Albuquerque City Council Meeting on November 17, 2025

The 42nd meeting of the 26th Albuquerque City Council convened on November 17, 2025, to address a variety of administrative updates, legislative proposals, public comments, and final actions. Councilors focused on fiscal oversight regarding the airport observation deck, electoral reform discussions regarding Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), and procedural clarifications on property disposition. Public comment heavily featured advocacy for RCV to prevent costly runoffs, concerns over the conditions of city parks, and updates on arts programs for the disabled community.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the November 5th journal: Passed unanimously (8-0).
• Consent Agenda Items: Councilors Champagne and Lewis moved to remove EC 485, EC 496, OC 47, OC 2548, and OC 48 from the agenda for individual discussion. The remaining consent agenda items were approved unanimously (8-0) without further delay after removals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Molly Swank (Common Cause New Mexico): Expressed full support for implementing Ranked Choice Voting (Instant Runoffs) to reduce taxpayer costs and improve voter engagement, noting the city is facing a low-turnout runoff election for mayor and council districts.
• Let's Otvoke: Called for the adoption of an ordinance ending police stop-and-frisk practices to protect civil liberties and build trust.
• Peter Martin (District 1 resident): Expressed full support for Ranked Choice Voting, citing its ability to guarantee majority winners, promote candidate civility, and save money compared to runoff elections.
• Chris Love (Albuquerque Disability Community): Advocated for the extension of the city contract for arts and disability classes at the Loma Linda Community Center, which faces budget shortfalls as the current contract ends December 31, 2025.
• Brad Thompson: Raised concerns regarding a newly constructed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 624 Richmond Street, stating that while the permit is for an ADU, the occupancy is rated R3 in an R1 zone, and requested review of the zoning compliance.
• David Campbell: Expressed disappointment over the high cost of the mayoral re-election campaign ($500k+), suggesting alternative uses for funds (e.g., road repairs), and alleged unfair campaign tactics by opponents of Councilor Pena, including anonymous text message blasts.
• Thomas Abeta: Reiterated the importance of Ranked Choice Voting, citing Santa Fe's successful election as a model for cost efficiency and increased voter engagement.
• Miguel Alvarez: Cited research from the University of California and University of Iowa stating that Ranked Choice Voting increases voter turnout by 17% and improves voter satisfaction with campaign conduct.
• Tad Nimiski: Expressed strong concern regarding the poor condition of city parks (dead trees, lack of facilities) and the difficulty of hiring transit drivers, suggesting recruitment from the National Guard as a solution.
• Barbara Titus: Urged the council to fund warming centers and safe sleeping places for the homeless, criticizing the city for prioritizing "brown grass" over human life during winter.
• Dr. Lisa Christofferson: Echoed support for Ranked Choice Voting, criticized the persistent need to beg for library HVAC funding, and argued that current encampment sweeps are ineffective and violate due process due to lack of notice.
• Rachel Minar: Requested funding for the downtown main library HVAC system, suggesting contributions from Councilors Baca and Grout's set-aside funds.

