OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026

City Council — Monday, February 2, 2026
BodyAlbuquerque, New Mexico
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, February 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:21:20

Transcript — Verbatim
0:31

Good evening, everyone.

0:32

This is the third meeting of the 27th council.

0:35

We will come to order.

0:37

All counselors are present.

0:38

Um, counselor Lewis will be here shortly.

0:41

So we'll start off with a moment of silence and um join us all in the Pledge of Allegiance in English and in Spanish.

0:47

But as we do the moment of silence, if everybody could remember it's the 17th anniversary of the West Mesa um discovery of the the women um and child who were found on the West Mesa today's anniversary.

1:00

So if we can keep them all in your thoughts and prayers, I appreciate it.

1:16

Please join us in the pledge.

1:18

I believe to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:25

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

1:59

So okay.

2:00

Thank you, Counselor.

2:02

Um Counselor uh Vice President Champaign.

2:06

Thank you, Madam President.

2:07

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

2:10

You can obtain your parking passes from the city staff uh at the table near the council uh chamber entrance.

2:16

Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person and on live streams throughout four different platforms.

2:24

Gov TV on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube and Zoob Webinar.

2:30

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

2:34

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

2:42

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

2:50

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

2:55

If you do, please call 505-768-310 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.

3:02

to 5 p.m.

3:03

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

3:06

this evening if needed.

3:07

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

3:13

Please do not make any personal attacks and please do not applause or snap or any other outbursts during the meeting.

3:19

The president will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption upon the second or continued disruption.

3:24

That individual will be asked to leave the chambers and if necessary, security will be at be asked to escort that person out of the chambers.

3:32

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

3:36

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

4:15

Have the opportunity to do so.

4:17

After 5 30 p.m.

4:18

The questions may be directed to the administration.

4:21

At this time, counselors, there are any questions for the administration.

4:26

Councilor Backa and Councillor Cough.

4:32

Thank you, Madam President, Mr.

4:34

Vice Chair.

4:36

Um quick question.

4:38

It's been over six months now since we did the noise camera analysis started, and the ordinance was six months to do the analysis, and then we'd circle back and see where that's at.

4:47

So I just obviously doesn't have to happen to right now, but I'd like to get an update on where that's where we stand on that.

4:52

Madam President, Councillor Baca, um, we'll happily provide that update.

4:56

Uh and I'll get with both APD and planning, I think, are both part of that, and we'll make sure we do that.

5:06

Councilor Grout.

5:08

Thank you.

5:09

Um Madam President, uh, Mr.

5:11

Vice President.

5:13

My questions are for Department of Finance.

5:19

Uh Madam President, Councillor Grout, um, Director Donna Sanaval is here.

5:24

Um we also have our currently nominated CFO, um, Carla Martinez.

5:30

Um, so hopefully we can answer your question.

5:33

Thank you.

5:33

Thank you both for being here.

5:35

Um, our staff, we asked for the um budget forms, and we haven't received those yet.

5:41

When can we expect those?

5:44

Um President Pena and Councilor Grout, which budget forms are you referring to?

5:50

Which ones?

5:51

The budget forms that you're supposed to send earlier in the we've I asked where Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Rentals████████████████████████████████32%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████11%
Procedural████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Homelessness█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albuquerque City Council Meeting - February 2, 2026

The City Council convened at 5:00 PM in Vincent E. Griego Chambers with all nine councilors present. The meeting included proclamations, administration Q&A, consent agenda, public comments, approval of the first quarter revenue and expense report, final action on amendments to the short-term rental ordinance and repeal of the administration question and answer period, and two executive sessions. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • All consent agenda items passed unanimously (9-0), including: lease with ProView Networks (EC-25-551), supplemental legal services (EC-26-16), advisory task force report (OC-26-1), transit route changes (O-25-103), animal rules (O-25-104), grant funds (R-25-214), CIP priorities (R-25-217), and a sobriety housing voucher pilot program recommendation (R-25-218). M-25-6 (support for housing affordability amendment) was withdrawn by sponsor. EC-26-15 was withdrawn by administration. O-26-1 was postponed to February 18, 2026.

Proclamations & Presentations

  • Albuquerque West Side Day Proclamation: Declared February 5, 2026 as the 17th annual Albuquerque West Side Day. Accepted by Twilight McComb (West Central Community Development Group) and Melissa Sanchez (Albuquerque West Side Business Association). Over 700 students expected to participate in the February 20, 2026 event at the State Capitol in Santa Fe. The event is wholly volunteer-organized; over 10,000 students have participated over the years.
  • Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) Update: City economist Christine Berner reported November GRT grew 1.3% over November 2025, with cumulative growth at 4.9% for the fiscal year. Excluding hold harmless, business sector growth was 3.1%. Cannabis sales increased 9.6% in November, though cumulative growth remains negative at -3.2%. Accommodation/food and construction declined in November. Councilors discussed potential state legislation removing GRT on housing and medical deductions, estimating a combined statewide impact of ~$54 million with Albuquerque absorbing ~50%.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Multiple speakers addressed the council, including concerns about unsafe walking routes to school (trash, needles, encampments), support for short-term rental limits (O-26-5), opposition to criminalizing homelessness, and calls for tenant protections. A motion to extend public comment from 1 to 2 minutes per speaker failed, with the council president citing discretion based on the number of speakers. Some speakers criticized the council's prior rejection of tenant protection ordinance O-25-102. Others expressed appreciation for the point-in-time homelessness count participation by councilors.

