Albuquerque City Council Meeting – April 20, 2026

The Albuquerque City Council held its twenty-seventh council’s ninth meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. All nine councilors were present. The meeting covered administrative appointments, financial instruments, appeals, public comments, and final actions on several ordinances. Key highlights included the unanimous confirmation of a new Executive Director of Public Safety and the permanent Chief of Police, approval of nearly $90 million in general obligation bonds, and a contentious vote on cooling system performance standards that passed on a 5–4 vote after multiple amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Appointments confirmed unanimously (9–0): Raul Bujanda as Executive Director of Public Safety; Cecily A. Barker as Chief of Police; Miriam McIntosh and Melani Buchanan Farmer to the ABQ Volunteers Advisory Board; Andrew Keleher and Melinda Ann Montoya to the Greater Albuquerque Active Transportation Committee; Nalleli Reyes Garcia to the Airport Advisory Board; Chloe Mae Caswell to the Affordable Housing Committee; Kenneth Delmus Mitchell and Maria Gallegos to the Municipal Golf Advisory Board; Lam N. Ho to the Library Advisory Board; Alexis Kerschner Tappan to the Indicators Progress Commission; Johnny I. Mangu to the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board; Ciara C. Stiles to the Youth Advisory Council; Kevin A. Castelo to the EMS Providers Advisory Committee; Kevin D. Helfert to the Cable, Internet and PEG Advisory Board; Adrian N. Carver and Alex Applegate to the Greater Albuquerque Active Transportation Committee; Coby R. Gentry to the Albuquerque Energy Council; Georgia Duncan to the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board.
• Contract approved (9–0): EC-26-97, Risk Fourth Supplemental Agreement for outside counsel legal services with Holland & Hart, LLP.
• Ordinance postponed (9–0): O-26-1 (amending city code relating to reports and documents) postponed to May 4, 2026.
• Resolution passed (9–0): R-26-11 (amending R-24-109 to extend directives on housing voucher programs and add data integration and lived experience member).
• Deferral (9–0): OC-26-7 (On-Call Planning Services for City Council) postponed to May 4, 2026.
• Receipt noted (9–0): EC-26-96 (Housing Forward Fund FY26 report), EC-26-99 (Albuquerque Energy Council FY2025 annual report), OC-26-5 (CPOA FY26 One Year Objectives Update).

Administration Question & Answer Period

• Councilor Rogers asked for updates on arts and culture banners and Route 66 messaging.
• Councilor Fiebelkorn questioned the status of 1.5% one-time payments to staff (approved December 2025). Administration responded that payments for those earning $64,000 and below would be in the next paycheck (first week of May); payments for higher earners were still being finalized. Councilor Fiebelkorn expressed frustration with the delay.
• Councilor Fiebelkorn also requested the annual pollinator report from 2023’s “Bee Friendly” resolution; administration promised to provide a timeline.
• Councilor Grout questioned Transit Director Keener about staffing: 540 funded positions, ~150 vacant (81 motor coach operators, 11 SunVan chauffeurs, 20 mechanics). Fully staffed last seen around 2017-2018. 52 positions cut in FY27 budget (all vacant).
• Councilor Grout also asked Solid Waste about disposal of old gasoline at convenience centers; director noted permitting issues and will investigate.
• Councilor Lewis engaged CFO Martinez on the proposed FY27 budget: He argued the city is not cutting $35 million in recurring operational funds as claimed, pointing to a $5.9 million increase in operational spending and $21 million revenue increase. CFO explained reductions were mostly one-time funds, reallocations, and right-sizing. Councilor Lewis urged honest communication about the budget’s long-term fiscal gap.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On EC-26-82 (Raul Bujanda appointment): Lisa Christofferson and Grace Dukes opposed, calling the position redundant and expensive ($187,000 salary) and questioning the need to supervise three female chiefs. James Shanley also spoke. Councilor Bassan and Councilor Rogers expressed support after meeting with Bujanda, citing his expertise and ability to improve cross-department collaboration.
• On O-26-22 (cooling system standards): Several renters and community members spoke in favor, describing health risks from lack of cooling. Alan Lisseck (Apartment Association) and Josh Price (landlord) opposed the temperature-based standard, citing practical issues with evaporative coolers and freeze risks. Mark Rickert and Charles Sheldon also opposed, warning of high conversion costs.
• General public comments (various topics):
  • Lisa Christofferson encouraged council to understand homelessness root causes and noted lack of weekend medical services.
  • Grace Dukes criticized council for following campaign consultants and opposing renter protections.
  • Several speakers (Diane Souter, Clay Campbell, Yasmin Najmi) urged maintaining open space budget and staffing.
  • John Vaughn questioned the city’s $500/hour outside counsel defending homelessness lawsuits.
  • Tad Neminski criticized the city’s immigration office and alleged discrimination.
  • Josh Price supported cooling ordinance and criticized criminalization of homelessness.
  • Sarah Azebo, Janet Sayers, and others commented on homeless encampment policies and public safety.
  • Library supporters highlighted National Library Week.

