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Okay.

Madam President, and we're on to other business.

Discussion subject to attorney claim privilege pertaining to litigation in Mayor Tim Keller versus Albuquerque City Council.

We'll need a roll call vote.

Um, Miss Montoya.

Councilor Backa.

Yes.

Councilor Bassan.

Yes.

Vice President.

Shanghai.

Yes.

Councillor Papercorn.

Yes.

Counselor Graham.

Yes.

Councillor Lewis.

Yes.

Councilor Rogers.

Yes.

Counselor Tayis.

Yes.

President Passon.

I'm sorry.

President.

Yes.

That passes unanimously.

Thank you for your patience.

I affirm that matters discussed in executive session were limited to those specified in the motion foreclosure.

We are now on to item three proclamations and presentations.

Counselor Vice President Champine.

Thank you, Madam President.

Yes, tonight's first presentation is going to be from interim Chief Barker with the Albuquerque Police Department, who will provide some information on the public service aid program, the PSA program that they have.

Interim Chief.

Okay.

Thank you.

Madam President, members of the council, thank you for the opportunity today to present on our police service aid program.

I'm really excited just to tell the group about the great work that we have our PSAs doing and the asset they are to our police department.

So sorry, I'm just gonna make sure that this works properly.

In fact, Aaron, do you want to run this for me just so that I can focus on this?

Thank you.

So our police service aides obviously are non-sworn personnel, and we really emphasize the fact that they do not replace sworn, but they support them.

Next slide.

Most of those are when there is no offender information to follow up on.

They also assist with transport after like a crash, or if there's a traffic hazard, they can assist with that as well.

Um next slide, please.

As far as calls for service, they respond to uh traffic crashes, uh traffic hazards.

Other really a huge visibility that we've used recently on major thoroughfares.

Uh we have them bark in the medium and turn their lights on, especially when we have traffic officers out enforcing on our major thoroughfares.

Um we do train them to disengage.

So if they're at a location and someone starts to be disruptive with them, we train them to back up and um exit the area and get a hold of an officer.

Um they also replace uh what we used to have, which was the property crimes reporting technicians.

We had those in addition to PSAs, um, and so they're taking on a lot of those duties.

Next slide.

If we're looking at our current staffing levels, we have 92 PSAs, and that has significantly increased since uh 2017 when we had 30.

Um we strategically assign these across all bureaus, and so if you look at the breakdown, uh most of our PSAs, 51 are in the Field Services Bureau, and that's because the Uniform Patrol uh utilizes them most often.

Um we do have five in investigations bureau, 24 in special operations, so that includes our traffic division, which is gonna be our motor units, and so they're assisting them obviously with the traffic crashes.

Um our support services bureau has five, so the real-time crime center, uh, they assist in placing camera trailers out and different um operations for them, and then the office of the chief police, that's gonna of chief of police, that's gonna be for our operations review um section, um, and they are just performing administrative duties.

Um as far as training, I have that listed here as well.

And I I know you wanted me to keep it brief.

Um they do uh go through report writing, they have a law block where they learn how to testify at trial, um, and then like this next week.

So if we have concerns or complaints that come in from the community, uh we really focus on putting that training um to them.

So this next week they're gonna be doing reality-based training, um, much like our officers do.

Um so we have listed here, um, it's really important the value to APD, is a lot of these PSAs become police officers.

So last year in 2025, we had 24 PSAs who went on to become a police officer, 2024, 10, and in 2023, we had eight.

Um, and so it's really uh a very important program that we have.

Um you know, we have these young um women and men who come and work with our department, they learn you know what the expectations are, um, and then we really encourage them to either join the police department or we've even seen them join other city um agencies as well.

So I'll stand for any questions that you might have.

Mr.

Vice President.

Yes, madam president, thank you.

Uh Chief for the presentation.

Uh I had requested this presentation from uh for one reason a lot of constituents reached out to me in the in and saying that they see a lot of police uh service aides and not a police officers, and they weren't too sure what it was.

Um I kind of gave them a brief of what I remember it being, but knowing now that it's 92 and not the 30 that I recall the numbers of it, um my biggest concern was what and what they asked, what uh what is the program expanded to after your briefing of showing that it's not just accidents, um it's sometimes accidents with injuries, it's crime scene, uh security and perimeters, stuff like that.

Um also did you say in their um residential commercial burglaries or just residential burglaries or they can take both, so it would only be if the call has been holding for quite some time and we know that there is not an offender there.

Okay, is there a set time that they madam president?

Is there a set time that they that you wait?

Is it 24 hours or but it's really just based on the information that comes into dispatch and between them and the supervisor they make that call?

Okay, and madam president, the reason why I asked that is because they're not sworn, they don't they're not armed.

Um, you know, it it's funny when you say the the kids, these these young adults, um, but it's amazing to me that when you turn 20, you're still a kid, a PSA as I remember, but 21 all of a sudden you can be an officer and they're full-fledged, but it comes down to training and what they're what they're uh uh exposed to.

So I uh I'd like to see that the program's bolstering.

I'd like to see that the numbers that they the retention going on to um becoming a police officer is amazing.

Uh if I would have started at 18, I could have been done at 38.

Um, but I a lot of people when I tried to explain the program to them, a lot of citizens are concerned that we might be placing these unarmed people in some sort of danger.

Uh and I wanted to ensure that that wasn't the case, that they are still they are still uh limited in what they can do.

Yes, madam president, counselor champagne, that is something that is very important to our department and that we train them for specifically.

So they do go through de-escalation training, um, and then if they are making contact with an individual who becomes disruptive, like I said, or starts making threats, they are trained to walk away and call for immediate assistance.

And Madam President, last question of mine.

Uh, where do you see the program going?

Um, you obviously expanded it from what it was in 2017 to include certain calls.

Uh, what other calls or type of calls do you see them going to?

Uh is there what is that?

Madam President, Councilor Champagne, I think it's going in the right direction right now.

Um, you know, there's several different different avenues that we can look at, but ultimately it comes down to what's safe for these personnel.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Um, any other questions?

Seeing none, thank you.

Thank you.

So we are now on to Councillor Grout with the next presentation.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, we're going to have a presentation from Director Dave Simon from Parks and Breck and Open Space Director Colleen McRoberts, and they're going to provide an information on the Teharas Arroyo Biozone open space.

Good evening.

Great.

Uh good evening, uh, Madam President, Council members.

Uh I have with me here Colleen Lang and McRoberts, our superintendent of open space.

Uh the councils asked for a little information about the Terrace Arroyo uh biozone.

So the Tierra Sarroyo is a very important sense of riparian um corridor for wildlife, aquifer recharge, uh tributary to the Rio Grande, of course.

And it's also a major historical and cultural zone that connects Albuquerque to the East Mountains and even to the to the grasslands of the Great Plains further east.

So very important to the city and the region.

Since then, we've made a lot of progress.

And Colleen's going to talk a little bit about a trail that Councilor Grout wanted you to learn about that's at that property.

We've had a lot of progress over the last year.

We completed a big new trailhead called the Route 66 Trailhead, which opens up trail access to the whole area.

We've also installed interpretive signs at six uh locations all along the cultural corridor.

Um we now own about 800 acres in the general Tierra Sarroyo and Monzano Four Hills area.

We made a lot of progress on a site plan uh for the education site, and at again at the education site, we built an ADA accessible sensory trail, which is unique and pretty cool.

Here to talk more about that is Colleen.

Good evening, Castlers.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share about this really special project.

Um can you not hear me?

Yeah, okay.

I could use this one.

Um this trail project was inspired by uh future, I mean, uh I'm sorry, by a prior effort with our partners who were trying to get kids with disabilities and medically complex children and their families outdoors in nature, and they were finding a lot of barriers.

And so then they had this idea.

Wouldn't it be great if we could actually develop a trail with this audience in mind and within their with their input?

And that's exactly what happened.

Uh we had many wonderful partners, including Nature Matters Academy, Heroes Path, Palative Health Care, Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Plan Collaborative, and Open Space.

We were able to secure a grant through the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District, a 12 uh trails plus grant uh for half a million.

The city was able to help provide the matching dollars for that, up to about 400,000.

And uh we created this one of a kind trail.

You can see through the map there that um it includes different senses and it has different challenges.

It follows this gem framework, uh, and each of the um uh these signs that are along the trail uh are geared for different learning abilities.

They feature braille, they're in Spanish and English, they have audio recordings as well as teach sign language.

It's really pretty amazing.

Thank you.

Um, along the trail are these different nodes, and the different nodes include uh different information and experiences, activity stations, elevated challenges.

Each of the activity stations have three of those signs that have that gem framework, and they feature a different animal who has a super sense.

For example, it talks about a bear and that it can smell miles away because of the folds in its nose.

And then it talks about then what is the connection to our sense of smell.

So we're really connecting uh kids with different abilities, their senses, their where they may be lacking, where they're heightened to that animal.

There are also then these different elevated challenges.

So it recognizes that people with disabilities all have different abilities, and we're trying to gear a trail, not like the traditional ADA trail that's just hard packed surface, but really have these different experiences in nature.

And so there's like a scramble boulder, there's a log path, a lot of different types of experiences.

Next, I'm sorry.

And so you can see a lot of people who are using the trail there.

Um, it's been really wonderful.

I just want to applaud the city for having uh prioritized open space and really trying to make it accessible to all people.

This is a one-of-a-kind trail, and we hope that that won't be the case in the future.

We hope that this will be a model across the state, and uh, that we'll see more trails like this because of what we've been able to kick off here with this experience.

And we're just doing a ton of other things.

Uh we have um, I'll just briefly say we are uh doing major cleanup efforts, we've done some uh green infrastructure projects, we've done trail work.

We have contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours at this property to do all the amazing work that's being done since we acquired it back in 2021.

And the work is just really beginning.

This is like chapter one.

We are now engaged in a long-term stream restoration plan, and we're doing a site plan as well that's going to build off of this sensory trail, expanding it and creating a lot of unique features that this will just really create a one of a kind property for the city.

Something that again we should all be proud of, and thank you for your support.

Thank you, Councillor Graut.

Thank you.

Thank you both for um presenting today.

This is very dear to my heart.

Um it's wonderful to see children of all abilities out in nature.

Um this is five minutes from Central and Tramway, um, just a little bit east, and it's open to anybody, and it's it's unique, it's special, and it's ours.

It's all for all of us to enjoy.

And I'm so grateful.

I love your enthusiasm that you have for it, and I can't wait for it to build out.

Truly, truly, truly, lots of people do enjoy the place, the space, and like you said, there's so many volunteers that they see the value that this this space that's close to home brings to our community.

So I thank you.

I can't wait to see it expand.

And I'm team to Harris Arroyo Bio Zone.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So now we're on to other business uh approval of committee appointments.

I move approval of committee appointments dated January 2020, uh 2026.

Second.

There's a motion and a second.

All those in favor, um, please say yes and raise your hands.

Yes, yes, yes.

Oppose, same sign.

So did you get that?

Okay.

Thank you.

Next, we are on to the journal.

I move approval of the January January 5th journal.

Second.

There's a motion and second.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

And if you can keep your hands up for a moment just so that she can take count and oppose, same sign.

That motion passes.

Did you get the votes?

Yeah.

Okay.

Now we are on to communications and introductions.

Are there any changes to the letter of introduction?

So on EC 13, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing EC 13 on tonight's agenda for action.

EC 13 is the request approval of social services agreement with Catholic charities to implement and operate the housing resource center and move in mentor program.

There's a motion, a second by Councilor Basan.

We'll need a two-thirds vote.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Yes.

Those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes unanimously.

Um next we have EC 13.

I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing EC14 on tonight's agenda for action.

EC14 is La Semilla Project Next Gen Resource Management.

Internship program contract.

Second.

There's a motion and a second by Councilor Feeblecorn.

We need a two-thirds vote.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Yes.

All those opposed, say motion.

Motion passes.

We are now I move approval of the letter of introduction.

There's a motion and a second by Councilor Grout.

All those in favor, please say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Those opposed, same sign.

Motion passes.

We are now on to reports of committee.

Councillor Champagne.

Thank you, Madam President.

The Finance and Government Operations Committee met on Monday, January 12th, 2026, and reports out the following items in the matter of EC551 that it be approved.

In the matter of OC1 that the receipt be noted.

In the matter of 0104, 01, R214, R217, that they do pass.

In the matter of R218, that it do pass as amended.

And in the matter of O5 that it failed.

I make a motion to accept the committee reports.

There's a motion and a second.

All those um to accept the committee report.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion passes unanimously.

Councilor Backa.

Thank you, Madam President.

I make a motion to revive O-26-5 and place this item on the February 2nd Council agenda for action.

O-5 is amending the short-term rental ordinance to add a separation requirement for short-term rental permits.

Second, there's a motion and a second by Councilor Feblecorn.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign?

No.

No.

Motion passes.

We are now on to um Councilor Feeplecorn.

The land use planning and zoning committee met on Wednesday, January 14th, and reports out the following items on the matter of EC549 that receipt be noted and in the matter of 0103 that it do pass that it do pass as substituted and make a motion to accept the committee reports.

There's a motion and a second by Councillor Grout.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion passes.

Next we are on to um deferrals and withdrawals.

Counselors, are there any deferrals or withdrawals at this time?

Seeing none, we will move on to the consent agenda.

Are there any changes to the consent agenda?

Seeing none for the individuals on tonight's consent agenda who are being appointed to serve on a board or commission.

Thank you for your willingness to serve.

And I move approval of the consent agenda.

There's a motion a second by Councillor Rogers.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion passes.

Looks like unanimously.

We are now on to financial instruments.

There are none this evening.

No.

Did I miss something?

No.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Um, we are um next item is uh announcements.

Councilor Grout.

Thank you, Madam President.

There will be three intergovernmental legislative committee meetings on Saturday, January 24th at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, January 28th at 3 p.m.

Saturday, January 31st at 10 a.m.

All will be held via Zoom video conference.

Councilor Bassan.

Madam President, there will be a land use planning and zoning committee meeting on Wednesday, January 28th at 5 o'clock p.m.

in the Vincent E.

Griego Chambers, basement level of the Albuquerque government center, and this will be a hybrid meeting.

Vice President Champine.

Thank you, ma'am.

I know this isn't government operations, but we uh did sponsor this uh program.

Uh it is a gem of Albuquerque, so there will be a band of enchantment.

Red Carpet Premier this Saturday or Saturday the 31st at 7 p.m.

at the chemo theater.

Uh this is uh open to the public and free to the public.

The doors open at 6 p.m.

and the screening starts at 7 p.m.

Um all that would love to attend, we'd love to fill the chemo.

So please please join us.

Thank you.

Um again, financial instruments there are none, uh appeals there are none, and we are now on to um public comments.

So members of the public can provide live public comments to the council in person or virtually if they have signed up for public comment per the instructions published on the agenda and our website on Friday.

Here are the public comment ground rules.

Each participant has one minute to present.

Comments are to be addressed to the counselors only through the council president.

Any disruptive conduct conduct will result in removal from the meeting.

And um, there's a one-minute time limit, and the bell will ring and indicate when your time is up.

Mr.

Cornelius, can you please call the first speaker?

Thank you, Madam President.

Our first speaker is Let's Otto, followed by Brick Jonasy.

Uh Madam President, counselors, I'll try to speak fast.

There's a question about whether or not the police should be signing their oath.

It's not really a question that needs to be answered.

It's within the state's constitution and the U.S.

Constitution.

Police must sign their oath to make a solemn public commitment to uphold the U.S.

Constitution, the state laws, and their department's ethics, establishing a foundational promise of integrity, accountability, and impartial service to protect the community and build public trust, marking the official start of their sworn oath.

It's not just that they sign the oath, it's that they honor the oath that they signed.

I am yet to see any signed oaths of office from any of the municipal police in Albuquerque.

This act would legally and morally bind them to serve with honor, safeguarding the rights and prioritizing community welfare above personal bias.

You know, it may be an issue of policy.

Uh take for note the uh instance of APD's policy that uh officers have to uh swear an oath.

Uh it says that they take an oath under the policy.

Um the state constitution is actually says that it must be subscribed.

Subscribe means signed.

I'm gonna show you something.

This is what it looks like if you don't subscribe it.

This is what it looks like if you do.

This is our new counselor's oath.

Thank you, Miss Tillis, for signing your oath.

The officers must sign their oath as well.

Maybe I'm acting in uh bad knowledge because I keep being told by Ethan Watson that they are not.

If he's telling me that, I gotta assume that that's true, but maybe I'm wrong, maybe he's mistaken.

Uh he told me Miss Barker doesn't sign her oath.

And I just asked Miss Barker.

She said she signed it.

I just asked her.

Sign the oath.

Thank you.

Francesco Artist, followed by Anami Das.

Mr.

Cornelis, can I please get the overhead?

Albuquerque City Council just made history with a female supermajority that should come with spandex and capes.

Thanks to all the guys as well for your willingness to serve we the people.

If we the people uh if everything went according to plan, I should not be standing before you.

As a survivor of domestic terrorism and attempted murder, a recent homicide, like all forms of violence, hits me really hard now.

I commend New Mexico law enforcement for the swift arrest of those who murdered Albert Pena.

Please join me in a moment of silence for justice to be done while sending prayers and strength to the family and friends of Mr.

Pena at this most difficult time.

Thank you.

Anami Das, followed by Shannon Molina Cordova.

Hi, Madam President.

Um this is mostly toward the administration, but um uh APD hasn't reported on the use of force since um the October report, and I know that there's a leadership change over there, so that's probably why.

Um, but that's two monthly use of force reports that are missing, and having the data available to the public does make a significantly uh significant difference in terms of the whatever.

Um but yeah, cool.

Thanks.

Madam President, I see our next speaker in Zoom, so I will come to you, or Mr.

Vice President.

I will come to you, Shannon, when we get to Zoom.

Our next speaker is Alexander Kaltenbach, followed by Tad Numitzki.

Hello, Council President, Counselors.

My name is Alexander Kaltenbach.

I'm a macroeconomics TA at UNM.

Um I urge you to vote yes on Council Bill uh 025102.

This ordinance addresses both tenant protections with market efficiency, aiding both sides of the market, mandating upfront fee disclosures and listings, lowers market friction and the transaction costs within rental markets.

This lowers landlords' wasted resources from processing applications that won't close and increases occupy rates by correcting information asymmetry in rental housing, labor mobility will increase, aiding in the labor supply within the city.

The dollars renters safe on um fees are more likely to stay within the city, aiding both other businesses within the city.

Um as a constituent of District 8 and a current resident of District 7.

Um I urge you both to uh vote yes on the bill.

Thank you.

Tad Numitsky, followed by Thomas Abeta.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, old saying that what goes out on, come back to you.

And vote be sure.

Don't look for revenge.

I'm glad my mayor and Clarissa Kenya won by sixty-eight points.

I will have chance to put them on the front of the judge.

I can see also the pen up.

Dynasty coming to the end.

Robert.

Instead, take care of neighborhood from homeless people new sentence.

She's busy running with billionaires.

Thank you.

Thomas Abeta, followed by Lisa Christofferson.

That's always really fun to follow.

I think it's really interesting that on days of increased interest from the public, your interest in the public decreases.

But that's fine.

If you only want to hear us for 60 seconds for the rest of this year, I will only talk about the things I know you guys care about.

Your money.

Because I live in a country that believes someone with a lot of money is a guy with a lot of speech.

But I hate to tell you this.

Citizens United is wrong, and you all are bribed politicians.

But I suppose that means, President Pena, you have the most speech in the room.

So I should probably address what your speech looks like because I've made several requests trying to find your previous campaign filings in for the new election.

None of your information is public.

I don't know if that's the city clerk's fault, but none of it is.

And I haven't been able to get a hold of any of your previous campaigns information, and I would love if that was easier.

I got other questions that I'll be asking you throughout the year about like why you're asking your own employees to donate to your campaign.

That seems a little messed up.

You're already paying them.

You're asking them for their money back.

So I think we'll get to know each other a little better over the year.

Lisa Christofferson, followed by Ian Gates.

Ian Gates, followed by Teresa Garcia.

