Albuquerque City Council Sixth Meeting - March 2, 2026

The Albuquerque City Council held its sixth regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting included an administration question and answer period, proclamations, consent agenda items, an appeal, general public comments, an executive session, and final actions. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 PM.

Consent Calendar

• EC-26-17: Mayor’s Recommendation of On-Call Architectural Services for the Aviation Department – Approved 9-0.
• EC-26-26: Mayor's re-appointment of Mr. Renn Halstead to the Environmental Planning Commission – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-35: Mayor's appointment of Mr. Abdul Ganiu Tanko to the Environmental Planning Commission – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-44: Report of All Grant Applications for July through December 2025 – Receipt noted 9-0.
• EC-26-46: Department of Youth and Family Services Progress Report on Implementation of Resolution R-25-186 – Withdrawn by Administration 9-0.
• EC-26-47: Mayor's appointment of Mr. Killian K. McDonald to the Human Rights Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-48: Mayor's appointment of Mr. Joseph S. Allred to the EMS Providers Advisory Committee – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-49: Mayor's re-appointment of Mrs. Michelle L. Denbleyker to the Affordable Housing Committee – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-50: Mayor's re-appointment of Dr. Kimberly M. Pruett to the EMS Medical Control Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-51: Mayor's appointment of Mr. Shaun P. Hart to the Metropolitan Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-53: Mayor's appointment of Mrs. Connie M. Chavez to the Middle Rio Grande Housing Collaborative – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-54: Mayor's re-appointment of Mr. Gene Gutierrez to the Cable, Internet and PEG Advisory Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• EC-26-55: Mayor's appointment of Ms. Alana Banks to the Human Rights Board – Confirmed 9-0.
• O-26-1: Amending City Code relating to preparation of reports by Council Services Department – Postponed to March 16, 2026, 9-0.
• O-26-10: Amending Integrated Development Ordinance on appeal costs – Postponed to April 6, 2026, 9-0.
• EC-26-52: Mayor's appointment of Mr. Christopher T. Martinez to the EMS Providers Advisory Committee – Withdrawn by Administration 9-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comments: Twenty speakers addressed the council on a wide range of topics, including support for an immigrant protection ordinance (Safer Community Places), ranked choice voting, affordable housing, homelessness, library funding, and criticism of council voting patterns. Several speakers from El Centro and other community organizations urged the council to pass a stronger immigrant protection ordinance. Multiple constituents expressed frustration with the cost of rent and lack of affordable housing options. A few speakers criticized the council's 5-4 votes on development and renter protections.
• Public Comments on O-26-11 (African American Advisory Board): Several community members spoke both in support and opposition. Supporters emphasized the need for structural representation and thanked Councilor Rogers for her leadership. Opponents raised concerns about permanent seats, the inclusion of specific organizations (e.g., New Mexico Black Leadership Council), and lack of transparency in the appointment process. Some asked for more time and community engagement before passage.

Discussion Items

• Administration Question & Answer Period: Councilor Grout asked Director Keener about increased transit ridership. Keener reported ridership up across all modes, with misservice down 93% in the first two quarters of FY26 compared to FY25. However, the department is not fully staffed on drivers, with a vacancy rate of about 30% for motor coach operators and 10% for sun van drivers.
• Proclamation – ACS Connect to Care Overview: Director Jody Escavelle presented on the Community Safety Department’s proactive events. Despite a 311% increase in calls from 2024 to 2025 and a 10% increase in 911 calls, the department has hosted events offering medical, behavioral health, substance abuse, housing, documentation, and other services. Over a thousand people have attended these events.
• Route 66 Centennial Update: Dr. Shell Sanchez and Tanya Armenta updated the council on the centennial celebration. The “Art Field Road Trip” (18 miles, 19 art activations, 20 artists, one poet) has launched. Albuquerque was named a top vacation destination for 2026 by several national outlets. The Route 66 Visitor Center will open April 4, 2026. Councilor Rogers raised concerns about misspelled banners in her district.
• EC-26-41 (IPRA Report): Vice President Champine questioned the CAO about an explosion of out-of-state and international IPRA requests—20,000 requests in the last calendar year, many from YouTubers using AI. The city cannot reject requests based on location but can designate broad requests as burdensome. The clerk’s office continues to work on the backlog.
• EC-26-43 (ABQ Ride Quarterly Security Report): Director Keener described a multi-layered security approach: Transit Safety Officers (TSOs), Public Service Aides (PSAs), APD, and Metro Security. Reactive calls dropped 63% (from 2,345 to 868) after transitioning to dedicated transit security. Councilor Rogers questioned the cost of contracted security vs. Metro security and requested that contracted security receive ambassador training to better assist riders.
• Appeal AC-25-05: Dan Miller (City on the Hill Church) appealed the Zoning Hearing Examiner’s denial of a variance for a 66-inch projecting wall sign at 3715 Silver Ave SE. The variance would allow a 58-inch projection (28 inches beyond the 30-inch limit). The appellant argued the variance was reasonable due to site uniqueness, safety concerns, and neighbor negotiations. ZHE and staff argued the hardship was self-imposed and the applicant failed to provide evidence on the five variance criteria. After debate, the council voted 5-4 to grant the appeal and adopt findings later.
• O-26-11 (African American Advisory Board): Councilor Rogers introduced the ordinance to establish a 17-member advisory board. Four amendments were passed unanimously, including making community member seats voting, capitalizing “Black,” adding policies and procedures, and a typographical fix. After public comment, the bill passed unanimously (9-0).
• R-25-205 (Quarterly Operations Reports for AFR, APD, ACS): Councilor Grout moved to withdraw the resolution, noting that the departments had agreed to provide regular operational reports and briefings administratively. Motion to withdraw passed unanimously.
• R-26-4 (Minimum Staffing for AFR): Councilor Fiebelkorn presented the resolution as the final step in resolving a previous council-administration dispute over firefighter staffing. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• AC-25-05 (Sign Variance Appeal): Granted on a vote of 5-4 (Bassan, Champine, Grout, Lewis, Peña in favor; Baca, Fiebelkorn, Rogers, Telles against). Findings will be adopted at the March 16, 2026 council meeting (voted 8-1).
• O-26-11 (African American Advisory Board): Passed unanimously (9-0) as amended.
• R-25-205 (Quarterly Operations Reports): Withdrawn unanimously.
• R-26-4 (AFR Minimum Staffing): Passed unanimously (9-0).
• Consent Agenda Items: All approved, withdrawn, or postponed as noted, all by 9-0 votes.
• Pulled Items (EC-26-41 and EC-26-43): Receipt noted by unanimous votes.
• Executive Session: Held for attorney-client privileged discussion on case D-202-CV-2025-04659; all 9 members voted in favor.
• Council affirmed commitment to respectful discourse: President Peña and Councilor Rogers addressed racist remarks from a previous meeting, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated in council chambers.