Albuquerque City Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Albuquerque City Council met on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The 9-member council addressed a full agenda including executive session litigation, proclamations, committee appointments, approvals of contracts and appointments, a contentious reconfirmation hearing for the fire chief, and a deeply divided debate over a proposed rental practices ordinance. The meeting extended past 10:33 PM and included a dinner break.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Police Service Aide (PSA) Program: Interim Chief Barker presented. As of the meeting, APD employs 92 PSAs (up from 30 in 2017). PSAs respond to traffic crashes/hazards, non-violent property crimes with no suspect info, and assist with perimeters. They are unarmed and trained to disengage. In 2025, 24 PSAs became police officers; 10 in 2024; 8 in 2023. Vice-President Champine requested the presentation after constituent concerns about seeing PSAs instead of officers. Councilor expressed appreciation for the program but concern about placing unarmed personnel in danger; Chief Barker confirmed de-escalation training and the ability to walk away.
• Teharas Arroyo BioZone Open Space Presentation: Director Dave Simon and Open Space Superintendent Colleen McRoberts presented. The city now owns about 800 acres in the area. They highlighted completion of the Route 66 Trailhead, interpretive signs, and a new ADA-accessible sensory trail funded by a $500,000 Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District Trails+ grant with $400,000 in city match. The trail features braille, Spanish/English signs, audio recordings, and sign language, targeting children with disabilities. Over 4,000 volunteer hours have been contributed since 2021. Councilor Grout praised the project as "five minutes from Central and Tramway."

Executive Session

• The council unanimously (9–0) voted to enter executive session under NMSA 1978 § 10-15-1(H)(7) for attorney-client privileged discussion of Mayor Tim Keller v. Albuquerque City Council litigation. President Peña affirmed the discussion was limited to that topic.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved unanimously (9–0) without discussion:

• EC-26-2: Supplemental agreement for outside counsel (Mynatt Springer P.C.)
• EC-26-3: Supplemental agreement for outside counsel (Robles Rael & Anaya P.C.)
• EC-26-4: Re-appointment of Bruce Perlman to the Labor-Management Board
• EC-26-5: Appointment of Vicky G. Estrada-Bustillo to the Water Protection Advisory Board
• EC-26-6: Re-appointment of Christine M. Kiser to the Open Space Advisory Board
• EC-26-7: Appointment of Joyce Marie Gilbert to the Senior Affairs Advisory Council
• EC-26-8: Appointment of Nancy A. Roll to the Biological Park Board
• EC-26-12: Appointment of Michael A. Puelle to the Albuquerque Development Commission
• O-25-99: Postponed to February 18, 2026 (bond issuance for Juniper Flats project)
• R-25-205: Postponed to February 18, 2026 (quarterly operations reports for AFR, APD, Community Safety)

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comments (one-minute limit per speaker):