Hello, I'm speaking today on how we can make these meetings more accessible.

First, we really do need two minutes again.

I really hope this is not uh permanent change.

Number two, there should be no cap on the number of general public public comments that can be heard, especially with the IDO coming up.

Uh number three, we should be able to clap and cheer, at least just snap at the end of people's public comments, because I go to school board a lot and they do it, and there's never any issues.

And then most importantly, there really needs to be child care provided at these meetings uh for all of the parents of young children who want to speak in person.

New Mexico is rolling out universal child care, and the city manages multiple large child care grants and programs, so I think we can make something happen.

Um thank you.

Teresa Garcia, followed by James Freeman.

Good evening, Council President and Council members.

My name is Theresa Garcia, and I'm here to speak on behalf of the immigrant families in District 3 who are experiencing real fear and insecurity right now.

Renalio County has taken steps to strengthen protections for immigrant families, but the city has not followed suit.

That gap matters.

It leaves families uncertain about their safety, their access to services, and whether their local government will stand with them when it counts.

Counselor Pena, you represent District 3.

Where is the advocacy for the people that you serve?

Many whom are immigrants, mixed status families, and workers who deserve dignity and protection.

I'm also deeply concerned about the proposed repeal that will eliminate requirements for posting city council questions and answers publicly, remove distinctions between factual and opinion-based questions, and strip legal guarantees that response that responses are timely and accessible to the public.

That is not transparency, that is not accountability, and that is not how we build trust with communities are already feeling vulnerable.

With all due respect, District 3 and Albuquerque deserve better, real protections and real transparency and not decisions made by the one million raised to win against me by 71 votes.

Thank you.

James Freeman, followed by Alexis Torres.

Hello, I'm here this afternoon to speak about an upcoming event in the homeless service provider community.

The annual pick count is happening next week.

The count is not simply a formality.

Every continuum of care that receives federal funding is required to do this count.

There are two COCs in New Mexico, Albuquerque, and the balance of state.

This count is critical for current and future funding for the service providers.

In theory, the more volunteers who sign up leads to more accurate count that leads to more funding for Albuquerque and New Mexico.

I recognize many of y'all and your policy analysts have participated in the past, and I would encourage y'all to participate again.

This count will be occurring Tuesday, January 27th through Friday the 30th.

Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available.

I'll be the team, I'll be a team lead on seven of the 12 shifts.

Our snapshot date is Monday, January 26th.

There will be no weekend shifts this year, so it'll be really neat to hustle on those four days.

We'll be counting.

Please let Abby Styles know if you'd like to participate.

Thank you.

Alexis Torres, followed by Leila Salim.

Hello, counselors.

Um, my name is Alexis.

I am a part-time student, full-time employee, and a lowly renter here in Albuquerque.

I'm just coming here to ask you why the rent provisions, the rental practice ordinance was not passed.

It seems like a no-brainer.

My only conclusion is that you benefit somehow from the predatory practices that a lot of these rental places practice.

Um I'm very lucky that I live in Councilor Rogers district.

Otherwise, I would be campaigning against all of you because it feels like Councilor Rogers is the only one who actually cares about renters.

Um I really really encourage you to say yes if you genuinely care about Albuquerque renters.

Thank you.

Leela Selim, followed by Andrea Calderon.

Good evening, Madam President and Counselors.

Um I am uh from Albuquerque, born and raised here in the South Valley.

Um, and I work um with a lot of renters in dealing with the things that they have issues with.

I'm a renter myself as well.

And I want to encourage you to um vote yes on the renter, uh, the rental ordinance that you're hearing tonight.

Um, I know it was delayed, and there are some like legal issues, but um the thing is we actually worked on this bill last year at the state level, and some of the folks here um spoke to that to their legislators, and it passed our 112 legislature person legislature and passed and was signed by the governor.

Um so this really should be something that's enforced and it's not currently being enforced.

And so um the exorbitant fees that are being charged.

Um please please pass it.

Thank you.

Andrea Calderon, followed by Miguel Titman.

Hi, good evening, counsel.

Um, for my general public comment, I I have three issues to raise.

Um, the first one is related to the creation of safe spaces for food distribution that serve our unsheltered neighbors.

Um, locations where meals have been distributed are becoming more and more limited.

And a recent meeting regarding Quirky Books speaks of the power of local anti-homeless businesses and further limiting the ability of caring community members to distribute food, water, and other neighborly efforts to support those who are being negatively impacted by current market forces.

So I do request that you please allow more spaces where residents can provide mutual aid to neighbors who are less fortunate than us.

Number two, I had the experience this afternoon of being contacted by Zero Fatality, which is run by Novoa Global about a non-paid speeding ticket that had been sent to my an old address.

My registration was not up to date, and so I did not receive the information about the ticket at my current address.

Um, since then it's been fixed a couple of months ago.

Um, and so I'm curious about the data sharing of my personal data to a third-party vendor as a resident.

I never received notice that my data was going to be shared with a third-party vendor.

Um, and so as you know, I'm a data person and really curious about that that concern.

Um, I haven't gotten to my third point, but that's okay.

Thank you.

Miguel Titman, followed by Simon Polakowski.

Madam President, Sir Vice President, counselors.

Uh, I rise today to address something that is going to be a challenge for you, and that is to re go through reconfirmation process because there's no metric that we've ever done this before based off of our charter.

I ask that you today represent and acknowledge that unions are the foundation of the workforce, and that should be addressed.

Um, and I speak on behalf of the firefighters of 649, and I speak to all of the potential directors in the house and all of my fellow brother firefighters that are potential fire chiefs back there.

There's a few of them, but it might be fire chiefs one day, or the current fire chief that might get reconfirmed.

When there's a change in working conditions, we demand collective bargaining.

Per the charter, per the public employee bargaining act.

That is what we deserve, and we we hope that you are our checks and balances.

We look forward to a new tenure with this administration with this city council, where we get lots of things done.

Firefighters are really, really cool people, and they do lots of really good stuff.

So I look forward to uh working with you in the future.

Simon Polakowski, followed by Nira Sagzena on Zoom.

I remember former counselor Don Harris bragging about how he uh disallowed uh lending your two minutes to some other speakers who didn't have enough time to speak.

Now we have only one minute.

When will it be 30 seconds?

When will it be 15 seconds?

And when will you know be one second?

And thank you very much for what you have to say.

Uh we supposedly have representative government that's supposed to respond to concerned citizens.

Uh I imagine the late Silver, you know, uh Delangelo would be rolling in his grave.

Uh go with Silver.

You don't have to be silent.

They won't let you speak anymore anyways.

This is a travesty.

Really is this one minute.

And it was a travesty where Don Harris disallowed donating your two minutes to somebody who had prepared themselves to speak in front of you people.

Uh you need to go back and uh do it like it once was, where people have time to present in a timely manner their concerns about Albuquerque.

Thank you.

Nira Sasena, followed by Nicole Finch.

Good evening, council.

My name is Nira Saksana.

I'm a resident of District 6.

I'm here to talk about the reality of working in our city's healthcare institutions.

I worked at one of our major hospitals here in Albuquerque for over two years as a Perdium pharmacist.

I believe I experienced workplace retaliation, which ultimately led to my constructive discharge in 2025.

My experience is not isolated.

Um many healthcare workers are pushed out and experience far worse retaliation in the workplace.

Um and I know council Rogers has spoken to this, but this is one of the factors that makes our city lose desperately needed health care capacity.

Um workforce burnout is a public health issue, and retaliation isn't a private matter between an employee and an institution.

It's a civic matter.

So I'm asking the council to pay attention to how our major hospital systems treat their workforce because it affects staffing, retention, safety, and equity in our city.

Thank you.

Nicole Finch, followed by Ian Colburn.

Good evening, counselors.

I'm Nicole Finch.

I'm a member of the Library Advisory Board.

Um I'm pleased to say that with the new set aside money from Councillor Tayes, thank you very much.

We are now up to $950,000 for the main library HVAC replacement project.

Um in addition to that, the library advisory board supports the full slate of library capital outlay requests for the 2026 New Mexico State Legislative Session.

In District 2, that's the main library.

In District 4, Cherry Hills has a request.

It's the branch with the highest gate count.

It has a lot of wear and tear.

In District 6, the international district needs also needs some HVAC work.

Uh you may remember they had to close a couple weeks this past summer.

Also in District 6, San Pedro uh needs some HVAC and roof work.

And in District 7, Erna Fern Ferguson has a request for some HVAC upgrades.

So we are supporting all of those.

Um on the topic of rental practices, maybe if the landlords didn't violate the law, they wouldn't have to worry about possibly getting double double fined for that.

Thank you.

Ian Colburn, followed by Janet Sayers.

Good evening, uh Madel, Madam President, um, council people, uh, good evening.

Um I think folks would appreciate a heads up on when you're gonna cut this two minutes to uh one minute or explain why.

You know, people do uh just appreciate the respect of being informed and not having things sprung on them.

Um I'm another in support of dropping the rental fees and um support uh legislation to uh that is in benefit of all those bout kenyos that are renting.

Uh I want to thank Council Baca for bringing back the short-term rental restrictions.

Um and want to push back against anyone who says that that um prevents economic development in the city.

I mean, it doesn't stop people from owning second homes and renting them.

Uh we just want to stop houses from being empty.

Uh we have plenty of hotels that visitors can stay in.

Um and lastly, I wanted to raise um the question of the awareness that I heard a four-year-old girl was recently killed uh in a crosswalk outside of Presbyterian hospital on Central while she had the right of way with her father.

Um this is one of a couple pedestrians that I've heard of murdered like this, killed like this in the last year in our city.

Um, and I'm curious why there's not a criminal um charge or consequences for people that are doing this.

I think that um drivers need to be held accountable when they kill or maim um someone with their vehicle.

Let's hold them accountable.

I'd love to hear someone speak to that later.

I know there's APD there from earlier.

Um and I hope you all think about that to keep pedestrians in our city safe.

Thank you so much.

Janet Sayers, followed by Sarah Azebo.

Alrighty, I do believe I've unmuted.

You are.

Thank you.

Um I'm Janet Sayers, resident of uh District 9.

And just three point three quick points tonight.

I also want to echo the appreciation to uh our new counselor Tayas for her set aside contribution to the uh uh main library, HVAC, and we're getting very close to a million dollars.

Um second, I attended the meeting last week in District 8 at the Holiday Park uh community center, which is a wonderful facility.

However, surprised to find that the uh cooling system and the heating system had not worked for a significant period of time.

I know Councillor Champagne is aware of this, and I I it might this might be the year where the council and uh the city needs to go back and look at all the needs of all the hundreds of buildings that are under its supervision.

And I think that's my minute is up.

So thank you very much.

Sarah Azebo, followed by Annie Montez.

Good evening.

I'm Sarah Azebo, District 2.

Um, I I would echo that two minutes is there to hear somebody's voice.

I would also echo um or stand in support of doing everything we can to protect families from ice.

Additionally, the city has prevailed, at least now, um, and shutting down the quirky books encampment.

Some of the comments from the city attorney during the hearing were about later being on the streets, um, saying that it affects public health to have urine and feces on the streets.

And both of these fascinate me.

And they said the city position is also that it is not safe to sleep outdoors.

Yet closing the camp sends people outdoors, leaves them outside with no trash cans and no bathrooms.

So again, I will offer the care plan.

Um C A R E C cease harmful expensive displacement and citations for humans existing.

A, provide access to everything, R redistribute resources and E engage and educate all community neighbors that homelessness is not an identity.

This is something that we can work together to help people find homes.

Annie Montez, followed by Joe Calkins.

Evening, Madam President and Counselors.

My name is Annie Montes, and I work closely with the open space division through my role as a program manager with CUDA Soil and Water Conservation District.

Tonight, uh, I'm speaking in support of all the wonderful work that's being done at the De Harris Biozone Education Center in District 9.

This open space area stands as an example of what can be done through multi-agency and community partnership.

And the BioZone is an investment for our future generations of all mobility types to engage and learn in nature.

Additionally, the biozone stands as an example of how nature-based solutions, including green stormwater infrastructure, can create a space that can be equally enjoyed by people and wildlife.

I urge counselors to continue uh to support projects in our city that enrich our communities and improve access to the outdoors.

Thank you.

Joe Calkins, followed by Nikhil Pylour.

Good evening, Madam President, and Council members.

My name is Joe Calkins.

I live on First Street, and I have lived there since December 2, 1976, over 49 years.

I'm a half a block north of health care for the homeless, and the situation with homeless camping has been getting worse and worse over the last few years.

There have been homeless camps on my block with inside of my kitchen for the last 11 and a half months, except for just a couple of weeks when they've been halted.

This has a negative effect on my health, my productivity, my ability to live a life.

However, I can't just talk about myself.

These people need someplace to go.

I know that safe spaces is under um development, but perhaps they could do with just some place to camp where they aren't constantly being kicked out.

I believe that's my time.

Thank you very much.

Nikhil Pilore, followed by Shannon Cordova.

Hi.

Yeah, my name's Nikil.

Uh I'm the co-chair of the Albuquerque Democratic Socialist America.

Uh, and I'm really uh strongly in support of the uh renters protection ordinance.

Uh uh that would be, I believe 025-102.

Uh I think a main uh reason for this support uh comes from a recent uh article by Searchlight New Mexico talking about the fact that even with the laws on the books in New Mexico, uh renters often face just a lack of enforcement.

Uh the title of the article is tenants with nowhere to turn.

Uh, and I'll just quote simply from here.

Uh some of the state's most vulnerable residents, people who are low-income elderly or disabled fellow face unhealthy substandard conditions.

Uh the renters often struggle with chronic maintenance problems, unresponsive landlords, and little to no housing quote enforcement search like New Mexico uh found.

Those findings are based on a computerized review of more than 100,000 Albuquerque 311 call records over the last past eight years.

Uh so I think even even the small move of moving a lot of these codes into the city uh code rather than just being the state, it would go a long way towards stronger enforcement of the laws on the books.

Uh and I think it would do a lot to give a sense of fairness and equal protection a lot to our tenant neighbors.

Thank you.

Shannon Cordova, followed by Crystal Garcia.

Good evening.

Can you hear me?

We can hear you, thank you.

Okay.

Honorable members, I stand before you today to highlight a critical issue regarding the New Mexico Disciplinary Board.

A serious accident occurred at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Justice Center, resulting in my husband's suffering a traumatic brain injury that has left him permanent permanently disabled.

Currently, we are navigating the workers' compensation process, but sadly we have encountered numerous obstacles and delays.

We have reported various unethical actions involving judges and opposing counsel to the disciplinary board, providing substantial proof and documented evidence of the mishandlings of our case.

Despite this, the board has cleared all parties involved without ever without ever reaching out to us for further discussion or an investigation, which is deeply concerning.

We are faced we are um filing a $50 million um lawsuit in the workers' compensation that seems to be rushing through the court system without due process.

We are ready to pursue this matter through the appeals court and if necessary, the Supreme Court.

After five years of rentless struggle, we are committed to seeing this through to the end.

Thank you for your attention.

And I would like to remind you that the cameras that you have up for the speeding are unconstitutional.

Thank you, and have a beautiful blessed night.

Okay, can you hear me?

We can hear you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Uh good evening.

My name is Christopher and I stand with the residents of Martinez Town in opposition of O-26-4.

The city says this change is about housing equity, but removing protections from a historic working class neighborhood is not Madam President.

I apologize for the interruption, but it appears this commenter is um commenting on a quasi-judicial item, which we'll get to later in the evening.

Um, general public comment is not allowed on this topic.

Um, Miss Garcia, did you get that?

I did.

Okay.

Okay.

Are you moving me to the comment on that specifically later?

If you'd like to.

If you'd like to.

She can.

Yeah, since I can't public since I can't do it now, then yes, I'm not going to be moved.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you, Crystal.

I will move you.

And Madam President, that concludes general public comment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So now we are on to approvals.

This is um OC2 appointment of member of member to open space advisory board in accordance with the provision of section two-six-sixteen ROA 1994.

Council People Corn has submitted the following two names as potential appointees to the open space advisory board.

And those names are uh and maybe Council Febocorn can say a first name, but I think it's Teresi Di Aurea Riley and Mr.

Clay Campbell.

Is there anyone um signed up to speak on this OC?

Okay, and then I think we have the two candidates present this evening if um would like to hear from them if they're present.

I don't know who they are if they're present.

No, so um the council rules provide a procedure for appointments made by the uh council, and we're following that procedure tonight.

The ballots distributed by staff list the two candidates and names and counselors are to indicate in the order of preference um with the letter um with the number one for your first preference and the number two for your second preference after counselors complete their ballots.

Staff will collect the ballots and tally the results.

So um as we do that, we're gonna take a dinner break and we'll be back in um in a half an hour.

And then, yeah, I was gonna do that.

I just want to make that announcement first, and then um procedurally, we will I make a motion to table this item until we return from the dinner break.

There's a motion and a second um by counselor grout.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes, yes, opposed, same sign.

Motion passes.

We'll be back in a half an hour.

Thank you.

Welcome back, everyone.

Um we left with um OC2 on the table.

So in the matter of OC2 appointment of member uh to the open space advisory board.

I make a motion to remove the OC from the table.

Second, there's a motion and a second from Councilor Teas, I think.

I heard um Feblecorn.

Thank you.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion carries.

So now um I will announce the new member of the Open Space Advisory Board is Mr.

Clay Campbell.

Okay, congratulations.

Okay, so now we are back on Madam President.

Yes, you will still need to confirm.

Move confirmation.

Oh, okay.

So I will move of Mr.

Campbell.

Yes, okay.

So I'd move confirmation of Mr.

Campbell.

There's a second by um Councilor Grout.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion carries.

Thank you so much.

We moved some things on the agenda.

So now we are on EC nine, reappointment of Chief Administrative Officer, Dr.

Samantha Sangle to the position of Chief Administrative Officer.

I move confirmation.

Second.

There's a motion and multiple seconds.

I'll take um Councillor Grout's second.

And then is there anyone signed up to speak for EC9?

Yes, there is, Madam President.

We have Francesco Artist to speak.

Apologies, I was not aware of the moment.

Mayor Kellars' table before you also has a female majority, or at least it used to.

Collectively, the CAO and City Legal is a tip of the spear of law enforcement, more powerful than the chief of police, broke the law to cover up that they broke the law, including but not limited to destruction of evidence and suppression of evidence.

While knowingly making false misleading statements to federal authorities, plus holding the purse strings that unconstitutionally pays city workers with tax dollars to commit crimes in Albuquerque.

I respectfully pray for the immediate release of the unlawful theft of my public records that are rightfully mine by law without court action in the matter of Mayor Keller's illegal wall.

As a matter of law, a yes vote to confirm is a willful complicit violation of checks and balances, city policy, laws, the constitution, and the oath of office.

Thank you.

Madam President, that concludes comment.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

So now are there any questions from the counselors?

Questions, comments.

Any?

Okay.

So then administration, Ms.

Single, would you like to, Dr.

Single, would you like to say a few words?

Madam President, thank you.

Um I just want to start by saying I appreciate the opportunity to serve the city of Albuquerque and in Mayor Keller's administration.

Um it's been two years since I joined the administration in the chief administrative officer position, and I've appreciated the learning curve that we I had in that first year.

Um I've reflected back on my very first city council meeting and um councillor Lewis.

I learned a lot in that very first meeting about our air quality board and other um procedural processes that I didn't even um understand were part of the city uh uh work yet.

Um and so as I think reflect on the last two years.

I think um it's been an incredible year, two years of work um that we've accomplished as a city.

Um and there are examples of that.

Um I think the documents you have before you, we spoke to some of those, but um I'm really proud of the fact that we completed the gateway um center and the gateway network of services and support to ensure that not only did we finish the build out, but we also ensure they were that we are operating um each of those services and have the opportunity to learn about each of them now and the effectiveness that they can have in supporting our community and um and our most vulnerable people folks.

Um and so that is I could go on about other things that I think that we've accomplished um uh in the administration and together, city council and the administration working hard to um respond to what our community has asked of us, and so I appreciate your consideration for continued service um uh to our city.

Thank you.

