OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Regular Meeting - September 3, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, September 3, 2025
BodyAlbuquerque, New Mexico
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, September 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Welcome to the 37th meeting of the 26th Council.

0:07

We will come to order on September 20 on September 3rd, 2025.

0:11

All counselors are present this evening with Councillor Pena being on Zoom.

0:16

We're going to begin the meeting with a moment of silence and then the Pledge of Allegiance in English and then in Spanish.

1:06

Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public.

1:09

You can obtain a parking pass from council staff at the table near the chamber's entrance.

1:13

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 on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar.

1:26

The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers.

1:30

Also, this meeting is closed captioning captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time.

1:37

The video recording of this and all past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the city council's website.

1:43

Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance, finding those videos online.

1:49

Please call 505 768 3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.

1:56

to 5 p.m.

1:58

The council will take a break at approximately 7 o'clock p.m.

2:01

this evening if needed.

2:02

With regard to decorum in the chambers, we want tonight's proceedings to be as civil and respectful as possible.

2:08

Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applause, snapping or other outbursts during the meeting.

2:13

I will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption upon the second or continued disruption, that individual will be asked to leave the chambers and if necessary, security will be asked to escort that person out of the chambers.

2:25

Such removal from the council chambers will be effective for the remainder of the meeting.

2:30

If continued disruptions occur, I may recess the meeting until order is restored and if necessary may clear the chambers of persons participating in the disturbance.

2:38

The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are respectful of one another.

2:41

We're going to start this evening with proclamations and presentations.

2:45

Councilor Pena has the first proclamation recognizing the 10th annual celebration for National Recovery Month.

2:51

Counselor Pena.

2:56

Thank you, Madam Chair.

2:58

Since I wasn't able to attend this evening, I would, I don't have the proclamation in front of me.

3:04

So if Councilor Grau perhaps would kind of leave the charts on it, I would appreciate it.

3:10

And I want to thank everyone who's here on behalf of his proclamation for recovery.

3:17

Thank you.

3:17

Counselor Grout.

3:18

Thank you, Madam President.

3:19

Thank you, Counselor Pena.

3:22

Um this is for the we're recognizing the 10th annual celebration of National Recovery Month.

3:29

Accepting this evening are Mark Garnard, he's the program manager of peer recovery and engagement with the New Mexico Health Care Authority, and long-standing ACR community commun uh committee member, Jennifer Weiss Burke, Executive Director of Serenity Mesa and one of the founding members of ACR.

3:48

Teresa Chavez, she's the project manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico and a longstanding ACR committee member.

3:57

And Aaron Vega, he's the community art facilitator and curator, a long-standing ACR community member.

4:04

So I'm glad you all are here.

4:06

Whereas National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health supports can enable those with mental health and or substance use disorders to live a healthy and rewarding life.

4:24

And whereas the National Recognized Recovery Month began in 1989 as Treatment Works Month, which honored the work of substance use treatment professionals in the field.

4:36

In 1988, the observance was modified as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, expanding to include include celebrating the accomplishments of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders.

4:52

The observance evolved once again in 2011 to National Recovery Month to include all aspects of behavioral behavioral health.

5:02

And whereas over the past decade, a local volunteer-driven initiative, spearheaded by representatives from a variety of local agencies and organizations called Albuquerque celebrates recovery, has hosted annual events focused on accepting, welcoming, and embracing all paths that lead to recovery while building strength in the community.

5:25

And whereas Albuquerque celebrates recovery advocates, advocates and supports individuals with substance use and mental health disorders by providing an avenue to achieve and sustain long-term recovery and to reinforce the positive message that behavioral health is essentially essential to the overall health of our community.

5:48

And that prevents prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover.

5:54

And whereas the city of Albuquerque, City Council Office and Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, in collaboration with Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery, community-based organizations, managed care organizations, the state of New Mexico's behavioral health services division, and Bernalieu County's Behavioral Health Authority are hosting a recovery art show at Casa Cultura on September 5th, and a recovery pow-out and main event on September 12th at Civic Plaza.

6:28

And whereas the 10th anniversary of Albuquerque celebrates recovery event will bring together over 1,000 attendees and more than 75 providers, and will celebrate will be celebrated throughout the month of September to increase awareness and understanding of substance use and mental health disorders and to celebrate the gains of those in recovery.

6:50

Be it proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque, hereby declares September 2025 as National Recovery Month.

7:02

That's a lot.

7:03

You guys are doing a lot of things.