• Lettis Otto: Urged that police officers must sign their oath of office, citing the state constitution. Claimed APD policy requires an oath but subscription (signing) may be missing. Noted Councilor Telles signed her oath.
• Francesco Artist: Praised the council's "female supermajority" and called for a moment of silence for homicide victim Albert Peña.
• Anami Das: Noted APD has not released use-of-force reports since October 2025 and urged timely public data.
• Alexander Kaltenbach (UNM macroeconomics TA): Urged passage of O-25-102 (Rental Practices Ordinance), arguing it lowers transaction costs, corrects information asymmetry, and benefits renters and the local economy.
• Tad Numitzki: Critical of homelessness and neighborhood conditions.
• Thomas Abeta: Called for enforcement of laws and questioned transparency.
• Lisa Christofferson: Criticized one-minute public comment limits and alleged lack of transparency in campaign finance filings for Council President Peña.
• Ian Gates: [Speaker not transcribed.]
• Teresa Garcia: Requested restoring two-minute public comment, no cap on speakers, allowance for applause/snapping, and childcare at meetings.
• James Freeman: Urged support for the annual Point-in-Time homeless count (Jan 27-30) critical for federal funding.
• Alexis Torres: Questioned why the rental practices ordinance was not passed, stating she concluded "that you benefit somehow from the predatory practices."
• Leila Salim: Urged support for the rental ordinance, noting she worked on the state-level bill (SB 267).
• Andrea Calderon: Raised concerns about safe spaces for food distribution, data sharing with third-party vendor (Zero Fatality/Novoa Global), and urged support for rental ordinance.
• Miguel Titman: Urged council to reaffirm unions as foundation of workforce; addressed the reconfirmation process for fire chief.
• Simon Polakowski: Expressed concern about one-minute limits; criticized reduction from two minutes.
• Nira Sagzena (via Zoom): Criticized reduction from two minutes to one minute; called it a "travesty."
• Nicole Finch: Described workplace retaliation at a major hospital; urged council to address healthcare workforce retention.
• Janet Sayers: Thanked Councilor Telles for library funding; supported capital outlay requests for libraries; supported rental ordinance.
• Sarah Azebo: Supported two-minute comments; urged protections for families from ICE; criticized city's position on sleeping outdoors.
• Annie Montez: Supported work at Teharas Arroyo BioZone; urged continued support for open space projects.
• Joe Calkins: Described 11.5 months of homeless camping near his home; called for safe places for unsheltered people.
• Nikhil Pylour (via Zoom): Supported O-25-102, citing a Searchlight New Mexico article on lack of enforcement of state renter protections.
• Shannon Cordova: Described husband's traumatic brain injury and alleged mishandling by the New Mexico Disciplinary Board.
• Crystal Garcia: Opposed O-26-4 (Martineztown CPO amendment) as land theft; later moved to item-specific comment.

Public Comment on Specific Items:

• EC-26-13 (Social Services Agreement with Catholic Charities): Lisa Christofferson spoke. No transcript of her comments.

• EC-26-1 / R-26-1 (Heading Home Funding): James Freeman and Connie Chavez spoke in support; Freeman called the funding "prevention."

• EC-26-10 (Fire Chief Reconfirmation): Eight speakers testified:

  • William McMullen (Battalion Chief, IAFF Local 244): Expressed respect and loyalty to Chief Jaramillo on behalf of union members.
  • Chris Cruz (newly elected IAFF Local 244 Vice President): Requested council allow labor and management to work out disputes internally; said members feel "battered from all sides."
  • Teresa Garcia (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission): Strongly supported Chief Jaramillo, citing her engagement, accountability, and respect.
  • Levi Green (neighborhood association president): Supported Chief Jaramillo's leadership in public safety and collaboration.
  • Miguel Titman (IAFF Local 244 President): Noted union conducted a survey: 67% opposed reconfirmation (220 responses out of 647 members). Argued the core issue is collective bargaining over working conditions.
  • Keith Pancho Quinones (retired firefighter): Supported Chief Jaramillo, referencing institutional memory of department culture.
  • Brian Breeswine (Battalion Chief, 14 years, former union vice president): Supported Chief Jaramillo, citing accessibility and openness.

• O-25-102 (Rental Practices Ordinance): Fifteen speakers testified:

  • Brandon Connell (landlord): Said the bill was "nothing onerous" and would strengthen communities.
  • Alexander Kaltenbach: Expressed frustration at proposed amendment removing fines; called enforcement essential.
  • Carla Humphries (teacher, renter): Described hundreds of dollars in undisclosed monthly fees; urged passage.
  • Adriana Wyaki (OLE Housing Justice Organizer): Urged passage without amendments weakening enforcement.
  • Mohammed Aljabouri: Described family's experience with application fees and no unit; urged passage.
  • Thomas Abeta: Described retaliation by landlords; urged passage.
  • Alan Lisseck (realtor/property manager): Argued the bill conflicts with state law; suggested creating a landlord-tenant hotline instead.
  • Josh Price (realtor/property manager): Opposed, arguing penalty before proof and that SB 267 should be given time.
  • Jacob Hamm (renter): Urged passage, citing 38-44% of Albuquerque residents rent; called for protection from predatory practices.
  • Andrea Calderon: Urged passage. No further detail transcribed.
  • James Freeman: Suggested amendments to require certified notice of violation to renters.
  • Teresa Storch (via Zoom): Supported; called it "common sense."
  • Elena Wegman (former Legal Aid attorney): Urged passage for enforcement; said tenants cannot afford private action.
  • Monet Silva (New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness): Urged passage, stating fees push households toward homelessness.
  • Winter Torres (New Mexico Eviction Prevention and Diversion): Supported; quoted "Love is not silence in the face of injustice."
  • Christopher Shane Tanner (GAR Government Affairs): Opposed, citing enforcement overlap and premature local action.
  • Chris Venegas (Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors President): Opposed, saying SB 267 should be given time.
  • Barcelon Costiner: Argued double enforcement is a "myth"; said without fees "there is no incentive."