So there wasn't any questions, so we'll just move on with the with the vote for confirmation.

I just want to say, you know, I just appreciate you in the spirit of transparency and cooperation, working together, um, you know, not just over the past two years, but now moving forward, having the directors here to answer questions of the counselors.

We really appreciate that, and I look forward to um the continued work.

So thank you, Ms.

Single.

So um there is a motion and a second for uh for confirmation.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes, those opposed, say motion.

Motion passes unanimously.

Congratulations.

So next we have um EC 10 reappointment of uh Chief Emily Haramillo to the position of chief of the Albuquerque uh fire rescue.

I move confirmation.

There's a motion and a second by Councilor Feblecorn.

Is there anyone signed up to speak?

Yes, there is Madam President.

We have William McMullen, followed by Chris Cruz.

Thank you, City Council and Council President, for this time to speak.

I'm battalion chief will McMullen.

I'm a bargaining unit member with Local 244 of the IAFF, and I'm the director of training for Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

I come here today with some of the elite of AFR, individuals who are handpicked from the busiest fire stations in the city for their personal excellence and contributions to be part of our academy staff.

We come as individuals unfamiliar with these political proceedings, but here to deliver a message.

There are many opportunities for professional accomplishment and accolades in the fire service, but there's one achievement that all firefighters covet more than any public acknowledgment, and that is to have the respect and loyalty of real firefighters, practitioners of the craft who have earned their reputations through their own sacrifice and giving.

These gentlemen behind me are such a group of firefighters.

They've ground their blood, sweat, and tears into the asphalt of the training grounds, and have demonstrated a thousand times over their indomitable effort in serving the citizens from our beloved firehouses.

These men have loyalty that cannot be purchased by the wealthiest individual, and the respect cannot be coerced by even the most powerful person.

To Emily Hatamiel in this public setting, we give you free of our heart, our respect and loyalty.

Wherever you go, please take this priceless jewel with you and know that we understand who reciprocates our effort.

We understand who reciprocates our caring, and we understand who reciprocates our undying determination.

Thank you, Chief Hanamiel.

Thank you, Council.

Chris Cruz, followed by Teresa Garcia.

My name is Chris Cruz, and I'm the newly elected city chapter vice president for Albuquerque Area Firefighters IAF of Local 244.

Though new in my role, this will be my 11th total year serving my membership as an executive officer.

I've never addressed council before, but I'm learning and like you all what I know, if nothing else, is that my job is to represent the people who entrusted me with this position.

I don't envy you making decisions that are so impactful to me and my members, working with the best information you have that probably feels incomplete and even contradictory.

I'm not here to speak against anything my brother on the board, President Miguel Titman has said.

I'm not even here to speak against anything my chief, Emily Hadamillo and her administration may present.

I'm here to add my portion to the parts and pieces of truth that they're each able to offer.

It amounts simply to this.

What my members have made clear to me, diverse members who feel all different ways about our labor management disputes, about our fire admin, city leadership, even how they feel about me and my fellow members on the board.

What my diverse members made clear to me is that what they all want, what they all need is a shared path forward.

The mandate I've been given is to find a way for labor and management to fight hard, but fight clean, fair, find common ground, move forward.

We sign up to show up, bring order to chaos, but we do it best when grounded in a strong foundation of stability.

Right now, my members feel battered from all sides, caught in a fight that many feel has spiraled out of control.

I'm not so naive as to think that all of council business happens here in the light.

I implore you.

Remember that the clearest and most critical stakeholders in any battle about my members' wages, benefits, working conditions, or in this case our leadership, the most critical stakeholders are my members themselves.

Thank you.

Your time is up.

Appreciate your comments.

Madam President, yes.

Sure.

Thank you.

You can proceed.

Thank you, sir.

We feel bad from all sides, caught in a fight that many feel has spiraled out of control.

I'm not so naive as to think that all of council business happens here in the light, but I implore you.

Remember that the clearest, most critical stakeholders in any battle about our wages, benefits, working conditions, or in this case, our leadership.

The most critical stakeholders are my members themselves, the ones in the trucks today, tonight, here throughout the city, answering their calls for service even as we speak.

Please allow me and my members to do our jobs in the street and then fight our fights when needed between ourselves and our leadership.

Do not allow outside influences to have a say, whoever or wherever they are.

It's not fair.

It's not helpful, but more than that, it's deeply harmful.

My board and I can and always will stand as labor and in support of labor, no matter who is put in front of us.

And I hope you'll give us the opportunity to repair and rebuild in good faith the complicated but crucial partnership we need between labor and management so we can continue to serve with security and with our dignity in a landscape that only appears more and more difficult to navigate.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you, sir, for the extension.

I look forward to getting to know you all better.

I hope to work together.

Teresa Garcia, followed by Levi Green.

Good evening, evening again, Council President and Council members.

My name is Theresa Garcia.

I previously previously served as the chair of the City of Albuquerque Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission and currently serve as a commissioner.

I am here in strong support of the appointment of Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Haramillo.

In my role with the Commission, Chief Haramillo served as AFR's representative and consistently showed up with intention, accountability, and respect.

She made every effort to be engaged, collaborative, and informed, understanding the importance of partnership when it comes to public safety and survivor-centered responses.

She has intentionally made efforts to support local nonprofits and community-based organizations and understands the depth of culturally specific care.

As women, we often face a level of scrutiny and leadership that our male counterparts do not.

Too often confidence in women's leaderships is questioned not because of performance, but because of because of ego or assumptions that someone else could do a better job.

Chief Hanamio has already proven her leadership through action.

She leads the department with dignity, strength, and transparency, ensuring firefighters have a voice and that decisions are made in the best interest of the department.

She has done an exceptional job.

It will be a serious mistake to be persuaded otherwise.

I urge you to vote yes on her reappointment.

Thank you.

Levi Green, followed by Miguel Titman.

Thank you, Madam Chair and members of the City Council for the opportunity to speak here on behalf of Fire Chief Hodamio and her leadership in strengthening public safety across our city.

I've been a lifelong resident, Albuquerque, president of the WandaBown uh Wandabow Hills Neighborhood Association and appointed to the city's Board of Ethics and Campaign Finance.

I also participate actively in the district nine coalitions of neighborhood associations where we closely follow the safety challenges affecting our communities.

I know there are questions about expanding the scheduling program that has shown success in other areas.

I don't claim to be a subject matter expert on that system, but I do know what effective leadership looks like.

It looks like someone who evaluates what's working, adopts where needed, and collaborates with counselors, the administration, and the community to get it right.

This is what Chief Hatamio has done.

I'm asking for you to consider the results we've seen, the sustainability she's brought, and the trust she has earned from neighborhoods like mine.

Supporting her means supporting the firefighters and rescue personnel who show up for us every single day.

Thank you for your time for your continued commitment to the safety of our city.

God bless.

Miguel Tittman, followed by Keith Pancho Quinones.

Keith Pancho Quinas, followed by Brian Breeswine on Zoom.

Good evening, Madam President, members of the council.

My name is Keith Bancho Quiñones, and I'm a retired firefighter from Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

Um when I worked there was Albuquerque Fire Department.

I just want to mention that because there's a pride thing that comes with that.

With nearly 23 years of service, I was a lifelong union member with IAF Local 244.

I'm here tonight to speak in support of fire chief Emily Haramillo.

My favorite fire chief in my career was Chief Robert Ortega.

He understood the family culture of the fire service.

He knew our families, our kids, and where we come from.

That mattered.

The family part of this job shaped how we worked, how we sacrificed, and how we motivated ourselves to do what was asked of us for our community and for our brothers and sisters right next to us.

Over time, that culture changed.

I worked through a period when the department shifted away from experience, hard work, and time on the job towards systems that change the rules late in firefighters' careers.

I watch good firefighters lose opportunities, not because they weren't capable, but because the standards moved around them.

So when I speak about leadership, I do so with institutional memory.

This thing is about five minutes long, so I'll stop.

But I urge that you support Emily Jaramillo so that she can continue the great work that she's been doing.

To my city councilor, I urge that you support Emily Jaramillo.

Brian Breeze Wine.

Good evening.

I'm Bruce Weiner, a battalion chief of Alcoon Fire Rescue, and I've worked with AFR for nearly 14 years.

During that time, I also served nine years on the union's executive board, including two years as a former vice president.

Tonight I speak in support of the confirmation of Fire Chief Emily Jadamillo.

Throughout my career, I've worked under five different fire chiefs in that time.

Oh, buddy.

One second, okay.

I've never worked with a fire chief who has been as accessible or willing.

Okay, buddy.

I'll be right there.

I apologize, everyone.

Uh, as uh who's been as accessible or willing to listen or is open to working with members as chief Hadame.

I urge your support.

She's always been a great mentor to me and to many others.

Uh, regardless of her rank, she's always made herself available to offer guidance and support professional development uh development and growth.

And she leads with fairness, transparency, and a genuine care for her members.

So thank you, and once again, I urge your support.

Thank you.

Madam President, that concludes comment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So we have Councillor Lewis questions.

Madam President, um, I I guess it's expected if the chief wanted to uh say a few words and then um just have some conversation with her.

Good evening, Council President, Counselors.

Um I actually feel like it's kind of hard to follow that.

Um so I'm a little you know me uh might have a little bit of a shaky voice.

I you know I appreciate um people taking their time to speak on my leadership.

Um I sent you all a memo um this past week.

Um communicated um accomplishments of our department.

Um thing that I'm very proud about under my leadership is uh how satisfied our public is with the service that AFR is providing to our to the public.

Um we uh we work very hard working as a firefighter, it's hard work serving in this community is hard work.

Uh this the if we want to talk about uh the medical needs of this community, um hospitals, everything.

We're we're basically the primary care for our community in a lot of ways.

Um because it's such hard work as the leader of this department.

I sometimes have to make hard decisions.

Um I've always been a collaborative leader, but I do have to make hard decisions with my focal point, the people that we serve and my firefighters.

Um I I'm not perfect.

Um, our department isn't perfect.

We have our challenges.

Um for a lot of you that I spent time meeting with.

I talked about some of our challenges and some of the things that are working really well.

Um I have a vision for where I want to take the department from here.

Um I appreciate I really want to take the time right now to just thank all of the firefighters that work tirelessly to serve this city, and I would appreciate your support to continue to lead them.

Thank you, Ms.

Hetamu, Counselor Lewis.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh and Chief, thank you.

Um, you know, uh, and you you understand that uh I mean there's a role that the council plays in uh in your hiring, your confirmation, a legitimate role and in uh in placing you in this position.

And uh certainly know I know that you respect that.

We certainly uh uh very uh appreciative from your hard work and service, you know, uh great career.

Um but I do want to I I would like you to address um uh you know, I mean, uh uh a pretty big change to department and uh uh you know, something that we were involved in, you know, directly and over this last year, and that is uh you know, pretty significant change in working conditions, you know, with your department, your your firefighters, your medics.

Um this council, you know, weighed in on those staffing changes.

Um and we had a we had a difference of opinion.

Um, you know, the majority of this council happened to um agree with uh one one opinion uh that uh the the best staffing and the most safe and secure and best product that we could give the city of Albuquerque um was uh two medics on a on a rescue.

And uh I know that's a program that you've had the freedom to be able to the the program to um you know to divide those those paramedics and and in uh kind of a pilot program that you've had the freedom for a long time, you know, to be able to um uh you know to be able to operate and and try um you know some of those different you know changes in that regard.

Um and then and I know I know you made an effort, you know, um too long ago made an effort to really expand that program and really see the department to go in that direction.

Uh so again the the council weighed in uh with a a lot of uh support from your firefighters from your paramedics that said um that this is the better way to go to develop and and grow the uh the department.

Um and I know I know you disagreed with that.

Um but you know, I I I guess I just want you to comment on where do you see that going from here?

Um what are your intentions um here?

Uh and where do you see that?

And and and I want to say this too that there was you know, but we we we addressed it.

I mean the council weighed in this on this about I don't know, like 10 years ago and addressed um uh addressed some of those changes, but but we gave we gave the ability at that time for you know for the chief for you all to to expand it some, you know, but not to make it in a the policy of the uh of the department, and so um you know this council voted you know uh with a a majority um to keep those rescues, you know, two rescues on a permanent and and again there there was data, a lot of data, um, some very sincere people that believed one way, and I believe that your position on it has been very sincere as well.

at that time for you know for the chief for you all to to expand it some you know but not to make it in a the policy of the uh of the department and so um you know this council voted you know uh with a a majority um to keep those rescues you know two rescues on a permanent and and again there there was data a lot of data um some very sincere people um that believed one way and I believe that your position on it has been very sincere as well um and so um my question is what are your intentions here moving uh forward as far as uh reducing that program you know trying some other things um or or is it expanding it is it the policy of the department uh so if you could comment on that appreciated um madam president counselor lewis so if I understand the question correctly you want me to comment on my plans related to um our ALS expansion um so we are we we actually we we added three stations we had two we added three um in August 23rd was the first day that we uh started operating in that model with the three additional stations I have a working group that is collecting uh data related to the expansion and in and it's made up of members of the department so that they can also in that data collection have a peer-to-peer review of how it's working from the firefighter perspective um that information from that working group is information we meet monthly with labor it's information that we plan to share with labor as we collaborate about what what operations look like moving forward um so being that it just started in August as far as the expansion um right now we're just collecting a lot of different numbers related to that um there's some positives and there's some negatives just like any change there's things that are working there's things that we need to improve on there's things maybe we don't do again um and uh and so a lot of how we're gonna be moving forward will be using that information that we're collecting not only from the crews but also from the responses and the outcomes of our patients that we're responding to it's another important part of this is the service that we're providing to the people that are calling 911 I have data I I think it would be a probably not the right place to sit and start to talk about what's working and what's not working in here unless that's what you would like to do but I'd happy to you know explain that another time or I can I have it here but my plan is to we've been doing this for several months as this information comes in from the working group then we just just like uh vice president cruz said um continue to work together on on how that looks moving forward and madam president and are are are you open open to I mean that specific issue regarding the ALS expansion um uh letting it be a decision moving forward that um involves um a a consensus of uh your you know your employees you know the union and the the employees and working together with them as far as decisions made going forward whether it be expanding whether it be trying something different um you know what what do you what do you see as their involvement in that as far as that decision madam president counselor lewis my plan is as like I stated to continue to gather that information um uh I will continue to make decisions uh that are in the best interest of public safety and for the people that we're serving it is my job as the fire chief to to take input from all parties that includes input input from labor if if if information is brought to the table that needs to be negotiated then we sit down and we negotiate those items though there we there is processes to work through all of those pieces um so all of that would be considered as I move forward with how this will roll out and those are things that we've been continuing to do over the past year it has absolutely been rocky but we have been we have been meeting monthly we have been sending MOUs back and forth we're still continuing to work with labor but um to say a definitive answer right here would be unfair without all of the information that we're we're currently collecting related to the service that we're providing and I think it's really important that whether it's the fire chief whether it's the city council whether it's the administration or whether it's it's our union that we also remember that we are sworn to serve the people of the city and that we have to keep that as part of the conversation as well and that is my job to make sure that we're providing that service.

Madam President and and will will you specifically on the ALS expansion issue are you open to allowing it to be just simply negotiated with your with with the union and let it go through the process of negotiations with the union labor negotiations.

And so I'm always open to negotiating terms of working conditions with our firefighters and with our union.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor.

Councillor Bassan.

Councillor Bassan.

Madam President, uh so I I want to start by saying I don't know what I don't know.

I don't know how to be a firefighter.

I don't know how to lead a union.

I don't know a lot of things.

But what I do believe in is finding that the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I think that if we could go back to earlier last year, I really, really hope that pretty much everyone involved would have done something different.

Because where we're at today is not where I thought or would have hoped us to be.

So I know where I stand on this.

Um and I do I've never wavered, I won't waver.

Uh but I do want to say a couple of things.

In our household, we talk about all the time.

My husband has always said it, and I at first kind of thought he was kind of silly about it, but the more that this happens, the more I believe it's true that statistics can be used to prove anything.

So honestly, I don't care about data in a lot of ways.

Because how do people feel, right?

How do the firefighters feel?

How do the residents in Albuquerque feel?

How does the council feel or the admin feel like that's what matters, right?

How do people feel about our public safety and how things are operating?

And so uh I appreciate the diet the data that we've gotten.

Uh and I know that it's been offered to get data from the other side, but I feel like it can be used to prove both arguments, and probably there's a little bit of truth to both sides.

So what I think that is important that I really want to say is that I respect, I respect you, Chief.

I respect local 244.

I think that both of you really are doing the best of your ability to do your job and to serve those who you're here to serve.

And I don't think that that is something that should I was gonna say compromise, but actually I do.

Like we shouldn't get rid of any of that respect, right?

But we are at a point now where there's not a respect for either side, or at least from the outside looking in, that's how it seems.

And there was a time where sitting here, I was able to see that local the IAFF, local 244, and the chief of fire and the admin, like you all are like this, in my opinion, and I was the one way out here to a lot of you, and now here I am.

Like, wait, you guys, get rid of your ego.

I think everybody has a lot of ego.

I think, uh or at least a little ego, and that gets in so much of the way.

So I just really want both sides to hear me when I say I support fire.

I support fire from the union perspective.

I think that there are some really valid arguments being made.

I support fire from your perspective as being the chief, and I think that you have some very valid points.

I I don't have the answer, but I sure hope that compromise is found, and I sure hope that moving forward.

Uh I've said to you from day one, don't even bother talking to me, Chief, about your reconfirmation because I support you.

And that hasn't changed.

So I really hope moving forward that local 244, the chief of fire, the administration, and hopefully the council.

We're all saying we want to work together better.

So I'm really hoping that we demonstrate it, and I hope I hope you do get reconfirmed, but I also hope that we can find compromise in order to truly put public safety first, the residents and the people that go into fires when I'm running out because I don't want to do what you do.

And I appreciate what you do truly and deeply, but I don't want to do it, which is why I feel like there's this need to have an even higher level of respect for all of you.

So thank you for what you do, but please I hope that we can find compromise.

Thank you.

Any other questions, um Councilor Bucket, followed by Councillor Lewis.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, thank you, Chief, for the uh the memo.

Um and I'm not proving Councillor Basson's point here on data.

Um, because I'd look at this data, I'm like, eh, that's a little bit janky there.

Um, because I really do believe in data, and we can we can do that better.

So I I do want to talk to you about this, but not I won't do it now.

Um but I do I am glad you're collecting data.

And you know, I I think about you know, I'm not a firefighter by any means.

Um, and I don't know the job.

Um but I do but I do know a little bit about leadership.

You know, I spent quite a bit of time in the army.

Um I think and part of leadership is is working with all your folks.

Um, you know, several months ago when all this kicked off, we had a room full of firefighters, all the rank and file.

Um the only ones I see now for the most part are the ones who work directly for you.

I don't see those in all due respect.

I know there are some reconciles here, but that giant room isn't here today.

And so what does that say?

I don't know.

Right.

We could read into that either way.

But it but I do believe as as chief, it's incumbent on you to be able to work with all your folks as part of leading them.

Um, and so I do want to hear your commitment on working with the union moving forward and coming with the best compromise, right?

Nobody ever no nobody ever leaves a compromise happy.

But there is such a thing as compromise.

So that's my question.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Um, Madam President and Councillor Baca, um, absolutely, and that's why I'm actually very happy that uh Vice President Cruz also mentioned collaborating with management in in a more uh in a way that's working better than what it's working now.

Um having having uh a relationship with our union is is very important.

I was a member of our union for a very long time.

Um and I am always I mean we've continued to collaborate with our union.

We're not always seeing eye to eye on every every every issue, um, but even over the past year, we have met monthly.

We have like I said, we've been we have been communicating with our union, and I'm absolutely committed to continuing to collaborate to repair um, you know, on my side, I can only speak for myself, but to repair uh anything from my side, and my hopes is that we uh we're we're met halfway there because that you know I think it that's the best way that we can move forward.

I think you said it exactly right, like there's two sides, and we have to meet in the middle, and that's what I'm hoping is that we can meet in the middle and and continue to work together.

