are spending a lot of money fixing broken windows” and “no longer feel safe.” Another speaker criticized the city’s response, stating that the hearing officer’s finding of an “altruistic, optimistic endeavor” by the bookstore owner was wrong. The CAO responded that the city has issued citations to Quirky Books, which were appealed, resulting in a $1,500 fine, and that a hearing on a motion to the New Mexico Board of Appeals is scheduled for August 14.
• On Animal Welfare and the HEART Ordinance: Speakers supported the amendments to the HEART ordinance, describing illegal breeding and sale of animals in the War Zone and on First Street. One speaker said puppies are traded for drugs, and female dogs are “relentlessly raped.” Another speaker urged the council to establish a stakeholder committee to improve enforcement. A volunteer with a rescue noted that one seller said “even if I get caught selling one puppy, it covers the cost of the fine.”
• On Affordable Housing: Several speakers supported R-177, including representatives from the Albuquerque Affordable Housing Coalition and a developer (Palindrome) who said the project would include long-term affordability. One speaker opposed the resolution, arguing that it awards projects without a public procurement process. Another speaker questioned the use of capital outlay money for operations at Gateway, and urged support for the Rent Act.
• Other Public Comments: A speaker commented on library hours, noting that Los Alamos and Santa Fe libraries are open until 8 p.m., while only two or three Albuquerque branches have such hours. Another speaker criticized the city’s use of tax abatements for luxury developers, saying “public funds should serve the public good.” A speaker also raised concerns about APD’s use of sirens and horns at night, and warned of potential legal action.

Discussion Items

• Executive Session: The council moved into executive session (9-0) to discuss Intragovernmental Conference Committee complaint 01-2025 and litigation in Mayor Tim Keller v. Albuquerque City Council, pursuant to NMSA 10-15-1(H)(7). President Bassan affirmed that matters discussed were limited to those specified.
• Approvals – Gateway Contracts (EC-25-426 and EC-25-427): The council considered two contracts to add funds for Gateway Women’s Housing Navigation Expansion (Chicanos Por La Causa) and Gateway Men’s Housing Navigation Expansion (Community Bridges). Both were postponed to August 18, 2025, after extensive discussion. Councilors expressed confusion about the funding status—the first 42 beds for men were approved in May but not yet operational due to waiting for state funding. The administration stated that the new contracts are for expansion (50 additional beds each) and that the state funding is still pending. Councilor Rogers noted that the original 1.8 million for 50 men was already appropriated, but the beds are not open. The CAO said the goal is to have negotiating authority so that when funds arrive, contracts can be signed quickly. Councilor Baca questioned the efficiency of using capital outlay money for operations, and Councilor Grout asked about the sustainability of one-time state funding. The deferral motions passed 6-3 (EC-25-426) and 7-2 (EC-25-427).
• Final Actions – O-25-84 (HEART Ordinance Amendments): The council passed amendments to Sections 9-2-4-4 and 9-2-3-7 of the HEART Ordinance, relating to the sale or gifting of animals on public property. Four amendments were adopted: (1) No animal shall be released prior to being altered and microchipped (unanimous 9-0). (2) Any animal seized or impounded shall not be eligible for an intact permit (8-1, with Councilor Peña opposed). (3) If the owner fails to reclaim the animal within 10 days, the animal becomes property of the Animal Welfare Department (unanimous 9-0). (4) Changed language from “any person who violates this section shall be deemed guilty of a petty misdemeanor” to “any person who is convicted of violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a petty misdemeanor” (passed 6-3). The bill as amended passed unanimously 9-0. The Director of Animal Welfare said enforcement will be improved with APD support, and that mobile spay/neuter units are being deployed.
• Final Actions – R-25-177 (Affordable Housing Projects in District 2): The council passed a resolution appropriating funding to specific affordable housing projects in Council District 2 and directing the administration to facilitate determination that these projects are qualifying grantees. Two amendments were adopted: (1) Clarified the process for accepting applications and review, with a deadline of October 15, 2025, for the administration to submit qualifying grantees to MFA (unanimous 9-0). (2) Corrected a typo regarding area median income (AMI) – changed from “80 to 100%” to “80% or less” of AMI (unanimous 9-0). The resolution as amended passed 8-0 (Councilor Sanchez excused). Councilor Rogers praised the resolution as a model for handling the state’s $40 million housing fund.

Key Outcomes

• Executive Session: Held and affirmed; no further action.
• Consent Agenda: All consent items passed unanimously as noted.
• Gateway Contracts: EC-25-426 (Women’s) postponed to August 18, 2025, on a 6-3 vote. EC-25-427 (Men’s) postponed to August 18, 2025, on a 7-2 vote.
• HEART Ordinance Amendments (O-25-84): Passed as amended (9-0).
• Affordable Housing Resolution (R-25-177): Passed as amended (8-0).
• Administration Q&A: The council addressed parks maintenance, APD operations, ICE enforcement, fireworks enforcement, and bike safety at Esperanza Bike Shop. The CAO committed to providing quarterly park maintenance reports. Councilor Fiebelkorn expressed frustration that a meeting with the police chief had not occurred in 63 days. The council also discussed the need for stronger fireworks enforcement and potential changes to the ordinance.