7:05

Counselor Pena, I want to go back to you to start.

7:09

Thank you.

7:10

I just want to say I think that Ms.

7:12

Weiss and all her people over there at Serenity Mesa is just doing some outstanding work with our youth right.

7:18

I really think that it really starts with prevention and intervention.

7:21

I just really want to credit her to all the work she's done in really building a wonderful, a wonderful facility there that supports our youth.

7:29

And um I and I'm proud to sponsor some resources for Serenity Mesa, and then I know since Councilor Grout and People Porn have been elected, they have joined me in sponsoring the great work that they do over there.

7:44

So I just really want to congratulate you.

7:46

And I feel like at some point the person that used to call me initially for this was Alan Carriaga, and he every year on time like Bachwork, he would call me to let me know that it's that time of the year.

7:59

You know, we have a long me and him have a long history, and you know him with his own recovery and his own journey, and then also, you know, we relate because obviously, you know, I have family members who went down that path as well.

8:13

And so I just want to, you know, in memory of uh Don, I think maybe we need to name it after after him this next coming year, um, just to always recognize him.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████16%
Homelessness██████████████14%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Public Safety████████8%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Youth Programs███████7%
Public Transit█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Regular Meeting - September 3, 2025

The Albuquerque City Council held its 37th meeting of the 26th Council on September 3, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. All nine councilors were present. The meeting included proclamations, consent agenda approvals, public comments, and final actions on multiple items, including homeless services funding, transit corridor redesignation, and annexation. The meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • EC-25-419: FY/24 Outstanding Encumbrances Reappropriated in FY/25 – Receipt noted unanimously.
  • EC-25-433: Appointment of Daniel Solares to Landmarks Commission – Confirmed unanimously.
  • EC-25-454: Appointment of Sarah M. Berwald to Landmarks Commission – Confirmed unanimously.
  • EC-25-462: Appointment of Sam J. Snell to Arts Board – Confirmed unanimously.
  • EC-25-463: Appointment of Dr. Holly J. Barnet-Sanchez to Arts Board – Confirmed unanimously.
  • EC-25-468: Appointment of Christopher R. Baca to Arts Board – Confirmed unanimously.
  • OC-25-46: Reappointment of Robert J. Aragon to Accountability in Government Oversight Committee – Confirmed unanimously.
  • R-25-169: Adopting new Section 3-2-16 requiring Comprehensive Plan Accountability Analysis for certain legislative items – Passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lisa Christofferson (District 3): Expressed support for ABQ Ride's volunteer ambassador program and urged trauma-informed transit safety. Raised concerns about law enforcement violating due process rights and sharing photos of police with ICE.
  • Lets Otto: Called for police accountability, transparency, and independent oversight, citing misconduct and erosion of trust.
  • Brick Jonasi: Criticized police use of sirens and horns for crowd dispersal, and noted horses on sidewalks causing hazards.
  • Arcelia Sais Gastelum (El Dorado Apartments resident): Described rent increases of $200 minimum with $50 increases every three months after new management, calling it price gouging that displaces seniors and veterans.
  • Janet Sayers (Library Advisory Board, District 9): Advocated for $2 million in funding to replace the 50-year-old HVAC system at the main library, noting contributions from councilors and state legislators.
  • Tad Numitsky: Criticized the council for passing consent agenda items without public input and questioned land use decisions.
  • Joseph Griego (Chicanos por La Causa): Highlighted the organization's long history in New Mexico and local hiring, and answered questions about Medicaid application status.
  • Lily Oilette (nurse educator, UNM): Supported Gateway West funding, noting that medically vulnerable residents require safe housing to reduce hospitalizations.
  • Melinda Montoya: Shared the story of her daughter Kayla, killed while biking on Carlisle, and urged traffic safety improvements like speed reductions and road diets towards Vision Zero.
  • Anami Das: Emphasized that accountability for homeless services requires collaboration, not fund withholding.
  • Scooter Vidal: Supported R-25-175, calling it a positive step for affordability and the comprehensive plan.
  • Brandon Cottle (veteran): Urged approval of R-25-175 for its long-term benefits.
  • Saniah Overmeyer (El Dorado Apartments resident): Described poor living conditions (black mold, gap in door) and inability to afford rent increases.
  • James Shanley (District 7): Urged the council to demand performance metrics and accountability for the $21.8 million homeless services appropriation.
  • Loretta Naranjo Lopez (Santa Barbara Martinez Town Neighborhood Association): Opposed R-25-175, citing insufficient community input and environmental impacts; requested deferral.
  • Mark Bailon (MRMPO): Supported R-25-175, noting alignment with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