Um, but it it it's gonna take some work and some effort.

Counselor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Chief for being.

I just have a couple questions.

Um, just around I know something that we and I have talked a lot about is atypical staffing, and I appreciate that you put some of that in the report, which we've I've been asking about.

Um, but I wanted to ask the specific question about how you calculate that.

Does that include your cadets in those numbers?

Madam President, Counselor Rogers, uh, so our um with the memo that I sent you, that front page with the chart.

If you look at our total staffing, um, at the bottom, it does include the cadets that we currently have.

Um the number is a little bit skewed because I have eight uh eight from the last class that have to retest, and so they should be out in the field in a in a in about 30 days.

So we have 45 cadets that just started.

So yes, the number here does include um for our full roster.

Now, for the atypical data related to our engines that I sent over, the cadet uh data is not relevant to to those numbers.

Okay, thank you for that.

Because you know, I used to have to do nursing staffing, not you know, but I I see it's very similar.

I do have some knowledge in this area, um, being a little baby basic, also AMT basic and fire family.

My grandfather was the state fire marshal, so I grew up um learning a lot about what you all do, and I have a lot of respect for what you do, and you know I'm fire family and always have fires back.

But I learned from my grandfather that the people I have to have the back of is the people on the ground doing the work every day.

And I talked to the guys and women in my firehouses, and thank you.

Now we have two women in district six um at the firehouse 11.

And I know you and I have talked about making sure you know my priorities for the fire service were not met this last two years.

And you and I have had a lot of conversations about the bunks and the living conditions and the working conditions of the houses in my district that are the busiest in the country and have the sickest patients.

So for me, can you tell me which houses you said three stations um we moved to the two um the one paramedic on the rescue?

Which houses were those?

Um, Madam President, Councilor Rogers.

So the three additional stations were station 11, 5, and station 12 in Councilor Grout's district.

And so again, the district with highest acuity, those are the three houses that are the busiest and have the most sickest patients.

When you and I talked about this change in February, we had about an hour conversation about my ask of just if you're gonna roll this out, just roll it out in the houses that are lower acuity and lower call volume.

And then you rolled it out, and it was the exact opposite.

So I think for me that was hard because it is mostly in my district, even though I know we had the pilot, and I went and talked to both firehouses that were running this way before I voted the first time in the house that was not, and heard from firefighters directly.

And so for me, um, looking at you, we cannot you know include in our staffing levels cadets that are not out on the in the field.

That that is for me a hard stop.

I want to see what your staffing levels are without those cadets, because that's the realness of what's happening in the field.

Um, those cadets are not taking calls, they're not taking the pressure off the men and women that are in these houses now.

So I'd like to see that change so that we can actually see what the deficiencies are.

And I know you're working hard on on staffing and and the cadet classes are full, and we're doing what we need to do there.

So I appreciate that.

I just want to see the numbers for what it is looking like for the men and women doing the job now.

That's my most important um piece.

I appreciated in your um in your memo about approving AFR's first in-house EMT intermediate program.

I think that's exactly what I asked for.

Is we don't have an issue with people wanting to go to paramedic school.

It's an issue that we can't train them at the rate we need them, and that is what's most important.

And I think intermediates will help fill that gap of not having the other paramedic because they can push meds, um, which is really important for life-saving measures.

I know that the patient care is not gonna falter because the men and women here will make sure of that, but what falters is their quality of life and how they feel doing this job.

It's really hard for the for the men and women in my house right now with with this um staffing uh levels.

So I just wanted to uh a couple more questions uh to help me.

Retaliation is really um a problem for me, and I wanted to ask you specifically why was I uh the IAFFR Lunion not included in the last cadet graduation.

Every graduation that I've gone to, they've spoken, they've been seated with leadership on the stage, and this time the this is the first one I've gone to, so I don't since we've had this issue happening because I didn't get the wires crossed on the change of address for the last two.

But this was to me a stark difference, and I want to know why why that was.

Um Madam President, Councilor Rogers, the IFF was in attendance.

Uh, Vice President Cruz was in attendance because President Um Tittman was out of town.

Um, this is actually the second graduation where the IFF hasn't spoken.

Um we've uh we've trimmed down um that program.

Um, but if it's if it you know, if it we it's a long graduation anyway, um, but we did have the IFF in attendance.

Um, President Titman was just out of town.

Thank you, Madam President.

And so, why didn't any representative, why weren't they allowed to speak or be on the stage with leadership?

Madam uh or uh counselor uh council president and uh counselor rogers, um, I did not seat on the stage our staff, our our captain.

We have we have like a public affairs group that does the seating.

I don't I I did not control the seating on the stage that night.

Okay, thank you, Madam President.

For me, it felt not it just felt wrong to not have um what I've always seen in graduations happen.

So I think for me that was just I had to ask that question.

Um could I ask um Mr.

Titman some questions?

Would you come on up, please?

Councilor Rogers, we're gonna let him do some public speaking.

I think right now we have other counselors that have questions, and then you can ask those questions when he comes up during public comment.

Okay, I'm sorry, Madam President.

I thought public comment was finished.

Well I was notified that he was he was back.

I guess he was here a little delayed.

So sure, I can wait and ask some questions for the case.

Okay, thank you so much.

Okay, are you that's the end of your questioning?

Um it potentially I might have some more questions for Chief after I talk to Mr.

Tittman.

Okay, Councilor People Core.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, so for something completely different.

I um I received quite a few phone calls from constituents from District 7 over the last few days, and I just wanted to relay what those calls were.

Um several folks that called to say, I really hope you're voting to reconfirm Chief Aromio, because when I had an incident in my house, um, this is what happened.

This was the amazing service that I received from the men and women at AFR, and two of them even said, and I had direct relationships with the chief after, you know, what is often the worst thing that's happened in someone's life.

And so I was really touched by those calls, and I just wanted to relay their thanks and their their gratitude to you and all of AFR for what you do.

And then I also just wanted to say I know very little about being a firefighter, and everything I know is something I've learned from you.

But I do want to thank you for the last four years of always answering my calls, always answering my sometimes quite ridiculous questions, everything from how do you handle animals in situations to you know how does staffing work to how are we dealing with our unhoused neighbors?

And you have answered every one of my calls and every one of my questions thoroughly completely and without any judgment every time.

And so I just wanted to thank you for that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Counselor Teas.

Thank you, Madam President.

Hello, Chief Haramio, how are you?

Thank you for being here.

I just have a few questions.

Um, thank you for sending your memo, first of all.

It was really helpful, and I am definitely pleased with the information that was provided.

I think there's a lot of good information there, obviously.

Um, but there are obviously some gaps, right?

I it shows strong operations leadership.

I see active workforce pipeline, um, and there is a commitment to staffing coverage.

Uh, what I am also seeing is seven, eight million in overtime.

And I'm just curious about how our budget requests are going with regard to account for that.

So we I know and we know, thank you, um, Counselor Rogers for asking the questions about the vacancies because vacancies are not currently considering workers on leave, right?

They're not accounting for random call-offs, they're not accounting for you know, forced hires, anything like that.

Correct?

Um, Madam President, Counselor Teez, um, that's correct.

The uh vacancies uh that we have reported here, most of these positions on this document are assigned to a position in the field or in a support division.

We have a handful of firefighters on each shift that are also assigned to a floating position.

Um but but the their the staffing levels do not account for all of the reasons that a firefighter might be off, and that's where our vacancies happen.

Some of them are also created internally.

So, for example, we have 25 people in paramedic school right now, which is great, all voluntary.

Um, we didn't have to force this year, which is awesome, but we also have 25 people in paramedic school, which means I have 25 people out of the field, um, meaning that they're likely backfilled with overtime because uh if we exhaust the our floating pool.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, so when we hiring, you know, I understand there we're adding positions here, right?

Are these the positions that you need right now?

Um, Madam President, Counselor Teas, uh I'm I'm sorry, which position specifically are we talking about adding, right?

Well, that's what the floating positions correct, yes, the floaty, the floaters.

Uh Madam President, Counselor Teas, for example, last year when we added engine 23, uh, we requested an additional uh two to three positions.

I can't remember off the top of my head uh to account for those that float pool.

So every time we have asked for positions in the field, we ask for those additional positions for the float pool, and we've been granted every time we've staffed in the fields in the past uh asks that I'm aware of, we've received that float pool.

And I understand there's uh nationwide just workforce shortage just in general on paramedics.

Is that correct?

Um, Madam President, Counselor Teas, yes, that's correct.

And we are sort of backfilling that in some some fun creative ways, right?

So we have paramedic schools a year, um, firefighters six months.

What about the can you explain um the EMT licenses, the intermediate, what that sort of looks like.

Um Madam President, Counselor Teez.

So um EMT intermediate, it's advanced EMT.

Uh it is shorter training.

Uh, we can we can train an intermediate in about eight weeks.

They couple very well with paramedics because they can perform just as Counselor Rogers mentioned.

They can they can perform a lot of the skills working with the paramedics.

They it's not as intensive training, but it is it is a great way to boost the workforce of ALS providers without having to send somebody to school for a year.

So what we've decided to do because of our staffing challenges that we're having to try to reduce uh force hires or atypicals, we didn't want to pull more people out of the field to attend intermediate school with the 25 out for paramedic school.

So what we're doing right now with this cadet class is uh we um as those of you that came to graduation know we moved the EMT portion to the beginning of the class to help with mentorship and to get them ready for the academy.

So what we're doing is the EMT, the the firefight the cadets that came in without an EMT license are getting trained as EMT basics.

We hired 16 cadets that already have an EMT basic license, so they are actually getting the intermediate training prior to starting the academy so that I don't pull from staffing, but I'm able to boost our numbers of intermediates, and then once these cadets graduate as firefighters, they will be able to help uh with that ALS response working with the paramedics.

Thank you, Chief.

Madam President.

Has the ALS expansion changed patient outcomes that you've seen?

Are you seeing what is your response times look like?

And um do you think sorry it's three part question?

Um what point do you think floaters you know become sort of a permanent staffing dependency?

Um Madam President, Counselor Tez, I'm sorry, I missed the second part of that question.

I heard the first part where the response times, what was the second part?

The second I missed the second part of your question.

You know what?

It went out of my brain.

That's okay.

So again, this this data is preliminary.

Um our working group uh submitted some data and I just received it yesterday, so I haven't had a time to share this really with anyone.

So but the data from the stations, uh the stations that are in um uh primarily counselor Rogers district, but also uh Counselor Grout on Delta calls, which is one of the most serious calls, deltas and echoes.

Echo is like a cardiac arrest, a delta is like a very, very serious life-threatening emergency.

So for patients right now that live in primarily counselor Rogers district, um, a paramedic is getting on scene and um average over a minute, it's averaging 71 seconds faster than they were when we were in our traditional model.

On an Echo, which you know, anyone that knows any has been through CPR knows that minutes matter.

Um on echo calls, our paramedic is getting on scene um uh over 116 seconds, so almost two minutes faster than they were in the old uh model, and so we're seeing that we're getting paramedics on scene faster in this uh in this current model that we're using.

And I understand we're at a three three three-platoon staffing model.

Um can and that's supported with backfill, right?

So you're compliant with NFPA staffing standards.

Madam President, uh, Counselor Teez, uh yes, we uh we talk about staffing daily.

Uh it's been a priority for the eight years, and something it's like sometimes feels like the unsolvable problem in the fire service.

Uh we may we we worked on an administrative instruction to memorialize uh four firefighters to an engine, so we strive to always staff that way.

Um unfortunately, when we've exhausted our overtime list, uh there's other things that I do.

Um if it's Monday through Friday, I can move uh people from support divisions, so people that work in the fire marshal's office training, they have their support fill day, so I'll move them out to try to maintain those uh those staffing levels on our engines with with the four firefighters.

Once uh all of those things are exhausted, um if if it's the first day of the shift, I can hold firefighters over, which is uh forced overtime, which is not ideal because it's forced over time, but that's to maintain that safe staffing level.

If it's day two of the shift, um that's when we see the atypical trucks.

So in a typical engine for AFR is three firefighters on the engine.

Um, and we do we we have basically a a multi-tiered drop down of who gets moved where uh to try to avoid that um as much as possible.

Um Madam President, so three on the engine, but does that still ensure that there are two on the rescue?

Um Council President and Counselor Tez, uh, yes, there is always two firefighters on the engine.

Um I I wanted uh also touch on when we do have three firefighters on the engine, we also have a policy that if they feel they need more manpower for a call, they can request an additional resource.

I think it very it it doesn't happen uh very rarely that do I ever hear that an engine calls out for an additional um engine uh to respond with them, but they do have that ability if they feel like they need more firefighters on a call.

Um, but the rescues minimum staffing on a rescue is always two firefighters.

We don't drop a rescue down to one firefighter.

Okay, Madam President, for your cadets, are intermediate classes being offered to cadets and current firefighters, or how is that working?

Um, Madam President and Counselor Teez, that's uh that is part of our vision is to offer intermediate training to our firefighters, and right now, um, and I've expressed this to labor because this is an issue that we have uh talked quite a bit about over the past two weeks.

The number one issue there is that would pull 12 or more firefighters from the field and then make staffing that much harder.

Madam President, and my so and it's probably makes things difficult when you have an operating budget of 2 million right now.

Um it looks like there's about 8 million that the total cost for operating is, but you have a budget of two.

Um so uh counselor president and uh uh um counselor Teas.

Our our full operating budget is uh around 132 million, 122 million is in staffing, um, is in in wages uh for the department, and then that leads up leaves us with the remainder about 10 million uh that goes to different things, uh transfers uh to utilities, um, and so it just kind of uh you know, do the math backwards kind of gets us to um we also do have fire fund, uh so because we have an ISO one rating, uh there uh the the state pays fire fund out to the departments based on your ISO one rating, and that's a way that we're evaluated for our service.

Um our fire fund is uh avenue that we get every year for being having an ISO of one.

We get a certain amount of money for each main station and substation in the department, and that money that comes in helps us buy fire engines, station repairs.

So that is also money that we receive that's very specific generally to um station repairs and fire trucks, and then of course another revenue that a lot of our departments receive is geobonds.

Um but yes, if we're specifically talking about operating uh that that that breaks us down to there.

Madam President, I promise I'm almost done.

Um I'm when we look at the 122 for personnel, is that include the seven million of overtime?

Um I don't know.

Um Madam President, Counselor Tez, I do not believe that the 122 includes our overtime wages.

I believe that's a separate line item.

Council President, uh Council Tez, yes, that's correct.

It's a different line item than what we have.

It's a different line item.

Yeah, it is a different line item.

Okay, and what is the if we were to actually provide more FTE to better support actual vacancy rates that account for workers on leave that account for random call-offs, um what does that equal is that less than or equal to seven million or eight million if we're funding FTE properly.

Um Madam President, um, Counselor Tez, uh we uh the more float pool that we have, the less that we have to pull people in for overtime shifts.

And so now that's a that's an interesting concept because it takes as we we as you and I discussed, you know, about six months to train a firefighter, and then there's also every rank all the way up through battalion chiefs that we backfill.

So it can take you know 12 to 12 plus years to become a battalion chief.

And so um so using that funding uh that we're using for overtime for hiring firefighters would help in some areas, but I don't think that it would resolve all of the issues because it would take quite some time when we like for paramedics and some of the positions that take more time to train into, um, it would take a little bit of time to get them up to that level.

And I and I know that we move things around, right?

Because with that operating at 2.8 million, but we're actually actuals are at about 10.7.

Where are you?

I mean, where is that extra eight coming from?

Um, Madam President, Counselor Teas.

So uh our budget, uh I've I've been a part of this administration this for eight years, um, and we've talked about our operating budget every year.

Um we we have our projections and then we have our where we end kind of end up at the end of a fiscal year.

And so we we try to be strategic with how you know we there might be accounts that we're not gonna spend down to try to to try to become in as close to budget as we can.

Um whenever we make those decisions, um, we make sure that we're not it's not equipment or anything.

We don't want any of the boots on the ground to feel that like we might be you know not spending down an account, so it's we're not not gonna repair HVAC, we're not not gonna get them equipment that they need.

Um so we try, you know, we have our what we project, which is usually around that, and then we have where we come in, which is usually much lower than that.

Um, and then uh when the city sends over the budget at the end, we generally get uh I believe uh made whole by the general fund or any other department that maybe came in under.

Um Madam President, and again I'm I'm what last question I promise, I promise.

Okay, sorry.

So and I guess this is Chief Hotamio, maybe Dr.

Single.

Um how are we tying any sort of do we have performance definitions?

Do we have any sort of baseline requirements?

What type of regular reporting is tied directly to funding decisions and these budget and how you're creating this budget to ensure that we are you know appropriately funding so that we are considering these different elements when looking at the real vacancy rate, right?

And how we're just allocating the budget requests.

I can't I don't understand the governance behind it because I don't see it.

So we are working hand in hand with the department and we continue to meet with them to try and restructure their budget correctly.

And one of the issues that happens is we're restructuring is um fire.

There are a few departments that are unique.

So a vacancy, there really doesn't create any vacancy savings because you have to have somebody there.

So there's like a solid waste workers in our police department.

So it actually costs you money when you have those vacancies.

So trying to get those vacancies filled is what we've been restructuring to do to make sure that we can have people there because it does cost more, and that's why that overtime rate gets so high because it's unanticipated, and then we have to take into consideration things such as people on FMLA, um, parental leave, all those things happen.

But one of the other things we really don't know until we're throughout the year going through the year is retirements.

So we may be having people in the academy, but you have to fill the retirement rate as well, as well as back for those positions.

So it's an ongoing thing that we work with the chief throughout the year to make sure we do our best to project the budget and then adjust it throughout the year, and then we do it at the year-end cleanup to make sure that we they meet budget.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilor Grapple.

Thank you, Madam President.

Chief, thank you for being here.

Um, thank you for being always accessible.

I know that there has been um some disagreements between the union and yourself, and I do hope that you can have a compromise.

Counselor Basson said it most eloquent eloquently.

Council Fiebercorn also said the same things that I would say.

You've always been accessible.

Um you always return calls, and I know that um but but it breaks my heart to see this um friction.

And we have a duty to serve our community.

And our firefighters, I just every day I'm grateful for them more and more.

And I I couldn't do their job.

And so we need to listen to them.

And I know that your team behind you, they respect you greatly.

And that makes me happy too.

So I my request would be that you work very hard, very hard, and compromise.

You need to make some more compromises.

I know you probably have like there's two sides.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Lewis.

Madam President, and Chief, just uh you know, one last, I guess, uh brief conversation.

You you and I had a big disagreement this last year, you know.

And um, as well as with a majority of this council, and what I believe is a majority of uh your the people who work for you, you know, the union that represents, let's just say at least a majority of the people that work for you.

We we had a big disagreement, and I I think again, I think you were sincere about it, and I think that the uh that we were very sincere about it.

It was some pretty deep held beliefs and a difference and in this specifically regarding uh um that ALS expansion and and and two paramedics on a rescue, and I think there were great cases to be made.

Um very passionate you know about it.

And and whether whether we could hold you to that um with a law that was passed by the majority of the council, um, whether the union uh and your workers could hold you to it or not, whether the we have the ability to do that with uh with laws and ordinance changes or even with you know lawsuits that are filed and things like that, whatever you know turns out with all these things.

Um what kind of weight do you give that when you make decisions as a leader?

What kind of weight do you give uh again this council, me, um the uh let's just say a very large group of your workers.

When you make decisions, what's the percentage of weight that you give to that decision regarding those those opinions?

Um Madam uh uh Madam President, Counselor Lewis, uh there's I there's as fire chief, there are multiple areas that I have to consider.

It includes the weight of city leadership, the council, firefighters, the public, uh, that has an expectation of our department as well.

Um those are those are discussions that we're constantly having in our department.

We have we we we have these discussions that labor management, we have disagreements, we have processes in place to resolve those disagreements through our labor board, and as long as I've been part of our administration, there have been times that the union has filed PPCs against administration or vice versa, and and then we have this great system set up in the city where the labor board is able to make those decisions on like here's the dispute, and here's uh here's a board of experts that can make it resolve that conflict and that dispute.

