Albuquerque City Council Meeting – August 18, 2025

The Albuquerque City Council held its 36th meeting of the 26th Council on Monday, August 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. All nine councilors were present. The meeting included three proclamations, presentations on the housing voucher task force, laser incursion awareness, and gross receipts tax, a consent agenda with 27 items, public comments, and final actions on two ordinances. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.

Proclamations & Presentations

• High Desert Mustang Club Day: Councilor Lewis and Grout proclaimed August 23, 2025, as High Desert Mustang Car Club Day. The club president, Chris, highlighted the club’s mission of restoration, preservation, and community support, with 41 members and a car show on August 23rd benefiting the Veterans Administration Integration Center.
• Crime Stoppers 50th Anniversary: Councilor Sanchez recognized the 50th anniversary of Crime Stoppers, founded in Albuquerque in 1976. Tim Sheehan, board chairman, noted the program has facilitated over 600,000 arrests and recovered more than $4 billion in drugs and stolen property nationwide. The Albuquerque Metro program has contributed over 2,000 arrests, 7,300 closed cases, and paid out over $500,000 in rewards. A fundraiser luncheon was scheduled for August 20, 2025.
• Humankind Day / Be Kind to Humankind Week: Councilor Rogers added a proclamation for Humankind Day (August 15) and Be Kind to Humankind Week (August 25–31). Brian Johnston, founder of Saludable America, encouraged practicing kindness, empathy, and respect. Councilor Rogers noted a UNM study showing random acts of kindness improve immune systems for givers, receivers, and witnesses.
• Housing Voucher Task Force Update: Dr. Charlie Verplow, Deputy Director of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, presented on the task force created in January 2025 to improve transparency and access to housing vouchers. Subcommittees addressed policy, coordinated entry, and data. The task force developed a provider engagement survey, drafted policies, and is preparing an RFQ for a data platform. Key achievements include validating baseline voucher data and creating a housing resource center concept.
• Laser Incursion Awareness: Officer Nick Pearson of APD Air Support Unit described the dangers of pointing lasers at aircraft. He reported 12,840 incidents nationwide in 2024, with 304 in Albuquerque. Only 134 out of 17,700 reported incidents (2005–2013) led to charges. Councilor Champine shared personal experience of being struck by a laser, causing a five-day headache.
• Gross Receipts Tax Update: City Economist Christine Berner reported May GRT growth of 15.2% (due to a $5.5 million tax refund in the prior year), bringing cumulative growth to 3.5% for FY25. Cannabis revenue for July–May FY25 was $3.3 million, a 17% decline from the prior year, attributed to compliance issues. June data was not yet analyzed.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved by 9–0 votes unless noted. Key actions:

• EC-25-426 and EC-25-427: Postponed to September 3, 2025 (funding additions for Gateway Women’s and Men’s Housing Navigation).
• EC-25-430 through EC-25-458: Confirmed appointments to various boards (Youth Advisory Council, Early Head Start, ABQ Volunteers, Landmarks Commission, ADA Advisory Council, Arts Board, Transit Advisory Board, Paratransit Advisory Board, Open Space Advisory Board, Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, Human Rights Board, Water Protection Advisory Board, Personnel Board).
• EC-25-436: Withdrawn by administration (appointment of Ms. Maria Radford to Arts Board).
• EC-25-438 and EC-25-439: Receipt noted (Grant Applications Report and Downtown Core Vacancy Report).
• EC-25-441: Approved (Risk First Supplemental Agreement for outside counsel).
• EC-25-456: Approved (Development Agreement for Serenade at Park Central).
• EC-25-459 and EC-25-460: Approved (FY26 Substance Use Treatment Voucher Contracts for Albuquerque Behavioral Health and Engender, Inc. exceeding $100,000).
• O-25-94: Passed (Amending Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance to reinsert inadvertently deleted language).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lisa Christofferson: Urged council to uphold due process and require visible identification and warrants for federal agents detaining individuals in Albuquerque.
• Janet Sayers: Requested $2.14 million in capital outlay for Main Library HVAC replacement (original 1975 system). Proposed leveraging contributions from legislators, council set-asides, and county.
• Francesco Artist: Described a violent attack, firebombing, and trespassing; criticized APD response time and lack of prosecution. Requested accountability.
• Ilsa Beale: Criticized the city’s encampment displacement policy, saying workers tell people they can only take one bag. Asked for clarification.
• Anami Das: Reported APD use-of-force incidents increasing; noted 11 officer-involved shootings in 2025 (on track to exceed 2024’s 13). Urged de-escalation.
• Brick Jonasi: Raised concerns about horse-mounted units and officers using bright lights downtown; alleged harassment of people on public sidewalks.
• Tad Numinsky: Criticized police tactics, lighting, and horse manure on sidewalks; questioned security screenings at council meetings.
• Mervyn Pilvel: Raised issues of Native American evictions, bicycle safety, and a near-fatal incident with a city solid waste employee. Requested pedestrian/bike safety ordinances.
• Adele Herrick: Questioned city employees wearing masks during property cleanups; urged requiring ICE agents to show identification.
• Stephen Verczynski: Opposed R-25-167 (zoning conversions by legislation) for removing neighborhood oversight; requested state legislative hearings on COVID-19 impacts.
• Teresa Garcia: Described overheating classrooms at Trisco Heritage Academy (over 90°F); urged city-county-APS collaboration on school infrastructure and safety for immigrant communities.
• Eva Montoya: Supported the previous speaker; noted APS has a $473 million capital budget vs. city’s $180 million, urging school board accountability.
• James Freeman: Expressed condolences for cyclist Kayla Van Landingham’s death; called for better traffic enforcement and pedestrian/cyclist safety.
• James Shanley: Criticized Gateway system spending (over $300 million) with insufficient transparency on outcomes; urged quantitative accountability.
• Nicole Finch: Congratulated library summer reading program; called for increased library staffing funding.
• Justin Rogers: Opposed ICE collaboration; urged requiring visible ID and restricting enforcement in schools, churches, shelters.
• Janice Herrera: Opposed Community Bridges contract (Gateway Men’s Expansion), citing CEO pay exceeding $1 million/year for 0.02 FTE; requested voucher extension mechanisms.
• Adam Silverman: Reported a gas leak causing over $4,000 utility bill; asked for policy shifting responsibility to landlords.
• Rosemary Blanchard: Supported O-95 and urged continued housing development efforts.
• Alex Applegate: Requested transparency on cycling infrastructure spending; noted lack of enforcement of Complete Streets and Vision Zero policies.

Discussion Items

• EC-25-442: Revenue & Expense Report for Third Quarter FY25. Councilor Grout questioned overspending (general fund $6.7 million over but reduced from $12 million). Administration cited early retirement costs, Tyler system upgrade, and AFR medical supplies. Councilor Lewis pressed on parks funding; administration acknowledged using outside contractors for parks maintenance. Approved 9–0.
• EC-25-469: Uptown Transit Center Joint Development Partnership Agreement – 6th Supplemental. Approved 9–0 after public comment supporting transit-oriented development.
• O-25-95: Amending Public Purchases Ordinance to streamline affordable and transitional housing procurement. Councilor Baca noted it clears red tape for housing projects funded by state HB 450 and HB2. Councilor Grout clarified it includes a new RFQ process. Passed 9–0.
• R-25-181: Rescinding R-25-154 (fiber internet moratorium). Councilor Champine explained the timeline adjustment (September 1 is a holiday). Broadband program manager reported progress from the working group (six meetings, 10 hours), improved resident engagement, and faster resolution of issues. Passed 9–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All 27 items approved or noted as recorded (votes 9–0).
• O-25-95: Passed (9–0) – Streamlines procurement for affordable and transitional housing.
• R-25-181: Passed (9–0) – Rescinds fiber internet moratorium; working group recommendations continue.
• EC-25-442: Receipt noted (9–0) – FY25 Q3 Revenue & Expense Report.
• EC-25-469: Approved (9–0) – Uptown Transit Center joint development agreement.
• Administration Q&A: Councilor Lewis raised concerns about the parking division’s transfer from DMD to GSD without council notification; CAO Montoya committed to providing a memo. Councilor Rogers requested progress on Station 11 bunk remodel for female firefighters. Councilor Champine asked about HVAC failures; administration noted a facilities tracking system and funding challenges.

Additional Notes

• An 8–0 vote (Councilor Rogers) suspended rules to add the Humankind Day proclamation.
• Two rule suspensions allowed EC-469 and R-181 to be placed on the agenda for action (9–0 votes).
• R-182 (Downtown 2050 plan) introduced and referred to Land Use, Planning and Zoning Committee (9–0).
• R-183 (Emergency parks grass/turf replacement funding) introduced and referred to Finance & Government Operations Committee (9–0).