  • Ian Gates (corridor survey): Supported R-25-175 but urged traffic calming and detailed refinement.
  • Jordan McConnell (Transit Advisory Board): Supported R-25-175, stating it aligns with the ABQ Ride Forward plan.
  • Luis Sutherland: Supported R-25-175 for reducing congestion and enabling mixed-use development.
  • Peggy Norton (North Valley Coalition): Opposed the redesignation west of I-25, arguing multimodal designation is more appropriate for the valley.
  • Joseph Greenwood: Supported R-25-175, citing personal experience and need for safer transit.
  • Evelyn Rivera (District 1): Opposed R-25-175, calling it an attack on single-family homes and noting weak multifamily market.
  • Merritt Tully (Near North Fallon Neighborhood Association): Opposed R-25-175 west of I-40, citing concerns about increased commercialization and impact on existing improvements.
  • Dr. Lisa Christofferson (on EC-25-426): Criticized the purchase of the Loveless building and raised concerns about appointment-only shelter access.
  • Joseph Griego (on EC-25-426): Highlighted the need for affordable housing partners to transition people from shelters.
  • Ann Marie Johnston (Community Bridges): Described the full continuum of care and the importance of the housing navigation expansion.
  • Diana Lopez (YDI): Supported EC-25-428, noting YDI's 54-year history and 83% success rate in transitional living.
  • Robert Chavez (YDI CEO): Requested approval for EC-25-428 to fill a gap for young adults (18-24) with shelter and navigation services.
  • Lisa Huval (Homewise): Supported O-25-91, noting the success of the ARPA-funded home rehab program that served 62 homeowners.
  • Tad Numitsky (on O-25-93): Expressed general opposition to city land use decisions.
  • Tad Numitsky (on R-25-170): Expressed concern about blight designation affecting businesses.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations: Recognized September 2025 as National Recovery Month and celebrated Serenity Mesa's 10th anniversary. Councilors praised the programs for youth recovery.
  • EC-25-466 (ABQ Ride Quarterly Security Report): Director Keener and APD Commander presented data showing a 50% reduction in Class A incidents (most serious) from prior year. Proactive calls (field briefings, TAC plans) constitute 80% of total calls. Councilor Champagne discussed the layered approach (PSAs, TSOs, sworn officers). Approved 8-0 (Councilor Peña excused).
  • O-25-92 (Open Space Animals): Amended to include feeding prohibition and exemption for government entities addressing public health concerns. Passed unanimously.
  • R-25-188 (State Funds for Homeless Services): Postponed to September 15, 2025, after discussion. Councilors expressed concerns about accountability and sustainability. CAO Single committed to regular briefings.
  • EC-25-426 (Chicanos por La Causa – Women's Navigation): Approved 7-2 (Champine, Sanchez opposed). Councilor Rogers urged revision of the Good Neighbor Agreement to allow walk-up access.
  • EC-25-427 (Community Bridges – Men's Navigation): Approved 7-2 (Champine, Sanchez opposed). Councilor Sanchez questioned executive salary; CAO clarified it is $317 from contract.
  • EC-25-428 (YDI – Young Adult Shelter): Approved unanimously. Councilors Grout and Fiebelkorn highlighted collaborative effort to fund and build the facility, opening February 2026.
  • EC-25-464 (Broadband Working Group Report): Receipt noted unanimously. Councilor Champagne announced a public forum in his district.
  • O-25-91 (PATCH Program – Structural Housing Repairs): Substituted and postponed to September 15, 2025. Councilor Rogers expressed concern about provider selection and requested competitive RFP.
  • O-25-93 (Annexation – 5 acres, SW): Passed as amended (removed compilation clause). Councilor Peña noted this is one of many needed annexations to tidy up city boundaries.
  • R-25-170 (Blight Designation – San Mateo Corridor): Passed unanimously. Councilor Rogers emphasized benefits for local businesses, including tax abatements for improvements.
  • R-25-175 (Transit Corridor Redesignation – Rio Grande, Indian School, Menaul): Passed 7-2 (Baca, Sanchez opposed). Councilor Fiebelkorn clarified that the bill only updates the comprehensive plan to match already-planned increased bus frequency, with no changes to speed limits, sidewalk widths, or zoning. Councilor Peña requested a deferral for further neighborhood input, but it was not moved.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes/Decisions:
    • Consent agenda items approved unanimously.
    • EC-25-466: Receipt noted 8-0.
    • O-25-92: Passed as amended unanimously.
    • R-25-188: Postponed to September 15, 2025 (unanimous).
    • EC-25-426: Approved 7-2.
    • EC-25-427: Approved 7-2.
    • EC-25-428: Approved unanimously.
    • EC-25-464: Receipt noted unanimously.
    • O-25-91: Substituted and postponed to September 15, 2025 (unanimous).
    • O-25-93: Passed as amended unanimously.
    • R-25-170: Passed unanimously.
    • R-25-175: Passed 7-2.
  • Deferrals: R-25-188 and O-25-91 postponed to September 15, 2025.
  • Amendments: O-25-92 received two floor amendments (feeding prohibition and government exemption). O-25-93 had a compilation clause removed. R-25-175 had a technical correction amendment.
  • Public Comment: Multiple speakers addressed police accountability, rent increases, traffic safety, and transit corridor redesignation.
  • Administration Q&A: Councilor Grout asked about accident cleanup (multi-department response). Councilor Grout and Lewis questioned the mayor's