And generally, when when we do have a dispute or a disagreement or a difference of opinion, however we want to frame that um when when it goes to the labor board, if if both sides are kind of like believe that they're correct, we have a third party that's able to review both sides of the issue and make a determination, and we always we we respect that issue and we move forward.

We have wonderful boards and processes in place to help us navigate the difficulty of running an organization, taking care of our workforce, making sure we're not violating any rights, and I just ask that we continue to rely on those boards.

Um that is that is what um gives us strength and that relationship with our union uh to and and that's really where a lot of times when we've had these disputes, this isn't the first dispute our administration has had with the union.

And I want to continue to do that, but as far as like when I'm making decisions, there are a lot of factors that the fire chief has to consider, and that includes input.

But it also includes a lot of other variables uh in this role, and that's something that I take very seriously as a professional in this organization.

The meta president chief, I mean, again, like I said, regardless of the the ICC, the district court, um, the uh labor board.

Um, like you know, however, these things turn out, you know.

I mean, if you're saying that um, hey, let's let the courts decide.

You know, when we have differencing of opinion, I want the courts to decide, the ICC to decide, the labor board.

I don't think you're saying that, are you?

I think you're acknowledging that there's a process, but what I what I asked you is that regardless of that, um you had a pretty strong opinion of this this governing body, as well as a majority of your of your uh your firefighters, your mem medics.

And what kind of weight?

Is it 30%?

Is it five percent, or maybe in your decision making as chief, you kind of take into account that's uh maybe one percent of it is is when you make a decision.

Madam President, Council Lewis, I don't have a breakdown of percentage in my head.

Um I take all the facts and opinions and data because I am also very interested in data, and I look at what the needs of our community is and the resources that I have for the firefighters, and I make a decision there.

I don't have a percentage of weight of somebody's decision is more important than another.

Um, it's my job to make decisions that impact public safety, and each decision is going to be different based on all of those factors.

So I do not have a percentage that I can assign to any one group or body.

Um I have to I have to make decisions based on the facts that I have and what what what solute what we're trying to solve for okay.

Um so I'm gonna ask um Mr.

Tippman to come back up in just a second, so we'll conclude that the questions.

I'll just make my comments just to say that you know, I I really appreciate you.

You know, we've done a lot of great things in district three.

We opened the first fire station in 20 years in the district, really proud of that.

The workers there, the young man who is actually in charge there is used to be our our neighbor's son.

So, you know, I'm just really proud of you know all the work that they're doing out there, and then also, you know, we put the new fire truck there at the other station.

So I mean, there's a lot of good things happening, but I'm just gonna kind of reiterate what everyone here on the diet, almost everyone here on the dice is saying is that you know, we really want to see we've been working this year to try to work in the spirit of collaboration and transparency, you know.

The administration's doing a lot of things to um extend the olive branch, we are too.

As you can see, you know, we have the directors here, and sometimes we just have to put down our pride and and and you know, just come together and work together to come up with solutions, right?

It was a very contentious year, you know, being in the in the legal battle, knowing that you know, we support fire, and then we also support the union.

And I just want to say that I really hope that you go back and work with the unions because first and foremost, no matter what decisions you're making, um, they impact the the workers that work under you, right?

And and we want to make sure that they have good working conditions, and any time that their job um their job is changed, um, I think it's it's really a matter of negotiations, right?

And just not implementing those things on our employees without really going through the process and you know, strong believer in unions and what that means for working conditions.

So I just really hope that that you guys can do that as well.

We've tried to do it and hope you guys can do it, and and you know, I look forward to working with both of you because you know, there's people in there and sometimes egos and and um and um and people who are really just trying to represent lots of people that work under you as well, right?

And when we're talking about, you know, I'm hearing all the um everybody who here who spoke on your behalf, and you know, I just want to make sure that also I think um Councilor Backa alluded to that is just even the you know the uh rank and file to come here too and support saying that you know we don't always agree, but um we we want to make sure that we work together to do good for public safety here in in the city of Albuquerque.

So thank you, Chief.

If you'll take a seat and then we'll take a vote, but I'm gonna ask Mr.

Titman to come up during public comment, so you'll have the standard two minutes, Mr.

Titman, unless anybody has any questions for you.

Thank you, Council President.

Um I know and counsel I know a lot of a lot has been said.

I just want to uh reiterate and echo some of the sentiments uh from many of you.

Um Council Feeble Corn, the the level of service that are your constituents in the city of Albuquerque residents will get will never waver uh with these firefighters behind me.

Um that will always be true.

Um the the crux of the issue with us is collective bargaining, and that's what unions are for.

And this is a very this has been a very large change in working conditions.

It's been it's been a rough year, and um I'm a fan of the fire chief as well.

As a person we were friends before, I hope we can be friends again after.

All of these firefighters behind me, most of it's the training academy.

I I trained some of them.

I was training is uh a large part of my heart, and um we have the best fire department in the country, and we train at a level that other departments don't.

And uh the level of service that we get that we give is what we all desire.

I'm sorry, I thought I got two minutes, two.

Um you can go ahead and proceed.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

Um of the largest issues.

When you hear three man injuries, you should worry.

It is a safety issue, not only for our firefighters, but for your constituents.

And the level of service does diminish not based off of the firefighters training, not based off of the firefighters' will, but based off of how many firefighters you want to make a safer fire department, hire more firefighters.

Ensure that those NFPA standards are met for firefighters on engines all the time.

Every single day that we have a fire truck respond with three firefighters is a safety issue.

We want to work together with this administration.

We want to be part of the solution.

I want to echo what my vice president, my new vice president, and hopefully bridge that's going to help us bridge this gap uh this next year and beyond.

That's what we want.

Now, yes, we have some we some disagreements, um, but the the foundation of our stance has always been collective bargaining.

That's what unions are for.

When there's a change in our working conditions, when there's a change to our bid system, when there's a change to how we respond, we deserve to be at the table.

And I know you I know you believe that.

Um, and that's that's it.

So I just want to echo that like we support the forward movement of this department collectively, both between the union and the administration and yourself.

And I hope to be part of what how we can educate you because I think I've talked to every single one of you, and staffing is not an easy equation to understand, especially for the fire department.

But understanding you understanding it is going to help us fill those gaps.

I'm really excited to have Councillor Telly as a forensic auditor on the council.

This can really help because just right off the bat, counselor, I can tell that you uh understand some of the it takes a while, it took a while for me to understand it.

And and and um I think I look I really look forward to fixing this problem and dissecting all of the data so that we can do that together collectively.

So thank you for your time, and I'll take any questions that you guys have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

I appreciate the ability to ask two questions.

Um Chief mentioned forced overtime on the first day off.

Can you explain in your experience of from your members how often that's happening?

Yeah, uh, thank you, Madam President and Council Rogers.

Forced overtime is something that nobody likes.

We don't like it currently uh legally, they're allowed to hold somebody over from their 48-hour overtime.

Um sorry, from the 48-hour shift.

That next that next shift they can hold them over and force them to work in overtime.

We have never agreed to force overtime.

We think that the mental health and the health of our firefighters is first and foremost, and asking them to work 56 hour work weeks is already straining their family, their balance, their work family uh balance.

Um, and you know, back to this conversation about staffing and how we're gonna collectively do that, we gotta be on the same page.

Our disagreements come from the fact that our firefighters are suffering because of the staffing imbalance.

It's not it's not a number on the side where there's a negative on on uh vacancy.

It's about balancing and prioritizing front line the response, the fire trucks that respond to your constituents and prioritizing that.

Our firefighters are feeling that that hurt, they're getting forced more times on weekends.

We're seeing more atypical trucks on a regular basis, even since the cadet class, we've had a couple in the past week.

We are seeing support fill any time that on Monday through Friday when we're we're short.

Um these my friends back here in training have a rotation where they got to come from the training academy and give and none of them like it because they love training cadets and they love training firefighters so much, but they have to be forced to put somebody from training into the field.

And on top of that, they're asking us to agree to a force hire, asking our firefighters to work additional.

So if if staffing's not a problem, why are these things even apparent?

And we want to collectively work together to solve them.

We got to be on the same page about what our issues are.

Thank you.

Thank you for that.

Last question is um chief mentioned that if a team is out in the field and they need another medic and they don't have it on field on scene.

What's the process for them?

How do they call for another paramedic?

Council President, uh, Council Rogers, thank you for the question.

Um it's something that has been uh a problem that's been presented at least once that I know of in Councilor Grout's district, where uh it was at station 12 where you have a paramedic on an engine and a paramedic on the rescue, and they responded to a nine echo, and that uh engine happened to be on another call, and then an engine came from station eight that doesn't have a paramedic, and our par our member asked for an additional resource, which he got because that's how we're trained is if you you front load calls based off of operational need.

But their stance was don't do that because paramedics need to learn how to work alone.

It is the standard that paramedics need to work alone or be able to work alone, and we don't want them to ask for for more help.

That's that's what we got.

That was the response that we got when we asked what is our policy going to be when somebody asks for additional help.

Paramedics should be work should be trained to work independently, is what we got is what they told us.

Thank you, Madam President.

So let me make sure.

So I had an issue one time when I called for help and I asked for ACS specifically.

They didn't get on the radio and ask, they called on their cell phone to their supervisor.

Is that the same thing here where they're asking you to call, not through the your radio that's right on you, or are they able to call it in through a supervisor or council president, council Rogers?

Um, no, we would we would request that through our alarm.

Um we have we have uniform dispatch that is very, very important to operations because they are knowledgeable about everything that we do, and that member in the front line would identify the need the operational needs and then request additional um resources through our alarm room on our radio system through the radio system.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam President.

And I that brought up one other question.

Um have you surveyed the members um specifically on the reconfirmation of Chief Hadame and where your members stand?

Like I mean, that I think that's the most obvious question no one's asked.

Um have you has any polling serving been done of your members asking specifically about the reconfirmation of Chief?

Council President Council Rogers, we did do an internal survey um based off of the direction from our communications committee.

It wasn't one person that directed this.

This is a very uh spirited conversation and debate.

Um we got the results yesterday.

We didn't plan on on sharing them, but since you asked, uh it was 67 percent against confirmation and 33 percent for with a total of 220.

So for full transparency, there was 220 members that completed the survey.

It wasn't a vote, it was just a simple question.

One question do you support Chief Automio's confirmation?

Thank you, Madam President.

And how many members do you have?

Uh in our union, we have about 647.

647, and how many responses?

220.

Thank you, Madam President.

Councillor Lewis.

Thank you, Madam President.

How many were in favor of or not in favor of confirming?

It was 67 percent against confirmation.

607 percent.

So uh Mr.

Tidman, this chief is suing the union.

Um, in your opinion, should this council confirm the chief tonight?

Council President and Council Lewis, I think there's lots of things that go into that to that question.

Uh you guys went into closed session, uh, you guys had conversations and that we're not privy to.

Uh, wish I could be a fly on the wall and and hear um some of those discussions based off of what the history of how this union has been treated in terms of changing our work conditions and and being recognized at the table.

My answer is no, and that's not based off of Emily Hodomio as a person, how she treats her firefighters, how she uh who she is.

That's how she has led this department.

And and I and I tell my the young firefighters that we have this cultural kind of um fallacy that if you become the fire chief, you get to mold and do whatever you want with with your department.

That is the farthest thing from the truth.

When you become a fire chief, and there's a couple behind me that have a very good chance of doing that, you have an opportunity to lead a large group of men and women towards a shared and unique goal to expand services and better and improve services.

That's what you have, and sometimes that's hard.

Getting a majority is difficult, but that's what unions are for, and that's all we've ever asked for.

So, in terms of Chief Hatamio and myself, it's it's it's not about us, it's about the people that we serve, both her and I.

She serves them, and so do I.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

So we have comments from the administration.

I don't know if you want to make any or not.

Madam President, thank you.

I think we've been, you know, we believe in uh Emily Chief Hadameo's um leadership, and I think we all have had a lot of discussions around um how we can move forward and working together.

Um Chief Hadameo's um leadership and her comments have been very clear that her of her intention of continuing to work with the union and repairing the those relate that relationship and working with them.

Um it is uh challenging um to respond um immediately following the statement just made.

So um I apologize, wasn't planning on um that uh statement from the union president.

Um and so I guess what I would say is you know, we believe in um Emily Harmiero's um long long experience in uh as a paramedic.

She's been an incredible leader in the fire department, and in her career, she has been focused on serving this community and ensuring we have public safety and serving the safety of this community in her decisions and the work she does.

Um and I think you know, this administration stands behind her leadership.

Uh, we believe she's an incredible been a strong leader, and we have a great lot of opportunity um under her leadership as we go forward.

Um thank you.

Um Councillor Champagne.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um that being said, uh, Dr.

Single, when is she gonna go back to the table?

I mean she's reconfirmed here, and I ask you this, not her.

I ask you this because you're just we you just reconfirmed as a CAO.

It's your responsibility to oversee the departments that are in the police department, solid waste, fire department.

Um she can get reconfirmed here and then just say never mind.

So when uh Madam President, Councilor Champagne, um we've never left the table.

That is important.

The labor management meetings that occur regularly have been multiple discussions across many different issues that um they work through all the time.

They discuss them, they work through them.

Um so that labor management um those meetings have had multiple MOUs of discussion.

Um, and I just want to make sure that we're all clear that you know we haven't the administration and um Chief Hadame's team have not left that table and have continued to participate in discussions going forward.

Um we reached a an impasse as and that's not the right word because that's a legal term, I shouldn't say it that way.

Um, but you know the the matters that we are discussing, we we they were they were in discussion um when it became a matter that was um came to hear before city council as a resolution.

That threw a giant um you know curveball into the entire process.

And so it isn't meant to be an antagonistic um statement in any way.

This is an unusual situation that we are in, and um I think we've shown a commitment to continue to show up at the table with the labor management meetings and continue that work.

And I'm fully confident that that has continued.

Um I you know, I get report reports from that work and and the things that are happening, and and I know that they're sitting at the table together.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, um, Mr.

Vice President.

So um we'll move on to the vote, but I'm just gonna conclude by saying that you know I thought it was really highly um inappropriate for this these men to speak out, especially you know, Counselor Dwiss is uh uh uh um a grown man, he can speak for himself, but he's really been um a strong champion for for um labor um throughout this whole thing, and it's really created some contention over the year.

So again, um Ms.

Hadameo too, because I seen some laughter back there when that happened, and I just I just I I you know so I think that you you um I think that we really need you know, especially from the CAO commitment to say that we're gonna go back to the table and extend the olive branch and try to get some things right for our our union and our workers that are the firefighters who are are the boots on the ground, you know.

And with that, I'm just gonna try to be optimistic about uh moving forward and just to say that I you know, chief, I think you've done a great job as a woman.

I think one of the public speakers spoke to about it, you know, um amongst um um amongst a bunch of men leading that um you know leading your department.

I think it's really commendable and I appreciate the work you've done.

And you know, I know some of the deputy chiefs and you guys are doing amazing work as well.

So um, but there is there's really some stuff that has happened over the past year that's really created a divide, and I think uh all anyone wants to see here and speaking to these men is that we come together, come to the table, and let's work things out like adults.

So um I think we have your commitment by the show of a nod, and then counselor Lewis, and then we'll end it and go to the vote.

And Madam Chair, I I um I or Madam President, I I agree, I agree with you, and I I uh um I think anybody here listening here tonight, though, and certainly hearing from the the union.

I mean, which make up the the firefighters, and you see that there are some pretty big challenges and some um you know this departments hurting in some ways, and uh and I think if we were not to confirm uh the chief here tonight, I think a lot of people would go that makes sense, you know.

I mean, because of the discussion here tonight and what's going on.

Um, but I am going to I am gonna vote in confirmation, and it's because Madam President, of what you just said, um, that in good faith, and do believe you know that I I uh um you know I want to see um the department come together.

I I think that you know, going back and some of these issues we've talked about, you know, with the union and negotiating in good faith.

Um and uh, you know, I I do agree that there are um some unfortunate ways that some of that came about.

I mean, absolutely.

I mean, and uh you know, for the chief to be um all of a sudden mandated, you know, uh by this council.

I mean there was I mean some things that came about that I think that you know I've certainly been willing to look at and say, hey, you know, let's uh um see if we can go another direction here.

But at the same time, you know, um it's gotta be both ways, you know.

And I and I want to but you know, I'm gonna vote in confirmation with the confidence that that that that will happen.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um thank you.

So um on EC 10, there was a motion and a second for confirmation of Chief Emily Um Haramio to the position of Chief of the Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

All those in favor signify by raising your hand and saying yes.

Yes, yes.

All those opposed, same motion.

Motion passes unanimously.

Congratulations.

Madam President, may I make a just a brief statement explaining my vote on the record?

Sure.

I feel like I'm new.

I'm totally new.

I don't know all the inner workings of what went on over the last year with regard to lawsuits.

But right now, what I am seeing is a core issue.

It's not really whether the chief values firefighters or supports fair bargaining, it's whether she has been given the budget authority and the political backing to actually deliver what the union is asking for.

And we all know that we cannot negotiate with empty pockets.

The chief does not control the budget, and listening alone doesn't staff engines, funding does.

And after looking at the appropriations here and the operating costs and the overtime costs, I'm I'm directing my pressure to where I believe it belongs, and that's on the mayor's office to put real dollars behind it.

And I again I don't think this is a chief problem or a union problem.

I think this is a budget and priorities issue, and I hope that the mayor and your team will do what's right and per provide us with a budget that appropriately funds what our firefighters need.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

So we will now move on to if I can find my place here.

Um we'll move on to EC 13 request for approval of social service agreement with no, we did that, didn't we?

No, nope.

Okay, with Catholic charities to implement and operate a housing resource center and move in mentor um mentor program.

I move approval.

Second, there's a motion and a second for approval.

Is there anyone signed up to speak on EC 13?

Mr.

Cornelius.

Thank you, Madam President.

We have Lisa Christofferson.

She's here.

Lisa's now joined us tonight, Madam President.

So there is no extra comment.

Thank you.

Okay.

There were okay.

So any questions from the administration on EC 13.

Seeing none.

Um there was a motion and a second, correct, Michelle.

We got the second down.

Okay.

So all those in favor of EC 13 signify by saying yes and raising your hand.

Yes.

Yes.

All those opposed, no.

Same motion.

Same.

Sorry, did I miss something?

No, I didn't.

Okay.

Um that motion passes.

So then EC14 Basamia project next gen resource management internship program contract.

I move approval.

Second.

There's a motion and a second by Councilor Feblecorn.

Is there anyone signed up to speak, Mr.

Cornelius?

No.

Thank you.

Counselors, any questions?

Seeing none.

All those in favor of approval of EC14, please raise your hand and say yes.

Yes.

Opposed, same sign.

Motion carries.

Now we are on to EC1 request for use of FY25 fund 265 Rapid Rehousing Project.

Project appropriated funds to increase the heading home.92 to maintain housing for 92 households through the end of FY26.

And as I'm talking about EC1, we have a companion bill, which is R1, but we will move this one first.

So I move approval.

Second.

There's a motion to second by Councilor Feblecorn.

Is are there any questions from counselors?

Seeing none, is there anyone signed up to speak?

Yes, madam president.

We have James Freeman to speak.

Good evening, y'all.

I know Miss Chavez pretty well over here.

We both serve on the housing voucher task force together that this uh body created a year ago.

And I can tell you she knows more about housing vouchers and the pretty much anyone in the city of Albuquerque.

She really knows her stuff.

She needs this money.

Uh I was fortunate enough.

I stayed at the AOC back in 2016, which is their overnight shelter, and I felt incredible passion, uh compassion and love at that agency.

And so I always when I get a chance to speak highly of heading home, I always do.

I it's a it's a terrific agency.

Even 10 years ago, it was the shelter of standard.

It was so much better than the West side.

But you know, they're still doing an incredible job over there, and I think uh this money will prevent homelessness, which is always important when we can do prevention.

So I strongly urge your support.

Thank you.

That concludes comment.

Madam President.

Thank you.

Any questions from the counselors?

Councillor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh, just a question for administration.

Do we know how much is in the general fund now?

