Albuquerque City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026: Major Decisions on Economic Development, Stormwater Utility, and Tax Proposals
Albuquerque City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026
The Albuquerque City Council held its 14th meeting of the 27th Council on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers. The meeting adjourned at 11:38 PM after a break and an extension to midnight. All nine councilors were present. Key actions included approval of economic development projects, a stormwater utility ordinance, a sunset review clause, and a failed tax proposal. The council also deferred several items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0): EC-26-116 (Concert Production Technical Staffing Services), EC-26-159 (Homemaker/Personal Care/Respite Care), EC-26-165 (FY26 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant), EC-26-166 (Drug and Alcohol Testing Services), EC-26-167 (Workers Compensation Pharmacy Benefit Management), EC-26-168 (MRA Redevelopment Services On Call RFP), EC-26-169 (Re-appointment of Lauren Sandoval to Housing & Neighborhood Economic Development Committee), EC-26-170 (Appointment of Michael W. Plantenberg to Indicators Progress Commission), EC-26-171 (Appointment of Jessilyn S. Hobby to Biological Park Board), EC-26-180 (Appointment of Benjamin J. Tobias to Human Rights Board), EC-26-181 (Appointment of Cecilia J. Navarrete to Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees), R-26-26 (Transit Department's 2026 Title VI Program), R-26-41 (Filing of Grant Applications), R-26-42 (Saltillo Public Improvement District Director Appointments), R-26-44 (HUD Continuum of Care Grant), R-26-45 (Crestview Bluffs Park Project Grants), R-26-46 (Dennis Friends Foundation Grant for Animal Welfare), R-26-47 (PetSmart Charities Grant for Animal Welfare), R-26-49 (Adjusting Golden Forward Gizmo Projects), R-26-48 (Violence Intervention Fund Grant - noted later under approvals), and EC-26-174 (Update on Pollinator Protection - noted later).
- Postponed unanimously (9-0) to August 3, 2026: EC-26-126 (Outside Counsel Legal Services), P-26-2 (Charter amendment regarding City Attorney/Clerk), R-26-30 (Related charter amendment).
Public Comments & Testimony
- On O-26-38 (Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel IRB): Multiple speakers from the Sawmill Community Land Trust and neighborhood opposed the project, citing traffic concerns, inappropriate use of an IRB, lack of community input, and potential harm to historic character. Speakers included former State Senator Debbie O'Malley, Pauline Baca, Juanita Ramirez, Viola Martinez, and David Stryker. One speaker (Adrian Perez of Heritage Companies) urged protection of cultural district integrity. Another speaker, Linnae Unterman, demanded strict design covenants. The developer, Deepesh Korodwala, responded, arguing the project would reduce peak-hour traffic and that the bond is a tax abatement, not a city outlay.
- On R-26-43 (Community Enhancement and Local Investment Tax): Several residents spoke against the proposed GRT increase, citing its regressive nature, burden on fixed-income seniors and small businesses, and questioning the need given a $1.5 billion budget. Speakers included Bobby Curtis (Americans for Prosperity), Mike DeVenzio, Dennis Curtis, Melanie Thomas, Noreen Gustafson, Susan Martin, Paul Gessing (Rio Grande Foundation), and Debbie Reynolds. One speaker, Joe Vierral (representing city employees), supported the tax, arguing it is needed for services.
- On O-26-26 (Storm Water Utility Ordinance): Alan Smith spoke in support, citing benefits for flood reduction and water quality.
- On O-26-27 (Sunset Review Clause): Grace Dukes and Althea Atherton opposed, arguing it could disproportionately affect advisory boards serving vulnerable populations and that the process lacked direct input from board members.
- On O-26-28 (Repealing boards/creating task force): Althea Atherton and Alex Applegate opposed merging GATSY and GARTSY, emphasizing the distinct purposes of active transportation policy vs. recreational trails. Melinda Montoya supported the amendment to allow further study.
- General Public Comments: Included topics such as support for Central Avenue businesses, opposition to the GRT tax, police accountability, free speech, pedestrian safety, family court delays, and suggestions for meeting accessibility (e.g., earlier start times, transit equity, childcare).
Discussion Items
- O-26-36 Eden Pharmaceuticals LLC LEDA Project: Project involves a $400,000 LEDA investment ($300,000 state, $100,000 city) to support expansion of a compounding pharmacy and fulfillment center. Eden commits to 56 new direct jobs at average annual wage of ~$69,000, $2.7 million in private capital, and $78 million in total economic impact over 10 years. Approved unanimously after a technical amendment.
- O-26-37 Dreamcatcher Journal Center Hotel IRB: Issuance of $25,008,118 in taxable industrial revenue bonds for a 103-room Home2 Suites by Hilton. Project expected to generate $4.3 million in taxes by 2045, create 32-37 jobs. Approved unanimously.