Discussion Items

• R200 (Aviation Observation Deck): Councilor Sanchez proposed a resolution amending the Capital Improvement Program to reappropriate $7 million for an airport observation deck, splitting funds into a $1.5 million planning/design account and a $5.5 million reserve. The resolution requires 90% design completion before construction funds are released and includes a public meeting requirement.
  • Positions: Councilor Sanchez and Councilor Lewis expressed full support for the bill and its amendments, emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and protection against potential cost overruns citing past failures. Councilor Pena, Councilor Rogers, and Councilor Bacca expressed opposition or concern about the delays. Administration presented that the project uses a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) model, which has proven effective in past airport renovations with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to control costs, contrary to claims of financial uncertainty.
  • Public Testimony: Airport Advisory Board members (Sarah Collins, Mark Limini, George Scarbick Borowski, Fred DeGuillo) strongly opposed R200, arguing that the project was already funded, designed, and that the CMAR model ensures efficiency. They warned that additional studies and delays would increase costs and postpone the project into 2027 or later.
  • Outcome: The resolution was amended (Amendment 1 corrected a typo to $5.5M; Amendment 2 added a public meeting requirement). The motion to pass R200 as amended resulted in a 4-5 vote (Councilor Lewis, Councilor Pena, Councilor Bacca, Councilor Feblecorn, Councilor Sanchez; Opposed: Councilor Champagne, Councilor Grout, Councilor Rogers, Councilor Backa, Councilor Phillips). The measure failed.
• EC 485 (AI Policy): Councilor Gorn questioned the working group representation and the policy form (Executive Communication vs. Ordinance). Administration clarified that due to the rapid evolution of AI technology, an Administrative Instruction is more flexible than an Ordinance and recommended forming an emerging technologies board.
• EC 496 (ABQ Ride Transit Policy): Councilor Champagne inquired about the reduction of the bus fleet from 163 to 109 vehicles. Director Keener confirmed this is due to the new network efficiency and spare ratio requirements. Councilor Rogers expressed concern that the network plan approval was not clearly separated from the equity plan in the initial vote. Councilor Backa clarified that Council made the decision to accept a memo rather than a full EC due to legislative ambiguity, and the administration agreed to analyze the document as an EC for transparency.
• OC 47 (Inspector General Report): Councilor Lewis and Councilor Champagne moved to defer OC 47 for two weeks due to the absence of the interim auditor and the inability to produce a whistleblower report. Councilor Champagne noted that a whistleblower ordinance report has never been delivered under the current ordinance.
• OC 48: Councilor Lewis moved to defer OC 48 for two weeks. The motion passed unanimously.
• P8 (Performing Arts Center Repeal) & R208 (Charter Amendment Form): Councilor Bacca introduced P8 to repeal a charter requirement for a public vote on the Performing Arts Center and R208 to set the ballot question format. Both were deferred to December 1st to ensure two hearings as required for charter amendments.
• R210 (MRA Property Disposition): Councilor Bacca moved to require Council approval for the disposition of city-owned property in the Central Community Planning Area, specifically citing 229 Broadway. An amendment was adopted to apply rules to the specific parcel of 229 Broadway only, not citywide, and to allow flexibility based on existing MRA or city code procedures. Administration noted this does not add bureaucracy for MRA properties generally but ensures specific oversight for this lot where a for-sale sign was prematurely placed.

Key Outcomes

• Deferrals:
  • R 183 (Parks): Deferred two weeks pending an update from administration on park conditions.
  • OC 47 (Inspector General): Deferred two weeks pending availability of the interim auditor and drafting of the whistleblower report.
  • OC 48: Deferred two weeks.
  • P8 (Performing Arts Center): Deferred to December 1st for charter amendment hearings.
  • R208 (Charter Amendment Form): Deferred to December 1st for charter amendment hearings.
• Votes Passed:
  • EC 485 (AI Policy): Approved unanimously (8-0).
  • EC 496 (ABQ Ride Transit): Approved unanimously (8-0).
  • R 203 (Westland Master Plan): Approved unanimously (8-0) as amended.
  • R 207 (Runoff Election): Approved unanimously (8-0).
  • R 210 (Property Disposition - 229 Broadway): Approved unanimously (8-0) as amended.
  • EC 533 (Retail Concession Lease): Approved unanimously (8-0).
• Votes Failed:
  • R 200 (Aviation Observation Deck): Failed on a 4-5 vote after two successful amendments were passed (one regarding cost correction, one regarding public input).
• Admin Q&A:
  • Litigation Report: Delayed due to staffing changes; administration will verify and provide the report.
  • Quirky Books: Administration confirmed filing an emergency injunction in District Court following a shooting near the location; they are awaiting a hearing date.
  • Encampment Policy: Administration clarified that while they are pursuing an injunction for the specific private property (Quirky Books), they continue to respond to 311 calls and clear public property encampments, though Councilor Champagne noted inconsistency in the city's approach between private and public properties.