Uh Council President, Council Rogers.

We knew we have submitted that.

We had our exit conference, and um we did have council staff there, and uh we are waiting for that to be released.

But yes, that's the general fund balance.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

So are there any other questions from counselors?

Seeing none, um, we will take a vote.

So all those in favor of um EC 10 Easy no EC4 EC1.

Oh, okay.

Sorry about that.

EC1.

EC1.

Um, please raise your hand and say yes.

Yes, yes.

Opposed, same motion, same that carries.

Thank you.

So now we're on to final action.

So here we go.

Um, Councilor Feeble corn by request R1.

R1 is approving and authorizing a request to increase heading home by 662,526.92 cents to maintain housing for 92 households in fiscal year 2026 and move it to pass.

There's a motion and a second by um councilor Rogers.

Is there anyone signed up to speak, Mr.

Cornelius?

Did you want to open on your bill?

No.

Um I would I would just say that this is you know a really important project.

We have 92 households that are that are housed with this contract, and um would hate to see them unhoused.

Uh we have enough of a problem with unhoused neighbors right now, so urge that we would all um support this.

Thank you.

Mr.

Cornelius.

My apologies, madam president.

I had it on the back page.

There's four speakers.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

First up is Tad Yumitzki, followed by Connie Chavez.

Connie Chavez, followed by Dorothy Otero.

Madam President.

And Councilor Members, thank you for the opportunity to give you a little bit of context with this, and Councillor February for for carrying this for us.

Just to give some context, at the end of fiscal year 25, we had 153 households in this project.

Today we're at 103.

So that is through the provision.

Just want to be very clear.

That's through the provision of case management.

We're able to move households on, um, get them the wraparound services that they need.

So I strongly urge your support.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I'm just gonna put in a little plug.

I think you do some amazing work, Connie.

You know, I have some experience with you, and I just think that you're just a blessing in disguise.

So thank you.

Thank you very much.

Up next, we have Dorothy Otero, followed by Teresa Storch on Zoom.

Thank you so much for having me.

Um Madam President, members of the council.

Um, I've been privileged enough to serve the city of Albuquerque in the unhoused community for the last 36 years working in housing, uh working with Heading Home has been a privilege to me.

The um clients that we serve, especially the families, depend on the support.

We currently have uh 300, a little over 300 uh households in my housing programs alone.

Um, and 140 of the 142 of those are children, so they really depend on this funding to continue on their housing journey.

So on their behalf, I thank you.

Teresa Storch on Zoom, please.

Um, Madam President Coswell thank you.

Very short remarks.

Um, the first gentleman said it so eloquently.

Um, I'm getting the feeling that you will pass this.

Nonprofits carry so much important weight um in our community, um, especially in the uh arena of housing and the heading home model is just wonderful.

So um please support this and thank you.

Madam President, that concludes comment.

Thank you.

Oh, sorry about that.

We're back on the bill.

Any questions from counselors?

Councilor People Corn to close.

Thank you.

I um I can't stress enough how important it is that we have programs like this that provide people assistance and and help getting back on their feet.

And um, this is a really incredible program implemented by a really incredible group heading home, and so I urge your support.

Thank you.

So um there's a motion and a second for um R1.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes, yes, yes.

Opposed, no.

Motion carries.

We are now on um 102, Counselor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

R102 is adopting the rental practice ordinance to codify provisions of the New Mexico Senate Bill 267 regarding rental practices, screening fees, fee disclosures, and late fees, and requiring owners to have a no-fee payment option.

I move a due pass.

Second, there's a motion and a second for due pass.

Thank you, madam president.

I have some amendments I'd like to move.

And in your packets, the first amendment is AL or number one, and this is um on page eight, line 21.

Insert the following and renumber subsequent sections.

Adding education, the city shall develop education materials for both residents and owners related to the provision of this ordinance.

Educational material shall be made available online.

Um, and so I want to thank Councilor Champagne, Councillor Pena.

Um, during this two weeks, we were able to meet together to go over this, and this is uh uh request from Councillor Penya for education.

Um and so I move this first amendment.

Second, um there's a motion and a second for floor amendment A, which will now be floor amendment one.

All those in favor, well, do we have any questions from counselors?

First of all, no.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes, yes, opposed, no.

Um motion carries.

So um then we are on to floor amendment label B.

It'll be uh floor amendment two, counselor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um floor amendment like to move number two on page seven line 23.

Response, the owner shall pay any penalty imposed and cure any valuation valuation as applicable.

Request mediation or a hearing by the response due date as indicated in the notice of violation.

And we're just adding alternatively, an owner may show proof of private action or enforcement by another authority initiated prior to the date on the notice of violation based on the same facts as alleged in the notice of violation.

Such showing will bar city enforcement as described in the notice of violation.

And this is again in direct response to our real estate professionals worried about duplicative fees, even though we have processes of the city and code enforcement to make sure we can avoid that because we have lots of other ordinances that also have state laws.

And so this is in direct relation to that.

And I urge your support.

So there's a motion and a second to floor.

Am I on?

Floor amendment two.

Floor amendment number two, yeah.

Um any questions from other counselors.

So all those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes.

Yes.

Oppose no.

Motion passes.

So that was uh approval of floor amendment number two.

We are now on floor amendment number three.

Council Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

Amendment number three is a technical adjustment for the article, um, because Article 27 is now taken for other legislation.

So we need to make that amendment, and I appreciate our team for catching that early.

And so it's several different lines, and it's just changing number 27 to number 28, um, because 27 was enacted before we got to this bill.

So I urge your support.

Thank you.

Are there any questions from counselors?

Seeing none, um, all those in favor of floor amendment number three, please raise your hand and say yes.

Yes.

Opposed no.

Motion passes.

Now we are.

Are there any additional amendments?

I have an amendment.

It's a floor amendment, it would be number four, correct?

Yes.

Floor amendment number four, and I think we have do we have them printed?

Oh, I think Sharice has them.

So I'll just read it.

Um Mr.

Cornelius, if you can put it, you don't have it.

Darn it.

Okay, well, I will just go ahead and read it.

This is floor amendment number um Madam President.

I have it if you'll just let me know what the amendment uh reads.

I can just okay.

So this is floor amendment number four, beginning on page eight, line 31, amend section four, effective date as follows.

Effective date of this ordinance should take effect um on July 1, 2026, after publication at by title and general summary.

This amendment proposes to amend the effective date of the ordinance to July 1, 2026.

Um the provisions of the ordinance that currently require by state law would remain in effect.

However, the city's enforcement of the ordinance would not commence until July uh 1, 2026.

Delaying the effective date would allow time for enforcement costs to be secured and um incorporate into the city's FY27 operating budget.

There's a motion in a second by counselor Rogers.

Any questions from the counselors?

Give you guys an opportunity to look at it.

Yes, Councilor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

I appreciate that.

And we did get some information.

We had to rework the budget analysis because I definitely asked for that from co-enforcement.

Um, so I appreciate that amendment, and I think it would help our department as well to prepare.

So I appreciate that.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Did you say there was someone signed up to speak on this amendment?

Oh, it was on the screen.

Okay.

So there was a motion and a second.

Um any questions, additional questions from counselors.

Seeing none, all those in favor, raise your hand and say yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Opposed, no.

Motion carries.

So then we have floor amendment number five, which do we have that one as well?

If you can put it up in the screen, where was that passed out?

No.

So this would be floor amendment number five.

Um, beginning on page eight, line 33, insert a new section five as follows.

Uh section five, communication with state, this um the city, including representatives of both the administration and council services is directed to contact New Mexico uh legislature and the New Mexico Department of Justice, Attorney General, to discuss state enforcement processes for the provisions of Senate Bill 267 2025.

Number two, expectations regarding the role of local governments in those processes, and three um funding and other support available to local governments that elect to adopt local ordinances to assist in enforcement efforts.

So this amendment proposes to require the city to communicate with the state regarding enforcement of the provisions of Senate Bill 267 2025.

Um I'll make a motion for approval of floor amendment number five.

There's a motion second by Councillor Grout.

Are there any questions?

Counselors.

So it looks like there's three, and I think did you have your hand up?

Um vice president.

No, okay, Councilor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President.

I appreciate this amendment as well.

I'd like to go to Garrett because we did since we've last met.

Um I have in good faith because that's what our colleagues asked for, is that we would continue to work with the state.

So we did have, I did speak with the sponsors of the SB 267.

We had a press conference together to talk about their surprise at what we found here at the city.

And I think this is really a great, like we don't often connect in this way on surprisingly.

Um when their state law is enacted, they kind of go like, all right, great.

Um, and they've done the work, right?

But there's not a really a follow-through on in on how it actually works in practicality.

So we recently um this is from our consumer protection department.

They spoke with the DOJ consumer division investigative representative on January 14th.

Uh she explained that there is currently no city ordinance allowing uh enforcement on the action.

Um, and if you scroll down, uh oh no, that's that's perfect.

So they they have said that they're gonna find out from their leadership because they also were not in aware of SB 267 in the consumer protection department at the Department of Justice.

So I appreciate this coming up because now we can which I love work on process improvement um to make sure that we we can can do this.

So I appreciate this, and I think we've already started that work, and this is a good addition to carry that forward.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Um, I think there was a second, I didn't capture who the second was.

I think you have it.

Um, are there any other questions?

I think Councilor Lewis, did you raise your hand?

On on the amendment, Madam President.

Yes.

No, that's okay.

Okay.

So um any additional no?

Okay.

So with that, there's a motion and a second for floor amendment number five.

Um please raise your hand and say yes.

Yes.

Yes, and opposed motion carries.

Okay, so we are back on the bill.

Councilor Rogers, if you wanted to add anything, if not, I'll go to um some comments from counselors.

Okay, um, counselor Lewis.

Madam President, thank you.

Um so we still have the I know we had some an amendment there that clarified that that tries to deal with the duplication of um of fees, but it does beg the question that you know what is the state you know going to do.

Um have we talked to have we already talked to the uh to the attorney general?

I mean, the state legislature passed the law and put penalties in that law.

Um when you put penalties in a law, you assume that you have the capabilities to enforce it.

You're collecting penalties, you're creating um probably positions or you're funding the ability to be able to enforce it.

So um have we have we had conversations with the attorney general that they're gonna enforce their own laws in in the in the state, including the city of Albuquerque, maybe for our staff or the sponsor.

Thank you, madam president, and thank you for that question, Councilor Lewis.

I have not spoken directly to our attorney general Roland Suarez.

I tried to catch him at the MLK march this weekend, um, surprisingly.

Um, but we have heard from his team directly in that email that they need guidance from their leadership because their ex their um process is to send it to the municipality best suited to enforce it.

And the in this email directly from them, that was the city of Albuquerque, which is why they sent the complaint to us.

And so I would like Victor or Julia to talk about um, you know, we have a ton of ordinances already that uh are also state statutes.

I think I brought up speeding in the last one.

We have a city ordinance, we have a state ordinance.

But in that case, we don't say to the state police, you should be why aren't you enforcing speeding in the city of Albuquerque?

And so I think here I'm asking for the same on the civil side.

But if our legal team has anything to add, I would love that too.

Councilor uh Council President, Councilor Rogers, that's correct.

There are several uh ordinances that cover, I mean, there's too much to name in such a short amount of time, but there are ordinances that cover the same uh conduct and are addressed in, for example, an easy example is is criminal statutes.

They cover the same subject material, but they cover different penalties depending on the level of enforcement at the uh municipal and at the state level.

Madam President, so I mean, are there are they law?

I mean, you're talking about laws that we've mimicked, right?

So we put up we we've mimicked state laws and had uh, but then if we if we mimic the state laws, then why why why are the state laws important at all to us?

I mean, you give a lot of examples of it, and I think the reason why is because it says, hey, this is just like a lot of other laws, you know, whether they're good or not or justified or not.

But um, are you saying that because they're state laws and because we have mirrored laws that they're more effective at that point?

Or I mean, I don't know.

I guess what's the point?

What's the point in that argument?

Council President, Councillor Rogers, it just allows for concurrent enforcement over the same subject matter.

It's not necessarily a matter of better or different, it's just concurrent.

And Madam President, can we can we enforce state laws?

I mean, can can we can we uh can we enforce state laws?

Madam President, Counselor Lewis.

So in this context where we're dealing with code enforcement, code enforcement needs an ordinance on in our code to enforce.

Um they can't um simply pull up URA, for example, um, and and start enforcing those provisions.

They would need something at the local level.

But Madam President, in what were we given some examples where we could enforce state laws with other jurists with other departments, or is it all uh not only a mirrored ordinance but a mirrored enforcement as well?

Is every single one of those that you looked at and studied because we're comparing it to those, are those the same thing, or do we have uh like for example, law enforcement that enforces state law um even though we don't have it on the city books, Madam President, Councilor Lewis, we were focused more so on the code enforcement side where it is it is as far as we we know a requirement that we have um a code to point to for code enforcement to actually participate in the enforcement process.

Um we would have to look up some examples if you were interested in other types of enforcement um processes with other departments.

So, madam president, I don't know how to counselor Lewis.

If so, I I don't mean to interject, but we also have the city attorney here to answer questions as well.

Okay, I you know, I guess let me wrap it up then by saying um you know why why is this a was this a um more of a memorial?

Was it I mean is it seems like a memorial from the state legislature?

Does it seem like a um an actual law that they intended to enforce in the first place?

And if they did, I would certainly want to know about that um the board because I think there's still a lot of questions on whether we're gonna have the capabilities of an of enforcing this and you know the time and the and and also whether you know the penalties that we would collect would even come close to um uh you know covering that.

And then also, Madam President, I would I would I would I would propose a an amendment that just removes the fee, the 250 dollar fee.

And I don't know if we could, I mean, if it's an easy way to write that up but just remove the remove the penalty, I guess call it amendment number what it would it would be no amendment number floor amendment number six.

Um but as they're working on drafting that, I think we can go to public comment.

Sure.

So okay.

There's a motion and a second for that amendment once it's drafted.

So okay.

I'm so Mr.

Cornelius.

Who is the second?

Um Vice President Champine.

Thank you, Madam President.

Our first speaker is Brandon Connell, followed by Alexander Carlton Bach.

Uh good evening, Madam President and Councillors.

I'm very glad to see the civic engagement from so many people and the support for our libraries, parks, open houses, open spaces, firefighters, unhoused neighbors.

Feels good to see this.

Speaking on the rental practices ordinance.

I have been a landlord for my own property.

I've also been an apartment manager for a small 16-unit complex.

I've read the draft.

Of course, I didn't read the floor amendments.

There's nothing onerous in this.

In fact, as many have stated in some of the open comments, the economic benefits of this across Albuquerque are immense.

It addresses some of the underlying issues.

It will strengthen our communities.

I ask you please to pass this.

And it might be wise to consider public comment being just a little bit larger in the future.

Thank you for your time.

Stay safe, stay warm.

Alexander Carltonbach, followed by Carla Humphries.

Hello again.

City Council.

President.

I do have to express a little bit of frustration complaining that the state was going to impose a fine to be able to fund the enforcement of this law and then to uh propose an amendment to then remove that fine.

For us, um, that means that instead of this being a self-sustaining bill, if we do not impose that $250 fine, uh we're not going to be making money off of this bill to be able to enforce it and to uh supply code enforcement with the uh uh money that they're gonna require um to continue with the tasks that they're already doing um alongside the additional tasks.

Um that's uh I think some institutional arrangements should be uh studied.

Um I think it's very important to understand uh the way the different agencies work together.

Um it's uh like I said that I was disappointed in the first meeting I attended, um, and I'm a little disappointed here tonight.

Thank you.

Carla Humphries, followed by Adriana Wyaki.

Good evening, thank you.

My name is Carla, and I'm a teacher and renter in downtown Albuquerque.

Every month I pay my rent plus hundreds of extra dollars in fees.

I pay two separate fees for trash, a common area maintenance fee, a service fee, and a fee to pay my rent.

I had no idea I would be paying this much every month when I applied to my apartment and calculated my budget.

I had no idea I would have to pay an extra $99 to move in on top of my deposit, or that every month I would have to literally pay a platform fee to pay my rent.

This isn't just me.

My apartment complex has 200 other apartments, and my landlord owns 24 properties across Albuquerque.

The fact that these fees were not disclosed on the apartment listing violates Senate Bill 267, which was passed last spring, but my landlord based in Utah does not care because there are no consequences.

So please I urge you the council to pass the rental practices ordinance so that working renters have an accessible path to hold their landlords accountable.

Thank you.

Adriana Wyaki, followed by Mohammed Aljabouri.

Hello, everybody.

Um, my name is Audriana Wiaki.

I am a housing justice organizer over at Olay.

Um tonight we are here to make our voices heard.

We are speaking in support of this ordinance because we believe in this bill.

What we have seen at City Council throughout my three years as a housing justice organizer is that the city council does not care about renters.

Voting yes on this bill, as is unamended, shows that renters that you care about renters.

Um, this bill is important to be passed at the city level because what we're seeing is the city passing the renters to the state, and then they go back to the city, and we're stuck in this loop because there are is no enforcement around bills like this.

Um, and there was right enforcement in the original bill, um, which also got amended and taken out at the state level.

Um, the cap of late fees is a great way as a great part of SB 267 that was passed because we need more landlords uh to continue because we because we need more landlords continue to read laws as optional for them.

Please vote yes on this bill, and thank you to counselor Rogers.

Mohamed Al Jabori, followed by Thomas Abeta.

Hello, good evening.

Um Jabori.

I'm here speaking in support of the rental practices ordinance bill.

I can't tell you how many times my family and I were looking for an apartment and paying inane fees only to still not get the apartment.

And I'm pretty sure they never had the uh unit open in the first place.

They just wanted the extra profit of 300 plus dollars or what have you.

Um I'm I move my mother's apartment every year, and the fees keep getting higher and higher.

And my family's experience is not rare.

Everyone who's rented here ha has at least a few of these stories.

Things would be a lot less perilous for renters if there was a no-fee option.

If not for renters in general, then at least for the increasing amount of people who barely have enough of their basic food, water, shelter needs.

Please vote yes so that we can have a form of recourse, a financial penalty, and some way to write wrongs that are basically like cruel and unusual torture onto themselves.

How many landlords must abuse their power, how many landlords will get away with siphoning dry any and everything around them, including the people until everything is dust.

I personally have terror stories of being retaliated against multiple times to get me move out instead of just fixing my hate.

We have no way of protecting ourselves or holding landlords accountable in general for the neglect and abuse.

Please prove you work for the people by voting yes and passing the rental ordinance bill.

Thank you.

Thomas Abeta, followed by Alan Lisseck.

Could I ask the administration to stop working on that amendment?

You're not gonna need it.

Uh I would also like all the city counselors to check your email.

I just sent you a text message from Josh Price, who's sitting right up there from the Greater Albuquerque area uh realtory association.

Uh here is my big issue.

Uh Josh just texted a big group chat that Don Dan Don Lewis, according to the the enhanced version, but Dan Lewis uh asked, told him, we're gonna try to get rid of those fees for you.

And I heard him talk about that over the thing.

This is what I'm talking about.

You guys are owned by your funders, your donors, and the moneyed interests.

So if you'd like to go look at your email, you'll find that text messages from Dan Lewis uh, or sorry, from Josh Price, who says Dan Lewis was gonna try to fight these fees.

And what does he do just a few minutes later?

He pat he tries to get an amendment going to waive the fees.

The guys, the fees are the important thing.

That's what keeps people honest.

That's what when you mess up and you know keep me homeless because I have to pay $50 to apply to an apartment.

That means you're in trouble.

So don't listen to Dan Lewis.

Don't listen to Josh Price.

Please use your own senses and pass common sense legislation.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Counselor Lewis.

So let me clarify that.

Um my understanding is that there was another amendment on this.

I'm not asking about asking a question, sir.

You can take a seat.

Uh you can take a seat.

No, he's just making comment.

So you can take a seat.

I was I I communicated that I believed uh that there was another amendment uh from another counselor.

You can take a seat.

Thank you very much.

From another counselor that would thank you, Madam President.

That would uh that would get rid of the fees.

So that's what I communicated.