- O-26-38 Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel IRB: Proposed $40,520,267 IRB for a 135-room dual-branded Hampton Inn/Home2 Suites. Councilor Peña introduced an amendment to require prevailing wages (passed 6-3). Councilor Baca then moved to defer to August 3, 2026, to allow further community engagement; motion passed 5-4. Deferred.
- R-26-35 Savio Ridge Public Improvement District (PID): Formation of a PID for a Pulte Homes development. After a floor substitute, Councilor Telles proposed a non-binding amendment (failed 4-5). The resolution as substituted passed unanimously.
- R-26-43 / O-26-42 (Community Enhancement and Local Investment Tax): Proposed 0.4875% municipal GRT to fund 50% for capital projects (split among 10 districts/mayor) and 50% for general municipal operations including cost-of-living adjustments. After amendment (unanimous), the resolution failed 4-5 (Baca, Bassan, Peña, Rogers for; Champine, Fiebelkorn, Grout, Lewis, Telles against). The related ordinance was withdrawn unanimously.
- O-26-26 Storm Water Utility Ordinance: Created a new stormwater utility, defined green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), and established fees. Ten amendments were considered; all but one passed (Amendment No. 5 passed 7-2, others unanimous or 8-1). The ordinance as amended passed 8-1 (Lewis dissenting).
- O-26-25 Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Board: Created a TIF board to oversee tax increment financing in MRA districts. Councilor Telles proposed ten amendments; all failed (votes ranged from 2 to 4 in favor). The ordinance passed 8-1 (Telles dissenting).
- O-26-27 Sunset Review Clause: Mandates automatic expiration of every board, commission, or committee every five years unless council renews. An amendment to allow extension due to quorum failure passed unanimously. The ordinance passed 7-2 (Baca and Rogers dissenting).
- O-26-28 Repealing Certain Boards and Creating GAATC/GARTC Merging Task Force: Repeals several inactive boards, creates a task force to study merger of active transportation and recreational trails committees. An amendment requiring the task force to report by July 2026 passed unanimously. The ordinance passed unanimously.
- Reconsideration of R-26-43: Motion failed 4-5.
- Administration Q&A: Councilors Grout and Telles questioned the administration about budget forecasts, access to UNA budgeting system, and HUD changes to Continuum of Care funding. The administration argued council already receives necessary reports and that read-only access to UNA is redundant.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Eden Pharmaceuticals LEDA project (O-26-36), Journal Center Hotel IRB (O-26-37), all consent agenda items, Pollinator Protection update (EC-26-174), Storm Water Utility Ordinance (O-26-26), TIF Board (O-26-25), Sunset Review Clause (O-26-27), Repealing boards/task force (O-26-28), Savio Ridge PID (R-26-35), and FY27 budget adjustments (R-26-50).
- Deferred to August 3, 2026: Sawmill Hotel IRB (O-26-38), Outside Counsel Legal Services (EC-26-126), Charter amendments (P-26-2, R-26-30).
- Failed: Community Enhancement and Local Investment Tax resolution (R-26-43) and its reconsideration motion. The related ordinance (O-26-42) was withdrawn.
- Amendments: Many amendments were adopted; those on O-26-38 (prevailing wage) passed; those on O-26-25 (TIF board) and some on R-26-35 failed.
- No executive session held regarding the Inspector General investigation of the City Attorney.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome. Today is uh June 15th, 2026. The 14th meeting of the 27th council will come to order. Is the sound really odd? There's a computer that has a sound. Okay, thank you so much. I kept hearing the echo. All counselors are present this evening with Councilor Teas joining us via Zoom and Councilor Lewis will be here shortly. So we'll start off with a moment of silence, followed by the pledge. Please join us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance. So now Vice President Champagne. Madam President, thank you. Um just a quick announcement. I had the distinct pleasure today, and this kind of an explanation of why I'm wearing this today, but uh I had the distinct pleasure to meet with uh ten international visitors from Mongolia. In fact, the three western provinces, they have 21 provinces. At the three western provinces, there was uh uh delegates from their government. I got to sit down and chat with them for an hour or two and learn more about their system of government and discuss ours. Uh and I was so honored when they at the end of the conversation they presented me with this hat, so I get to wear it tonight. So that's what's that's why I'm wearing it. Now down to business. Civic plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from the council staff at the table near the chamber entrance. A member of the public, members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person and on live streams through four different platforms. Gov TV on Comcast Channel 16, the Gov TV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, and computers. Also, this meeting is closed captioned, and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this and all 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. Please call 505-768-310 for assistance during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening if needed. With regard to the decorum in the chambers, we want tonight's proceeding to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks and please no applauding, applauding or snapping or 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 asked to escort that person out of the chambers. Such removal from the city council chambers will be effective for the remainder of this 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. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are respectful of one another. With that being said, counselors, do we have any questions for the administration? Counselor Grout. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Um my first set of questions are for the Triple H department, Gilbert Ramirez. Madam President, Councillor Grout, he doesn't seem to be in the room. We will figure out where Triple H is and we'll okay. We can circle back. I'll come back to that then.
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