Discussion Items

  • Final Action O-26-5 (Short-Term Rental Separation Requirement): Sponsored by Baca, Fiebelkorn, Rogers, and Telles. Four floor amendments were considered:
    • Amendment No. 1: Reduced buffer distance from 330 feet to 100 feet. Passed 9-0.
    • Amendment No. 2: Applied the requirement only to Council Districts 2, 6, and 7 instead of citywide. Failed for lack of a second.
    • Amendment No. 3 (re-designated as No. 2): Delayed effective date to July 1, 2026 to allow unregistered operators to obtain permits. Passed 9-0.
    • Amendment No. 4 (technical): Conformed amendment numbers. Passed 9-0.
  • After amendments, the bill as amended failed 4-5. Voting for: Baca, Fiebelkorn, Rogers, Telles. Voting against: Bassan, Champine, Grout, Lewis, Peña.
  • Final Action O-26-7 (Repeal of Administration Question and Answer Period): Sponsored by Peña. The ordinance repeals the section requiring formal tracking and responses to unanswered questions. Passed 5-4. Voting for: Bassan, Champine, Grout, Lewis, Peña. Voting against: Baca, Fiebelkorn, Rogers, Telles. Councilors expressed concerns about transparency; the city CEO offered to work with councilors to maintain public response records informally.
  • Approval EC-26-18 (First Quarter FY2026 Revenue & Expense Report): Received by noted (9-0). Councilors questioned the projected overspend of $18.8 million, particularly in APD, legal, municipal development, and fire. Administration cited increased operating costs, contractual services (ShotSpotter, drone program, traffic signal contracts), and staffing turnover. Performance measures and risk mitigation strategies were discussed. Second quarter projections are expected by end of February.

Key Outcomes

  • Short-term rental separation ordinance (O-26-5) FAILED (4-5) after amendments.
  • Repeal of administration question and answer period (O-26-7) PASSED (5-4).
  • First quarter revenue and expense report (EC-26-18) was received and noted (9-0).
  • The council approved revised 2026 committee appointments (9-0).
  • O-11 (establishing an African American Advisory Board) was introduced and placed on the February 18, 2026 agenda (unanimous).
  • Two executive sessions were held: (a) attorney-client privilege regarding Mayor Tim Keller v. Albuquerque City Council litigation (10-15-1(H)(7)), and (b) limited personnel matter regarding the Inspector General investigation of City Attorney Lauren Keefe (10-15-1(H)(2)). Both motions passed unanimously (9-0). The president affirmed that discussions were limited to the stated purposes.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. This is the third meeting of the 27th council. We will come to order. All counselors are present. Um, counselor Lewis will be here shortly. So we'll start off with a moment of silence and um join us all in the Pledge of Allegiance in English and in Spanish. But as we do the moment of silence, if everybody could remember it's the 17th anniversary of the West Mesa um discovery of the the women um and child who were found on the West Mesa today's anniversary. So if we can keep them all in your thoughts and prayers, I appreciate it. Please join us in the pledge. I believe to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. So okay. Thank you, Counselor. Um Counselor uh Vice President Champaign. Thank you, Madam President. Civic parking passes uh are provided for members of the public. You can obtain your parking passes from the city staff uh at the table near the council uh chamber entrance. Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person and on live streams throughout four different platforms. Gov TV on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube and Zoob Webinar. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, or computers. Also, this meeting is closed captioned, and you may be able you may enable the closed captioning services on your division on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this and all other past council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the city council's website. Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance finding the videos online. If you do, please call 505-768-310 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening if needed. With regard to decorum in the chambers, we want tonight's proceedings to be as civil as possible and respectful. Please do not make any personal attacks and please do not applause or snap or any other outbursts during the meeting. The president will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption upon the second or continued disruption. That individual will be asked to leave the chambers and if necessary, security will be at be asked to escort that person out of the chambers. Such removal from the city council chambers will be effective for the remainder of that meeting. If continued disruptions occur, the president may recess the meeting until order is restored and if necessary, may clear the chambers of persons participating in that disturbance. Have the opportunity to do so. After 5 30 p.m. The questions may be directed to the administration. At this time, counselors, there are any questions for the administration. Councilor Backa and Councillor Cough. Thank you, Madam President, Mr. Vice Chair. Um quick question. It's been over six months now since we did the noise camera analysis started, and the ordinance was six months to do the analysis, and then we'd circle back and see where that's at. So I just obviously doesn't have to happen to right now, but I'd like to get an update on where that's where we stand on that. Madam President, Councillor Baca, um, we'll happily provide that update. Uh and I'll get with both APD and planning, I think, are both part of that, and we'll make sure we do that. Councilor Grout. Thank you. Um Madam President, uh, Mr. Vice President. My questions are for Department of Finance.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com