Um there was not, there was not one.

Um, and so every counselor here has a right to introduce any any uh um uh amendment that they want.

So that's what's on the table.

We'll get to that vote and then vote it up or down.

Thanks, Madam President.

Thank you.

So thank you, Madam President.

Alan Lisseck, followed by Josh Price.

Madam President and Council, my name is Alan Lisek, and for the record, I did not give Dan Louis any money tonight.

Um I do want to thank Councilor Rogers for trying to come back to us and work with all of us.

I mean, I think the fundamental issue still remains on this.

It and it's that we are conflicting with state law, and it's kind of ironic because on the very front page of this it says that we want to be consistent with state law, but yet we implementing a different remedy process.

And and fundamentally, that is the issue with this bill.

We don't have any problems with any of the provisions.

I mean, like I said, I was in the room when we wrote two.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Um, ma'am, can you take this business outside?

Um yeah, sure.

Okay, thank you.

It's very distracting.

Thank you so much.

Okay, go ahead and proceed.

Sorry.

Um I you know, I was in the room when we wrote uh when the revisions were written to 267, and I mean we were in support of that bill.

I mean, it's the the tenants' rights part is not the issue here.

Um I completely agree that if we have an agency that is not enforcing the state law, that is a problem because there was a huge push during the state legislature that that was the reason that we put that in that bill.

And so that does need to be rectified.

That's I don't believe that that's something for the city to do.

That's something that we all need to do to figure out why the bill is not being implemented.

Um, because the state has outlined the exact processes and the remedies, and I think that you know we need to hold those accountable that are that should be holding this bill or that should be enforcing this bill.

And I think that you know we need to hold those accountable that are that should be holding this bill or that should be enforcing this bill.

And we completely agree that everybody, you know, we should enforce the laws that we have in place.

Um, you know, I think another option, too, that we need to take a look at as a city is we really need to get back to it.

And Madam President, you mentioned the landlord tenant hotline.

It does not exist anymore.

It's a paid for deal out of Santa Fe.

We need to look at maybe the city and sort of creating some sort of landlord tenant hotline that we could fund and there'd be a resource for everybody that would go far beyond the provisions of just Senate Bill 267.

Thank you.

Josh Price, followed by Jacob Hamm.

It's got real fun real fast.

Thank you, Madam President and members of the council.

Thank you for your time.

Um more importantly, thank you, Councillor Rogers, for the conversations that we've had and for your openness for collaboration.

Um my name is Josh Price.

I am a realtor member.

I also am a property manager, and I care about renters just like you do.

Like all of you do, I believe.

Um I want to share how 025102 would affect a responsible landlord like myself.

So I've got four key points.

First, it's penalty before proof.

This ordinance establishes a system where complaints trigger enforcement actions before any determination on whether a violation actually occurred.

As a property owner, I could face investigation, require mediation, and potential penalties based solely on an unverified claim.

Two, it's good faith operators get caught in the net.

The vast majority of rental property owners work hard to comply with laws and treat tenants fairly.

The company that I work for, we changed all of our practices and policies back in the beginning of June when we knew that 267 was in place.

We changed the fees.

We changed okay.

In closing, I'm asking counsel to trust that SB 267 is working to give it time to prove itself.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Jacob Hamm, followed by Andrea Calderon.

I'll try to speak quickly but clearly.

Good evening, Council Representatives.

I'm a renter in District 6, and I've come with Ole Renters Revolution to stand with Councilwoman Nicole Rogers and advocate for my community tonight.

Currently in the city of Albuquerque, an estimated 38 to 44% of us are renting for our housing.

It's not a majority, but it's not insignificant either.

We who rent are constantly at the mercy of our landlords.

We rely on you, our elected legislators to stand up and find the courage to protect us from the predatory practices of landlords when they sneak in hidden fees left, right, and center to protect us when they do things like mine did, painting over black mold instead of safely and properly removing it on not one but two separate occasions, as well as attempting to double charge me utilities upon my move out.

It seems like everyone can agree that conditions for renters suck and that something should be done, but it seems like on nights like tonight, when our elected officials actually have an opportunity to do something about it, too many of you want to pass the buck.

Someone should help these people.

Not us, but someone, right?

So tonight, on behalf of all renters, I'm not asking, I'm demanding that you find your conscience and your spine to do the right thing and to vote yes and adopt the rental practices ordinance to protect us by strengthening code enforcement, getting rid of ridiculous rental fees, and finding landlords who break the law so it becomes financially unfeasible to mistreat people in the name of one more dollar.

Thank you.

Andrea Calderon, followed by James Freeman.

Good evening, Council President, Council.

Um I just want to start out by saying that I've lived in Albuquerque for seven and a half years now, um closer to eight, and I have been a renter the entire time.

I'm actually um looking into all of your districts to see where I want to buy a house.

Um, because it is an important time to buy.

Um, rent is astronomical right now, even for me who I did not start out as a remote worker.

I moved to Albuquerque to go to grad school.

I worked for the city, as you know, and I'm now a remote worker, and I'm interested in what city will actually sustain a my interest in terms of growth and actually support folks that are civically interested in engaging.

Um I have a couple of comments on the actual bill.

Section 1428A1.

I also encourage the copy of the content of the notice of violation be sent to the renter.

Um, section 1428 A2.

I encourage the notice of violation.

Um sorry, um, be sent to the renter and considered whether it should be certified.

I also um I'll just submit my written public comment about there are a couple of things here that probably could be helpful for renters to have as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

James Freeman, followed by Theresa Starch on Zoom.

Good evening, y'all.

One last one.

So I actually traveled to Santa Fe and spoke in favor of SB 267 and spoke about some of my personal experience helping clients.

Help well, I myself lived on a housing voucher, and I do feel this is another income source discrimination.

This is another end around.

Y'all pass that.

They these are put in place to target people that are low income and people that are on housing vouchers.

And this is just another way for them to do that.

This is just common sense stuff.

Transparent fees, you know, that they have to list all the fees in advance before you put any money down.

I think that's just common sense.

The application fee is capped at $50.

I think $50 is a reasonable application fee.

You know, the fact that fee increased notices have to be made.

You have to give 30 days before you increase the fees.

I mean, this is just common sense stuff.

Late fees are limited to 5%, and it has to be in writing.

Again, I just think it's common sense.

I urge your support.

Tammy February is an advocate for the tenant community.

She's giving me a lot of any Teresa Storch, followed by Elena Wegman.

Um, Madam Um President, um, counselors, um, thank you.

Um, please support this ordinance.

Um, I'm a former attorney with legal aid represented tenants, and this ordinance is not about the substantive matters, um, it's about enforcement.

And enforcement is so necessary.

Uh, legal aid today does not really represent um anyone who is a low-income landlord going in uh to court.

And um it rarely did, even back in the day when I was one.

Uh, tenants lose in court unless they're represented.

Um, and any kind of private cause of action uh to enforce this.

Um, tenants don't have the fees in order to do that.

So it becomes very important for everyone involved that these laws get enforced.

Once they're enforced, landlords will know that they must follow them.

And pretty soon we'll see the practice improving.

We'll see tenants being treated better once landlords learn what they must do, and once tenants know that the city has their back.

So please vote in favor of this.

Thank you.

Elena Wegman, followed by Monet Silva.

Hi, my name is Elena Wegman.

I live in District 6, and I'm a teacher in district four.

I know many people across the city who experience deceptive and incredibly invasive rental practices.

I have many friends who are expected to have rent checks where they have to take pictures through an app every 90 days.

So within those days where they have to take those photographs through a third-party app that are owned by these huge rental companies across the city.

Within those 90 day periods, they also are expected to have in-person fire extinguisher checks and a separate in-person pest control.

And while checking for the inside of an apartment for safety makes sense to have somebody come in two or three times within the 90-day period, plus to have to take photographs of all of your interior spaces is incredibly invasive.

So I don't think that these resources are actually being used for positive intent.

These could be minimized to one visit, maybe annually or less than that.

And lastly, I would like you to consider uh the rental ordinances for 025102.

And there was one more thing I was going to say.

I don't think that these are intended to keep track of the repairs of an apartment because repairs aren't done.

And then what ends up happening is that people ended up eating the cost of being missing any of these appointments within any of those 90-day periods.

So thank you for listening to this and thank you for your time.

I am lucky to not have this kind of situation in my apartment.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Your time is up.

Thank you so much.

Mothe Silva, followed by Winter Torres.

Hi, Council President and Counselors.

My name is Mona Isova, and I'm the executive director of the New Mexico Coalition in Homelessness, and I'm here to ask you to support 025102.

However, the penalties are necessary to enforce this bill.

Application fleas, fees inflated deposits, and recurring charges, quickly exhaust limited incomes, push households into impossible trade-offs between rent and basic needs, and increased likelihood of eviction and homelessness.

Policymakers, you all have the power to change this by passing the ordinance and ensuring that the intent of SB 267 passed in the 25 regular legislative session is upheld, ensuring full cost transparency and limits total move in expenses.

Um, would remove these barriers and protect renters from predatory practices.

Um the coalition runs uh multiple homeless prevention programs both in Albuquerque and across the state, um, witnessing firsthand how undisclosed um excessive fees are being unfairly added to move in cost.

Um the coalition runs um multiple homeless prevention programs both in Albuquerque and across the state, um, witnessing firsthand how undisclosed um excessive fees are being unfairly added to move and cost, these funds that could go towards rents and go further um for others to use.

Um so we hope that you will support this, and thank you, Council Rogers, for bringing this forward.

Looks like Winter Taurus has dropped offline.

So we're gonna go to Christopher Shane Tanner, followed by Chris Penagas.

I'm here.

Well, sorry about that.

Please uh proceed, Winter, and then we'll go to Christopher Shane Tanner.

Yes, thank you.

Um, my name is Winter Torres, and I am the CEO and founder of New Mexico Eviction Prevention and Diversion.

Um I second a lot of what Monet just said regarding the fees.

We see those every day as well, and they are hundreds of dollars at each month.

And um, I had the honor of attending the Southern Christian Leadership Council 16th annual luncheon this weekend, and um was reminded of the importance of language, and I want to pass on to you things that were said there, and I think most importantly tonight is that love is not silence in the face of injustice.

Somebody has to do something, as um as renters before me have said.

Um, you have to have moments of courage and to provide dignity to all of those who have God's breath inside of them.

Um, and in response to a couple of inaccuracies from okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Chris Shane Tanner, followed by Chris Vinegas.

Uh thank you, Madam President and Council members.

Good evening.

I'm Christopher Shane Tanner, Chair of GARS Government Affairs Committee.

I'd like to address specific concerns regarding O25102 that remain problematic despite recent amendments.

Uh the first key point would be enforcement overlap creates confusion and risk.

O25102 creates parallel enforcement systems, the attorney general's office under uh SB 267 and city code enforcement.

Property owners could face complaints filed with both entities for the same alleged violation, creating uncertainty and administrative burden.

While duplicate fines were removed in the blue line, the dual complaint process itself remains problematic and inefficient.

Premature local action without state data is another issue.

And we have no data yet on how state level enforcement is working or what gaps actually exist.

Uh we're solving for problems we haven't yet measured or documented at a local level.

Uh, this approach risks city code enforcement resources on matters already covered by state law, state enforcement mechanisms.

Thank you so much.

Chris Venegas, followed by Barcelon Costiner.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Chris Benegis.

I'm the president of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors, known as GAR, representing over 4,000 members who serve community community housing needs.

A couple of points to echo off of Shane is um GARD does support tenant protections and has consistently worked to ensure fair housing practices across our market.

We recognize council's commitment to protecting renters, so we share that commitment.

However, we believe O-25-102 local enforcement structure is premature given that SB 267 has only been a law since July 2025.

We're talking six months.

Um but we would like to talk about the value of our partnership.

GAR and our coalition partners have already actively engaged throughout this process, proposing amendments and seeking workable solutions.

So thank you to Councilman Rogers for your communication with us.

While we appreciate the recent improvements in the blue line version, fundamental concerns about the enforcement overlap about enforcement overlap, resource allocations remain unresolved.

The housing market works best when all stakeholders work together, owners, tenants, and policymakers.

Uh, invitation moving forward is we respectfully ask the council to give SB 267 time to demonstrate its effectiveness at the state level before layering on municipal enforcement.

Thank you guys.

Marcelin Costner.

Hi, um, I just want to first start by stressing something that seems to be repeated over and over and over again here, which is this double enforcement myth.

Clearly, we can see that when these things are sent up to ACG following, they cannot be enforced at the city level.

The planning department said this during the last meeting that without an ordinance, they cannot enforce these things at a city level.

They cannot enforce these things at a city level.

So the whole line about double charging is a complete myth.

Additionally, uh these are protections are basic.

They're very basic.

And without fees, if we amend out fees, there are no fees to this bill.

How can we expect landlords to change?

How can we expect anything to be enforced when one we don't have the ability to enforce it at a city level?

And two, we don't have actual fees enforcing anything.

What is the incentive other than small inconvenience?

We have to take care of people.

This is crazy.

These are the things that lead to higher rates of homelessness.

Neglecting these things lead to people falling through the cracks.

And the fact that we are here debating simple things, like knowing how much we're going to pay for rent, how many fees we're going to pay.

It's insulting.

It's insulting our renters that we are given this little, that we are disrespected this much.

Thank you.

And then we're for private homelessness.

Thank you so much.

Madam President, that concludes comment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So we are back on the Bill 102.

We have a motion and a second for a uh floor amendment number six.

Councilor Lewis.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, yeah, you know, the whether it be the realtors or many other groups, they've they recommended all kinds of uh uh amendments to this bill with the hopes of being able to pass a tenant protection bill.

Um and the sponsor has taken those into account.

I can tell you that this amendment did not come from anybody other than you know, um that it was my understanding that there was an amendment like this when I saw that there wasn't.

I proposed it for the sake of discussion.

Um, in the hopes that I could support a tenant protection bill.

Um, which is the whole reason why you do amendments on it, uh, to gather more support for it.

So I'm gonna withdraw the amendment.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilor Lewis.

So we're back on the bill as amended five times.

Um counselor's um Vice President Chump.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um thank you to my fellow counselors for for the meetings in between and deferring it last uh two weeks ago.

Um House Bill 267 is common sense.

Uh it brings forth the thought of you need to know as a renter as a uh uh what the fees are gonna be so you can budget.

Um so I want to get that out of the way right away.

This does make sense.

It is state law right now that they need to be transparent about when they go into a lease uh or they put an application.

Here are the fees.

Here's what you would pay.

If there is a trash handling fee, which blows my mind, and I heard it several times, but there's a trash handling fee.

There is a fee to pay your rent, there's a fee for opening your door at the wrong hour.

Whatever the fee is, you need to know beforehand.

Uh I also want to address something else in the sense that um the state laws are passed.

It's passed, it went into effect in July.

There's state law for speeding.

Police officers cite the state law for speeding, and the reason why APD does that is because they are state certified.

They're allowed to state to to fine on the state level because they're state certified.

If that's the case, then let's state certify code enforcement and they can enforce this bill.

It has been in effect for six months.

The counselor who sponsored this advised that AG didn't even know they were enforcing it.

This is bringing to the attention that to AG that they need to enforce this.

That's what it was originally designed for.

Um they have filed a complaint or went in to file a complaint, it got kicked back to the city.

They are sent it back to the state AG's office, and if my recollection is correct, they haven't received it uh or don't know where it is sitting at the state AG's office.

So we haven't even gotten the opportunity to see how this is going to be enforced, given the opportunity to see the the feedback or data based on is it being enforced and how many times has it been enforced?

Because nobody knew.

We talked several times about being an advocate and assisting our citizens, and that's what a lot of the public commenters came in and say.

They they say that accessible path to accountability, and I think in in in another term was the council power, the power of council to pass laws, the power of council to do budget, the power of council to advocate and be representative for the people.

There is already a state law going on that hasn't had any chance to to take in an effect.

I think the power of council should be to advocate for their people.

And that's why I say that moving forward, there needed to be an education, there being an outreach, not necessarily in pass another law that that to be frank would fall on code enforcement that takes an average of 430 calls a month with 17 people.

They have to prioritize, just like the policeman, police department have to prioritize of life-threatening situations, health and hazardness in the code enforcement.

They're responsible for all the code enforcement.

We talk we heard people talk about Madam President, I sorry I didn't write my time down for the 10-minute limit.

Um I apologize for that.

So I got five minutes.

They talk about all these things that are going on.

This is only talking about transparency and fees, that a state law had already occurred.

So I say the power in our job is to be an advocate for the people.

Educate, help them inform them, and be that trend that conduit from the people in my district, the people in District 6 and 2 and 4, to say here, let's start that hotline.

Let's man it properly.

Let's get it working, and let's be that conduit to the state to say, here, these are the complaints to the AG's office.

Do something.

You pass a bill, do something, and be that advocate for the people.

And at the same time, educate the people.

Say, here are your responsibilities as a tenant, here are your rights as a tenant, uh, here are your responsibilities as a landlord, and here are your rights as a landlord.

Be even on both sides.

But I think there's a lack of, and I know this as a renter when I was younger, as a renter when I was growing up.

A lot of people don't know their rights as a renter to say, hey, they worry about that you have the right to complain.

They worry about uh uh being um subjected to, you know, if you file a complaint, then the landlord now says, well, I'm not gonna, you were two days late, you were a day late with rent, there's a $50 fee now.

Uh so there's there's worry about that.

But I think the power really comes in this particular incident as being that advocate to educate and be that conduit for the people to the state bill that's already passed to say, hey, we will be that uh uh that data-driven uh uh conduit of the violations and help the AG's office to say, how do we solve this, how do we do this, here's the information, let's move forward together, not as a as a mirroring uh uh a bill or uh a penalty, but to actually help the state do what it said it was gonna do, and at the same time educate and empower the people that we represent.

With that being said, uh I would actually, and I hate to do this to Councilor Rogers, but I would like to, based on what I'm reading in here, I would like to make a motion to defer this till after budget.

And I say that before the groans go.

If this does pass, we need to look at budget to properly give code enforcement the lat manning level to be able to really do this.

I really one of the things I hated so much as is in being in the audience was seeing bills passed, and and obviously State Bill 267 is an example.

It's a state law that's passed, it's doing nothing, hasn't had the time to do anything, but nobody knew what was going on.

So you talk about just passing something to say here, here's something to pass, but we all know that the likelihood of it being really enforced is minimal because the amount of time manpower that it's gonna take.

So let's I I would like to make a motion to defer this till after budget.

We can advocate in budget to properly man code enforcement uh with with additional uh uh manning level to so that if this does pass, then they have the proper money and people to enforce it properly.

Madam President?

Um we're checking, but I think that the most that it can be deferred is thir uh is 90 days and what are we looking at, madam president?

What are we looking at timeline for budget?

April, so that's February, March, we get it April 1st, so it have to be in the middle of budget discussions.

Madam President, Councillor Champlain, Council Vice President Champlain, yes, if it was going to be deferred, you could defer it for 90 days, and then it would come up again, and then council would have to decide what they want to do with that.

It would put us Madam President, it would put us at the end of April, right in the middle of budget.

I would much rather do that as a 90-day to say at least we are in budget talks and get an idea of what the cost is, what the money is, what we can start talking through and plan for it, so that if at the end of April it does pass, then we're already in the middle of budget to go, okay.

We've we've started the discussions and in planning to uh um properly uh um fund code enforcement.

So um is there a second motion?

I'll make a second just for the for discussion.

Um councillor counselor teas.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Councilor Teas.

Actually, I apologize.

Councilor Bassan, Madam President, my comments are about the bill, not the amendment.

Okay.

So if there's any comments on the amendment, who wants to speak?

Counselor Teas.

Um okay, Councilor People Corn.

Thank you.

Um, you know, we've already unfortunately delayed this two weeks um for reasons that I did not agree with.

Um and then we earlier tonight agreed to delay actual implementation of this for five months, um, which is a long time.

The people of Albuquerque need help right now, and I think that the idea that we would continually delay getting them the assistance they need is unconscionable.

Thank you.

There's a motion and a second for um a deferral for 90 days, ma'am.