Discussion Items

• Committee Appointments (January 2026): Approved 6-3 (Bassa, Champine, Grout, Lewis, Peña, Rogers in favor; Baca, Fiebelkorn, Telles opposed).
• Land Use, Planning & Zoning Committee Report (Jan 14): Councilor Fiebelkorn reported items EC-549 noted, O-26-5 (short-term rental separation requirement) passed as substituted. Council voted to revive O-26-5 for February 2 agenda (voice vote).
• Finance & Government Operations Committee Report (Jan 12): Approved unanimously.

Approvals (Contracts, Agreements, Appointments):

• OC-26-2 (Open Space Advisory Board): Initially tabled, then removed from table (7-2), then Mr. Clay Campbell confirmed (8-1).
• EC-26-9 (Re-appointment of CAO Dr. Samantha Sengel): Confirmed unanimously (9-0). Public speaker Francesco Artist opposed, alleging destruction of evidence.
• EC-26-10 (Re-appointment of Fire Chief Emily V. Jaramillo): Extended debate. Council heard extensive public testimony and questioning. Chief Jaramillo confirmed unanimously (9-0). Councilors expressed desire for collaboration with the union; Councilor Lewis voted in favor expressing confidence in future cooperation; Councilor Telles directed pressure to the Mayor's budget.
• EC-26-13 (Social Services Agreement with Catholic Charities): Approved unanimously (9-0).
• EC-26-14 (La Semilla Project Internship Program): Approved unanimously (9-0).
• EC-26-1 (Rapid Rehousing Funding): Approved unanimously (9-0).

Final Actions:

• R-26-1 (Heading Home Increase): Passed unanimously (9-0). Authorizes $662,526.92 to maintain housing for 92 households through FY2026.
• O-25-102 (Rental Practices Ordinance): Failed on final passage (4-5). Five floor amendments were adopted: (1) Education materials; (2) Barred city enforcement if private/state action already initiated; (3) Technical renumbering; (4) Effective date delayed to July 1, 2026; (5) City directed to communicate with state legislature and AG about enforcement. An amendment to remove the $250 penalty was withdrawn. A motion to postpone to April 20, 2026 failed (4-5). The bill failed on final passage (4-5).
• O-26-4 (Martineztown/Santa Barbara CPO-7 Removal): Passed 7-1 (Peña opposed; Baca recused). Removes two parcels (229 Broadway Blvd NE and 101 Lomas Blvd NE) from the character protection overlay zone.

Key Outcomes

• Fire Chief Reconfirmed: Chief Emily V. Jaramillo was reconfirmed unanimously after extensive public testimony and council discussion. Councilors emphasized the need for collaboration with the union.
• Rental Practices Ordinance Fails: O-25-102 failed 4-5 after five amendments were adopted. A motion to postpone was also rejected. The sponsor, Councilor Rogers, said she will continue advocacy with the state AG.
• Heading Home Funded: $662,526.92 approved to maintain housing for 92 households.
• Martineztown CPO-7 Removal Approved: The parcels at 229 Broadway and 101 Lomas were removed from the character protection overlay, moving toward redevelopment. Councilor Baca recused himself. Councilor Peña dissented.
• CAO Reconfirmed: Dr. Samantha Sengel confirmed unanimously.
• Short-Term Rental Restrictions Revived: O-26-5 (separation requirement for short-term rental permits) was revived for the February 2 agenda.
• Committee Appointments Approved: 6-3.
• Council will communicate with the state regarding enforcement of SB 267.
• Meeting Extended to 11:30 PM to accommodate the quasi-judicial hearing on O-26-4.