Albuquerque City Council Meeting – September 9, 2026

The City Council held its 17th meeting of the 27th Council on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, starting at 5:00 PM and adjourning at 1:32 AM the following morning. All nine councilors were present. The agenda included proclamations, public comments, appeals, appointments, and final action on several ordinances and resolutions. Key outcomes included override of a mayoral veto, passage of an artificial intelligence governance framework, a virtual currency ban, a complete streets quick-build amendment, and approval of a new city attorney.

Consent Calendar

• EC-26-175 (2025 Downtown Parking Study) – Receipt noted. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-190 (Lease with CLNKids) – Approved. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-191 (Rental Car Concession Amendment) – Approved. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-199 (MainStreet Capital Outlay Request) – Approved. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-201 (Small Properties Disposal Agreement) – Approved. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-208 (Appointment of Trula M. Howe to EPC) – Confirmed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-215 (Defense Community Infrastructure Grant Application) – Approved. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-216 (Q4 FY26 ABQ RIDE Security Report) – Receipt noted. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-217 (Fast Housing Program Report) – Receipt noted. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-219 (Appointment to Commission on American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs) – Confirmed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-220 (Appointment to ABQ Volunteers Advisory Board – Traci M. Pepper) – Confirmed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• EC-26-221 (Appointment to ABQ Volunteers Advisory Board – Destiny L. Smith) – Confirmed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• OC-26-15 (FY26 Objectives Wrap-up) – Receipt noted. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• O-26-48 (Aligning Definitions with State Statute) – Passed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).
• R-26-66 (Grant Funds for ARPA Community Wi-Fi Parks Project) – Passed. Vote: 6-0 (3 excused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment – Over 50 sign-ups; time reduced to 1 minute each. Speakers addressed the John Brown Breakfast Club incident (August 29, 2026), criticizing APD’s response as excessive and violent. Many urged accountability and better de-escalation. Others spoke on cryptocurrency scams (supporting O-26-49), recycling (supporting O-26-46), fiber construction concerns, and the need for affordable housing.
• Appeal AC-26-07 – Full hearing held. Appellant (Yale Village Neighborhood Association and D. Love’s Restaurants) argued the shelter was misclassified and that the ZHE erred. The applicant, Empower Health Services, testified about its treatment program. Planning staff supported the ZHE’s approval with conditions. Council voted 6-3 to grant the appeal and reverse the ZHE decision.
• Appointment of City Attorney – Public comment from Francesco Arnest expressed concerns regarding accountability.

Discussion Items

• Appeal AC-26-06 (Fence permit at 637 Solar Rd NW) – The LUHO recommended denial of appeal. Council voted unanimously to reject LUHO recommendation and place the matter on the September 21 agenda for a full hearing.
• Appeal AC-26-07 (Overnight shelter at 2300 Yale Blvd SE) – After full hearing, council reversed the ZHE’s approval (vote 6-3), citing procedural errors and neighborhood impact. New findings to be adopted at a subsequent meeting.
• EC-26-245 (Veto Override of O-26-54, City Attorney Relationship) – Councilor Fiebelkorn moved to override. Debate ensued; the administration argued the ordinance conflicted with the charter and should be handled via charter review. Council overrode the veto 6-3.
• O-26-47 (Fiber Infrastructure Excavation Regulation) – Council debated hours of operation, restoration timelines, and moratorium periods. After multiple amendments, the final passage failed 4-5.
• O-26-49 (Virtual Currency Ordinance) – Prohibits cryptocurrency ATMs and cashier-facilitated transactions. Supporters cited 94% fraudulent use and money laundering. Opponents argued legitimate uses exist and scams are not limited to these machines. Passed 6-3.
• O-26-55 (Complete Streets Quick Build Safety Treatments) – Requires consideration of quick-build options during road projects. Passed unanimously.
• R-26-51 (Affordable Housing Development Funding) – Originally drew from state capital outlay; amended to draw from unencumbered Housing Forward Fund balance. Administration expressed concern about impact on existing commitments (Beaches apartments stair repairs). Passed 7-2 after amendments.
• R-26-68 (Gizmo Arts Recovery Housing Project) – Appropriates state funding for recovery housing for women exiting prison. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Appointment of Joshua D. Boone as City Attorney – Confirmed 9-0.
• Override of Mayor’s Veto (O-26-54) – Veto overridden 6-3; ordinance establishing council’s relationship with city attorney becomes law.
• O-26-43, O-26-44, O-26-45 (AI Governance Package) – All passed unanimously, creating an AI ordinance, an Emerging Technology Advisory Board, and procurement requirements for AI compliance.
• O-26-46 (Recycling Mandate for Multi-Family and City Buildings) – Passed 8-1; requires recycling service at multi-family dwellings and city-owned buildings.
• O-26-47 (Fiber Infrastructure) – Failed on final passage 4-5.
• O-26-49 (Virtual Currency Ban) – Passed 6-3; prohibits crypto ATMs and cashier-facilitated crypto transactions.
• O-26-55 (Quick Build Safety Treatments) – Passed unanimously.
• R-26-51 – Passed 7-2; directs $350,000 from the Housing Forward Fund to the Chama affordable housing project.
• EC-26-192 (Street Outreach Housing Services contract with Heading Home) – Approved 8-1; funding for navigation, vouchers, and landlord incentives.
• EC-26-243 (Lease with Harmony Road Recovery) – Approved 8-0.
• Several grants, leases, and appointments approved on consent or by unanimous vote.
• Meeting extended multiple times, finally adjourning at 1:32 AM.