Discussion Items

• EC-26-82 and EC-26-83 (Public Safety appointments): After public comment, councilors discussed the executive director role. CAO Single explained it repurposes a vacant deputy CAO position to coordinate first responders. Councilor Grout asked for job description. Both appointments confirmed unanimously (9–0).
• EC-26-96 (Housing Forward Fund FY26 report): Vice President Champine questioned discrepancies in reported allocations. Director of Health, Housing and Homelessness clarified totals. Councilor Rogers requested a before/after allocation table for better tracking. Receipt noted (9–0).
• EC-26-99 (Albuquerque Energy Council annual report): Discussion on the 3% bond set-aside for energy projects. Councilor Champine asked about plans for funds and past reports. Councilor Rogers requested savings data alongside project totals. Receipt noted (9–0).
• OC-26-5 (CPOA annual update): Director noted sustained findings increased from 21% to 49% due to better screening. Caseload per investigator improved to ~8. Councilor Rogers asked about outsourcing costs and investigator turnover. Receipt noted (9–0).
• O-26-17 (Water project loan/grant for Puerto del Sol Golf Course): Passed unanimously after questions about repayment source (state shared gross receipts tax, 0.25% interest over 20 years).
• O-26-20 and R-26-10 (General obligation bonds): Passed unanimously after floor substitutes filled blanks. Bonds total $89.61 million, approved by voters Nov 2025. Councilor Rogers questioned zero funding for affordable housing in Series 2026A; Director Turner explained housing funds were appropriated immediately and will be in the second bond cycle (2027). Councilor Teas asked about project cost escalation; director promised updated data.
• AC-26-02 (Variance appeal – 237 Wyoming Blvd): Withdrawn by applicant, motion carried 9–0.
• AC-26-03 (Variance appeal – 2513 4th St NW): Councilor Baca moved to accept Land Use Hearing Officer recommendation (deny variance). Passed 9–0. Councilors expressed sympathy for business owners dealing with crime but upheld the legal criteria.
• O-26-22 (Cooling system performance requirements): Extensive debate. Sponsor Councilor Fiebelkorn argued for an 85°F outdoor trigger and 15°F indoor cooling differential. After public comment, Councilor Grout offered floor amendment establishing a cooling season (May 1–Sept 30) and requiring systems to be operable with a “measurable reduction” consistent with design. Amendment passed 5–4 (Bassan, Champine, Grout, Lewis, Peña for; Baca, Fiebelkorn, Rogers, Telles against). Original sponsor then moved to withdraw the bill; withdrawal failed 4–5. Sponsor removed her name; Vice President Champine, Councilor Grout, and Councilor Bassan assumed sponsorship. Final bill passed as amended 5–4 (same line).
• O-26-23 (Police oversight ordinance – CPOA authority): Postponed to May 4, 2026, by unanimous consent (9–0) to allow further negotiations with APD and CPOA.
• R-26-18 (FasTrax permitting extension): Passed 8–1 (Telles opposed). Councilor Rogers questioned insufficient reporting data; Director Varela defended the program’s success. Rule suspension to extend meeting failed initially, then 10-minute extension passed.
• R-26-21 (NRDC grant for composting program): Passed 8–0 (Baca excused). Grant of $4,500 from Natural Resources Defense Council for expansion.

Key Outcomes

• Confirmations: Raul Bujanda (Executive Director of Public Safety) and Cecily Barker (Chief of Police) confirmed unanimously (9–0).
• Appointments: All consent agenda appointments confirmed unanimously.
• Bonds: O-26-20 (series 2026 GO bonds up to $89.61M) and R-26-10 (bid notice) passed as substituted (9–0).
• Appeals: AC-26-02 withdrawn; AC-26-03 denied, upholding zoning hearing examiner (9–0).
• Cooling ordinance (O-26-22): Passed as amended (5–4) with sponsor change. Effective immediately. Requires cooling systems to be operable from May 1 through September 30 and capable of measurable temperature reduction consistent with design.
• Police oversight (O-26-23): Postponed to May 4, 2026 (9–0).
• FasTrax extension (R-26-18): Passed 8–1.
• NRDC grant (R-26-21): Passed 8–0.
• General obligation bond sale: Authorized; debt service repaid from property taxes.
• Meeting adjourned at 10:33 PM.