90 days, and that would take us to the middle of budget, but just on just a specific day.

Second meeting in April.

Madam meeting in April.

They would be until April 20th, the meeting on April 20th.

The meeting on April 20th.

So is there any more discussion on the motion?

Um I will just say that you know, I I've spoke to the realtors, um, a couple of folks, I don't know their names, but just told them that I really think this bill is important and I think that it needs to pass.

Sometimes the devil is in the details when we're doing things right.

And so, yes, when we talk about things being unconscious unconscionable, you know, when we talk about those things, and when we have public speakers come out, and we really, you know, when we talk about the fees and how that'll pay for um for uh the cost of this, our fees don't go to the department, they go to the general fund.

So all that is discussed when we when we do the budget, right?

So though those fees aren't automatically in that department to control that.

So there's all this this going on, and then we have the state to um counselor um vice president champagne's point is that we have the state that passed this six months ago.

We don't they don't know who's doing it or who's gonna do it if they're gonna do it, you know.

I think really we need instead of putting the cart before the horse, I think we really need to reach out to the state and find out like are you guys gonna enforce it?

What are you gonna do?

Um, how is the enforcement gonna look?

And then, and then if they say that they rely on us as a city to enforce it, well then we need to bring it back and have that discussion about enforcing it, and then really have a reliable source on how we're gonna be able to fund the FTEs needed to be able to put this forward.

I mean, this is really important, folks.

We can pass things to pass things and have things on the books like we do.

Our department, you know, to their credit, they do phenomenal work with the limited staff that they have.

But you know, and then I think it was mentioned at one point that we'd put it into the consumer affairs.

We don't even have a consumer affairs, so um well, it's not staffed, but um, so you know, I just think that what we need to we've passed some bills that we kind of do it on kind of our passion about this is we're passionate about this, and and then sometimes we have to go back and reverse that, right?

And we've done that a few times.

So, like I've told the realtors, I want something to pass.

I mean, that's from my experience, my heart, I want something to pass.

I just don't want it to pass for the sake of saying, you know, I get a gold star and I it passed.

Our job up here is to do the hard work that makes it uncomfortable.

And you know, hearing all the public speakers, not knowing you know that they don't know all the details associated with this, and we're the ones that have to um you know make the sausage, it's really it puts us in a really tough um situation.

So for me, I mean that I will go to the maker of the motion to end on their um their amendment, I mean their uh motion, but yeah, I I think that we're not ready for prime time yet.

So um I will go back to um to you.

Do you have any final comments on your motion for deferral?

Yes, madam president, thank you.

I like I said, I just want to do this right so that it isn't the state, just like we mere the state of pass something and not know what's going on.

I want to have a good plan put forward so that we can help the people in need, help the public that we represent.

So I urge your support.

So um, we close we close the floor.

I'm so sorry.

So um there's a motion in the second for a deferral for 90 days till the April 20th council meeting.

All those in favor say yes and raise your hand.

Yes, yes, opposed.

No, so we have um so that motion fails.

Okay, fails on a four or five vote.

Okay, so we're back on we're back on the bill.

So then um, were there any more questions on the bill?

I think we had Councilor Bassan, Madam President.

I heard a lot of points that I agree with, a couple that I don't, uh, but I'll just go through my notes a little bit.

It started with counselor Lewis saying penalties and law assumes ability to enforce them.

I 100% agree with that.

I do not think we have the ability to enforce this in the city of Albuquerque right now.

Uh I think that code enforcement.

I probably I'm gonna I'm gonna risk saying this.

I think code enforcement is one of my favorite divisions in the whole city of Albuquerque, and I appreciate them so much for what they do.

It went from me thinking code enforcement was all about weeds and walls to so much more than that.

And again, things I don't want to do, like things that I can't imagine what they do and where they go and the predicaments they're in and protecting people too.

Uh the things I've learned about today are horrific, and I am grateful to all of the code enforcement officers that we have.

I have advocated for more funding for that department, that division within the planning department.

I withdrew my amendment with counselor grout for uh more funding at this time, but I can tell you they need more money, and we I agree that another thing is we we can't point fingers to everybody, but yeah, I am pointing a finger.

The state passed a bill, I'm pointing a finger at them, we need to hold them accountable if that's in the form of a memorial.

Let's do that.

But the AG should do their job if the state passed a bill, they should do the enforcement because right now, currently in this matter, we don't have the resources to be able to assist something that another State Department should be handling, and who has been told they should handle it and who has agreed and all of the things.

I think that you know, with this money, 250 bucks.

I was gonna actually vote against the amendment because 250 fines is not going to fund what's necessary for code enforcement to actually be able to go out and do what they need to do to find the bad landlords, and I think that's another issue that we have to keep looking at.

And so I appreciate some of the amendments and the effort in the conversation.

I didn't vote for a deferral because I wasn't gonna vote for this bill from the get-go.

I still stand there with it.

I think it's duplicative.

Let's lean on the state and hold them accountable for what they have committed to doing, and I think that that should be our priority right now while we go after things that are happening that code enforcement act like absolutely needs to continue doing to protect Albuquerque.

Are there any more questions?

Councillor Tays.

Thank you, Madam President.

So I just want to really be clear about standard procedural governance matters when it comes to referrals and enforcement.

So it is a very common administrative practice for agencies that have any sort of statutory enforcement authority to refer matters to entities that are more appropriate, right?

And that's particularly true for local governments that operate under a home rule authority, and when like I said, it's very common, especially with um enforcement, and I want to also point out that it actually avoids duplicative enforcement.

Okay, so when referrals are made by an agency to the appropriate authority to ensure the enforcement, what you're doing is you're eliminating conflicting enforcement action.

So we are actually consolidating the process by getting the referral, which prevents parallel investigations.

We're avoiding double punishment because if we both have the ability to enforce, then we have the ability for double enforcement.

So we're consolidating that and removing double penalties here.

So the referrals preserve proportional enforcement.

If we left enforcement with the AG's office, they could decide 250 is not nearly enough if they wanted to.

We're also preventing duplicative enforcement because we're avoiding stacking penalties.

And all of this also prevents duplicative audits.

Because if we have two people who can enforce, we're gonna have to audit compliance twice.

Okay, so it's again, like I said, when an agency refers to an appropriate entity, it's promoting more efficiency.

We are respecting jurisdictional boundaries, which the AG's office by referring it to us is recognizing that we as a municipality we're better positioned to address the issues that impact our communities directly, and that's why we get the referral.

And again, like I mentioned, it is common procedural governance for agencies to refer things out.

State Labor Department will often defer to municipal HR rules, the attorney general will often refer zoning issues to city planning, right?

State procurement oversight will often defer to home rule charters.

So these are not this isn't duplicative, and it's very common practice when it comes to procedural governance.

Um at the you know, to address those concerns about duplicative prompt duplicative process or enforcement or double punishment or stacking penalties, the refer actually prevents that.

And I say this as an actual government accountability expert who worked at the state auditor's office for four years with all 189 municipalities to ensure that this was done properly and procedurally sound with regard to proper governance.

Thank you.

Counselor Feblecorn.

Thank you.

Um I might have missed something.

So Dr.

Single, can you um explain to me the last time we were here and I asked the director of planning if this was something that could be done by planning staff.

I I believe I was told yes.

Has that answer changed?

Uh Madam President, Counselor Feeblecorn, that has not changed.

Um I think the the only standard of in that answer in our answer was that you know we would think we all need additional capacity, but we do believe that code enforcement with an ordinance had uh would have uh prioritize life safety as we've talked about in their enforcement, so that that is not changed.

Okay, thank you, um, Dr.

Sangle.

It certainly sounds like folks have heard different answers, and so um I'm gonna go with what I've spoken to the director about and I've spoken to you about, which is that this is a life safety um issue that the planning department has indicated publicly that they can prioritize, and so um thank you for that answer.

Um, I do want to quickly say that I want to thank the the renters who show up here time and time and time again um asking for help.

Um, I do want to say that we've said a couple of times up here that uh we just need to explain to them their rights, but I think the people that are coming here regularly and asking for help know their rights, um they know what they should be getting and they know what they're not getting, and all they're asking for is for the city to protect city residents, and I for one will be voting to hopefully get you that support.

Um because I I think it's a little demeaning to say you just don't understand what you need.

Um, you do understand, and you've been very clear for the last four years every time you come here and give up time, uh, your free time to come here and ask for assistance, and I really um wish that we would give that to you.

Thank you.

Councilor Bassan, Madam President.

I just want to clarify what I recall hearing at the last meeting that we had was that and perhaps I misheard as well, but uh was that the planning department indicated that they will do their best to enforce all laws and everything that they're responsible for doing, but when resources are stretched thin, they have to prioritize.

And to me, human trafficking, sex trafficking, things like that, child abduction, thing child like that is also important, and I would hate to pit these two things together when we can also lean on a different agency that should and already has committed to helping out with that.

And I would hate to pit these two things together when we can also lean on a different agency that should and already has committed to helping out with that.

Any other questions?

Okay, we'll go back to Counselor Jay's.

I just thank you, Madam President.

I want to say I agree with Counselor Basan.

We do need to make sure that the attorney general is focusing on things like human trafficking, child abuse, and not enforcing rental provisions that we can be doing because of that referral.

Thank you.

Okay, um, Councilor Rogers to close.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you for all the comments, questions.

I just in my clothes want to dispel a couple of the things we heard in public comment and in our discussion.

Um we can do all of the above.

We can advocate, we can educate, and we can vote yes to hold the power to do what we need to do for our residents now.

Um we do have a consumer protection office.

Um we have one position, one position, one person in those positions with I hear from the administration an admin position that they're looking to hire to help support this.

We have three departments that would be working on this, not just code enforcement.

We already have a mechanism through 311 and online for folks to submit um complaints to our consumer protection, which is exactly where the AG went to send the complaint to us.

They went right online and sent that through our online portal that already exists.

I was very thoughtful because process improvement and processes are very important to me.

Um, and so I spent the time working with the department, working with our administration so that we can make sure the processes were sound and actually something that we can do at the city.

So between consumer protection, code enforcement, and our city legals mediation department or division, we absolutely can do this work.

And look, when the people of Albuquerque are seeing government dysfunction, and now even at the state level, um, as people we cannot we we have to act, we must act.

It is our duty to show the people of Albuquerque that the city has their back.

This shouldn't be one aisle over the other or landlords versus uh renters.

This is about transparency in fees.

When I was honored enough to become a homeowner, I was amazed at the transparency I got then that I did not get as a renter.

I knew how much my uh mortgage was gonna be, I knew much my insurance costs were gonna be.

Heck, I got a whole amortization schedule that told me exactly what I would pay in interest for the life of my mortgage.

I knew a property taxes what those were gonna be, and I got notified if those were going to be changed well in advance of the change.

I was amazed at the at the transparency in those contracts.

Entering into an application entering to a contract with a landlord and a lease is still a contract.

It's a legal binding contract that should have it the same level of transparency that we get afforded as owners.

Now, I absolutely am committed to continuing to do the work with our AGs.

I'm in contact with the sponsors, they're drafting a letter right now to the AG.

We had a press conference talking about that.

So I'm willing to continue to do that work because absolutely um we we need our state partners to come along, but I agree with rather than doing the uh wage theft with a minimum wage theft, the wage theft problem that we tried to work on here in council that didn't pass either, um, is something that I need the AG's office.

300 million dollars is stolen from workers in this state every year, and this body refused to act on that.

I'm just asking that we are we are asking for the same level of transparency we ask on this dais when we approve contracts through the city of Albuquerque, even right?

We get all the transparency on what those fees are gonna cost and what the cities, how they're gonna spend our city money.

So I urge your support.

We've heard you know my story, and I don't want to repeat it, but it's not unique to me.

This hundreds of people throughout the city are facing housing instability because of fines, fees, and we're in a housing crisis.

We heard from somebody that was evicted not because she couldn't pay her rent, because she received 10,000 in fees and fines over a period of time.

These add up over time and made her in a position where she was unstable in her housing.

We're collecting story after story, so I want to keep belaboring that.

Uh, I urge your support.

We can act, we can do something, and let's do it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Rogers.

So we are back on um 00 uh 102 as amended.

Uh, all those in favor, uh, please raise your hand and say yes.

Opposed, no.

No.

No.

Motion fails.

Thank you.

So now we are on 04, Councilor Bacca.

Thank you, Madam President.

This is 04 by request.

Adopting a small area text amendment to the integrated development ordinance IDO to remove the parcel located at 229 Broadway Boulevard Northeast.

And the parcel located at 101 Lomeless Boulevard Northeast from the Martinez Town Santa Barbara character protection overlay zone.

I move a do pass.

Second.

There's a motion and second on 04.

Are there any questions from counselors?

Anybody signed up to speak?

Yes.

Yes, madam.

Oh, this one is it's closed.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

It's okay.

I'm so sorry.

Yes.

So there's a motion and a second for a duke pass.

Was there a second?

Okay.

Thank you so much.

So this is O264 is a quad squad quasi judicial request, which requires special procedures to allow the applicant staff and the public the opportunity to speak.

The agenda item will proceed as follows.

Council planning staff presentation five minutes.

Testimony by public speakers, two minutes each.

Rebuttal by applicant, five minutes, cross-examination by anyone who spoke during public comment, two minutes.

Comments by planning department, if any, five minutes.

Council planning staff, closing statements if any five minutes.

And then city staff, members of the public, and applicants, um, and applicant must be sworn in.

If you will be speaking on this item as a staff member or a member of the public, please raise your right hand.

Where are you?

Right hands.

Is there anyone else?

It looks like no.

So do you affirm under penalty of perjury that your testimony today will be true?

And that's it.

Okay.

Mr.

Cox, could you please begin?

Madam President.

Uh just one intro.

Uh based on the time, I need to like make a motion if we can hold off and make a motion to suspend the rules to extend this tonight's meeting uh to 1130.

Second.

There's a motion and a second to extend the meeting till 11:30.

Um, all those in favor, raise your hand and say yes.

Yes.

Opposed, no.

Motion carries.

So um we are back on Mr.

Cox.

Please begin with your introduction.

Council President, Counselors.

Uh I am here to present on the uh Santa Barbara Martinez Town CPO 7 boundary amendments.

Um CPO stands for character protection overlay.

Uh the image on the right shows all the existing uh character protection overlays within the city, and the image on the left uh is the boundary that we will be discussing tonight.

Um many CPOs actually brought forward uh sector development plan regulations, and that's where you see kind of the new or the um the added regulations onto the general um citywide regulations you might find in a base zone district.

Um the specific properties that we are discussing through this presentation and that are being proposed to be taken out of the character protection overlay are uh 101 Lomus Boulevard Northeast, um which is currently a Burger King, and then 229 Broadway Boulevard Northeast, uh, which was formerly uh many things, but most recently a detention pond and is city-owned uh in conjunction with AMAFA as well, um, but located at the intersection of Broadway and Lomas.

Oh one point to point out here you will find a gap between those two properties.

That is a access point for USPS property that is behind these.

That is not included within the boundary amendment, and um will remain within the CPO.

Uh just some history to the site, as I stated most recently, it was a uh detention pond until the new pump station was constructed across the street after that pump station was constructed.

Uh it was deemed uh not necessary to have that detention pond anymore.

Prior to the detention pond, uh there was originally uh per 1959 aerial um uh a factory of sorts, and um the Bakekis uh ran this factory, and just for a fun fact from our council staff.

The Pikekis are also the ones that contributed to the formation of the chemo.

For surrounding zoning and land uses, currently both properties are zoned in RLM, which is a non-residential zone district, generally looking at light manufacturing.

The closest uh residential zone districts to the area are approximately about 1,100 feet away.

Um to the east, you'll find drive-throughs such as like Starbucks and some other uh burger joints.

Um on the west side, it is the railroad and the Sherwin Williams Paint store.

On the south side is a car rental and a four or five story office building, and then on the north side is the um USPS distribution and office in the area.

Um as far as policy uh or surrounding policy in the area, uh both properties fall within a major transit corridor, which has uh certain zoning entitlements tied to it.

Um more specifically reduced parking uh and in some cases building height bonuses.

Um it is also within a quarter mile of a main street corridor, um, which gives it certain residential uh entitlements as well as height entitlements.

Um and then it is caddy corner to the MX FBUD zone district, which is our downtown form-based zone district, which allows um essentially unlimited height.

Um as I stated earlier, uh previous it is currently zoned in RLM.

And uh according to the applicant, um the eventual goal is to rezone it to something more sensitive and in line with the existing area.

Um the reason why uh the proposal to bring that out of the character or those properties out of the character protection overlay are some restrictions that come with that overlay.

Um the first being uh an addition of required usable open space.

So uh when you have a residential um unit, uh we part of a multifamily unit, you are required to provide usable open space.

Uh in some cases that could be playgrounds, that could just be a greenery, uh, what have you within the Martinez Town uh Santa Barbara CPO, um, as you can see via the numbers, uh one bedroom you have to have 300 square foot, which is 75 uh square feet larger than the general, uh two bedrooms, uh 350 square feet, 65 larger, three bedrooms, 400 square feet, which is 50 square feet larger than the general requirement.

Um, and then within the MXT zone district, 500 square feet, 270 feet, five square feet larger than general.

Uh promise I'm very close.

Um, building height also for uh residential and mixed use zone districts is limited to 26 feet on sites that are less than five acres, which this is, and 26 feet is about uh two stories.

Uh we did go through the typical notification uh required by the IDO sending letters out to uh the neighborhood associations as well as surrounding neighbors and neighbors within the boundary because of some kerfuffle from staff.

Uh, we sent that letter three different times.

Uh and we did um meet with the Martinez Town Santa Barbara Neighborhood Association.

Uh two staff members met with nine different members.

Um we heard uh opposition to this change uh generally around conversations of MRA boundaries and uh neighborhood kind of ownership of the property um outside the neighborhood association.

Um we did receive positive comments or neutral comments from neighbors as well.

Um and then lastly, just to kind of differentiate between the three different boundaries in the area.

Uh these two properties do fall within the downtown MRA and TIFF boundary that was established earlier this year and kind of expanded to these two properties.

Uh the character protection overlay on the left is the only property being amended.

That light blue boundary on the right is uh neighborhood association boundary that is not changing.

Um environmental planning commission did recommend approval of this item at their October 28th, 2025 meeting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

So and then we'll move on to testimony by public speakers.

And I think we have the first person signed up to speak, Mr.

Cornelius.

Will you call her up?

Thank you, Madam President.

Loretta Naranjo Lopez, followed by Bernadette Hardy on Zoom.

Um Mr.

Cornelia, so Ian isn't on Zoom.

Okay.

I think I'll just do it individually.

So um Ms.

Loretta, um, we're gonna have to swear you in.

This office we're Ms.

Okay, if you can please raise your right hand.

Do you affirm under penalty of perjury that your testimony today will be true?

I do.

Thank you.

Okay, you can go ahead and proceed.

Well, it is impossible to oh, excuse me.

Um chair, um, President, uh Council President Pena and all counselors.

My name is Loretta Naranjo Lopez.

I'm here representing Santa Barbara Martinez Town Neighborhood Association.

Well, it is impossible to remedy the decades of mistreatment and deterioration of the Martinez Town Santa Barbara neighborhood by the city of Albuquerque.

Santa Barbara Martinstown Neighborhood Association requests that this amendment to the Martinez Town Santa Barbara boundary be deferred, or if deferral is not recommended that the subject request be denied based on the staff report dated October 28, 2025.

Um please listen to the following arguments.

CPO 7, and I'm gonna skip to number um 5.

0264 is a quasi-judicial matter.

Uh the association is entitled to an impartial decision maker.

Councillor Baca is an advocate, apparently the prime mover for 0264.

Council Barker Baca is partial to his project and should not participate in the O264 decision.

The council rushed public review of 0264.

Council staff did not reasonably consult with Santa Barbara Martinez Town.

And under the IDO, the bill should be deferred for consideration of its likely effects to the neighborhood.

It is not clear what documents the council has considered and will be considering for this matter.

Those documents numbered consecutively should be available to the public for review and comment well before the council hearing date.