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the 37th meeting of the 26th Council. We will come to order on September 20 on September 3rd, 2025. All counselors are present this evening with Councillor Pena being on Zoom. We're going to begin the meeting with a moment of silence and then 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 on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers. Also, this meeting is closed captioning captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. 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 those 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 o'clock 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, snapping or other outbursts during the meeting. I will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption upon the second or continued disruption, that individual will be asked to leave the chambers and if necessary, security will be asked to escort that person out of the chambers. Such removal from the council chambers will be effective for the remainder of the meeting. If continued disruptions occur, I may recess the meeting until order is restored and if necessary may clear the chambers of persons participating in the disturbance. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are respectful of one another. We're going to start this evening with proclamations and presentations. Councilor Pena has the first proclamation recognizing the 10th annual celebration for National Recovery Month. Counselor Pena. Thank you, Madam Chair. Since I wasn't able to attend this evening, I would, I don't have the proclamation in front of me. So if Councilor Grau perhaps would kind of leave the charts on it, I would appreciate it. And I want to thank everyone who's here on behalf of his proclamation for recovery. Thank you. Counselor Grout. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Counselor Pena. Um this is for the we're recognizing the 10th annual celebration of National Recovery Month. Accepting this evening are Mark Garnard, he's the program manager of peer recovery and engagement with the New Mexico Health Care Authority, and long-standing ACR community commun uh committee member, Jennifer Weiss Burke, Executive Director of Serenity Mesa and one of the founding members of ACR. Teresa Chavez, she's the project manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico and a longstanding ACR committee member. And Aaron Vega, he's the community art facilitator and curator, a long-standing ACR community member. So I'm glad you all are here. Whereas National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health supports can enable those with mental health and or substance use disorders to live a healthy and rewarding life. And whereas the National Recognized Recovery Month began in 1989 as Treatment Works Month, which honored the work of substance use treatment professionals in the field. In 1988, the observance was modified as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, expanding to include include celebrating the accomplishments of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. The observance evolved once again in 2011 to National Recovery Month to include all aspects of behavioral behavioral health. And whereas over the past decade, a local volunteer-driven initiative, spearheaded by representatives from a variety of local agencies and organizations called Albuquerque celebrates recovery, has hosted annual events focused on accepting, welcoming, and embracing all paths that lead to recovery while building strength in the community. And whereas Albuquerque celebrates recovery advocates, advocates and supports individuals with substance use and mental health disorders by providing an avenue to achieve and sustain long-term recovery and to reinforce the positive message that behavioral health is essentially essential to the overall health of our community. And that prevents prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover. And whereas the city of Albuquerque, City Council Office and Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, in collaboration with Albuquerque Celebrates Recovery, community-based organizations, managed care organizations, the state of New Mexico's behavioral health services division, and Bernalieu County's Behavioral Health Authority are hosting a recovery art show at Casa Cultura on September 5th, and a recovery pow-out and main event on September 12th at Civic Plaza. And whereas the 10th anniversary of Albuquerque celebrates recovery event will bring together over 1,000 attendees and more than 75 providers, and will celebrate will be celebrated throughout the month of September to increase awareness and understanding of substance use and mental health disorders and to celebrate the gains of those in recovery. Be it proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque, hereby declares September 2025 as National Recovery Month. That's a lot. You guys are doing a lot of things. Counselor Pena, I want to go back to you to start.

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