>>COUN. PEÑA: WELCOME, EVERYONE. WE HAVE THE 7th MEETING OF THE 27th COUNCIL WILL COME TO ORDER. ALL COUNCILORS ARE PRESENT THIS EVENING. COUNCILOR BACA, COUNCILOR ROGERS, AND COUNCILOR GROUT WILL BE JOINING US VIA ZOOM. I'M PRETTY SURE THEY'RE ON ZOOM RIGHT NOW. WE'RE HAPPY TO BE OFFERING ENGLISH-SPANISH INTERPRETATION BY CLICKING ONG THE MORE ICON OR THE GLOBE IN YOUR TOOLBAR AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ZOM SCREEN. YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR LANGUAGE PREVERANCE. PRESENTERS AND HOST REMEMBER TO CHOOSE ENGLISH TO HEAR COMMENTS INTERPRETED FROM SPANISH. ALSO PLEASE BE REMINDED TO SPEAK AT A REASONABLE PACE TO HELP FACILITATE THE INTERPRETATION. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN INTERPRETATION. >> [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW ON TO ITEM TWO, MOMENT OF SILENCE. PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. VICE PRESIDENT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: PAR -- AT THE TABLE NEAR THE CHAMBERS ENTRANCE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA HAVE THE ABILITY TO VIEW THIS MEETING IN PERSON, AND LIVE ON STREAM THROUGH FOUR DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. GOVTV ON COMCAST CHANNEL 16. THE GOVTV WEBSITE AND ZOOM. LIVE STREAMS CAN BE ACCESSED FROM MOST SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND COMPUTERS. THIS MEETING IS CLOSED CAPTIONED. I MAY ENABLE THE SERVICES AT THIS TIME. THE RECORDING OF THIS AND ALL PAST COUNCIL MEETINGS WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON THE CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE. COUNCIL STAFF IS AVAILABLE IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NEED ASSISTANCE FINDING THE VIDEOS ONLINE. CALL 505-768-3100 FOR ASSISTANCE DURING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 A.M., TO 5 P.M. WITH REGARD TO DECORUM, WE TONIGHT'S PROCEEDING TO BE AS CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL AS NOBBLE. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS AND NO APPLAUSE OR SNAPPING OR OTHER OUTBURS DURING THE MEETING. THE PRESIDENT WILL PROVIDE ONE WARNING TO ANYONE CAUSING A DISRUPTION. UPON THE SECOND OR CONTINUED DISRUPTION, THE INDIVIDUAL WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CHAMBER AND IF NECESSARY SECURITY WILL BE ASKED TO ESCORT THAT PERSON OUT OF THE CHAMBERS. SUCH REMOVAL WILL BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS MEETING. IF CONTINUED DISRUPTION OCCUR THE PRESIDENT MAY RECESS THE MEETING UNTIL THE ORDER IS RESTORED. AND IF NECESSARY, MAY CLEAR THE CHAMBERS OF PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTURBANCE. THE MEETING WILL GO SMOOTHER IF WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER. THE ADMINISTRATION QUESTION AND ANSWERING PERIOD. >>COUN. PEÑA: I'M GOING TO ASK EVERYONE STANDING CAN PLEASE FIND A SEAT. YOU CAN GO ALL THE WAY. THERE'S PLENTY OF SEATS THIS WAY IN THE AND IN THE CENTER. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S PLENTY OF SEATS TO THE LEFT. THE ADMIN DOESN'T BITE. COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. COUNCILORS, THE ADMINISTRATION QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD. DOES ANY COUNCILOR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION? THEY'RE VERY EAGER. COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, COUNCIL VICE PREDZ PRESIDENT. NOT A QUESTION. I JUST WANTED TO -- I GUESS, TAKE SOME LEEWAY HERE. WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT GROUNDBREAKING TOMORROW FOR A MASSIVE PROJECT ON THE WEST SIDE. LOOKING FORWARD TO JOINING THE ADMINISTRATION, THE MAYOR, AND THE DMD DIRECTOR AND MANY OTHERS TO BREAK GROUND ON A MASSIVE ROADWAY PROJECT THAT'S MUCH NEEDED ON THE WEST SIDE. WE'RE JUST EXCITED TO GET THAT STARTED. IT'S BEEN -- CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH NOW. JUST WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEPARTMENT FOR REALLY MOVING THAT PROJECT FORWARD. OF COURSE THIS COUNCIL FOR FUNDING IT. AND ENSURING A BIG CHUNK OF THE CAPITAL DOLLARS OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS A BIG PROJECT FUNDED THROUGH PREVIOUS COUNCILORS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AND STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE PUT MONEY INTO THIS. IT TAKES REALLY GRIT PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT TO PUT THESE BIDS OUT AND PLAN THESE PROJECTS AND I WANTED TO SIGH THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING A REALLY GREAT PROJECT AND KICKING THAT OFF TOMORROW AFTERNOON OR -- TOMORROW AFTERNOON AT UNSER FOR THE WIDENING OF UNSER AND PASEO. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR LEWIS. I BELIEVE THAT'S ALL. >>COUN. PEÑA: I HAVE A QUESTION. JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR SOLID WASTE. I'M HOPING -- THIS CAME ON MY RADAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN SET UP A MEETING. THERE'S A CONSTITUENT. I JUST GOT A CALL, I USUALLY CALL YOU DPIE -- GUYS, WE HAVE TINY ROADS WHERE CALL -- SOLID WASTES MAKES U-TURN. IT'S SMALL THE CARS GET IN THE WAY. IF WE CAN MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS TO ADDRESS THAT SMALL STREET. I'M SURE THERE'S OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. AND THE SECOND ONE IS JUST WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE OF THE BANNERS, THE ONES ON CENTRAL ACROSS THE RIVER ARE JUST KIND OF COMING OFF. I KNOW THE BANNERS SEEM TO BE A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION HERE AT OUR MEETING. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT CAPS ON THE END SO THEY DON'T FLY OFF. I KNOW THERE'S A FEW MISSING ALREADY. IF WE CAN LOOK AT THAT. AND I HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR MR. WHELAN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT THE ANSWERS TO THOSE. OR IF YOU WILL ANSWER ME -- OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE NOW ON PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS. COUNCILOR GROUT AND COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. LET'S SEE. TONIGHT'S PROCLAMATION IS RECOGNIZING THE ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOL SELFLESS SENIORS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE APS FOUNDATION AND 2026 SELFLESS SENIORS ARE HERE TO ACCEPT. IF THEY COULD JUST COME DOWN TO THE PODIUM. COUNCILOR BASSAN IS GOING TO HELP ME RECOGNIZE THESE FINE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY THIS EVENING. LOOK HOW LOVELY YOU ALL ARE. I'M GOING TO START THE PROCLAMATION AND COUNCILOR BASSAN WILL FINISH IT. WHEREAS, ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION IS ESTABLISHED THE SELFLESS SENIOR PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE STUDENTS WHO QUIETLY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SELFLESS ACTS THAT DO NOT EARN A LOT OF FANFARE OR RECOGNITION. AND WHEREAS APS HAS PARTNERED WITH FRANK FROST ON THIS INITIATIVE FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE STUDENTS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO THEIR SCHOOLS AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVING OTHERS. AND WHEREAS STUDENTS FROM APS SCHOOLS ARE NOMINATED BY THEIR FRIENDS, SCHOOL STAFF, FAMILIES, OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND MOST HAVE NEVER BEEN PUBLICLY THANKED OR PRAISED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND -- >>COUN. BASSAN: WHEREAS, THE YOUNG PEOPLE CHOSEN REPRESENT THE BEST OF OUR CITY AND THE HOPE FOR THE BRIGHT FUTURE. THEY'RE ALBUQUERQUE HIGH SCHOOL, LITTLIAN TALKREN, ATRISCO ACADEMY BRANDON GONZALEZ. DEL NORTE -- EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY SABA -- eACADEMY, DANIEL LINZ. ELDORADO. HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL EMMANUEL SALAZAR. OLIVIA CHERRY. MONZANO ASK LUCHAVEZ AM NEXT GEN ACADEMY, NAOMI PETERS. RIO GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL, JADEN CRUZ. VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, WALTER BRADFORD. VOLCANO VISTA HIGH SCHOOL, RICKY QUANY. WEST MESA HECTOR CABRERRA. BE IT PROCLAIMED THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE RECOGNIZES THE CLASS OF 2026 SELFLESS SENIORS AND THANKS THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. >>COUN. GROUT: CAN YOU SAY A FEW WORDS FOR US? >> YES, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR PEÑA. COUNCILOR GROUT. COUNCILORS, AND CITIZENS. ON BEHALF OF THE APS EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND SUPERINTENDENT, OUR 2026 SELFLESS SENIORSES ARE QUITE AMAZING. WE'RE CERTAINLY VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE TO RECOGNIZE THE SOON TO BE GRADUATES. AS MENTIONED BEFORE, FRANK STARTED THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENTS THAT WERE DOING SOMETHING REALLY GREAT FOR THEIR PEERS, FOR THEIR SCHOOLS, FOR THEIR COMMUNITY HAD A CHANCE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE KIND ACTS AND SELFLESSNESS. AND THESE ARE -- THEY'RE NOT USED TO THE STOPPLE LIGHT. THEY'RE NOT USED TO BE RECOGNIZED. THEY'RE NOT USED TO STANDING HERE. YOU CAN SEE THAT FROM THEIR FACES. WE ARE QUITE HONORED. EACH YEAR WE REMIND THE SELFLESS SENIORS THEY REPRESENT THEIR SCHOOLS AND PHILANTHROPIC SPIRIT OF ALL STUDENTS WALK THEIR HALLS. EACH YEAR WE REMIND THEM THEY REPRESENT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THEY SERVE -- THEY'RE AN INSPIRATION OF ACTS SERVED. ALL THE UNDERCLASSMAN, AND ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND OUR YOUNGEST ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. BECAUSE OF THIS, WE BELIEVE THAT THIS PROCLAMATION TO SAY THAT WE REPRESENT THE GENEROUS SPIRIT OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE BY SAYING THEY REMIND US ALL ABOUT -- THERE'S ALWAYS TIME TO GIVE. TO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED. TO CHAMPION IMPORTANT CAUSE AND TO GIVE VOICE TO THOSE WHO CANNOT BE HEARD. II WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND BETWEEN US, THE CITY, AND THE WONDERFUL SELFLESS SENIORS, WE LIVE IN A CITY THAT IS GOING TO BE GREAT, NOT TO SOUND LIKE ANYBODY ELSE THAT USES THAT WORD. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE OF THE YOUNG ADULTS HERE TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR SEATS, DO ANY OF THE STUDENTS WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? ANYONE BRAVE ENOUGH? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> YOU CAN CAN -- YOU CAN TELL THEY'RE SELFLESS. >>COUN. PEÑA: MAKE YOUR WAY AROUND AND ACCEPT THE PROCLAMATION. [ INAUDIBLE ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: GREAT WAY TO START THE MEETING. NOW, WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM CHRISTINE WARNER, CITY ECONOMIST THAT WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON H PROJECTS 4.8% GROWTH. WHEN -- LET'S SEE. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, OTHER SERVICES, ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES DID QUITE WELL IN DECEMBER. HOWEVER, REAL ESTATE, TRADE, BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, AND HEALTH DID STRUGGLE IN DECEMBER. JUST QUICKLY OVER TO CANNABIS. IN CANNABIS, INCREASED 4.2% IN DECEMBER. THAT BROUGHT THE GROWTH UP. IT'S STILL NEGATIVE FOR THE YEAR. JUST A COUPLE OF SIDE NOTES. JUST REMEMBERING THAT THE GRT GROWTH IS IS IMPACTED A LITTLE BIT BY THE LUMP SUM WE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR. IF YOU TAKE THE AVERAGE GROWTH OF ALL THE YEARS EXCEPT THE MONTH -- FIRST MONTH, IT'S 3.1% GROWTH. I'LL STAND FOR QUESTIONS. >>COUN. PEÑA: ANY QUESTIONS? NONE? THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. NEXT, WE HAVE PRESENTATION BY DIRECTOR TURNER, WHO WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON VULNERABLE ROAD USERS CAMPAIGN AND EFFORTS. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, TODAY I'M GOING TO SHOW AND NOT TELL OUR CAMPAIGN. BECAUSE ON THE PAST THURSDAY, WE LAUNCHED THE CAMPAIGN WITH THE VIDEOS AND ALSO OUR WEBSITE. I INCOLONEL -- ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO TO THE CAMPAIGN WEBSITE. IT'S WWW.CABQ.GOV. IT HAS STOP FOR EVERYONE LOGO AND BRANDING AS WAS KEY POINTS FROM THE TRAFFIC CODE UPDATE AND WE ALSO HAVE OUR TWO CAMPAIGN VIDEOS. WITH THAT, GARRET, SHARE THE FIRST ONE. >> ALBUQUERQUE, EVERYONE IS PROTECTED IN A CROSSWALK. MARKED OR UNMARKED. PAINTED OR NOT. BRAKING ONLY TAKES A SECOND. IF SOMEONE IS CROSSING, DRIVERS MUST STOP. FOR PEDESTRIANS, CYCLEISTS. PEOPLE FOR USE WHEELCHAIRS. EVERYONE. MARKED OR UNMARKED, THEY DESERVE A COMPLETE STOP. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE MORE VIDEO FROM -- AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK THE TIRELESS ADVOCACY OF MELINDA MONTOYA. AND HERE'S KAYLA'S VIDEO. >> THAT DAY CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER. MY DAUGHTER WAS 19 RIDING HER BIKE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. SHE BELIEVED EVERYONE DESERVED SAFETY, DIGNITY, AND KINDNESS. BUT OUR TRAFFIC LAWS DIDN'T PROTECT HER. EVERY MULTI-USE TRAIL IS A CROSSWALK. DRIVERS MUST STOP. NO PASSING. NO SECOND GUESSING. STOPPING TAKES SECONDS. LOSING SOMEONE LASTS FOREVER. HONOR KAYLA, STOP FOR EVERYONE. >> WITH THAT, I STAND FOR QUESTIONS. >>COUN. PEÑA: ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, NOT A QUESTION. I JUST WANTED TO THANK DIRECTOR TURNER. THE RELEASE OF ALL OF THIS WAS ON THURSDAY NIGHT. IT WAS REALLY WELL DONE. I THINK THIS CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY WELL CRAFTED AND THE MESSAGING IS VERY CLEAR. I THINK THE ENTIRE CITY OWES HER AND HER TEAM A THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO ECHO THE SAME THING. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR TURNER. I THINK ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I GOT FROM MY CONSTITUENTS AFTER WATCHING THAT WAS, HOW DO YOU KNOW TO STOP AT AN UNMARKED CROSSWALK? CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY LOOKING AT OUR INTERSECTIONS AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE CROSSING, COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. I THINK THE OVERALL MESSAGE OF OUR CAMPAIGN IS STOP FOR PEOPLE. IF YOU SEE KIDS CROSSING THE STREET IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IF YOU SEE THEM RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET, LIKE, LOOK OUT. WATCH. HEADS UP FROM THE PHONE. KEEP AN EYE OUT AND REALLY JUST REMEMBER THAT IF YOU HIT THEM, YOU'RE TAKING A FAMILY MEMBER, A COLLEAGUE. JUST LOOK FOR PEOPLE AND DRIVE, KEEPING A LOOKOUT. I KNOW IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD I KNOW WHERE ALL THE KIDS CROSS THE STREET. IT'S A REMINDER THAT WHERE YOU -- WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE, STOP. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I WANTED TO THANK DIRECTOR TURNER FOR -- SHE CAME TO A NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGEN -- MEETING IN MY DISTRICT OVER THE WEEKEND AND PRESENTED THIS INFORMATION. AND WE HAVE SEVERAL GOOD QUESTIONS. I THINK THIS CAMPAIGN IS IS WONDERFUL. I ALSO WANT TO THANK KAYLA'S MOM. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES TO HEAR WHAT SHE SAID. I THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR KAYLA AND ALL THE OTHER FAMIIES. ALL OF US. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE. I WANT TO GIVE HER AN EXTRA THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING. I KNOW IN YOUR GRIEF, YOU GOT UP AND DID SOMETHING. I REALLY COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE AND MORE PEOPLE LEARNING THE NEW RULES. AND MAKING US MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AROUND AND SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I SEE NO OTHER QUESTIONS. YEAH, THIS IS PHENOMENAL. RELAY TO KAYLA AND APPRECIATE WHAT SHE'S DOING. IT AFFECTS PEOPLE. I HAVE A COUSIN WHO -- THIS IS OVER 25 YEARS AGO, OVER ON RIO BRAVO. I THINK THAT'S WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED DOING THE BIKES. IT WAS ON RI BRAVO AND 2nd STREET, HE LEFT BEHIND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. JUST TO SEE HIS KIDS NOW AND EVERYTHING HE MISSED OUT ON. WHAT A TRAGEDY IT CREATES IN A FAMILY. THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. WE ARE ON TO THE JOURNAL. I MOVE PROVAL OF THE MARCH 2nd JOURNAL. THERE'S A SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT CHAMPINE. MADAM CLERK. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'RE NOW ON COMMUNICATIONS AND INTRODUCTIONS. ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE LETTER OF INTRODUCTION? COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, R-7, I MOVE THE RULES BE SUSPENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING IT ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA FOR ACTION. AMENDING THE CAPITAL IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM BY SUPPLEMENTING GRANT APPROPRIATIONS AND APPROVING NEW PROJECTS. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: SECOND. >>COUN. PEÑA: MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. THIS WILL REQUIRE TWO-THIRDS VOTE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, EC-45, MOVE THE RULES BE SUSPENDED FOR PLACING EC-45 ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA FOR ACTION. THE MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION OF CITYWIDE ON CALL FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION, AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE LETTER OF INTRODUCTION. THERE'S A MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE NOW ON TO REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. LEWIS: I'LL DO IT. EC-20 APPROVED. EC-40, 42, 45 APPROVED. O-13 FAILED. R3, DO PASS. I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE REPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT CHAMPINE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: I MAKE A MOTION TO REVIVE O-26-13 AND PLACE IT ON THE APRIL 6th ACTION. AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR TELLES. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. >> PASSES ON A 4-5 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: NOW, WE'RE ON TO DEFERRALS AND WITHDRAWALS. COUNCILORS, ARE THERE ANY DEFERRALS OR WITHDRAWALS AT THIS TIME? WE'RE NOW ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ANY CHANGES TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO PULL EC-60 OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA. IT'S TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE TASK REPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: MOTION, AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION. I'M SORRY. FOR THE INDIVIDUALS ON TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA FOR IT BEING APPOINTED TO SERVE ON A BOARD OR COMMISSION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE. I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. THERE'S A MOTION, AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. EC-268 THE TRANSPORTATION TASK REPORT. SECTION 4-3-7-5B REQUIRES REPORTS ON TOTAL AMOUNT FOR TAX COLLECTED TO DATE AND RECONCILIATION OF APPROPRIATION. MR. MOTSCO, WERE THE SELECTION AND APPROPRIATIONS TOTALLED INCLUDED IN THE REPORT? >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR GROUT. I THINK WE HAVE MS. GRUMLER. >>COUN. GROUT: OKAY. CAN YOU ANSWER THAT? >> COUNCILOR GROUT, THE EC PROVIDED US A REPORT OF FY25 TO 26. >>COUN. GROUT: OKAY. PART OF THE -- IT'S SUPPOSED TO -- IF I READ IT CORRECTLY, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET A TO DATE COLLECTION APPROPRIATIONS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. MY NEXT QUESTION IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. WHY WASN'T THIS INFORMATION INCLUDED? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, DIRECTOR TURNER IS PREPARED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE REPORT. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. THE TOTALS RELATED TO INFRASTRUCTURE TAX COLLECTION WERE PROVIDED BY EC TO THIS COUNCIL. AND WERE ACCEPTED LAST SUMMER. SO, I APOLOGIZE FOR THE OVERSIGHT THAT INFORMATION WAS NOT COMBINED WITH 25 AND 26 APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES. THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY AN EC LAST YEAR. I APOLOGIZE IT WAS NOT COMBINED. >>COUN. GROUT: OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, DIRECTOR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE RECORDED. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE TO DATE INFORMATION ON THE REPORTS. IN THE FUTURE, LET'S ADD THAT IN. MAKE A FULL POINT TO REMEMBER THAT. MY NEXT QUESTION, FISCAL YEAR 26 REVENUES WERE BUDGETED AT $92.8 MILLION. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE ONLY COLLECTED $25.9 MILLION AS OF FEBRUARY 3rd. THAT'S ONLY 28% OF THE BUDGET. IS THERE A LAG IN REPORTING? OR WHAT ELSE MIGHT BE GOING ON? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHERE THAT $92 MILLION CAME FROM? >>COUN. GROUT: LET'S SEE. I'LL HAVE TO GO BACK IN. LET ME FIND IT HERE. LET'S SEE. HANG WITH ME JUST A MINUTE. LET'S SEE. I'M GOING THROUGH THE STAFF REPORT HERE. OKAY. THE FISCAL YEAR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE TAX REVENUES ARE BUDGETED AT APPROXIMATELY $92.8 MILLION. I JUST SAID THAT. WHILE REVENUES COLLECTED TO DATE ARE AT $25.9 MILLION. THIS IS IN THE REPORT THAT YOU ALL PROVIDED TO US. THAT'S QUITE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBERS. THE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER. I DO HAVE SOME GREAT CONCERNS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE THE NUMBERS. I DO NOT. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, I SEE THE CHART YOU'RE REFER TO THE BUDGETED AMOUNT VERSUS THE REVENUE COLLECTED. I WILL -- THERE ALWAYS IS A LAG IN ACCOUNTING FOR THAT REVENUE, BUT THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE. I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH COUNCIL ON THE EXACT DISCREPANCY. >>COUN. GROUT: OKAY. THAT'S GOOD. I'M SURE THERE'S A GOOD EXPLANATION. AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE TO GET THAT FIGURED OUT. >> UNDERSTOOD. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO MOVE RECEIPT BE NOTED. >>COUN. PEÑA: CORRECT. THERE'S A MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE NOW ON TO ANNOUNCEMENTS. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, IT WILL BE AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1st, 3 P.M. VIA ZOOM. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BASSAN. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, R-7 IS AMENDING THE ADOPTING THE CAPITAL IMPLEMENT EGG -- IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM BY SUPPLEMENTING APPROPRIATIONS AND GRANTING NEW PROJECTS. I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL MAKE THE SECOND. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DO PASS. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, THIS CAME TO ME MY REQUEST FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING PAJARITO. THERE'S SOMEBODY THAT WE HAD UNANIMOUSLY -- I WANT DIRECTOR GRUNER TO SPEAK TO IT. BECAUSE HE'S THE ONE THAT REACHED OUT TO ME. MADAM CAO, THEY REACHED OUT FOR SOME ASSISTANCE BASED OFF OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. WE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE LEDA GRANT A COUPLE YEARS BACK. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S OKAY FOR SOMEBODY ELSE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLAIN IT FURTHER. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR MITCHELL IS HERE AND CAN EXPLAIN SPECIFICALLY WHAT PAJARITO POWER REQUEST IS AND WHAT THIS IS RELATED TO. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I JUST HAVE BRIEF COMMENTS. MAX WAS GOING TO BE ONLINE, AND IF HE'S NOT, I HAVE BRIEF COMMENTS TO PROVIDE. BASICALLY, THE CITY IS EAGER TO RECEIVE THE MONEY FROM THE STATE TO SUPPORT THIS LOCAL JOB CREATOR. THERE'S ZERO COST TO THE CITY. DUE TO FEDERAL DELAYS, GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS, THE STATE DECIDED TO INCREASE THE LEDA FUNDING TO PAJARITO POWER, AND WE'RE IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILORS? WE'LL MOVE STRAIGHT TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. WE HAVE SIGNED UP TODD, FOLLOWED BY JASMINE. JASMINE. >> I'D LIKE TO PUT OPPOSITION PACKET ON THE RECORD. >>COUN. PEÑA: SIR, THIS IS NOT GERMANE. ARE YOU HERE TO SPEAK ON R-7 OR ON THE TAX? >> ON THE TAX. >>COUN. PEÑA: I THINK YOU SIGNED UP UNDER THE WRONG LINE ITEM. CAN YOU VERIFY WITH GARRET? >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT. >> MAY I SIGN UP FOR ANOTHER DAY? >>COUN. PEÑA: LET'S FIND OUT. >> WE'LL HAVE JASMINE AND I'LL DISCUSS IT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY. I THINK WHAT HAPPENED IS THE PUBLIC SPEAKING COMMENT AREA WAS FULL. IT JUST FLUSHED EVERYBODY INTO DIFFERENT SECTIONS. I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE MISCOMMUNICATION WAS HAPPENED TONIGHT. >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU CAN SIGN UP ON THE BILL AND THERE'S NO LIMIT ON THE PARTICULAR BILL. IF YOU WANT TO WORK THAT OUT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> I APPRECIATE IT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. THERE BEING NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON R-7, ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILORS? ADMINISTRATION? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I WANTED TO CLARIFY THIS -- WE'RE ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE ON BEHALF OF THE PROJECT. IT'S ACCEPTANCE OF THE DOLLARS. THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES ON A -- THANK YOU. PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'RE NOW ON APPEALS. WE HAVE TWO APPEALS THIS EVENING. ONE OF THEM IS THE ADOPTION OF FINDINGS. WE HAVE AC-05. MARIA GONZALEZ APPEALING THE ZONING HEARING EXAMINERS OF DENYING VARIANCE TO ALLOW A 66-INCH PROJECTING WALL SIGN AT 37 IS A SILVER AVENUE, ZONED MX-M. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A MOTION? >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT. I MAUVE -- MOVE TO ADOPT FINDINGS. >>COUN. PEÑA: I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO -- I'LL ASK THE ATTORNEYS. WE DON'T HAVE TO READ THE FINDINGS INTO THE RECORD. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THEM, THEY CAN GO ONLINE. THANK YOU. YOUR MOTION, COUNCILOR LEWIS, WAS WHAT? >>COUN. LEWIS: ADOPT. >>COUN. PEÑA: ADOPT THE FINDING. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAVE AN AMENDMENT. IS IT OKAY TO MOVE IT NOW? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU. I MOVE FLOOR AMENDMENT ONE TO AC-25-05. ADD THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL TO THE FINDING. THE CITY COUNCIL MAY DOPT ANY OR ALL FOLLOWING CONDITIONS OR ADOPT ANY OTHER CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL IF IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE. ONE, NO SIGN OR ANY PART OF THE SIGN SHALL MOVE, ROTATE OR CHANGE ILLILLUMINATION, INCLUDI BUT NOT LIMITED TO ILLUTION OF MOVING OBJECTS, PATTERNS, BANDS OF LIGHT, ALTERNATING LIGHTS, EXPANDING OR CONTRACTING SHAPES OR SIMILAR ANIMATION. TWO, THE SIGN SHALL NOT BE ILLUMEINATED BETWEEN 10 P.M. AND 7 A.M. THIS IS AGREED UPON WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION DURING THE INITIAL NEGOTIATIONS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLLOWS THROUGH INTO THE FINDING. I'LL MOVE FLOOR AMENDMENT ONE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. I THINK THAT WAS COUNCILOR ROGERS. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, I GUESS LET ME ASK OUR LEGAL. ANYTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT THAT JUST WOULD REVERSE THE FINDINGS OR THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE BY THIS COUNCIL? AGAIN, WITH THE FULL HEARING, SEVERAL OTHER HEARINGS AND A FULL HEARING THAT WENT ON, A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS. I'M WONDERING IF WE HAVE SOME FINDINGS THAT ARE CONTRADICTORY TO THE CONCLUSIONS AND THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE. WOULDN'T WE NEED TO GO THROUGH A WHOLE OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING AGAIN? >> COUNCILOR PEÑA, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THE CONDITIONS WERE DISCUSSED IN THE -- BY THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND APPLICANT. THEY'RE REFLECTED IN THE RECORD. IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO ADD THEM IN IF NECESSARY -- IT WOULD NOT ALTER THE CURRENT DRAFTED ADOPTION OF FINDINGS. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, WE HAVE MET WITH BOTH PARTIES? BOTH PARTIES, ON THE RECORD, THAT THEY WOULD BE OKAY WITH THE FINDINGS? ARE WE OPENING OURSELVES UP TO ANOTHER APPEAL BY MAKING A DECISION OUTSIDE OF A LEGAL HEARING? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THESE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS WERE DISCUSSED DURING THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THIS MATTER SPECIFICALLY, INCLUDING THE COUNCIL'S HEARING AT OUR LAST MEETING. WE DID NOT REACH OUT TO THE PARTIES AS WE WERE DRAFTING PROPOSED FINDINGS. THESE ARE THE LARGER LISTS BEFORE YOU FOR THE TWO ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS. IT'S NOT USUALLY PART OF OUR PROCESS FOR THESE. THIS WAS DRAFTED BASED OFF DISCUSSION AT THE LAST HEARING. >>COUN. LEWIS: THE AMENDED FINDINGS THAT WERE JUST INTRODUCED, WAS ANY PART OF THIS OUTSIDE OF THE RECORD OR NOT APPROVED BY THE APPELLANT OR THE APPLICANT? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THE RECORD DID MAKE MENTION OF THE INDEPENDENT OF THE ZHE DECISION. THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION REFLECTED THEY WOULD MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ILLUMINATION TO THE SIGN. AND THEY WERE IN TALKS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD ABOUT CONDITIONS REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SIGN AND WHEN IT WOULD BE ILLUMINATED WITHIN A CERTAIN SIGHT LINE. THE RECORD DOES REFLECT THERE'S CONDITIONS THAT WERE DEALT WITH THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THESE PROPOSED FINDINGS. WE CAN TAKE SOME TIME TO FIND CITATION, IT MIGHT TAKE TIME TO DO. PUT THE RECORD DOES REFLECT THESE PARTICULAR ASPECTS. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, THAT VERY MAY WELL BE THE CASE AND MAYBE ALL THE PARTIES ARE FINE WITH THIS. I THINK WE COULD COME BACK AND AMEND THIS LATER ON AFTER NOTIFYING. COULD WE DO THIS LATER? COULD WE MAKE OTHER -- SAY THIS SPECIFIC AMENDMENT A FEW WEEKS FROM NOW? >> COUNCILOR LEWIS, I'M AFRAID NOT. THIS IS AN ADOPTION OF FINDINGS, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE MINDINGS -- FINDING TONIGHT. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, I'M GOING TO TRUST THE RECORD. I'M GOING TO TRUST THE LONG PROCEEDING WE HAD. THE CONCLUSIONS ARTICULATED DURING THAT TIME. AND IF -- I THINK AT THE VERY LEAST THESE ARE CHALLENGES TO WHAT WE HAD DISCUSSED. WITHOUT HAVING A CONFIRMATION THAT BOTH PARTIES WOULD BE OKAY WITH THIS LANGUAGE, I WOULD VOTE AGAINST THIS. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN FOR BRINGING THIS. I MADE IT CLEAR DURING THE LAST HEARING WHERE WE TALKED ABOUT PLANS AND BOTH PARTIES WHAT WOULD BE THE COMPROMISE. SO THAT BOTH PARTIES COULD LIVE WITH. WE DON'T HAVE TO ALL LOVE IT BUT BE ABLE TO COHABITATE AS NEIGHBORS. I THINK COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN'S AMENDMENTS GET AT THAT. BOTH PARTIES, IF YOU REMEMBER, BOTH MENTIONED. THEY TALKED ABOUT WHAT COMPROMISES THEY WANTED TO MAKE. I THINK THIS AMENDMENT GETS AT THAT. AND HELPS US STRIKE THAT BALANCE. I WOULD URGE YOUR SUPPORT, EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OUR LEGAL TEAM, IF YOU COULD SUMMARIZE WHAT IS IN HERE FOR THE PUBLIC. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON AND AGREEING TO. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS CERTAINLY. THE ADOPTED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL DO TWO THINGS. THE FIRST OF WHICH IS THEY WOULD STOP THE SIGN FROM MOVING, ROTATING, OR CHANGING ILLUMINATION FLASHING. THEY WOULD PROHIBIT THE ILLUSION OF MOVING OBJECTS, PATTERNS, BANDS OF LIGHTS, ALTERNATING, TO RESTRICT IT TO WHAT IT APPEARS TO A STANDARD ILLUMINATION. THE SECOND THING IS THE SIGN WOULD NOT BE ILLUMINATED FROM 10 P.M. DURING TO 7 A.M. DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. >>COUN. ROGERS: LAST QUESTION. ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT HELPED MY DECISION LAST TIME WAS WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE LUMENS. HOW BRIGHT IS THE LIGHT? BASED ON -- DID WE FIND THAT OUT? IS IT WITHIN OUR DARK SKIES ORDINANCE? DID WE GET THAT INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT? >> WE DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION AS TO THE SPECIFIC LEVEL OF LUMENS WITHIN THIS AMENDMENT OR THE PROPOSED FINDINGS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. AFTER WE'RE DONE WITH THIS AMENDMENT, I'D LIKE TO DO ONE THAT SAYS IT SHOULD FOLLOW THE DARK SIGHS -- SKIES ORDINANCE. I WOULD WANT TO ADD THAT AFTER WE FINISH THIS AMENDMENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IF THESE WERE THINGS THAT WERE ARTICULATED THAT THE PARTIES WOULD HAVE AGREED ON, THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY. I DO WONDER -- WAS THIS -- THE FINDINGS WERE WRITTEN BASED ON WHAT FOLLOWED THE MEETING. AND OUR STAFF WROTE THESE FINDINGS AT A CERTAIN POINT OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. AND AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW, WAS THIS -- NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT ONE OF THE COUNCILORS READ, LOOKED AT AND LATER ON SAID WE NEED TO ADD THIS? HOW DID THIS AMENDMENT COME TO THE FINDINGS? WHY WOULDN'T IT BE WRITTEN INTO THE FINDINGS? >> COUNCILOR PEÑA, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THIS AMENDMENT WAS CREATED TODAY. THAT'S WHY IT HASN'T BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE PROPOSED FINDINGS. THE PROPOSED FINDINGS WERE DRAFTED BASED ON THE DIRECTION OF COUNCIL AT IT LAST MEETING TO INCORPORATE THE FACTS REQUIRED AND NOTATIONS SPECIFICALLY REQUIRED FROM THE RECORD. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, THAT'S MY POINT. WE HAD A LONG PROCEEDING. BOTH PARTIES TESTIFIED. GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT IT. OUR STAFF WROTE FINDINGS AT OUR DIRECTION BASED ON THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE. SO, AGAIN, I GUESS YOU'RE ALLOWED TO DO THIS. I'M NOT SAYING YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THIS. I THINK -- I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD ALLOW IT. AGAIN, IT'S WRITTEN AFTER THOSE FINDINGS WERE ALREADY CREATED. AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE ORIGINAL FINDINGS BASED ON THE DISCUSSION WE HAD AND THE DECISION WE MADE AT THE LAST MEETING. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT. I APOLOGIZE. I HAD TO STEP AWAY FOR A QUICK MINUTE. DID I MISS HOW THIS AMENDMENT IS -- IS IT GOING TO DRASTICALLY CHANGE THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SIGN THAT IS PROPOSED TO BE HUNG? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, NO. THIS DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO ON THE LUMENS AND HOW BRIGHT THE SIGN IS. THIS IS TWO PARTS OF THE DISCUSSION LAST TIME THAT I THOUGHT WERE REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY WERE WHAT HAD BEEN AGREED UPON BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND THE APPLICANT. THEY WERE NOT IN THE PROPOSED FINDINGS THAT WERE RELEASED BY STAFF ON FRIDAY. AND I THOUGHT WE SHOULD ADD IT TO MAKE SURE THOSE AGREEMENTS MADE BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WERE ACTUALLY REFLECTED IN THE NEW FINDINGS. >>COUN. BASSAN: YOU SAID THE APPLICANT AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES, MADAM PRESIDENT. I HEARD IT FROM THE APPLICANT BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WAS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK LAST TIME. I DID HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT THAT THESE WERE THINGS THEY AGREED TO. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. POINT OF CLARIFICATION. IF I REMEMBER THE SIGN, IT READ CERTAIN WORDS AND THE LENGTH LETTER -- IT WAS THE SHAPE OF A CROSS. AND A WORD THAT GOES UP AND DOWN AND SIDEWAYS. AND WHEN WORD WAS ILLUMINATED AND ONE WAS NOT. AND THE A WOULD STAY ON AND THE OTHER ONE WAS ILLUMEINATED? >> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT'S AT THE TIME IT WAS APPLIED FOR. THE ONE THING THAT MIGHT ADJUST THAT IS AFTER THE ZHE'S DETERMINATION THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED NOTICE THAT THEY WOULD BE WILL TO CHANGE TO NONHALF -- FLASHING. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THE WORDS WILL STAY ON THE ENTIRE TIME? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT, THIS IS JUST NOT GOOD PRECEDENCE. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF APPEALS LIKE THIS WITH THIS COUNCIL. I'VE NEVER SEEN AN AMENDED FINDINGS THAT HAVE COME TWO WEEKS LATER. THIS IS BAD PRECEDENCE, NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, BOTH PARTIES AGREED TO THIS, TO THESE CHANGES, BASED ON THE RECORD, THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY. THEY'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE THINGS THEY DISCUSSED. IF THEY'RE NOT, IF THEY'RE CONTRADICTORY TO WHAT IS ON THE RECORD AND WHAT WE DECIDED ON TWO WEEKS AGO IN A LEGAL PROCEEDING, THEN WE'RE RE-TRYING AND REDISCUSSINGING A LEGAL MATTER I THINK IT'S BAD PRECEDENCE. AND THIS AMENDMENT SHOULD NOT BE PASSED. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I HAVE A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS FOR OUR LEGAL TEAM. CAN YOU TELL ME THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING TODAY? THE ADOPTION OF FINDING. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF WHY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS TODAY? >> THE PURPOSE OF TONIGHT'S HEARING IS TO ADOPT FINDING CONSISTENT WITH THE COUNCIL'S HEARING AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING. BASED ON THE DISCUSSION HAD, STAFF PUTS TOGETHER A PRELIMINARY LIST OF PROPOSED FINDINGS FOR THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE AT THIS MEETING. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. DURING THIS HEARING, WE'RE ABLE TO ADD OR AMEND THOSE FINDINGS THAT YOU WROTE UP. I DEFINITELY DID NOT HAVE A BRIEFING ON THESE ADOPTIONS SO I COULD REMAIN IMPARTIAL GIVEN THIS IS MY DISTRICT. IS IT CORRECT THAT AT THIS HEARING TODAY, RIGHT NOW, COUNCILORS ARE THE ABILITY TO AMEND THE FINDINGS? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >>COUN. ROGERS: WHICH IS PART OF THE PROCESS. THAT'S WHY WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FINDINGS WERE PUBLIC -- WHEN DID WE GET THE FINDINGS? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, THESE PROPOSED FINDINGS WERE DISTRIBUTED THE COUNCILORS AND PARTIES ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON WITH OUR MEETING DOCUMENTS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU SAID ALSO THE PARTIES. THAT WOULD BE APPLICANT AND THE APPELLANT? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS YES. THIS IS SHARED WITH THE APPLICANT WHO IS ALSO THE APPELLANT, PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. MADAM PRESIDENT, A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS. DID YOU GET ANY FEEDBACK REGARDING THE PROPOSED FINDINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT TODAY? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, WE DID NOT RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE PARTIES OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR ROGERS. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN TO CLOSE. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION. I SAT THROUGH THE HEARING AT THE LAST MEETING. I HEARD SEVERAL POINTS OF AGREEMENT FROM THE APPELLANT WHO WAS STANDING BEFORE US. HE INDICATED THEY HAD AGREED TO THESE THINGS WHEN I SAW THE PROPOSED FINDINGS THAT CAME OUT ON FRIDAY, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED. ALL I'M DOING IS SAYING THAT WE SHOULD AMEND THOSE TO INCLUDE THOSE THINGS THAT WE HEARD FROM THE APPELLANT HE AGREED TO. I WILL POINT OUT THERE'S BEEN NO OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH PARTIES TO SEE ANY OF THE FINDINGS. THESE ARE NEW FINDINGS THAT THIS COUNCIL VOTED TO CREATE THAT WERE JUST RELEASED ON FRIDAY. THIS IS HOW THE PROCESS WORKS. THEY'RE PROPOSED, WE'RE HEARING THEM TONIGHT, I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE SURE THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION VOICE IS IS HEARD. AND WITH THAT, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. THERE BEING NO OTHER DISCUSSION. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES ON AN 8-1 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'RE BACK ON THE ADOPTION OF THE FINDINGS. THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADOPT THE FINDINGS WITH AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE INCLUDED. ARE THERE ANY OTHER -- I KNOW THERE'S DISCUSSION ABOUT AN AMENDMENT. WITH THAT, I THINK WE WILL GO TO THE VOTE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE NOW ON AC-01, PUEBLO OF SANTA CLARA AND PUEBLO LAGUNA AND WEST SIDE COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS APPEAL THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSION EPC DECISION TO APPROVE A SITE PLAN EPC FOR ALL OR PORTION OF TRACK 1B PLAT OF TRACK 1A AND 1B BLOCK TWO. VOCANO CLIFFS SUBDIVISION. REPLAT OF TRACK ONE, BLOCK, AND BLOCK SIX. VOLCANO DIVISION. UNIT 26 CONTAINING 10 ACRES OF THE INTERSECTION OF KIMMICK AND ROSA PARKS. ZONED MXLPR20200712SP250093. MR. HALL, PLEASE EXPLAIN ALL THAT. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, THIS APPEAL CONCERNS THE APPROVAL OF A SITE PLAN BY ALBUQUERQUE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSION EPC FOR 9.5477 ACRES OF LAND AT THE INTERSECTION OF KIMMICK AND ROSA PARKS. THIS IS ZONED MXL FOR A 238 UNIT MULTIRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS SUBMITTED BY JUBILEE DEVELOPMENT. THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THE EPC'S APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN SHOULD BE UPHELD. THE EPC APPROVED THE SITE PLAN. THE SITE PLAN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS AND POLICIES RELATED TO CHAPTER FOUR COMMUNITY IDENTITY, LAND USE, CHAPTER SEVEN URBAN DESIGN, CHAPTER NINE HOUSING, AND MEETS THE SITE PLAN EPC REVIEW AND DECISION CRITERIA IN THE IDO. SECTION 6-6I3. THE PUEBLO OF SANTA CLARA AND LAGUNA AND WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, THE APPELLANTS APPEALED. ASSERTING STANDING AND RATING FIVE ISSUES ON APPEAL. AFTER A HEARING BY THE LUHO, THE LUHO MADE HIS FINDINGS. WE'LL START WITHSTANDING. THE LUHO FOUND THAT WHILE THE PUEBLOS OF SANTA CLARA AND LAGUNA BOTH HAD STANDING UNDER THE IDO, 64-U2A2, THE LUHO FOUND WSCONA HAD NOT FOUND STANDING. IT WAS NOT SIGNED BY PORJT MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN 660 FEET OF THE APPLICATION SITE INCLUSIVE OF RIGHTS OF WAY. THIS IS REQUIRED AS PART OF THE IDO UNDER IDO SECTION 64-U24A5B. OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, THAT'S THE TERM USED BY THE LUHO, THEY WENT TO THE MERITS OF THE WSCONA'S ARGUMENTS DUE TO CONCERN ABOUT THE INTERMINGLED NATURE OF THESE ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED. THE FIRST ISSUE THAT WAS RAISED BY THE APPELLANTS WAS THE APPLICATION IS BASED ON ALLEGEDLY INVALID PLATTING ACTION PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FOR THE SITE. THE LUHO FIND THE APPELLANTS DID NOT MEET BURDEN OF PROOF IN SHOWING THE PLAT IS VOID AND THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT THE PLAT IS NOT VOID. THIS PLATTING HAS GONE THROUGH SEVERAL ROUNDS OF APPEALS. AND HAVE BEEN REMANDED SEVERAL TIMES ON DIFFERENT STAGES. PART OF THE CRUX OF THE APPELEE'S ARGUMENT IS THE NUANCES OF THAT. THE LUHO REJECTED THAT AS BEING DISPOSITIVE AND RISING THE LEVEL OF SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE APPELLANT'S ARGUED THE EPC FINDING AND CONCLUSION OF THE SITE PLAN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS INADIATE. THE LUHO FIND THE EPC FINDING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IDO. IN DOING SO, THE LUHO INDICATED THAT WHILE THERE IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN CONSISTENT AND GENERALLY CONSISTENT, THAT'S WITHOUT DIFFERENCE UNDER NEW MEXICO LAW AND DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME FORCE OF EFFECT TO MAKE A NOTICEABLE DISTINCTION OR DEPARTURE FROM WHAT WOULD BE CONSISTENT OR GENERALLY CONSISTENT. THEREFORE, IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IDO. THIRD ISSUE IS THAT THE SPECIFICALLY THE PUEBLO APPELLANTS NOTED THE REFERRAL OF APPLICATION TO THE PUEBLO WAS INADEQUATE. THE LUHO ALSO REJECTED THIS ARGUMENT, NOTING HAD REFERRAL NOTICES SENT TO THE PUEBLO NOTIFYING THEM OF THE APPLICATION SUBSTANTIALLY SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IDO THAT PROVIDED THE NOTICE OF WHAT DETAILS ARE GOING TO BE HEARD REGARDLESS OF THE APPEAL. INCLUDING INFORMATION THEY COULD FOLLOW UP TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EPC HEARING, WHICH THEY DID. THE FOURTH ISSUE IS THAT THE APPELLANTS ARGUED BUILDING HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE VP02 REGULATIONS. THE LUHO FOUND THE VP02 ARE INAPPLICABLE TO THE SITE. THIS WAS A FINDING MADE AT ONE STAGE OF THE APPEAL. AND THE LUHO NOTED THIS FALLS UNDER THE CONCLUSION DOCTRINE LAW OF THE CASE WHICH HOLDS PRIOR FINDINGS ARE NOT TO BE RE-LITIGATED AGAIN AT THIS STAGE OF REMAINS. FINALLY, THE APPELLANTS ARGUE THE EPC STATED NO COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE INDIAN TRIBES. THAT'S THE TERM THEY USE, WHEN THEY DID IN FACT PARTICIPATE IN THE EPC HEARING AND PROVIDED COMMENTS FOR TESTIMONY. THE LUHO FOUND THE RECORD INDICATES THE EPC AFFORDED THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TESTIFY, CROSS EXAMINE, AND SUBMIT EVIDENCE IN THE EPC HEARING, THEREFORE THE STATEMENT THAT NO COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM THE INDIAN NATIONS TRIBES OR PUEBLOS OR REPRESENTATIVES WAS HARMLESS ERROR THAT DID NOT PREJUDICE OR ADVERSELY IMPACT THE RIGHT OF THE APPELLANTS. IN CONCLUSION, LUHO RECOMMENDS THE APPELLANT'S APPEAL SHOULD BE DEITNIED AND THE DECISION OF THE EPC SHOULD UPHELD BECAUSE THE PROTEST WAS NOT WITH SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. IT LOOKS LIKE NINE OR TEN DECISIONS ON THE MERITS THAT THE LUHO MADE TO DENY THE APPEAL. WHICH IS ALL ON THE SPECIFIC MERITS OF THE APPEAL THAT THE LUHO REJECTED. THAT'S SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH. THE FIRST ONE YOU MENTIONED WAS ON STANDING. THE LUHO REJECTED THE WEST SIDE COALITION'S DECLARATION OF STANDING. THEY SPECIFICALLY WERE IN VIOLATION OF ONE OF OUR ORDINANCES WE PASSED A YEAR AGO. I WOULD HAVE TO THINK THEY KNOWINGLY DID THAT. HEY DID NOT HAVE STANDING AND YET THEY APPEALED ANYWAY. WHAT'S THE RECOURSE WHEN A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION KNOWINGLY VIOLATES ONE OF OUR LAWS? WE HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OFFICE SET UP TO ENSURE THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE COMPLIANT. YET, THIS IS A CASE WHERE SPECIFICALLY A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION KNOWINGLY VIOLATED ONE OF OUR ORDINANCES. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, STANDING IS A THRESHOLD ISSUE THAT THE PARTIES MAY ASSERT. ALTHOUGH IN THIS INSTANCE THE LUHO AND THE COUNCIL MIGHT NOT FIND THEY HAVE STANDING. THEIR RECOURSE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY DO OR NOT IS APPEAL CONTINUOUSLY. UP TO DISTRICT COURT IF NECESSARY AND BEYOND. IN TERMS OF WHETHER A VIOLATION OCCURRED OR NOT, THEY'RE WITHIN THEIR RIGHT TO ASSERT STANDING AND HAVE THE LUHO PROVIDE DECISION AND HAVE THIS COUNCIL PROVIDE WHETHER THEY HAVE STANDING OR NOT. >>COUN. LEWIS: I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE LUHO RECOMMENDATION OF FINDING. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR BASSAN TO ACCEPT THE LUHO RECOMMENDATION AND FINDINGS. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVALS JUST TO GET TO THESE TWO ITEMS OF OF BIZ. DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRESS REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF R-25-186. WE HAVE MS. STYLES HERE. I MOVE RECEIPT BE NOTED. THERE'S A MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? >> YES, MADAM PRESIDENT. WE HAVE LISA FOLLOWED BY GEORGEO. >> BEFORE I START MY ONE MINUTE, CAN I SAY A MIRACLE HAPPENED AND DID YOU SEE OUR MIRACLE? WE WORKED IT OUT. >>COUN. PEÑA: GOOD. THAT'S EXCELLENT. >> THEY STILL HAVE ISSUES, BUT WE WORKED IT OUT. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> MAY I HAVE THE CAMERA, PLEASE? JAMES MATTHEW BOYD, HE WAS BORN APRIL 8th, 1975. TODAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS MURDER. MARCH 16, 2014. HE WAS MURDERED BY DOMINICK PEREZ AND KEITH SANDY. IT IS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE U.S. DOJ INVESTIGATING INTO OUR COMMUNITY, MONTHS AND MONTHS OF PUBLIC COMMENT, PUBLIC FORUM, AND HERE WE ARE 12 YEARS LATER, OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ANY SAFER? ARE OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ANY SAFER? OUR IMMIGRANTS UNHOUSED SAFER? EIGHT THINGS ON THE CASA AGREEMENT, SIX WERE MET. THE TWO MAIN ONES, EXCESSIVE FORCE AND TRANSPARENCY HAVE NEVER BEEN MET. IN FACT, ONE OF THE GUYS WAS HIRED BACK AFTER MURDERING THIS MAN. I WOULD ASK THAT WE PLEASE CONSIDER A MORATORIUM ON SWEEPS. >> GEORGEO. MADAM PRESIDENT, IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S NOT HERE. THAT CONCLUDES COMMENT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. I HAVE COUNCILOR GROUT WITH HER HAND RAISED. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED. ARE WE TALKING ABOUT EC-58? >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. CORRECT. COUNCILOR GROUT, I WAS GOING TO STOP HER, BUT IT'S KIND OF RELATED. BUT IT DIDN'T. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROGRESS REPORT. SOMEBODY FROM YFF? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR MARTINEZ IS HERE. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. VERY GOOD. I WAS JUST READING THROUGH THE REPORT. ALSO THE STAFF WRITE UP. I'M NOT QUITE SURE THAT IT'S BEEN FOLLOWED PROPERLY. YOU DIDN'T INCREASE THE STAFF OPEN HOURS OR -- I'M A LITTLE TAKEN ABACK BY IT. I KNOW THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO -- IT'S IMPORTANT WE GET OUR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS INVOLVED IN GOOD THINGS AND KEEP THEM BUSY. I SAW THIS RESOLUTION, I THINK IT'S 186, AS A WONDERFUL ADVANCE IN THINGS WE DO FOR OUR CHILDREN. THE REASON -- ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTICED, TODAY WE HAD A WORKSHOP ABOUT OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDING. AND THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WITH IT. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS IS PREVENTION. TO ME, PREVENTION IS ALSO EDUCATING CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS AND KEEPING THEM BUSY. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW -- IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S AN EXCUSE IN THIS REPORT AS WE CAN'T DO IT. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S WHAT IT SAYS. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR GROUT, WHEN WE INITIALLY MET WITH THE COUNCILOR ROGERS AND HER POLICY ANALYST ALONG WITH MY TEAM, IT WAS UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WOULD SHOOT FOR FY27. THE FUNDING -- WE DO NOT HAVE CURRENT FUNDING FOR THIS EXPANDED PROJECT. SO, THE WHOLE GOAL FROM MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT WE WERE SHOOTING FOR FY27 TO IMPLEMENT. WE DID SUBMIT A SPREADSHEET TO COUNCILOR ROGERS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE WERE GOING TO ATTEMPT TO DO FOR THE SUMMER PROGRAM. AND AT THIS TIME, YOU KNOW, I APOLOGIZE IF WE WERE SUPPOSED TO IMPLEMENT RIGHT AWAY. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS WAS GOING TO BE IN EFFECT FOR FY27 WHEN POSSIBLE BUDGET WAS ALLOCATED. >>COUN. GROUT: OKAY. I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCILOR ROGERS. IF SHE CAN CLARIFY OR CONFIRM THAT FOR ME. HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK OUT? IS SUMMER PART OF -- FISCAL YEAR 26 OR 27 SUMMER? >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR GROUT, THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THE RESOLUTION DIDN'T SPEAK TO A SPECIFIC IMPLEMENTATION TIME AT ALL. IT JUST SAID -- I KNOW FROM NOT KNOWING WITH THE BUDGET BUT THE WHOLE CITY'S BUDGET IT WOULD BE HARD TO OPERATIONALLIZE THIS. THAT'S I WORKED ON OTHER FUNDING TO SUPPORT. WHAT I REALLY NEEDED FROM THE DEPARTMENT, AND DIRECTOR, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. WE WITHDRAW IT LAST TIME BECAUSE IT WASN'T ADEQUATE. I WAS HOPING THIS TIME AROUND IT WOULD INCLUDE THE SPREAD SPP SHEET YOU SENT ME. WE MET MONTHLY SINCE WE -- MAKING MY VISION CLEAR. MAKING MY EXPECTATIONS CLEAR SEVERAL TIMES. I WAS HOPING BY HAVING YOU WITHDRAW AND GO BACK TO INCLUDE, I ASKED SPECIFICALLY CAN YOU INCLUDE THE IMPLEMENTATION SPREADSHEET. ALL THE THINGS YOU DID REALLY GOOD WORK. IT WASN'T REFLECTED IN THE EC. NOW TO SEE IT WAS THE EXACT SAME THING, JUST ADDED A BUDGET TO IT. I AGREE WITH COUNCILOR GROUT. IT'S UNDER WELLMINGING. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR ROGER -- BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AS WELL AS MY TEAM HAVE BEEN VERY FRUITFUL. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN WE WANT PUBLIC INPUT. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK WITH THOSE NPOs THAT YOU HAVE SO GRACIOUSLY CHOSE TO PARTNER WITH. WE WANT THIS TO BE A MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIP, MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE TEENAGERS. AND I WOULD BE REMISS WITH THE EXPERIENCES THAT WE HAVE WITHIN OUR TEAM TO OPERATIONALLIZE SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO. THE SUMMER PROGRAM SPREADSHEET WAS JUST THROWN OUT THERE AS A STARTING POINT. RIGHT NOW, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE GROUP THAT HAS BEEN CONTRACTED WITH HAS RECEIVED PROPOSALS. THOSE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN VETTED AND NOW WE'RE GOING THROUGH A PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER THAT TEAM THAT IS GOING TO OPERATIONALIZE THIS EC MOVING FORWARD. UNDERSTANDING YOUR FRUSTRATION, I WOULD ASK THAT WE -- THE COMMUNITY RECREATION TEAM BE GIVEN A LITTLE BIT OF LEEWAY TO WORK WITH YOUR POLICY ANALYST AS YOU KNOW SHE WORKED FOR US. AND SHE WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE TEEN CENTER IN SANTA FE THAT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. WHY -- A THIRD OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX MONEY? AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY'RE SPENDING IT WISELY AND WELL. IF WE NEED TO, MAYBE WE SHOULD MOVE IT TO A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT IF THEY'RE NOT GOING TO USE IT. I FEEL STRONGLY WE NEED TO. WE ALL KNOW JUVENILE CRIME IN THIS CITY AND STATE IS OVERWHELMING. AND PREVENTION, PREVENTION, IS KEY TO STOPPING. THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE REALLY NEED TO ADVOCATE FOR AND LOOK AT. WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB. THANK YOU. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR GROUT, IF I MAY. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT. I WILL SAY THAT MY DEPARTMENT HAS INCREASED YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES BY MORE THAN 35% DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION'S TERM. WE OPERATED DURING COVID WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE SHUT DOWN. WE WERE THE SAFETY NET FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND THE WORKING FAMILIES. WE DO A HECK OF A JOB. AND WE PINCH PENNIES TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY TO OFFER THE PROGRAMMING WE DO. WE TRY HARD TO BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE WITH THE MONIES WE'RE GIVEN AND ACROSS THE BOARD I WILL SAY THAT WE DO A HECK OF A JOB FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. DIRECTOR, GOING THROUGH HERE AND READING THE EVALUATION, IT SAYS YFS IS FORMED IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION TEAM TO GUIDE THE EFFORT AND MONITOR PROGRESS AND SEEKING PARTICIPATION FROM DISTRICT SIX COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR AS PER REQUIRED BY R-25-86, PROVIDES TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF $379,000, OF WHICH 260,650 IS ADISTRIBUTED TO PART-TIME POSITIONS, INCLUDING TEAM LEADERS AND TWO ASSISTANT SUPERVISORS AND ON-SITE SUPERVISOR WORKING 25 HOURS PER WEEK. WHAT'S THE PROGRESS OF THAT? DO YOU HAVE TEN POSITIONS? ARE THEY HIRED? ARE THEY WORKING 25 HOURS? IT DOESN'T SAY ANY OF THAT. WHERE IS THE MONEY? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE, THAT'S THE BUDGET THAT WE PUT TOGETHER THAT WE FEEL WE COULD IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM ITSELF. THOSE POSITIONS ARE NOT CREATED. WE HAVE A VERY RESTRICTIVE PART-TIME WAGE PAY SCALE. WE START OUR STAFF AT $12.50 AN HOUR. IT'S A CHALLENGE TO HIRE PART-TIME STAFF. OUR FTE STRUCTURE IS NOT AS ROBUST AS OTHERS. AND WE MAKE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NONE OF THE $260,000 HAS BEEN SPENT? >> WE DO NOT HAVE $260,000. THE GOAL WAS TO PRESENT A BUDGET THAT WE FEEL WE COULD IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY IN HAND TO DO THAT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: WE HAVEN'T IMPLEMENTED? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: R-25-186 IS NOT IMPLEMENTED. NO EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN BOUGHT? NO $44,000 WORTH OF EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN BOUGHT? NO $80,000 FOR TRANSPORTATION AND FOOD, NONE OF THAT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> FINAL ACTION WAS ON NOVEMBER 17 2025. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: SO FOUR MONTHS AGO. WE'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET? I UNDERSTAND. ENOUGH TIME HASN'T PASSED FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, CORRECT? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE, WE DID NOT RECEIVE A START DATE. THE GOAL IS IS TO START IT IN FY27. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: OKAY. MADAM PRESIDENT, WAS THAT COMMUNICATED THAT'S WHAT YOUR IDEA WAS? WE'RE FOUR MONTHS IN -- WE TALKED ABOUT TIMELINES AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH TIME TO PROGRESS WHEN THINGS ARE PASSED. IN FOUR MONTHS WAS THAT COMMUNICATED YOU'RE GOING TO FY27. THE REASON WHY I ASKED IS BECAUSE YOU'RE ADAMANT ABOUT THE TEAMS YOU HAVE REACHED AND I THINK ONE OF THE COUNCILORS ADVOCATING AND PUSHING AND GIVING YOU CLOSE TO $400,000 TO DO A PROGRAM, YOU WOULD BE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO GET STARTED. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE, WE DID NOT RECEIVE AN APPROPRIATION FOR THIS PROJECT. AT THIS TIME, WITH OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH COUNCILOR ROGERS, OUR GOAL WAS TO START THIS PROGRAM IN FY27. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: OKAY. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, VICE PRESIDENT. COUNCILOR TELLES. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. DIRECTOR, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE APPROPRIATION IN THE BUDGET? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, IT SHOULD BE THIS BODY OR THE ADMINISTRATION. >>COUN. TELLES: THE ADMINISTRATION. BECAUSE THEY MAKE THE BUDGET AND SEND IT TO US FOR APPROVAL. DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE ANY INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO INCREASE STAFFING LEVELS OR OPERATING HOURS WITHOUT APPROVAL FROM THE ADMINISTRATION? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, MY DEPARTMENT -- MY COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE STRUCTURED DIFFERENT. WE HAVE 22 FACILITIES. 18 THAT ARE OPERATIONAL FROM 7:30 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. IN THAT FRAME, TEN OF THOSE FACILITIES HAVE TWO FTEs. EIGHT OF THOSE FACILITIES HAVE ONE FTE. WE RELY ON PART TIME STAFF, PROBABLY MORE SO, THAN ANY DEPARTMENT. POSSIBLY SOLID WASTE. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST OUR HOURS, HIRE OUR PART-TIME STAFF, WITHOUT GETTING PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AS LONG AS WE STAY WITHIN OUR ALLOCATED BUDGET. >>COUN. TELLES: OKAY. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. WAS A REQUEST MADE BY YOUR DEPARTMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO PUT -- TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THIS PARTICULAR MATTER ON THE BUDGET LINE ITEM? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, WE DID NOT PUT FORTH THAT REQUEST. >>COUN. TELLES: SO, DID THE -- MAYBE THIS IS FOR DR. SENGEL. DID THE ADMIN FAIL TO PRIORITIZE THE FUNDING FOR THIS? OR WHERE DID THAT GAP COME FROM? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR TELLES, THIS IS A RESOLUTION PASSED IN NOVEMBER AFTER THE BUDGET WAS PASSED. WE OPERATE THE FACILITIES BASED UPON THE BUDGET THAT WAS PASSD FOR THE FISCAL YEAR. WHEN THIS RESOLUTION CAME THROUGH, WE BEGAN WORKING WITH COUNCILOR ROGERS TO DETERMINE BOTH EXPECTATIONS AND PRACTICALITY OF SHIFTING OPERATIONS AND THE CURRENT PROGRAMMING. I THINK DIRECTOR MARTINEZ HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING IN THE SENSE THAT WHEN YOU SHIFT YOU HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE SHIFTING INCLUDING THE COST APPROPRIATE FOR THE TYPE OF PROGRAMMING CHANGE. THIS REPORT WAS REQUIRED TO COME FORWARD AS A PROGRESS REPORT. THIS IS TYPICAL FOR US THAT WE BRING A PROGRESS REPORT. WE WOULD PRESENT A POTENTIAL BUDGET. IT GIVES INFORMATION TO YOU AND THE PUBLIC TO CONSIDER. AND THE COUNCIL OR COUNCILOR AS THE SPONSOR WOULD TYPICALLY WORK WITH US TO MAKE RECOMMENDATION WHETHER THERE'S AN APPROPRIATION MID-YEAR OR IF IT IS IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE COUNCILOR, IS THE WORK HAS BEEN COLLABORATIVE WORK TO DETERMINE THE PATH THAT COUNCILOR ROGERS WAS INTERESTED IN THIS AND BRIEFING ON THE TYPES OF RAMMING AND PARTNERS SHE WOULD LIKE. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU, DOCTOR. DID THE ADMINISTRATION EXPLORE OPTIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO ALLOCATE FUNDING DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 26 TO FULFILL THIS COUNCIL ADOPTED POLICY? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, WE REALLOCATE IN GENERAL. WE OPERATIONALIZE AS THE NEED PROGRESSES. CURRENTLY, WE ARE SHORT STAFFED. WE HAVE A STAFF IN FTE RUNNING THAT FACILITY THAT SHOULD BE AT A DIFFERENT FACILITY. AT THE END OF THE DAY WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS IF WE HAVE IT WITHIN OUR MEANS, WE'LL 100% TRY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE OPERATED IN MY LIFETIME HERE AT THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE IMPACT WE DO HAVE GENERALLY SPEAKING. ANY TIME A REQUEST COMES FROM ADMINISTRATION, GENERAL PUBLIC, YOU AS A COUNCIL BODY, WE TRY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AS BEST WE CAN. >>COUN. TELLES: YEAH. MADAM PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR, I UNDERSTAND THE REPORT SAYS THERE WAS ESTIMATED COST OF $389,000 FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION. DID THE TRAEGZ ADMINISTRATION TAKE ACTION AFTER RECEIVING THAT ESTIMATE? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ACTION? >>COUN. TELLES: WHAT DID THE ADMINISTRATION SAY WHEN YOU TOLD THEM THAT THE ESTIMATED COST FOR IMPLEMENTATION. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, IT'S WITHIN MY REALM. I DON'T HAVE TO -- AS THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, I DON'T HAVE TO GO TO ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PERMISSION TO DO THINGS. WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT CONVERSATION SPECIFICALLY WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND COUNCILOR ROGERS HAS GIVEN US GRACE TO PROPERLY PLAN THIS PROJECT WITH HER, HAND AND HAND. AND WE'RE SHOOTING FOR FY27. >>COUN. TELLES: OKAY. I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE WORK YOU DO IS NOT IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL AND HAS MATE MADE PIG BIG DIFFERENCE. I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE LIMITATIONS LIE. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY BY FEASIBILITY. YOU CAN DO IT. YOU CAN IMPLEMENT THIS. THE ISSUE IS GETTING THE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT IT. IS THAT RIGHT? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, OF COURSE IT'S MONEY. OF COURSE IT'S STAFFING. IF YOU DON'T HAVE STAFF TO IMPLEMENT, YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU CAN'T IMPLEMENT BECAUSE OF STAFFING. THERE'S A MYRIAD OF POSSIBILITIES THAT COULD BE HAPPENING. >>COUN. TELLES: OKAY. AT ANY POINT DID YOU IDENTIFY OR SPEAK WITH OR ESCALATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OR MAYOR'S OFFICE OR WHOMEVER THAT THE RESOLUTION COULD NOT BE IMPLEMENTED AS INTENDED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, I BELIEVE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THE ADMINISTRATION KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT. WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS FY27. AS YOU KNOW WE'RE IN THE BUDGET CYCLE. I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT COUNCILOR ROGERS WILL BRING IT UP. THERE WILL BE CONVERSATIONS WITH ADMINISTRATION. THERE'S GOING TO BE A BACK AND FORTH. AND DECISIONS WILL BE MADE. >>COUN. TELLES: DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR YOU AS THE DIRECTOR WHEN DEVELOPING A BUDGET AND WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE TO INCLUDE AN EVIDENCE-BASED PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS THAT FINDS OUTCOME OF IMPLEMENTATION AND PROGRAMS TO THE BUDGET SO WE CAN SEE, HERE'S OUR GOAL AND OBJECTIVES AND THIS IS WHAT OUR OBJECTIVES DID? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR TELLES, THAT'S A HARD QUESTION FOR ME TO ANSWER. BEING WITH FCS, FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICES AND YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, WE'RE A DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDER TO FAMILIES. WHETHER WE SERVICE FIVE CHILDREN, 150 CHILDREN, IT'S SOME SORT OF IMPACT. IF WE INTRODUCE SOME SORT OF EVIDENTIARY-BASED SYSTEM, SPECIFIC TO MY REALM, I WOULD SAY THAT THERE WOULD BE HARSHER IMPACTS TO THOSE THAT ARE IN THE MINORITY BECAUSE OF LACK OF ATTENDANCE VERSUS NOT. IT'S A HARD QUESTION FOR ME TO ANSWER. I WOULD ME OPPOSED TO IT TO SOME DEGREE. BUT WOULD BE OPEN TO CONVERSATION AS TO HOW IT COULD WORK FOR ME BECAUSE WE WERE OPEN DURING COVID. WE OFFERED SCHOOL DURING THOSE TIMES. WE WERE OPEN FOR TEN KIDS. WE WERE OPEN FOR 25 KIDS. WE WERE OPEN FOR 2 KIDS. IF WE HAD AN EVIDENTIARY BASED SYSTEM, THOSE TWO KIDS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SERVICED, THUS, THOSE PARENTS COULD NOT GO TO WORK. IT'S A HARD ANSWER FOR ME. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE NOW GOING TO GO TO COUNCILOR ROGERS AND THEN CFO MARTINEZ. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. FIRST, I WANTED TO DISPEL A COUPLE THINGS WE DIDN'T GET RIGHT. THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION WAS TO DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATION, I'M READING DIRECTLY FROM R-25-186, DIRECT THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE SEEN CENTER OPERATION CENTER STAFFING, INCLUDING MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, COLLEGE READINESS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ARTS AND CULTURE ACTIVITY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THE CITY ADMINISTRATION SHALL SEEK INPUT FROM THE MAYORS YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND DISTRICT SIX MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. IT TALKS ABOUT THE REQUIREMENT WAS FOR YFS TO CONVENE AN EVALUATION TEAM YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET WITHIN 30 DAYS AND THEREAFTER, WE WERE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE ON THAT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM. MY FIRST QUESTION IS, WHERE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM? WHY HAS IT NOT CONVENED? THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED NORTH STAR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. THAT'S JUST US GIVING FUNDING TO FOLKS TO DO MENTORSHIP. THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU NEEDED TO WAIT FOR THAT PROCESS TO CONVENE THE PROCESS. WHY DID WE NOT IMPLEMENT AN EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION TEAM THAT SHOULD MEET 30 DAYS AFTER ENACTMENT? >> COUNCILOR ROGERS, I DO BELIEVE IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY, PRIOR TO THE RESOLUTION BEING PASSED, WE HAD MET FIVE OR SIX TIMES. I DON'T RECALL IF WE MET 30 DAYS AFTER THE RESOLUTION WAS PASSED. I DO KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE A MEETING, MY TEAM HAS A MEETING, THAT IS SCHEDULED ON THE BOOK FOR THE END OF THE MONTH, TO MEET WITH THAT TEAM. I AM NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT THE 30 DAYS AFTER. I COULD 100% GET THAT INFORMATION TO YOU. I KNOW THERE'S A MEETING THAT IS SCHEDULED AT THE END OF THE MONTH WITH THAT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM. >>COUN. ROGERS: OKAY. WHO IS INCLUDED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM? >> IT IS THE COMMUNITY RECREATION STAFF. WE HAVE SENT INVITATIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATORS IN THAT DISTRICT FROM WILSON AND VAN BUREN. I BELIEVE YOUR POLICY ANALYST DID RECEIVE THAT INVITATION AS WELL. >>COUN. ROGERS: TODAY. >> YES. I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE. >>COUN. ROGERS: OKAY. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. AGAIN, I SAID THIS TO YOUR TEAM -- LOOK. DIRECTOR, THIS IS NOT AT ALL TO OVERSHADOW THE WORK YOU DID SIX YEARS AGO DURING COVID. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS NOW AND THE SITUATION FOR OUR YOUTH HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE COVID WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL ISOLATION AND ALL OF THE THINGS YOUR TEAM KNOWS BETTER THAN ME. I WOULD ASK THAT, AGAIN, YOU GO BACK AND READ THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT'S VERY SPECIFIC. IT SHOULD HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE -- I ASKED FOR REPRESENTATIVE FOR SENIOR AFFAIRS MULTIGENERATIONAL CENTER. SPECIFICALLY THE YOUTH STAFF. WE ASKED FOR REPRESENTATIVE FROM CITY COUNCIL WHO WILL BE MY POLICY ANALYST. THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HER EXPERTISE. YOU ARE RIGHT. SHE IS OUR CITY'S EXPERT. WE ALSO ASK FOR NON-PROFIT GROUPS THAT PROVIDE THIS PROGRAMMING. LOT OF WHICH YOUR DEPARTMENT FUNDS AND SHOULD BE EASILY ADDED TO THE TEAM. AND THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR FROM ANY SCHOOL IN DISTRICT SIX. I THINK FOR ME -- LET'S GO BACK TO MY QUESTION BEFORE I DO MY COMMENTARY. THE TIMELINE. THERE WAS NO TIMELINE OTHER THAN WHEN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GIVE ME INFORMATION. WE KNOW THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A BUDGET TO OPERATIONALISE THAT'S WHY THIS IS INFORMATION GATHERING. I HAVE TO POINT OUT COUNCILOR PEÑA ALREADY ASKED YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY FOR MORE HOURS FOR TEENS AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS. REALLY, THIS IS FOCUSING ON ONE CENTER. HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER. I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS REALLY MISSING FROM THE FIRST TIME AROUND WAS THE BUDGET. SO I KNOW AS A COUNCILOR IT'S OUR JOB TO HELP THE ADMINISTRATION COME UP WITH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. OUR STATE LEGISLATORS REALLY RALLIED AROUND THIS PROJECT. WE'RE ABLE TO GET THE FUNDING WE NEEDED TO DO THIS. WHICH IS WHY I DIDN'T HAVE A DATE ON WHEN IMPLEMENTATION NEEDED TO HAPPEN. I KNOW WE NEEDED TO FIGURE IT OUT. IT SAYS IT RIGHT IN THERE. THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM SHOULD INCLUDE A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR BOTH OPERATIONS AND INITIAL SETUP. SO, THE NEXT QUESTION I HAVE IS JUST HOW HAS THE TEAM BEEN MEETING REGULARLY WITHOUT COUNCIL REPRESENTATION OR REPRESENTATION FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS? HAVE YOU MET OUTSIDE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION TEAM AND COUNCIL SPH. >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR ROGERS, I DO NOT HAVE THAT INFORMATION. I CAN GET THAT TO YOU. I WOULD SAY THAT THE ANSWER IS NO. I WILL CONFIRM TOMORROW WITH THE DIVISION MANAGER. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. MADAM PRESIDENT, MY LAST QUESTION. DIRECTOR, WE'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS. I THINK I KNOW, BUT I WANT TO ASK ON THE RECORD. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF YFF DOING MORE FOR OUR TEENS IN OUR CURRENT COMMUNITY CENTERS WE HAVE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD? DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR STAFF CAN SUPPORT TEENS BETTER? AND ADD MORE PROGRAMMING SPECIFICALLY FOR TEENS? THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO? >> MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILOR ROGERS, I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED BY THE QUESTION. WE HAVE ACTUALLY REDUCED THE AGE OF OUR TEEN PASSES WHICH HAS HAD AN INCREASE IN OUR TEEN POPULATION. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, ON THE RECORD ABSOLUTELY. WE DO. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY THAT. I'LL BE HONEST. IF FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T. IF FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THIS. I APPRECIATE HEARING THAT ON THE RECORD. I WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE THIS IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR ME. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR TEENS AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THE TEEN PACKS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CAME ONE OF THE MEETINGS WITH THE POLICY ANALYST THAT SUGGESTED THAT TO YOUR TEAM. AGAIN, THAT WAS COLLABORATION AND WORKING TOGETHER TO SAY WHY DON'T WE TRY THIS THING. FOR THE PUBLIC WATCHING, TEENS WERE NOT ALLOWED AFTER 14 WITHOUT A PARENT TO UTILIZE CENTERS. BECAUSE OF OUR COLLABORATION, YOU ALL TOOK, AGAIN, OUR POLICY ANALYST WORK, AND ELEVATED IT. NOW WE HAVE A TEEN PASS WHERE PARENTS CAN GET A TEEN PASS FOR THEIR TEENS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE CENTER. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IDLE YOUTH. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES IS SUPPOSED TO HELP US WITH THAT. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION WORK WITH YOU TO GET THIS DONE. I WANT TO NOT VOTE FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. SEND THIS BACK SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? CFO MARTINEZ. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT THE RECORD THAT YFS DOES NOT RECEIVE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX DOLLARS. I THINK WHERE THE CONFUSION MAY BE IS -- IT'S ACTUALLY HHH THAT RECEIVED THAT. AT ONE POINT YFS AND TRIPLE-H WERE PART OF ONE DEPARTMENT CALLED FCS. I WANTED TO CORRECT THE RECORD. >>COUN. ROGERS: ACTUALLY MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M DIGGING INTO THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX, AS YOU KNOW, DIRECTOR MARTINEZ. SO, SOME OF THOSE CONTRACTS THAT WERE IN SFC DID GO TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES. WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. I'M DIVING INTO THAT WITH YOUR TEAM. [ INAUDIBLE ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. SEEING NO ADDITIONAL -- THANK YOU DIRECTOR. NO ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I HAVE NOT RECEIPT BE NOTED. IS THAT THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR? >>COUN. PEÑA: I MOVE RECEIPT BE NOTED. >> CORRECT. COUNCILOR ROGERS CAME BACK AND -- >>COUN. PEÑA: SHE MADE A MOTION? >>COUN. PEÑA: I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T HEAR THAT. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, YOUR MOTION IS ON THE FLOOR. IF YOU WANT, YOU CAN VOTE IT DOWN. THAT WOULD MEAN THEY HAVE TO COME BACK. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. BEFORE WE VOTE AND SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THIS REPORT. IT IS A REPORT. NOT ACCEPTING THE REPORT I DON'T THINK CHANGES. -- THE REPORT IS WHAT THE PROGRESS IS MADE UP UNTIL NOW. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER REPORT. WHEN IS THAT DUE? I HAVE THE BILL IN FRONT OF ME. I DON'T HAVE WHEN THE NEXT REPORT IS DUE. >>COUN. ROGERS: MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: I JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE IT UP. IT ACTUALLY JUST ASKED FOR WITHIN 60 DAYS TO HAVE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR BUDGET AND INITIAL SET UP. BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THAT CAME WITH THE RECORD, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT IN THEIR CREDIT WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT AND SENT US GREAT WORK, THEY JUST DIDN'T INCLUDE IN THIS VC. THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING THIS IS NOT AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. WE SHOULD SEND IT BACK SO THEY DO HAVE THAT. THERE'S NO REGULAR FOLLOW UP. MY INTENT IS WE GET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. I KNOW HOW MUCH I NEEDED TO WORK WITH OUR BUDGET CHAIR AND APPLY FOR GRANTS SO WE CAN OPERATIONALIZE THIS. THAT'S THE ORIGINAL INTENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR ROGERS. SO THEN I WOULD ASK -- BECAUSE WE PASSED A BILL I SPONSORED PRIOR TO THIS THAT REALLY COVERED ALL THE COMMUNITY CENTERS FOR THIS CITY -- IS THERE ANY WAY -- WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BUDGET THIS GO ROUND, WE JUST WORK ON HAVING THAT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR ALL THE CENTERS? WOULD YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE JUST WORKING ON THIS ONE INITIALLY? >>COUN. ROGERS: MADAM PRESIDENT, THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED IT IN MY SPEECH. YOU ASKED FOR THIS A LONG TIME IN ALL THE CENTERS. THIS INCLUDES THE HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHERE THE DEPARTMENT IS ON THAT. TO YOUR POINT, IT WOULD FIX ALL OF THAT. ESPECIALLY ON THE HOURS OF OPERATIONS. THE PROGRAMMING THIS WOULD GO TO, BUT DEFINITELY FOR THE HOURS OF OPERATIONS, YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE -- I'LL RESPOND. I THINK HE'S BACK THERE. I CAN'T SEE HIM IN THE CROWD. I WANT TO OFFER A COUPLE THINGS. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON TEEN PROGRAMMING ACROSS THE CITY. NOT JUST ONE DEPARTMENT, BUT LOOKING AT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN INCREASE TEEN PROGRAMMING. I THINK WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE PLACES IN WHICH WE'VE DONE THAT WORK ALREADY TO INCREASE TEEN PROGRAMMING. BUT ALSO THE OTHER GOOD IDEAS THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE COME UP WITH AND ARE EITHER GOING TO IMPLEMENT, HOPE TO IMPLEMENT OR THOUGHT ABOUT THE OPERATIONAL PLANS TO DO SO. WE CAN OFFER THAT. I'M GOING TO PUT IT UNDER THE LABEL OF TEEN CONNECT PRESENTATIONS SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT CITYWIDE AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS. SECOND, I THINK THE PRELIMINARY PLANNING THAT THEY'VE DONE RELATED TO MEETING COUNCILOR ROGERS'S GOALS FOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER IS INCREDIBLY FRUITFUL FOR ALL OF US TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITIES AT THAT LOCATION. I DO THINK THERE IS SOME CUSTOM IDEAS IN THIS LOCATION. I THINK THAT COMES FROM COUNCILOR ROGERS'S THINKING. I THINK IT'S VALUABLE TO HAVE THAT INVESTMENT FROM THE COUNCILOR. I WOULD ASK THAT WE PRESENT BOTH TO YOU THE TEEN CONNECT MODEL ACROSS ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND YOU CAN SEE THAT, BUT ALSO FOR US TO PILOT WITH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER. IF YOU SAW THE $350,000 PER COMMUNITY CENTER WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FOR US RELATED TO THE YFS BUDGET. I THINK WE ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT AS WE COME INTO THE BUDGET WE'RE DRAFTING RIGHT NOW. IT IS NOT A NO WE DON'T WANT TO DO TEEN PROGRAMMING. I THINK WE NEED TO THINK THOUGHTFULLY ABOUT NOT LOSING THE PROGRAMMING ALREADY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES AND BALANCE THAT. IT'S LONG ANSWER. I THINK IT'S A COMPLEX PROPOSAL FOR US TO THINK ABOUT COMING INTO THE BUDGET BASED UPON THE BUDGET WE'RE PREPARING AND WITH COUNCIL'S REQUEST FOR PRIORITIZATION. AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE PREPARING A DRAFT BUDGET RIGHT NOW THAT IS VERY TIGHT THAT WE'LL BE SENDING DOWN. WE CAN DRAW FROM THAT BUDGET THE AREAS IN WHICH WE KNOW TEEN PROGRAMMING IS HIGHLIGHTED AS WELL. WE'LL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT AS WELL. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, CAO SENGEL. YEAH, I AGREE. I JUST THINK AS WE'RE LOOKING AT AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE SOMETHING ON THE TABLE LATER. WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT A TIGHT BUDGET AND TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THE COMMUNITY CENTERS THROUGHOUT AND CREATING NEW PROGRAMS, IT BECOMES VERY CHALLENGING. I'M OKAY WITH WHATEVER THIS BODY DECIDES. I THINK WE NEED TO SIT AT THE TABLE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. BECAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW, IN ORDER TO GET ALL THESE THINGS ACCOMPLISHED IT TAKES LOTS OF MONEY AND STAFF. THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: NO. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: NO. >>COUN. TELLES: NO. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> IT FAILS ON A 1-8 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR ROGERS. 2-7. >>COUN. ROGERS: I'M SORRY? >>COUN. PEÑA: I WAS CORRECTING THE RECORD. I'M SORRY. COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT SO WE CAN COME BACK WITH A BETTER IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM. THANK YOU TO JESSICA AND THE TEAM. YOU DID GREAT WORK. I JUST WANTED TO SEE IT IN THIS EC. I THINK WE CAN GET THERE. COUNCILOR ROGERS, I WAS LOOKING ARE -- FOR A MOTION. >>COUN. ROGERS: I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT WE ALREADY VOTED. THAT MEANS IT GETS SENT BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT? >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU'RE CORRECT. I'M SORRY. I APOLOGIZE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NOW, WE'RE ON EC-45 MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION OF CITYWIDE ON CALL FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR APPROVAL. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. MADAM CLERK. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAD MOVED TO APPROVALS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE SIMPLE VOTES. I APOLOGIZE. IT REALLY THREW US OFF. WE'RE NOW ON PUBLIC COMMENT. IF I CAN FIND MY PLACE. WE'LL MOVE TO THAT. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PROVIDE LIVE PUBLIC COMMENT TO THE COUNCIL IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY IF THEY HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT PER THE INSTRUCTIONS PUBLISHED ON THE AGENDA AND WEBSITE FRIDAY. HERE ARE THE PUBLIC COMMENT GROUND RULES, EACH PARTICIPANT HAS ONE MINUTE. COMMENTS ARE TO BE ADDRESSED ONLY THROUGH THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ANY DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL. THERE'S A ONE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT AND THE BELL WILL RING TO DMKT -- INDICATE YOUR TIME IS UP. AS A REMINDER, ARTICLE ONE -- I DON'T KNOW THIS MATTERS ANYMORE. IT STILL DOES. OKAY. ARTICLE ONE, SECTION 8, GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT SHALL NOT BE PERMITTED ON QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS ON ANYTHING RELATED TO QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS INCLUDING THE LUHO APPEALS WE JUST HEARD, AC-25-05 AND AC-26-01 FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS MAY RESULT IN PUBLIC COMMENT BEING CUT OFF. PLEASE TAKE THIS TIME TO EDIT YOUR COMMENT. PLEASE CALL THE NAME OF THE FIRST SPEAKER. >> FIRST IS LEX FOLLOWED BY BRICK THEN SOFIA. >> COUNCILOR PEÑA, COUNCIL, THIS BODY TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY ON MARCH 2nd TO TRY TO PUBLICLY SHAME AN INDIVIDUAL FOR USING THE WORD COLORED. A WORD WHICH IS FOUND IN THE NAACP'S NAME. WHEN A CITIZEN USES A HISTORICAL TERM, YOU BREAK THE MEETING PROTOCOL TO SHAME THAT MAN'S MORAL CHARACTER AN ATTEMPT TO QUAL HIS SPEECH. DO YOUR ACTIONS -- HE FELT SO UNSAFE HE LEFT THE MEETING. YOU HAD OFFICERS FOLLOW HIM OUT, EVEN THOUGH HE LEFT VOLUNTARILY. SHADOWING THE CITIZEN WITH POLICE WHO IS ALREADY LEAVING IS A CLEAR ATTEMPT TO PUNISH DISSENT AND SILENCE A CRITIC. YOU USED THE POLICE IN YOUR POSITIONS OF POWER TO CREATE A SPECTACLE. WE ARE ALL FREE TO BELIEVE WHAT WE WANT TO BELIEVE. BUT YOUR GOVERNMENT CANNOT PRACTICE SELECTIVE OUTRAGE TO TARGET CRITICS. RACISM HAS NO PLACE IN POSITIONS OF POWER. THIS MAN'S COMMENTS WERE NOT A CRIME. NOT EVEN CLOSE. >>COUN. PEÑA: YOUR TIME IS UP. THAT'S YOUR FIRST WARNING. >> BRICK FOLLOWED BY SOFIA FOLLOWED BY ROSEA. >> I BELIEVE THERE'S MISCONCEPTION ON COUNCILOR ROGERS'S PART. I BELIEVE SHE WAS LED BY COUNCILOR PEÑA. I'M HERE TO SERVE FOLLOW UP CEASE AND DESIST LETTER TO YOU. WHO DO I GIVE THIS TO? WHICH ONE? ALL RIGHT. LAST MEETING YOU HALTED THE OFFICIAL BUSINESSES TO LABEL ME RACIST BECAUSE I USED THE TONE COLORED, TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR PEOPLE. YOU KNOW, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD JUST GAVE A PERMANENT SEAT TO THE NAACP REPRESENTATIVE. SHE'S A RESPECTED CEO AND ATTORNEY. I WOULD ASSUME SHE USES THAT TERM REGULARLY. THIS IS A PROCEDURAL ABUSE OF POWER. I WANT A RETRACTION. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. YOU NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO ME. AND ISSUE THAT RETRACTION. BECAUSE THAT'S SLANDER. YOU TRIED TO SLANDER ME. YEAH, THE PEOPLE WORKED IT OUT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LISA. PEOPLE WORK IT OUT. YOU GUYS ARE COWARDS. >> SOFIA FOLLOWED BY ROSELO FOLLOWED BY FRANCESCO. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM A MEMBER OF -- I AM PROUD TO BE STUDYING PSYCHOLOGY SO IN THE FUTURE I CAN CONTRIBUTE MY KNOWLEDGE TO THE COMMUNITY. AT THE SAME TIME, I WORK AS AN AN EDUCATOR. TODAY I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. IN MY WORK AS A TEACHER, I SEE HOW THE FEAR OF DEPORTATION AND FAMILY SEPARATION IS AFFECTING OUR CHILDREN AND MY FELLOW TEACHERS. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PARENTS FEEL SAFE LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN. KNOWING THEY WILL BE PROTECTED AND CARED FOR. WITH THE CURRENT ATTACKS FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION AT MY WORKPLACE, WE HAVE HAD TO ACONDUCT -- IN CASE OF FURTHER AUTHORITY DEMANDINGING WE HAND OVER A CHILD. OR ASKING ABOUT ONE OF MY FELLOW TEACHERS. THIS IS TRAUMATIZING. NO CHILD SHOULD GROW UP IN FEAR OR LIVE WITH THE CONSTANT WORRY OF BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR PARENTS. THANKS. >> GOOD EVENING. MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM A MEMBER OF -- AND IN SOLIDARITY, I WILL READ THE TESTIMONY OF MY UNCLE. I HAVE OPERATED FOR 30 YEARS. TODAY I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES BECAUSE SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION BEGAN OUR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY TARGETED BY THE PRESENCE OF ICE. AT MY RESTAURANT INDIVIDUALS WEARING GREEN UNIFORMS SHOWED UP. CUSTOMERS DECIDE TO LEAVE OUT OF FEAR. WORKERS MISS BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID OF BEING DETAINED. AND IT HAS REDUCED MY WORKFORCE AND CUSTOMER BASE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING MY INCOME. THAT IS WHY TODAY I ASK YOU TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ENTIRE WORKING COMMUNITY SO EVERYBODY FEELS SAFER. BUSINESS OWNERS ALSO NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS AND INFORM THEM IF AN AUDIT HAS BEEN REQUESTED. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDING OUR SERVICES TO CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOCING ECONOMY. THANK YOU. >> FRANCESCO FOLLOWED BY -- >> APD REFUSING THE -- TO ENFORCE PROTECTION ORDER AGAINST THOSE WHO TRIED TO KILL ME. THAT SAME BADGE WITH THE GUN GOT BOARD ONE DAY, PUT A WOMAN SPREAD EAGLE ON HIS CAR, EXPOSED HER BREASTS AND INFINGERED HER INSIDE HER UNDERWEAR IN FRONT OF A CHURCH. TELLING HER IF SHE'S NICE, SHE WON'T ME ARRESTED. THE WOMEN GAVE HIM A THREE-DAY TIME OUT. PUT HIM ON THE STREETS, RESULTING IN FELONY CASES GETTING THROWN OUT BY THE D.A. BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BE TRUSTED TO GRADE YOUR OWN HOMEWORK. WHILE BREAKING EVERY RULE IN THE BOOK FOR THE BAD COPS NEVER SET FOOT IN FRONT OF A JUDGE IN THE MATTER OF MAYOR KELLER'S ILLEGAL WALL. WHILE YOU SIT TELL US WE CAN'T CLAP OUR HANDS OR SNAP OUR FINGERS, HOW ABOUT NO TO FINGERING? WHY DID YOU SAY YES TO COVERING BAD COPS FROM JUSTICE? WHY? >> SATEHN FOLLOWED BY SARAH FOLLOWED BY JANET. SARAH FOLLOWED BY JANET FOLLOWED BY LISA. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNCILORS. EVERYBODY CALLS ME BONNY. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR -- I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ORDINANCE 26-15. THE SAFER PLACES ORDINANCE. I SPECIFICALLY WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PIECE THAT MAKES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AS WELL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICE COORDINATORS SAFE PLACES IN OUR COMMUNITY. CLIENTS HAVE NOT BEEN COMING TO OUR SPACE BECAUSE OF FEAR OF ICE SHOWING UP. AND ALSO BECAUSE ICE CAN ALSO SET UP OUTSIDE OUR AGENCY AS A SET UP FOR EVENTS. THIS CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE WILL MAKE IT SAFER FOR CLIENTS AND SAFER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE VOTE YES. >> JANET FOLLOWED BY LISA FOLLOWED BY MARIA. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, I'M HERE JUST AS JANET. NOT A MEMBER OF ANYTHING. JUST A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF ALBUQUERQUE. I AM SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX BUT MY COMMENTS I WANTED TO SAY THAT I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY TO GET ITS HOUSE IN ORDER AS THE CITY IS THE LANDLORD FOR DOZENS AND DOZENS OF BUILDINGS. I'M HOPING THAT THE BILL AS IT EVOLVES COULD POINT OUT -- HAVE AN INVENTORY OF ALL THE BUILDINGS PRIOR TO 1980, AND IDENTIFY THOSE BIG TICKET ITEMS OF RENOVATIONS, ROOFS, H-VAC, ELECTRICAL, ET CETERA. NUMBER TWO, I HOPE THAT IT COULD PRIORITIZE REPAIRING SOME OF THOSE BUILDINGS THAT ARE 60-YEARS OLD. LASTLY, I WANT TO COMMENT THAT THE MONEY COULD ALSO HELP OPEN SOME OF THE UNDERUSED BUILDINGS THAT ARE ONLY OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK THAT DOES HAPPEN TO INCLUDE LIBRARIES THAT ARE ONLY OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK. THANK YOU. >> LISA FOLLOWED BY MARIAH FOLLOWED BY CESAR. >> HELLO. I'M LISA. I RESIDE IN DISTRICT THREE. I'M HERE BECAUSE IN ALBUQUERQUE WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY. AND FAIRNESS. AND RESPONSIBILITY. AND WE TAKE CARE OF OUR NEIGHBORS. WE EXPECT OUR BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES TO DO. I'M ASKING YESTERDAY A GROUP OF US WENT FRONT OF FRONTIER AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD CONSIDER NOT ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO LINGER IN THERE FOR THREE OR FOUR HOURS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SIGN ON THE DOOR THAT SAYS NO STUDY GROUPS. NO GROUPS CAN MEET IN THERE. HOWEVER, WE LEARNED HAT ICE AGENTS HANG OUT IN FRONTIER FOR HOURS AND HOURS AND NOT ONLY ARE THEY HANGING OUT DRINKING UNLIMITED COFFEE WITH THE MILITARY DISCOUNT BECAUSE OUR MILITARY WHO SIGN UP TO BE MILITARY WHO SERVE, THEY SERVE RESPECTABLY. I DO NOT BELIEVE ICE SHOULD GET MILITARY DISCOUNT. MY FATHER WAS IN THE MARINES AND AIR FORCE. ALL OF MY UNCLES WERE IN THE ARMY AND AIR FORCE. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD GET MILITARY DISCOUNTS. WE'RE BOYCOTTING FRONTIER. UNTIL THEY CHANGE THAT. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. HARDWORKING CITY STAFF. AND EVERYONE IN THIS EXTRAORDINARY AUDIENCE TONIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOL THAT WAS EMPLOYED IN AC-25-05. I DO NOT WISH TO DISCUSS THE CASE. I WISH TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THE WAY YOUR PROTOCOL HAS EITHER BEEN WRITTEN OR INTERPRETED ALLOWS FOR NO FEEDBACK OF A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO ACTUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HEARD AT LENGTH FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. WE AT LENGTH FROM THE APPELLANT. YOU CAN HEAR AT LENGTH IN ANY HEARING CONDUCTED THIS WAY FROM CITY STAFF, FROM ALL OF THE VARIOUS ZONING HEARING, BUT YOU CANNOT HEAR -- WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK. THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY ARE AFFECTED 24-7 BY THIS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO OF US ARE HERE. AND WE NEVER ARE COMMUNICATED WITH. NOT THE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILOR. YOU CANNOT BE A SAFER CITY WHICH I SO MUCH SUPPORT AND NOT PRACTICE THIS IN YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> CESAR FOLLOWED BY SHAUN FOLLOWED BY THOMAS. >> HI. GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO. I AM THE SENIOR ORGANIZER WITH COMMON CAUSE NEW MEXICO. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. LAST WEEK ON MARCH 9th THE FGO SHUT DOWN RANK CHOICE ORDINANCE WITH 4-1 VOTE WITH NO DISCUSSION AND NO VALID REASONS GIVEN. I HAVE TO SAY IT PLAINLY, THIS VOTE IS AN INTENTIONAL CHOICE TO KEEP WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY. WE JUST SPENT $1.8 MILLION ON A SINGLE RUNOFF ELECTION. YOUR CONSERVATIVE CLAIM THEY CLAIM ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, SPENDING $1.8 MILLION ON AVOIDABLE RUNOFF IS NOT IT. WHAT MAKES IT FRUSTRATING IS THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE CAME OUT IN SUPPORT AND SAID THIS WOULD MAKE THEIR JOBS EASIER. AS LEADERS YOU OWE TO THE EXPERTS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND ASK QUESTIONS PUT REASONS ON THE RECORD. I DON'T HAVE MORE TIME. ALL RIGHT. >> SHAUN FOLLOWED BY THOMAS FOLLOWED BY JOE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM PRESIDENT, FAMILY -- COUNCIL. I JUST WANT TO SHOW SUPPORT IN OUR GROSS RECEIPT TAX BILL THAT IS UP FOR TONIGHT. I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN CONSIDERATION OF THAT FOR THE CITY WORKERS. THANK YOU. >> THOMAS FOLLOW BY JOE FOLLOWED BY ANAMI. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE MIGHT WANT TO ASK FOR THOSE NAMES OUT THERE JUST IN CASE. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER COUNCILOR THAT SOME OF THE -- OKAY. GO AHEAD. PROCEED. >> JOE FOLLOWED BY ANAMI FOLLOWED BY JUSTIN. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. PLEASURE TO SEE YOU. I SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER SPACES ORDINANCE. I BELIEVE THAT IF MY NEIGHBOR IS NOT SAFE I'M NOT SAFE. I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT IF MY NEIGHBOR IS NOT SAFE, I'M NOT SAFE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN TO ALL OF YOURSELF DISTRICTS AND PICK UP TRASH. NOT SOMETHING I TALK ABOUT. I LIKE TO CHECK IN AND SEE HOW FOLKS ARE DOING. SEE WHAT THE STATE IS OF MY NEIGHBOR. I DO THAT IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO LOOK AFTER AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE AND OKAY AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO WORK. IF THEY HAVE TO TAKE THEIR KID TO THE DAYCARE THEY CAN DO THAT. IF THEY HAVE A GROCERY STOR THEY CAN DO THAT. WE HAVE SEEN AN OUT OF CONTROL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT DOESN'T RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION OR HUMAN RIGHTS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO DO MORE FOR THE RESIDENTS TO PROTECT NEIGHBORHOOD. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS THE SAFER SPACES ORDINANCE. >> ANAMI FOLLOWED BY JUSTIN FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH. JUSTIN FOLLOWED BY JOSEPH FOLLOWED BY DENISE. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M HERE FOR MYSELF, BUT ALSO AS BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO. OUR BOARD STANDS FOR SUPPORT OF O-26-15 SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE IN ALL FORMS OF ABOLITION DISMANTLING OPERATIONS OF ICE. AS PEOPLE CONTINUED TO BE KIDNAPPED, AND SENT TO CAMPS FOR CRIMES FOR BEING NOT AMERICAN ENOUGH, I WANT TO SHARE A STORY. MY GREAT AUNT WHO PASSED AWAY LAST FRIDAY AT 92 WAS THE LAST SURVIVOR OF THE JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS FROM MY GRANDFATHER'S GENERATION. IN 1942 WHEN SHE WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD, THE PRESIDENT ISSUED ORD THAT LED TO 120,000 JAPANESE AMERICANS REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES AND LOCKED IN CAMPS. MY FAMILY WAS NOT PART OF THIS. ONE REASON IS THAT COLORADO GOVERNOR, A REPUBLICAN, TOOK A BOLD STAND IN FAVOR OF JAPANESE AMERICANS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SHOW THE SAME MINIMAL AMOUNT OF COURAGE AS 1940s REPUBLICAN AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. >> JOSEPH. >>COUN. PEÑA: K -- THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. WE NEED TO KEEP DECORUM. >> JOSEPH FOLLOWED BY DENISE FOLLOWED BY SIMON. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL. I'M A RETIREE ON A FIXED BUDGET LIVING NEAR THE MONZANO MESA CENTER. I'M OPPOSED TO THE GRT TAX INCREASE BEING CONSIDERED BY CITY COUNCIL. THE GRT IS A REGRESSIVE PUNISHING TAX THAT PUNISHES SENIOR CITIZENS, LIMITED INCOME CITIZENS, AND SMALL BUSINESSES. AFFORDABILITY SEEMS TO BE A HOT TOPIC TODAY. AND INCREASING OUR TAXES WILL NOT MAKE US MORE AFFORDABLE. I CANNOT ENVISION ANY SITUATION WHERE THE INCREASE OF THE GRT IS JUSTIFIABLE. COUNCILOR BASSAN, IN 2019, I HELPED RAISE MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR YOUR FIRST ELECTION. >>COUN. PEÑA: PLEASE DIRECT YOUR COMMENTS TO ME. MADAM PRESIDENT, I HELPED TO ELECT PEOPLE ON THIS COUNCIL. NOW I STAND HERE EMBARRASSED THINKING THEY'RE GOING TO BETRAY CITIZENS BY RAISING TAXES. >> DENISE FOLLOWED BY SIMON FOLLOWED BY ANGELA. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCILORS. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THE INCREASE IN THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. I AM OPPOSED TO THE INCREASE. SINCE I RETIRED AND MOVED TO ALBUQUERQUE 11 YEARS AGO, I HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT TAX INCREASES. I HAVE SEEN THE CITY BUDGET INCREASE BY MORE THAN 50% OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY BENEFIT FROM THE INCREASE. THE CITY IS UNSAFE, HOMELESSNESS IS RAMPANT, BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT ON ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RETIRED AND I BELIEVE THIS ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONSIDER CUTTING SPENDING AND STOP WASTING OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON FRIVOLOUS UNNECESSARY PROJECTS AND ELIMINATE SOME ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> SIMON FOLLOWED BY ANGELA FOLLOWED BY DEBBIE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? I THOUGHT IT WAS THE FIRST ONE. >> ANGELA FOLLOWED BY DEBBIE FOLLOWED BY GRACE. DEBBIE FOLLOWED BY GRACE FOLLOWED BY BETH. >> HELLO. MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO FOR THE CITY. I'M A VOTER AND A RESIDENT OF ALBUQUERQUE FOR MORE THAN HALF MY LIFE. I NEVER ATTENDED A CITY COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE. WHAT COMPELLED ME THIS EVENING IS MY OPPOSITION TO AN INCREASE IN OUR TAX RATE. IT DOESN'T SEEM A GOOD WAY TO ADVANCE A PROJECT, A CITY AMENITY. I THINK WE'VE GONE THROUGH BOND ISSUES TO FUND THOSE KINDS OF PROJECTS. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IN THIS CASE. THE OTHER POINT I WOULD MAKE IS THINK OF THE SINGLE MOTHERS, THE RETIREES. THINK OF THE DISADVANTAGED AND POOR PEOPLE. THEY'RE THE ONES WHO BEAR THE BURDEN OF A REGRESSIVE GRT. A MOTHER WHO IS TRYING TO BUY YET ANOTHER PAIR OF SHOES FOR HER CHILDREN OR AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO HAS TO RENT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT OR BUY SUPPLIES. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE IMPACTED AND OFTEN THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT LIVING IN THE DISTRICT THAT WOULD BENEFIT GREATLY FROM THIS GRT. THANK YOU. >> GRACE FOLLOWED BY BETH FOLLOWED BY LUCY. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS CONCERNS FOR THE WAY MY UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS ARE BEING TREATED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. A RECENT ARTICLE FOUND UNDER MAYOR KELLER'S LEADERSHIP ALBUQUERQUE HAS CRIMINALIZED CONDUCT ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS. -- WHICH IS THAT ARRESTING PEOPLE IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS. IT REALLY SEEMS LIKE HE'S TAKING A PAGE OUT OF DAREN WHITE'S PLAYBACK OUT OF THIS. THE INHUMANE TREATMENT OF THE NEIGHBORS HAS TO END. THEY'RE OUR NEIGHBORS. NONE OF HELP CHOSE TO BE FORCED ON THE STREETS. THIS MAYOR SEEMS TO BE MORE INTERESTED IN THE APPEARANCE OF A WELL RUN CITY THAN ACTUALLY RUNNING THE CITY WELL. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND PUT IN PLACE MORATORIUM ON STREETS OF ENCAMPMENT AND UNJUST TREATMENT OF OUR NEIGHBORS. LER OUR NEIGHBORS TOO. TREAT THEM LIKE IT. >> BETH FOLLOWED BY LUCY FOLLOWED BY ROBERT. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY I'M A RETIRED PROFESSOR. I'VE NEVER MANAGED TO SPEAK IN ONE MINUTE. I'LL DO MY BEST. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE TRANSACTIONS THAT HAPPENED A BIT OF AN UPROAR THAT HAPPENED IN THE MARCH SECOND MEETING. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE SPOKE TO IT TODAY. I REGISTER MY DISTRESS ABOUT ONE ASPECT OF THAT INTERACTION. FIRST OF ALL, I'M VERY MUCH WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON HAVING A REGULATION ABOUT RESPECTFUL SPEECH. I WAS VERY MUCH CONCERNED WHEN COUNCILOR ROGERS INVOKED THAT. AT THE TIME. I THOUGHT THAT WAS COMPLETELY APPROPRIATE. I WAS VERY GLAD IT WAS IN PLACE FOR HER TO CALL ON. I WAS DISTRESSED. I'M A MEDIATOR. I SPECIALIZE IN MEDIATING ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES AROUND ISSUES OF RACE. THE ONE THING I KNOW ABOVE ALL IS -- [ HORN BEEPING ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. >> LUCY FOLLOWED BY ROBERT FOLLOWED BY SARAH. >> GOOD EVENING. PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. VERY QUICKLY, THIS IS MY FIRST MEETING. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I THINK THE TIMING AND MAYBE THE MEANS OF THE FUNDING FOR THIS TAX INCREASE IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY AT THIS TIME. WHILE I SUPPORT WHAT WAS INTENDED FOR THE CITY, THEIR BUDGET HAS ALSO INCREASED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. YOU'RE FORCING EVERY ALBUQUERQUE CITY TAXPAYER TO ADJUST THEIR BUDGET TO ACCOMMODATE WHAT THE CITY WAS NOT ABLE TO ADJUST IN THEIR BUDGET. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW INFLATION IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT REASON, NON OF WHICH I'M BLAMING ON YOU, I'LL SAY A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME. I DON'T RECOMMEND WE PASS APPROVAL OF THE BILL. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> ROBERT FOLLOWED BY SARAH FOLLOWED BY DAVID. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, FULL DISCLOSURE. I'M A SOLID WASTE EMPLOYEE. I'M ALSO A TAXPAYER. SO, I'M IN FAVOR OF THE GRT ORDINANCE. I THINK THAT THE VERY SMALL INCREASE IS SOMETHING THAT I AS A CONSUMER AM NOT GOING TO HAVE IN EFFECT ON MY AS A CONSUMER. AS A BLUE COLLAR WORKER, I THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP ME AND BENEFIT THE DEPARTMENTS I WORK WITH. ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN IN A WAGE INSECURITY FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS MATTER TO YOUR ATTENTION. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, I SEE SARAH ON ZOOM. SARAH, I'LL GET TO YOU. DAVID FOLLOWED BY TAD. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, FIRST THANK FOR YOUR SERVICE. I AM IN FAVOR OF RANK CHOICE VOTING. AS A FORMER CITY COUNCIL STAFFER FROM 25 YEARS AGO. BACK IN MY DAY WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO STRETCH EVERY DOLLAR AND DO EVERYTHING WE COULD TO PROVIDE CITY SERVICES. I'M SURPRISED WHEN PEOPLE IN FIVE OF SPENDING AN EXTRA MILLION WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT. AS A BUDGET ANALYST I WOULD HAVE COME TO YOU AND SAID WE COULD BUY 21 POLICE CARS. WE COULD PUT 16,000 HOURS OF POLICE ENFORCEMENT DOING DWI SWEEPS OR WARRANT ENFORCEMENT. WE COULD BUY 15 POLICE OFFICERS. WE COULD BUY 10.5 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE NEAR THE BOSQUE. WE COULD FUND MORE EVENTS FOR THE ROUTE 66. THAT'S THE BUDGET ANALYST IN ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> TAD FOLLOWED BY JASON. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS TAD. WELL, THIS MORNING, AT CITY COUNCIL, THE OFFICE SHOWDOWN WITH DIRECTOR THAT GOT INVOLVED IN OUR CITY COUNCIL OFFICE. BECAUSE I SAID IT A FEW THINGS I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SPEAK OF ABOUT THE MEETING NEXT WEEK. ANYWAY, LET ME ASK YOU, RESPECT AND RACES. WHAT IS RACES? WHAT IS NATIONAL ORIGINATION? I AM WHITE RACE. ISN'T THIS CLEAR ENOUGH? WHAT IS MY NATIONAL ORIGIN? POLISH. AND I CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I AM HOPING THAT SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MADE TO A PERSON OF COLOR THIS MORNING OR THIS AFTERNOON AT CITY COUNCIL THAT YOU WOULD REALLY RECONSIDER THOSE COMMENTS AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RACE. CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER. >> JASON FOLLOWED BY TOD FOLLOWED BY ELANOR. >>COUN. PEÑA: THAT'S YOUR SECOND WARNING. I GAVE YOU A WARNING WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING. GO AHEAD AND PROCEED. >> MY NAME IS JASSEN. I WORK AT SOLID WASTE AS A COMMERCIAL COLLECTION DRIVER. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL 26-16. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE ON IT. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. SOLID WASTE WORKERS. THE PEOPLE THAT PICK UP TRASH PERFORM ONE OF THE MOST ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN THE SIT CITY. THEY'RE OVERLOOKED WHEN IT COMES TO PAY, AND RESPECT. EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND REFUSE SERVICE IS A CHALLENGE. WHEN WORKERS LEAVE BECAUSE OF LOW PAY, BURNOUT, UNSAFE CONDITIONS, IT CREATE A CYCLE WHERE FEWER MUST HANDLE A BIGGER WORKLOAD. MANY ARE FORCED INTO OVERTIME TO KEEP ROUTES COVERED. WHEN OVERTIME MIGHT SOUND LIKE EXTRA INCOME -- THANK YOU, GUYS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. GENTLEMEN, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE EVERYBODY A FIRST WARNING ON THAT. WE CAN'T HAVE OUTBURS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUTBURSTS. >> HI. GOOD EVENING, COUNCILORS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALBUQUERQUE, ESPECIALLY THOSE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. TAXES CANNOT INCREASE WITH THE BURDEN. THAT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL LIMIT. OUR CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EARN AND KEEP THE FRUITS OF LABOR. EXCESSIVE TAXATION VIOLATES THE RIGHT. IT TURNS THE GOVERNMENT FROM THE SERVIENT INTO OPPRESSOR. HERE IN NEW MEXICO, CONSEQUENCES ARE REAL. OUR STATE HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATES IN THE NATION. ONE IN FIVE RESIDENTS LIVES BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. RAISING TAXES WILL PUSH STRUGGLING FAMILIES DEEPER INTO HARDSHIP. IT WILL HIT SENIORS, WORKERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES HARDEST. THIS IS NOT LEADERSHIP. IT'S PUNISHMENT. THERE'S A BETTER WAY. THE COUNCIL CAN PROTECT THE CITY'S BUDGET WITHOUT BURDENING CITIZENS. CUT WASTE, SPEND EFFICIENTLY, ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS, GROW JOBS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. THAT IS REAL FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THAT IS COMMON SENSE. ALBUQUERQUE DESERVES LEADERS WHO RESPECT THE LAW AND RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION. AND THE PEOPLE. THANK YOU. >> ELANOR FOLLOWED BY NICOLE FOLLOWED BY IAN. >> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT AMENDMENT P, INTRODUCED AT THE FEBRUARY 18th MEETING. THIS AMENDMENT WAS INTRODUCED MORE THAN SIX HOURS INTO THE MEETING, DISCUSSED FOR LESS THAN EIGHT MINUTES, AND THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. MAJOR CHANGES TO THE IDO SHOULD NOT BE RUSHED THROUGH WHEN RESIDENTS ARE UNABLE TO REVIEW OR RESPOND. THE REASONING BEHIND THIS WAS THAT IT WAS UNFAIR FOR ONE HOMEOWNER TO BE CITED WHEN NEIGHBORS HAVE NOT BEEN CITED. THE ANSWER TO INCONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT IS CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT. NOT WEAKENING THE RULES FOR EVERYONE. ALLOWING VIOLATIONS TO JUSTIFY MORE VIOLATIONS UNDERMINES THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE. AMENDMENT P REMAINS PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND ELIMINATES MAIL NOTICE TO NEIGHBORS WITHIN 100 FEET AND REMOVES REQUIREMENT TO POST THE SIGNS. THAT MEANS PEOPLE WILL NOT KNOW IF A VARIANCE IS BEING REQUESTED. IT LOWERS THE STANDARD FOR VARIANCE FROM 10% TO 20%. AND DOESN'T REQUIRE THE NONCONFORMING WALLS. IN OTHER WORDS, EXISTING VIOLATIONS COULD BE USED TO JUSTIFY NEW ONES. PLEASE RECONSIDER AMENDMENT P. THANK YOU. >> NICOLE FOLLOWED BY IAN FOLLOWED BY SONYA. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FINE. I'M STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE SHOULDN'T PROVIDE ANY OF OUR IN THIS CASE RESOURCES TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. I'M ESPECIALLY GLAD THAT LIBRARIES ARE ON THE LIST OF SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES BECAUSE LIBRARIES ARE PLACES OF FREE INQUIRY AND EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THEY SHOULD NEVER BE PLACES WHERE MEMBERS OF PUBLIC WOULD BE INTIMIDATED OR HARASSED OR KIDNAPPED. PLEASE UPHOLD SAFE PLACES. >> IAN FOLLOWED BY SONIA FOLLOWED BY SARAH. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT COUNCIL. I WANT TO RAISE THE VOTE THAT YOU HAD AT THE BEGINNING ON RANK CHOICE VOTING ALSO KNOWN AS INSTANT RUNOFF. MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT WILL BE AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. THIS COMMENT IS FOR THE OTHER FIVE PEOPLE THAT VOTED AGAINST THAT AND EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO IS AGAINST CITY SPENDING WASTE AND ALSO SICK OF SEEING COUNCIL PEOPLE NOT LISTEN TO THEIR VOICES. FRANK CHOICE VOTING IMPROVES DEMOCRACY AND SAVES THE CITY MONEY. IT IMPROVES OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES BY WEAKENING THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM AND REMOVING THE SPOILER VOTE OPTION. THIS WILL BE AN IMPROVEMENT TO OUR CITY POLITICS. IT IS NOT TOO COMPLICATED. IT IS NOT COSTING MORE MONEY. IT SAVES MONEY. THE COUNCIL PEOPLE, I IMPLORE YOU TO GET EDUCATED AND PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE TO CALL YOUR COUNCIL PEOPLE AND PUSH THEM TO LEARN ABOUT THIS. INSTANT RUNOFF WILL BRING ALBUQUERQUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'LL SEE YOU AT THAT MEETING NEXT TIME WHEN IT COMES TO A VOTE. THANK YOU AGAIN. SUPPORT INSTANT RUNOFF TO RANK CHOICE VOTING. >> SONIA FOLLOWED BY SARAH. >> HELLO. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. PLEASE PROCEED. >> GREAT. GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM A LONGTIME EDUCATOR IN ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND THE ELEMENTARY VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ALBUQUERQUE TEACHER'S FEDERATION. I'M SPEAKING TONIGHT ON BEHALF OUR PRESIDENT AND THE THOUSANDS OF EDUCATORS WE REPRESENT. I AM HERE AGAIN TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES I WORKED WITH CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOLS. WHEN A CHILD WALKS INTO THE CLASSROOM THEY CARRY THEIR WHOLE WORLD WITH THEM. DREAMS, WORRIES AND FEARS. AS EDUCATORS, OUR FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS ENSURE STUDENTS FEEL SAFE. TO CONCENTRATE SPACES WHERE CHILDREN FEEL SECURE ENOUGH TO LEARN, GROW AND IMAGINE FUTURES. THE SCHOOLS ARE THE HEART OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. PLACES WHERE PEOPLE GATHER AND COMMUNITIES BUILD HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. WHEN FAMILIES ARE AFRAID, WHEN THE POSSIBILITY OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT FACES BECOME PART OF THE REALITY, THAT FEAR DOES NOT STAY OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL DOORS. WE NEED YOUR HELP. AS EDUCATORS, WE KNEW WHEN WE CHOSE THE PROFESSION THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES. CHALLENGES CREATE FEAR FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DO NOT NEED. PROTECT OUR MOST VALUABLE CHILDREN. IT WILL TAKE ALL OF US. BROKEN SYSTEMS CREATE HARMS WE AS EDUCATORS CANNOT FIX ALONE. I HAVE SEEN TOO MANY MOMENTS WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN ARE SUDDENLY GONE WITHOUT EXPLANATION. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SARAH. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. IN 2023 INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN ALBUQUERQUE WERE MEMORIALIZED. IN 2024, 127 SUCH INDIVIDUALS WERE MEMORIALIZED. IN 2025, 144. MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING OUTSIDE EVERY DAY IN 2026. ONE MINUTE OR TWO MINUTES IS ENOUGH -- NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THEIR NAMES. EACH INDIVIDUAL IS LEFT WITHOUT -- IT'S OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS ELECTED CITY LEADERS TO MAKE A PLAN AND INVEST IN HOUSING TO NEG RECREATE HARM. -- FOR INTERRUPTING SIDEWALKS. AND NEARLY SIX TIMES THAN THE PREVIOUS YEARS COMBINED. NEGATE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE'LL TAKE A BREAK AND RETURN AT 8:05. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY, EVERYONE. WE ARE BACK. WE ARE NOW ON -- WE'RE ON FINAL ACTIONS. ITEM 14. BEFORE WE DO THAT, CFO MARTINEZ HAS A COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. IF I MADE A POINT TO CORRECT THE RECORD ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX. I NEED TO CORRECT THE RECORD AGAIN. HHH RECEIVED ABOUT $14 MILLION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX AND OF THAT AMOUNT YFS RECEIVED ABOU $700,000. LESS THAN HALF A PERCENT. I WANT TO CORRECT THAT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MS. MARTINEZ. I APPRECIATE THAT. COUNCILOR BACA AND COUNCILOR BASSAN. O-16. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT. O-16 IMPOSING A GROSS RECEIPTS TACK AND PROVIDES FOR THE USE OF REVENUES INCLUDING RELATED DEBT SERVICE AND MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS. I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION BY COUNCILOR BASSAN. IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL MAKE A SECTION. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT. I NORMALLY DON'T READ -- I JUST NORMALLY SPEAK. I WANT TO INFORM PEOPLE AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE OUTLINE OF THE TIMELINE AND WHAT'S HAPPENED AND HOW THINGS HAVE GONE OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND SOME REASONING AS TO WHY. WHAT I'M HOPING THE COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO ENTERTAIN DISCUSSING BEYOND THIS. I WANT TO START BY SAYING I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOLLOWING THROUGH ON A COMMITMENT I'VE MADE TO THE DISTRICT FOR SIX YEARS. IT IS A PROJECT DESIRED FOR OVER 20 WREERZ AND -- YEARS AND PART OF MASTER PLAN FOR ALBUQUERQUE. WHAT BEGAN AS A PLAN FOR SMALLER AREA WILL BE A VISION FOR THE GREATER ALBUQUERQUE AND STATE OF NEW MEXICO. THROUGH DEDICATION OF VOTERS THIS COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION, APS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND GOVERNOR, IT HAS COME TO LIFE. DUE TO MANY REASONS, THIS PROJECT STILL NEEDS MORE FUNDING TO ENSURE IT'S NOT HALF-COMPLETED. I BELIEVE WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE THE FUNDING RECEIVED EACH YEAR WILL BE NEUTRALIZED BY THE RATE OF INFLATION AND OTHER COST FACTORS. BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT OTHER OPTIONS OF WHICH THERE ARE FEW. ONE OF THOSE WAS TO CONSIDER RAISING THE GRT AND BONDING THE REVENUES TO OBTAIN THE CAPITAL FUNDS. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I WANTED TO DO OR TAKE LIGHTLY. FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CREATE A BILL TO PROPOSE WHAT WOULD INCREASE THE GRT IN ALBUQUERQUE. HOWEVER, IF I WERE TO EVER STICK MY NECK OUT AND GO AGAINST SOMETHING I WOULD NOT TYPICALLY SUPPORT IT WAS GOING TO BE THE GRAND SLAM AND GET MORE THAN ONE PROJECT DONE. IT WOULD BE BIG ENOUGH TO BENEFIT AND SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE'RE SEEING CITYWIDE AND CLOSE GAPS THIS CITY COUNCIL IS DISCUSSING OFTEN. I PLANNED TO INTRODUCE THIS BILL AND SEND IT FOR DISCUSSION AND DELANEERATION. ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL AT 8:30. I WAS TOLD THE STATE STATUTE CHANGED IN 2025 AND THE CITY WAS UNAWARE OF THE CHANGE UNTIL NOW. THE NEW STATUTE REQUIRES ANY MUNICIPALITY RAISING THEIR TAX TO PASS THE DECISION AND HAVE IT TO NEW MEXICO TAX AND REV NO LATER THAN MARCH 31st IF REVENUES ARE TO BE COLLECTED THAT SAME YEAR. WHAT THIS MEANT WAS THAT I HAD TO INTRODUCE A BILL BY NOON ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th WHERE FOR THERE TO BE A CHANCE TO APPROVE THE EFFORT AND BEGIN MAKING BOLD CHANGE TO BENEFIT THE CITY THIS YEAR. THIS IS WHEN O-26-16 WAS INTRODUCED WITH MY CO-SPONSOR COUNCILOR BACA. IT STATED A PROPOSAL IT RAISE THE LOCAL GRT TO .4875% WITH NO EXPLANATION. THIS -- EQUATES TO ONE-HALF PENNY. IF WE DELAY OR DEFER THIS WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR TO SEE THE EWARDS FOR OUR EFFORTS. I BEGAN EXPANDING WHAT I HAD BEEN WORKING ON AND THE INTENTION WHAT WE HAD PLANNED TO DO. THIS INVESTIGATION CAN BE FOUND IN O-26-21 AND R-26-13 FOR ALL SEE. THE BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO HOLDOVER FOR THE COUNCIL TO AGREE AND AMEND CHANGES AND ACHIEVE FOR EACH OF OUR DISTRICTS. O-26-21 PROPOSES TO BOND HALF OF THE GRT REVENUE TO USE ON CAPITAL PROJECT COMMITMENTS CITYWIDE. IF STATES THERE WILL BE A 20-YEAR SUNSET AND ALL THE FUNDS WILL BE SPLIT TEN WAYS MAKING SURE EACH COUNCILOR AND THE MAYOR HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER ON CAPITAL PROJECTS IN EACH ONE OF THE PROJECTS WITHOUT PRIORITIZING ONE LOCATION OVER ANOTHER. ALTHOUGH THESE BONDS WILL BE ENOUGH TO DELIVER ON THE COMMITMENT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO ASK OR RISK RAISING TAX FOR ONE THING. IT'S THE HEART OF WHAT IS MAKING ME WILLING TO TAKE THIS LEAP. THIS RESOLUTION IS CREATED WITH DEEP CONSIDERATION OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN STRUGGLING TO ACHIEVE. TOPICS LIKE WAGE INCREASES, FEE REDUCTION, MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING FACILITIES AND HOW ARE WE GOING TO OPERATE ANY NEW ONES. EVEN WITH WHAT MANY SAY IS A BLOATED BUDGET, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND A WAY TO DECREASE IT WHEN WHERE WAS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CHAIR. IT WASN'T FOR LACK OF EFFORT. IT ISN'T AS SIMPLE AS A PERCENTAGE DECREASE OR WHAT I'M WILLING TO CUT OUT MIGHT NOT BE SUPPORTED BY ONE OF THE COUNCILORS AND THEY MAY REFUSE TO CUT IT. WE HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY AND YET TO IMPLEMENT OR MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TO MAKE SURE OUR LOWEST CITY WORKERS ARE RAISED UP SO THEY WILL STAY WORKING SO THEY ARE SUPPORTED. THIS INCLUDES PUBLIC SAFETY AND LABOR EMPLOYEES. WE ALSO DEBATED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCES OF IMPROVING PARKS WHILE ALSO DEFENDING THE NEED TO INCREASE THE SAME PROMISED SALARIES. WE'VE HEARD WE SHOULD STOP INCREASING FEES AT CITY FACILITIES WHICH THE PUBLIC IS PAYING FOR WITH THE TAXES. WE WANT TO SUPPORT THE GROWING ECONOMY AND TALKED ABOUT PERMITS AND HOW THEY TAKE TOO LONG TO OBTAIN AND THEY'RE TOO PRICEY. WE HAVE COMPROMISED AND MADE SOME SMALL PROGRESS WITH THE DELIBERATIONS. I THINK THEY'RE ONLY SPRINKLES OF WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT CAN PRODUCE. I UNDERSTAND THIS STATE HAS HIGH GAS AND OIL REVENUE IN TAXING ALL OF US. AND GRATEFUL AS I AM TO THE STATE FOR WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR CITY, IT'S NOT DELIVERING ON CLOSING THE GAPS AND COMPLETING PROJECTS. OUR ENTIRE CITY PAYS PROPERTY TAXES AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAXES TO BERNALILLO COUNTY. SINCE ALBUQUERQUE IS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY, THE QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH OF ALBUQUERQUE'S TAX PAYMENTS ARE COMING BACK TO US IN THE FORM OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY? I HAVE HAD NO SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS FROM THE COUNT A TO BUILD ROAD WAYS OR HEMENT WITH PRESSING NEEDS IN MY DISTRICT. I BELIEVE COUNTY FUNDS ARE MOSTLY SPENT ON THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. ALTHOUGH THEY NEED SUPPORT TO, WHY DOESN'T IT -- WE'RE PAYING INTO SOMETHING WE HARDY GET RETURNED. THE PROPOSAL BEFORE US TONIGHT WILL MAKE SURE ALL THE REVENUES RECEIVED WITH THIS INCREASE IN ALBUQUERQUE ARE REINVESTED IN ALBUQUERQUE. THIS GRT INCREASE WILL TAKE HALF OF THE REVENUES AND DEDICATE IT TO CREATING APPROVING AND APPROPRIATING SEPARATE PLANS TO RAISE UP OUR VALUED WORKERS, DETERMINE OPERATING COST PLANS, AND REDUCE CITY FACILITY AND PERMIT FEES. THE RESOLUTION DIRECTS THE ADMINISTRATION TO CREATE SEPARATE FLAN -- PLANS AND BRING THEM TO COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. ALL THE REVENUE WILL BE RESERVED. THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO SPEND THEM UNTIL THERE'S MAJORITY AGREEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY. I'M NOT PROUD TO SPONSOR A TAX INCREASE. IN FACT, IT'S THE LAST THING I THOUGHT I WOULD EVER DO. AFTER CAREFUL THOUGHT I BELIEVE THIS WILL ALLOW US TO CLOSE SOME OF THE MASSIVE GAPS OUR CITY IS FACING. IT WILL LOW US TO MOVE FORWARD. THE .4875 PROPOSAL WAS SELECTED BECAUSE IT WOULD GET ALL OF THE ABOVE DONE IN A BIG WAY. SOME HAVE SUGGESTED COLLECTING A HIGHER PERCENTAGE. MY GOAL WAS TO FIND AN AMOUNT THAT WOULD COMPLETE MY PROMISED PROJECT WHILE IMPROVING MANY OTHER ISSUES WE CONTINUOUSLY FACE. IF WE REDUCE THE GRT PERCENTAGE COLLECTED IT WENT BE SOMETHING I CAN SUPPORT, IF WE'RE GOING TO INITIATE ANY INCREASE, I HOPE THIS DEMOCRACY WILL ENSURE NO ONE GETS EVERYTHING BUT EVERYONE GETS SOMETHING. WE COULD SEND THIS TO THE VOTERS BUT I BELIEVE IN THIS EFFORT AND WE'LL SEE THE BENEFIT OF THIS IMMEDIATELY. I'M WILLING TO RISK A LOT AND COMMITTED TO THIS DECISION. I SEE NO BENEFIT IN ANY DELAYS AND HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS VISION LIKE THE QUALITY OF LIFE TAX AND WHAT IT DID TO TRANSFORM ALBUQUERQUE. IF WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT LATER, IT ONLY MEANS WE MISS IT OPPORTUNITY DIRECTLY BEFORE US TODAY AND WE DELAY THIS FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS. I HOPE THIS BRINGS CLARIFICATION FOR YOU. IT'S HARD TO NOT MEET WITH EVERYONE DUE TO QUORUM. I THINK ABOUT ALL THE ANGLES AND WHAT BENEFITS EVERYBODY'S GOALS I HEARD ABOUT OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. I TRIED TO HARD TO BUILD A PACKAGE IMPACTFUL BASED ON THE INFORMATION FROM EACH OF YOU AND WHAT YOU SPEAK ABOUT PRIORITIZEING. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME DO THAT. I'D ASK IF COUNCILOR BACA HAS ANYTHING TO ADD FOR THE OPENING. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES, HE HAS HIS HAND UP. COUNCILOR BACA. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BASSAN. LAST -- [ INAUDIBLE ]. ALBUQUERQUE ITSELF, WHEN WE INVEST IN OURSELVES, THAT'S WHEN WE MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. IT WAS 25 YEARS BACK WHEN THE BIO PARK WAS BUILT WHEN THE OPEN SPACE AND THINGS WE LOOK AT TODAY AND TAKE FOR GRANTED FOR WHAT MAKES ALBUQUERQUE GREAT, THAT WAS DONE 25 YEARS AGO. THAT'S BECAUSE WE INVESTED IN OURSELVES. CONSISTENTLY WE THINK ABOUT RAISING OUR ECONOMY AND ATTRACTING BUSINESSES. IT ALSO BRINGING THOSE -- IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BRING THEIR BUSINESS HERE AND OPEN IT UP, THEY'RE ASKING EMPLOYEES TO TAKE A CHANCE ON THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. THEY'RE ASKING THEIR KIDS TO TAKE A CHANCE ON ALBUQUERQUE. WE NEED HEALTH CARE. WE KNOW OUR LEGISLATURE DID A FANTASTIC JOB LAST YEAR TO HELP OUR LEVEL OF DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. EVERY TIME, WHEN THEY COME OUT HERE TO LOOK, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FISCAL. IT'S CAN I RAISE MY FAMILY. WE'LL HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY FOR MY FAMILY AS WE'LL HAVE IN OTHER CITIES. RIGHT NOW, THAT'S NOT THE CASE. WE NEED TO INVEST IN OURSELVES. ON TOP OF THAT, THE CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS CUT FUNDING. WE'RE AT A LOSS OF FUNDS BECAUSE OF THAT. FOR NO OTHER REASON OTHER THAN WE TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE CARE ABOUT EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. BECAUSE OF THAT WE LOST MONEY. THIS IS PART OF THAT AS WELL. WE'RE MAKING THE BALANCE WHICH WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MAKE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE SITUATION OCCUR. YET HERE WE ARE. I BELIEVE INVESTING IN OURSELVES AND DOING WHAT WE DO TO PUT FORWARD TO CREATE THE WORLD ALBUQUERQUE NEEDS TO BRING BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONALS -- ALREADY HERE. IT'S NOT AN EASY CHOICE BY ANY MEANS. I AGREE WITH THAT. I'M PART OF THAT. I HAVE KIDS HERE. I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT THING. IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE. IT IS WHAT MADE ALBUQUERQUE GREAT RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO THANK COUNCILOR BASSAN FOR STANDING WITH ME. MAYOR KELLER SAID HE IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS. AND EVERYBODY ELSE. I URGE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I THINK WE WILL GO AHEAD -- BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT, WE'LL MOVE THE FLOOR AMENDMENTS. YOU HAVE YOUR PACKET IN FRONT OF YOU. FLOOR AMENDMENT A THROUGH E. WE WILL START WITH FLOOR AMENDMENT A IN YOUR PACKET, WHICH WILL BECOME ONE. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, I'LL MOVE FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. IT'S ON PAGE 3, PALESTINE TWO DEDICATION REVENUES FROM COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENTTIAL BE USED FOR -- AS APPLICABLE INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DESIGN CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT RENOVATION REHABILITATION AND ASSISTING OR FURNISHING THEREOF AND FOR MUNICIPAL OPERATIONAL PURPOSES. I AM PROPOSING TO ADD EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. I MOVE THAT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION, TWO SECONDS. WE'LL GO WITH COUNCILOR TELLES. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? >>COUN. BASSAN: I AM IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS. I REALLY MEAN IT WHEN I SAY I'M TRYING TO FIND A GAP TO CLOSE WHEN IT COMES TO INCREASING CITY WAGES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LOWEST PAID EARNERS IN THE CITY. TWO YEARS AGO, AND THREE YEARS AGO, I WAS COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CHAIR. I DID THE TIERED APPROACH. WHERE WE GAVE THE LOWEST PAID EARNERS HIGHER PERCENTAGE. AND THE LOWER BEHIND THAT LOWER PERCENTAGE. EVENTUALLY WHEN YOU GOT TO SOME OF THE TOP DOLLAR EARNERS, THEY DIDN'T GET THAT SAME INCREASE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO THE CLOSE THE GAP ON THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY. WE NEED TO PUT OUR MONEY WHERE OUR MOUTH IS. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THIS. AS PROPOSED, I WILL SAY I CAN'T SUPPORT THE OTHER TWO AMENDMENTS THAT YOU HAVE, COUNCILOR, BECAUSE IF THIS PASSES WE'LL BE GIVE TO GIVE $56 MILLION IN COMPENSATION TO OUR EMPLOYEES. BASED OFF THE STICK POINT 4875 AND IS 50-50. >>COUN. PEÑA: ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ANYBODY ONLINE? WITH THAT, TO CLOSE. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I DO WANT TO THANK COUNCILOR BASSAN FOR HER OPENNESS TO THIS. WE TALKED LOT -- WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT IS WHAT'S IN THIS OTHER BILL THAT COUNCIL WILL BE HEARING. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THAT. WHAT'S BEFORE US TONIGHT IS LITERALLY JUST WHAT I READ TO YOU. IT'S GOING TO BE SPENT ON CAPITAL OR BONDING OR OPERATIONS. THAT'S THE ONLY DETAIL THAT IS BEFORE US TONIGHT. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SAY SPECIFICALLY IN THIS LEGISLATION THAT ALL OF THOSE OPERATING FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE GOING TO PAY PEOPLE THAT KEEP OUR CITY RUNNING. I HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ON THIS BILL THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I'M SURE EVERYBODY HAS. TO A T, EVERY SINGLE PERSON I SPOKEN WITH WHEN I SAID I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DON'T WANT A TAX INCRES, -- INCREASE, BUT WHAT IF IT PAID OUR STAFF? WHAT IF IT WAS WITH THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY? I HAVE NOT HAD ONE SINGLE PERSON SAY TO ME THEY DON'T WANT THAT AND THEY WOULDN'T BE WILLING TO PAY A SMALL TAX INCREASE TO COVER THAT. I JUST URGE US TO END THIS ENABLING LEGISLATION, NOT RELY ON WHAT'S IN FUTURE BILLS AND THINGS WE MIGHT CONSIDER, BUT IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT WE'RE CONSIDERING TONIGHT SAY THAT ALL OPERATIONAL FUNDS -- I DID THE MATH. OUR EMPLOYEES, OUT OF OUR $1.5 BILLION BUDGET, OUR EMPLOYEES MAKE UP A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THAT. IT'S $764 MILLION AND CHANGE JUST TO PAY OUR EMPLOYEES FOR THE AMAZING WORK THEY TO. THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID ENOUGH. WITH THAT, URGE YOUR SUPPORT. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. NOW, WE HAVE FLOOR AMENDMENT LABELED B IN YOUR PACKET. FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO IS ON PAGE THREE, LINE TWO, AMEND SECTION 4 DEDICATION. HAVE IT ON THE SCREEN. WE'RE CURRENTLY -- WE DON'T HAVE ALLOCATION OF HOW THE FUNDS WOULD BE SPLIT UP BETWEEN CAPITAL AND OPERATING. SO, I AM PROPOSING IN THIS DOCUMENT TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON TONIGHT THAT WE MAKE A 30-70 SPLIT. 30 FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT CAN BE BONDED TO PROVIDE FOR LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS COUNCILOR BASSAN TALKED ABOUT, BUT 70% SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR GENERAL MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS WHICH AS WE JUST PASSED INCLUDES ONLY OUR STAFF AND MAKING SURE EVERY PERSON WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY IS PAID IN THE RANGE THAT THEY SHOULD BE PAID IN SO WE AND RETAIN STAFF AND SHOW WE VALUE THEM. I DO THINK THAT I'VE SEEN SINCE I PUT THIS IN THE ONEDRIVE, I'VE SEEN THERE'S FURTHER LEGISLATION THAT'S PROPOSED BY COUNCILOR BASSAN THAT HAS A 50-50 SPLIT. I THINK THAT IS ENTIRELY TOO MUCH FOR CAPITAL. I HAVE VERY BIG CONCERNS THAT MANY OEFT OF THE THINGS I HEARD COUNCILOR BACA TALKING ABOUT COULD REALLY COME TRUE. WHAT IF WE LOSE MORE FEDERAL FUNDING? WHAT IFINARY -- WHAT IF WE SPEND ALL OF THAT MONEY ON CAPITAL PROJECTS? I HAVE A VERY BIG CONCERN ABOUT THAT. IN THIS TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING. WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY OUR STAFF ANYTHING MOVING FORWARD IF WE DON'T FIND A WAY TO BUTTON UP OUR OPERATING EXPENSES. SO, THIS 70-30 SPLIT TO ME MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. I'M SORRY I FORGOT TO MOVE IT. I MOVE THE FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION, AND A SECOND BY COUNCILOR TELLES. I WAS ASKING. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. I THINK I SEE COUNCILOR BACA'S HAND UP. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. QUICK QUESTION FOR STAFF. SINCE THIS IS FOR OPERATIONAL PURPOSES IN THE PREVIOUS AMENDMENT THAT IT WOULDN'T BE OPERATIONS IT WOULD BE FOR SALARIES, SHOULD WE PUT IT THAT IN THIS SECTION? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BACA, THIS AMENDMENT WOULD BUILD UPON THE AMENDMENT THAT WAS JUST PASSED TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE END OF THE SECTION TO SAY THAT THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL OPERATIONAL PURPOSES WILL BE EXCLUSIVELY IN THE FORM OF EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. 70% WOULD GO TO THAT PURPOSE. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU. WHILE I APPRECIATE COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN'S SUPPORT, [ INAUDIBLE ] THIS A QUITE TOO MUCH. FOR MY OWN OPINION, OBVIOUSLY. OUR CITY IS EVERYTHING. OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PEOPLE, IT'S EVERYTHING IN THE CAPITAL PORTION. IF YOU TAKE THAT OUT, YOU TAKE AWAY THE ESSENCE OF THE BILL THAT COUNCILOR BASSAN AND I PUT TOGETHER. I PERSONALLY THINK WE SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BACA. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, I SAID IT BEFORE THAT I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT A 70-30. THE PROPOSAL FOR 50-50 RIGHT NOW AT THIS RATE WILL GARNER $56 MILLION IN OPERATING FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. I HEARD PLENTY OF STUFF ABOUT THE POOL AND HOW THAT'S NOT THE ONE THING THAT SHOULD MATTER, BUT I ALSO HEARD ON THIS COUNCIL AND I AGREE THAT OUR ROADS NEED IMPROVEMENT. THAT IS CONSIDERED CAPITAL. IF WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THINGS LIKE THAT TOO, NOT JUST BUILDINGS, NOT JUST MY PROJECTS, THAT'S WHERE WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ROADS. WE GET A REGULAR UPDATE ABOUT IT. HOW ARE WE GOING TO CLOSE THAT GAP WHEN WE'RE BEHIND? I AM HOPING THAT WE CAN KEEP THE 50-50 BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE SOME SIGNIFICANT NEEDS ON BOTH SIDES. I HOPE WE CAN SEE THAT DIFFERENCE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BASSAN. COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AROUND THE NUMBERS FOR THE PERCENTAGE OF THIS. MY FIRST QUESTION IS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH ON NUMBERS OF WHAT THE ACTUAL COST WILL BE TO BRING EMPLOYEES UP TO THE CORRECT PERCENTILE. I JUST WANTED TO TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE NUMBERS TO PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE TO HELP ME SEE IF THIS 30-70 SPLIT WILL GET WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. FIRST QUESTION IS HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK TO MOVE THEM TO THE 25th PERCENTILE? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, IF WE LOOK AT OUR STUDIES FROM EVERGREEN AND PROPOSAL THEY LAID OUT US IN WHICH THEY PROVIDED AN EVALUATION FOR -- JUST TO NOTE THE IMPLEMENTATION WAS PROJECTED TO START IN FY25. WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE PROJECTIONS, IT MOVED FOLKS TO THE 25th PERCENTILE WITHIN OUR MARKET. WE HAVE 1,153 EMPLOYEES. PROJECTD FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPENSATION MOVE. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WOULD WE NEED TO BRING UP TO THE 50 PERCENTILE? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, IT LOOKS -- I'M SORRY. LOOKING AT THE WRONG TABLE. THE PROJECTIONS AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLETION OF THE EVALUATION WAS WE HAD 2,830 EMPLOYEES WE WOULD NEED TO MOVE TO GET THEM TO THE 50th PERCENTILE OF MARKET PAY FOR POSITIONS WITHIN ALBUQUERQUE AND OTHER LIKE EMPLOYERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: OKAY. AND THE TOTAL COST TO BRING EVERYBODY UP, ALL OF THOSE EMPLOYEES, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, THE HIGH-END PROJECTION TO MOVE EVERYONE TO THE 50th PERCENTILE, INCLUDING A MARKET ADJUSTMENT SO THAT WITH THIS STUDY IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT AS YOU MOVE INDIVIDUALS OR EMPLOYEE GROUPS TO THE 50th PERCENTILE, WE ALSO HAVE TO ADJUST FOR THE FACT THE MARKET IS GOING TO ADJUST AT THE SAME TIME. ACCOUNTING FOR A 2% MARKET ADJUSTMENT AT THE SAME TIME, ALLOWS US TO -- MOVING FOLKS TO THE 50th PERCENTILE, WHICH IS 2,830 EMPLOYEES, WITH BENEFITS, BECAUSE PAY BENEFITS ARE TIED TO EACH OTHER. IT'S $25.4 MILLION. THAT'S THE APPROXIMATION. >>COUN. ROGERS: OKAY. WHAT I DID ON THAT FORM THAT YOU SENT ME, AND THANK YOU FOR DOING THE WORK FOR ME, FIRST OF ALL, MAKING DECISIONS THIS HUGE FOR MY DISTRICT BECAUSE THIS IS A REGRESSIVE TAX. IT'S GOING TO HIT FOLKS WHO ARE THE LOWEST EARNERS, INCLUDING OUR EMPLOYEES. AND WHEN I ADDED ALL THOSE THINGS UP, I GOT ALMOST $43 MILLION. SO MY QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE 30-70 SPLIT OF THE REVENUE? I DON'T KNOW WHO CAN ANSWER THIS FOR ME. WE'VE GOTTEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT NUMBERS ON WHAT THIS WOULD GENERATE AS FAR AS DOLLARS. AND WHAT WOULD BE THE 30% AND THE 70% SPLIT? IN OTHER WORDS, AT 70% COULD WE MAKE SURE EVERYBODY GETS UP TO THE 50th PERCENTILE WITH THE 2% COLA. WOULD THAT DO IT WITH THE 70-30 SPLIT? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT, IF I CAN ANSWER THAT FOR HER. PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PROPOSAL IS THAT NONE OF THIS HAS BEEN REALLY CLEARLY CALCULATED. SO, I HAD A BRIEFING WITH COUNCIL SERVICES STAFF LAST WEEK. AGAIN, THROUGH NO FAULT OF HER OWN, BUT THE SPONSOR IS NOT ABLE TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THE BILL BECAUSE OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW SHE'S NOT ABLE TO TALK TO ME. WE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND VERY FEW ANSWERS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE LOT OF DATA ON THIS. OVER THE WEEKEND I WORKED WITH A LOCAL ECONOMIST, KELLY O'DONNELL, SHE HELPED ME DETERMINE WHAT NUMBERS I THINK ARE COMING OUT OF THE TAX. I'M GOING TO DEL YOU THE NUMBERS I THINK AND FOLKS CAN GIVE THEIR NUMBERS. FROM OUR BEST GUESS, AND I WILL POINT OUT SHE IS A Ph.D. IN ECONOMICS AND I'M A MASTER'S IN ECONOMICS. WE THINK THE TAX AT THIS LEVEL WOULD GENERATE ABOUT $119 MILLION A YEAR. I HEAR DIFFERENT NUMBERS. IF YOU BELIEVE MY $119 MILLION AND 70% WOULD BE $83.3 MILLION. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IS NOT JUST TO GET STAFF UP TO THE CLASS AND COMP IMPLEMENTATION. IT IS TO PAY FOR STAFF. MOVING FORWARD. I HAVE VERY GRAVE CONCERNS WE DON'T HAVE A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE TO PAY FOR STAFF. IN THE WORLD WHERE WE'RE LIVING IN WHERE FEDERAL FUNDING COULD BE TAKEN AT ANY MOMENT, WHERE THE STATE REVENUE CAN BE DOWN DRAMATICALLY BECAUSE WE RELY ON OIL AND GAS, THERE'S LOT OF UNKNOWNS IN OUR WORLD RIGHT NOW. THIS WOULD BE UNKNOWN THAT MONEY, THAT AMOUNT RIGHT NOW, THE AMOUNT ON THE BILL RIGHT NOW, IT WILL BE $83.3 MILLION DEDICATED TO PAYING STAFF EXCLUSIVELY. EVERY YEAR. THAT ALLOWS US TO GET EVERYBODY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO. THAT ALLOWS TO GIVE THEM COLA THEY DESERVE. IT MIGHT ALLOW US TO HIRE PEOPLE TO DO THINGS LIKE STAFF OUR LIBRARIES AND CLEAN UP OUR PARKS WHICH ARE THINGS WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT ON THIS DAIS. WE'RE NOT DOING A GREAT JOB AT SOME OF THOSE THINGS. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PERMANENT EMPLOYEES. WE RELY ON TEMP EMPLOYEES. WITH THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY, WE WOULD HAVE A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE. IN MY MIND, IT WOULD BE $83.3 MILLION FOR 20 YEARS TO PROVIDE THAT KNOWN QUANTITY OF FUNDING FOR STAFF. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU WHEREBY -- THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. CAN ANY OF THE 70% BE SPENT ON GATEWAY OPERATIONS? BECAUSE COUNCIL OR ADMINISTRATION -- CAN ANY OF THIS BE SPENT ON THAT? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT NO. WE JUST PASSED AN AMENDMENT THAT SAYS OPERATIONAL FUNDS ARE EXCLUSIVELY FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND THIS WOULD BUILD ON THAT PRIOR AMENDMENT. SO, ALL OPERATION FUNDS WOULD BE SPENT ON EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION IF THIS PROPOSAL BEFORE US PASSES. >>COUN. ROGERS: OKAY. I THINK THE BIGGEST QUESTION IS HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THE GATEWAY NETWORK IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MEET OPERATIONS? WE SHOULD HAVE ASKED THAT ON THE LAST AMENDMENT. I THINK THAT'S MY CONCERN. I THINK OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN COVER PAYING OUR PEOPLE WELL, BUT ALSO MAKING THE VITAL SERVICES ARE TAKEN CARE OF. THAT STILL LEAVES A MAJOR QUESTION ABOUT OUR OPERATING BUDGET. ESPECIALLY WHEN I KNOW HOW MUCH WE NEED TO ONBOARD TO THAT OPERATION BUDGET. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS. MY QUESTION ABOUT THAT. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. BASED UPON THE NUMBERS WE WENT OVER, THANK YOU FOR GETTING THOSE -- IT HELPS ME GET INTO PERSPECTIVE. I THINK THIS IS A STATEMENT. WE SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN PLANNING FOR OUR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION ONCE WE HAD THAT PLAN. AND MAKING SURE WE HAD THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN ON HOW TO OPERATIONALLIZE ON ALL THAT. IT'S REALLY HARD TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH SUCH LITTLE TIME AND NOT ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO MAKE GOOD, SOUND DECISIONS. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE FRANKLY ASKING THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY TO PAY FOR THE RAISE FOR THEMSELVES. THAT'S HOW I SEE IT. AND FOR SOME OTHER PROJECTS. AND WE HAVE OVER 6,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE CITY THAT WILL BE FRONTING THE BILL FOR THEIR RATES. SO, I THINK I'M THE ONLY COUNCILOR RIGHT NOW THAT'S LIVING IN POVERTY. I CAN'T IMAGINE SPENDING ANOTHER DIME FOR WHAT I NEED MUCH LESS PAYING FOR MY OWN RAISE IF I WAS STILL A CITY EMPLOYEE. THIS WAS REALLY HARD BECAUSE WE DONE HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO MAKE REALLY GOOD DECISIONS. THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO GET US WHAT YOU COULD. >>COUN. PEÑA: DR. SENGEL. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT ONE THING. WHEN YOU MENTIONED YOU ADDED THE NUMBERS TOGETHER. THE NUMBER I GAVE YOU, WHICH WAS $25.4 MILLION, IF WE WERE TO MAKE ONE MOVE TO EVERYONE INCLUSIVE TO THE 50th PERCENTILE, THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE AT THE 25th PERCENTILE, THAT NUMBER IS INCLUSIVE. IT'S NOT IN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUS NUMBER. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. IT WASN'T CLEAR. BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS WERE DIFFERENT. WHAT WHERE -- I WAS TOLD IS WE'VE ALREADY DONE WORK, WHICH IS WHY THE 50th PERCENTILE IS 2,830. THAT'S WHY I ADDED THOSE NUMBERS TOGETHER FOR EACH OF THE BOXES BECAUSE I WAS TOLD WE WERE ALREADY DOING WORK TO BRING SOME PEOPLE UP TO THE 25 PERCENTILE. AGAIN, I THINK THAT'S THE POINT. IF WE HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH TIME TO FLUSH THIS INFORMATION OUT AND MAKE SURE IT'S ACCURATE. BECAUSE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE RECEIVED TWO ROUNDS OF NUMBERS FROM YOUR TEAM JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS. AGAIN, I'M MAKING VERY HARD DECISIONS FOR MY DISTRICT AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING, INCLUDING CITY EMPLOYEES WE ANY CAN'T AFFORD HOMES, BUS DRIVERS WHO ARE GETTING FOOD BOXES. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR EMPLOYEES PAY MORE. IT'S REALLY HARD FOR US TO ASK THEM TO DO THAT BY PAYING MORE IN GRT. THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. >>COUN. PEÑA: DR. SENGEL. >> JUST FOR -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING ALL THE INFORMATION AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE. IF WE'RE MOVING EVERYONE TO THE 50th PERCENTILE, THE 1153 EMPLOYEES WE NEED TO MOVE TO THE 25th PERCENTILE WILL BE GOING TO THE 50th PERCENTILE. THAT'S WHY THE NUMBERS ARE SHIFTING. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE BETWEEN THE 25th PERCENTILE AND 50th PERCENTILE. THEY WOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN THAT 25th PERCENTILE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REASON THE NUMBERS ARE DIFFERENT IS BASED UPON THE 6,000 DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES WHICH IS NOT 6,000 DIFFERENT PAY BANDS. THAT'S WHY WE END UP WITH DIFFERENT NUMBERS. 1100 EMPLOYEES WE BRING TO THE 25th PERCENTILE, IF WE SKIP THAT, THEY'RE INCLUDED IN THE 2800 EMPLOYEES. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION WE DID IMPLEMENT RIGHT AWAY WHEN THE EVERGREEN STUDY WAS COMPLETE TO DO WHAT WE COULD TO BRING EVERYONE TO THE MINIMUM IN THEIR PAY SCALE. AT THE TIME. AND/OR WE WORKED WITH OUR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT SO THEY UNDERSTOOD EXACTLY WHAT EMPLOYEES NEEDED -- WERE WITHIN THAT AND FOR THEIR NEGOTIATIONS AND THEIR PAY PLANS WHEN THEY NEGOTIATED. THAT WAS OUR FIRST STEP WE DID ACCOMPLISH IN THAT FIRST YEAR. AND WE DID NOT ACCOMPLISH OUR NEXT STEP. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, DR. SENGEL. I DON'T SEE ANY MORE HANDS UP. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN TO CLOSE. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY. WE HEARD LET'S LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. THE WAY IT IS BEFORE US TONIGHT IS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO BREAKDOWN. IT IS 119 OR 130 OR WHATEVER NUMBER YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE. THAT IS THE AMOUNT. AND IT CAN BE BROKEN UP IN ANY SHAPE OR FORM BETWEEN CAPITAL PROJECT FUNDING AND OPERATIONS. WE NOW HAVE -- ANYTHING THAT GOES TO OPERATIONS HAS TO GO TO STAFF, WHICH IS GREAT. I THINK THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. BEFORE US TONIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PART OF IT THAT SAYS ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT PERCENTAGE WILL BE USED FOR WHAT. I PERSONALLY THINK IF WE'RE THINKING ABOUT A TAX THAT'S GOING TO RAISE $119 MILLION FOR A COUPLE OF DECADES, WE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING IN THE ENABLING LANGUAGE THAT TELLS THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND RESIDENTS WHAT THE FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR. I DO THINK A 30-70 SPLIT IS A FAIR ONE. 70% GOING TO OPERATE OUR CITY IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THING. WE HAVE A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND STAFF THAT RELIES ON US. 30% FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IS STILL QUITE A LOT OF MONEY. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST YEARS WITH OUR BONDING PROCESS THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY MENTIONED IS THAT WE ALL HAVE TO GRAB SOMETHING FOR OURSELVES. SO, OUR CAPITAL BONDING PROCESS IS A BIT HERE AND THERE. THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PRIORITIZED. THAT IS NOT NOTHING THE CITIZENS SHOULD PAY FOR. I'M NOT PROPOSING WE SPEND NO MONEY ON CAPITAL PROJECTS, BUT I THINK THE 70-30 SPLIT IS THE APPROPRIATE SPLIT GIVEN ALL OF THE UNKNOWNS IN THIS BILL AND ARE HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. >> PASSES ON A 6-3 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE NOW ON FLOOR AMENDMENT C, WHICH WILL BECOME FLOOR AMENDMENT C. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M GOING TO MOVE FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE, ON PAGE TWO, LINE 11. AMEND SECTION 1 THAT HAS THE .4875%. AMEND THAT TO .1275%. I'LL MOVE THAT. THIS IS THE MEAT OF THE DISCUSSION TONIGHT. .4875 BY MY BEST GUESS IS GOING TO GENERATE $119 MILLION A YEAR. WITH THE TWO AMENDMENTS BEFORE THIS, THAT GIVE YOU SOME CLARIFICATION OF HOW IT'S GOING TO BE SPENT. WE KNOW IT WILL BE SPENT IN A MAJORITY WAY ON OUR STAFF, WHICH IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. BUT I ARGUE THAT WE DO NOT NEED THAT MUCH. WHAT WE REALLY NEED IS TO PAY OUR STAFF UP TO THE LEVEL THAT IS IN THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY, INCLUDING COLAS. THAT CAN BE DONE FOR A MUCH SMALLER AMOUNT. I HEARD FROM SO MANY CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED A HALF-PERCENT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR MANY PEOPLE. I'M GOING TO BE REAL HONEST. IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY FOR ME. I PROBABLY WON'T NOTICE IT. BUT SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOTICE IT AND IT WILL HURT THEM DRAMATICALLY. I HAVE FOLKS WHO LIVE IN MY DISTRICT WHO ARE LITERALLY UNABLE TO MAKE RENT THIS MONTH AND IF WE TAKE ANY MORE MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKET, IT IS JUST A TRAVESTY. I WANT TO GET OUR EMPLOYEES PAID. I WANT TO GET SOME MONEY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING. THERE'S ONE PROJECT THAT YOU ALL HEARD ABOUT THAT HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED. I KNOW, AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR TIMES, WE NEED TO GET THOSE COMPLETED. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO IT ON THE BACK OF THE POOREST PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I AM JUST ASKING FOR US TO CONSIDER A LOWER AMOUNT SO THAT WE CAN DO ALL OF THE THINGS WE ALL WANT TO DO, BUT AT A LEVEL THAT WILL NOT SO NEGATIVELY IMPACT SO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BASSAN FOLLOWED BY COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, WELL, I GUESS FOR SOME IT'S A MOVE WELL PLAYED. AND I SAID AT THE BEGINNING THAT I WON'T SUPPORT THIS IF I CAN'T GET MY PROJECT DONE. I AM SORRY TO ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES. IF WE DON'T KEEP THE 50-50 SPLIT, AND THIS PACKAGE CAN'T BE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AND NOT ONE THING FOR EVERYONE, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT. I WILL VOTE FOR THE DECREASE, MAKING IT A MINIMAL TAX INCREASE AND I PLAN ON VOTING AGAINST THIS BILL. I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT THIS DEMOCRACY WAS DESIGNED TO DO. I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF CONCERNS. AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE MEAT FOR A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYONE. I UNDERSTAND, I'VE HEARD THE ARGUMENTS. I GET IT. I WILL SAY WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND WHILE EVERYONE'S ATTENTION ON IT, WHETHER YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT. I'M GLAD THIS IS A CONCERN. THIS CLEARLY INDICATES A LARGER PROBLEM IN OUR CITY. AND I SURE HOPE THAT YOU ALL FIND A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS BECAUSE I DEFINITELY HEARD SOME SOLUTIONS THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO DO WHEN I WAS THERE. I REALLY WISH THAT THERE WAS A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS. I WISH YOU ALL COULD HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF THAT. IF YOU REDUCED IT TO THE 70-30 AND NOW YOU WANT TO REDUCE IT TO 1/8, THAT WON'T GET TO THE FUNDAMENTAL TO WHERE I STICK MY NECK OUT TO RAISE TAXES, IT'S NOT GOING TO DO IT FOR THIS AMOUNT WITH THAT DOLLAR AMENDMENT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: I JUST NEED SOME CLARIFICATION. THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS WE SET IT WAS A PERCENTAGE. 70% BASED OFF THE .8475 AND PUT OUT NUMBERS ABOUT HOW MUCH THAT GENERATES. WE ADVOCATED AND PASSED THAT BASED ON THAT WILL GENERATE X-AMOUNT OF DOLLARS. AND WE'RE GOING TO CUT THAT PERCENTAGE IN HALF SO IT'S NOT GOING TO GENERATE THE SAME AMOUNT OF DOLLARS WE JUST ADVOCATED FOR. HOW DOES THAT MATH WORK? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THIS REDUCK WOULD BE ABOUT ONE-QUARTER. IT WOULD TAKE IT TO $30 MILLION FOR TWO DECADES. THAT 70% IS $21 MILLION A YEAR WHICH GETS US ALL WE NEEDED TO BRING ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES UP TO THE COMPENSATION LEVEL AND THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY. AND HAS A LITTLE LEFT OVER FOR CAPITAL. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: WHAT YOU JUST ADVOCATING FOR SAYING 30% BECAUSE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IS BEING REDUCED SOME MORE? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MADAM PRESIDENT -- THE PERCENTAGE OF WHATEVER THE TOTAL TAX RATE IS. SO, I'M ASKING THAT WE BE SOMEWHAT REASONABLE AND LOWER THE TAX SO WE DON'T HARM PEOPLE QUITE AS MUCH. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN ANSWERED MY QUESTION. I WAS WRITING DOWN THE RECEIVE NEW WE WOULD GET WITH THIS CURRENT AMOUNT. SHE ANSWERED THAT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE MORE TIME FOR THOSE OF YOU HERE THAT I'VE BEEN TALKING TO ABOUT THE LOWEST EARNERS IN THE CITY, I HAD A PROPOSAL THAT'S WRITTEN FOR EVERYONE TO SEE THAT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOU $56 MILLION A YEAR IN COMPENSATION. >>COUN. PEÑA: ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR BACA. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I THINK THIS AMENDMENT WOULD STRIP AWAY THE SPIRIT OF THE BILL. A BILL THAT WORKS TO IMPROVE ALL ASPECTS OF OUR CITY. [ INAUDIBLE ]. I DON'T SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. I SUGGEST WE WITHDRAW THE BILL AFTER THIS. THANK YOU. SDMRP THANK YOU, . >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I WILL NOT SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. THIS IS AN EXERCISE YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF MONEY INTO THE REDUCTION, BUT YOU GET A LOT OF LESS MONEY. I CAN'T SUPPORT ANYTHING LIKE THIS. WITH THAT, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN TO CLOSE. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE VOTING ON ANY BILLS UP HERE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TOIGATE -- TO GET A LOT OF MONEY. WE SHOULD VOTE TO IMPROVE SERVICES IN THE CITY. THAT MEANS OUR STAFF. THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU WOULD STILL GET ALL THE MONEY WE NEED TO PAY OUR STAFF WHAT THEY'RE WORTH. WHAT IT DOESN'T HAVE IS A BIG AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR INDIVIDUAL COUNCILORS PROJECTS. AND I FEEL THAT LOSS AS WELL. I HAVE PROJECTS THAT I DEFINITELY WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN. BIG PROJECTS THAT WOULD TRANSFORM MY DISTRICT. -- I AM NOT WILLING TO TRANSFORM MY DISTRICT ON THE BACK OF POOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN MY COMMUNITY. I WILL GO THROUGH NUMBERS. WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT, BASED ON MY CALCULATIONS, WE ARE GOING TO BE INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE WOULD BE SPENDING ABOUT $214.83 A YEAR PER HOUSEHOLD. THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR MOST HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITH THE PROPOSED REDUCTION THAT'S BEFORE US RIGHT NOW, THAT GETS US TO A LITTLE OVER $50, WHICH IS STILL A LOT OF MONEY FOR MANY HOUSEHOLDS. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MOST HOUSEHOLDS CAN OVERCOME. AND I'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID I WOULD FIND A WAY TO MAKE THAT $50 PAYMENT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE STAFF OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE ARE PAID. THAT IS THE IMPACT WE'RE TRYING TO REDUCE. ALSO, THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES -- THIS IS% -- PER AREA'S WEBSITE. THE AVERAGE BUSINESS IS GOING TO BE DIRECT CHARGED $1,614.85 WITH THE UNAMENDED AMOUNTS. IF YOU TAKE THAT DOWN BY A QUARTER, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT $400. THAT'S MUCH EASIER FOR A SMALL BUSINESS. I WILL POINT OUT THAT 68% BUSINESSES IN ALBUQUERQUE IS SMALL BUSINESS OF 1 TO 4 PEOPLE. HAVING THAT GO FROM 1,615 TO AROUND 400 SEEMS MORE REASONABLE. AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT I THINK PEOPLE CAN BEAR IF THEY KNOW THE MONEY IS GOING TO PAY WORKERS A LIVING WAGE. THEY DO HAVE A PROBLEM BEARING IT TO PAY FOR OUR FAVORITE PROJECTS. AND I -- AGAIN, THERE ARE PROJECTS I WANT, SO DESPERATELY WANT. I I HAVE RAISED SO MUCH FUNDS FOR. -- THERE'S SOME MONEY AND WE CAN PRIORITIZE AMONG OURSELVES LIKE THE ADULTS WE ARE TO SAY WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT TO MOVE IN YEAR ONE AND GO TO SOMETHING ELSE IN YEAR TWO. WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO GET EVERYTHING YEAR ONE. AND I WILL, AS MY FINAL POINT, SAY WE HEARD FROM SOMEONE I RESPECT. SOME OF THIS MONEY WOULD GO TO UPDATING BUILDINGS WE ALREADY HAVE. BUT NO, IT WON'T. THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BILL AND THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BILL THAT IS NOW GOING TO BE HEARD LATER THAT SAYS IT WILL BE GOING TOWARDS UPDATING BUILDINGS WE ALREADY OWN. IT'S JUST BUILDING NEW STUFF. AND WHO IS GOING TO STAFF THAT NEW STUFF? DO WE HAVE EMPLOYEES? NO. WE DON'T HAVE EMPLOYEES TO DO THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW. AND WE'RE GOING TO BUILD MORE STUFF AND MORE STUFF AND THERE WILL BE NINE VANITY PROJECTS WITH NO-NO -- NO ONE TO DO THE WORK AND NOWHERE TO DO THE OPERATING DOLLARS BECAUSE WE MAXED OUT THE POTENTIAL INTEREST THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. WITH THAT, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT FOR REDUCING A PRETTY LARGE AMOUNT OF TAX TO SOMETHING THAT IS A REASONABLE THING THAT CAN BE ABSORBED BY MOST HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR COMMUNITY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. MADAM CLERK, FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER THREE. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. >> PASSES ON A 5-4 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE NOW ON TO FLOOR AMENDMENT D IN YOUR PACKET. IT WILL BECOME FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR. COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR, ON PAGE THREE, LINE 10, INSERT NEW SECTION TO READ. VOTER APPROVAL REQUIRED. THE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT MUNICIPAL GROSS RECEIPTS TAX IMPOSED BY THIS ORDINANCE SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNLESS IT IS APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY OF REGISTERED VOTERS. VOTING ON THE QUESTION ON AN ELECTION HELD PURSUANT TO PROVISIONS OF LOCAL ELECTION ACT. I JUST FEEL THAT WHEN WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER A TAX I THINK WE NEED TO GET VOTER BUY IN. WE NEED TO BE EDUCATED ON WHY WE'RE PROPOSING THIS A LOT MORE. NOT JUST A FEW SHORT WEEKS. I DO UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES. WE'VE GOT TO GET OUR EMPLOYEES PAID. WE NEED TO GET THEM UP TO THAT CLASS AND COMP STUDY, WHAT'S RECOMMENDED. WE'RE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING EMPLOYEES TO -- WE'RE LOSING THEM TO -- I DON'T HAVE MY CAMERA ON. I'M SORRY. WE ARE LOSING THEM TO THE COUNTY AND THE STATE. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO GET THEM UP. I ALSO THINK THAT -- AND LIKE SOMEONE HAD MENTIONED, IT'S HARD TO FIND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS -- TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE'VE SAID YOU HAVE TO CUT THINGS. YOU HAVE TO CUT THINGS TO STAY WITHIN THE BUDGET. AND TRYING TO FIND $21 MILLION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DO. SO, WHILE I UNDERSTAND A PROPOSED POSSIBLE INCREASE IN TAX, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO GET VOTER BUY IN. SO, IF THIS WERE TO PASS, THEN I THINK THAT AS COUNCILORS AND AS THE ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING THE MAYOR, NEED TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITY AND TELL THEM WHY IT'S -- WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT OR THIS TAX. AND LETTING VOTERS DECIDE IN NOVEMBER. I THINK THAT'S ONE OF OUR JOBS. I KNOW IT'S A HARD DECISION TO MAKE. I THINK, AGAIN, WHEN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND A LOT MORE WHY IT'S BEING PROPOSED AND HAVE MORE TIME TO ASK QUESTIONS, THEY CAN ABSORB IT AND PERHAPS VOTE YES. I WOULD ASK FOR FLOOR AMENDMENT FOUR TO BE MOVED. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND ON FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER FOUR? THERE'S A SECOND BY VICE PRESIDENT CHAMPINE. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENT? COUNCILOR ROGERS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS. IF THIS AMENDMENT PASSED AND THE BILL PASSED, THEN WE WOULD BE BEGIN TO COLLECT THE GUARANTEE JULY 1 AND THEN IF THE VOTERS SAY NO IN NOVEMBER WOULD WE RETURN THE MONEY TO THEM? >>COUN. GROUT: MADAM PRESIDENT, CAN SOMEONE FROM COUNCIL SERVICES ANSWER THAT QUESTION PLEASE? >>COUN. PEÑA: ABSOLUTELY. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS NO. THIS AMENDMENT WOULD FORCE THE CITY TO HAVE AN ELECTION AT THE NEXT ELECTION TO ASK THE VOTERS TO APPROVE THE TAX AT WHICH POINT IF PASSED WE WOULD COLLECT JULY 1st, 2027. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. JUST A FOLLOW-UP. I UNDERSTOOD FROM COUNCILOR BASSAN'S OPENING THERE'S A MARCH 31st DEADLINE SO WE CAN BEGIN TO CHARGE IT IN JULY. CAN YOU HELP ME EXPLAIN THAT? MARCH 31st DEADLINE FOR US TO DO THIS. IF WE DIDN'T PASS THIS, THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT A YEAR. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR ROGERS, THAT'S CORRECT. THIS WOULD DELAY THE COLLECTION FOR 15 MONTHS. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU. [ INAUDIBLE ]. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: COUNCILOR BACA, GO AHEAD. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MR. VICE PRESIDENT. WHILE I APPRECIATE THIS BEING SENT TO THE VOTERS. LAST YEAR WHEN I RAN I REQUESTED -- IN THIS CASE IT'S ACTUALLY [ INAUDIBLE ]. -- TO PAY FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S SALARIES. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET ANYTHING IN RETURN. IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET A SCHOOL OUT OF IT OR QUALITY OF LIFE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LOVE THE BIO PARK. PEOPLE LOVE OPEN SPACE. PEOPLE RECEIVE SOMETHING FOR THAT INCREASE WAY BACK. IN THIS CASE WE TAKE THAT AWAY FROM PEOPLE. WE ASK PEOPLE TO PAY FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S SALARY. AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THAT SALARY INCREASE TO PAY FOR THE INCREASE. I THINK THIS IS A VERY BAD PRECEDENT IN THAT SENSE. I DON'T HAVE SUPPORT FOR THIS ONE. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? COUNCILOR GROUT TO CLOSE. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, ALL. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: NO. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: NO. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. THAT MOTION FAILS. >> FAILS ON 2-7. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'RE ON FLOOR AMENDMENT E, WHICH IS FLOOR AMENDMENT FIVE. COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: I'M NOT GOING TO MOVE THIS ONE. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. I THINK THAT -- CONCLUDES AMENDMENT. COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU. I DID HAVE -- THERE'S LIKE SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT AMENDMENTS IN YOUR PACKET. I'M NOT GOING TO INTRODUCE ANY OF THEM. PARTLY BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BE -- I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL. WITHOUT BEING CRITICAL, I THINK A LOT OF HAS BEEN SAID REGARDING THE IMPLICATIONS OF INCREASING THE GRT AND WHAT IT WOULD DO TO OUR ECONOMY, THE FAMILIES, TO SMALL BUSINESSES. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF -- WE DISCUSSED THAT A LOT. WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS REITERATE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THIS. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE SPONSOR AND THE INTENTIONS ARE GOOD. WE WANT TO SEE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR CITY. WE WANT TO BUILD THINGS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PAYING OUR EMPLOYEES WELL. AND MEETING OUR OBLIGATIONS. THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO DO THIS. IT'S NOT FAR-FETCHED. WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE MANY TIMES. BY THE WAY, I'M THE GUY WHEN FOUR YEARS AGO PROPOSED 1/8 DECREASE IN THE GRT TAX. IT FAILED ON 8-1. I THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR WHERE I'M AT ON THIS BILL. THERE'S A SOLUTION TO IT. THE SOLUTION IS THAT WE BUDGET EACH YEAR WITH SOME FISCAL DISCIPLINE. THE SOLUTION IS THAT WE PUT MONEY IN THE FUND RESERVE. AND IF WE WANT TO BOND AGAINST SOME OF IT, WE CAN DO THAT. IF WE WANT TO USE IT FOR RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES, WE CAN DO THAT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR TO THE GREAT WORKERS WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT AND ALL ACROSS OUR CITY, BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED TO BE TRUTHFUL WITH YOU ALL AS WELL. THAT IS THAT YOUR MONEY HAS BEEN HERE. YOUR MONEY EACH YEAR HAS BEEN HERE ALL ALONG. AND WE COULD HAVE PAID FOR ALL OF THE RAISES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND PAID FOR OUR WORKERS REALLY WELL. IT STARTS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSING A BUDGET -- A $1.5 BILLION BUDGET EVERY YEAR THAT DOESN'T JUST SPEND EVERY PENNY OF IT. IN FACT, THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A -- WE'RE PROJECTING A 3.8% INCREASE ATO OUR BUDGET OF $1.5 BILLION. A 3.8% INCREASE IS $57 MILLION. THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS $57 MILLION PROJECTED IN 2027 OVER THIS CURRENT YEAR. WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO -- AGAIN, I THINK THEY'RE MAKING STRIDES. THIS IS NOT TO HARASS THE ADMINISTRATION. BUT I HOPE THEY'RE MAKING SOME STRIDES IN THIS DIRECTION. IF THEY PUT $20 MILLION IN THE FUND BALANCE, WE PUT $10 MILLION OR $20 MILLION TOWARD OUR WAGES, TOWARD OUR EMPLOYEES, AND WE BONDED SOME OF IT, YOU DO THAT EVERY YEAR AND WE HAVE ALL THE CAPITAL PROJECTS WE NEED TO PAY FOR ROADWAYS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. BUT THE FACT IS -- I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO HEAR THIS. THIS ADMINISTRATION IS ALREADY SPENT YOUR RAISES. THIS ADMINISTRATION ALREADY SPENDS YOUR WAGES, YOUR INCREASES EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THIS YEAR, HOPEFULLY THEY WON'T, BUT THEY PROPOSE BUDGETS WITH THIS NEW $57 MILLION IN OUR 3.8% INCREASE, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO GIVE US A BUDGET THAT SPENDS EVERY BIT OF IT. AND IT'S UP TO THIS COUNCIL TO BE ABLE TO PLAY WITH A LITTLE BIT WE HAVE RESERVES TO BE ABLE TO REPRIORITIZE THINGS. THEY ALREADY PRIORITIZED IT. WE'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST WHERE WE PUT $50 MILLION ASIDE IN THE FUND BALANCES. BONDED AGAINST PART OF IT. THAT'S HOW WE PAID FOR $500 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THERE'S A WAY TO DO IT. IT TAKES FISCAL DISCIPLINE. IT JUST SIMPLY TAKES CHANGING SOME PRIORITIES. I THINK WE HAVE TO ASK -- DOES ALBUQUERQUE CITY GOVERNMENT, IS IT AFFORDABLE? AND DOES IT GIVE A GOOD RETURN ON OUR TAX DOLLARS. I WOULD ANSWER NO TO BOTH. I'M NOT GOING TO INTRODUCE THESE AMENDMENTS. I OPPOSE THE BILL. BUT, AGAIN, THIS ISN'T ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING OR TRYING TO WIN AN ARGUMENT. THIS IS ABOUT OFFERING OTHER SOLUTIONS. IT'S ABOUT HOPEFULLY MAKING THE CONVERSATION BETTER. AND ULTIMATELY COMING UP WITH SOMETHING THAT'S BETTER FOR ALBUQUERQUE. I THINK I'VE ARTICULATED THAT. WHETHER THAT HAPPENS OR NOT, I HOPE IT DOES. FOUR YEARS AGO IT WAS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY TO LOWER THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX BY 1/8 PERCENT. SOMEHOW IT'S THE IN THING NATIONALLY TO -- WE NEED TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE NATIONALLY, BUT IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE MAYBE IT DOESN'T MATTER AS MUCH. I'M NOT SAYING THAT BECAUSE OF THIS BILL. I'M SAYING THAT BECAUSE I'M THE ONE TRYING TO LOWER OF COST OF GOVERNMENT OVER PERIOD OF TIME AND MAKE SURE WE'RE PRIORITIZING THE RIGHT THINGS. THAT INCLUDES OUR CITY WORKS. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR TELLES. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY WITH THE AMENDMENTS, EVEN WITH THE AMENDMENTS, I DON'T THINK WE -- WE'RE MISSING THE POINT HERE. THIS ISN'T A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THE CITY HAS NEEDS BECAUSE WE DO. THIS ISN'T A QUESTION ABOUT IF PASSING A TAX IS THE ANSWER BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE. BUT THE QUESTION AND THIS IS WEIRD BECAUSE I THINK I'M AGREEING WITH COUNCILOR LEWIS FOR ONCE, THAT WE NEED TO GET A HOLD OF OUR BUDGET. AND AS FID -- FIDUCIARIES, WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY. OUR DUTY IS TO ASK WHETHER THE EXISTING RESOURCES WE HAVE ARE BEING MANAGED WELL AND WHETHER ALTERNATIVES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED. WHETHER REALLOCATIONS ARE POSSIBLE. WHETHER THE NORMAL BUDGET PROCESS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. AND I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, AT A MINIMUM, A NEW TAX SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED BEFORE WE COMPLETE A FISCAL YEAR 27 BUDGET PROCESS AND WE HAVE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. WE NEED BETTER EVIDENCE-BASED BUDGETING PROCESS. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW. I AM JUST LOOKING AT OUR AUDIT FOR FY25. WE HAVE GROSS DOLLAR VALUE OF QUANTIFIABLE DEFICIENCIES OF $87.2 MILLION. I DON'T WANT TO BE MISLEADING. THAT'S NOT SAYING WE'VE LOST $87.2 MILLION. BUT WE HAVE -- THERE'S RECLASSIFICATIONS, THERE'S OVERSTATEMENTS, THERE'S UNDERSTATEMENTS. THERE'S PRESENTATION ERRORS. WE HAD A $65 MILLION RESTATEMENT. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER WE HAVE MONEY OR NOT. IT'S WHAT HAVE WE SPENT AND WHAT'S COMMITTED AND HOW WELL ARE WE USING IT? IF WE DON'T KNOW THAT, THEN EVERY BUDGET WE MAKE IS BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS AND UNCERTAINTY. WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR BUDGET PROCESS. AND I HAVE SOME MAJOR ISSUES WITH OUR BUDGET PROCESS RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE SEVERAL RECURRING OPERATIONAL COSTS THAT ARE APPROPRIATED USING NON-RECURRING FUNDS. THAT IS INSANE THAT WE ARE NOT UTILIZING PUBLIC FINANCE RULES AND STATE BUDGETING GUIDANCE. EVEN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DIVISION AT DFA PROVIDES GUIDANCE NOT TO BUDGET RECURRING COSTS FROM NON-RECURRING REVENUES. THAT'S THE GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE. WE DON'T HAVE AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROCESS WHERE WE'RE TRYING ACTUAL OBJECTIVE OUTCOMES TO THE BUDGET BEING APPROPRIATED AND EXPENDED. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE MONEY OR WE DO HAVE MONEY. AND OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT SAYS WE CAN USE MORE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE HOW WE HAVE BEEN USING IT. THERE ARE NO OUTCOMES TIED TO OUR BUDGET. WE COLLECT GOOD DATA. WE TIE IT TO OUR OBJECTIVES AND MISSION AND VISION. BUT WE DON'T ANSWER THE NEXT QUESTION. THAT QUESTION IS, IS IT TIED TO OUTCOMES? IS IT MAKING OUR CITY BETTER OR NOT? THAT'S THE QUESTION WE JUST DO NOT HAVE ANSWERS TO. AND AS A FIDUCIARY, I CAN'T VOTE FOR ANY SORT OF TAX INCREASE UNTIL WE'VE LOOKED AT ALTERNATIVES. AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND NO ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVES WERE REVIEWED. WE DIDN'T LOOK TO SEE IF WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLAWBACKS ON TAX ABATEMENTS. WE DIDN'T LOOK TO SEE WHAT -- HOW MANY DOLLARS ARE BEING FOREGONE BECAUSE WE NOT COLLECTING ON ANY SORT OF FRANCHISE FEES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE DON'T BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COLLECTING THAT INFORMATION AND WE'RE NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS THAT WE -- WE'RE NOT ANSWERING THOSE QUESTION. HOPEFULLY WE CAN DO THAT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. I CANNOT VOTE FOR THIS. ESPECIALLY, READ THE ROOM, PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING. WE ARE STRUGGLING. AND WE JUST CANNOT IN ALL GOOD FAITH RAISE THIS. EVEN WITH THE AMENDMENTS. BECAUSE WE'RE MISSING THE BIGGER PICTURE. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. JUST A FEW THOUGHTS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THAT I PUT UP MY AMENDMENTS ON THE ONEDRIVE FOR COUNCILORS TO SEE LAST WEEK AS SOON AS I HAD THEM PREPARED. THIS IS NOT A SURPRISE OR GOTCHA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I ALSO SHARED THESE AMENDMENTS AND MY INTENT WITH EVERY CONSTITUENT THAT REACHED OUT TO ME. THIS HAS BEEN OUT THERE. WHILE I'LL SAY I WASN'T GOING FOR A SURPRISE GOTCHA, THERE ARE SOME SURPRISES HERE. WE GOT A BILL THAT HAD NO DETAILS, AND WE GOT A BILL ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON THAT HAD LOTS OF DETAILS THAT WILL NOT ME HEARD TONIGHT. THAT'S PRETTY BIG SURPRISE. I'M ALSO TOLD THERE IS A SPREADSHEET LISTS ALL THE PROJECT WITH THIS. I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER COUNCILORS HAVE. THAT'S A BIG SURPRISE WELL. I WILL SAY I AGREE WITH COUNCILOR TELLES THAT WE DO HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO MAKE SURE WE DO THE BEST JOB WE CAN WITH BUDGETING. I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL FOR FOUR YEARS AND WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. I USE THIS EXAMPLE NOT AS THE BE ALL END-ALL, I REMEMBER JUST TRYING TO TAKE $800,000 FOR RESURFACING OF A PARKING LOT FROM APD, NO. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING WE CAN TOUCH. AND UNTIL WE START TAKING A BIGGER LOOK AT HOW FUNDS ARE NEEDED AND HOW THEY'RE USED, WE CAN'T JUST SAY LET'S FIND THE WASTE. WE ALL KNOW WHERE THE WASTE IS. THIS BODY NOR THE MAYOR IS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT WASTE. GIVEN THAT'S THE SITUATION WE'RE IN AND I'M CONVINCED AFTER FOUR YEARS OF COW CHAIRS TRYING TO GET THE CHANGES, THAT IS NOT THE OPTION FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE RIGHT NOW. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT IN THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS RELEASED ON FRIDAY THAT YOU'LL HEAR AT SOME LATER POINT, IT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO GET RID OF FEES. AND I'M VERY CONFUSED BY THAT. WHY WOULD WE REDUCE REVENUE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE AND RAISE REVENUE ON THE BACKS OF LOW INCOME PEOPLE? THAT MAKES ZERO SENSE TO ME. THAT ALONE WOULD MAKE THE OTHER BILLS, NOT THE ONE TONIGHT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SAY THAT IN THE ONE TONIGHT, IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING FOR THE ONE TONIGHT, EXCEPT INTEREST -- FOR THE AMENDMENTS PASSED. THE VOTES TONIGHT WILL TELL YOU A LOT. I THINK THERE'S SOME FOLKS VOTING NO OR YES ON PRINCIPLE. YOU CAN TELL WHO THOSE ARE. I WILL SAY I DON'T WANT TO PAY STAFF MORE TO GET SOMETHING. I'M JUST GOING TO VOTE TO PAY STAFF MORE. THANKS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> FIRST UP IS JANET FOLLOWED BY MARIAH FOLLOWED BY SHAUN. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OFPT -- OF THE COUNCIL. THE LATEST I STAYED HERE AS A CITY EMPLOYEE WAS MIDNIGHT. THAT WAS BACK IN THE 1980s. I WAS PREPARED -- I MEAN -- TO SUPPORT THE TAX. THE LAST SWIMMING POOL WAS WHEN I WAS A CITY EMPLOYEE. 1995. WEST MESA AQUATIC CENTER. PEOPLE IN THE 1970s EARLY 80s WHO THOUGHT WE WERE NUTS TO BE BUYING OPEN SPACE. WHY ARE YOU BUYING THE WEST MESA? WHY ARE YOU BUYING THE VOLCANOS? BUT THERE'S A GROUP OF COMMUNITY PEOPLE THAT PRESSED AND PRESSED AND NOW WE HAVE THIS FABULOUS OPEN SPACE SYSTEM. I APPRECIATE THE DEBATE. I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU NINE PEOPLE, NINE VERY DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND ENERGY THAT YOU SPEND. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >> MARIAH FOLLOW BY SHAUN FOLLOWED BY RAY. SHAUN FOLLOWED BY RAY FOLLOWED BY DAUNTE. RAY FOLLOWED BY DAUNTE FOLLOWED BY JACOB. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO VOTE AGAINST O-26-16. TO RAISE GRT RATES. LET'S BE CLEAR. TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF PAYING OUR HARDWORKING CITY WORKERS MORE. I'M ALSO TOTALLY IN FAVOR OF GROWING OUR CITY WITH CAPITAL. BUT WE NEED TO DO IT IN A REAL WAY. YOU'RE ASKING THEM TO TAKE A PAY RAISE AND GIVE MOST OF IT BACK TO YOU. THAT'S LIKE OFFERING SOMEONE A TAMALE BUT EATING HALF OF IT BEFORE YOU GIVE IT TO THEM. WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING GROSS RECEIPTS TAXES, MOST MUNICIPALIIES HAVE FOUND WHAT IT DOES IS INCREASING GROSS RECEIPTS TAXES STIFLES SPENDING RATHER THAN INCREASING IT, SO IT REDUCES REVENUES RATHER THAN INCREASING THEM. UNLESS YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE. IT'S LIKE WHEN I WAS A KID AND MY SISTER WAS BORN AND WE NEEDED MORE MILK, WE COULDN'T GET THE COW TO GIVE US MORE MILK, WE NEEDED AN ANOTHER COW. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO RAISE THE TAXES TO PAY THE REVENUE. >> DAUNTE FOLLOWED BY JOCKB FOLLOWED BY GERALDO. JACOB FOLLOWED BY G ERK RALDO FOLLOWED BY PAUL. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS. YOU ARE CORRECT. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES LEAVING BY DROVES. WE HAVE A REVOLVING DOOR. WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT WAS THREE YEARS EXPERIENCE TO GET A JOB. WE'RE NOW HIRING PEOPLE WHO HAVE TWO MONTHS EXPERIENCE. WE'RE DOING 70 HOURS A WEEK IN OVERTIME. GUYS WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. I HOPE THAT THIS BILL DOES PASS. I'M FOR IT. I HOPE YOU INVEST IN CITY EMPLOYEES. BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE INVESTING IN DAMAGE. YOU'RE INVESTING IN LAWSUIT. IT TAKES SOMEONE OF SKILL TO DO THIS JOB. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE HURTING. I DO SUPPORT THIS BILL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GERALDO FOLLOWED BY PAUL FOLLOWED BY ROBERTA. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M AN ALTERNATIVE HEALTH DR. AND MINISTER. LAST MONTH WE FINISHED A LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN SANTA FE WHERE WE HAD ISSUES WITH THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AND REFORMING MEDICAL MALPRACTICE OF THAT BAD PRACTICE LAWS TO REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS FOR PROVIDERS. AS A BUSINESS OWNER BY PASSING THIS 21% GRT TAX HIKE IN ALBUQUERQUE AFFECTS OUR CONSTITUENT AND TAXPAYER WALLET. IF WE EAT OR SHOP OR USE ALBUQUERQUE BUSINESSES OR STOP FOR GAS. THIS WILL RAISE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND LIVING IN ALBUQUERQUE. NEW MEXICO FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH RISING COSTS AND CANNOT AFFORD A TAX INCREASE. DON'T WE HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES? THAT'S SAID, I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON ININCREASE AND MAY GOD GIVE YOU WISDOM TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY VOTING NO ON THE PROPOSED TAX INCREASE. >> PAUL FOLLOWED BY ROBERTA. FOLLOWED BY DENNIS. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCILORS, I'M A LONGTIME ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENT AND I WORK FOR AMERICANS WITH PROSPERITY A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR LESS TAXES AND LESS GOVERNMENT. WE AT AFP URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE GROSS RESOOTS TAX INCREASE. THE GRT TAX IS ARE REGRESSIVE TAX THAT HURTS LOW INCOME FAMILIES THE MOST AT A TIME WHEN MANY NEW MEXICANS FACE AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, INCREASING TAXES ON GOODS AND SERVICES IS THE WRONG APPROACH. THIS PROPOSAL ALSO COMES AT DIFFICULT TIMES. WE JUST COME OUT OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHERE VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES INCREASED BY 25% AND RESIDENTS ARE DEALING WITH RISING GAS PRICES AND HIGHER COSTS. ALBUQUERQUE'S FAMILIES ARE BEING ASKED TO DO MORE WITH LESS. MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALBUQUERQUE FAMILIES DON'T NEED ANOTHER TAX INCREASE. THEY NEED TAX RELIEF. THANK YOU. >> DENNIS FOLLOWED BY LEWIS FOLLOWED BY AUGUSTINE. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCILORS, DO NOT RAISE THE TAXES ON ALBUQUERQUE BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE. THIS PROPOSED TAX IS ON THE POOREST OF THE POOR IN ALBUQUERQUE. WE GOT PLENTY OF THEM. I BELIEVE WITH COUNCILOR LEWIS THAT THIS IS JUST MISMANAGED MONEY. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MANAGE OUR MONEY PROPERLY. I'VE GOT ABOUT 50 YEARS OF MANAGED -- MANAGING MY BUDGET THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN BLACK. WE CAN DO IT HERE. >> LEWIS -- FOLLOW BY JOEL. >> GOOD EVENING, CHAIR, COUNCIL. I'M THE PRESIDENT FOR LOCAL 624. I CAME WITH MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS FROM MANY CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT INCLUDE STREET MAINTENANCE SENIOR AFFAIRS PARK AND RECK AND SOLID WASTE AND TRANSIT AND BUILD MAINTENANCE. MANY OTHERS. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU PASS THIS BILL, 26-16, IT WILL HELP WITH THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES OVER THE YEARS AND HELP WITH EMPLOYEE RETENTION. BRING IN MUCH NEEDED STAFFING AND SUPPORT THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING HARD EVERY DAY TO MAKE A LIVING WAGE. THANK YOU. >> AUGUSTINE FOLLOWED BY JOEL FOLLOWED BY LARRY. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM A 20-YEAR EMPLOYEE, PRESIDENT OF THE M-SERIES UNION. AS A CITY EMPLOYEE, CLASS AND COMP HAS PUT ME AND OTHERS LIKE ME AT A DISADVANTAGE. I WAS AT A STEP TWO FOR MOST OF THE TIME. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING AND HELPING US OUT. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL BECAUSE WE DO NEED PAY EQUITY. WE SHOW UP EVERY DAY. WE WORK FOR YOU GUYS. YOU GUYS GO TO THE ART MUSEUM, THE PARKS, YOUR TRASH GETS PICKED UP. WE'RE THE GUYS THAT MAKE THIS HAPPEN. WHEN YOU INVEST IN US, YOU INVEST IN YOURSELVES. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, I'M A REP WITH OUR UNION WITHIN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. I'M BLOWN AWAY THAT WE HAD A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT IS LITTLE BY LITTLE TAKEN APART TONIGHT. THE INCREASE THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM WOULD HAVE COST A LESS THAN A NICKEL FOR EVERY TEN DOLLARS A PERSON SPENT WHICH HAS BEEN BROUGHT DOWN BY 80%. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COUPLE OF CENTS FOR EVERY TEN DOLLARS. YET WE HAVE COUNCILORS THAT ARE SITTING ON THE SIDELINES ON THIS. THIS MONEY WOULD HAVE PROVIDED A LIFELEN FOR THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE HERE. IT WOULD HAVE HELPED FUND THE CLASS AND COMP STUDY THIS COUNCIL SUPPORTED FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS. I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY. THIS IS THE REALITY. THE CITY HAS BEEN OPERATING BY PAYING OUR WORKERS LESS THAN MARKET VALUE FOR THE LAST WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. THAT'S WAGE THEFT. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. EVEN AT ITS FULL IMPLEMENTATION WE WOULD HAVE HAD EMPLOYEES AT 25% OF THE MARKET. 75% WOULD BE MAKING MORE. WE'RE ASKING TO FIX THE BROKEN PAY STRUCTURE. IT'S SAD I'VE SEEN THE PROGRESSIVE WING SAKE THE SAME POSITION AS RIO GRANDE AND AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY. THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING US TO DO BEFORE THEY'RE WILLING TO PASS ANYTHING. I ASK PEOPLE TO PLEASE ARE RECONSIDER. OUR EMPLOYEES NEED HELP. THANK YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT. I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU, SIR. I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH YOU ABOUT THIS INCREASE. >> YES, MA'AM. >>COUN. BASSAN: WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT MY BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT A TAX INCREASE? >> IT WOULD REQUIRE THE BIG PICTURE YOU'RE ASKING. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. BECAUSE I REALLY WAS SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO DO $56 MILLION IN EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. BUT IT CAN'T JUST BE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION. IT ALSO HAS TO BE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT I'M WAITING TO DELIVER. IT DOES HAVE TO BE THAT PACKAGE. I APOLOGIZE TO YOU I WASN'T ABLE TO DELIVER THAT TO YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. IT'S UNFORTUNATE. THE PEOPLE PAYING THE PRICE IS THE EMPLOYEES HERE THAT EVERYBODY IS PROFESSING TO CARE ABOUT. YOU WOULD THINK SOMETHING WOULD BE DONE TO HELP FIX WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH. THANK YOU. -- THE COMPENSATION FOR SOLID WASTE AND DRIVERS AND EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH INCREASE. THE WORK WE DO IS PHYSICAL AND DEMANDING AND REQUIRES US TO WORK IN ALL TYPES OF WEATHER AND ENSURING OUR CITY RUNS SMOOTH. SOLID WASTE SERVICES ARE A CRITICAL PART OF KEEP OUR CITY SAFE AND HEALTHY. EVERY DAY OUR DRIVERS ARE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY COLLECTING WASTE AND KEEPING THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC SPACES CLEAN. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE THAT MANY PEOPLE DEPEND ON, EVEN IF SOMETIMES IT GOES UNNOTICED. IT WOULD RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK THAT WE DO AND ENSURE THE EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBILITY FOR KEEPING THE CITY CLEAN OR FAIRLY COMPENSATED. THANK YOU. >> PHILIP FOLLOWED BY CHRIS. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM ONE OF THE SENIOR KEEPERS AT THE ALBUQUERQUE BIO PARK. I HAVE BEEN WORKING THERE FOR A DECADE NOW. AND 80% OF THAT TIME WE HAVE BEEN CRITICALLY UNDERSTAFFED. HAVING TO DO THE JOBS OF TWO TO THREE PEOPLE. MOST OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE WITH STAFFING IS DUE TO PAY. WE LOSE TEAM TO OTHER ZOOS OR LEFT THE FIELD COMPLETELY. I WANTED TO BE A ZOO KEEPER SINCE I WAS A KID. I TELL YOU THAT IF GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM'S CHILD CARE SYSTEM WAS NOT IN PLACE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ME AND MY WIFE WOULD DO. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT PART YOU LIVE IN, OUR TRASH NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OUT AND OUR CHILDREN NEED PLACES AND FUN THINGS. NONE OF THAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE TO STAFF THOSE. THANK YOU. >> BERNADETTE FOLLOWED BY CHRIS FOLLOWED BY CHRISTY. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I SERVE THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AS BE KEEPER AT BIO PARK. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE GRT INCREASE. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE DEDICATED AND UNDERSTAFFED BIOPARK ANIMAL CARE STAFF. WE LOVE WHAT WE DO. BUT THERE'S UNDERAPPRECIATION FOR THE CURRENT WORKLOADS REPRESENTED IN THE WAGES REFLECTED IN THE COMP STUDY. IN ADDITION TO BEING ANIMAL CARE PROFESSIONAL WRBZ WE'RE SAFETY OFFICERS, TRAINED RESPONDERS FOR ACTIVE SHOOTERS, BOMB THREATS, MEDICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND, CROWD CONTROL AND TRAINED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO FIGHT FIRES WITHIN THE BIO PARK AND BOSQUE. OUR PAY RAISE SHOULD REFLECT THE SKILL THAT THE CITY DEMANDS OF US. WE SUPPORT THE REQUEST FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND PAY RAISE THAT ALIGNS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS THE CITY REQUIRES FROM US. >> CHRIS, FOLLOWED BY CHRIS, FOLLOWED BY TAD. TAD FOLLOWED BY DEBBIE. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I OPPOSE THE PROPOSED GROSS RECEIPTS TAX INCREASE IN ALBUQUERQUE. RAISING THE GRT WOULD BURDEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND LOW INCOME RESIDENTS ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH THE COST OF LIVING. A HIGHER TAX RATE RISKS STIFLING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DISCOURAGING NEW INVESTMENT IN THE CITY. WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF THE EXISTING RESOURCES WE ALREADY HAVE. OVER THE INCREASED TAX ON OUR CITIZENS. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE GRT TAX. THANK YOU. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: I THINK HE'S PASSING. TAD, DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK? PASS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. VICE PRESIDENT. DEBBIE FOLLOWED BY JOHN FOLLOWED BY JOHN. JOHN FOLLOWED BY JOHN FOLLOWED BY WARD. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM A 76-YEAR-OLD RETIREE IN A MOBILE HOME. AND HAVE LIVED IN ALBUQUERQUE FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS. MY PURPOSE IS TO VOTE NO ON THIS GRT. I AGREE WITH THE -- MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE STEPPED UP WITH WHAT WE HAVE. AND LEARN TO JUST MAKE IT -- THINGS WORK WITH WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE. NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO PAY FOR THINGS THEY CAN'T. I LIVE IN A TRAILER PARK. AND WE'RE STRETCHED OUT TO THE LIMIT ALREADY. I JUST ASK THAT YOU FIRMLY CONSIDER THE LITTLE GUY. I'M THE LITTLE GUY. I'M AN OLD GUY. I CAN'T AFFORD ANY MORE TAXES. PLEASE. VOTE NO ON GRT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JOHN FOLLOWED BY WARD, FOLLOWED BY BEN. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT. DISTINGUISHED GUESTS. I'M JOHN. AND I SOME SPEAKING TO YOUED ABOUT NOT VOTING FOR THE GRT. IT'S INFLATIONARY. IT AFFECTS EVERY ASPECT OF EVERYDAY LIFE. WE HAVE MONEY IN THIS STATE. WE'RE ONE OF THE RICHEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY. WITH THE SECOND LARGEST PERMANENT FUND. WITH $14.5 BILLION FROM OIL AND GAS. WE HAD A SURPLUS OF $3.5 BILLION. ASK THE GOVERNOR FOR $40 MILLION AND IT CAN BE DONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WARD FOLLOWED BY BEN FOLLOWED BY JOHN. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I'M SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL TONIGHT. PLEASE VOTE NO ON THE PROPOSED INCREASE ON GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. THIS IS A TAX ON BUSINESSES. IT IS COMMON FOR BUSINESSES TO PASS THIS ON TO CUSTOMERS. THAT IS A REGRESSIVE TAX. THOSE LEAST ABLE TO AFFORDEN ADDITIONAL TAX WILL BE AFFECTED. WHAT ARE THE REAL MOTIVES? I THINK THERE ARE TWO. ONE IS PAYING FOR SWIMMING POOL IN THE ZIP CODE OF THE HIGHEST MEDIAN INCOME IN THE CITY. AND THE -- I JUST WANT TO ADD THE ID, INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT WAITED DECK ABED FOR A LIBRARY. TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SIX YEARS IS IS AN EXAMPLE OF PRIVILEGEDNILITY ENTITLEMENT. THE SECOND IS AN ATTEMPT ON END-AROUND ON A DOWNTOWN PERFORMANCE CENTER THAT SHOULD BE DECIDED BY THE VOTERS OF ALBUQUERQUE. THE FACT THAT CITY EMPLOYEES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO, MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING. >> BEN FOLLOWED BY JOHN FOLLOWED BY LEVI. JOHN FOLLOWED BY LEVI FOLLOWED BY ZACK. LEVI FOLLOWED BY ZACK FOLLOWED BY CATHERINE. ZACK FOLLOWED BY CATHERINE FOLLOWED BY GERALD. CATHERINE FOLLOWED BY GERALD FOLLOWED BY KIEREN. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THE PROPOSED GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. THE GRT IS A REGRESSIVE TAX, MEANING THE POOR ARE TAXED MORE THAN THE WEALTHIER. WE THE ALL BE CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABILITY AND BRINGING DOWN THE COST OF LIVING FOR ALL AMERICANS AND ALL ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENTS. THIS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE TIME TO ENACT TAX INCREASES ON THOSE LEAST ABLE TO AFFORD IT. GAS PRICING IS VERY UNSTABLE AT THIS TIME. MAKING IT HARDER TO BUDGET FOR THE COMMUTE TO WORK. PNM IS ALREADY TELLING US LECKRIC RATES WILL SOAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS MEASURE. >> GERALD FOLLOWED BY KIEREN FOLLOWED BY MAURA. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCILORS, I'M GERALD. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THIS. I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO FOR THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. IT'S NEARLY DOUBLED AND ADDING OVER $500 MILLION OVER EIGHT YEARS. THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE. I APPRECIATE YOUR LISTENING. THANK YOU. >> KIEREN FOLLOWED BY MAURA FOLLOWED BY TODD. MAURA FOLLOWED BY TODD FOLLOWED BY DESMOND. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND CITY COUNCILORS. MY NAME IS MAURA. I HAD THREE REASONS FOR YOU TO VOTE NO AGAINST THE GROSS VOTES TAX INCREASE. MY FIRST WAS THAT IT'S BAD FOR BUSINESS. MY SECOND IS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE FOUND FUNDS IN THE REGULAR BUDGET. NOW, I AM SHOCKED AND APPALLED BY HEARING YOUR CITY WORKERS ASK FOR DECENT PAY. HOW IS THIS NOT PUT IN THE REGULAR BUDGET? OH, GOOD -- OKAY. I'M SORRY FOR THE CITY WORKERS. THIS HAS GOT TO BE ADDRESSED. MY THIRD REASON TO VOTE NO IS THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCE BONDS -- LIKE ASKING SANTA FE TOO. VOTE NO, BUT PAY OUR WORKERS. >> TODD FOLLOWED BY JASMINE. FOLLOWED BY SALLY ON ZOOM. JASMINE FOLLOWED BY SALLY FOLLOWED BY MARSLEN. >> HELLO, MADAM PRESIDENT, HELLO EVERYONE ON THE COUNCIL TONIGHT. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU. THEY TOOK THE TIME TO COME OUT TONIGHT TO HEAR THEIR VOICES AND SEE THEIR FACES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE STRUGGLING. IT'S PUTTING US ON A DIET AND WE'RE ON A VERY DIET RIGHT NOW. AND WE'RE SKINNY. WORKERS ARE WORKING 16-HOUR DAYS. THEY'RE NOT SEEING THEIR FAMILIES TO MAKE ENDS MEET. WE HAVE PEOPLE WORKING FOR $17 AN HOUR. IT'S FRUSTRATING THE MINIMUM IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THEM. FOR THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR TAX ON INCREASE ON THEM TO GET MORE MONEY. YOU GUYS ARE CONSTANTLY PROVING THE BUDGETS BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO IMPROVE WORKERS QUALITY OF WORK AND CONDITIONS. AS PRESIDENT WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB I WILL ADVOCATE. I HOPE IT DOESN'T STOP US FROM BECOMING FIRST RESPONDERS. IF WE'RE HERE AND STRUGGLING AND ASKING AND PLEADING, WE'RE WANTINGIA GUYS TO SUPPORT US. THANK YOU. >> SALLY FOLLOWED BY MARSLEN. >> HI. I LEFT A BOOK CLUB MEETING WHERE A BUNCH OF WOMEN WERE CHATTING ABOUT HOW WE REALLY OPPOSED RAISING THE GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. IT IS DISPROPORTIONATELY GOING TO AFFECT LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN THE CITY. AND I HATE THAT WE'RE BEING PITTED AGAINST CITY WORKERS BECAUSE WE ALSO REALLY WANT OUR CITY WORKERS TO GET A RAISE. ALL OF THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE WE HEARD FROM TODAY DESERVE A RAISE. 100%. I COULDN'T -- I AGREE WITH WHAT COUNCILOR TELLES SAID THAT THERE'S -- THE BUDGET NEEDS A CLOSER LOOK. THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO PAY FOR RAISES FOR THE HARDWORKING PEOPLE OTHER THAN RAISING A TAX THAT'S GOING TO REALLY AFFECT PEOPLE WHO ARE BARELY MAKING IT PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. PLEASE DON'T RAISE THE TAX. THANKS. >> MARSLEN FOLLOWED BY CARLA FOLLOWED BY PAUL. >> I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME. I'M NOT AGAINST PAYING TAXES TO ENSURE SCHOOLS ARE WELL FUNDED. I'M NOT AGAINST PAYING TO HELP PAVE THE STREETS. I'M NOT AGAINST PAYING MORE TO HAVE -- I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IDEA THAT PROGRAMS -- I QUESTION INCREASING EVERYDAY COST ESPECIALLY DURING HARD ECONOMIC TIMES FOR ALL OF US. I QUESTION INCREASING COST FOR SENIORS ON FIXED INCOME. [ INAUDIBLE ]. I QUESTION THIS WHILE WE FUND -- [ INAUDIBLE ]. HIGH EARNERS IN THE CITY. EXPLOIT OUR LABOR CAN PAY THEIR SHARE. WE SHOULD INCREASE WORKER'S ABILITY. HOLDING A WAGE INCREASE HOSTAGE ON SOME OF THE HARDEST WORKING EMPLOYEES TO HAVE A PET PROJECT FUNDED IS DISGUSTING. READ THE ROOM. >> CARLA FOLLOWED BY PAUL. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M LARRY. CARLA HAD TO STEP AWAY. SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE NEW MEXICO BUSINESS COALITION. REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND THOUSANDS OF ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENTS. WE KNOW THOUSANDS HAVE CONTACTED YOU BY EMAIL. WE RECEIVED A COPY OF THAT AS WELL. I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE CANDOR OF SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. ONE ADMITTING THAT THEY CAN'T IMAGINE THIS GROSS VOTES TAX BECAUSE THEY'RE BARELY GETTING BY. ANOTHER ADMITTING IT WON'T REALLY MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THEM. WHAT HAS BEEN DISDISCUSSED IS IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR A REGRESSIVE TAX ON THOSE THAT MAKE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MONEY. THIS IS ABOUT MANAGEMENT. WHILE PROJECTS LIKE SWIMMING POOLS AND CAPITAL AMENITIES MAY BE NICE, THEY'RE NOT WHAT MOST RESIDENTS ARE SAYING AFFECTS THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. WHEN ALBUQUERQUE CITIZENS ARE ASKED ABOUT TOP CONCERNS, THE TOP ISSUES ARE CRIME AND HOMELESSNESS. BEFORE TAXPAYERS ARE ASKED TO PAY MORE, THE CITY SHOULD DEMONSTRATE PROGRESS ON ISSUES RESIDENTS CARE MOST ABOUT. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THIS GRT INCREASE. >> PAUL FOLLOWED BY MATTHEW. >> CITY COUNCILORS, WHERE RUN THE RIO GRANDE FOUNDATION. A POLICY RESEARCH THINK TANK AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION BASED HERE IN NEW MEXICO IN ALBUQUERQUE. I SPECIFICALLY OPPOSE THIS TAX INCREASE BECAUSE THE CITY BUDGET HAS GONE UP SO DRAMATICALLY FROM $750 MILLION TO $1.5 BILLION, NEAR DOUBLING UNDER THE CURRENT MAYOR. IF EMPLOYEE PAY RAISES ARE AN ISSUE, SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, I ENCOURAGE THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY AND ITS TAX MONEY HAS BEEN USED TO BUILD AN OVERPRICED BIKE TRAIL, THE LIKES OF WHICH TYPICALLY COST $500,000 A MILE, INSTEAD IT'S COSTING SEVERAL TIMES MORE THAN THAT. APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION A MILE. THIS AND OTHER WASTEFUL SPENDING NEEDS TO BE BALANCED WHEN WE'RE MAKING BUDGETS. THANK YOU FOR YOU WERE TIME. -- FOR YOUR TIME. >> MATTHEW. >> HI. I'M A CITY EMPLOYEE WITH SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT AND COLLECTIONS. RESIDENTIAL COLLECTIONS. I URGE YOU TO APPROVE THIS BILL. IT'S -- I WAS A CITY EMPLOYEE 15 YEARS AGO. I LEFT FOR THIS SPECIFIC REASON. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PAY. WAY BELOW WHAT I WAS ABLE TO GET IN A PRIVATE SECTOR. IT JUST MADE THAT MORE DIFFERENCE. WE'RE CONSTANTLY PICKING UP TRASH ANDHAMMING WE NEED PAY RAISE FOR ALL OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES. WE NEED TO BRING THEM TO AVERAGE, IF NOT MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO FIND GEORGE. I JUST WANT TO CALL HIS NAME TO SEE IF HE'S IN HOUSE. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE. IT CONCLUDES COMMENT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK BEFORE I SEND IT OVER TO COUNCILOR BASSAN AND COUNCILOR BACA? COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT POSITION TO PUT US IN. I GUESS THAT'S WHY WE'RE ELECTED. I EXPRESSED THIS A COUPLE TIMES TO CONSTITUENTS. IT'S A DELICATE BALANCE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH UP HERE. YOU LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THEY SAY WE NEED IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS. WE NEED, SOME SAY A POOL, SOME SAY LIBRARY, COMMUNITY CENTER. AND IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, I LEARN YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA AND LISTEN AND ADVOCATE. AND YOU SAY, HOW DOES IT GO? THEY TELL YOU, YOU HAVE TO GET PLANS MADE. AND THAT COSTS X-AMOUNT OF DOLLARS. SOMETIMES A TENTH OF WHAT THE PROJECT COSTS. $150,000 TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM. AND COME BACK AND SAY IT'S GOING TO COST $1.5 MILLION. YOU SAY, OKAY, I'LL GET THE MONEY. YOU GET $1.5 MILLION AND IT TAKES YOU 10 MONTHS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GO TO SANTA FE AND TALK DURING BUDGET. AND YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND SAY I GOT MY MONEY. AND NOW IT'S 1.7 BECAUSE IT TOOK YOU TEN MONTHS. THEN YOU KEEP GOING AND YOU CHASE THEIR CARROT. IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW DO WE STOP THAT? HOW DO WE GENERATE MONEY TO START PLAN AND SAY WE HAVE THE MONEY NOW START IT NOW. DO YOU SAVE? DO YOU RAISE TAXES? ON THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT, WE TALK ABOUT -- THIS IS A DIFFICULT PART WHEN I READ THIS. HERE WE ARE MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MEETINGS TALK ABOUT HOW OUR FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE IT BY. WE NEED ASSISTANCE FOR IF LIVING AND FOOD AND GUARANTEED INCOME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD A GOOD CAR. WE DEVELOP THESE PROGRAMS OF THE NEED OF THE PUBLIC. AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO SAY RAISE THE TAXES IN ORDER TO DO THOSE THINGS LIKE A LIBRARY OR ROADS AND STUFF LIKE THAT TO GET AHEAD OF THE GAME. WE DIDN'T LOOK INTERNALLY FIRST. THAT WASN'T A PART OF IT. LOOK AT THE BUDGET. SINCE BEING HERE I'VE BEEN A PART OF TWO BUDGETS. IT'S A THIRD THIS YEAR. I LEARNED IS THE DEMONSTRATION BRINGS DOWN THIS BUDGET. AND SAYS HERE'S WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS SAY IT'S GOING TO COST. IT INCREASED 64% IN THE LAST DECADE. $925 MILLION TO 1.5. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES ARE HALF OF THAT PAY. WELL, OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE INCREASED 73% IN THAT SAME TIME PERIOD. HOW DO YOU GET AHEAD OF THE GAME AND SAY WE CAN DO PROJECTS? WITHOUT FIRST LOOKING INTERNALLY AND SAY HOW DO WE CUT BUDGET? ANY HOUSEHOLD DOES THAT. IA YOU GET X-AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, AND WE CAN'T AFFORD CABLE. WE NEED TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY FOR THE EMPLOYEES. WHEN THE BUDGET COMES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION WE'RE MESSING WITH 1-2%. THIS BUDGET OF $1.5 BILL I KNOW BRNG BASED ON THE CONVERSATION OF WE'RE GOING TO FUND THIS OR CUT THIS. BUT YOU NEED TO CUT, WE COME IN AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US NINE TO MANIPULATE THAT. SO DIFFICULT IT'S MANIPULATED 2%. WHEN WE'RE FRUSTRATED THAT EMPLOYEES -- WHICH I WAS ONE FOR 22 YEARS AND ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR A RAISE BECAUSE I GOT MORE MONEY. MY FELLOW OFFICERS GOT MORE MONEY. THAT IS WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO US AT THAT TIME. NOW YOU'RE ELEVATED TO A MORE RESPONSIBLE LEVEL TO SAY WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS LOOKING INWARD. I THINK I'M AT EIGHT MINUTES. FIRST, WE'VE CUT SO MUCH BUT WE NEED HELP. MAYBE A TAX INCREASE WOULD BE PALLETABLE IF WE LOOKED INTERNALLY AND SAID WE CUT SO MUCH BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE WORKING OVERTIME AND WORKING SIX DAYS A WEEK. IT'S DIFFICULT TO INCREASE TAXES ON PEOPLE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW WITHOUT TRIMMING WITHIN OURSELVES RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? COUNCILOR TELLES. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, AS IT WAS WRITTEN, IT DIDN'T FUND RAISES. IT ONLY FUNDED THE POSSIBILITY THAT WAGES MIGHT BE DISCUSSED. THAT'S WHAT IT DID. AND WE SHOULD NOT BE PROPOSING A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX TO COVER WAGES. WE SHOULD BE MAKING EMPLOYEE WAGES BINDING THROUGH A BUDGET RIDER OR DIRECT BUDGET APPROPRIATION OR WHATEVER THAT IS. YOU DO DESERVE IT. I DO DISAGREE WITH COUNCILOR BACA WHO EARLIER SAID PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO PAY TAXES THAT GIVES RAISES TO OTHERS AND GET NOTHING OUT OF IT. THE FACT IS WE GET A LOT OF IT. WE GET SO MUCH OUT OF IT. WE GET SERVICES PERFORMED BY PEOPLE WHO DESERVE WAGES THAT SHOW THEIR VALUE AND THAT ARE PROMISED TO THEM. AND THAT ARE BINDING. I ALSO THINK IT'S VERY, VERY CRITICAL BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST THE ADMINISTRATION THAT NEEDS TO GET AHOLD OF A PROBLEMATIC BUDGET. IT'S ALSO THIS COUNCIL. BECAUSE WE HAVE BROUGHT FORWARD SEVERAL PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO DIRECTLY ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY IN THIS CITY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND EACH ONE OF THOSE ITEMS HAS ALSO BEEN KILLED. SO, THIS ISN'T A YOUR FAULT-MY FAULT, IT'S ALL OF US. WE NEED TO RECONCILE THAT AND ACT LIKE WE GIVE A DAMN AND DO OUR JOBS UP HERE. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? I WILL MAKE A FEW COMMENTS. I JUST WANT TO THANK COUNCILOR BACA AND COUNCILOR BASSAN. YES NON-PARTISAN. I WAS EXCITED AT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS. JUST TO PASS -- I'VE BEEN ON COUNCIL -- I THINK I'M THE LONGEST SERVING COUNCILOR HERE. GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET CYCLE, I'VE BEEN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE CHAIR. A COUPLE TIMES. KIND OF WHAT COUNCILOR CHAMPINE IS DESCRIBING. YOU HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT SAY YOU HAVEN'T DONE THIS AND DONE THAT. IT TAKES SO LONG TO BE ABLE TO GET MONEY TO PROJECTS IN DISTRICTS. I THINK IT TAKES EVEN LONGER FOR DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED BECAUSE WE'RE ALREADY BEHIND. WE WALKED INTO THE OFFICE AND WE'RE BEHIND. AND WHOEVER PROCEEDS ME WILL BE BEHIND. I LOOKED AT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY. TWO THINGS. ONE, SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, NO MATTER WHAT ANY ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN BEFORE ME, THEY SEND DOWN A BUDGET AND I SEND DOWN AN ADDITIONAL INCREASE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. I AM -- AFTER BEING HERE 12 YEARS, I AM TIRED OF THE 1%, 2% HALF-PERCENT PERCENTAGE. TAKEAWAY REOCCURRING. I LOOKED AT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A REAL GAME CHANGER FOR US IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE TO REALLY BE ABLE TO GET THEM UP TO PAR AND TO ACTUALLY ADD MORE TO THAT. AND LOOKING AT PROJECTS IN DISTRICTS. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT COUNCILOR BACA AND COUNCILOR BASSAN REALLY WANTED TO DISTRIBUTE IT EQUALLY. YOU KNOW, WITH NINE COUNCILORS AND THE MAYOR, OVER THE YEARS, DISPROPORTIONATELY SOME COUNCIL DISTRICTS GET MORE MONEY. SOMETIMES LOT OF THE MONEY, EVEN IF YOU COUNTED NOT WITH EQUITY AS PART OF THEQUATION, BUT IF YOU COUNT IT OUT WITH THE COUNCILORS AND THE AMOUNT OF THE COUNCILORS ON THE EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE. THE EAST SIDE OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE GETS MORE RESOURCES AND MORE CAPITAL TO THE DISTRICTS. LOOKING AT THIS AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE A -- SOME RESOURCES TO BE A GAME CHANGER IN THE COMMUNITY. I LOOK AT WE NEED A MULTI-GEN CENTER. IT'S GOING TO BE FOREVER. WHOEVER COMES IN AFTER ME IS GOING TO BE -- IT'S GOING TO BE FOREVER. IT TAKES TIME. AND THE PROJECTS -- THE AMOUNT OF THE PROJECTS ALWAYS, AS VICE PRESIDENT DESCRIBED, IT'S ALWAYS A MOVING TARGET. YOU TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE AND YOU FINALLY GET THE MONEY AND THEY'RE LIKE IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS. SO THE PROJECT COSTS HAVE GONE UP. I REALLY LOOKED AT THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. TALKING TO THE UNION, WE DO HAVE ISSUES IN THE CITY. WE HAVE OUR PARKS THAT ARE LACKING. OUR PARKS ARE LACKING BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EMPLOYEES. OUR PARKS ARE LACKING BECAUSE WE DON'T PAY EMPLOYEES WELL ENOUGH. WE LOOK AT THE ART AND WE SEE THE HOMELESS AND ENCAMPMENTS. SOLID WASTE IS CHASING THEIR TAIL TRYING TO PICK UP AFTER ALL THE ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE THERE ON CENTRAL. SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GATEWAY, GATEWAY COSTS MONEY. WHEN I CAME IN, THE ADMINISTRATION CAME IN, AND AS YOU RECALL, WHEN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO ACTUALLY ABOLISHED OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, MAYOR KELLER CAME IN AND FOR WHATEVER PEOPLE ARE SAYING, AND ALL THE WHISPERS I'M HEARING, HE CAME IN AND CREATED A WHOLE SYSTEM TO SUPPORT A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND ADDICTED. AND IT COSTS MONEY TO RUN THAT. SO, US TRYING TO INCREASE THE GRT, SOMEBODY USED THE WHOLE TAMALE THING, WE'RE ALREADY DOING THAT BECAUSE WE RUN MOSTLY ON GRT. IF YOU LOOK AT GRT FROM 2016, WE HAD A $900 MILLION BUDGET. TODAY IT'S A $1.5 BILLION BUDGET. THEN YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTY, AND THEIR BUDGET IS AT $1.3 BILLION. THEY DON'T SERVE -- WE SERVE NOT ONLY THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, BUT WE SERVE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO BECAUSE EVERYONE COMES TO ALBUQUERQUE FOR SERVICES. WITHIN A FEW SHORT YEARS, BERNALILLO COUNTY IS GOING TO EXCEED OUR BUDGET. AND IN ORDER FOR US TO BE COMPETITIVE AND TO DO SOME THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY, PEOPLE SAY WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, WE NEED MORE STUFF, WE NEED TO GET INTO THE 21st CENTURY, I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS. I THANK COUNCILOR BASSAN AND COUNCILOR BACA FOR THINKING OUTSIDE HAD THE BOX. I LOOKING AT OUR CITY AND HOW IT LOOKS IN THE FUTURE. UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS BILL AS PROPOSED. MAYBE SOMETIME DOWN THE LINE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING, BUT I'M GOING TO LEAVE TONIGHT'S MEETING VERY DISAPPOINTED. COUNCILOR BACA OR COUNCILOR BASSAN TO CLOSE. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM PRESIDENT, I KNOW THAT -- I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DIDN'T CRAW -- BRNG DRAW HARD LINES. I TRIED TO MEET AS MEAN NEEDS AS POSSIBLE AND AS MANY ROLES AS POSSIBLE. IT WASN'T A PERFECT PLAN. IT WASN'T PRESENTED IN A PERFECT WAY. THE COMPANION BILLS ARE THERE. THEY'RE IRRELEVANT. THEY WILL BE WITHDRAWN. I THINK I WAS -- I TALKED TO THE EMPLOYEES. I TALKED TO THE CITY. I TALKED TO CONSTITUENTS. I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE NOT EXCITED ABOUT. ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE SUPPORTED ME AND PEOPLE THAT DO ALIGN WITH ME. PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE TALK ABOUT. YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT I HAVE A FEELING THIS IS GOING TO GET SPUN WHEN I VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL IT WILL GET SPUN I WAS JUST SETTING YOU ALL UP FOR SOMETHING. I CAN PROMISE YOU I WASN'T. I CAN PROMISE YOU I REALLY DID TRY TO SEE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HELP OUR CITY EMPLOYEES. IT WAS GOING TO HELP WITH PROJECTS. I GET IT. I SEE SOME OF THE FACES. I SEE SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION. I ALSO SEE SOME OF THE DISAPPOINTMENT. THIS IS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GOOD SOLUTION. NOW, OUT OF ALL THE TALK WE HEAR ABOUT BUDGET, IT'S GOING TO BE SPICY COMING UP WITH ALL THESE COUNCILORS. I JUST WANT TO SAY, ADMIN, YOU BETTER GET READY. BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A TON OF AMENDMENTS TO MAKE IT ALL BETTER AND PERFECT. I DIDN'T SET YOU ALL UP FOR FAILURE ON PURPOSE. I DIDN'T TRY TO BE MISLEADING OR MISGUIDING. I TRIED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I TRIED TO MAKE A CHANGE. AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I CAN GO TO SLEEP TONIGHT KNOWING THAT I TRIED. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR BACA. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. I APPRECIATE ALL THE ENERGY FROM BOTH SIDES. THIS IS A SMALL TASTE. [ INAUDIBLE ]. OUR PEOPLE MATTER. THEY MATTER LOT. WE CAN DO ALL THINGS. WE SHOULD DO ALL THINGS. ALL THAT SAID, IT GOES DOWN. THAT'S HOW IT GOES. OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE BILL. THANK YOU. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: NO. >>COUN. TELLES: NO. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. >> FAILS ON A 1-8 VOTE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: MADAM PRESIDENT. I MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. I KNOW IT'S 10:06, BUT LOOKING AT THE AGENDA THERE'S SPICY THINGS COMING UP. I MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO MIDNIGHT. >>COUN. PEÑA: I'LL SECOND THAT. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND TO EXTEND THE MEETING TO MIDNIGHT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: I NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE ON ZOOM. I'M SORRY. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: NO. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES ON A 6-3 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE ARE NOW ON COUNCILOR TELLES, COUNCILOR ROGERS, COUNCILOR BACA, COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. ADOPTING A -- O-15 ADOPTING NEW SECTION IN ROA1994 CHAPTER FIVE PROHIBITING THE USE OF CITY PROPERTY FOR IMIGATION ENFORCEMENT ADOPTING NEW ARTICLE TO BE KNOWN AS SAFER COMMUNITIES PLACES ORDINANCE. MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: SECOND. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR DO PASS OF O-15. WHY DON'T WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT? >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. FIRST UP WE HAVE FABIOLA FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE FOLLOWED BY THERESA. >> MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M AN IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND WORKER JUSTICE ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 6500 MEMBERS. WE PASS POLICIES RECOGNIZING OUR COMMUNITIES ECONOMIC CYNIC AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS. WE INITIATED THE SEPARATE COMMUNITY PLACES BECAUSE OF MASS DEPORTATION IS TEARING FAMILIES APART. IT'S HAVING FAR REACHING IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR EDUCATION SYSTEMS OR ECONOMY. I SAY THIS AS IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND TAXPAYER, THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY. MASS DEPORTATION REQUIRES RACIAL PROFILING INCLUDING NATIVE AMERICANS AND HISPANOS. WE HAVE SEEN THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AND NON-CITIZENS -- [ HORN BLEEPING ]? >> STEPHANIE FOLLOWED BY THERESA FOLLOWED BY ANDRES. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCIL. I'VE VERY PROUD TO BE A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND FIRST TO STUDY NURSING IN MY FAMILY. IN ADDITION TO STUDYING I WORK AT A CLINIC THAT SERVES THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. AS A HEALTH CARE WORKER, I SEE HOW FEAR IS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY. MANY PATIENTS ARE NO LONGER ATTENDING MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SHARED WITH ME THEY'RE AFRAID TO GO TO WORK OR PICK UP MEDICATION. OTHERS ARE REQUESTING COPIES OF THE MEDICAL RECORDS BECAUSE SPLOFT FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO DETENTION CENTERS. NOW LIVE WITH TERROR. TERROR OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS WHY I ASK YOU TO APPROVE THIS ORDINANCE SO PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON MEDICAL CARE CANTRIEVE WITHOUT FEAR. >> THERESA FOLLOWED BY ANDRES FOLLOWED BY SATCHI. >> GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM HERE FOR THERESA. MY NAME IS THERESA. ALBUQUERQUE HAS BEEN MY HOME FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. I CAME HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE THROUGH MY WORK WITH THE FAMILY BUSINESS. TODAY I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT IS MORE REASONABLE AND FAIR TO SEE WORKERS, TAXPAYERS AND CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO KEEP NEW MEXICO'S ECONOMY ALIVE BEING TARGETED. WE ALSO PAY TAXES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE DO NOT WANT THOSE FUNDS TO BE USED TO ATTACK OUR OWN COMMUNITY. THE CONSTANT PRESENCE OF ICE DIRECTLY AFFECTED MY BUSINESS. SOME EMPLOYEES DON'T SHOW UP TO WORK BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID. MANY CUSTOMERS AVOID LEAVING THEIR HOMES. WHEN ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS HAPPENS, BUSINESS SLOWS DOWN AND MONEY STOPS CIRCULATING. WHICH AFFECTS OUR RESIDENTS. [ HORN PEEPING ]. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I WAS BORN IN MEXICO. I MIGRATED TO THE SOUTH BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN I TWO YEARS OLD. I WORKED WITH THE NEW MEXICO DREAM TEAM AS A CAMPAIGN MANAGER WHERE I WORK CLOSELY WITH IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND MIXED STATUS FAMILY. FWROEING UP I'VE BEEN AFRAID OF MY FAMILY BEING SEPARATED FROM EACH OTHER. I HEARD STORIES OF OTHER PARENTS GETTING DEPORTED AND LIVED WITH THE ANXIETY OF HORRIBLE THINGS HAPPENING. WHEN TALKING TO MEMBERS AND CALLESIAN, THE FEELING IS NOT MUCHUAL BUT BIGGER. SEEING HEADLINES FROM MISSISSIPPI WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS TO MY MOM WHILE PICKING UP MY LITTLE BROTHER? THIS IS WHY WE MUST PASS INSAFER COMMUNITY SPACES ORDINANCE. SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES LIKE MINE ARE PROTECTED FROM GETTING KIDNAPPED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY AT SENSITIVE LOCATIONS. I URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE YES ON O-26-15. THANK YOU. >> SATCHI FOLLOWED BY SARAH FOLLOWED BY LISA. SARAH FOLLOWED BY LISA FOLLOWED BY JESSICA. LISA FOLLOWED BY JESSICA FOLLOWED BY AURORA. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS YOU KNOW I'M A DAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT. I'M THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT. I'M A GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT AND I WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SORT OF AN IMMIGRATION SAFETY ACT. IT IS VERY DISSENGENIOUS THAT ICE DOESN'T STAY ON PUBLIC SPACES. BEING ON ICE WATCH, I CAN TELL YOU THEY GO THROUGH PARKING LOTS AND SCAN LICENSE PLATES. SO EVERYRY WEEKEND WE HAVE GROU OUT AND THAT'S ALL WE DO IS WATCH ICE GOING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT. WHEN THEY TAKE SOMEONE A GROUP TRIES TO INTERVENE. THEY HAVE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO JUST PUT IN FOR PERMIT OR THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY. THAT'S HOW THEY GET THEIR NAME. THEY GO UP TO THEM AND THEY'LL SAY, SUSAN, YOU HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK WITH YOU. A BILL THAT SAYS TO HAVE SAFE SPACES, WE NEED THAT. BUT WE ASKED FOR WAS NO WARRANT, NO DETAINMENT. WHERE IS OUR NO WARRANT, NO DETAINMENT SAFETY IN THIS CITY? >> JESSICA FOLLOWED BY AURORA FOLLOWED BY CAROLINA. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. I SERVE AS THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND POLICY MANAGER AT THE NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER. I STAND HERE TODAY AS A PROUD DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS AND SOMEONE WHO CALLS NEW MEXICO HOME. IN NEW MEXICO, IMMIGRANTS ARE A VITAL PART OF WORKFORCE AND LOCAL ECONOMY. ABOUT 52% OF IMMIGRANTS AGED 16 AND OLDER PARTICIPATE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. ACCORDING TO THE MIGRATION AND POLICY INSTITUTE. THAT CONDUCTED STATEWIDE ANALYSIS. IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ARE CONTRIBUTING PAYING WAGES AND FILLING JOBS ACROSS VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE. AND IMMIGRANT OWNED BUSINESSES ARE BETTER ABLE TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND CONTINUE ECONOMIC MOBILITY WHEN POLICIES CREATE CLARITY AND SECURITY WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY. OUR COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN JUST OUR ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION. AT A TIME WHEN FEDERAL ACTION INSTILLS FEAR IN OUR COMMUNITY, LOCAL PROTECTIONS ARE CRUCIAL. FEAR OF ATTENDING SCHOOL, ACCESSING SERVICES, OR REPORTING CRIMES HARMS PUBLIC SAFETY FOR EVERYONE. THIS ORDINANCE STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY PROTECTIONS AND ENSURING ACCESS. [ HORN BEEPING ]. >> CAROLINA FOLLOWED BY GABRYELA. FOLLOWED BY MARA. >> MARA FOLLOWED BY VICTOR FOLLOWED BY JOHN. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COUNCILORS. I SERVE AS THE POLICY AND COALITION MANAGER AT THE NEW MEXICO IMMIGRANT LAW CENTER. I'M HERE IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. IN NEW MEXICO, MANY IMMIGRANT FAMILIES ARE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SAFETY AND ACCESSING ESSENTIAL SERVICES. SOME SKIP MEDICAL CARE, AVOID GROCERY STORES ORKEEP KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY FEAR FAMILY SEPERATION. CITY PROPERTY AND RESOURCES SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY SPACES LIKE SCHOOLS CLINICS AND SHELTERS SHOULD REMAIN SAFE FOR FAMILIES TO ACCESS. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S AN AMENDMENT BEING PROPOSED BY COUNCILOR LEWIS WHICH IS BASED ON FALSE PREMISE. HIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PREVENT FEDERAL AGENTS FROM EXECUTING LAWFUL JUDICIAL WARRANTS. IT SETS LIMITS ON THE USE OF CITY RESOURCES. OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE POLICIES THAT BUILD SAFETY AND TRUST NOT AMENDMENTS THAT UNDERMINE THAT. THANK YOU. >> JOHN FOLLOWED BY ANAMI FOLLOWED BY GRACE. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT. MY NAME IS JOHN. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDINANCE THAT'S BEFORE YOU NOW. WE ARE AN IMMIGRANT WELCOMING CHURCH. WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN A NUMBER OF EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF IMMIGRANTS. MOST NOTABLY IN PROVIDING AN APARTMENT AND VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR THOSE IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE COME SEEKING OUR SUPPORT. AND WHO HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO SURVIVE. THEY CAME TO THIS COUNTRY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. BUT IT'S BASICALLY A QUESTION OF SURVIVAL. AND WHY THEY CAME AND WHY THEY NEED SUPPORT WHEN THEY'RE HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ANAMI FOLLOWED BY GRACE FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE. GRACE FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE FOLLOWED BY NEL. >> THANK YOU. FIRST OFF, TO ECHO MY FRIENDS COMMENTS, I'M ALSO ON ICE WATCH EVERY WEEKEND. THOSE ARE THEIR TACTICS. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER ATTACK. THEY HAVE NO REGARD FOR OUR LAWS OR MORALITY AND THIS CRUEL TREATMENT OF NEIGHBORS CANNOT CONTINUE ANY LONGER. THE PEOPLE BEING TARGETED BY ICE ARE BELOVED MEMBERS. THEY ARE OUR NEIGHBORS. THE CHANGES MADE BY THIS ORDINANCE AS IS WITHOUT COUNCILOR LEWIS'S HATEFUL AND ILLEGAL AMENDMENT THAT SETS BAD PRECEDENCE ARE A NECESSARY STEP TO SHOW OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS THEY BELONG HERE. THEY CAME TO THIS COUNTRY TO SEEK A BETTER LIFE. AND ARE FACING PERSECUTION FROM A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS NO REGARD FOR HUMANITY. WE HAVE TO MAKE A STAND AND KEEP OUR FAMILIES TOGETHER AND PROTECT THOSE WHO KEEP OUR ECONOMY STRONG. REJECT THE AMENDMENT THAT SETS BAD PRECEDENCE. IT'S ILLEGAL. PASS THE ORDINANCE AS IS. THANK YOU. >> STEPHANIE FOLLOWED BY NEL FOLLOWED BY DENNIS. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I'M FOR THE NEW MEXICO CENTER ON LAW AND POVERTY. WE THANKS THE SPONSORS OF O-26-15. WE STAND IN SUPPORT BECAUSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFELY WITH DIGNITY AND WITH THE RIGHTS RESPECTED. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE USING PEOPLE'S NEED AND DESIRE TO WORK AGAINST THEM, TRAPPING AND AMBUSHING PEOPLE AT WORKPLACES WITHOUT RESPECTING WORKERS OR BUSINESS RIGHTS AND TARGETING WORKERS OF COLOR THAT WORK FOR LOW WAGES. NOTICE AND TRANSPARENCY ABOUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ALLOW WORKERS TO PLAN, PREPARE, AND HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES TO THE IMMIGRATION, WORK AUTHORIZATION OR CITIZENSHIP STATUS. THIS ORDINANCE HELPS PROVIDE THAT NOTICE AND TRANSPARENCY BY REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO TELL THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM ONCE THE EMPLOYERS KNOW THE WORKPLACE HAS BEEN TARGETED. WE URGE YOU TO ENACT THE ORDINANCE. >> NEL FOLLOWED BY DENNIS. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR, COUNCILORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO ALBUQUERQUE. I AM A RETIRED ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR. AND I AM IN COUNCILOR BASSAN'S DISTRICT. TODAY, I HEARD SOMETHING THAT REALLY RANG TRUE FOR ME. IT WAS A SPEAKER ON THE RADIO. HE SAID THAT THE BASIC UNIT OF DEMOCRACY IS NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR RELATIONSHIP. AND HE ALSO WENT ON TO SAY THAT ACROSS OUR POLITICAL SPECTRUM OUR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION ON HOW TO RESOLVE ISSUES MOST OF US, IF NOT ALL OF US, WOULD AGREE WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE OUR NEIGHBOR DRAGGED FROM THEIR HOMES AT NIGHT AND TAKEN TO SOMEWHERE THEY WILL BE HARMED. SO, IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO WORK WITH THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN MY ROLE AS AN EDUCATOR. I HAVE BECOME AN ADVOCATE AND FRIEND OF PEOPLE WHO [ HORN BEEPING ]. >> DENNIS FOLLOWED BY JANICE. FOLLOWED BY LENA. JANICE. FOLLOWED BY LENA FOLLOWED BY GERALDO. >> I'M -- ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE AS IS. ARTICLE TWO SECOND 10, ALL PEOPLE OF NEW MEXICO SHALL BE SECURE IN PERSONS AND PROPERTY FROM UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE. ALL PEOPLE. WE MAKE COMMUNITY. AND WE MAKE COMMUNITY SAFE. IN 2019 I BEGAN VOLUNTEERING WITH ALBUQUERQUE INTERFAITH AN ALLIANCE OF CLERGY AND CIVILIANS ORGANIZED IN RESPONSE TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER. A CRISIS PRECIPITATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. YEARS AGO I ESCORTED FAMILIES TO THE AIRPORT TO AWAIT DUE PROCESS FOR ASYLUM CLAIMS. I MET DOZENS OF MOTHERS, FATHERS AND CHILDREN. DESPERATE FOR SAFETY. THESE FAMILIES WERE RELEASED BY BORDER PATROL FROM ICE. I'M HORRIFIED TO IMAGINE HOW ICE WOULD MISTREATMENT THEM ON THEIR STREETS. WE MAKE COMMUNITY SAFE. NO MASK WITH MY TAX DOLLARS. THANK YOU. >> LENA FOLLOWED BY GERALDO FOLLOWED BY THERESA. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY WITH THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERIES UNION. WE URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE. UNDER THE 10th AMENDMENT WE'RE UNDER NO OBLIGATION AS A CITY TO FACILITATE OR USE OUR PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. IN FACT, IT WOULD BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PRESSURE US TO DO SO. THIS ORDINANCE CREATES CLEAR GUARDRAILS FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCE AND TAKES CONCRETE ACTION TO DEFEND NEW MEXICANS RIGHTS. IN A MOMENT WHEN FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE ACTIVELY VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION AND DISREGARDING DUE PROCESS AND ENGAGING IN RACIAL PROFILING. HOWEVER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CREATE A NOVEL FORM OF LOCAL LIABILITY FOR FEDERAL ACTIVITIES IS A VERY HARMFUL MISGUIDED VISION THAT ATTACKS PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND CHILLS CONSTITUENT REPATION. THIS AMENDMENT WOULD VIOLATE STATE LAW BY CREATING A PREEMPTION ISSUE. THE NEW MEXICO CORT CLAIMS [ HORN BEEPING ]. >> GERALDO FOLLOWED BY THERESA FOLLOWED BY TAD. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M AN ALTERNATIVE HEALTH DOCTOR, MINISTER AND WAITED NINE YEARS LEGALLY AS A CITIZEN. I'M ALL FOR SAFER COMMUNITY AND IMMIGRATION AS LONG AS IT'S DONE CONSTITUTIONALLY LIKE I DID AS A NATURALIZED AMERICAN CITIZEN FROM THE PHILIPPINE. THAT'S WHAT MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DO IS IF YOU FOLLOW THE RULES AND WANT TO BECOME A CITIZEN OF THEIR COUNTRY. PLEASE STOP THE FALSE NARRATIVE WHICH AIMS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACTIVITY. ICE IS ONLY DOING THEIR JOBS TO STOP CRIME. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT SO-CALLED IMMIGRANT IS NOT A CRIMINAL, RAPIST, SEX TRAFFICKER, MURDERER? ICE IS ONLY PROTECTING PEOPLE ACCORD TO THE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION FOUR. THE UNITED STATES SHALL GUARANTEE TO EVERY STATE IN THE UNION A REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND SHALL PROTECT EACH OF THEM AGAINST INVASION AND APPLICATION WITH LEGISLATURE. PLEASE OPPOSE ANY ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH ICE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. THANK YOU. >> THERESA FOLLOWED BY TAD FOLLOWED BY ALEJANDRO. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL AND STRONGLY OPPOSE COUNCILOR LEWIS'S AMENDMENT. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ]. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ]. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ]. [ SPEAKING IN SPANISH ]. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILORS. I'M THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF AN IMMIGRANT AND RESIDENT OF DISTRICT THREE WHERE I ADVOCATE FOR PROTECTIONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. DURING MY CAMPAIGN I MADE A PROMISE TO MY COMMUNITY THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR POLICY THAT PROTECTS FAMILIES AND STRENGTHENS TRUST BETWEEN RESIDENT SKWDZ LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THAT IS WHY I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF O-26-15 A START NEEDING CLEAR PROTECTIONS. POLICIES ENSURE PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND REPORT CRIMES. WHEN COMMUNITIES TRUST LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY IMPROVES FOR EVERYONE. SERVING AS A CITY COUNCILOR MEANS REPRESENTING EVERYONE IN THE DISTRICT. NOT JUST THOSE WHO ARE CITIZENS, NOT JUST THOSE WHO LOOK LIKE YOU OR SHARE BACKGROUND. MY RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO THE FAMILIES, OR CHILDREN WHO MAKE UP NEIGHBORHOOD OR CITY GOVERNMENT. ALBUQUERQUE IS STRONGER WHEN OUR POLICIES REFLECT THE COMMITMENT TO ALL FOR WHO CALL THIS CITY HOME. FOR THAT, I URGE FOR COUNCIL TO SUPPORT O-26-15. AND NOT SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT MADE BY COUNCILOR LEWIS. >> TAD FOLLOWED BY ALEJANDRO FOLLOWED BY WARD. >> OKAY. MY NAME IS TAD. TAKES ONE TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. ANOTHER. THIS IS SUCH SCREW UP, STATE, NOT ONLY CITY, BUT STATE. SANCTUARY CITIES, SANCTUARY STATE. WE HAVE IMMIGRATION OFFICE HERE IN THE BUILDING. WELL, NEW MEXICO, WHATEVER. HIRED BY THE CITY, LAWYERS, AND THEY ARE RACIST. THEY ARE RACIST. AND I WILL PROVE IT IN THE COURT. THERE IS ALSO ONLY FOR MEXICANS. THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON. TAKES ONE EXPERIENCE. THANK YOU. >> ALEJANDR FOLLOWED BY WARD FOLLOWED BY MIKE. WARD FOLLOWED BY MIKE FOLLOWED BY ERIC. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I'M SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL TONIGHT. PLEASE VOTE FOR THIS ORDINANCE. ALBUQUERQUE SHOULD NOT BE COMPLICIT IN THE KIDNAPPING, DETENTION AND ABUSE OF FELLOW CITIZENS WHOSE FAMILIES MAY BE NEW TO OUR CITY OR WHO HAVE INHABITTED THIS LAND FOR CENTURIES. THAT'S THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. THAT IS HAPPENING. EVEN THOUGH THOSE NUMBERS MAY BE SMALL RELATIVE TO TOTAL OF DETAINEES, ONE ILLEGAL ARREST IS TOO MANY. BEYOND THAT, 70% OF DETAINEES NATIONALLY HAD NO CRIMINAL RECORD. A LATER OFFICIAL FIGURE IN NOVEMBER 2025 INDICATED THAT 48% OF DETAINEES HAD NO CRIMINAL RECORD. OUR CITY SHOULD STAND AGAINST SUCH TRAMPLING OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. PLEASE VOTE FOR O-26-15 WITHOUT UNDERMINING AMENDMENTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MIKE FOLLOWED BY ERIC FOLLOWED BY KRISTEN. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THIS LATE AT NIGHT TO ADDRESS YOU. IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITIES ORDINANCE. I'M A PRIEST AND DIRECTOR OF ST. MICHAEL OF THE CHURCH ON MONTANO. A CHURCH THAT INCLUDES FAMILIES OF MIXED STATUS AND WORKED WITH THE CITY WHOSE STAFF DESERVE A RAISE TO WELCOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM DETENTION. I HOPE THAT UNDER THE CHURCHES WILL BE COUNTED AMONG SAFE SPACES. IN MY BRIEF TIME I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT BY COUNCILOR LEWIS. HE SEEMS CONCERNED ABOUT LIABILITY. I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIABILITY THAT CITIES ARE EXPERIENCING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THOUSANDS OF SUITS ARE BEING FILED AGAINST ICE'S PRACTICES. THAT'S WHERE OUR LIABILITY IS. AS A FELLOW PASTOR, OUR LIABILITY IS FOR ME IN MATTHEW 25, WHEN JESUS SAYS WHAT YOU DO TO THE LEAST OF THESE YOU TO TO ME. I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE. >> AARON FOLLOWED BY KRISTEN FOLLOWED BY TOEBEN. [ SPEAKING IN THE BACKGROUND ]. >> KRISTEN FOLLOWED BY TOVA. FOLLOWED BY MEGAN. >> I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE IN ITS CURRENT FORM. WHEN PEOPLE SEEK -- WE'RE NOT MADE SAFER. WHEN PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO PICK UP THEIR CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL, WE'RE NOT MADE SAFER. WHEN VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REFRAIN FROM REPORTING THEIR ABUSE FOR FEAR OF DEPORTATION, THOSE SAME ABUSERS ARE PERMITTED TO PREY ON OUR COMMUNITY AND WE'RE NOT MADE SAFER. AS OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE, YOU HAVE A DUTY TO VET THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU. EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT IN YOUR DISTRICT. YOU HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY FROM LAWLESSNESS EVEN IF THAT LAWLESSNESS COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE SHOULDN'T BE NECESSARY. THESE SPACES SHOULD ALREADY BE IN VIABLE. AS WE DO NOT LIVE IN THE WORLD I URGE YOU TO MEET THIS HEAD ON AND RESTORE BASIC DECENCY FOR THIS ORDINANCE WITHOUT THE POISON PILL AMENDMENT. HONK. >> SOLA FOLLOWED BY MEGAN FOLLOWED BY SALLY. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILAL -- I'M ATTORNEY HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE. I'M TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE NEW MEXICO CRIMINAL LAWYER'S ASSOCIATION. AN ORGANIZATION OF OVER 400 LAWYERS IN NEW MEXICO TO FULLY ENDORSE AND SUPPORT ORDINANCE O-26-15 PROHIBITING THE USE OF CITY PROPERTY FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND ADOPTING THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES. WHILE WE SUPPORT ALL OF IT. I WANT TO SPECIFICALLY MENTION SECTION 13-17-3 WHICH INCLUDES COURT HOUSES AND JUDICIAL FACILITIES WHICH I BELIEVE WOULD INCLUDE PROBATION OFFICES AS WELL AS SCHOOLS AND HOSPITAL AND LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS AND LIBRARY AND OTHER PLACES. WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ICE AT THE COURT HOUSES INCLUDING RECENTLY. SUCH ICE ARRESTS AT ORNEAR COURT HOUSES DISCOURAGES PEOPLE FROM COMING TO THE COURT HOUSE. WHETHER IT'S CRIMINAL OR CIVIL LITIGANT, SOMEBODY TO PAY A TRAFFIC TICKET OR WITNESS OR VICTIM. EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE PROBLEM SOLVING FUNCTION OF THE COURT SYSTEM. THESE ICE ARRESTS AFFECT U.S. CITIZENS AS WELL. BECAUSE WHEN U.S. CITIZENS CAN'T GET THEIR WITNESSES TO COME TO THE COURT HOUSE AND TESTIFY THAT MEANS U.S. CITIZENS AREN'T GOING TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT OF THEIR COURT CASE. WE URGE YOU TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. MEGAN FOLLOWED BY SALLY. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I LIVE IN THE 4th DISTRICT OF ALBUQUERQUE. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT ORDINANCE 15. THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. BECAUSE IMMIGRANTS ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE JUST AS MUCH VALUE AS HUMAN BEINGS AS ANYONE ELSE WHO IS HERE. WE DON'T WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO BE GOING TO THE LIBRARY OR GOING TO THE CITY COUNCIL PROPERTY AND HAVING ICE THERE HARASSING PEOPLE, PEPPER SPRAYING PEOPLE, SHOOTING PEOPLE, KIDNAPPING PEOPLE. I READ A REALLY AWFUL STORY TODAY ABOUT A WOMAN WHO IS DETAINED BY ICE. THEY POURED CHEMICALS OR SOMETHING. IT'S EVERY SINGLE DAY. IT IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND I DON'T WANT FOR ALBUQUERQUE TO BECOME THE NEXT MINI APILOUS WHERE IT'S HORRIBLE AND TRAUMATIING FOR EVERY PERSON WHO LIVES HERE. THANK YOU. >> SALLY FOLLOWED BY DIANE. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I'M HOLDING A SLEEPING BABY. I'M LOOKING DOWN AT MY CHILD AND THINKING ALL THE THINGS I HOPE FOR MY CHILD AND I HOPE FOR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN HERE. I DON'T SEE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY KIDS AND WHO HAPPEN TO BE BORN SOMEWHERE ELSE. MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE IMMIGRANTS. MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE IMMIGRANTS. MANY CHILDREN THAT GO TO SCHOOL CAN MY CHILDREN ARE IMMIGRANTS. I REALLY THINK THE SAFER COMMUNITY SPACES ACT IS A MATTER OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >> DIANE FOLLOWED BY MARSLEN. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILOR PEÑA, COUNCILORS. I SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE SAFER COMMUNITY PLACES ORDINANCE. WITHOUT COUNCILOR LEWIS'S AMENDMENT. I LIVE IN DISTRICT EIGHT. I LIVE IN A VERY COMFORTABLE NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS MAINLY WHITE. WE'RE DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND INDEPENDENTS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS A COMMON THREAD IS THAT WE SPORT OUR ENTIRE CITY. ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY. NOT JUST OUR WHITE, PRIVILEGED -- ONE OF THE REASONS I MOVED HERE WAS TO GET AWAY FROM WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOME RED STATES AND RED CITIES. MY SON IS A NATURALIZED AMERICAN. A PERSON OF COLOR. AND A -- I NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT HIM, HIS SAFETY, OR ANYTHING. HIS FATHER WHO IS WHITER THAN I AM AND I NOW HAVE OUR SON CARRYING AROUND HIS PASSPORT AND EVERYTHING. WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN IN ALBUQUERQUE. THIS IS NOT WHAT WE STAND FOR. PLEASE KEEP THIS SAFE PLACES ORDINANCE PASSED. THANK YOU. >> MARSLEN. >> I SUPPORT THIS. THIS IS GOOD. BUT THIS IS NOT THE END. YOU SHOULD BE DOING MORE THAN PASSING ORDINANCE. WE HAVE AN OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE DOING MORE THAN JUST KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WEBINARS. THEY SHOULD HAVE ICE RESPONSE AND OPEN LINES FOR THOSE TAKEN BY ICE TO REPORT INTERACTIONS IMMEDIATELY AND GIVE PRO BONO IMMIGRATION LAWYERS. WE MUST KEEP TRACK OF THOSE ICE TACKS BEFORE THEY'RE DISAPPEARED BEFORE A GANG OF MASKED FEDERAL AGENTS. WE'VE SEEN THE REALITY WAY TOO OFTEN AND WE HAVE DEDICATED COMMUNITIES DOING WORK. THIS IS BACKWARD. STAND FOR THE COMMUNITY. EVERY PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY MAKES IT BEAUTIFUL AND THEY BELONG HERE. NOT IN MODERN DAY CONCENTRATION CAMPS. EVERYONE IN THE CITY IS LESS SAFE WHEN ICE IS ALLOWED TO OPERATE HERE. DOING THE BEAR MINIMUM -- [ INAUDIBLE ]. >>COUN. PEÑA: YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU, YOU WERE TIME IS UP. >> WE HAVE ALTHEA WHO I SAW ON ZOOM. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M SPEAKING AS DISTRICT SIX MOM. I WANT TO SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE BILL. BUT IN OPPOSITION TO THE FLOOR AMENDMENT COUNCILOR LEWIS IS PROIPZ -- TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS. THIS AMENDMENT IS AN EMPTY POSTURING MOVE THAT AS HAS CONSEQUENCES. HOW CAN WE INVITE LIABILITY WHEN SO MUCH GOES UNFUNDED IN THE CITY BUDGET. RECKLESS PRECEDENCE TO SET AND A BAD CHOICE. A VERY SAD CHOICE. WE NEED TO PASS THIS BILL TO MAKE OUR SPACES SAFER AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE WHO CALLS THE CITY HOME, REGARDLESS OF DOCUMENTATION STATUS OR WHAT AGENTS MIGHT ASSUME THE DOCUMENTATION STATUS IS. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS DOCUMENTED THAT ICE HAS BEEN VERY CLEARLY VIOLATING PEOPLE'S DUE PROCESS. LET US PROTECT THE DIGNITY OF ALBUQUERQUE RESIDENTS. I URGE YOU TO VOTE DOWN THIS AMENDMENT AS COUNCILOR LEWIS DECIDES TO MOVE IT AND PASS THE ORIGINAL ORDINANCE. >> THAT CONCLODS -- CONCLUDES COMMENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: BACK ON THE BILL. ANY QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILORS? COUNCILOR CHAMPINE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M JUST -- OUT OF CURIOSITY. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE COUNTY PASSED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED HERE. AND LISTENING TO FOLKS HERE AND EXPRESSING THE CITY PLACES NEED TO BE SAFE, THE JAIL IS RUN BY THE COUNTY OR BY US? IS IT THE COUNTY? SINCE THE COUNTY PASSED THIS, IS ICE NOT ALLOWED TO BE AT THE JAIL? IF THIS PASSES HERE, ICE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE AT BTC IF THEY'RE CALLED. IF THEY'RE ARRESTING SOMEBODY FOR A CRIME AND APD OR STATE POLICE CALL ICE, THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO THE PTC IN ORDER TO PICK UP A CRIMINAL? IS THAT CORRECT? I'M ASSUMING THAT'S WHAT IT IS IN BERNALILLO COUNTY RIGHT NOW. IT'S RAN BY THE COUNTY. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE, IN SECTION 13-17-4A2AB THE BILL IS EXPLICIT FOR SAFE COMMUNITY SPACES IT DOES NOT PREVENT THEM TO COMPLY WITH A VALID JUDICIAL WARRANT OR AUTHORIZING A SEARCH OR SUBPOENA OR COMPELLING PRODUCTION OF RECORDS. IT ALSO DOESN'T PREVENT A SAFER COMMUNITY PLACEMENT PROVIDING CONSENT TO ENTER FOR CIRCUMSTANCES AS TO BE READ IT WOULD NOT PREVENT IF THERE WERE A JUDICIAL WARRANT FOR A PRISONER THAT WOULD BE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF ICE FROM BEING LOCATED IF THEY'RE APPREHENDED. IF THAT WERE NOT THE CASE, THE SAFER COMMUNITY SPACE WOULD ACT TO EMPHASIZE THE SPACES ARE NOT TO HAVE VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE WITH ICE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: MADAM PRESIDENT, A WARRANT, BASICALLY, NOT NECESSARILY -- AN ARREST WARRANT. IF SOMEONE WAS PICKED UP FOR AN ARREST WARRANT THAT IS IN ILLEGAL STATUS AND THEY CONTACTED ICE, SINCE THERE'S A WARRANT ISSUED FOR THAT PERSON'S ARREST, THEN ICE CAN GO ON PREMISES. CORRECT? >> COUNCILOR PEÑA, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE, IF IT'S A LAWFUL JUDICIAL WARRANT, THIS BILL WOULD NOT ACT AS AN IMPEDIMENT. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. IT DOES POSE AN CONUNDRUM. IF ICE HAS TO GO TO APD TO PICK UP A GUY, ICE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A JUDGE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A WARRANT ISSUED FOR THAT PERSON. THEY WOULD NEED TO GET A WARRANT TO COLLECT THAT PERSON WHO IS ILLEGAL AT THAT TIME. AM I INTERPRETING THIS RIGHT? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR CHAMPINE YES. THAT'S CORRECT. THE BILL IS SUBSERVEIANT TO WHAT A JUDICIAL WARRANT WOULD MANDATE. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: ANY ADDITIONALAL QUESTIONS? >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. PAGE FOUR. LINE SEVEN. AMEND 5-1-15 PROHIBITING USE OF CITY -- AS FOLLOWS. CEDE LIABILITY FOR DESTRUCTION OF LAWFUL WARRANTS. IF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE OBSTRUCT OR DELAY LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM EXECUTING WARRANT THE CITY SHALL GET LIABILITY FOR THE -- ANY CITY COUNCILOR VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE OR MAYOR IMPROVING OR SIGNING THIS SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE KNOWING RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE CONSEQUENCES FROM ENACTMENT AND SHALL WAIVE IMMUNITY AVAILABLE UNDER LAW WITH CLAIMS ARISING FROM CONSEQUENCES. ON PAGE, EIGHT, LINE 19. AMEND THE SAFER COMMUNITY SOMEPLACES ORDINANCE BY INCERTING A NEW SECTION AS FOLLOWS. LIABILITY FOR OBSTRUCTION OF LAW LAWFUL WARRANTS. THE PROVISION OF THIS ORDNEN OBSTRUCT OR PREFRBT LAW ENFORCE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OR LAWFUL WARRANT, THE CITY SHALL ASSUME LIABILITY FOR ANY RESULTING INJURY, DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY CAUSED BY THE INDIVIDUAL SUBJECT OF SUCH WARRANT. ANY CITY COUNCILOR IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE MAYOR APPROVE ORGANIZATION SIGNING THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE KNOWINGLY ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM THE ENACTMENT AND ENFORCEMENT SHALL WAIVE IMMUNITY UNDER THE LAW WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS ARRIVING PROM SUCH CONSEQUENCES. I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION, AND SECOND FOR DO PASS OF FLOOR AMENDMENT A. NOW IT BECOMES NUMBER ONE. >>COUN. LEWIS: MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU. I I REPRESENT A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT. NOT OFFERING THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE I'M REPRESENTING ONLY PEOPLE OF MY BACKGROUND OR IT WAS MENTIONED EARLY -- I REPRESENT A MAJORITY MINORITY DISTRICT. PEOPLE THAT DON'T LOOK LIKE ME. PEOPLE THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM ME. A REAL DIVERSE COMMUNITY. AND ALSO THAT DON'T SHARE MY POLITICAL PARTY AND THAT. BUT THEY AGREE, I BELIEVE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM AGREE THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY BENEFIT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATING TOGETHER WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. CERTAINLY NOT OBSTRUCTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO, THE WORD HATEFUL IS MENTIONED. A LITTLE BIT OF NAME-CALLING. IT'S AMAZING WE RESORT TO THAT WHEN YOU HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS REPRESENTING A VAST GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL THE SAME WAY. AND FEEL LIKE THERE'S A PUBLIC SAFETY BENEFIT TO COOPERATION. THE CHALLENGE WITH THIS BILL IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST A COOPERATING WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT GOES FURTHER TO OBSTRUCT LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM DOING THEIR JOB. AND WHICH I THINK MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY FIND DISTURBING. SO THIS IS AN AMENDMENT THAT'S SINCERE. IT'S MEANT TO PROVIDE A LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE THAT I THINK DO HAVE SOME VICTIMS. I WANT TO SAY VERY CLEARLY TOO. THERE'S ALWAYS THE ACCUSATION THAT WE COUPLE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WITH CRIME. I THINK THE DATA IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS THAT COMMIT CRIME IS MUCH LOWER THAN THE PERCENTAGE OF NATURAL BORN CITIZENS THAT COMMIT CRIMES. SO, THAT NOT A PART OF THIS ARGUMENT. THE ARGUMENT IS THAT THERE ARE REAL VICTIMS. THERE'S VICTIMS LIKE JADA GUN ZAULS WHO WAS MURDERED BY AN PERSON WHO WAS HERE ILLEGALLY. THE STATE REPORTS IT. BUT JUST IN THE LAST YEAR, CASES OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, A NETWORK DISMANTLED MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING BEING IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM. KIDNAPPING AND SMUGGLING. IN AN ALBUQUERQUE HOME. A SCHEME WHERE THEY HELD UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS CAPTIVE IN A SOUTHWEST ALBUQUERQUE HOME AND THREATENED WITH VIOLENCE AND CARTEL RETALIATION. AN ALBUQUERQUE COUPLE THAT WERE INDICTMENT FOR USING RENTAL PROPERTIES AS STASH HOUSES AND LAUNDERING THE PROCEEDS. IN 2025, 48 INDIVIDUALS, 20 OF WHOM HAD PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR SERIOUS CRIMES SUCH AS HOMICIDE, CRIMINAL SEXUAL PENITATION, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DRUG TRAFFICKING, I WON'T SAY THE NAME. A MEXICAN NATIONAL THAT WAS SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON IN MARCH OF 2026 FOR RE-ENTRY AND VIOLENT CRIMES. THESE ARE JUST IN THE LAST YEAR. I'M SAYING, AGAIN, THE PROPORTION TO NATURAL BORN CITIZENS IN AMERICA AND MAKE THAT COMPARISON, ABSOLUTELY NOT. BUT ARE THERE REAL VICTIMS IN ALBUQUERQUE? AND ARE WE EXPOSING OURSELVES AS A CITY BY OBSTRUCTING THOSE WHO ARE TASKED UNDER -- BY THE WAY, DECADES AND DECADES AND WHETHER IT BE THIS ADMINISTRATION OR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OR THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, WERE CARRYING THE SAME TASKS AS THEY ARE NOW. THAT'S THE INTENT OF THIS BILL. I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE. CERTAINLY SINCERE. I DO HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. JUST BECAUSE THIS DOES RELATE TO THE MAYOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS. IT'S A CONTINUATION OF THAT OR A LITTLE BIT OF CONTINUATION FROM THE MAYOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS THIS SUMMER. MS. SENGEL, YOU MAY WE THE BEST ONE TO ANSWER THIS. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I THINK A FEW MONTHS INTO IT. I IMAGINE YOU HAVE THOSE NUMBERS. ONE OF THE MAYOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS WAS FOR CITY EMPLOYEES THAT SEE ICE ACTIVITY ON CITY PROPERTY TO REPORT IT. SINCE THIS LAST SUMMER, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE? >> MADAM REZ, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION. I'M SORRY. I CAN'T RECALL. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. IS IT DOCUMENTED? DO WE DOCUMENT THOSE? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR THEM TO REPORT. IT IS RECORDED WHEN IT IS THE CASE. WE HAVE HAD INSTANCES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE ICE ACTIVITY. ALSO HAD INSTANCES WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN BOGUS INDIVIDUALS, BAD ACTORS, ACTING IN WAYS THAT WERE UNFORTUNATELY ATTEMPTING TO BEHAVE IN THE WAYS WE HAVE SEEN ICE ACTIVITIES IN OTHER CITIES. I CAN'T BE PRESIS AS TO WHAT IS THE EXACT INFORMATION. >>COUN. LEWIS: AS FAR AS YOU KNOW, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY REPORTING FROM THE CITY EMPLOYEE? IT WAS CLEAR YOU'RE REQUIRED. YOU HAVE TO REPORT IT IF YOU SEE IT. AND DO YOU KNOW, AS THE CAO OF THE CITY, DO YOU KNOW OF REPORTING OF ICE ACTIVITY ON CITY PROPERTY? SINCE THE SUMMER. THIS IS ALMOST NINE MONTHS. >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, WE HAVE HAD EMPLOYEES REPORT ICE ACTIVITY ON OUR PROPERTY. I DON'T KNOW IF WITHIN VALIDATED AS ICE ACTIVITY. THAT'S WHAT -- >>COUN. LEWIS: YOU DON'T KNOW. I'M SORRY, MADAM PRESIDENT. I HAVE THE FLOOR. I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT. THESE ARE -- THIS BILL IS RELATED TO THE MAYOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS. PASSED IN THE SUMMER. >>COUN. TELLES: THE AMENDMENT. IT'S THE AMENDMENT TO THAT BILL. WHAT YOU'RE ASKING -- WE'RE DEBEATING THE AMENDMENT. >>COUN. LEWIS: THIS IS UNEQUIVOCALLY RELATED. IT'S AMAZING. WE GET ANGRY ABOUT THIS AND ANGRY ABOUT A DIFFERING OPINION. I'M OFFERING -- WHAT AM I LYING ABOUT? >>COUN. TELLES: I SAID DYING. [ INAUDIBLE ]. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. MS. SENGEL, I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT HOW MANY REPORTS OF CITY EMPLOYEES ARE MANDATED TO REPORT IT. AND I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW. IT'S OKAY. I'M NOT HARASSING. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY ACTIVITY OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ON CITY PROPERTY? IS IT DOCUMENTED ANYWHERE? DO YOU KNOW OF ANY ICE ACTIVITY ON CITY PROPERTY? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I DO NOT HAVE ANY DOCUMENTATION RELATED TO THAT IN FRONT OF ME. I'M HAPPY TO GET THE ANSWERS FOR YOU. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ACCURATE. WE HAVE HAD CITIZENS AND EMPLOYEES REPORT CONCERNS ABOUT ICE ACTIVITY ON CITY PROPERTY. AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE BEEN VALIDATED TO BE SO OR NOT. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. I'M NOT TRYING TO GOTCHA. I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING. THE OTHER EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS YOU COULD CALL 311. IF YOU SEE ICE ACTIVITY. DO YOU HAVE A RECORD OF THAT? DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY CALLS HAVE BEEN MADE TO 311 RECORDING OR ASKING QUESTIONS WHETHER THERE WAS FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY AND THEN THE CITY RESPONDING BACK? THERE SHOULD BE A RECORD OF THAT FOR THE CITY RESPONDING BACK WHETHER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE OR NOT. DO YOU HAVE THOSE RECORDS? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, WE DO HAVE RECORD OF INDIVIDUALS CALLING AND REQUESTING INFORMATION FOR VALIDATION OF WHETHER OR NOT INSTANCES THEY HAVE SEEN IN THE COMMUNITY ARE ICE ACTIVITY. WE -- APD HAS BEEN ABLE TO PRIMARILY BE THE AGENCY TO CONFIRM OR GET CLARITY ON THAT. I HAVE RECEIVED PHONE CALLS OF INDIVIDUALS REFERRED BACK TO APD TO GIVE AND PROVIDE VALIDATION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE ACTIVITY IS ICE OR NOT. I DO NOT HAVE COUNTS OR EXACT INFORMATION ON THAT. I DO KNOW THAT HAS OCCURRED AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE CLARITY ABOUT WHETHER IT IS ICE ACTIVITY OR OTHER TYPES OF APPREHENSION. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHEN YOU WERE CONTACTED, DID YOU GIVE THEM A PROCESS TO GO THROUGH? DID YOU HAVE THEM CALL APD? WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE CONTACTED? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, WE PUT THEM IN CONTACT WITH APD AND THEY FOLLOWED THROUGH ON THAT INFORMATION. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. I GOT A CALL TOO ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO FROM 311. ACTUALLY, 311 TOLD THEM TO CALL ME. IT WAS A MOTHER WHOSE DAUGHTER BELIEVED SHE WAS BEING FOLLOWED BY AN UNMARKED CALL. SHE CALLED 311 TO ASK IF THERE WAS SOME REPORTS OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING HER. AND 311 TOLD THEM TO CALL ME. I DON'T MIND. BUT IT WAS DIFFICULT NOT KNOWING -- I THOUGHT WHAT IS THE PROCESS? WHAT DID THE MAYOR SAY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO? ANYHOW, THAT WAS A BIG DEAL. THAT WAS A BIG DEAL WHEN THE MAYOR REPORTED ON THAT. IT WAS A HUGE CITY POLICY. ANYWAY, THOSE ARE -- IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE UNNECESSARY. WE CAN NAME MORE THAN TWO OR MORE. BUT THIS TAKES IT A WHOLE LOT FURTHER. NOW WE'RE GOING TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO OBSTRUCT LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND REALLY WHAT THIS BILL BOILS DOWN TO IS STAGING. ONE MORE TIME, THIS IS SINCERE, DO YOU KNOW OF INCIDENTS WHERE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS STAGING ON CITY PROPERTY? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I THINK THE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS AND INTENT AROUND THIS LANGUAGE IS SO WE'RE CLEAR ABOUT THE CITY'S POSITION RELATED TO DOING SO. IT HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER CITIES. I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN MONITORING EVERY PARKING LOT AND EVERY PIECE OF CITY PROPERTY TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION DEFINITIVELY. I THINK THERE'S OBVIOUSLY FEAR OF CITY PROPERTY BEING USED FOR THAT PURPOSE AND LIMITING PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THEM NOT FEELING SAFE. IF IT'S AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE. >>COUN. LEWIS: OTHER CITIES LIKE MINNEAPOLIS? YOU SAID YOU LOOKED AT OTHER CITIES AND SAW THE CONCERNS. YOU MENTIONED YOU CONSIDERED OTHER CITIES. LIKE MINNEAPOLIS? >> MADAM PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I THINK WE HAVE EXAMPLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. MINNEAPOLIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE IT WAS RAISED AS A CONCERN. AS TO HOW ICE OPERATIONS WERE BEING STAGED OR ORGANIZED. AND I THINK OUR GOAL IS -- AS A CITY AND THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDERS, I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE COUNCILORS, BUT IN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNCILORS THAT WE DO NOT WANT OUR PROPERTY USED IN A WAY THAT PREVENTS INDIVIDUALS ACCESSING THE CITY AND THINGS WE PROVIDE. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR LEWIS, IS THAT YOUR OPENING? >>COUN. LEWIS: YEAH. ONE MORE COMMENT. WE MENTION THERE'S OTHER CITIES AND OTHER STATES. AND I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO MENTION OTHER STATES WHERE IT'S STATE LAW THAT IT'S ILLEGAL TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY IN THAT STATE. THERE'S MULTIPLE STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE IT'S ILLEGAL TO ENACT LAWS TO OBSTRUCT OR DON'T COORDINATE. AGAIN, I'M JUST BRINGING THAT UP BECAUSE IF WE WANT TO MENTION OTHER CITIES AND EXAMPLES OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING WE SHOULD MENTION OTHER CITIES WHERE IT'S ILLEGAL TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY. AND IF YOU DO, IF A CITY COUNCIL DOES IT, AND ENACTS LAWS THAT OBSTRUCT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THAT STATE WILL CALL UP, THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. WILL CALL UP THE CITY COUNCILORS AND SAY, YOU'RE NO LONGER AN ELECTED OFFICIAL BECAUSE YOU BROKE THE LAW. SO, AGAIN, YOU CAN CALL ALL THOSE PEOPLE HATEFUL. YOU CAN CALL THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT AND AROUND THE CITY THAT BELIEVE DIFFERENTLY THAT THEY'RE HATEFUL AND YOU WOULD BE WRONG. I THINK I MADE A CASE FOR COMMON SENSE ABOUT SOME POSSIBLE REAL VICTIMS. AND REAL VICTIMS THAT COULD BE CAUSED IN THE FUTURE OF THE CITY INWE ENACT THIS LAW. AND I STILL REALLY -- I'M INTERESTED IN TO HEAR FROM ANY COUNCILOR THAT INTENDED TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL WHY THEY WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS AMENDMENT. THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: COUNCILOR BACA. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. YOU KNOW, SITTING HERE WITH A NATIONAL LEADING CITY AT WASHINGTON D.C. LOCAL CITIES DELIVER. AND MORE THAN THAT, I'M SEEING POSTERS AND STICKERS AND BANNERS EVERYWHERE OF 250. WE'RE CELEBRATING AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AT 250 YEARS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A COUNTRY LITERALLY FOUNDED BY IMMIGRANTS. IMMIGRANTS -- IF YOU'RE NOT NATIVE AMERICAN, [ INAUDIBLE ]. YES, THERE IS ISSUES AND PROBLEMS. NOT EVERY GROUP IS HOMOGENOUS. THERE'S DIVERSITY. YOU SHOULD TREAT IT THAT WAY. AND IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING MY FAMILY, ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE COUNTRY. AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE COUNTRY, TO BE HONEST. WHEN I THINK ABOUT NEW MEXICO IS NOT -- ALBUQUERQUE IS NOT -- IS MAJORITY MINORITY CITY. THE ENTIRE STATE. ALBUQUERQUE IS LIKE 65% MINORITY MAJORITY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT DISTRICT YOU'RE IN. WE'RE LITERALLY MINORITY. UNLESS YOU'RE NATIVE AMERICAN, YOU'RE AN IMMIGRANT. IN SOME FORM OR ANOTHER. WHEN I LOOK AT THIS, THIS POLICY, THIS EFFECTIVELY -- WE HAVE PEOPLE ROUNDING UP IMMIGRANTS, ROUNDING UP PEOPLE -- WE'RE WAY PAST IMMIGRANT POLICY. TALK ABOUT THE CITY. TALK ABOUT OTHER PLACES. ICE IS THEY TERRORIZING PEOPLE. NOT JUST MINORITIES. WHITE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. THEY'RE KILLING EVERYBODY. LITERALLY. THAT'S NOT A MAYBE THING. THAT'S A 100% THING. SO, WHEN I LOOK AT THIS AMENDMENT, I LOOK AT THIS AS INTIMIDATION. THIS IS FEAR MONGERING. IF UNDER THE GUISE OF REASONABLENESS AND YOU'RE GOING TO STAND UP FOR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, YOU SHOULD BE OKAY BEING TAKEN TO JAIL OR DRAGGED OFF. TWO YEARS AGO -- LITERALLY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN UNIMAGINABLE. THIS DIDN'T EXIST AT ALL. YET, HERE WE ARE. WHERE ENTIRE CITIES ARE BEING INVADED BY OUR OWN TROOPS. IT'S RIDICULOUS. THIS AMENDMENT IS PART OF THAT. WE AS PUBLIC OFFICIALS IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. YET, THERE ARE ISSUES THAT HAPPEN. I'LL ACKNOWLEDGE. IF SOMEONE IS BREAKING THE LAW THEY SHOULD BE TRAIKING AS BREAKING THE LAW. THAT IS NOT THE SAME AS STAGING AND GOING OUT AFTER PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO -- LITERALLY DONE NOTHING. ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE EXERCISING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. THAT'S FUNDAMENTAL TO WHO WE ARE AS AMERICANS. TO BE HONEST, ANYONE WHO JOINS ICE ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY, SERVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ANYONE JOINING ICE AT THIS POINT HAS FAILED THE HUMAN TEST OF DECENCY. I CAN'T IMAGINE MY KID GOING OFF AND DOING WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING. IT'S RIDICULOUS. AND EMBARRASSING. I STRONGLY SUGGEST WE SHOOT DOWN THIS AMENDMENT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. NO OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR LEWIS TO CLOSE. >>COUN. LEWIS: I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. THANKS. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: NO. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: NO. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: NO. >>COUN. TELLES: NO. >>COUN. PEÑA: NO. >> FAILS ON A 1-8 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE BACK ON THE BILL. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE. I THINK YOU SPOKE SO ELOQUENTLY, COUNCILOR BACA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CLOSE ON THE BILL? >>COUN. BACA: URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: I'M SORRY. COUNCILOR TELLES WANTED TO READ SOMETHING INTO THE RECORD. I APOLOGIZE. >>COUN. TELLES: THANK YOU. I JUST RECEIVED A LATER FROM A COUNCILOR COLLEAGUE. ILIATE PAYNE WHO IS THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL. EMAILED ME. THIS IS HIS LETTER. HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBER TELLES. AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL I SOME PROUD TO EXPAND IMMIGRATION PROTECTIONS FOR ALBUQUERQUE. MINNEAPOLIS IN RESPOND TO HOMELAND SECURITY AFTER 9-11 OUT OF CONCERN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WAS CONDUCTING TARGETED SURVEILLANCE OF OUR LARGE MUSLIM COMMUNITY. WE LATER STRENGTHENED OUR SEPARATION ORDINANCE WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ON DECEMBER 11, 2005 IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING HOSTILITY FROM THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. WE BANNED THE USE OF CITY OWNED AND CITY CONTROLLED PARKING LOTS AND RAMPS AS STAGING AREAS OR PROCESSING LOCATIONS FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. WE PUT ON THE RECORD THAT AIDING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ERODES TRUST IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HAS A CHILLING EFFECT ON REPORTING CRIMES AND UNDERMINING PUBLIC SAFETY. OPERATION METRO SURGE IN DECEMBER OF 2025 WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DEPLOYING OVER 3,000 MASKED FEDERAL CITIES INTO WHAT OFFICIALS DESCRIBED AS THE LARGEST IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY. WHAT FOLLOWED WAS A STUDY IN IMPORTANCE OF DRAWING CLEAR LINES OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. THEY CONDUCTED DOOR TO DOOR SWEEPS. THEY CONDUCTED TRAFFIC STOPS WITHOUT REASONABLE SUSPICION. TARGETED PEOPLE AT COURTROOMS, SCHOOLS, MEDICAL FACILITIES, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, DAY CARES AND FUNERAL HOMES AND ENGAGED IN WHAT A FEDERAL JUDGE FOUND TO GO RACIAL PROFILING STOPPING PEOPLE. IN THE WORDS OF ONE AGENT BECAUSE ICE CAN. YOU DON'T HAVE THE SAME ACCENT AS ME. RENÉ GOOD AND ALEX PRETTY WERE KILLED BY ICE DURING THE OPERATION. THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ESTIMATED $203 MILLION IN ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY IMPACT. HAVING A STRONG SEPARATION ORDINANCE IN MINNEAPOLIS WAS CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE RESPONSE TO OPERATION METRO SURGE. IT CREATED CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR CITY STAFF AND CLEAR STATEMENT OF VALUES FOR OUR BROADER COMMUNITY. IT DID NOT OBSTRUCT FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES RETAIN FULL LEGAL AUTHORITY AND ALL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT THEIR OWN ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS AFFIRM THAT OUR LOCAL OFFICERS OUR LOCAL BUDGET AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS EXIST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. IT ENSURES THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE CONSCRIPTED AS AN ARM OF CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. IT TELLS EVERY RESIDENT OF THE CITY THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE. OUR HOSPITALS ARE SAFE. AND OUR POLICE ARE HERE FOR THEM. I URGE ALBUQUERQUE CITY COUNCIL TO OTHER STRONGER IMMIGRATION PROTECTIONS, NOT AS A POLITICAL STATEMENT BUT AS A GOVERNING ONE. EVERY PERSON IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE DESERVES A CLEAR ANSWER TO HAD QUESTION OF WHO SIDE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS ON. THESE PROTECTIONS PROVIDE THAT ANSWER. THANK YOU. ELLIOT PAGE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BACA, WILL YOU TAKE THAT AS A CLOSE? DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING? >>COUN. BACA: NO, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. DESPITE EVERYTHING, THE GREAT THING ABOUT OUR COUNCIL IS WE WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON THE GROUND. AND EACH DAY WE BREAK BREAD TOGETHER. I URGE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: NO. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: NO. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: NO. >>COUN. LEWIS: NO. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES ON A 5-4 VOTE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. WE'RE NOW ON BACA AND ROGERS. P-1. I DON'T KNOW WHO WANTS TO OPEN. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. P-1 ADOPTING PROPOSITION TO BE SENT TO THE VOTERS IN THE GENERAL ELECTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CHARTER FOR FUNDING CONFIRMATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND POSITION AS ACS CHIEF. I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. ROGERS: SECOND. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR ROGERS. IS THERE ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS? >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE WAS, BUT DIANE IS NO LONGER PRESENT IN ZOOM. OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL? NO? I HAVE IT HERE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE IT DEFERRAL. COUNCILOR GROUT HAS A QUESTION. >>COUN. GROUT: WE'RE GOING TO DEFERRAL? OKAY. I'LL JUST WAIT. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. BACK TO COUNCILOR ROGERS OR COUNCILOR BACA. >>COUN. BACA: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. JUST A QUICK -- THIS IS PART OF LARGER MESSAGE TO ALBUQUERQUE CREATED THIS SYSTEM. KUDOS TO LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND SO MANY OTHERS. ACS IS TRULY THE THIRD LEG OF THE STOOL OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN A WAY THAT OTHERS DON'T HAVE. THIS IS PART OF THE PACKAGE TO ACTUALLY FORMALLY RECOGNIZE IT AS A PARTNER AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS OPENS UP THE DOORS TO LARGER FISCAL -- [ INAUDIBLE ]. I'LL LEAVE COUNCILOR ROGERS TO TALK ABOUT THAT. SYMBOLICALLY AND FORMALLY WE NEED TO PUT THEM ON THE SAME ARM AS APD AND AFR CHIEF. COUNCILOR ROGERS TO CLOSE. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BACA. YES, THIS IS ALSO, AS I MENTIONED, WE'RE DIGGING INTO THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX. WE'LL NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING TO MAKE SURE ACS BEING THE THIRD ARM OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TO ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE REVENUE FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY TAX. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF THAT. THAT ALSO NEEDS TO GO TO THE VOTERS. WE'RE EXCITED TO STAND UP ACS AS A TRUE THIRD ARM OF PUBLIC SAFETY. BY MAKING SURE -- I WAS TORN. I'LL BE HONEST. I KNOW ACS IS SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFERENT THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE CHIEF TITLE HAS BEEN TIED TO THAT. BUT I KNOW FOR LEADERSHIP AND FOR HER TO BE SEEN AS AN EQUAL TO HER COUNTER PARTS THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP IN THAT. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR ROGERS. WOULD ONE OF YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR DEFERRAL? >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. I'LL MOVE FOR DEFERRAL. IT HAS TO HAVE TWO HEARINGS. THAT'S WHY WE'RE DEFERRING IT. I MOVE FOR DEFERRAL. >>COUN. PEÑA: WOULD APRIL 6th BE A GOOD DATE? >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU'RE WELCOME. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND BY COUNCILOR BACA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF -- I'M SORRY. MADAM CLERK. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: WE'RE ON THE LAST ITEM. COUNCILOR BACA AND COUNCILOR ROGERS. THIS IS THE COMPANION BILL. ARE YOU GOING TO OPEN? >>COUN. BACA: THIS IS A COMPANION BILL. WE ALSO HAVE TO A COMPANION RESOLUTION. FOR ALL THE SAME REASONS, I URGE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT. I MOVE DEFERRAL. >>COUN. ROGERS: SECOND, DEFERRAL TO APRIL 6th. >>COUN. PEÑA: LET ME ASK. THEY HAVE TO MOVE DO PASS FIRST. IF YOU CAN MOVE THE DO PASS FIRST. >>COUN. BACA: I MOVE DO PASS. >>COUN. ROGERS: SECOND. >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR DO PASS OF R-5. COUNCILOR ROGERS OR COUNCILOR BACA FOR DEFERRAL. >>COUN. ROGERS: THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WITH US. IT'S 1:30 OVER HERE. I MOVE DEFERRAL TO THE APRIL 6th MEETING. >>COUN. BACA: SECOND. >>COUN. PEÑA: MOTION AND SECOND FOR DEFERRAL TO THE APRIL 6thPETING. [ ROLL CALL ]. >>COUN. BACA: YES. >>COUN. BASSAN: YES. >>COUN. CHAMPINE: YES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YES. >>COUN. GROUT: YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >>COUN. ROGERS: YES. >>COUN. TELLES: YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >> PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. LAST ITEM OF THE EVENING IS OTHER BUSINESS. THERE'S NOTHING UNDER OTHER UNDER BUSINESS. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING IS ADJOURNED.