>>COUN. DAVIS: THIS IS YOUR 30 SECOND WARNING. IF YOU'RE WITH US, GRAB A SEAT. WE'LL GET STARTED IN JUST A MOMENT OR LESS. >>COUN. DAVIS: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD EVENING, WELCOME TO THE 38th MEETING OF THE 25th CITY COUNCIL WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. ALL COUNCILORS ARE PRESENT. COUNCILOR BENTON WILL JOIN US STARTLY. HE'S ON HIS WAY. TO GET US STARTED, LET'S ASK OUR VIC -- VICE-PRESIDENT TO LEAD US THROUGH A FEW ITEMS. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. WILL YOU STAND WITH ME AND SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND COUNCILOR LEWIS WILL LEAD IT FOR US AND COUNCILOR SANCHEZ IN SPANISH. AND ALSO A MOMENT OF SILENCE. >> 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. [ RECITING THE PLEDGE IN SPANISH ] >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. OKAY. CIVIC PLAZA PARKING PASSES ARE PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. YOU CAN OBTAIN A PARKING PASS FROM COUNCIL STAFF AT THE TABLE NEAR THE CHAMBER ENTRANCE. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, CITY STAFF AND THE MEDIA HAVE THE ABILITY TO VIEW THIS MEETING IN PERSON AND ON LIVE STREAM THROUGH FOUR DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. GOVTV ON COMCAST CHANNEL 16, THE GOVTV WEBSITE, YOUTUBE AND ZOOM. LIVE STREAMS CAN ALSO BE ACCESSED FROM MOST SMART PHONES, TABLETS AND COMPUTERS. THIS MEETING IS CLOSED CAPTIONED AND YOU MAY ENABLE THE CLOSED CAPTIONING SERVICES ON YOUR TELEVISION OR DEVICE TIALIT -- AT THIS TIME. THE VIDEO RECORDING OF THIS AND ALL PAST COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE ON THE CITY COUNCIL WEBSITE. COUNCIL STAFF IS AVAILABLE VIA TELEPHONE IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NEED ASSISTANCE FINDING VIDEOS ONLINE. PLEASE CALL 505-768-3100 DURING BUSINESS HEARS MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 TO 5 P.M. THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE A BREAK AT APPROXIMATELY 7 P.M. IF NEEDED. WITH REGARD TO DOQUORUM, WE WANT TONIGHT'S PROCEEDING TO BE AS CIVIL AND RESPECTFUL AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT MAKE ANY PERSONAL ATTACKS OR APPLAUSE OR OUTBURSTS DURING THE MEETING. THE MEETING WILL GO SMOOTHER AND WE'RE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER. AT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. WE HAVE SOME GUESTS THIS EVENING. IF -- I THINK WE NEED A RULES AMENDMENT. THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. I MOVE THE RULES BE SUSPEND FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING FOUR OR MORE PROCLAMATIONS PER COUNCILOR PER CALENDAR YEAR. WE NEED TWO-THIRDS VOTE. >>COUN. GROUT: WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COUNCILOR DAVIS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. OPPOSED? THAT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. I'M SORRY -- I THOUGHT YOU SAID SOMETHING. I'M SORRY. WE HAVE SOME GUESTS WITH US THIS EVENING. IF YOU CAN COME TO THE FRONT WE HAVE -- THIS IS A CHRISTOPHER LOVE FROMPOMEGRANATE. CAYLA, RACHEL AND CHARLES. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE IS HERE. WE'RE GART START BY READING THE PROCLAMATION. WE'LL START WITH COUNCILOR JONES. >>COUN. JONES: THANK YOU. WHEREAS, IN ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR INCLUSIVE HIRING INCREASES FINANCIAL STABILITY, SOCIAL INCLUSION AND MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS AND WHEREAS, RECOGNIZING THE WORKFORCE COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF CREATING TRULY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS. WHEREAS IN INCLUSIVE HIRING AT MINIMUM WAGE OR HIGHER ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY AND REDUCING RELIANCE ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. AND WHEREAS HIRING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND EFFORTS TOCYTE AN INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE IMPROVES EMPLOY REMORAL, REDUCES TURNOVER AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES THE WORK OF LOCAL DISABILITY EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND ACHIEVING THEIR GOALS FOR LIVING, LEARNING AND WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS POMEGRANATE ORCHARDS MEETS AND NEEDS THROUGH PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OFFERED AT NO COST TO INCLUSIVE EMPLOYERS. AND WHEREAS THE CITY COUNCIL HAS WORKED WITH DISABILITY PROVIDERS SUCH AS POMEGRANATE ORCHARDS SINCE AUGUST OF 2020 DRAFF AND ENACT R-20-84. THIS ACT DIRECTED THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT PROVIDERS TO EXPLORE CREATING SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL CITIZENS SKILLS AND CAPACITIES. BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE DECLARES OCTOBER 2023 AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH. I'M GOING TO ASK THESE FOLKS TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS. THERE'S A SPECIAL GUEST OTHER THAN CHRIS LOVE AND HIS ASSOCIATES. WE HAVE SABRINA WHO IS IN THE WHEELCHAIR. I KNOW HER VERY WELL. SHE'S LIKE MY DAUGHTER. SHE LIVED WITH ME FOR QUITE SOMETIME. >> YES. >> CHRIS, IF YOU WANT TO COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS. AS YOU KNOW, IT SAYS IN THE PROCLAMATION THAT WE PASSED A RESOLUTION IN 2020 TO REALLY BE ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE. PEOPLE LIKE ADINA AND OTHERS, MY FAMILY MEMBERS, AND OTHERS OUT THERE REALLY LOOKING FOR EMPLOYMENT. IT'S A CHALLENGE. I KNOW OUR HR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT. I KNOW THEY HAVE CHALLENGES. AS I MENTIONED AT THE LAST MEETING, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET TOGETHER WITH PROVIDERS AND MAYBE PROVIDE -- THERE'S OTHERS THAT WE CAN PROVIDE A CONTRACT SO THEY CAN HELP US AT THE CITY TO REALLY LEARN HOW TO FIGURE THIS OUT BECAUSE OFTENTIMES PEOPLE ARE STUCK AT HOME AND DON'T HAVE THINGS TO DO. YOU HAVE A BACHELORS, DON'T YOU IN >> YES, MA'AM. >> CHRIS, IF YOU WANT TO GET UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS AND WE'LL HAVE ADINA SPEAK. >> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH. IT REALLY -- EMPLOYMENT IN GENERAL HAS A GREAT EFFECT ON THE MORALE OF NOT ONLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, BUT ALSO EMPLOYERS AND COMMUNITY AND IN GENERAL. I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT A COUPLE FACTS. AND IN 2022, NATIONWIDE 23.3% OF INDIVIDUALS AGED 16 TO 64 WITH DISABILITIES WERE EMPLOYED. VERSUS 65.4% WITH INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT DISABILITIES. NATIONALLY, 10.3% OF WORKING INDIVIDUALS WERE WORKING. IN NEW MEXICO, IT WAS 11.1%. ONLY 34.4% OF WORKING AGE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN NEW MEXICO ARE EMPLOYED. 31.4% OF FAMILIES WITH DISABLED INDIVIDUALS IN NEW MEXICO ARE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. 16.1% OF NEW MEXICANS HAVE A DISABILITY OF SOME SORT. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES MAKE EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES. THERE SOME OF THE MOST DEDICATED AND HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES FOR BUSINESSES. THEY HAVE A TYPICAL TURNOVER RATE OF ONLY 8% AMONG EMPLOYERS WITH DISABILITIES VERSUS A 45% TURNOVER RATE OF EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISABILITIES. THEY STAY WITH THEIR JOB FOR A LONG TIME WHEN HIRED. IT ALSO BUILDS A SENSE OF PRIDE AND BELONGING IN THE COMMUNITY. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE, FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT. PERSONALLY I KNO ADINA HAS STUFF TO SAY AND AFTER HER WE HAVE A PARENT OF A COUPLE INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. THANK YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. CHRIS. MS.ADINA. DEWE HAVE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WHERE SHE CAN ACCESS THE MIC? >> I WAS A MEMBER OF THE DISABILITY CONFERENCE. I HAVE A BACHELORS IN SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY. [ INAUDIBLE ] I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS THAT HELP OUR SENSE OF BEINGS. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE THE NEXT SPEAKER. MS. AMANA. >> HELLO, I'M AMANDA. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I AM A LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF ALBUQUERQUE. AND OF NEW MEXICO. I HAVE A MASTERS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SKWU APPLIED BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS. I WORK WITH DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS AND DIFFERENTABILITIES. I HAVE A SON WHO IS 21 AND RECEIVING SERVICES. AND ANOTHER SON WHO IS 25 WHO RECENTLY SUFFERED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. SINCE -- THAT WAS IN 2021. SINCE THAT HAS OCCURRED WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO REHAB, AND WE MET CHRIS LOVE AND HE'S BEEN AMAZING. HE'S BEEN ABLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT. GIVING THEM PURPOSE AND MEANING. CREATING A MEANINGFUL DAY FOR THEM. WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. NOT ONLY FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH BUT FOR RECOVERY. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THE NEED AND FOR YOU ALL TO KEEP IN MIND NOT JUST THIS MONTH BUT AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES ANY WAY THAT WE CAN INTEGRATE PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES INTO THE COMMUNITY I THINK IS AMAZING. I THINK THAT ALBUQUERQUE AND NEW MEXICO CAN HOPEFULLY CREATE A REPUTATION WHERE WE SERVE THAT POPULATION. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE PASSING THE PROCLAMATION OUT? MAYBE YOU WANT TO HAND IT TO THEM. THANK YOU INTEREST -- FOR BEING HERE. I WANT TO KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE RESOLUTION. THERE'S LOT OF FOLKS WAITING FOR A JOB AT THE CITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, GUYS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU. >> [ APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO SAY YOU GUYS ARE VERY MUCH VALUED IN THE COMMUNITY. AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. AND WE'LL FIND A SPOT FOR YOU. SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE. >> THANK YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: THANKS FOR BEING HERE. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON. WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BY DIRECTOR SIMON. DIRECTOR DENNIS VASQUUEZ AND OPEN SPACE DIRECTOR COLEEN. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION. OPEN SPACE IS DEAR TO MY HEART. [ INAUDIBLE ] IF YOU CAN HELP US GET THE PRESENTATION UP, I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO. THANK YOU. IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL PASSED RESOLUTION 22-8 WHICH DIRECTED THE PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH OPEN SPACE DIVISION TO FORM A TASK FORCE AND ADDRESS KEY ISSUES. IDENTIFIED IN THE RESOLUTION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND THOSE FOUR THINGS, IN THE RESOLUTION, ARE LISTED HERE. THE COMMUNITY WAS FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE OF THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND. THE COUNCIL ASKED TO REPORT BACK ON INFORMATION ABOUT INCREASING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OPEN SPACE. IDENTIFYING NEEDS IN THAT AREA AS WELL AS REVIEWING THE DEFINITION OF MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE. THE COMMITTEE WAS COMPRISED OF PROFESSIONALS FROM CITY COUNCIL STAFF, THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION FOLKS. THE COMMITTEE MET FOR SIX MEETINGS OVERALL. AND SUBMITTED THAT REPORT TO YOU EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE COMPLETE REPORT IS IN YOUR PACKETS ALONG WITH A LOT OF SUPPORTING MATERIAL. NEXT SLIDE. THE QUICK HISTORY OF THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND IS IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE IMPOSITION OF A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX WITH A QUARTER CENT FOR FOUR YEARS. AND THAT CAPITALIZED THE FUND WAY BACK IN 1984. THE PRIMARY INTENT WAS TO HELP SUPPLEMENT THE OPERATIONS OF THE OPEN SPACE DIVISION AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAM OF THE DIVISION. OVER TIME, THE AMOUNT OF THE FUND CHANGED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. THE FUND PEAKS IN THE EARLY 2000s. IT'S STANDING LESS THAN $10 MILLION. WE'RE MANAGING THAT FUND CONSERVATIVELY. IT PRODUCES A RETURN OF 2.8% ANNUALLY TO THE CITY. THE FUNDS ARE APPROPRIATED TO THE DIVISION AND CAN BE USED FOR OTHER SUPPORTIVE OPERATIONS. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOUR STRATEGIES THAT WERE OPTIONS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL WITH NO PARTICULAR PRIORITY ORDER. THE FOUR POTENTIAL STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED WHERE TO INTHANES INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF THE FUND THROUGH MORE DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT STRATEGY. THAT MAY REQUIRE A CHANGE TO STATE LAW. SECOND TO INCREASE THE SET ASIDE FROM THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PACKAGE THAT THE CITY DOES FROM THE CURRENT LEVEL OF 2%. AND TO MAKE THAT ALLOCATION PERMANENT. THE THIRD OPTION OR STRATEGY WAS TO GO BACK TO THAT GRT APPROACH TO RECAPITALIZE AND DEDICATE MORE FUNDS BACK INTO THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND OR ACQUISITION IN GENERAL. AND FOURTH, TO AUGMENT THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND ANNUALLY FROM ANY SURPLUS THAT THE CITY MIGHT HAVE IN THE RESERVES OR ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS. THOSE ARE FOUR STRATEGIES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I ASKED THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, A VERY WELL KNOWN NONPROFIT THAT SPECIALS IN CONSERVATION FINANCE TO ALSO LOOK AT OUR SITUATION. AND THEY TOOK A LOOK AT OUR EXISTING FUNDING CAPACITY AND STRATEGIES AND THE OTHER MECHANISMS THEY SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE USE OF PROPERTY TAX OR GROSS RECEIPTS TAX. IN THE CASE OF AN 1/8 CENT IT WOULD GENERATE $23 MILLION A YEAR AND A COUPLE MILLS WOULD GENERATE TO $5 MILLION. THIES ARE -- THOSE OTHER STRATEGIES PEOPLE HAVE USED AROUND THE NATION. IT'S TO SUPPLEMENT THE INFORMATION TO YOU. WE'RE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION. NOW WE'RE GOING TO SHIFT TO THE OTHER ASSIGNMENTS IN THE RESOLUTION THAT HAS TO DO WITH INCREASING EQUITY. I'LL ASK DENNIS TO TAKE THIS OVER. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE NEXT ONE AFTER THIS. OKAY. AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE R22-8 RESOLUTION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, PARKS, TRAILS AND GREEN SPACES. THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS FROM NATURE THAT ARE DEVIVED FROM BEING PEOPLE BEING IN THE OUTDOORS. THIS IS TRUE FOR PEOPLE IN HIGH-STRESSED SITUATION WHICH IS THE CASE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS. PPO RANKS CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON PARK SCORES. I'M HAPPY TO SAY YOUR CITY IS DOING A GREAT JOB ON THIS FRONT. IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS WE HAVE GONE FROM 82 TO 91% OF RSIDENTS BEING WITHIN A 10-MINUTE WALK OF GREEN SPACE COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES OUR SIZE WHICH IS TYPICALLY 56%. WE WANT TO CLOSE THE REMAINING GAP AND ARE TARGETING PROGRAMS IN THE AREAS WE'VE IDENTIFIED IN THE MAP. OVER THE PAST FEW KWEERZ WE HAVE SERVED AROUND 2,000 PEOPLE IN 2000 PEOPLE IN 2020 TO 11,000. WE HAVE NOW TARGETED GAP AREAS IN EXPANDING AREAS TO SERVE LARGER AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES WITH 15 NEW PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE ECOCARE KIT FOR FOSTER YOUTH, AND KITS FOR CLASSES FEATURED AT LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO NAME A COUPLE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING, IN ADDITION TO THE OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY OPEN SPACE DIVISION PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT THROUGH PROGRAMS IN OTHER DIVISIONS REACHES THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS EACH YEAR WITH HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION AND A GREAT VARIETY OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPORTS. THE ACTIVITIES PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION SKILLS AND PROMOTE A SENSE OF APPRECIATION FOR PUBLIC LANDS. PROGRAMS ARE STRUCTURED TO REMOVE AND REDUCE TRADITIONAL BARRIERS TO THE ACTIVITIES LIKE TRANSPORTATION AND EQUIPMENT COSTS. IN CONDUCTING THESE PROGRAMS WE WORK CLOSELY WITH TITLE ONE SCHOOLS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH VETERANS GROUPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE OUTDOORS. THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO PUSH PAST THEIR COMFORT ZONES WITH SKILLFUL GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION AND ACHIEVE GROWTH IN PERSONAL CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, TEAM INTERACTIONS AND ALL THE OTHER BENEFITS THAT ARE FOUND IN TIME SPENT OUTDOORS. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. BUT TO ADDRESS THE CHARGE IN THE RESOLUTION, AND THE GAP AREAS THAT I TALKED ABOUT. THE OPEN SPACE DIVISION DEVELOPED A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN. FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THIS WAS A VERY LARGE COMMUNITY EFFORT WHERE WE BROUGHT IN NUMEROUS PARTNERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT DO SIMILAR WORK TO WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COMMUNITY AND AS WELL AS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION TO DEVELOP THE PLAN. YOU CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE. DURING THE PLANNING PHASE WE IDENTIFIED SIX MAIN GOALS THAT ALIGNED WITH SPECIFIC ACTION TO ADDRESS THE GOALS THAT WE FELT WOULD REL MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THE ISSUES AND BE WITHIN OUR ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES. I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THESE ACTION ITEMS. WE CURRENTLY REACH ALL VARIOUS AGES OF PEOPLE FROM THE YOUNG TO THE ELDERLY. WE SPECIFICALLY WANT TO REACH EVERY SEVENTH GRADER AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES IN THE BOSQUE. WE WANT TO PURSUE LANGUAGE ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR EDUCATION AND INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS AS WELL AS IN-PERSON PROGRAMS. AND JUST BECAUSE OF OUR PREVIOUS SPEAKERS, I ALSO WANT TO IDENTIFY AND EMBARK A COLLABORATIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUITY AUDIT OF ALL OF THE FACILITY AND TRAILHEADS, LOOKING AT LANGUAGE ACCESS AND MOBILITY ISSUES AS WELL FOR HOW PEOPLE GET TO THE OPEN SPACE AREA AND WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY FIRST GET THERE. NEXT SLIDE. WE ALSO WANT TO EXPAND OUR OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAM, AND MY FAMILY FIRST CAMPOUT PROGRAMS. SO FAMILIES CAN EXPERIENCE SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS, ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS AND GET THE CONFIDENCE TO EXPLORE ON THEIR OWN. WHICH NOT ALL FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE. WE'LL PROVIDE THOSE SUPPORTS FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. NEXT SLIDE. WE HAVE TIED EACH ONE OF THE GOALS IN ACTIONS TO BUDGETS REQUESTS AND THESE BUDGETS THAT WOULD WOULD BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS WOULD HELP US ACHIEVE GOALS AS REQUESTED. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR EXPANDING PROGRAMS IN COMMUNITY CENTERS, INTERNSHIP JOB EXPERIENCES, SUPPORTING WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES, AND PARTNERS WHO ARE ALSO ENGAGED IN THIS WORK. NEXT SLIDE. I'M SORRY. I HAVE ONE MORE. I ALSO JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT HOW THE OPEN SPACE DIVISION IS DOING A LOT OF OTHER THINGS IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE BEEN DOING CAPITAL RESTORATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE NETWORK OF 30,000 ACRES OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACE. WE HAVE AQUERED -- ACQUIRED 1600 ACRES THAT WE'RE MANAGING. WE HAVE THREE MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDING THE SAN ANTONIO BLUFF, TIJERAS BIO ZONE. WE HAVE GETTING PLANNING PROJECTS TO LOOK AT PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS AND SITE PLANS. WE HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. YOU NAME IT, WE'RE DOING IT WITHIN OUR OPEN SPACE DIVISION. I HOPE YOU'RE PROUD OF ALL THE WORK WE'RE DOING AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AS WE WANT TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM AS YOU ASKED US TO. >> NEXT SLIDE. WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OPEN SPACE DIVISION CONTINUE TO GROW WITH THE ACQUISITION OF SIGNIFICANT NEW PROPERTIES WITH INCREASE OF RECREATIONAL USE OF OPEN SPACE LANDS AND MORE PROGRAMS OPEN TO BROADER AUDIENCES AND WE MANAGE AN AGIC INFRASTRUCTURE, THE CHALLENGES AMOUNT. BUT THE CAPACITY TO MANAGE THE CHALLENGES HAS NOT GROWN. ONE OF THE REQUESTS MADE BY CITY COUNCIL WAS TO IDENTIFY THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF OPEN SPACE PROGRAM. WE BELIEVE THAT A FUNDAMENTAL STEP TO INCREASING SOCIALALLY EQUITABLE ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT OF OPEN SPACE IS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE OPEN SPACE SYSTEM. AS PART OF THE NEEDS ANALYSIS, NEXT SLIDE, WE DIVIDED THE OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION INTO THREE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WHICH IS THE BOSQUE, CANDELARIA, EAST DISTRICT, THE FOOTHILLS, ARROYO AND WEST DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES THE WEST MESA AND SAN ANTONIO BLUFFS. THESE ARE ESTABLISHED, AND OTHERS ARE NEWER THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET ONLINE. WE IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT COSTS TO MANAGE THE AREAS AT A LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT MEETS OUR MANDATE WHICH INCLUDES PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE SPECIAL LANDS AS WITH WELL AS PROVIDING QUALITY VISITOR SERVICES. WE IDENTIFIED THE PERSONNEL EQUIPMENT NEEDS FOR EACH OF THE DISTRICT AND EVALUATED THE BUDGETS FOR EACH. WE IDENTIFIED KEY POSITIONS NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE WORK THROUGHOUT THE OPEN SPACE SYSTEM. AND ALSO IN THIS ARE INCLUDED ARE THEEICATION -- EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO CARRY OUT THE PROGRAMS IN THE VERY IMPORTANT OPEN SPACE LANDS THAT WE'RE FORTUNATE AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE AROUND OUR CITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> THE LAST REQUEST IN R-22-8 WAS TO LOOK AT THE DEFINITIONS OF MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE IN SEVERAL GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. PARTICULARLY THE BERNALILLO COUNTY-ALBUQUERQUE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THE DOCUMENT CALLED THE OPEN SPACE FACILITIES PLAN. THEOPEP SPACE ADVISORY BOARD AND THE STAFF LOOKED AT THE DEFINITION. WE VIEWED THE DEFINITION OF MAJOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WHICH IS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE BERNALILLO COUNTY COMP PLAN WHICH IS THE PREVAILING DEFINITION. OUR PLAN IS TO REVISE THE MAJOR FACILITIES PLAN TO MAKE IT MATCH UP WITH THE BERNALILLO COUNTY COMP PLAN DEFINITION WHEN WE REVISE THE OPEN SPACE DOCUMENT IN THE NEXT YEAR. THAT WILL BE THE WAY TO RECONCILE THE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS AND WE'VE SEEN THE ONE IN THE COMP PLAN AS THE REVEILING CORRECT OVERARCHING DEFINITION. NEXT SLIDE. IN CONCLUSION, THE COMMITTEE GAVE YOU SOME GENERAL REPORTS AND STRATEGIES AND PERSPECTIVE ON THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND. WE TRIED TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES GOING FORWARD TO INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO ALL AGE GROUPS AND DIVERSE CONSTITUENTS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THE WORK IN THE PROGRAMS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>COUN. GROUT: COUNCILORS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR SANCHEZ. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION ABOUT WHAT'S THE SAN ANTON YOU OXBOW? THAT'S IN MY DISTRICT. >> YES, SIR. MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR SANCHEZ, WE -- YOU'VE GOT THE RIGHT TITLE FOR IT NOW. WE ARE COMPLETING THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT. IT'S ABOUT 23 ACRES. IT'S A LARGE SITE. THAT WILL BE GOING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING COMMISSION THIS FALL FOR APPROVAL OF THAT SITE PLAN. ONCE THAT'S APPROVED WE CAN BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT THEY HELPED US IDENTIFY IN THE MASTER PLAN. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO BEGIN OPENING UP THE PROPERTY FOR MORE PUBLIC USE. IT WILL BE A GRADUAL PROCESS. THIS IS AS WE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC USE. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. JUST A FEW QUESTIONS ON -- SO IN DISTRICT THREE WEST SIDE, WE HAVE WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH OPEN SPACE AS DIFFERENT AREAS. WE'RE GROWING IT. WE'RE START TO GET THERE. I WENT ON THE TOUR WITH THE HUBBLE DAM EXPANSION. IT'S A HIDDEN TREASURE. TALKING ABOUT REDOING IT AND PUTTING IT OUT THERE. IT'S PRETTY SCARY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT ANYONE OUT THERE. YOU LOOK AT THE BOSQUE, AND IN COMPARISON IT'S UNTOUCHED AND BEAUTIFUL LAND. I WANTED TO SAY WE HAD A RESOLUTION WITH PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED. I THINK MOST OF THE PRIORITIES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE WERE MOST OF THE OPEN SPACE ON THE WEST SIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE. AND WE DID A RESOLUTION HERE ASK AND IT CHANGED THAT. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW MANY PLACES ARE STILL ON THE WEST SIDE FROM THAT RESOLUTION? AND I ONLY SAY THAT BECAUSE IT WAS KIND OF A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING TO KNOW THAT WE WENT THROUGH THIS WHOLE EQUITY INCLUSION AND REALLY THE PROCESS REALLY IRONED OUT THERE WAS NEEDS ON THE WEST SIDE AND THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT. >> SURE. MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR PEÑA, THE APPROVED PRIORITY ACQUISITION LIST FOR OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION IS SOMETHING THAT GOES TO THE COUNCIL FOR REVIEW. ON THAT LIST WE HAVE EIGHT AREAS FOR WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE ACQUISITION. SEVEN ARE ON THE WEST SIDE. >>COUN. PEÑA: SO THAT REMAINS? IT WAS CHANGED AT A RECENT MEETING. I DON'T REMEMBER THE TIME. IT WAS CHANGED. THERE WAS SOME OF THE PRIORITIES THAT WERE REMOVED. >> THE LAST TIME THAT -- COUNCILOR PEÑA, THE LAST TIME COUNCIL REVIEWED AND UPDATED THE ACQUISITION LIST WAS IN 2021. WE ADDED A COUPLE SITES AT THAT TIME. MOST OF THE MAJOR PRIORITIES DID STAY THE SAME. THERE WAS A RESOLUTION IN COUNCIL, I THINK, THAT HAD BEEN SPONSORED BY FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER HARRIS THAT I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO. THAT ULTIMATELY DID NOT BECOME LAW. THE MAJOR PRIORITY ACQUISITION AREAS FOR OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION HAVE STAYED PRETTY CONSISTENT FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. AS I SAID SEVEN OF EIGHT ARE ON THE WEST SIDE. WE HAVE AREAS THAT ARE NOT ON THE PRIORITY LIST THAT WE WOULDN'T MIND SEEING ADDED TO THE LIST. SEVERAL ARE ON THE WEST SIDE. INCLUDING AREAS SOUTH OF I-40 THAT WE WANT TO GET ON THE PRIORITY LIST AND DO OUR BEST OVER TIME. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO THAT AND IT DIDN'T PASS. AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD WAS THAT WHEN WE JUST RECENTLY, I THINK, IT'S PART OF -- IS IT THE SAME RESOLUTION? DID WE ADD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY FOR OPEN SPACE? >> MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR PEÑA, AT THAT TIME, NO. WE DID NOT. HOWEVER, THE RECENT GO BOND PACKAGE WHICH IS GOING BEFORE THE VOTERS THAT COUNCIL APPROVED, THAT CONTAINS VERY IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR OPEN SPACE AND THAT ACTUALLY REPRESENTS AN INCREASE IN THE PROPOSED PACKAGE. IT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT. >> MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BENTON IS SAYING WE ACTUALLY INCREASED IT. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. YEAH, THAT TIME PERIOD, WE DID BUMP UP THE SET ASIDE. IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD? FROM 1.5% TO 2%. >> COUNCILOR BENTON, EXISTING SET ASIDE IS AT 2%. HOWEVER IN THE LATEST GO BOND PACKAGE, THE 2023 PACKAGE WHICH IS PENDING BEFORE THE VOTER, THE COUNCIL TOOK ACTION TO INCREASE THAT AMOUNT TO 2.5%. >>COUN. BENTON: I THINK IT'S BEEN INCREMENTAL SINCE THE LAST PERIOD THAT COUNCILOR PEÑA IS TALKING ABOUT. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. ONE MORE FOLLOW UP. WE'RE GOING FROM 2.5% TO 4%? >> THE WAY THE ITEMS ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA FOR FINAL ACTION IS AN ORDINANCE SPONSORED BY COUNCILOR GROUT WHICH WOULD BUMP THE SET ASIDE FROM 2% TO 3%. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED CLARIFIED. THANK YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? I HAD -- YES, SIR. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. QUICK QUESTION MAYBE FOR OPEN SPACE AND PARKS DEPARTMENT STAFF. MAYBE ALSO FOR CITY ATTORNEY. AND THIS IS ABOUT SPECIFIC LONG-STANDING PRIORITIES OF THE ACQUISITION PLAN WHICH IS THE NORTH JELOGIC WINDOW OF THE MONUMENT. LONG-ESTABLISHED BEFORE MY TIME AS A PRIORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. THE QUESTION IS BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD A WILLING SELLER OF THOSE BIG TRACTS IN THE NORTH WINDOW. IS IT WITHIN THE CITY'S AUTHORITY TO CONDENSE PROPERTY FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE WHICH IS THE PRESERVATION AND EXPANSION OF THE OPEN SPACE SYSTEM? >> MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BENTON, I'M GENERALY AWARE OF THE LEGAL AUTHORITY BUT I'LL DEFER TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. >> MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BENTON, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS MORE CLOSELY. I WOULD GENERALLY SAY YES. >>COUN. BENTON: I APPRECIATE IT. PLEASE LOOK AT IT MORE CLOSELY AND LET US KNOW. THANK YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. I WANTED TO ASK HOW MANY VISITORS DO WE HAVE GOING THROUGH THE OPEN SPACE ON A YEARLY BASIS THAT YOU CAN COUNT? >> MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. I HAVE TO SAY WE ONLY HAVE A PARTIAL ANSWER. WE TRACK IT CAREFULLY AT SEVERAL POINTS IN THE SYSTEM. IN THE FOOTHILLS, THEY GET ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL THE OTHER TRAILHEADS. IT'S PROBABLY AT LEAST DOUBLE THAT. IN THE BOSQUE, WE ESTIMATE ABOUT 1 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR. MANY OF THE OPEN SPACE AREAS DON'T HAVE VISITOR COUNTERS ON THEM. THAT IS SOMETHING WE'D LIKE TO IMPROVE ON. AND PET RUGLF THE NATIONAL MONUMENT, THE THAT'S UP TO 320 THP -- IT'S ABOUT 2 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR. >>COUN. GROUT: THAT'S WONDERFUL. WILL YOU STICK AROUND? WE HAVE SOMETHING COMING UP LATER AND I'D LIKE YOU TO BE HERE? >> SURE. WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR GIVING US THE HO WORK. IT WAS A USEFUL EXERCISE IN ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION DOING AN INTROSPECTION. ALL OF THE COMMITTEE WORKED HARD TO PREPARE THE REPORT FOR YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WORK FOR YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, I HAVE REQUESTED A PRESENTATION. I ADMIT I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RISK FUND AND THE RISK MANAGEMENT FUND IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. WITH SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT I RECENTLY HAD I THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US AS A COUNCIL TO BECOME A LITTLE BIT MORE AWARE OF HOW THE RISK FUND WORKS. MAYBE ALL OF YOU KNOW. I DIDN'T KNOW SOME OF WHAT I LEARNED IN THE LAST ALMOST TWO WEEKS. AT THE SAME TIME I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE RICHIN RISK FUND SO WE CAN DECIDE WHAT WE NEED TO DO MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME OF THE DISCUSSED LIABILITIES THAT WE'VE HAD HAD IN THE SIT CITY OF IT STARTED WITH APD, AND WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WORK AND WHERE THINGS LIE SO WE KNOW AS A COUNCIL WHAT TO PREPARE FOR AND HOW TO BUDGET BETTER FOR THAT. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WE HAVE STAFF FROM THE RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT THAT WILL GIVE YOU A GENERAL PRESENTATION ABOUT THE FUND AND HOW IT'S MANAGED. AND IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS WE'LL GO FORWARD WITH IT. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M LARRY, I AM THE ACTING RISK MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. FROM OUR RISK STANDPOINT, DID YOU WANT ME TO TAKE ABOUT THE FUND? OKAY. WE HAVE A RISK FUND. WE CHARGE A PREMIUM TO OUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. BASED ON A ROLLING TOTAL OF LOSSES IN THE PAST. WE TRY TO PREDICT OUR FUTURE LOSSES FROM OUR PAST BEHAVIORS. THAT ROLLS INTO A FUND. WE USE THAT FUND TO PAY OUT CLAIMS FILED AGAINST THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. RIGHT NO -- >>COUN. BASSAN: PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> RIGHT NOW, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE CITY, I FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN A PRETTY GOOD POSITION. WE DO HAVE SOME PENDING CLAIMS THAT ARE COMING OUR WAY. MOST NOTABLE, THINGS THAT I BELIEVE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. GATEWAY, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE HAVEN'T RECEIVED LAWSUITS, BUT WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO TALK ABOUT IT. ONCE WE RECEIVE A LAWSUIT WE MAKE SURE IT'S RESERVED AND WE HAVE MONEY TO PAY THINGS WE NEED TO PAY. THE HANDLING OF OUR CLAIMS DAY TO DAY WHEN WE RECEIVE TORT CLAIMS NOTICES, WE RESERVE BASED OFF OF PASSED CLAIMS KNOWLEDGE IN TURPS OF WHAT WE PAID IN THE PAST. WE SET THAT MONEY ASIDE AND WE VIGOROUSLY WORK WITH CITY LEGAL TO NEGOTIATE SOLID SETTLEMENTS THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF THE CITY. FROM A RISK STANDPOINT THAT'S PRETTY MUCH HOW IT WORKS. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, THAT'S CLEAR AS MUD TO ME. THANK YOU FOR TRYING WITH THAT. YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT QUORA. CAN YOU ELABORATE? >> THAT'S THE COST OF US FUNDING RISK WITHIN THE CITY. >> MAY I MAKE ONE COMMENT? I HAD ADVISED CAUTION ABOUT THIS PRESENTATION. IN PARTICULAR, I DON'T THINK IN THIS FORUM WE SHOULD DISCUSS CALCULATION OF EXPOSURE ON ANY CLAIMS. THOSE ARE CONFIDENTIAL. THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN RISK AND LEGAL ARE WORK PRODUCT AND I JUST WOULD ADVISE WE SHOULDN'T DISCUSS IN A PUBLIC FORUM THE 10THS OF OUR EXPOSURE ON ANY CLAIMS IN SEPARATE OR AGGREGATE. >>COUN. BASSAN: OKAY. I DO THINK AS THE GOVERNING BODY FOR THE BUDGET WE SHOULD KNOW. CAN YOU ANSWER HOW MUCH IS CURRENTLY IN THE RISK FUND? >> $118 MILLION. >>COUN. BASSAN: OKAY. SO, I MEAN, WE HAVE -- WE KNOW THAT IN FY22 THERE WERE CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNTS WE HAD PAID OUT. SO WHAT WAS THAT? AND WHAT IS OUR FORECAST FOR FY23 EVEN THOUGH THAT YEAR IS OVER? WHERE ARE WE AT? I FEEL LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT IS TOO SECRETIVE AS FAR AS IS OUR RASC -- RISK FUND ABLE TO MANAGE OR DO WE NEED TO PUT MORE MONEY TEEN SURE OUR LIABILITIES IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE? >> LET ME STEP IN HERE AND REMIND YOU OF THE PROCESS SO IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL. >>COUN. BASSAN: I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M ASKING. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE PROCESS. CAN YOU GO THROUGH THAT? THAT WAY WE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT MORE. >> YES, COUNCILOR BASSAN, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WE ARE PREPARING THE YEARLY BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENT. AS LAWRENCE DESCRIBED, EACH DEPARTMENT IS ASSESSED A FACTOR IN TERMS OF THEIR PAST HISTORY OF LIABILITIES FOR THE DEPARTMENTS THAT MEANS THE RISK DEPARTMENT EVALUATES THE LIABILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN INCURRED BY THAT DEPARTMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR. AN ASSESSMENT IS MADE, OR A -- AN ASSESSMENT IS MADE OF THE FUNDS, BEFORE THE BUDGET IS DEVELOPED FOR THE COUNCIL WE TAKE THAT NUMBER AND APPLY IT TO EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS FROM THE REVENUE THE CITY HAS. THE LIABILITIES HAVE TO BE FUNDED FIRST. WHEN YOU GET THE BUDGET AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION PRESENTS IT, THOSE LIABILITIES HAVE BEEN FACTORED FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THEN THAT MONEY IS SET ASIDE AS PART AND PLACED INTO THE RISK FUND. IT DEPENDS ON IF YOU WILL ON THE LEVEL OF SETTLEMENTS THAT OCCUR AS IT RELATES TO EACH OF THE CLAIMS FILED. SOMETIMES THEY HAPPEN TWO OR THREE FISCAL YEARS DOWN THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE FUND AND KEEP THE FUND SOLVENT TO DEAL WITH THE CLAIMS, THIS ASSESSMENT IS MADE ON A YEARLY BASIS SO WE CAN ASSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR TO PAY FOR ANY LIABILITIES THAT MIGHT PRESENT THEMSELVES DURING THE COURSE OF THAT YEAR. I SAID TO OUR CITY ATTORNEYS POINT IS THAT NUMBER IS NOT A NUMBER WE PUBLICIZE, MOSTLY BECAUSE WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE ACTIVELY SUING THE CITY AT THE MOMENT. AND TO HAVE A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT CREATES A FURTHER LIABILITY AS IT RELATES TO THE CITY'S -- TO ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT THE CITY FINANCIALLY. HOWEVER, I WOULD SAY TO ALL OF YOU THAT AS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND AS THE COUNCILORS THAT MADE DECISIONS ON THE BUDGET WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE A PRESENTATION ON A ONE-ON-ONE BASIS TO DESCRIBE IN DETAIL HOW THAT IS SET UP. THAT'S SOMETHING YOU ALL OBVIOUSLY CAN ALWAYS ASK US TO DO. HOWEVER, GOING FORWARD, $118 MILLION IN THE FUND TODAY IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU APPROVED IN THE BUDGET WHEN IT WAS APPROVED IN MAY. AS WE PREPARE THE BUDGET NOW BEGINNING IN DECEMBER FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WE WILL USE THE PAST HISTORY OF CLAIMS ET CETERA, AND WE'LL MAKE WHATEVER ADDITIONAL FUNDING THE CITY HAS INCLUDING ANY FUNDING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR PROGRAMS BUT WE MUST PAY OUR LIABILITIES FIRST. IN SOME CASES, WE'RE TAKING -- IF WE HAVE A YEAR WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE GROWTH IN REVENUE, WE TAKE CURRENT OPERATING FUNDS AND RESTRUCTURE AND MAKE SOME CUTS WHERE WE NEEDED TO ENSURE FOR PAYING FOR LIABILITIES GOING INTO THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM IS SET UP SO EVERY YEAR OUR LIABILITIES MUST BE PAID FOR IN THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH THEY'RE SETTLED OR RESOLVED. IT'S A BIT OF A GUESSING GAME IN TERMS OF WHEN HAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. SOME OF THE CASES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PINO LAWSUIT. THAT WAS A FIVE-YEAR CLAIM. IT MEANS WE HAVE SOME PERIOD OF TIME TO PUT MONEY INTO THE FUND TO SETTLE SOME OF THE CLAIMS BECAUSE THEY DON'T ALL GET SETTLED OR RESOLVED IN THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR. IT IS A BIT OF AN ESTIMATE GAME THAT IS PLAYED OR STRUCTURED. AN ASSESSMENT MADE ON A YEAR BY YEAR BASIS. THAT'S HOW THE FUND IS KEPT WHERE IT IS. WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU ALL OF YOU TO KNOW, ONCE WE PLACE MONEY INTO THE RISK FUND AS A RESERVE INTO THE FUND, THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR OPERATING AND FOR USE BY THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE COUNCIL FOR ANY OTHER PROGRAMS. THAT FUND BECOMES ALMOST LIKE A LOCKBOX IN THAT MONEY STAYS THERE SO THE FUNDS THAT ARE THERE ARE SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED FOR THAT PURPOSE GOING FORWARD. >> NARRATOR: >>COUN. BASSAN: >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU, THAT HELPS. AS SOON AS COUNCIL APPROVED THE BUDGET AND THE MAYOR SIGNS IT AND WE MOVE FORWARD, NO FUNDING CAN BE MOVED FROM THAT ACCOUNT? >> THAT'S RIGHT. >>COUN. BASSAN: WHAT IS THE CURRENT CONFIDENCE LEVEL OF THIS ONE? I'M NOT ASKING FOR NUMBERS. WHAT'S OUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL? YOU SAID THERE'S $118 MILLION WE'VE APPROPRIATED. WE'RE THREE MONTHS INTO THE YEAR. ARE WE SAYING WE STILL HAVE $118 MILLION AND WHAT IS OUR CONFIDENCE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, AT THIS POINT, WE WATCH THE FUND RELIGIOUSLY ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. WE HAVE A REVIEW OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE FOR THE RISK DEPARTMENT REPORTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE AND WHAT CLAIMS ARE IN WHAT STAGES OF LITIGATION OR WHERE THERE IN TERMS OF BEING RESOLVED. OUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL IS AT THIS POINT WE'RE FAIRLY NEW INTO THE YEAR, IT'S ONLY A FIRST QUARTER AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. ONCE WE GET INTO THE SECOND QUARTER, THAT IS REALLY WHERE WE BEGIN TO LOOK AND SEE IF THERE'S ISSUES THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT. AT THIS POINT, I TELL YOU THAT WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENCE THAT WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE WITH WHAT'S IN THE FUND. AS LAWRENCE DESCRIBED EARLIER, THERE MAY BE OTHER CLAIMS THAT COME UP. WHETHER IT'S GATEWAY, OR OTHER ISSUES THAT THE CITY TAKES LIABILITIES BECAUSE WE DO A LOT OF THINGS ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE INVOLVED WHETHER IT'S ISSUES ON HOW WE MANAGE PUBLIC SAFETY WORK, HOW WE MANAGE OUR HOMELESS ISSUES, HOW WE MANAGE OUR DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS IN SOLID WASTE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS. THERE IS A REVIEW THAT HAPPENS TO ENSURE WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE TO MEET LIABILITIES. IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN A PREDICATEMENT. WE COME BACK WITH A CLEAN UP RESOLUTION TO ENSURE WE'RE SOLVENT. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, MR. RAEL, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING FROM DOING THE BUDGET AND I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN WITH IT EVEN THOUGH I WORKED ON IT THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, WHEN I SAY HELP, WE'RE NOT -- WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF HEALTH. AND A PERCENTAGE THAT OUR RISK FUND CAN COVER. DO WE HAVE THAT? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, NOT KNOWING WHAT THE HEALTH NUMBER YOU HAVE VERSUS WHAT I BELIEVE THE NUMBER THAT WE HAVE -- WE WOULD BE HAPPY AT THIS POINT NOT IN PUBLIC, BUT I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SIT AND GIVE YOU THAT PERSPECTIVE. >>COUN. BASSAN: OKAY. THANK YOU. MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS BEFORE SOME OF THE OTHERS. DO WE SELF-INSURE OUR CITY PROPERTY? >> YES. WE DO. >>COUN. BASSAN: MY CONCERN WITH THAT IS I GOT A CALL FROM A REPORTER TODAY THAT INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD THAT THE GATEWAY CENTER AND THE RAILYARDS WILL BE UNINSURABLE. IS THAT TRUE? DO WE NEED TO WORRY? WHAT DO WE DO MOVING FORWARD? >> THAT'S THE FIRST I HEARD OF THAT. I WILL LOOK INTO THAT AND GET BACK WITH YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: THAT WOULD BE REALLY SMART. AT THE SAME TIME IF A REPORTER IS CALLING ASKING ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS, WHY? WHAT IS IT THEY'RE HEARING OUT THERE? I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE RISK FUND. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT -- I DID ASK FOR THE PRESENTATION TEN DAYS AGO. I GAVE AMPLE NOTICE AND I FOUND OUT AT NOON TODAY THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING THIS PRESENTATION. THANK YOU FOR ACCOMMODATING SOME OF IT. HOWEVER, I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO HAVE THESE MEETINGS IN PRIVATE SO WE DON'T DISCLOSE TOO MUCH INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC. EVEN THOUGH I DO HESITATE WITH SOME OF THAT. I UNDERSTAND THE LITIGATION AND NUMBERS AND WE CAN'T PUT OURSELF AT TOO MUCH RISK. SOME OF THIS SEEMS CONCERNING TO ME. >>COUN. GROUT: COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. JUST A FEW MORE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS. LOOKING AT THE 2023 BUDGET, I THINK IT ACTUALLY TOTALS UP TO ABOUT $35 MILLION. I'M ASSUMING THERE'S CARRYOVER FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. WHAT WE MAINTAIN, I GUESS WHAT DICTATED THE 2023 BUDGET WAS WHAT WOULD MAINTAIN OUR HISTORICAL CLAIMS AND THAT AVERAGE. IS THAT SOMETHING WE'RE REQUIRED TO KEEP A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE? I THINK WHEN I REMEMBER BACK TO THE BUDGET, IT'S A MATTER OF PERCENTAGE WE'RE REQUIRED TO KEEP. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, IT'S REALLY BASED ON TWO FACTORS. ONE FOR THE MOST PART IT'S ON HISTORICAL DATA ON WHAT TERMS CLAIMS AND WHAT OUR RISK DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH THE INDIVIDUALS THEY CONTRACT WITH LOOK GOING FORWARD, IF YOU WILL. AND MAKE A STUDY OF WHAT THESE CLAIMS MIGHT COST IN THE FUTURE. AND WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO FUND IN THE BUDGET. FOR THE MOST PART, IT IS BASED ON PREVIOUS YEARS EXPERIENCE OF -- >>COUN. LEWIS: IS THAT INTERNAL? WHO GIVES -- YOU SAID SOMEBODY GIVES US THAT ADVICE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, I'LL REFER TO LAWRENCE. FOR THE MOST PART OUR RISK MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR PRESENTS THAT INFORMATION DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. >>COUN. LEWIS: HE IS THE DIRECTOR THAT DOES THAT. I KNOW IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVE TOON THE COUNCIL REGARDING THIS AND REGARDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEY'RE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT IT. SOMETIMES IT'S MEETINGS THAT ARE JUST WITH THE COUNCIL THERE MIGHT BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND THEY'RE EXCUSED FROM THAT. THERE'S MORE REPORTS TO US REGARDING THAT. I THINK THERE WOULD BE, SINCE WE BUDGET FOR THIS AND THE COUNCIL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BUDGETING PROPER RISK AS WELL, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A MEETING LIKE THAT WHERE WE CAN GET AN UPDATE ON THAT. THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH. I DON'T THINK, AGAIN, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SENSITIVE INFORMATION. THIS IS OUR BUDGET. THIS IS NOT SECRETIVE. I WOULDN'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO THINK THIS IS SECRETIVE CONVERSATIONS IN REGARD TO TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND RISK. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT TO PORTRAY. SO, THERE'S SENSITIVE INFORMATION WE WANT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL ON TO ENSURE WE'RE BUDGETING ENOUGH AND WE'RE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED TO BE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THIS ISN'T ABOUT HAVING A PRIVATE MEETING. THIS IS ABOUT MANAGING THE CITY'S LIABILITY AND THE ABILITY THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE, IF YOU WILL, CONVERSATIONS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT THESE LIABILITIES IN A FORM WHERE WE CAN BE -- IF YOU WILL, COMPLETELY OPEN ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ON THOSE ISSUES AND WHAT LITIGATIONS GOING FORWARD. WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IS HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN A PROCESS LIKE THIS WHEN YOU HAVE FOLKS LISTENING TO WHAT THE CITY'S LIABILITIES ARE AND STRATEGY. IT'S ALWAYS A DELICATE BALANCE. THAT'S WHY I SAY THIS ISN'T ABOUT BEING PRIVATE. IT'S ABOUT BEING, IF YOU WILL, PRACTICAL ABOUT HOW WE MANAGE THESE ILNALITYS -- LIABILITIES AND KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP. THE LIABILITIES EXTEND YOU AS ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKING DECISIONS. JUST AS THEY DO TO THOSE OF US IN THE ADMINISTRATION. IT'S ABOUT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN IT WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC SETTING. WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT. >>COUN. BASSAN: WHERE CAN I LOOK TO LEARN ABOUT THE RISK PROTOCOLS? IS THERE A MANUAL? I WOULD LOVE TO GENUINELY LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THIS OPERATES AND HOW I CAN GO ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE WAY THINGS ARE DETERMINED THAT THE FUNDING GOES IN AND WHO MAKES THAT DETERMINATION? >> WE'D BE HAPPY TO SIT WITH YOU AT THE BUDGET OFFICE. THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO START TO GIVE YOU THE SENSE OF THE RISK FACTORS LOADED INTO THE BUDGET FOR EACH DEPARTMENT. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION. AND WE CAN HAVE OUR RISK MANAGER AND STAFF DESCRIBE TO YOU A BIT ABOUT HOW THE -- HOW THEY MAKE CALCULATIONS AND AS IT RELATES TO THE FUNDS AVAILABLE AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN TERMS OF TRENDS OF PAYING OUT CLAIMS. >>COUN. BASSAN: I WOULD DEFINITELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY. AND MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, ONE LAST THING, I'M NOT ASKING FOR THIS RIGHT NOW. WILL YOU PLEASE SEND ME OVER AN ACCOUNTING OF THE PAST FEW FISCAL YEARS OF WHAT WE HAVE PAID OUT? WHAT OUR RISK FUND WAS AND WHAT WE PAID OUT TO WHAT. WHETHER YOU NEED -- FOR PRIVATE. I'M NOT GOING TO GO OUT AND PUBLISH EXACTLY WHAT DOLLAR AMOUNT WENT TO WHOM. TO KNOW WE'RE SPENDING RISK MONEYS ON THESE THINGS IS PART OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LOVE THAT TO BE A PART OF THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, WE WILL. >>COUN. GROUT: I HAVE A QUESTION. WE ALL HAVE TO -- WE ALL HAVE INSURANCE FOR OUR CARS AND HOMES. AND WE WOULDN'T -- I WOULD NEVER TAKE THE CHANCE OF NOT HAVING INSURANCE. IF I USE THAT INSURANCE, FOR A CLAIM, ROOF DAMAGE, OR GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND IT WAS MY FAULT, AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT AND I EVENTUALLY GET DROPPED BECAUSE I USED IT. IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF GETTING DROPPED. AS AN ORGANIZATION WE'RE SELF-INSURED. IN THAT WAY. WHAT THE ULTIMATE ISSUE IS THAT IF WE HAVE A CLAIM AND USING YOUR EXAMPLE, THE POLICY GETS INCREASED AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT. SO THAT THE REAL COST IS SIMPLE, WE'RE TAKING MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND. I'LL GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF MY COLLEAGUE. WHEN HE WAS SOLID WASTE DIRECTOR, IF HE'S GOT A HIGH LIABILITY BECAUSE OF ACCIDENTS DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR THAT MEANS HE HAS LESS MONEY TO HIRE MORE STAFF ON BEHALF OF THE CITY BECAUSE HE'S GOT TO PAY THOSE CLAIMS. THAT HAPPENS WITH EACH DEPARTMENT. THE NET EFFECT IS THAT THE MONEY WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO EXPAND PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO THE CITY IS REALLY COMPROMISED BECAUSE OF THIS LIABILITY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS. SO, IN A PRACTICAL WAY AND IN A BUDGETING WAY, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE COURSE OF TIMES HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED AT WHETHER OR NOT THE FUND HAS ENOUGH MONEY. THINK OF IT FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE. YOU HAVE $118 MILLION OF FUNDS SITTING IN A FUND THAT YOU CANNOT USE FOR OTHER PURSES OTHER THAN LONG-TERM LIABILITY ISSUES. IF THOSE ISSUES WEREN'T THERE YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO DO PROGRAMS. THAT'S THE TRADEOFF THAT HAPPENS IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS THAT YOU DEAL WITH ON A YEARLY BASIS. THE REAL ISSUE IS YOU DON'T GET DROPPED FROM THE CITY, YOU JUST DON'T GET THE FUNDS YOU NEED TO DO MORE PROGRAMS. >>COUN. GROUT: MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU. COULD YOU GET ME A LIST OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT LINE ITEM EACH FOR DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR RISK. AND WHAT YOU PULL FROM THEM? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR GROUT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND SHOW YOU THAT. THAT HAPPENS IN THE BEGINNING OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS. WE'RE JUST A MONTH AWAY FROM THAT. STARTING IN DECEMBER WE'LL MAKE A CALL TO THE DEPARTMENTS TO PREPARE THE FOLLOWING YEARS BUDGET. WE'LL REVIEW THOSE ASSESSMENTS IN EARLY JANUARY AND MAKE THE DECISIONS BY FEBRUARY. >>COUN. GROUT: I'D LOVE TO SEE THE LAST TWO YEARS. THOSE ARE TWO YEARS I'M INVOLVED WITH. THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE FOR ME TO START. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: JUST A QUICK QUESTION. ARE THERE ANY CURRENT INVESTIGATIONS FROM THE ATTORNEY SENT TO THE I.G.O.? IS THERE ANYTHING RECENTLY THAT'S BEEN GIVEN TO THE A.G.O.? >> TO THE A.G.O.? >>COUN. LEWIS: CORRECT. >> I BELIEVE AT THE LAST MEETING THERE WERE FOUR. AND THREE OF THOSE WERE DEFERRED. THEY'LL BE HEARD AT THE NEXT MEETING. >>COUN. LEWIS: WAS ONE OF THEM THE INVESTIGATION REGARDING -- WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE BOOK? THE PHOTO ALBUM OF MAYOR KELLER? >> YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: WAS THAT ONE THAT WAS DEFERRED? >> YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHY WAS IT DEFERRED? >> I'M NOT A MEMBER OF THE A.G. O. , SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE REASONING IS. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHAT'S THE REQUIREMENT ONCE IT'S SENT TO THE A.G.O.? >> THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO DEFER IT UNTIL THEIR NEXT MEETING. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEIR NEXT MEETING IS. I DON'T REGULARLY GO TO THE MEETING. THEY VOTE TO PROVE OR NOT. IF THEY DO NOT APPROVE, THE I.G. CANNOT PUBLISH UNTIL 15 DAYS. IN THOSE 15 DAYS THE A.G.O. CAN SUBMIT SOMETHING THAT INDICATES WHY THEY DID NOT APPROVE. >>COUN. LEWIS: THEY CAN DEFER IT ONCE AND THEY HAVE 15 DAYS AFTER? >> THE SECOND THEY APPROVE OR DENY. >>COUN. LEWIS: AND THEY HAVE 15 DAYS TO TELL WHY BEFORE THE I.G. CAN PUBLICIZE IT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >>COUN. LEWIS: DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF THAT REPORT? >> I DO NOT. >>COUN. LEWIS: HAVE YOU READ THE REPORT? >> I HAVE NOT. >>COUN. LEWIS: JUST THE COMMITTEE HAS READ IT? >> CORRECT. AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION. >>COUN. LEWIS: THAT AGENDA IS NOT PUBLIC? >> THAT'S CORRECT. THOSE ARE NOT PUBLIC MEETINGS. >>COUN. LEWIS: CAN I GET A COPY OF THAT REPORT? >> I DON'T KNOW. >>COUN. LEWIS: I'LL ASK THE A. G. >> I DON'T KNOW THE WHO THE RULES ARE THAT CAN SEE IT BEFORE PUBLICATION. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ON. WE'RE GOING TO DO ADMINISTRATION QUESTION AND ANSWERS. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION? COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU,MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. I HAD QUITE A LONG LIST FOR THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEY DID SEND ME ANSWERS TODAY. I'M GOING TO DO A FEW CLARIFYING QUESTIONS WITH THE C.A.O. IF THAT'S OKAY. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING BY READING AN ACTUAL DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE VEHICLES REPLACEMENT POLIIES THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE THE MIDDLE OF 2020. IN THAT REPLACEMENT POLICY IT SAYS PRIORITIZE ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES POWERED BY INTERNAL COMBUSTTION ENGINES. IT MUST PROVIDE JUSTIFICATION BY THE DEPARTMENT AND APPROVED BY THE FLEET REVIEW COMMITTEE. IT DESCRIBES A LONG PROCESS. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS HOW MANY VEHICLES HAS THE CITY PURCHASED SINCE THIS NEW REPLACEMENT POLICY WENT INTO EFFECT. THE ANSWER I GOT WAS 193. I ASKED HOW MANY OF THEM WERE EV, AND THE ANSWER WAS TWO. HOW DO YOU THINK THAT REPLACEMENT POLICY IS GOING, DIRECTOR? SERIOUSLY. >> MR. PRESIDENT, AND COUNCILOR, LET ME QUALIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT. FIRST AND FOREMOST, AS I SAID TO YOU IN THE CONVERSATION EARLIER, I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT OUR PROGRESS ON THIS ISSUE. AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT. WE'VE HAD VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS AND I SUSPECT MANY OF THE COUNCILORS AREN'T EITHER. ONE OF THE INTERESTING ISSUES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION IS THAT THE RESPONSE YOU RECEIVED ONLY IS, IF YOU WILL, THE VEHICLES BEING PURCHASED BY THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO THE FLEET MANAGEMENT PROCESS THEY MANAGE. OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT, SOLID WASTE, AND TRANSIT, AND I BELIEVE PUBLIC SAFETY, FIRE AND POLICE, HAVE A SEPARATE PROCESS THAT IS NOT PART OF THAT NUMBER THAT YOU HAVE. I FOUND THAT OUT ABOUT IT LATE THIS AFTERNOON. I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT INFORMATION MAY BE ONLY HALF-RIGHT. I WILL SAY TO YOU ALSO THAT THE EV PROCUREMENT PIECE IS A CHALLENGE FOR THE CITY. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS WORKING THEIR PROGRAM. AND WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT WITH YOU AND LOOK AT THAT. THE POINT IS SIMPLY THAT IT'S NOT WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: COULDN'T AGREE MORE. I REALLY WANT THE CITIZENS OF ALBUQUERQUE TO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MANY DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS REPLACEMENT POLICY. IN GENERAL THERE HAVE BEEN 193 VEHICLES PURCHASED AND TWO WERE ELECTRIC VEHICLES. I THINK THAT IS A SERIOUS FAILING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET TOGETHER AFTER THIS MEETING AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE IT RIGHT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. I APOLOGIZE, I THOUGHT WE ROLLED INTO THE Q&A FOR THE ADMINISTRATION EARLIER. I JUMPED THE GUN EARLIER ON THAT OTHER QUESTION. THE QUESTION FOR -- THIS IS MAYBE FOR LAWRENCE. CURRENT AIR QUALITY BOARD IS CONSIDERING A RULE AND I'M INTERESTED IN OUR INVOLVEMENT IN THAT AS FAR AS THE ADMINISTRATION AND OUR DEPARTMENT OUR INVOLVEMENT OF GIVING FEEDBACK, ADVICE, ON IMPLEMENTATION OF A POTENTIAL RULE. IS THERE A STANCE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS TAKEN ON THIS WHAT'S PROPOSED? THE CURRENT RULE PROPOSED, AND IS THAT STANCE BEING COMMUNICATED THROUGH THE REPRESENTATIVES ADVISING THAT BOARD? I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHO IS ADVISING THAT BOARD RIGHT NOW AND HOW ACTIVE ARE WE AS AN ADMINISTRATION? CONSIDERING A PRETTY MASSIVE CHANGE THAT COULD HAVE A WIDESPREAD EFFECT ON THE CITY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT AS YOU KNOW AND WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS ALONG WITH OTHER COUNCILORS, THE BOARD ITSELF AS YOU KNOW IS AN INDEPENDENT BOARD. IT IS A BOARD THAT IS CONSTITUTED WITH MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE CITY, APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL, AND MEMBERS FROM BERNALILLO COUNTY. THE BOARD IS INDEPENDENT. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEY. THEIR JOB IS TO REVIEW THE CASES AND DEVELOP POLICY AS IT RELATES TO AIR QUALITY ISSUES AND HOW THEY AFFECT BERNALILLO COUNTY AS A WHOLE. THE BOARD ITSELF HAD PROPOSED A REGULATION THAT WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION. OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERNS LIKE ANY OTHER REGULATIONS FROM PARTIES WHO EITHER SUPPORT OR DON'T. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE BOARD TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS OF LATE TO GIVE THEM SOME INFORMATION AND PARTICULARLY PROVIDE THEM WITH ALTERNATIVE, IF YOU WILL, STUCKTURES OR APPROACHES TO THE ISSUE RELATED TO THIS PERMITTING PROGRAM THAT THE BOARD IS TAKING UNDER CONSIDERATION. THE DEPARTMENT -- >>COUN. LEWIS: JUST TO CLARIFY. YOU'RE RECOMMENDING THIS APPROACH -- YOU'RE GIVING ADVICE RIGHT? THE RULE THAT'S PROPOSED RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SOME ALTERNATIVE WAYS THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT THIS. WHAT I'M HEARING IS WE'RE GIVING ADVICE TO THE BOARD REGARDING THAT. LET ME GO BACK TO THIS TOO. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY INDEPENDENT? DO YOU MEAN UNACCOUNTABLE? ARE THEY ACCOUNTABLE TO ANYBODY ELSE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, IT'S ESTABLISHED THROUGH STATE LAW AND STATE PROCESS. >>COUN. LEWIS: WE DID INITIATE THIS BOARD. IT WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT US APPOINTING MEMBERS. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE APPOINTS MEMBERS TO THIS BOARD. IT WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT US. IT EXISTS UNDER STATE STATUTE, BUT THEY'RE -- I MEAN THE ATTORNEY FOR THIS BOARD LOVES TO TALK ABOUT HOW INDEPENDENT THEY ARE. THEY DON'T ANSWER TO THE STATE, THEY DON'T ANSWER TO THE COUNTY, THEY DON'T ANSWER TO THE CITY. WHO DO THEY ANSWER TO IN YOUR OPINION? IF THEY DON'T ANSWER TO ANYBODY, AT THE VERY LEAST IS IT TAKING DIRECTION FROM THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE? FROM OUR DEPARTMENT, DO WE HAVE A PLAN WHERE WE'RE GIVING DIRECTION ON POLICY. THIS IS A BOARD THAT ACTUALLY CREATES POLICY THAT AFFECTS OUR CITY IN SO MANY WAYS. IF THEY'RE INDEPENDENT, ARE THEY UNACCOUNTABLE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I WOULD DEFER TO THE CITY ATTORNEY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION AS IT RELATES TO THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY OR THEIR INDEPENDENCE. ONLY TO SAY TO YOU, THIS BOARD WAS ESTABLISHED AS YOU'LL RECALL YEARS AND YEARS AGO WHEN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE WAS AN NON-OBTAINMENT AREAS FOR CARBON MONOXIDE. THE STATE HAD TWO OPTIONS. AND THIS GOES BACK TO WHEN I WAS A YOUNG 10-YEAR-OLD C.A.O., WHETHER THE STATE ENVIRONMENT COMES AND REGULATES BERNALILLO COUNTY OR WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY AGREES TO HAVE AND THE COUNTY TO HAVE A LOCAL BOARD MAKE THE DECISIONS. TO STATE LAW AND A LOT OF LEGISLATIVE CONVERSATION IN SANTA FE BACK IN THE DAY WHICH LED TO THE ISSUE OF HAVING VEHICLES GOING THROUGH AUTOEMISSIONS INSPECTION TO GET THE LICENSE PLATES RENEWED IN BERNALILLO COUNTY. THAT WAS CREATED AS A WAY TO GIVE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THE CITY AND COUNTY, THE ABILITY TO HAVE A BOARD REGULATE AND DEAL WITH ISSUES OF AIR QUALITY THAT THROUGH TIME HAVE ADDED MORE AND MORE RESPONSIBILITIES TO THAT BOARD. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SPECIFICALLY, IT IS A BOARD THAT IS APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL. THE MAYOR MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL. KEEP IN MIND, THE COUNTY OF BERNALILLO APPOINTS AS WELL. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION SPECIFICALLY, WITH AND I'LL ASK THE ATTORNEY IF I'M INCORRECT, THIS BOARD IS INDEPENDENT. WE PROVIDE THE STAFF SUPPORT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THE BOARD AND IT IS REALLY THE BOARD'S DECISION -- >>COUN. LEWIS: YOU DON'T GIVE POLICY DECISION? HERE'S THE THING, WE WEIGHED IN ON IT. WE CAUTIONED THEM A FEW MONTHS AGO. WE DIPT -- DIDN'T WEIGH ON THE RULE. WE SAID WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESS OF IT AND WE LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER ALL SIDES. AND YET, IT STILL CAME UP LIKE YOU GUYS CAN'T SAY SOMETHING. YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SAY ANYTHING. ARE YOU ABLE TO GIVE OPINIONS? ARE YOU WILLING TO MAKE AN OPINION EVEN TONIGHT REGARDING THIS CURRENT RULE? DOES THE ADMINISTRATION AGREE WITH THIS CURRENT RULE AS IT'S STATEDED RIGHT NOW? AND DOES IT OR DOES IT NOT? IF IT DOES NOT, ARE WE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ADVISING THAT BOARD? YOU SAID WE HAVE TO APPOINT THESE GUYS, AND YOU DO TOO. THERE'S KIND OF A -- THIS COMMUNICATION THAT IT'S NOT REALLY UP TO US TO GIVE OUR OPINION, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE MAYOR COULD GIVE HIS OPINION TO THIS BOARD AND WE COULD TOO. WE CAN SAY WHATEVER WE WANT REGARDING IT. I THINK YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. AND ARE YOU DOING THAT? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, AS I SAID EARLIER, THE STAFF HAS PROVIDED, ADVISED, TO THE BOARD ON SOME ALTERNATIVES AND SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK THIS RULE. WHETHER IT CAN BE A RULE THAT HAS COMMON GROUND BETWEEN ALL OF THE PARTIES AT THE TABLE. HOWEVER, IT IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT AS A BODY THIS BOARD -- THE DECISION AUTHORITY TO DECIDE WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE THE STAFF SUPPORT. I KNOW THAT'S PROBABLY NOT THE ANSWER YOU WANT TO HEAR. THAT'S THE WAY IT'S SET UP AND THE STRUCTURE, I REFER TO THE CITY -- >>COUN. LEWIS: I'VE NEVER SEEN A MORE RADICAL BOARD BEFORE. I'VE WATCHED THIS BOARD FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND IT'S MADE UP OF PROFESSIONALS AND PEOPLE OF ALL AREAS OF THE CITY. I'M CONCERNED THAT WE'VE GIVEN SO MUCH POWER TO A BOARD THAT MAY NOT REPRESENT OUR DISTRICTS, THE ENTIRE CITY. WE'VE GIVEN SO MUCH POWER TO A BOARD WHERE THEY MAKE POLICY TO THAT'S NOT APPEALED TO US. IT'S NOT LIKE THE WATER AUTHORITY, IT'S NOT LIKE THE EPC. THESE -- THE EPC ARE MADE UP OF NINE COMMISSIONERS. I'M CONCERNED, AND ONE OF THE MANY THINGS I THINK OF REGARDING THIS, GIVEN THE OFFICE OF INCLUSION WEIGH INTO THIS TOO. I DON'T THINK THIS BOARD REFLECTS THE CITY TO HAVE SO MUCH POWER. ANYTHING THEY DO DOESN'T COME BACK TO US LIKE THE CPC. IT'S NOT APPEALED AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT IT. I KNOW YOU ASKED THE CITY ATTORNEY TO WEIGH IN ON IT. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS THERE IS ONE LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY, THE BOARD HAS LIMITED JURISDICTION. IF IT ISSUES A RULING OUTSIDE OF JURISDICTION, IT CAN AND IN THIS CASE WILL BE APPEALED. I DON'T THINK THAT ADDRESSES YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CURRENT SET UP AND THE CURRENT PROCESS. THERE IS THAT AT LEAST ONE LEVEL OF A CHECK ON THE BOARD. >>COUN. LEWIS: IT COULD BE APPEALED WITH PARTIES THAT MIGHT SEND A LOT OF MONEY AT A COURT AND OUTSIDE THE POLICY PROCESS. IT'S CRAZY. WE DID SET IT UP. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE DID SET THIS UP AND PARTICIPATED. I ASSUME WE CAN ALSO REMOVE IT. WE CAN DISMANTLE IT. WE COULD MAKE IT OPERATE DIFFERENTLY IF WE WANT IT TO. WHAT MY CONCERN IS RIGHT NOW IS WITH SUCH A SWEEPING, MASSIVE RULE BEING CONSIDERED BEFORE THIS BOARD RIGHT NOW, AND I HEAR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION EITHER DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE A POSITION ON IT OR DOESN'T WANT TO SAY THAT YOU ARE, WHO IS COMMUNICATING THE ADVICE? WHO IS THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CITY THAT IS COMMUNICATING TO THIS BOARD? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, OBVIOUSLY OUR DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MR. MARTINEZ AND HIS STAFF ARE THE FOLKS THAT WORK WITH THE BOARD ON THESE ISSUES. >>COUN. LEWIS: THEY'RE CARRYING OUT YOUR CONCERNS FROM THE MAYOR, FROM WHAT YOU SEE AS POLICY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO SEE REGARDING CHANGES TO THE RULE OR LIKE IT OR NOT THEY'RE COMMUNICATING YOUR WISHES IN REGARD TO THAT? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I WOULD NOT CHARACTERIZE IT AS OUR WISHES AS MUCH AS TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND ADVICE ON EVALUATIONS OF THE SCIENCE. >>COUN. LEWIS: NOT REALLY TAKE ING A POSITION. IN YOUR OPINION, THE CITY COUNCIL CAN OFFICIALLY OR NOT OFFICIALLY WEIGH IN ON OUR OPINION DIRECTLY TO THIS BOARD? THERE'S NO EX-PARTE. >> COUNCILOR LEWIS, I THOUGHT YOU WERE ASKING A DIFFERENT QUESTION. YOU'RE ASKING WHETHER THIS COUNCIL CAN OFFER ITS OPINION TO THE BOARD? >>COUN. LEWIS: YES. >> I BELIEVE SO, YES. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANKS, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. >>COUN. GROUT: SORRY. THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO THE JOURNAL. I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 18th JOURNAL. IS THERE A SECOND? COUNCILOR BENTON. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND AND SAY YES. OPPOSED? THAT PASSES. MR. PRESIDENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. WELL DONE AS ALWAYS. LET'S GET THROUGH A FEW ACTION ITEMS. ANY CHANGES TO THE LETTER OF TRUXZ. EC3F 3. I MOVE RULES BE SUSPENDED FOR PLACING EC363 IT'S AN AWARD FOR GOLF CONCESSION SERVICES. IS THERE A SECOND? MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. WE NEED A TWO-THIRD VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT UP, COUNCILOR BENTON. OC-42. >>COUN. BENTON: I MOVE THE RULES BE SUSPENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING OC42 ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. IT'S THE APPOINTMENT OF MS. DIANE TO THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD. >>COUN. DAVIS: MULTIPLE SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. R-172 I MOVE THE RULES BE SUSPENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLACING R-172 ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA. IT'S APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING GRANT APPLICATION FOR SECTION 507 FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND FROM COUNCILOR GROUT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. R-173 I MOVE THE RULES BE SUS PENDED. IT'S APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A LEASE BETWEEN THE ALBUQUERQUE HISPANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. >>COUN. DAVIS: SEVERAL SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ARE THERE ANY OTHER CHANGES? SEEING NONE. MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION? >>COUN. GROUT: I MOVE APPROVAL OF THE LETTER OF INTRODUCTION. >>COUN. DAVIS: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO COMMITTEE REPORTS. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR DEFERRAL AND WITHDRAWALS. THIS IS WHERE WE SHAKE THINGS UP. COUNCILORS, ANY DEFERRALS OR WITHDRAWALS? COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. THE APPOINTMENT OF DIANE TO THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY. I MOVE DEFERRAL TO THE OCTOBER 16th MEETING. JUST IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING WHY I PUT IT ON AND NOW I'M DEFERRING, THE REASON IS WE'RE HOPE TO HAVE HER BACKGROUND CHECK DONE BY NOW AND IT'S NOT IN YET. WE'RE GOING TO DEFER IT. AS SOON AS WE'LL GET IT FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT MEETING. >>COUN. DAVIS: MOTION AND A SECOND FOR DEFERRAL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS DEFERRED. WE'LL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS APPOINTED TO SERVE ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. WE THANK YOU FOR CATCHING THOSE UP. WE APPRECIATE EVERYBODY BEING WILLING TO SERVE. I WANT TO MAKE ONE CHANGE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PULL ITEM J WHICH IS THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT LITIGATION REPORT. ANY OTHER WITHDRAWALS? >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEM K, EC-23-359. THAT'S THE OPEN SPACE REPORT. AND ALSO EC-23-360. THAT'S ITEM L WHICH IS THE WORKFORCE HOUSING TRUST FUND. >>COUN. DAVIS: I THINK WE HAVE J K L. IS THERE ANY OTHER -- COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: I HAD A QUESTION ON R-23-166. WANT TO ASK IT NOW? WE'LL REMOVE IT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ITEM R LIKE ROBERT. COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: 346-347 THROUGH 57. >>COUN. DAVIS: JUST FOR MY THING SO I DON'T MISS THOSE. WHAT ARE THE LETTERS? >>COUN. LEWIS: I DON'T KNOW. IT'S 346, 347, 357. >>COUN. DAVIS: IT'S THE ONE I PULLED. ITEM J. 346. I DON'T SEE IT. THOSE ARE UNDER APPROVAL. THEY'RE REMOVED BY THE CLERK. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. >>COUN. DAVIS: THAT'S GREAT. IF THE CLERK CAN FOLLOW ME AND BE SURE WE GET THIS RIGHT. I HAVE ITEM J, K, ITEM L, ITEM R, AND THAT'S IT. THOSE FOUR. >> I BELIEVE COUNCILOR PEÑA SAID THE ITEM COUNCILOR PEÑA WAS -- >>COUN. DAVIS: THAT'S 166. >> THAT'S ITEM K. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP R. ALL RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA WITHOUT THOSE THINGS? THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S GO FROM THE BOTTOM UP. COUNCILOR PEÑA. ITEM 166. IT'S GOING TO BE ITEM Q. R-166 DETERMINING REASONABLE NOTICE. >>COUN. PEÑA: CAN YOU COME BACK TO THAT BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO PULL UP THE RESOLUTION. >>COUN. DAVIS: SURE. LET'S GO TO 360. ITEM L. I HAVE TO FIND IT. COUNCILOR BENTON. WORKFORCE HOUSING TRUST FUND REPORT. >>COUN. BENTON: MR. PRESIDEN -- JUST A MINUTE. QUESTION WITH REGARD TO THE TRUST FUND REPORT. THIS IS FAIRLY SIMPLE QUESTION. I HOPE IT IS, ANYWAY. WITH REGARD TO THIS REPORT, THEY INCLUDE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE 2022 GROSS RECEIPTS TAX BOND IN WHICH WE ADDED $20 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND MY QUESTION IS, DID THAT GO INTO THE WORKFORCE HOUSING TRUST FUND? OR, DID THAT GO TO SOME OTHER FUND WITHIN THE FAMILY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT? BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE DOING THE BUDGET, TYPICALLY, THE CAPITAL BUDGET, WHEN WE SAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE MEAN IT'S GOING INTO THAT FUND. THAT'S MY QUESTION. THAT WOULD BE FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AS TO THOSE SPECIFIC $20 MILLION FROM 2022GRT BOND. >>COUN. DAVIS: IS THAT FOR DIRECTOR PIERCE? I SEE SHE'S HERE. >> COUNCILOR BENTON, GOOD EVENING. THE $20 MILLION GROSS RECEIPTS TAX FOR AFFORDABLE WAS NOT PUT IN THE TRUST FUND. WE REFERRED TO IT IN THAT IN THE REPORT BEFORE YOU AS OTHER FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT WAS NOT PUT IN THE DESIGNATED WORKFORCE HOUSING TRUST FUND. >>COUN. BENTON: I THINK WE HAVE A DISCONNECT ON WHAT WE'RE DOING BUDGEARILY -- BUDGETARILY ON THIS. THAT'S THE WAY OUR REGULAR BONDS WORK FOR HOUSING. IT SAYS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THAT'S WHERE IT GOES. IN THIS CASE, IT WENT INTO WHAT? OR IS IT A DISCRETION FUND WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BENTON, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK EXACTLY WHAT FUND -- WHICH SPECIFIC FUND NOT COMBINED AS OTHERS. I KNOW IT WASN'T IN THE WORKFORCE HOUSING TRUST FUND. I CAN GET BACK TO YOU WHAT LINE ITEM THAT IS IN. >>COUN. BENTON: I THINK THIS IS THE TRUST FUND REPORT AND NOT GENERAL HOUSING REPORT. ALTHOUGH, THIS REPORT DOES REFER TO THAT $20 MILLION GRT IN 2022. I THINK THIS IS FOR FUTURE BUDGET CHAIRS GOING FORWARD AND FUTURE WORK BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION, HAVING TO DO WITH CAPITAL FUNDS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING I THINK WE NEED TO GET NOMENCLATURE STRAIGHT. THIS IS TO ME AS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SPONSORS A WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT $20 MILLION. HOW IS IT SPENT? AS OPPOSED TO THIS IS VERY NICE REPORT ABOUT HOW IT'S SPENT. THAT'S MY QUESTION. THANK YOU. I'LL MOVE APPROVAL. RECEIPT BE NOTED. >>COUN. DAVIS: OKAY MOTION FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. SECOND FROM COUNCILOR JONES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES. NEXT UP WE'LL GO TO COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: ITEM K. >>COUN. DAVIS: 359? >>COUN. BENTON: YES. >>COUN. DAVIS: OPEN SPACE. >>COUN. BENTON: IN THIS REPORT, IT'S REPORTING ON THE RESOLUTION, R-22-8 REGARDING THE OPEN SPACE. AND THE FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN THAT REPORT ARE SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY INTERESTED IN. AND THERE ARE SOME SPECIFICS WITHIN THOSE FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS WITHIN THE REPORT. AND THIS IS PROBABLY FOR OUR PARKS OR OPEN SPACE. IT'S ALSO REALLY HAS TO DO WITH THE GENERAL BUDGETING AND LOBIOUS -- LOBBYING EFFORTS WITH THE STATE. THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REPORT WAS WE LOBBIED AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE RELATED TO HOW FUNDS BE INVESTED. PART OF THE WITH THE OPEN SPACE FUND IS THE LOW RATE OF RETURN WE'RE GETTING ON THOSE FUNDS. SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF 2%. THAT'S NOT ALLOWING THE FUND TO GROW AND HAS NOT BEEN FOR YEARS. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT RECOMMENDATION. I GUESS THE QUESTION IS PROBABLY MAYBE IT'S FOR OURSELVES BECAUSE WE'RE PART OF THE A.G.O. COMMITTEE. DO I HAVE THE RIGHT COMMITTEE NAME? NO. NOT A.G. O. , THE I.G.A. COMMITTEE. WITH REGARD TO OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS EVERY TIME THE LEGISLATURE -- AND I KNOW YOU GOT A MEETING COMING UP SOON, HAVE WE LOBBIED FOR THIS AT ALL? IF NOT, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WE SHOULD PLACE THIS AS A PRIORITY AND THAT'S STATED HERE. THESE CHANGES COULD HAVE AN IMPACT BEYOND THE OPEN SPACE IF THE CITY COULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE IN OUR INVESTMENT OF THE FUND. THAT'S A QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW MAYBE ASK FOR A COMMENT. MAYBE I'M JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE AS A MARKER. I WON'T BE IN JANUARY FOR THE LEGISLATURE. I'LL BE WATCHING IT FROM AFAR. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATION THAT WE SHOULD TAKE SERIOUSLY AND APPRECIATE THE REPORT. THE REPORT IS A GOOD REPORT. AND ALSO OF COURSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE OTHER PROPOSAL WITHIN THOSE FINANCIAL 3% WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS THAT TONIGHT. THANK YOU, COUNCILOR GROUT. AND THEN THE LAST ONE, WHICH I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE ANYTHING YET, PLACE A PROPOSITION TO ASK VOTERS TO APPROVE A 1/8 GROSS RECEIPTS TAX TO INCREASE THE CORPUS OF THE FUNDS. WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD UP THE CORPUS OF THIS FUND. FIRST OF ALL, TO HAVE A CORPUS AND DO ANYTHING WE NEED A RATE OF RETURN ON IT. SECONDLY, A WAY TO REBUILD THE CORPUS OF THIS FUND WHICH HAS BEEN MUCH LARGER IN THE PAST, BUT IS PRETTY PUNY NOW. SOMETHING LIKE A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX WITH OR WITHOUT A SUNSET. I THINK THAT KIND OF TAX INCREASE COULD HAVE A SUNSET ON IT AND WE CALCULATE WHAT WE NEED TO GET THE FUND TO WHERE -- I KNOW WE'VE GOT OPEN SPACE BOARD MEMBERS HERE TONIGHT THAT MIGHT WANT TO MENTION THIS. WHERE WANT TO -- I WANT TO CALL ATTENTION WITHIN THE REPORT. IT'S A GOOD REPORT, BUT THESE JUMPED OUT AT ME WHEN I READ IT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: VOTE OR DISCUSSION? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COUNCILOR BENTON, THAT WAS ON THE ORIGINAL LIST OF PRIORITIES THAT CAME OUT OF I.G. R. THEN IT WAS REMOVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. I DON'T RECALL WHY. MAYBE WE CAN GET THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY NOW BEFORE WE FORGET TO BRING IT UP IN THE FUTURE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT I KNOW WE HAD PUT THAT ON I.G.R., AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT OUR C.F.O. HAD A CONVERSATIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL ON THIS ISSUE. I'M NOT QUITE REMEMBERING THIS AT THE MOMENT. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US LOOK AT THAT. I THINK THE MAYOR IS VERY INTERESTED IN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND BUILD UP THAT FUND. LET ME, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, I'LL PUT A PIN AND GET BACK TO YOU ON WHY THAT WAS TAKEN DOWN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: I'M GLAD IT WASN'T ME THAT FORGOT WHY. WE'LL MAKE SURE IT'S IN THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE'RE DOING THOSE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES RIGHT NOW. >>COUN. BENTON: YEAH, THAT'S ONE. AND THE OTHER ASPECT IS WITHIN OUR OWN CONTROL OF WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL WANTS TO DO. AND IN THE FUTURE AS FAR AS PUTTING A PROPOSITION ON THE BALLOT. NOT ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT'S THE MOST POPULAR THING TO DO. YOU KNOW, LET'S KEEP THAT DISCUSSION OUT THERE. I HOPE GOING FORWARD BECAUSE THIS FUND IS SO IMPORTANT AND WE'RE GOING TO DEBATE A BIG INCREASE IN OUR CARVE OUT OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET BUT THERE ARE OTHER MEANS TO REBUILD THE FUND AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON THE TAXPAYER. IT COULD BE A FAIRLY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME TO GET THE FUND WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. WITH THAT, I'LL MOVE RECEIPT BE NOTED. >>COUN. DAVIS: OKAY. WE A MOTION FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED AND SECOND FROM COUNCILOR JONES. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES. ITEM K PASSES. NEXT UP, COUNCILOR LEWIS AND I BOTH HAD ITEM J. COUNCILOR LEWIS, GO AHEAD. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. 357 CORRECT? >>COUN. DAVIS: YES, SIR. >>COUN. LEWIS: JUST LOOKING AT THIS -- LOOKING AT THE IPRA MONEY PAID OUT OVER THE LAST QUARTER, I THINK A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS RELATED TO IPRA PAYOUT. AND ALSO JUST LOOKING AT THE PERSONNEL, I KNOW WE HAVE SEVERAL DEDICATED IPRA IN THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THAT'S NOT COUNTING THE DEDICATED PEOPLE IN THE CITY THAT ARE CUSTODIANS OF DATA AND A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY ESPECIALLY IN OUR QUARTER. I KNOW WE MADE CHANGES TO THE CHARTER AND THE CLERK MADE CHANGES TO IN ORDER TO REDUCE THIS. WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT? AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY DISCUSSED IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT THIS IS PERQUARTER. FROM THOSE TWO EMPLOYEES IN THE AMOUNT PAID OUT RELATED TO IPRA FEES AND FINES WAS ABOUT A HALF-MILLION DOLLARS. THIS COULD ADD UP TO A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT? >> COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILOR LEWIS YES. I THINK THIS IS AN ITEM OF CONCERN FOR ME PERSONALLY. FOR THE CITY CLERK. FOR THE ADMINISTRATION. FOR RISK MANAGEMENT. WE'RE CERTAINLY AWARE OF THE NUMBERS. WE'RE AWARE OF THE NUMBER OF CLAIMS. AND WE'RE AWARE OF THE NEED TO TRY TO GET IPRA RESPONSES OUT FASTER SO WE'RE NOT PAYING THESE SETTLEMENTS. UNFORTUNATELY, BY THE TIME THEY COME TO LEGAL THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO. THE RESPONSE IS OVERDUE, THERE'S NOT MUCH TO DO TO SETTLE THE CLAIM. THIS COUNCIL DID INCREASE THE NUMBER OF IPRA EMPLOYEES. I BELIEVE IT'S 15 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES THAT PROCESS IPRA REQUESTS. I KNOW THE NUMBER OF IPRA REQUESTS CONTINUES TO INCREASE. IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO KEEP UP. EVERY TIME THIS COUNCIL APOINTS MORE EMPLOYEES WE GET MORE REQUESTS. IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO REVIEW AND WE GET A LONG TIME -- WE'RE AWARE OF IT AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK TOWARD IT. THAT IS BOTH INCREASING STAFF AND CHANGING PROCESSES AND LOOKING AT SOME SUGGESTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR AMENDMENTS TO IPRA TO MAKE IT EASIER TO COMPLY. I THINK THAT IS THE BEST I CAN SAY AS STATE ATTORNEY. I DON'T KNOW IF MR. RAEL WANTS TO SPEAK TO THIS. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, AS OUR CITY ATTORNEY DESCRIBED TU, TO YOU. WE'RE INUNDATED WITH REQUESTS. THESE REQUESTS ARE NOT WHAT WE CONSIDER TO BE REASONABLE IN SOME CASES. FOR EXAMPLE, ALL THE LAPEL VIDEO FOR A POLICE ACTION, IF YOU WILL. I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THE NUMBER WAS, BUT HOURS AND HOURS OF VIDEOS THAT NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED TO BE SURE THE REQUEST IS ACCURATE AND WE'RE NOT COMPROMISING OTHER FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS OR FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE CAUGHT IN THE ACTION THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. AND IT REALLY HAS BECOME A REALLY CHALLENGING TASK. THAT IS ALSO THE FACT THAT ON MANY OF THESE, AND IT'S NOT VERY MANY ATTORNEYS. A VERY SMALL HANDFUL THAT KNOW THE SYSTEM AND WORK THE SYSTEM PRETTY WELL. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE FOR THE ISSUE, COUNCILOR LEWIS, IT'S MORE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE GROUP OF ATTORNEYS THAT KNOW THIS IS PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE. WE'RE WORKING ON SOME SYSTEMS AND WORKING WITH TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET AHEAD OF THIS AND CREATE A STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF PAYOUTS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL RECALL ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO THERE WAS A STORY OUT. THIS IS A HOW IPRA LEGISLATION AFFECTS ALL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES ALL OVER THE STATE. THERE'S SOME COMMUNITIES IN THE MILLION-DOLLAR RANGE BECAUSE OF HOW AGGRESSIVE THIS LEGISLATION IS AS IT RELATES TO WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO THE ATTORNEYS AND AT THE LAST MEETING WE HAD A LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW THERE MIGHT BE INITIATIVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE TO STRUCTURE THIS IN A DIFFERENT MANNER. LOTS OF ENTITIES ARE HAVING A HARD TIME WITH THIS. WE'RE ACTUALLY IN A GOOD PLACE IN RELATIONSHIP TO SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES. COUNCILOR LEWIS, YOUR SENSE OF EVALUATION OF THIS AND LOOKING AT QUARTERS, YOU'RE RIGHT IT'S GOING TO GET THERE. IT'S BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF HOW THE REQUESTS ARE COMING IN. AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT AND TRYING TO SET UP A STRUCTURE AND CREATE SOME STANDARDS FOR HOW WE CAN RESPOND TO THE IPRA REQUEST ON A TIMELY MATTER. >>COUN. LEWIS: I REALIZE IT'S OBVIOUSLY COSTLY. 15 PEOPLE ARE WORKING ON THIS FULL-TIME IS AMAZING. AND IF THERE ARE -- I IMAGINE WITH UNREASONABLE REQUESTS, THERE ARE TOOLS THAT OUR ATTORNEYS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE THAT? IS THAT THE -- I ASSUME THE MAJORITY OF THE PAYOUT IS UNREASONABLE REQUEST. SO MUCH VIDEO THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN DO THIS AND WE MIGHT HAVE AN ARGUMENT AGAINST THAT AND A JUDGE SAYS TOO BAD YOU HAVE TO DO THAT ANYWAY. OR IS IT BECAUSE THOSE ISSUES ARE TAKING SO LONG THAT IT'S PULLING RESOURCES AWAY FROM OTHERS THAT NORMALLY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET BACK QUICKLY? >> IT'S BOTH. BUT THERE'S NOTHING IN IPRA TO DECLARE A REQUEST TOO BURDEN SMM -- BURDENSOME NEVER FULFILL IT. AS AN EXAMPLE IT, WE GOT ONE REQUEST PENDING, IT WAS SIX PAGES SINGLE SPACES, IT WAS THE BIGGEST IPRA I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT WAS VAGUE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE ASKING FOR. WE ESTIMATED IT WOULD TAKE A YEAR TO FULFILL IT. WE'RE IN LITIGATION WORKING TO FULFILL IT. WE DO SEE BURDENSOME REQUESTS. SOME OF THE REQUESTS DRAW RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE EASY REQUESTS WE COULD FILL BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THOSE OUT IN A TIMELY MANNER. >>COUN. LEWIS: THAT MAKES SENSE. THAT SEEMS REASONABLE. I GUESS I MAKE A STATEMENT THAT THIS IS -- I GUESS THIS IS THE CHALLENGE OF A DA-DMOCRACY. DEMOCRACY. THE PEOPLE OWN THIS INFORMATION. AND THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO IT. IT'S THE CHALLENGES OF A DEMOCRACY. WE HAVE TO GIVE IT TO THEM. WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF FAIR PROCESS AND IT COSTS MONEY. I HOPE AS WE MOVE FORWARD THERE'S CHANGES WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH MORE PERSONNEL WE CAN LIMIT THE AMOUNTS OF DAMAGES THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM THIS. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR LEWIS. LET ME FOLLOW UP AND ASK, AND THANK YOU, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY. I REALIZE THIS IS NOT ENTIRELY YOUR BUCKET TO BAIL US OUT OF IT. I WANTED TO SAY, AND I UNDERSTAND, I DO, SOME OF THE INDUSTRY OF ATTORNEYS WHO UNDERSTAND IPRA AND UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU ASK THE CITY FOR CERTAIN THINGS YOU'RE NOT LIKELY TO GET IT IN TIME AND THE CITY IS NOT LIKELY TO RESPOND WITH THE TIME. MOST OF THESE, THE ONES I'M AWARE OF, HAVE BEEN WHERE WE JUST DIDN'T RESPOND IN TIME TO SAY IT'S BURDEN SMM AND HERE'S OUR PLAN AND WE DIDN'T GIVE THAT. SOME OF THEM THERE'S DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT WHETHER WE DID THE RIGHT THING. MY CHALLENGE IS I DON'T THINK IT'S BECAUSE I'M HIS -- HESITANT TO BEAT UP ON THE ATTORNEYS. IF THERE'S A BROKEN STEP ON THE HOUSE, THE FIRST THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE THAT TRIP, YOU DON'T BLAME THE PEOPLE TRIPPING, YOU FIX IT. WE DID ADD $300,000 TO GET RID OF APD'S BACKLOG. WE TALKED TO THE CLERK EXTENSIVELY ABOUT IT. I THINK THERE'S OTHER ISSUES HERE. I'M A LITTLE FOND OF NEWSPAPERS AND I THINK REPORTERS USE THE TOOLS PRETTY WELL. MY CHALLENGE IS THAT WE DO HAVE A REALLY GOOD DIGITAL SYSTEM. WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN GETTING THIS DONE. TO COUNCILOR LEWIS'S POINT IT'S OUR OBLIGATION AND WE NEED TO GET IT RIGHT. WHAT I WANT TO ASK FOR HERE, AND WE CAN ASK THE CLERK. HE REPORTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL. BUT I LIKE TO SEE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE ANSWER IN A FEW WEEKS. NOTHING FANCY. ONE PAGE WOULD BE GREAT. WHAT IS IT ACTUALLY COSTING US? WHAT ARE THE SALARY FOR THE 15 FOLKS ? WHAT IS THE LITIGATION WHEN WE GOT IT WRONG? WHAT IS OUR CURRENT BACKLOG? THIS WAS THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR WE JUST CLOSED THE FIRST QUARTER THIS YEAR LAST WEEK. LET'S SEE IF WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS WITH THE NEW DOLLARS. I'D LIKE -- AND I'LL ASK MR. WATSON, BUT MAYBE MR. RAEL YOU CAN HELP US BEFORE YOU'RE GONE. I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT REVISITING THE IDEA OF OMBUDSMAN. SO MUCH IS MEDIATING THE REASONABLENESS. I REALIZE THE CLERK'S OFFICE DOES A GOOD JOB. THERE'S PLACES I'VE SEEN IN THE NEWSPAPER WORLD AND MEDIA WORLD WHERE PUBLIC AGENCY HAVE A RECORDS OMBUDSMAN THAT SAY BEFORE YOU SAY IT'S TOO BURDENSOME LET'S WORK IT OUT WITH A THIRD PARTY. I THINK IT HELPED SOME OF THE LESS SOPHISTICATED REQUESTERS NARROW WHAT THEY WANT INSTEAD OF EVERY OBRD AND LAPEL CAM. IF THE FIRST ONE CAN SHOW YOU NOTHING HAPPENED OR THE FIRST ONE CAN POINT YOU TO -- I WANT TO EVALUATE THIS BETTER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A PRESENTATION. I WANT THIS TO BE GIVEN. WE'VE INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY. WE'RE COMING ON MID-YEAR. LET'S GET THIS RIGHT SO WE DON'T SPEND $2 MILLION ON LITIGATION. AND BY THE WAY, FAIL TO FILL OUR OBLIGATION AND SEE WHERE THE LEGISLATURE GOES. THAT MY POINT. OTHERWISE, I MOVE FOR A MOTION. MOTION AND SEVERAL SECONDS. ANYTHING ELSE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. MOTION FOR RECEIPT BE NOTED. COUNCILOR PEÑA, I THINK WE'RE BACK TO YOU ON Q. 166. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I HAD RAISED MY HAND TO SAY I KNOW A BUNCH OF PEOPLE FROM THE DISABLED PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT JOB. ON R-23-166, DETERMINING REASONABLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, I APOLOGIZE I DIDN'T SEE THE RED LINE VERSION OR THIS IS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE COVID CHANGES? CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHETHER IT'S OUR STAFF ON THOSE CHANGES? >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR PEÑA, I'M GOING TO ASK DEPUTY DIRECTOR TO COME DOWN AND EXPLAIN. SHE'S THE OWNER OF ALL OF THE RESOLUTIONS ABOUT THE NEXT YEAR. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILOR PEÑA. THIS RESOLUTION IS PUT FORTH EACH YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME. IT'S ROUTINE. IT'S REQUIRED BY THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT THAT THE COUNCIL DETERMINE ANNUALLY WHAT A REASONABLE NOTICE IS FOR MEETING AND HAVE TO COMPLY THAT IT HAS TO BE PUBLISHED 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE AND LAYS OUT WHERE THE MEETINGS ARE HELD, REGULAR MEETINGS, SPECIAL MEETING, ET CETERA. THERE'S NOT A RED LINE. IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT WE PASSED LAST YEAR. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SHAKE SURE BECAUSE I NOTICED IT WAS THINGS RELATED TO ONLINE MEETINGS. WE MUST HAVE PASSED THAT LAST YEAR. I DON'T RECALL. I WONDER IF THERE'S AN ACTUAL REDLINE VERSION. I KNOW IT'S STANDARD AND WE HAVE IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT WE SHOULD BE PAY ATTENTION TO. >> THAT'S CORRECT. LAST YEAR WE DID INCLUDE THE LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWS FOR REMOTE MEETINGS, IF NECESSARY. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, SINCE THIS GOT PULLED. I NOTICED SOMETHING. FOR THE JANUARY DATES THAT WERE CHANGED. WE'RE LOOKING AT -- >>COUN. DAVIS: THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM TO APPROVE THOSE DATES. >>COUN. BASSAN: I'LL SAVE THIS FOR THEN. >>COUN. DAVIS: MS.ORTEGA HAS NOT BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME. WE'RE GOING TO HANG ON TO HER TO HAVE HER BE HERE. >>COUN. PEÑA: I MOVE APPROVAL. >>COUN. DAVIS: WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL ON WHATEVER IT IS. 166. MY APOLOGIES. MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES. THAT CLEARS ALL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA IEPTS? THANK YOU. COUNCILORS ANNOUNCEMENTS. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THE LAND USE PLANNING AND ZONING FOR OCTOBER 11 IS CANCELED. THERE'S AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS MEETING ON OCTOBER 4 AT 3 P.M. VIA ZOOM. >>COUN. DAVIS: I'M SORRY. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN, YOU ALSO DID THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL. WE'RE TRYING TO SCHEDULE THINGS HERE. WE HAVE NO OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS. NORMALLY AT THIS TIME FOR FOLKS THAT FOLLOW ALONG WE TAKE A DINGER BREAK AND COME BACK AND COME BACK AND DO PUBLIC COMMENT AND ACTION ITEMS. WE HAVE 22 FOLKS SIGNED UP. THAT WOULD ADD ANOTHER 45 MINUTES WHICH MEANS WE DO DINNER AT 8. IS IT PREFERENCE TO TAKE DINNER BREAK AND COME BACK ON OUR NORMAL OR MOVE ON AND JUST DO PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST? I'M SEEING NODDING HEADS. ALL RIGHT. -- IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY. IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT PER THE INSTRUCTIONS PUBLISHED ON THE AGENDA AND ON OUR WEBSITE. THERE ARE GROUND RULES. I'M GOING TO ADD ONE MORE. EACH PARTICIPANT HAS TWO MINUTES TO PRESENT YOUR COPTS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO CITY COUNCIL THROUGH THE PRESIDENT AND ANY DISRUPTIVE COMMENTS WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL. IF IT REQUIRES A WARNING I'LL REITERATE THE RULES. ONE OTHER QUICK NOTE, WE HAVE A ZONING HEARING OR APPEAL SCHEDULED THIS EVENING. THOSE ARE SPECIAL RULES THAT LIMIT WHAT COUNCILORS CAN HEAR ABOUT AT TONIGHT'S HEARING, ONLY TO THE INFORMATION IN THE RECORD. WE CAN'T HEAR ANY NEW COMMENT. I KNOW WE HAVE FOLKS SIGNED UP ON PUBLIC COMMENT THAT MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN THAT MATTER, BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO US ABOUT IT. WE HAVE A SPECIAL WAY OF DOING THAT. IF INCOUNCIL DECIDES TO HAVE A HEARING, THERE'S A WAY TO INCLUDE INFORMATION. IF YOU PLAN TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT ITEM, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO NOT TO. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT WITHIN THE BOUNDS. IF YOU'RE MAKING YOUR PLAN AND NEED TO ADJUST THAT, PLEASE DO TO PROTECT THE RECORD AND ENSURE THOSE FOLKS GET DUE PROCESS. WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL OUR FIRST SPEAKER? >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS -- ARTIST. FOLLOWED BY JAMES. >>COUN. DAVIS: WELCOME BACK. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, CITY COUNCILLORS, I RECENTLY HAD SOME FRIENDS COME DOWN FROM CHICAGO AND I SUGGESTED THEY GET OFF I-40 AND CENTRAL AND WE DECIDED TO MEET AT THE ROUTE 66 VISITOR CENTER AND IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE YOU SHOULD TOTALLY GO. IT'S STATE OF THE ART. BEAUTIFUL FIRST IMPRESSION TO THE CENTRAL CORRIDOR. WE WENT TO THE ICONIC ARCHES AT COORS CENTRAL. THEY WANTED TO MAKE A PIT STOP AT ONE OF THE FIRST PUBLIC ART PIECES ON CENTRAL. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS INVITE ALL OF YOU BECAUSE ONE OF THE ORIGINALS HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE ALBUQUERQUE PERMANENT PUBLIC ART COLLECTION THAT IS SLATED TO BE HERE AT CITY HALL. AND HOPEFULLY -- WHEN THAT DAY COMES YOU CAN BE THERE. ONE OF THE THINGS I'D LIKE TO DO IS ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME TO THE CENTRAL CORRIDOR. NOTHING IS BETTER FOR BUSINESS TO JUST HAVE MORE TRAFFIC AND MORE BODIES. WE DECIDED TO TAKE SELIES. AND WHY NOT HAVE PEOPLE SHOW UP WITH YOU. AS A BUSINESS OWNER, IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE AND DOUBLE YOUR FUN. RATHER THAN GOING BY YOURSELF, BRING A FAMILY MEMBER. BRING A FRIEND. AS PUBLIC FIGURES, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU CAN COME DOWN TO ROUTE 66, TAKE AN SELFIE AND PUT IT UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA. PUT FLASH 66 AND WE CAN CAN COLLECT THEM UP FOR THE 100th ANNIVERSARY. LET'S NOT WAIT UNTIL THE 100th ANSVERSERY TO MAKE ROUTE 66 AMAZING. THANK YOU. >> JAMES FOLLOWED BY AMERCELEAN. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILOR DAVIS. I HAVE A HOUSING POLICY SEECH. I DON'T FEEL LIKE READING IT TONIGHT. INSTEAD, I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I JUST WANT TO SAY TWO WORDS NINE TIMES. HOUSING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CRISIS HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CREATES IS, HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS. HOUSING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS. THANKS GUYS. >> MARSLIEN FOLLOWED BY BARBARA. >> HELLO, I SPEAK TO YOU AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT IN THE CITY. I LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE. I SPEAK REGARDING THE HOMELESS CRISIS IN ALBUQUERQUE. WITH NUMBERS IN THE THOUSANDS IT'S HEART BREAKING FOR THE NEGLECT OF THOSE UNHOUSED AND WITH RENT INCREASING 70% SINCE 2017 AND WAGES STAYING STAGNANT MORE AND MORE ARE BEING PRICED OUT OF THE LIVING. THESE ARE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I ASK WHERE OUR HEARTS ARE. HOW DO WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO LIVE AND SUFFER LIKE THIS? WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF OURSELVES. I READ THE HOUSING FORWARD POLICIES AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES SUCH AS CONVERTING HOTELS AND MOTELS INTO HOUSING AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES IN ANY WAY WE CAN EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THOSE THAT NEED IT. HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND IT SHOULD BE TREATED THAT WAY. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO LIVE LIKE THIS AND THEY SHOULDN'T. WE CANNOT RELY ON BAND-AID SOLUTIONS AND TEMPORARY SHELTERS. PEOPLE NEED AFFORDABLE PATHWAYS. PERMANENT HOUSING AND LIVING WAGE INCOME. WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON DESPERATE NEEDS OF CREATING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE NEED TO PROTECT THOSE THAT FACE EVICTION OR BEING PRICED OUT OF HOMES. ACTIONS LIKE RENT CONTROL AND EXPANDING AFFORDABILITY OF HOUSING CAN EXPAND PROTECTIONS TO ENSURE OUR CITY'S POPULATION DOES NOT CONTINUE TO BE PRICED OUT OF IT. WE CANNOT SOLVE THIS WITH BAND-AID SOLUTIONS. WE WANT PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE AND LIVE FULFILLING, GREAT LIVES. IF WE CREATE A COMMUNITY, WE CAN'T DO THAT BY TURNING OUR BACKS ON THE MOST IN-NEED POPULATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR DECISIVE ACTION. >> BARBARA FOLLOWED BY JANICE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ALLOCATING 3% OF THE GO BOND PROGRAM FOR OPEN SPACE. KEN BURNS SAID THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WAS THE NATION'S BEST IDEA. IN SUNDAY'S PAPER SECRETARY HAALAND SAID WALKING AMONG THE TREES, FLOWERS, AND ANIMALS BROUGHT US CLOSE DOOR THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPE. IN SPITE OF THE HUMBLE MEANS WE EXPERIENCED WHAT ONLY PUBLIC LANDS CAN PROVIDE. THERE'S OTHER OVERWHELMING SUPPORT TO ESTABLISH THE PUBLIC LANDS IN THE ALBUQUERQUE METROPOLITAN AREA. THE FOOTHILLS, BOSQUE AND THE BIO ZONE DEFINE THE BORDERS OF OUR CITY. THESE LANDS PROVIDE OUR CHILDREN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE WONDERS OF NATURE. THEY PROVIDE ALL OF US RESPITE FROM THE STRESSES OF LIFE IN OUR VERY DISORDERED WORLD. YOU'LL HAVE HEARD A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE DIVISIONS ACHIEVEMENTS, ACTIVITIES AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. NONE OF THIS JUST HAPPENS BUT FOR THE HARD WORK AND INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY. A CONSULTANT IS UPDATING THE BOSQUE ACTION PLAN TO ASSESS CURRENT CONDITIONS AND IDENTIFY PROJECTS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. NEARLY$7 MILLION WILL BE NEEDED. EASILY 75% OF THAT IS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. IT'S NOTABLE THAT THE CONSULTANTS THINK THAT THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS STABLE, PREDICTABLE FUNDING. THE NEXT GREAT PROJECT WILL BE THE VISITOR AND EDUCATION CENTER IN THE BIO ZONE. IMPROVEMENTS WILL PAY YEARS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BUT THE RESULT WILL BE A FACILITY THAT PRESERVES A FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM AND ADVANCES THE GOAL OF ACCESS AND EDUCATION FOR ALL. TO THRIVE, PLEASE GIVE US THE 3%. >>COUN. GROUT: CAN YOU PLEASE FINISH THAT? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY PLEASE SUPPORT THE 3%. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN IN A FEW MINUTES ABOUT THE RENAMING OF THE FACILITY. >> YEAH, AFTER DINNER, RIGHT? >>COUN. DAVIS: YEAH. >> JANICE FOLLOWED BY KIMET. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, AND CITY COUNCILLOR, I WORK AT THE HEALTH EQUITY COUNCIL BUT TONIGHT I SPEAK AS A CITIZEN VOLUNTEER. I MET GRANMA IN AUGUST. I HANDED OUT WATER AS A VOLUNTEER. THEY ASKED IF I HAD ADULT DIAPERS. I RAN OUT OF MEAL BAG FOR THE DAY. I WENT BACK. GRANDMA IS OVER 65 YEARS OLD. SHE'S ON THE WAIT LIST FOR A SECTION EIGHT APARTMENT. I FIRST TRIED TO MEET HER AND HER NEED AND I RETURNED WITH RESOURCES. DEPENDS AND FIRST-AID KITS. ON AUGUST 27 I FOUND HER COUGHING WETS FROM A RAINSTORM AND SHE SAID SHE WAS NEEDING SHELTER. I LEARNED SHE WAS 86 FROM GATEWAY. 180 DAYS AT THE WEST SIDE SHELTER SHE CAUGHT PNEUMONIA. OVER THE NEXT WEEK I SPENT HOURS EVERY DAY AS A VOLUNTEER CALLING EVERYONE I CAN THINK OF AND STRINGED HOTELS PROVIDED BY AID, HEADING HOME. STAFF AT HEADING HOME THE VOUCHER WILL BE EXTENDED WEEK BY WEEK. I THOUGHT SHE WAS SET. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 GRANDMA WAS DISPLACED. HE CALLED ME CRYING. I DROVE HER BACK TO HER OLD CORNER. BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE. BALLOON FIESTA IS IN TOWN. PUSHING VULNERABLE PEOPLE INTO THE STREETS. THIS HAPPENED TO GRANDMA. HEADING HOME AND OTHERS CAN'T AFFORD $100 A NIGHT. HOW CAN THE CITY NEGOTIATE A FLAT RATE TERM FOR HOTEL VOUCHERS. TWO, I RESPOND TO PEOPLE IN THE STREETS AND UTILIZE ACS AS A NONPOLICE RESPONSE. I NEED THEIR HELP. I HAVE A VISION THAT ACS IS ABLE TO ARRIVE 24-7. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE IT. >> I'LL BE BACK ANOTHER TIME. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: FOLLOWED BY BECKS. >> THANK YOU, HI. THANKS FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT. I WANT TO -- I REPRESENT 90-MEMBER GROUP OF CITIZENS CALLED THE FRIENDS OF CANDELARIA NATURE PRESERVE WHOSE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE CITY AS IT IMPLEMENTS RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVED TWO YEARS AGO. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A VERY SHORT GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT THE NATURAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF OPEN SPACE PROTECTION. IT'S A LONG HELD BELIEF THAT THE UP DEVELOPMENT LAND THAT EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE NICE TO LOOK AT IS NOT ECONOMICALLY PRODUCTIVE AND IT REALLY CARRIES ITS WEIGHT ONLY IN THE LOCAL TAX BASE AFTER IT'S DEVELOPED. COMMUNITIES ARE QUICKLY FIND OUT THE OPPOSITE. MORE AND MORE STUDIES IS SHOWING THAT CONSUMING PUBLIC LAND IS ESSENTIAL TO PUBLIC HEALTH. THE CHOICE WE FACE IS LAND CONSERVATION IS A SOUND INVESTMENT. THEY HAVE FOUND THAT OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY, THE MOST CONVENTIONAL FORMS OF SERB URBAN HAVE PROOF. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> BECKS FOLLOWED BY ANALIE. >> HELLO, I AM AN ORGANIZER WITH THE PEOPLE'S HOUSING PROJECT. GOOD TO SEE YOU TONIGHT, COUNCIL PRESIDENT COUNCILORS. I'M HERE TO JUST SPEAK OUT AGAINST DEVELOPERS GENTRIFYING CITIES AND BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS UNDER THE GUISE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT'S A WAY TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS NOT SOLVING THE HOUSING CRISIS. IN ADDITION, GREEDILY DEVELOPERS THAT SUPPORT THEIR DEVELOPERS DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN TO SUPPORT RENT CONTROL AND SUPPORT LANDLORD REGISTRIES. AND SUPPORTING LANDLORDS TO PROVIDE RECEIPTS OR DISCLOSE WHAT YOU MAY BE CHARGED. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT CHAD AS A DEVELOPER AND DEVELOPERS LIKE HIM DO NOT HAVE THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY AS THEIR BEST INTEREST. THEY'RE HERE TO BUY NEIGHBORHOODS, FLIP THEM, TURN A PROFIT AND THAT'S HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE MONEY. I THINK THAT A REAL SOLUTION TO LOOK TOWARD IS NOT PRIVATELY OWNED HOUSING BUT LIC PUBLICLY OWNED HOUSING. A GOOD EXAMPLE WITH LITTLE RED TAPE IS SOCIAL HOUSING. IT'S A TYPE OF PUBLIC HOUSING THAT IS EXTREMELY POPULAR IN V IRKS EN VIENNA LIVE IN SOCIAL HOUSING. IT REQUIRES THAT ALL TENANTS PAY AN EQUAL PORTION OF INCOME. REGARDLESS OF YOUR INCOME YOU PAY 10% OF YOUR RENT. TENANTS WITH HIGHER INCOMES SUBSIDIZE THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES. IT'S A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO FUNDING DEVELOPERS BUILDING LOW QUALITY HOUSING. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING UNTIL HOUSING IS A GUARANTEED RIGHT IN ALBUQUERQUE AND THE REST OF THE UNITED STATES. THANK YOU. >> ANALIE FOLLOWED BY BEATRICE. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I AM HERE TO -- I'M HERE AS AN ORGANIZER WITH THE PEOPLE'S HOUSING PROJECT. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT GENTRIFIERS WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CRISIS. WE'RE IN CRISIS. LOTS OF PEOPLE, NOT JUST WITH MY ORGANIZATION HAVE COME AND TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IT. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE DEVELOPERS ARE HERE TO GET THE TAX BREAKS. AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN. THEY'RE INTERESTED IN HOW IT BENEFITS THEM. THEIR COMPANIES PROFIT, THEIR PERSONAL PROFIT. YOU NEED TO PROTECT US FROM PEOPLE LIKE THAT. WE CAN LEARN ABOUT THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND HOW THEY GO FROM OUR NEIGHBORS IN LOS RANCHOS. WE RECENTLY JOINED THE FRIENDS OF LOS RANCHOS AND WE LEARNED FROM THEIR ATTORNEYS THAT PALINDROME HAS VIOLATED NINE STATE LAWS WITH THAT DEVELOPMENT. IS THAT THE TYPE OF COMPANIES WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH? THAT'S NOT THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE SHOULD WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH. THEY CONTINUED BUILDING EVEN THOUGH AS THEY'RE BEING ACTIVELY APPEALED. I DON'T THINK THEY RESPECT THIS COMMUNITY, THEY DON'T RESPECT THIS BODY OR THE STATE BODY AT ALL. IF THEY'RE VIOLATING LAWS THIS WAY. AND SKIPPING THROUGH PUBLIC HEARING PROCESSES. YOU KNOW, AND UNFORTUNATELY, DISABLED PEOPLE ARE A MAJOR POPULATION THAT DEPEND ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND CHAD OF PALINDROME THEY DID THE EL VADO APARTMENTS. THE RESTAURANTS AND ALL OF THAT SEEMS TO BE POPULAR, BUT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO THE APARTMENTS, PEOPLE ARE FIGHTING FOR PARKING. THERE'S NOT EVEN AN ELEVATOR. IF YOU WANT TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIKE DISABLED PEOPLE, YOU DON'T EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO BUILD AN AN ELEVATOR, THEY'RE NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST. THANK YOU. >> BEATRICE FOLLOWED BY TAD. >> GOOD EVENING, ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. MY COMMENTS ARE REGARDING THE ROLE OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE GOAL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION IS DISCUSS NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS AND FIND SOLUTIONS AND REPRESENT THE COLLECTIVE INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY. IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS I HAVE LEARNED THAT A SMALL GROUP GET THAT POWER ASK MARGINALIZED A LARGE PORTION OF THE COMMUNITIES. I LIKE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION CAN CLAIM THEY'RE THE VOICE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY'RE NOT. THEY CAN BE A MICROCOSM OR SMALL DICTATORSHIPS CAN FORM IF PEOPLE LACK CONVERSATION SKILLS, CONFLICT MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND BEING A KIND HUMAN BEING. WHAT I LIKE TO SUGGEST IS A WAY TO ENHANCE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATIONS AND THE CITY AND PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS IS BY CREATING SOME GUIDELINES WHERE THE CITY WOULD REQUEST OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT PLANS AND PLANS WHO THEY MAKE PARTNERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS ENSURING THAT VOTING EVENTS ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN LARGE PROJECTS ARE BEING CONSIDERED IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. SIMPLY BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF COMMUNICATING. SOME MAYBE MONO LINGUAL. SOME DON'T HAVE THE TYPES OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS NECESSARY. ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS COMMUNICATE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >>COUN. PEÑA: HAVE YOU LOOKED AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RESOLUTION? WHAT IS IT CALLED? NARO? >> YES, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THAT. I CAN'T QUITE ADDRESS IT NOW. >>COUN. PEÑA: MR. PRESIDENT, MAYBE GET WITH MY PANELIST. I'M A STRONG PROPONENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS. I DO SEE HOW SOMETIMES IT'S MULTIPLE PEOPLE CAN GET TOGETHER TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR AN ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S A STRUGGLE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN THAT PAUSE -- BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. WE STRUGGLE WITH THE NARO IN ORDER TO FIGURE OUT A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, I THINK US AS A CITY ARE GOING TO END UP HAVING TO FUND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS SO THEY CAN HAVE DOLLARS TO DISTRIBUTE FOR NEWS LETTERS FOR EXAMPLE SO IT CAN GET TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. I'LL GET WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TAD, FOLLOWED BY STEVEN. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HEAR IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DEVELOPERS. WHO ARE THOSE DEVELOPERS? THE SAME GUYS THEY GET FREE LAND FROM THE CITY, THEN THEY GET MILLIONS YEAR AFTER YEARS. SAME GUYS. HOW MUCH ACCOUNTABILITY? AND THEN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LET ME EXPLAIN IT. THEY OBLIGATED, 60% MUST BE SECTION EIGHT. NOW TEN YEARS SECTION EIGHT. AND THEN THEY SAID -- SO THEY BECOME MILLIONAIRES. MULTIMILLIONAIRES. FROM THE CITY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. WELL, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 30% THEY HAVE TO PAY. OH WELL. OR EVEN LESS. AND THE REST CITY PAYS. COMMUNITY SERVICES. THAT'S ARE WHERE WE'RE AT. THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU HAVE HIM LOOKING AT HIS BODY. IT'S EXCHANGED UNDER THE TABLE. YOU HAVE THE SAME PEOPLE DOING BUSINESSES. THAT'S RIGHT. THIS WILL BE PROVEN IN TIME. THANK YOU. >> STEVEN FOLLOWED BY CRYSTAL. >> GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT, MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO THE SWIM COMMUNITY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE STALLING OF THE DOMINGO BACA AQUATIC CENTER PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL OPEN UP TO THE COMMUNITY PHYSICAL THERAPY, CHILDREN'S SWIMMING, LESSONS, NOT TO MENTION ORGANIZED SWIMMING WHICH INCLUDES TOURISM FROM OUTSIDE SURROUNDING COUNTIES AND STATES WHICH WILL BRING MUCH REVENUE TO OUR CITY. I KNOW I'M PREACHING TO THE CHOIR BECAUSE MOST OF THE FOLKS ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS. DOING SOME RESEARCH, I'VE DISCOVERED THE STALL SEEMS TO BE IN THE ADMINISTRATION. I WOULD URGE YOU TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BYPASS THE POLITICS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE PARENTS ALL VOTE. THANK YOU. >> CRYSTAL FOLLOWED BY JASON. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM A MEMBER OF THE GROUP RESIDENTS OF BARELAS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE RAMPANT GENTRIFICATION OF THE CITY. HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BEING HANDED OVER TO OUT OF STATE DEVELOPERS. THE VOICES OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE HISTORIC AREAS ARE NOT BEING HERD. ISSUES WITH NOTIFICATION, LANGUAGE BARRIERS AND INABILITY TO HIRE ATTORNEYS LEAVES THE RESIDENTS AT A DISADVANTAGE. THE CURRENT PROCESS FOR ZONING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE AND LEAVES DEVELOPERS WITH AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE. DISPLACING THE GENERATIONAL PROPERTY OWNERS, ALLOWING THE LARGE DEVELOPERS TO TAKE OVER HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS IS ERASING OUR UNIQUE CULTURAL IDENTITY. >> JASON FOLLOWED BY PETER ON ZOOM. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I'M A RETIRED LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF ALBUQUERQUE AND RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SEVEN. MY COMMENT IS ABOUT THE CITY AND AIR BOARDS UPCOMING EV MANDATE FOR ALBUQUERQUE AND THE OPPOSITION TO IT. I OPPOSE THE ARTIFICIAL SCARETY AND HIGH PRICES THAT THIS IMPOSES ON VEHICLE CONSUMERS INCLUDING MYSELF IN ALBUQUERQUE. THIS WILL AFFECT NEW VEHICLE AVAILABILITY AND PRICES AND USED VEHICLES. SUPPLY VERSUS DEMAND. IT WILL HURT WORKING FAMILIES THE MOST THAT DEPEND ON TRANSPORTATION THEY CAN AFFORD. THEY ARE HOLDING A MEETING AT MASTHEAD ON NOVEMBER 13 AND 14 TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS. THE EV MANDATE WOULD IMPOSE A REQUIREMENT THAT 35% OF THE NEW VEHICLES THAT ARE SOLD IN ALBUQUERQUE BE EV, NOT EVEN HYBRID OR PLUG-IN HYBRIDS IN 2025. THAT'S CALENDAR YEAR 25, MODEL YEAR 2026 BECAUSE THE MODELS COME OUT EARLY. IT WOULD BE 43% MANDATE IN CALENDAR YEAR 26 AND 51% IN 2027. THE AIR BOARD IS ALSO ASKING CITIZENS OF ALBUQUERQUE TO SURRENDER CONTROL OF WHAT CARS CAN BE SOLD IN ALBUQUERQUE TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS BIGGER THAN CANADA, MUCH BIGGER THAN ALBUQUERQUE DECIDES TO POSE AN 80% MANDATE, WE'RE STUCK WITH IT. ALBUQUERQUE HAS BEEN 100% ATTAINMENT OF ALL FEDERAL CLEAN IRSTANDARDS SINCE 1996 AND MAYBE BEFORE. THERE'S NO REASON, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS BEING SOLD AS A POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURE TO DO THAT. THERE'S NO RUSH, YOU CAN PUT A MORATORIUM IN PLACE. YOUR ORDINANCE CONTROLS THE AIR BOARD, NOT ANYBODY ELSE. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU. >> TAYLOR FOLLOWED BY JEFF. >> GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I AM THE C.E.O. A LEADER MANUFACTURER OF THE SOLAR SYSTEMS. I'M TESTIFYING ON BEHALF OF THE CHAMBER. NEW MEXICO UNITED HAS BECOME ONE OF THE BELOVED SPORTS TEAMS AND GAMES HAVE BECAME GO-TO EVENTS. IT BRINGS NEEDED POSITIVE EXPOSURE TO ALBUQUERQUE AND THE STATE. AND WITH THAT EXPOSURE COMES ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL. THE TEAM'S TEMPORARY HOME AT ISOTOPES PARK HAS BEEN ADEQUATE. BUT A PERMANENT HOME IS NEEDED. THE USFL MANDATES CLUBS HAVE SPECIFIC STADIUMS BY 2026. AND THE POTENTIAL TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY BY A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. >>COUN. GROUT: I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO STOP. WE HAVEN'T HEARD THIS YET, WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU TO COMMENT ON SOMETHING ELSE NOT THE UNITED. >> THANK YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, CAN WE PLEASE GIVE DICTATION ON THIS. WE HAVE A LEASE AGREEMENT THAT IS COMING BEFORE THE COUNCIL THAT INCLUDES THE SITE PLAN WHICH IS THE QUASI-JUDICIAL PROCESS. HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME IF WE KNOW ABOUT IT AND TALKING ABOUT THE LEASE AGREEMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD TALK ABOUT AND READ SOME OF THE EMAILS AS LONG AS IT PERTAINS TO THE LEASE DPREEMENT --GREEMENTS. CAN KEY AND WE GET CLARIFICATIONS WHETHER IT'S EMAILS, WHETHER WE CAN OR CANNOT SPEAK ABOUT THIS. THIS IS REAL MURKY. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, WE'RE FORMULATING A MORE FORMAL OPINION. WE'RE ASKED TO DO SO ON FRIDAY. OUR OPINION AS TO THE SITE PLAN AS MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD AND PUBLIC DOMAIN, THERE'S NO REASON WHY COUNCILORS CAN'T VIEW IT OR IT CAN'T BE ATTACHED TO THE LEASE PLAN. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS NO PENDING APPEAL, BUT I CAUTION THAT GIVEN THE LIKELIHOOD IT PROBABLY WILL AND WILL COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL YOU SHOULD EXERCISE CAUTION IN MAKING COMMENTS. IN REGARD TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE IDEA OF THE STADIUM ITSELF, I THINK THAT'S FAIR. I THINK THEY CAN BE MADE PUBLICLY AT THIS POINT. I DON'T THINK THAT INTRUDES ON YOUR QUASI-JUDICIAL ROAD. >>COUN. GROUT: WE CAN HEAR FROM THIS GENTLEMAN? >> YES. >>COUN. GROUT: PETER, GO AHEAD AND FINISH YOUR STATEMENT. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT THE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. WHILE THE BALLOON IS A JEWEL IN THE COMMUNITY. AND THE BALLOON FIESTA MARKET PLAN UPDATE WHICH I'M HERE TO SUPPORT WILL ALLOW IT TO REALIZE THE FULLEST POTENTIAL AS A CITY FACILITY. IT ALLOWS THE TEAM TO PLAY AT HOME GAMES AT A STADIUM PAID FOR BY NEW MEXICO UNITED. IT ALSO HOSTS USES YEAR ROUND SUCH AS YOUTH SPORTS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND CONCERTS. THIS PROVIDES ANOTHER QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT LOCATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND CONTINUOUS REVENUE STREAM FOR THE CITY. IT'S THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE CITY. IT'S TIME TO STEP FORWARD AND PARTNER WITH NEW MEXICO UNITED SO THE TEAM CAN BUILD A PERMANENT HOME. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOING -- ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I APPRECIATE IT. >> JANIC >> MR. PRESIDENT, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY. I WILL YIELD BACK THE BALANCE OF MY TEAM. THANK YOU. >> ANGELINA FOLLOWED BY KEN. >> HI, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE HOUSING CRISIS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND GENTRIFICATION IN OUR CITY. I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT THE CITY IS PUSHING TO DEVELOP AREAS AND LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT THESE HOUSING VOUCHERS AND IT'S NOT GIVING MONEY IN TAX BREAKS TO DEVELOPERS. ESPECIALLY DEVELOPERS WHO HAVE PROVEN TO -- HOW DO I SAY IT NICELY? DESTROY COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THEIR BUILDINGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. FOR EXAMPLE, PALINDROME, I'VE ORGANIZED WITH THE CLIENTS IN SAWMILL. PEOPLE FACE LEAKS, HORRIBLE CONDITIONS THAT DON'T GET FIXED. THEY DON'T HIRE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE. THEY POST JOB POSITIONS AT $11 AN HOUR. THEY'RE NOT INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY'RE IGNORING TENANTS. THE HOUSING CRISIS IS AN EMERGENCY AS MANY SPEAKERS BEFORE ME, NOT EVEN JUST TONIGHT, HAVE SAID. THE CITY HAS MONEY AND THE CITY NEEDS TO STEP IN. AND BUY PROPERTIES AND MANAGE PROPERTIES IF THEY HAVE TO. AND INSTEAD OF LETTING THE OUT OF STATE DEVELOPERS WHO WANT THE TAX BRARBGS TO DESTROY OUR COMMUNITIES. ESPECIALLY A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. THANK YOU. >> CANON FOLLOWED BY ANTHONY. >> HELLO, COUNCILORS. I WANT TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST GREEDY DEVELOPERS. AND CALL ON THE CITY COUNCIL TO STOP DEVELOPERS FROM BUILDING UNDIGNIFIED HOUSING. WHAT I MEAN BY UNDIGNIFIED HOUSING IS HOUSING FOR PROFIT. HOUSING THAT'S LABELLED AFFORDABLE WHEN NOT ALL THE UNITS ARE CONSIDERED AFFORDABLE. AND THE ONES THAT ARE, PEOPLE STILL CAN'T AFFORD. YOU KNOW, THE LIST CAN GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW BAD UNDIGNIFIED HOUSING IS AND THE CONDITIONS PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE IN. YET, THE CITY ENABLES PEOPLE LIKE CHAD RENKER TO ABUSE PUBLIC MONEY FOR UNDIGNIFIED AND TEMPORARY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND IF THE CITY WERE TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS FROM THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN CHAD'S PROPERTIES, MAYBE THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE TO GENTRIFYING OUR CITY. AND MAYBE IF THEY HEARD OUT ALL THE RENTERS AND PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE THEY WOULD SUPPORT RENT CONTROL AND PUBLICLY OWNED HOUSING. I WANT TO END BY SAYING WE DEMAND HOUSING FOR PEOPLE NOT FOR PROFIT. AND WE DEMAND YOU PROTECT THE CITY FROM PREDATORY DEVELOPERS. LIKE CHAD RENKER. THANK YOU. >> ANTHONY FOLLOWED BY PEGGY. >> SORRY, MY VIDEO IS DISABLED. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN STILL HEAR ME. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COUNCILORS. I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE CITY'S PLANNED NORTH DOMINGO BACA AQUATIC CENTER PROJECT. I RESIDED IN THE NORTH ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY FOR 14 YEARS. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM SWIM FOR PHYSICAL FITNESS. I AM A REGISTERED USA SWIMMING OFFICIAL. A MEMBER OF THE NEW MEXICO SWIMMING OFFICIALS COMMITTEE. AND ALSO A NEW MEXICO ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION REGISTERED OFFICIAL. RECREATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS AND DIVERS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS NEW FACILITY. AND IT'S CLOSE PROXIMITY. HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING AND DIVING COMPETITION WILL BENEFIT FROM THE LARGER EVENT VENUE SPACE AFFORDED. PARTICULARLY THE HIGH SCHOOL STATE MEETS. ALBUQUERQUE AS A COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT FROM INCREASED OPPORTUNITY TO HOST REGIONAL SWIMMING AND DIVING, COMPETITIVE OR OR EXHIBITION EVENTS IN THE WEST OR SOUTHWEST BRINGING IN NEW REVENUE TO THE CITY AND TO THE STATE. I URGE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO JOIN THE NORTH ALBUQUERQUE COMMUNITY IN URGING RAPID AND QUICK BUILD OF THE FACILITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> PEGGY FOLLOWED BY SIMOMA. >> I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHICH BANK HOLDS THE $4 MILLION TAGGED AS LAND BANKING. THE QUESTION IS IF WE CAN LAND BANK THESE FUNDS WHY CAN'T WE MAKE PROGRESS IN ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC LAND BANK FOR VACANT AND ABANDONED HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS? AND FUNDING ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE IN TROUBLE OF LOSING THEIR HOMES. ANOTHER THING THAT IS NOT COVERED IN THE REPORT IS EXPLANATION OF HOW THE HOUSING WORKFORCE TRUST FUND INTERFACES WITH THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED BERNALILLO COUNTY, ALBUQUERQUE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COLLABORATION. WILL THOSE FUNDS BE TAGGED AND THE LAND BANK FUNDS BE TAGGED FOR THE COLLABORATION? RESIDENTS LOOK TO YOU TO BUILD OVERSIGHT INTO OUR ADMINISTRATION. OBVIOUSLY, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. HOW DID $20 MILLION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS NOT GO INTO THE TRUST FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING? IF NOT REPORTED AT THE CITY COUNCIL, I'LL SUBMIT AN IPRA REQUEST. I STAND AGAINST M-23-10 SIGNIFICANTLY IN RESPECT TO THE STRATEGIC ACTION 3.1 AS IT REFERENCES THE ANNUAL REVIEW OF STANDEREDS. IT'S AN UPICATE OF THE 2017 UPDATE THAT HASN'T BEEN SIGNED. IT SEEMS PLANNERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REWORK THE ANNUAL UPDATE PROCESS ACCEPTED BY THE COMMUNITY WHERE TECHNICAL AND TEXT UPDATES WERE ABLE TO BE HANDLED IN THE UPDATE PLAN. WHERE AMENDMENTS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE THROUGH COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT PROCESS. IN THE UPDATE OF THE 2017 UPIDATE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE IDO IS GOING TO BE THE ANNUAL UPDATE PROCESS RATIFIED. >> SIMONA. >> HELLO, I AM A TEACHER, LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF ALBUQUERQUE, AND I CURRENTLY LIVE AT THE ARTISAN APARTMENTS IN SAWMILL COMMUNITY OWNED BY CHAD. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE A PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN ONE OF CHAD'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING AREAS. SOME OF THE THEMES THAT I WITNESSED SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE ARE NUMEROUS BREAKS ON THE ELEVATOR. IT IS OFTEN BROKEN. I SEE ELDERLY PEOPLE COMING DOWN THE STAIRS ON THEIR BOTTOMS DRAGGING THEIR WALKERS BEHIND THEM TRYING TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES. WITH NO ONE TO FIX THE ELEVATORS. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A WATER HEATER, MYSELF, FOR TWO YEARS. IT RECENTLY JUST GOT FIXED. WE WERE BOILING WATER ON THE STOVE TO BATHE BEFORE THEN. THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO PEOPLE IN OUR BUILDING THAT STILL HAVE WATER COMING FROM THEIR AIR CONDITIONER CREATING MOLD AND MILDEW AND THEY HAVE HAD NO AIR CONDITIONING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE GROUNDS ARE FULL OF BIRD AND DOG POOP. GARBAGE IS LITTERED AROUND. WE DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION IN OUR OWN HANDS. WE HAD TO FORM A TENANTS UNION IN ORDER TO GET ANYTHING FIXED AND WE WERE RESPONDED BY THE MANAGEMENT WITH AN EMAIL SAYING WE REFUSE TO SPEAK TO RESIDENTS. EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE QUOTED ON THE NEWS SAYING THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE TO SPEAK TO RESIDENTS. SINCE I SPOKEN OUT ABOUT THIS THEY HAVE FILMED ME, THEY HAVE MADE ME FEEL UNSAFE IN MY HOME AND LIKE I CAN BE EVICTED ANY MINUTE. WE'RE DENIED LEASES, MONTH TO MONTH RENTAL AGREEMENTS, AND WE'RE SICK OF IT. THIS IS NOT AFFORDABLE. >> THAT CONCLUDES GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, SIR. FOLKS, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE OUR NORMAL DINNER BREAK. THAT USUALLY LASTS ABOUT 30 MINUTES. WE'LL SEE YOU ABOUT 8:15 IN THIS LOCATION AND WE'LL PICK UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF. SEE YOU SHORTLY. >>COUN. DAVIS: OKAY, FOLKS, WE'RE BACK. AS LONG AS WE'RE BACK ON THE RECORD, I THINK WE ARE. USUALLY WHEN I CAN SEE US, WE'RE GOOD. WE'RE BACK. FIRST UP AFTER OUR BREAK IS OUR APPEAL WHICH IS AC23-12. THIS IS THE MATTER OF MS. VILLEGAS APPEALING THE ZONE MAP FROM RML TO MXL FOR A NUMBER OF LOTS I'M NOT GOING TO READ IN THE BARELAS NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET US STARTED. WOULD YOU GET US STARTED AND WE'LL MAKE A MOTION? >> YES, MR. PRESIDENT. THIS IS AN APPEAL OF THE EPC APPROVAL OF A ZONE MAP AMENDMENT FOR SIX VACANT PARCELS WEST OF THE RAIL YARDS. THEY UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE ZONE CHANGE FROM RML RESIDENTIAL MULTIFAMILY LOW DENSITY TO. MIXED USE LOW INTENSELY TO DEVELOP THE LOTS WITH LIVE-WORK, MULTI-FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL USES. RESIDENTS APPEALED. AND ALSO CLAIMING THAT ONE PROPERTY OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF THE EPC HEARING. THE LUHO FOUND THE APPELLANT FAILED TO MEET THE BURDEN OF PROOF ISSUING THE AERROR. NOTING THAT EPC DID CONSIDER NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION. HOWEVER OPPOSITION IS ONE OF MANY CRITERIA CONSIDERED BY THE EPC IN ZONE CHANGE REQUESTS. THE RECORD SHOWS THE APPLICANT COMPLETED MULTIPLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS REGARD THE APPLICATION. THE LUHO CONCLUDED ALL NOTICE REQUIREMENTS WERE MET. SPECIFICALLY AT NOTICE WAS IN FACT MAILED TO THE 1 PROPERTY OWNER THAT CLAIMED THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THE EPC HEARING AND THAT PERSON WAS ACTUALLY PRESENT AT THE HEARING. FINALLY, THE LUHO VIEWED THE ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION AND FOUND IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE IDO AND COMP PLAN. THE LUHO RECOMMENDS DENIAL AND RECOMMENDS EPC APPROVAL OF THE ZONE CHANGE BE HELD. THIS IS ACCEPT OR REJECT, WE'LL NOT HEAR FROM THE PARTIES. AS A REMINDER, THE OPTIONS IS ACCEPT, OR ACCEPT AND FIND DIFFERENT FINDINGS, OR REJECT AND IN WHICH CASE WE'LL HAVE A FULL HEARING IN THE NEXT MEETING. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. TO GET US STARTED, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT, IF THERE'S A SECOND WE'LL MOVE TO DISCUSSION AND MODIFY THAT. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND FROM COUNCILOR GROUT. DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY 9-0. NEXT UP WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO APPROVALS. OUR FIRST ITEM ON APPROVALS ON THE AGENDA IS THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. SINGLE TO THE POSITION OF C.E. O. SINCE WE WANT TO GIVE HER TIME, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE HER UNTIL THE END AND LET ALL OF THE STAFF TO GO HOME. WE TRY TO GET THE STAFF HOME EARLY. AND WE KNOW YOU'RE GETTING USED TO LONG MEETINGS. WE'LL GET BACK TO THAT. WE'RE JUST GOING TO FOLLOW THE AGENDA. ITEM B IS EC346 APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH VISIT ALBUQUERQUE TO PROVIDE DESTINATION MARKETING AND GROUP SALES. I MOVE APPROVAL. COUNCILOR GROUT HAS A SECOND. I THINK WE DO HAVE AT LEAST ONE, MAYBE TWO SPEAKERS? I SEE MY -- >> WE HAVE MIKE FOLLOWED BY DEPESH. >>COUN. DAVIS: AS A REMINDER, SAME RULES FROM THE GENERAL COMMENT, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. STEP UP TO THE OTHER MIC SO FOLKS CAN HEAR YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. MADAM VICE-PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS, I AM THE PROUD CHAIR OF VISIT ALBUQUERQUE THIS YEAR. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CONTRACT WORK. WE'RE NEARING THE FINAL STAGES OF THIS WE APPRECIATE THE PROCESS THE CITY HAS GONE THROUGH TO HELP US GET WHERE WE WANT TO GO. WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WE WITH THE CITY. WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LONGER TERM IN THIS CONTRACT. THAT LONGER TERM IS GOING TO HELP US BE MORE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES. SOME OF WHICH ARE TEN TO TWENTY YEARS. THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH. THIS IS GOING TO HELP US QUITE A BIT. AS YOU KNOW ALBUQUERQUE IS A PREMIER LEISURE AND SPORTS DESTINATION WHICH CONTRIBUTES SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE ECONOMY. THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF MANY OTHERS AND VISIT ALBUQUERQUE TOURISM BRINGS IN 6 MILLION VISITORS AND $2 BILLION IN REVENUE. THIS CONTRACT REALLY SERVES AS THE BASE AND ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPLEMENT RESOURCES WE HAVE THROUGH OUR ALBUQUERQUE TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT AS WELL. THAT'S HELPING US TELL OUR STORY AND TELLS IT A LOT BETTER. WE'RE REALLY INSPIRED BY THE FOCUS THAT EVERYONE HAS ON TOURISM AND SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT TONIGHT IN PASSAGE OF THIS CONTRACT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILORS, FOR HEARING ME. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE LONG-TERM AGREEMENT WITH VISIT ALBUQUERQUE. I'M HERE AS A BUSINESS OWNER THAT OWNS AND OPERATES FOUR HOTELS IN ALBUQUERQUE. AND I'M A LODGERS TAX ADVISORY BOARD CHAIR ELECT AND REPRESENTATIVE WITH THAT. I AGREE WITH WHAT HE JUST SAID. I'M NOT GOING TO BELABOR THAT POINT. I'LL ADD TO IT. A SHORT CONTRACT IS HARMFUL TO ALBUQUERQUE TOURISM BECAUSE MOST MEETING PLANNERS DO BOOK MEETINGS FOUR TO FIVE YEARS OUT AND THEY LOOK FOR STABILITY AND WANT CONFIDENCE IN THE ORGANIZATION THEY'RE WORKING FOR. THIS AGREEMENT CAPTURES IT. IT ALLOWS THE FORMATION OF LONG-TERM MARKETING STRATEGIES AND ALLOWS VISIT ALBUQUERQUE TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT TOP TALENT WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT. AND BUILD LONG-TERM CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AND AS WELL AS NOW THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES SUFFICIENT TIME FOR RENEWAL PROCESS, SO THAT IT DOESN'T MARKETING ACTIVITIES. I WANT TO ALSO POINT OUT THAT VISIT ALBUQUERQUE'S PERFORMANCE IS REVIEWED BY THE LODGERS ADVISORY BOARD ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THERE'S A GREAT INDUSTRY REPORTS THAT HELP STAKEHOLDERS LIKE MYSELF AND OTHER OPRARTZ MEASURE THE PERFORMANCE OF ALBUQUERQUE AGAINST OTHER CITY. WE DO THIS REGULARLY. IN CLOSING, AS A BUSINESS OWNER, I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE MARKETING ACTIVITIES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE VISIT ALBUQUERQUE OPERATES WELL ON A LONG-TERM CONTRACT. >> THAT CONCLUDES COMMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. THE ADMINISTRATION, I HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS AND A FEW OBJECTIONS. FIRST I WANT TO GO TO OTHER COUNCILORS. COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. LEWIS: SURE THING, MR. PRESIDENT. I REALLY BELIEVE THIS WAS DISCUSSED IN THE FINANCE MEETING AND THIS IS NOT NEW QUESTIONS. I DO GET THE ARGUMENT FOR THE SEVEN-YEAR AGREEMENT AS OPPOSED TO FIVE. I THINK I UNDERSTAND THAT. IT'S PRETTY MUCH BEEN FIVE YEARS. HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT? AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE RE-UPPED IT? >> MONICA FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHO HANDLES THE CONTRACT IS IN THE AUDIENCE AND SHE CAN GIVE YOU THAT INFORMATION COUNCILOR. >> GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILOR LEWIS, IT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN THREE YEARS. IT HASN'T BEEN FIVE YEARS. WE'RE EXTENDING IT TO SEVEN. >>COUN. LEWIS: ABOUT HOW LONG HAS THAT BEEN A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT? >> I'M GOING TO ASK TONYA TO COME UP. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I BELIEVE IT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN ABOUT THREE-YEAR CONTRACTS WITH TWO ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS. THERE HAVE BEEN A TERM WHERE IT'S BEEN EXTENDED FOR THINGS MAINLY FOR THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER COMPONENTS THAT ADDED TO THAT FOR ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS. >>COUN. LEWIS: ARE THERE OTHER EXTENSIONS ON THIS? >> SO, COUNCILOR LEWIS, IT IS SEVEN YEARS WITH AN ABILITY TO EXTEND FOR TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS. >>COUN. LEWIS: OKAY. THE CONTRACT ALSO MEFRNZ THAT THE CONTRACTOR -- AND THIS IS ALSO TRUE WITH 347 AND THE HISPANO CHAMBER. THE CONTRACT IS FOR KEY CITY OFFICIALS TO OBTAIN EFFECTS. WE WANT TO DEFINE KEY CITY OFFICIALS. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, THE IDEA HERE IS THAT FROM TIME TO TIME THE HISPANO AND/OR VISIT ABQ MAY BE IN A COMPETITIVE PROCESS WITH ANOTHER CITY AND MAY NEED SUPPORT FOR EXAMPLE IN THE SPORTS WORLD, OFTENTIMES THE DEPARTMENT KNOWING THE ASSETS WILL BE A VALUABLE TEAM MEMBER GOING TO A CITY OR CONFERENCE TO HELP MARKET THE CITY AND HELP PROVIDE MORE REALTIME INFORMATION FOR POTENTIALLY GETTING A CONTRACT TO COME TO THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IN MY PAST EXPERIENCE WITH WHAT THEN USED TO BE CALLED ACBD, PEOPLE WOULD ACOMPANY THE SALES TEAM ESPECIALLY IF IT WAS A REALLY STRONG COMPETITION. MOST PEOPLE WOULD SAY IT'S GREAT TO SEE WE HAVE STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE COMMUNITY. IT'S NOT THAT WE'VE DONE THAT AT ALL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BUT IT GIVES US OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP STAFFING AND TAP STAFFERS THAT MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HAVE AN EDGE TO GETTING AN EVENT TO ALBUQUERQUE. >>COUN. LEWIS: I DON'T REMEMBER CITY COUNCILLORS THAT HAVE TAKEN TRIPS LIKE THAT. MAYBE IN THE PAST IT WAS COMMON PRACTICE. >> IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN CITY COUNCILLORS, ESPECIALLY THE COUNCILOR ASSIGNED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNCIL ON THE BOARD. TYPICALLY THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW IMPORTANT THESE CONVENTIONS ARE FOR THE CITY. IT DOES -- IN MY PERSPECTIVE IN THE PAST, MADE A DIFFERENCE. THE INTERNATIONAL BILLING CONGRESS, IF YOU REMEMBER THAT WAS A BIG EVENT YEARS AGO, THEY RENTED THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR SIX MONTHS. IT WAS CONSTANT. THAT WAS A MAJOR COMPETITION WITH SEVERAL OTHER CITIES. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR A COUPLE COUNCILORS THAT WERE THERE EXPRESSING STRONG INTERESTS OF THE COMMITTEE, WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD THAT. >>COUN. DAVIS: LET ME FOLLOW THAT REALLY QUICKLY. IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU. THE OTHER POINT THAT WAS IN SECTION D IT NOT ONLY SAYS THAT THE CONTRACTOR WOULD IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITY FOR KEY OFFICIALS TO PARTICIPATE IN MARKETING EVENTS. IT'S A NEW CLAUSE THAT SAYS THAT THE CONTRACTOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THOSE OFFICIALS WHICH IS NEW. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER CONTRACTORS WHERE WE REFER CONTRACTORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CITY STAFF ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE TRAVEL POLICY AND BUDGETS FOR THAT. >> MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S OTHERS THAT HAVE THAT CLAUSE. I REMIND YOU ALL THAT LODGERS TAX IS PUBLIC MONEY. VISIT ABQ AND THE HISPANO ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THOSE RECORDS OF ANY EXPENSES ET CETERA INCURRED FOR TRAVELING. I THINK THERE'S A MECHANISM FOR ENSURING THAT THERE'S TRANSPARENCY IN TERMS OF WHO IS TRAVELING. >>COUN. DAVIS: MR. RAEL, I UNDERSTAND THAT. I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT. MY CONCERN IS WE HAVE TRAVEL POLICIES AND BUDGETS THIS COUNCIL APPROVES AND IT'S FOR THOSE PURPOSES. IT HAS NOT INHIBITED PEOPLE IN PARTICIPATING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAVEL. WE'VE DONE AVIATION MARKETING. ALL KINDS OF THINGS. THIS IS ONE THAT I AGREE WITH COUNCILOR LEWIS'S PRESUMPTION THAT WE HAVEN'T DEFINED THAT WELL. MY CONCERN IS NOT THE INTEPT IS NOT GOOD. IT IS SO ILL-DEFINED, CAN CAN SEE HOW THE CITY IN THE CONTRACT HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPROVE THE CEO AND DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION DOES WITHOUT OVERSIGHT OF THE CITY COUNCIL WHICH CAN THEN REQUIRE THE CONTRACTOR TO TAKE CITY OFFICIAL ON TRIP WITHOUT OVERSIGHT DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CONTRACT. THAT SEEMS STRANGE. IT'S A PROVISION IN THE CONTRACT THAT'S DIFFERENT AND NEW. MY CONCERN IS WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION SENT THESE TWO CONTRACTS DOWN THEY SENT DOWN A SUMMARY OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW ONE, AND THE ORIGINAL THING REFERENCED WAS THE SHORTER TERM TO THE NINE-YEAR TERM. IT WASN'T UNTIL WE RECEIVED THE CONTRACT THAT WE LEARNED THERE'S A PROIVATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAS TO PROVIDE TRAFL -- TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS. AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS THE RIGHT TO APPROVE THE BOARD. WHILE THE REST OF THE APPOINTMENTS FOR BOARD WITH CITY MEMBERS ARE NOMINATED THROUGH THE MAYOR AND COME DOWN THROUGH A NOMINATION PROCESS. IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE GOING OUTSIDE THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THROUGH CONTRACT INSTEAD OF THROUGH PROCESS. I DON'T KNOW, MR. RAEL, WHY ARE THOSE TWO PROVISIONS ADDED TO THIS CONTRACT? WHY WERE THEY NEEDED? >> MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THIS PRESENTED AN OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO ENCOURAGE THAT BOTH CONTRACTORS BENEFIT BY HAVING EXPERTISE OF CITY, AND WE USE THE WORD OFFICIALS NOT NECESSARILY REFERRING TO ELECTED OFFICIALS BUT JUST DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHERS WHO ARE APPOINTED AND HAVE EXPERTISE IN SPECIFIC AREAS AS A WAY TO GIVE THEM AN ADDITIONAL TOOL TO DO THE WORK. KEEP IN MIND ANY TRAVEL THAT HAPPENS WHETHER IT'S THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY IN THIS FASHION STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IN THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL AND THE APPOINTED OFFICIAL THAT MIGHT BE TRAVELING OR STAFF STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE REQUEST TO TRAVEL AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WHERE THE PAYMENT IS MADE FOR THE TRAVEL. IT WILL BE WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, IT JUST IS THE PAYMENT FOR THE TRAVEL WILL BE MANAGED IN A DIFFERENT WAY. >>COUN. DAVIS: MR. RAEL, WE HAVE LONG NIGHT. I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THIS. I DON'T DISAGREE THAT STAFF HAVE TO DO THAT. ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN GO WHERE WE WANT. IT LENDS TO THE APPEARANCE THAT THERE'S A MARKETING CONFERENCE IN D.C., HOW ABOUT YOU GO AND WORK ON THAT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE INTENT. I UNDERSTAND THE INTENT. I THINK THE LANGUAGE IS POORLY WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T LIMIT THAT. THE OTHER IS UNLIKE THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT THE CITY HAS AN INFLUENCE OVER A SEAT ON, THESE REQUIRES THE CONTRACTS, WHICH I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE ALLIES IN THIS, THEY DO INCREDIBLE WORK THEY DO. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THAT. TO GIVE THE ADMINISTRATION THE SOLE ABILITY TO CONFIRM OR DENY TO THE BOARD. THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY TO CITY COUNCIL. IT GIVES THE ADMINISTRATION A LOT OF INFLUENCE OVER THIS CONTRACTOR AND OUTSIDE OF THE SPOTLIGHT. I WOULD BE INCLINED -- ONE, THOSE ARE TWO OF MY OBJECTIONS, AND MY OTHER OBJECTION, AND I UNDERSTAND THE LONG-TERM AND I COME AROUND ON UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF THAT. BUT AS I SAID, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE FOR THE CONTRACT TO BE THROUGH THE END OF THE TERM FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IN CASE THERE'S ANOTHER ADMINISTRATION THAT COMES OVER. I DON'T MIND THE NINE-YEAR TERM BUT I WOULD RATHER IT BE A CONTRACT THAT GOES THROUGH THE END OF THE ADMINISTRATION WITH EXTENSION TERMS THAT CAN BE EXERCISED IF IT'S THE NEXT KELLER ADMINISTRATION OR THE NEXT WHOEVER ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAINTY. THAT WE'RE HERE, WE HAVE OPTIONS. I THINK WE CAN ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS EITHER WAY. FOR THOSE THREE REASONS, I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS TODAY. I LOVE THE ADMINISTRATION TO LOOK AT THOSE CLAUSES. I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS WE'RE ADDING TO THE CONTRACTS THAT BOTHER ME. I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS. I THINK THE PUBLIC LOOKS AT THIS AND SAY WE'RE GIVING AWAY OVERSIGHT AND I THINK THERE CAN BE BETTER LANGUAGE. I'LL OPEN IT UP TO OTHER COUNCILORS. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. HAVING SERVED FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS AS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER, AND GENERAL BOARD MEMBER OF ACDB AND VISIT ABQ, YOU KNOW, I DID FEEL LIKE I WAS -- OF COURSE THERE'S A MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT TYPICALLY HAS BEEN THE C.A.O. AND I THINK RIANT PAST IT WAS MR. BAKHTA. MY EXPERIENCE WAS ON THAT BOARD, AND IT IS DIFFERENT, IT'S NOT THE SAME AS OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE SAME PROVISIONS. I FELT LIKE IT WAS VERY TRANSPARENT. SERVING ON THAT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THERE WAS TIMES WHEN I DISAGREED WITH POSITIONS TAKEN BY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AS A COUNCILOR AND AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE INDUSTRY WHICH I AM AND REMAIN AN ADVOCATE. I FELT LIKE IT WORKED PRETTY WELL. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CERTAINLY SEEMED TO VERY MUCH LISTEN AND LISTEN TO MY OPINIONS AND IDEAS ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AND AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THAT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. YOU KNOW, THE DETAILS OF THIS CONTRACT I HAVE TO ADMIT I HAVEN'T BEEN ON THAT BOARD FOR SOME COUPLE OF YEARS NOW. YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE TWEAKED, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. IN COMMITTEE, YOU GUYS HAVE DISCUSSED THAT AND I WAS NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE. WHERE WANT TO VOUCH FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND IT IS AN UNUSUAL BOARD IN THAT SENSE. YOU APPOINT THE COUNCIL PRESENTATIVE ON THAT BOARD. OTHERWISE, IT IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THAN OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. THEY PLAY A REALLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD MEAN IF WE WERE TO NOT APPROVE THIS TONIGHT. MAYBE I'LL ASK WHAT THE REPUBLICAN REPERCUSSIONS ARE IF ANY. ASSUMING WE WOULD APPROVE IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BENTON, VISIT ALBUQUERQUE CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. WE'RE OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH CURRENTLY. AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH RIGHT NOW. >>COUN. BENTON: RIGHT. THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: FOR THE RECORD, I FULLY BELIEVE IN THE FOLKS DOING THIS NOW. NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING WRONG. MY OBJECTION IS PUTTING A STRUCTURE THAT LENDS ITSELF TO ABUSE IN THE FUTURE OR PERCEPTION THERE'S SOME KIND OF TOO CLOSENESS THERE. COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. GROUT: MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU. I DO SERVE ON THIS BOARD AS THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FROM COUNCIL, AND I CAN TELL YOU I ATTEND TWO MEETINGS A MONTH AND AT LEAST ONE MEETING A MONTH. AND EVERY OTHER MONTH WE HAVE A FULL BOARD MEETING. AT THESE MEETINGS, YFRB -- I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE -- THIS IS THE MOST WELL-OILED COMMITTEE AND BUSINESS. IT IS SO TRANSPARENT. WE GET REPORTS ALL OF THE TIME. THEIR QUESTIONS, THEY'RE ALWAYS ANSWERED. THERE'S NEVER I'LL GET BACK TO YOU. WE GET THOSE ANSWERS RIGHT AWAY. IT'S A VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE BOARD. THEY'RE VERY, IN MY OPINION, TRUSTWORTHY. THEY REPRESENT OUR CITY VERY WELL. IN THE LAST YEAR THEY HAVE -- THE OUTREACH ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. WE ARE ADVERTISING -- IT'S THROUGH THE LODGER'S TAX AND ATMB. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ALLOWED THEM TO SOLICIT BUSINESS, BRING PEOPLE IN. I HAVE SEEN BILLBOARDS COMING FROM THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORT IN THE PHOENIX AIRPORT ALONG THE WALKWAYS. I GO THERE ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE THE COOLEST WRAPS ON BUSES IN DENVER. AND THEY -- THEY'RE JUST -- THEY JUST PROMOTE ALBUQUERQUE AND WHAT WE CAN DO HERE. THEN YOU GO DOWN TO DALLAS AND YOU SEE THAT. THEY'RE ADVERTISING IN CHICAGO. AND ALL OF THIS IN ALL OF OUR BOARD MEETINGS IS VERY TRANSPARENT. THEY HAVE A -- COMPLETE REPORT. MS. ARMENTA WILL TELL WHERE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR ALBUQUERQUE. I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT EVERYTHING -- ANY QUESTION YOU HAVE FOR THEM THEY HAVE AN ANSWER. IT WOULD BE 100% ABOVE BOARD. AND I WOULD HAVE NO RESERVATION ABOUT ACCEPTING THIS CONTRACT AS IT'S WRITTEN. I DO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT POSSIBLE LY -- THE RESERVATION YOU MIGHT HAVE. WITH THIS ORGANIZATION, THEY ARE TOP-NOTCH. BAR NONE. I SUPPORT THIS. >>COUN. DAVIS: OR COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: MR. PRESIDENT, I GUESS A QUESTION IS MORE FOR YOU. TO UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN, THAT THE WAY THIS LUJ APPEARS WITH NEW LANGUAGE WOULD SOMEHOW BE SUBJECT TO ABUSE BY EITHER ONE OF US OR THE ADMINISTRATION REPRESENTATIVE WHO SITS ON THAT BOARD, I JUST WANT TO EITERATE THAT IT'S SUCH A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION. THEY SEEM TOTALLY TRANSPARENT. DURING MY MANY YEARS ON THAT BOARD, THERE WAS NEVER ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO GO ON A JUNKET, IF SO, I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN. PROBABLY. BUT NO, ALL KIDDING ASIDE, THAT'S SORT OF -- THAT NEVER PRESENTED ITSELF. I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, THE HISTORIC OPERATION THIS BOARD UNDER MS. ARMENTA'S LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT THE MOST PROFESSIONAL. I SAW MY POSITION, AND I'M SURE COUNCILOR GROUT WOULD ALSO AGREE THAT WE'RE THERE TO HELP THEM SUCCEED IN THEIR MISSION AND GIVE INFORMATION. INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH DOWNTOWN OR PUBLIC SAFETY. CONCERNS THAT MIGHT ARISE FROM TIME TO TIME. AND OF COURSE HAVING THE CFO IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WAS USEFUL TO HAVE THAT ON THE BOARD BECAUSE IN THE PAST THESE CONTRACTS THEY DID EXPIRE SO OFTEN THAT IT SEEMED LIKE WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO KNOCK ON THE MAYOR'S DOOR IT MAKE SURE WE'RE STILL -- THAT THE ORGANIZATION IS STILL HAVING PREDICTABLE CONTRACTS. AND LONGER-TERM CONTRACTS. THE LONGER TERM CONTRACT IS SOMETHING THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN WANTING FOR A LONG TIME. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR BASSAN AND COUNCILOR LEWIS. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, IT MIGHT BE THE SAME THING. IF I'M LOOKING AT THIS CORRECTLY, ON PAGE 13, IT'S NUMBER EIGHT. APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O., IT READS THE BOARD GOES TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL. I THINK THE BOARD IS GOING TO BE THE ONE TO RECOMMEND TO THE ADMINISTRATION THIS PERSON THAT SHOULD BE BECOMING THE PRESIDENT OR C.E.O. AND THE ADMINISTRATION CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THAT AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO NOTIFY US. TO ME, IT'S THE JOB OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO HIRE AND FIRE. I GET WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM A LOT OF THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S BUILT-IN APPROPRIATE MEASURES IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD IS THE ONE REALLY DECIDING. I IMAGINE THAT IF THE ADMINISTRATION, WHATEVER ADMINISTRATION IT MAY BE, HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT WOULD BE FOR GOOD REASON. >>COUN. LEWIS: I THINK WHAT COULD ADDRESS YOUR CONCERN WOULD BE CONSENT. IT DOES SAY THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOTIFY THE COUNCIL, I THINK IF IT SAID WITH CONSENT OF THE COUNCIL -- I'M NOT SURE WE CAN AMEND THIS. I THINK IT'S JUST A RECOMMENDATION TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO COME BACK WITH DIFFERENT LANGUAGE. IF THAT WERE THE WISH, I THINK THAT WOULD FIX THAT. >>COUN. DAVIS: I THINK IT WOULD. I CAN COUNT, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO PASS AS IT IS. IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT, AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS OKAY WITH, I HAVE NO OBJECTION OF PROCEEDING. SEEING NO OTHER COMMENTS. MR. RAEL, DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, IF IT DOES GIVE YOU ANY COMFORT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THERE'S A RIGHT TO AUDIT IN WHICH THE CITY AUDITOR, INTERNAL AUDITOR, CAN AUDIT TRAVEL. THERE'S A REQUIREMENT FOR AN ANNUAL REPORT TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT INCLUDES THE CONTRACT VISITS AND ALL OF THE OTHER WORK THEY DO. I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO MANAGE THAT ISSUE AT LEAST ON THE TRAVEL PIECE. I WOULD INDICATE TO ALL OF YOU, LOOK, THE VERY ISSUE THAT I THINK THEY STARTED THE CONVERSATION IS THAT THREE-YEAR CONTRACT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO GO OUT AND RECRUIT THE CONFERENCES THAT FAR IN ADVANCE. THIS IS A VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE WORLD. AND ALBUQUERQUE HAS A GOOD FACILITY, BUT WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER CITIES THAT INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN FACILITIES. OUR BEST BET IS IT TO HAVE GOOD PEOPLE. AND WE HAVE REALLY GOOD PEOPLE MARKETING ALBUQUERQUE. GIVING THEM THAT RUNWAY TO DO MARKETING WORK IS NECESSARY. WITH THAT, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT, COUNCILOR DAVIS. >>COUN. DAVIS: SEEING NO OTHER DISCUSSIONS, THE MATTER ON THE FLOOR IS APPROVAL. SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT'S 8-1. CONGRATULATIONS. I BET I KNOW HOW THE NEXT ONE GOES. APPROVES A CONTRACT FOR THE HISPANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR TRADE SHOWS, MEETS. I MOVE APPROVAL. SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BENTON. I BELIEVE SOMEBODY WILL JOIN US ON THIS. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCILORS. I'M PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ALBUQUERQUE HISPANO CHAMBER. I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO THE GREAT CONVERSATION. I DON'T THINK I CAN ADD ANY MORE TO IT. THE FACT THAT -- I WILL. THE FACT THIS IS A 7 AND TWO YEARS EXTENSION IS INSTRUMENTAL. FOR MANY CONVENTIONS AND EVENTS WE GO AFTER, CASE POINT, THE LULAC CITY-WIDE TOOK AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS TO GET. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE CONVENTIONS, THESE PEOPLE THAT WORK SEE STABILITY IN THE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. TO NO SURPRISE BY ANYBODY I'LL RENEW MY OBJECTIONS ON THE SAME GROUND. I CAN COUNT. I KNOW THIS IS AN EXCELLENT ORGANIZATION. I KNOW LOT OF THEIR STAFF HAVE WORKED WITH AND HIRED A FEW OF THEM. MY OBJECTIONS ARE THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONTRACT. I OBJECT. ANY OTHER THAN THAT, ANY COMMENTS? MR. RAEL, ANYTHING ELSE? >> URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS 8-1. >> THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: NEXT UP, EC-363. MAYOR'S RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD FOR ARROYO DEL OSO GOLF COURSE CONCESSIONS. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. ANYTHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION? AND COUNCILOR BASSAN HAS A QUESTION. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S MR. MENACUCCI, I NOTICED THERE'S LANGUAGE INDICATING THAT DISK GOLF AND NIGHT GOLF MIGHT BECOME A THING. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT? >> MR. PRESIDENT, REALLY GOT TO GET MICS THAT ARE PEOPLE-FRIENDLY. AT LEAST YOU CAN HEAR ME. COUNCILOR BASSAN, THAT'S CORRECT. ALL THE COURSES IN PARTICULAR THIS ONE HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO USE THE GOLF COURSES FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES THAN SIMPLY GOLF. IT IS A REALLY, REALLY INTERESTING CONCEPT. A LOT OF COURSES THAT ARE ESPECIALLY IN THE CALIFORNIA/ARIZONA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ARE USING THE COURSES FOR DISK GOLF. IT'S PRETTY COMPETITIVE. WHAT THEY DO IS PUT THE BASKETS WHERE THE HOLES WOULD HAVE BEEN. AND IT'S DISKS INTO THE PAFKTS AND IT'S A POPULAR SPORT. NOT EVERYBODY CAN PLAY GOLF AND THOSE THAT THINK WE CAN, REALLY CAN'T. BUT WE THINK WE CAN. IT GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THE COURSES FOR A WHOLE DIFFERENT GROUP OF FOLKS THAT DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT OF BUYING EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT AND ENJOYING THE COURSE. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE AS EVERYTHING PROGRESSES WITH THIS POTENTIAL. I KNOW THAT A FEW YEARS AGO I REACHED OUT REGARDING DISK GOLF AND BEING ABLE TO EXPAND IT THROUGHOUT SOME OF THE GOLF COURSES AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO IT AND THERE'S PEOPLE -- I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT REACHED OUT ABOUT IT. I AM ENCOURAGED TO HEAR THAT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY ON THE NIGHT GOLF. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT? >> SURE, MR. PRESIDENT,COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. TYPICALLY, WHAT HAPPENS IS REALLY THEY'RE USING A BALL THAT GLOWS IN THE DARK. AND THEY'RE LIGHTING UP CERTAIN AREAS OF THE COURSE SO IT'S NOT COMPLETELY DARK. THE IDEA IS YOU'RE HITTING A GENERAL DIRECTION AND USING A BALL THAT GLOWS IN THE DARK TO GET TO AND FROM PARTS OF THE COURSE. NOT A SPORT I'VE DONE BEFORE. CERTAINLY SOME FOLKS LIKE DOING THAT, ESPECIALLY LATE IN THE EVENINGS IN THE WINTERTIME WHEN YOU HAVE A MODERATE OR MILD EVENING AND YOU'RE ABLE TO PLAY LATER INTO THE EVENING. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: CURIOUS TO KNOW IF YOUR WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS HAVE THE THOUGHT ABOUT WILDLIFE THAT ARE ABLE TO COME OUT AT DUSK AND SUDDENLY THERE'S FOOTTRAFFIC. I'D LOVE TO FOLLOW UP AND LEARN ABOUT THE IMPACTS. >> MR. PRESIDENT, THAT'S A GREAT POINT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR. IN THIS NOT NECESSARILY AN ENDEVER THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS OTHER WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUE USING COURSES. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: YEAH, I MEAN. HOME DESCRIPTION IS UPSETTING TO WILDLIFE. I UNDERSTAND THE POINT. I JUST WANT TO LEARN THE IMPACTS. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS? SEEING NO OTHER DISCUSSION. DID WE MISS ANYTHING? YOU CAME ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE. MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS APPROVAL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. INTERNAL AUDIT FOR FY23. I MOVE RECEIPT BE NOTED. SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BASSAN. AND WE HAVE A FLOOR SUBSTITUTE. IS THAT RIGHT? I'LL MOVE A FLOOR SUB. IT'S AVAILABLE IN THE iPAD. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BASSAN. BEFORE -- THERE'S NOBODY ON THIS? THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS ON THE FLOOR SUBSTITUTE? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'RE BACK ON THE BILL AS SUBSTITUTED. ANYTHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION BEFORE WE GO TO COUNCILORS? MORE OR LESS RECEIPT BE NOTED? ANYBODY? GOING ONCE. COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: IT'S NOT A RECEIPT BE NOTED. >>COUN. DAVIS: I THINK IT IS. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE DEFERRAL AS SUBSTITUTED TO THE OCTOBER 16 MEETING. >>COUN. DAVIS: MY APOLOGIES. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER AS SUBSTITUTED. I'LL MAKE A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. WE'LL SEE THAT IN TWO WEEKS. THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME. FINAL ACTIONS, COUNCILOR GROUT. O-83. >>COUN. GROUT: MR. PRESIDEN -- [ INAUDIBLE ] O-83 IS AMENDING SECTION 2-12-1 TO MAKE PERMANENT 3% OF THE GENERATION BOND FOR OPEN SPACE. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. DAVIS: MULTIPLE SECONDS. THE CLERK CAN PICK HER FAVORITE. BEFORE WE GET FURTHER ON THE BILL WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENTERS. >> YES, THANK YOU. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS DOM, FOLLOWED BY TAD. >>COUN. DAVIS: NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE VOLUNTEERING AND ALL THE WORK YOU DO. >> IT'S A PLEASURE. THE PLEASURE IS ALL MINE. I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS STUFF FOR A LONG TIME. PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT COUNCILORS, I AM DON, THE CHAIR OF THE OPEN SPACE ADVISORY BOARD. I SUPPORT O-23-83. OPEN SPACE NEEDS THE STABILITY OF THIS CHANGE. AND WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL OF ACQUIRING MANY VALUABLE LANDS THAT WE ALL APPRECIATE AS OUR CURRENT PUBLIC LAND. THERE'S STILL MANY TO BE ACQUIRED. THE TRUST FUND HAS BEEN DEPLETED TO A LARGE EXTENT. WE NEED TO USE THIS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SOURCES TO CONTINUE TO ACQUIRE THE LANDS CURRENTLY ON OUR LIST. AND OTHERS THAT ARE THREATENED WITH DEVELOPMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST EFFORTS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER IN THE FUTURE. THIS COUNCIL AND MANY IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE OPEN SPACE SYSTEM. IT'S YIELDED GREAT RESULTS. DURING THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE NEEDED PLACE TO GO. WE NEED MORE FUNDS AND MORE PROPERTY AND PROPERLY MAINTAIN AND RESTORE THE ONES WE HAVE IN OUR SYSTEM. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. >> TAD FOLLOWED BY DANIEL ON ZOOM. >> WELL, 6% WE KNOW 6% CITY COUNCIL GETS FROM THE BONDS. NOW, 3% ALL LAND PURCHASES. ET CETERA. HOW MANY PERCENTAGE GOES FOR THE PROJECT? WHICH PEOPLE WORK FOR IT? WHEN CITY COUNCIL STARTS MOVING MONEY FROM THE ALLOCATED PROJECTS BY THE PEOPLE WHO VOTE FOR IT, THAT IS MY QUESTION. HOW MUCH PUBLIC KNOWS ABOUT IT? WHO VOTES FOR IT? FOR THE BONDS. HOW IS THEIR MONEY BEING SPENT BY THE CITY COUNCIL. NOT CITY ADMINISTRATION. THAT'S IN ANOTHER ISSUE. ADMINISTRATION. YES, FINANCE DIRECTOR. HE TOLD ME, DON'T WORRY. WE FOUND THAT MONEY. WE MOVE A LITTLE BIT AROUND. THAT'S THE WAY BUSINESS IS RAN BY THIS ADMINISTRATION. WHAT ABOUT POLITICIAN? ELECTED OFFICIALS. THANK YOU. >> DANIEL FOLLOWED BY KIM. >> EXCUSE ME, I SOMEHOW GOT MUTED. GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. I'M DANIEL, I'M A SUPERVISOR WITH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. I AM HERE TO STRONGLY SUPPORT COUNCILOR GROUT'S BILL TO INCREASE BOND CAPACITY TO 3% FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE PURCHASE OF OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES. AND TO MAKE THAT PERMANENT. OUR CITY OPEN SPACES ADD MUCH TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALBUQUERQUE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY STUDIES LINKING TIME SPENT IN NATURE WITH BETTER MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. OUR OWN SPACES CAN SERVE AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN ATTRACTING TOURISTS, RESIDENTS AND POTENTIAL BUSINESSES TO ALBUQUERQUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH ALBUQUERQUE, WELL THE OPEN SPACE PROGRAM IS A CLEAR SUCCESS STORY. I RECENTLY ATTENDED PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE PURCHASE OF 145 ACRES OPEN SPACE AND WAS GRATIFIED TO SEE THE MAYOR, COUNCILOR GROUT, AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER OLIVAS UNITED IN SUPPORT OF OPEN SPACE AND ACCESS TO NATURE FOR US ALL. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO OPEN SPACE FUNDING. THANK YOU. >> KIM. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILORS. I AM KIM, I CONDUCT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN THE BOSQUE. I'M SPEAKING TO SUPPORT O-23-83. THE BOSQUE IS CRITICAL ECOSYSTEMS IN NEW MEXICO. IT PROVIDES ECOSYSTEMS SEFRBSZS, KEY HABITATS, WATER SERVICES, RECREATIONAL SERVICES, OPPORTUNITY FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE CITY. THE CURRENT COTTONWOOD FOREST IS A RESULT OF RIVERREGULATION. AND TODAY'S MANAGEMENT WILL DETERMINE THE ECOSYSTEM THERE TOMORROW. THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH THAT OCCUR IN THE BOSQUE ARE CRITICAL FOR THE UNDERSTANDING AND STEWARDSHIP OF TOMORROW'S VOTING PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS. RESEARCH AND MONITORING ARE NEEDED TO MAKE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE WHICH ARE NEEDED TO ADDRESS THINGS LIKE THE DYING COTTONWOODS AND INCREASING FIRE RISKS ASK CHANGING HABITATS FOR NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS. ALBUQUERQUE SITSY OPEN SPACE HAS BEEN A KEY PARTNER AND STAKEHOLD ER FOR EDUCATION OF THE BOSQUE. AND SUPPORT IS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE WORK AND PROGRAMS OF OPEN SPACE. THANK YOU. >> THAT CONCLUDES ON O-83. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. BACK TO THE SPONSOR. >>COUN. GROUT: THANKS, MR. PRESIDENT. I AM -- I LOVE THE OPEN SPACE. I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BRIGHT SPOTS WE HAVE IN OUR CITY. IT'S ALL AROUND US. IT'S TO THE EAST, IT'S TO THE WEST, IT'S TO THE NORTH AND TO THE SOUTH. OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE ARE USING IT EVERY YEAR. THAT'S AMAZING. WE HAVE 30,000 ACRES AND NEED TO CARE FOR IT. THIS ADVISORY BOARD SPENT MUCH TIME FIGURING OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT. AND THEY GAVE US SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS. WE HAD A WONDERFUL REPORT FROM THIS LAST YEAR. AND I THINK IT REALLY DETAILS -- THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT DETAILS IN THERE. I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE THE ADA ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL PEOPLE. THEY ARE DOING CONCERTS ALL OVER THE OPEN SPACE AREAS. I HAVE ATTENDED A COUPLE OF THEM. AND I'VE SEEN PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. THIS IS JUST A BRIGHT SPOT IN OUR CITY. AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S FUNDED. AND IT'S CARED FOR PROPERLY. THERE ARE LOTS OF NEEDS DOWN IN THE BOSQUE. I THINK THE EDUCATION CENTER DOWN THERE IS IN NEED OF SOME MAJOR REPAIR. WE NEED TO CARE FOR THAT. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S THERE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. AND WE HAVE THE NEW ACQUISITIONS AND NEW IDEAS FOR THE ARROYO BIO ZONE. I CANNOT ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS ENOUGH. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN UP THERE TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE. IT GOES THROUGH THE TIJERAS CANYON INTO THE COUNTY. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY. IT'S A GEM THAT I WANT YOU ALL TO CHECK OUT. BECAUSE IT'S 15 MINUTES FROM TOWN. AND IT'S RIGHT THERE. IT'S LIKE BEING IN A DIFFERENT WORLD. UP THERE, THEY'RE SPECIFICALLY WORKING ON A TRAIL FOR ADA PEOPLE THAT HAVE DISABILITIES. I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN GO SEE AND WALK AND EXPERIENCE THE NATURE. THE GREA OUTDOORS. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE STABILITY TO FUND IT. AND TO CARE FOR IT. AND THIS EXTRA PERCENTAGE THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR OPEN BASE WILL BE A REAL ASSET AND BENEFIT TO US. I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY HUSBAND LAST YEAR HAD HEALTH ISSUES. EVERY DAY HE GOES INTO THE OPEN SPACE AND HE KNOWS EVERY TRAIL. HE KNOWS -- HE'S CHECKING OUT THE ANIMAL TRACK NOW. AND THERE'S NEW TRAILS UP THERE. NEW ACREAGE. HE CAN'T WAIT TO GET UP THERE AND START EXPLORING THAT. HE SEES THE SAME PEOPLE UP THERE ALL THE TIME. HE'S VERY AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. HE SAID IT'S BEAUTIFUL, IT'S WELL-CARED FOR. IT'S NOT LITTERED. IT'S JUST -- AND TO SEE HIM PERSONALLY ENJOY THAT BRINGS GREAT JOY TO ME. I WANT OTHERS TO SHARE IN THAT AND WE NEED TO NURTURE THIS AREA AND CULTIVATE IT AND CARE FOR IT AND SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE. SO, I HAVE A CLOSING. I'LL WAIT. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: I JUST HAVE COMMENTS IN REFERENCE. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS 3% GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM. I LIVE RIGHT IN THE PET ROW -- PE I SEE THE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT AND ENJOY THE TRAILS. WE NEED TO DO THE TRAIL CALLED THE PASESO DEL MESA. IT RUNS THE PIPELINE WATER SERVICE ALL THE WAY TO DOUBLE DOUBLE EAGLE AIRPORT. THAT TRAIL IS AN AMAZING TRAIL. IT'S A BIKE TRAIL, HIKING TRAIL, AND WALKING TRAIL. IT'S IN SEVERE NEED OF REPAIR. GAPS ARE IN THE TRAIL THAT ARE ALMOST SIX TO EIGHT INCHES WIDE AND THAT TRAIL NEEDS TO BE REPAVED. IT'S JUST AN AMAZING TRAIL. NOW I NOTICED WE HAVE A DIMINISHED USE OF THAT TRAIL. I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT TRAIL GET REPAIRED SO MORE PEOPLE USE THE TRAIL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT I CAN WALK STRAIGHT OUT AND WALK TO THE PPETROGLYPHS. FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT NEVER HAD THAT EXPERIENCE, I HOPE YOU CAN COME IN AND PARK IN THE NICE PARKING LOTS. WE HAVE THE GEORGE MALOOF AIRPORT UP THERE AND WE ALSO HAVE AN AREA WHERE WE HAVE A RODEO SET UP THERE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS CALLED. THERE'S STABLES UP THERE. AND THE PUBLIC CAN GO OUT THERE FOR A SMALL FEE AND USE THOSE STABLES AND DO SOME ROPING. THAT IS A CITY-PROVIDED FACILITY. JUST IN THAT IMMEDIATE AREA YOU HAVE THREE PLACES YOU CAN ENJOY AND THEY'RE ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF EACH OTHER. IF YOU EVER HAVE YOUR BICYCLE OR YOU WANT TO GO OUT THERE AND RIDE, YOU CAN CHECK ALL THREE OF THOSE LOCATIONS OUT WITHIN ONE BIKE RIDE. I SUPPORT THIS AND I SURE HOPE THAT SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE WE CAN GET THAT TRAIL FIXED SO MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THAT SPACE AND THAT BIG, OPEN AREA THAT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, LET ME START BY SAYING BY SAYING I SUPPORT OPEN SPACE. I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT AND PEOPLE DO ENJOY IT. I RECOGNIZE THAT. I ENJOY IT. I ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S A JOB THIS COUNCIL HAS TO DO EVERY TWO YEARS WHICH IS GO THROUGH THE GO BOND MONEY AND SEE HOW THE MONEY. IF WE'RE GOING TO START DOING PERCENTAGES IN ALLOCATING EVERYTHING. TO ME, FOR EXAMPLE, THIS YEAR, IT IS MANDATED FOR 2%. THIS YEAR WE DID CHOOSE TO INCREASE TO 3%. BUT SOMEBODY IN THIS ROOM, WHETHER IT BE ME OR ANYONE ELSE DECIDED THERE WAS A DIFFERENT PRESSING NEED AND REDUCED IT TO 2.5%. THAT FLEXIBILITY IS NECESSARY BECAUSE COUNCILOR SANCHEZ JUST SAID ABOUT THE CRACKS NEEDING REPAIR, I HAVE CITY STREETS THAT NEED CRACKS REPAIRED. AND WE ALSO NEED TO FIND WHICH BALANCE THERE IS AS FAR AS WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE AND WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AND EVERY TWO YEARS WE'RE SUPPOSED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE TO BE ABLE TO EVALUATE WHAT IS THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS THAT OUR GO FUND BONDING SHOULD SPENT ON. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO INCREASING FUNDING. I'M OPPOSED TO MANDATING AND IT REMOVING A SUNSET BECAUSE OTHER DEPARTMENTS MIGHT NEED IT MORE THAN OPEN SPACE DOES THAT TWO YEAR PROGRAM VERSUS FOUR OR FIVE YEARS FROM THEN. TO ME, I DON'T WANT TO BACK US INTO A CORNER WITH ALL OF THESE MANDATES. LET'S WORK ON IT AS A COUNCIL AND LET'S SEE WHAT IT IS DURING THAT CAPITAL PROGRAM THAT NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED RATHER THAN ENFORCING AND SAYS WE'RE DONE WITH IT AND DO A BLANKET PROTOCOL. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR SIMON, JUST A MOMENT. WE HAVE SOME PRIORITY PURCHASES OR LIST OF ACQUISITIONS. I'M NOT SURE IF THAT WAS IN YOUR PRESENTATION. MAYBE YOU REFERRED TO IT. YOU HAD LIKE SEVEN OR EIGHT PRIORITIES ON THE LIST OF ACQUIRING? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, YOU'RE CORRECT. WE HAVE EIGHT AREAS ON THE APPROVE LIST THAT COUNCIL APPROVED. >>COUN. LEWIS: I KNOW A GOOD CHUNK IS WEST SIDE. IS THE NORTHERN WINDOW ON THAT? >> YES, SIR. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHAT'S THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT? BASED ON PAST DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT, WHAT'S THE APPROXIMATE COST OF THE PROPERTY LIKE THAT? >> THAT PROPERTY, MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR, WEST MESA IS GOING FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN $30,000 AN ACRE TO $100,000 AN ACRE. THE NORTHERN GEOLOGIC WINDOW I PUT ON THE LOWER END. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHAT WOULD BE A TOTAL? >> I THINK IT'S A HALF SECTION. LET'S CALL IT MAYBE $800,000. >>COUN. LEWIS: WHAT'S THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF EVERYTHING ON THAT LIST? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE ABOUT 9300 ACRES OF LAND IDENTIFIED ON THE PRIORITY LIST AT THIS POINT. YOU KNOW, THE MOST RECENT PROPERTY WE BOUGHT TWO WEEKS AGO WE'RE ABLE TO CLOSE THAT DEAL FOR $10,000 AN ACRE. THE COST ESTIMATE WILL -- IT'S HARD TO PREDICT IT. WE'RE CERTAINLY TALKING ABOUT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF NEED TO ACQUIRE ALL 9300 ACRES. >>COUN. LEWIS: I DON'T FEEL LIKE 3% IS GOING TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR LEWIS, YES, I WON'T SIGH IT'S GOING TO SOLVE ALL OF THE NEEDS. YOU KNOW, MIRACLES AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUY EVERY PROPERTY TOMORROW. IT'S A 33% INCREASE. THAT'S SIGNIFICANT. BY ANY WAY YOU MEASURE IT. I WOULD ALSO SAY ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY FOR US IS THAT WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL LEVERAGING CITY DOLLARS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROPERTY WE PURCHASED TWO WEEKS AGO WE'RE ABLE TO GET A COMMITMENT OF A FEDERAL GRANT WHICH THEY'LL HONOR THEIR COMMITMENT WHICH PAID FOR 50% OF THE PURCHASE. IF WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A COUPLE MORE MILLION DOLLARS EVERY BOND CYCLE, NO PROMISES, BUT WE A PRETTY GOOD SHOT OF DOUBLING THAT MONEY IF WE'RE SMART ABOUT IT. IF WE FIND THE RIGHT MATCHING SOURCES. IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL WHEN THE CITY HAS THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE. I THINK THESE DOLLARS WILL REALLY GIVE US MORE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT. I CERTAINLY AM VERY REALISTIC ABOUT THE NEED FOR RESOURCES VERSUS WHAT THIS CHANGE WOULD DO. WE CERTAINLY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE MORE GOOD THINGS HAPPEN. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU. I DO SUPPORT THIS. I THINK IT'S JUST GOOD TO KNOW. I THINK COUNCILOR BENTON BROUGHT THIS UP THAT IN THE PAST, WHEN WE'VE PURCHASED SIGNIFICANT PROPERTIES IT'S -- THIS IS SLOW GROWTH. IT'S SLOW ASSUMEILATION OF MONEY. TO BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE SOME OF THE PROPERTIES LIKE THE NORTHERN GEOLOGICAL WINDOW WHICH WOULD BE ON THE LISTS OF PRIORITIES. IT'S GOING TO TAKE A SHOT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND OTHER RESOURCES. I WOULDN'T SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN GRT. WHERE MIGHT POSSIBLE SUPPORT A REDUCTION IN GRT. AND TAKEN THE DIFFERENCE AND PUT IT TOWARD THAT. I THINK THERE'S OTHER CREATIVE WAYS. I THINK IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE BOLD WITH OUR NEXT GO BOND PROGRAMS AND REALLY LOOK AT $30 MILLION AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO REALLY MAKE HEADWAY WITH THIS. ANYWAY, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RESTORATION AND RENOVATION IN WHAT IS BEING DICTATED ON THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE? >> I THINK RENOVATION ENCOMPASSES RESTORATION. IT ENTAILS IMPROVEMENTS OF ALL TYPES AS WELL AS RESTORATION WHICH WOULD BE ECOSYSTEM REPAIR. I THINK THAT TERM WOULD ENCOMPASS. >>COUN. BASSAN: RENOVATION ENCOMPASSES RESTORATION, WHAT RENOVATION ADD? >> I BELIEVE IT WOULD CONFIRM THE COUNCIL'S HISTORIC IF -- APPROVAL FOR USING CAPITAL ON OWN SPACE PROPERTIES AS WELL AS ACQUISITION. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER QUESTIONS? ANYTHING ELSE FROM ADMINISTRATION? I'M SORRY, COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. YEAH, I THINK MY CONCERNS IS SIMILAR TO COUNCILOR BASSAN'S. JUST LOOKING AT BUDGET AND REALLY HAVING SOME MANDATES AS WE LOOK AT THOSE. I THINK RIGHT NOW, CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT OTHER MANDATES WE HAVE? I THINK THEY'RE WITHIN THE BUDGET. >> THE OTHER MANDATES ART, I DON'T KNOW THE CORRECT TERM. 1% FOR PUBLIC ART. THERE'S THE COUNCIL SET ASIDE. EACH COUNCILOR GETS A MAILIAN DOLLARS. AND 2% FOR OPEN SPACE. THOSE ARE THE MANDATED AREAS IN THE BOND PROGRAM TO DATE. SGLD. >>COUN. PEÑA: MR. PRESIDENT . >>COUN. PEÑA: IS THERE A MANDATE WITHIN THE BUDGET? >> COUNCILOR PEÑA, I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TO LOOK. THERE'S MANDATES RELATED TO -- MAYBE THE ADMINISTRATION CAN HELP, BUT RELATED TO TRAFFIC MANDATE SPENDING. DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PROGRAM. THEY'RE INCLUDED IN THE TRAFFIC MANDATED PROGRAMS. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. MR. RAEL. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR THE ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS 2% ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THAT. AND THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER MANDATES RELATED TO OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO TRAFFIC. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S ROAD REPAIR OR FOR SOMETHING OF THE LIKE. THERE ARE -- THE ONES JUST DESCRIBED ARE APPROPRIATE. >>COUN. PEÑA: OKAY. THANK YOU. MR. PRESIDENT, YEAH, SO I TALKED TO COUNCILOR GROUT. IT'S PARAMOUNT. WE NEED OPEN SPACE. I ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT HAVING SUFFICIENTOPEBEN -- AND I TOURED THE HUBBLE, AND THE MILLIONS IT'S GOING TO COST TO RENOVATE THAT. I'M NOT SURE WHEN WE GET TO THAT ON THE LIST. WHEN YOU LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT COUNCILOR LEWIS WAS STATING. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GET THERE. MY CONCERN, AND I DID TALK TO COUNCILOR GROUT ABOUT THIS, IS PRECISELY THAT. ONCE WE START MANDATING THINGS WITHIN OUR BUDGET, EVENTUALLY IT CAN BECOME A NEED NOT FOR US NOT TO BE HERE. WE CAN MANDATE -- I THINK WHEN WE LOOK AT SENIOR AFFAIRS, THAT'S ANOTHER DEPARTMENT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IN TERMS THEY GET LIKE $20 MILLION OF THE BUDGET. AND THEY CURRENTLY RECEIVE $48 MILLION. AND WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION. AND WHEN WE TALK TO PEOPLE FROM SENIOR AFFAIR, EVERY TIME WE INCREASE ABOUT 2% OR 8% OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT'S REALLY, TO ME, IT'S FRIGHTENING TO JUST MANDATE THESE. IF WE GO DOWN THE LIST WE WOULD PRIORITIZE AND SAY WITHIN ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS WHERE WE DO SHIFT THE MONEY AROUND. AND WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS WE HAD 3% IN THERE BUT THERE'S THESE OTHER DIRE NEEDS WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND IT GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THAT. THAT BEING SAID, I DO SUPPORT THIS. I JUST HAVE -- THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS. I HATE WE'RE IN THIS PROCESS WITH OPEN SPACE BECAUSE I FEEL IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE WE'RE DIVIDED AND IF YOU VOTE AGAINST IT YOU'RE NOT IN SUPPORT OF OPEN SPACE. BUT WE'RE HERE AND WE HAVE TO REPRESENT EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT IN THEIR TREMENDOUS NEEDS. I JUST REALLY WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO EVERYBODY SUPPORTING IT. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WHO WOULD VOTE AGAINST THIS IS AGAINST OPEN SPACE. IT'S JUST WE'RE BASED WITH COMPLEX ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S AGE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WE WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. IT'S FANTASTIC. GOOD NEWS FOR THE HUBBLE PROJECT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR FRIENDS AT AMAFCA PAY FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION. WE'LL LEVERAGE AS MUCH AS WE CAN. I HOPE TO DELIVER SOME GOOD RESULTS. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THIS. I JUST HEARD FROM THE RESPONSES WE GOT THAT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A NUMBER OF WHAT WE ACTUALLY MANDATE IN THE GO BOND PROGRAM. HOW MUCH ARE WE MANDATING? WHAT IS THE NUMBER? BEFORE I VOTE YES OR NO. WHAT ARE WE MANDATING IN THE GO BOND PROGRAM? >> COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILOR BASSAN, CURRENTLY THE PROGRAM MANDATES THAT 1.5% GOES FOR PUBLIC ART, 2% FOR OPEN SPACE, AND 3% FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION. PLUS YOU HAVE THE COUNCIL SET ASIDE DOLLARS WHICH IS A MILLION CALLERS. WE INCREASED THAT TO $1.5 MILLION THIS YEAR. THOSE ARE THE MANDATES. THOSE ARE THE CARVE-OUTS THAT COME FROM THE GO BOND PROGRAM. THE REMAINING DOLLARS GET ALLOCATED TO ALL THE OTHER PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AS PART OF THE CIP PROGRAM. >>COUN. BASSAN: WHAT ABOUT THE 5% FOR STREETS? WHAT IS OUR NUMBER? >> MR. PRESIDENT, I'M CONTACTING OUR FOLKS IN CIP TO GET YOU THAT INFORMATION. I CAN TELL YOU FROM OUR MANDATED SET ASIDE FROM THIS LAST GO ROUND, AS WAS DESCRIBED, WE HAVE THE COUNCIL NEIGHBORHOOD SET ASIDE, THESE ARE RAW NUMBERS. $12 MILLION. 3%, MY APOLOGIES, I SAID TWO EARLIER. 3% FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM. WHICH WAS $6 MILLION. 2% FOR OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITION. WHICH IN THIS LAST CIP WAS $4 MILLION. AND 1.5% FOR BOND PURPOSES, PUBLIC ART PROGRAM WHICH WAS $3 MILLION. THE SET-ASIDE FOR STREETS IS NOT A MANDATE BUT WITHIN THE PROGRAM OF TRANSPORTATION. IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER FUNDS ARE IN THE TRANSPORTATION SET ASIDE THERE'S A PORTION FOR AMOUNT DEDICATED FOR STREET REPAIR. >>COUN. DAVIS: JUST TO BE SURE, I SAW OUR FORMER CIP HERE FOR SOMETHING. LET'S CLOSE THAT LOOP OVER HERE. WE'RE GOOD? COUNCILOR BASSAN, IS THAT GOOD? >>COUN. BASSAN: I THINK BEFORE WE VOTE FOR WHETHER OR NOT WE NEED ALLOCATION ON ANYTHING, WHY DON'T WE KNOW BASE NUMBER? >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, OUT OF THE STREET PURPOSE IS 5%. STREET PURPOSE HAS $10 MILLION, IF IT'S A $10 MILLION QUESTION, THEN 5% OR $100,000 GOES TOWARD BIKE WAYS AND TRAILS SPECIFICALLY. THAT MANDATE MOVES BECAUSE THE STREETS PURPOSE GETS CHANGED BETWEEN COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND WHEN YOU MARK IT UP AND SEND IT TO THE VOTERS. THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT PRESENT $20 MILLION FOR STREETS. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PRESENTS $30 MILLION STREETS PACKAGE. THAT 5% CHANGES FROM THE $1 MILLION TO $1.5 MILLION. >>COUN. BASSAN: BUT IT'S STILL AN ALLOCATION? AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN MANDATED. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, COUNCILOR. OTHER QUESTIONS? SEEING NONE. BACK TO THE SPONSOR. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT THE CITY IS THE OPEN SPACE PROGRAM. NO ONE IN THE CITY IS MORE THAN 20 MINUTES AWAY FROM HIKING TRAILS THAT OFFER FRESH AIR, AND EXERCISE AND A CHANCE TO RELAX AND UNWIND. I THINK THOSE OF US WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED TAKE FOR GRANTED THE EASY ACCESS WE HAVE TO NATURAL SPACES. OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITIONS ARE SOMETHING WE SHOULD NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED. THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND DOESN'T GENERATE ENOUGH INCOME TO SUPPORT LAND ACQUISITION. THIS BILL WILL HELP ENSURE WE RESERVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO CONTINUE TO ACQUIRE LAND AND SUPPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING FACILITIES. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: THAT BEING THE CLOSE. THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS TO APPROVE O-83. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? 8-1. THANK YOU, ALL. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: -- I HAVE AN AMENDMENT. I WANTED TO REMOVE SOME STUFF. LET ME -- THIS IS FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. ON PAGE TWO STRIKE THE CONTENTS OF SECTION TWO AND REPLACE WITH AFTER ONE YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES SERVICES SHALL PRODUCE A REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL DETAILS THE EFFECTIVENESS AND OUTCOMES OF THE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROGRAM FUTURE ALLOCATIONS TO BERNALILLO COUNTY TO PROVIDEOPE R -- TREATMENT AND THE FUND WILL BE DETERMINED BASED ON THE OUTCOMES REPORT. THE EXPLANATION IS THE ABATEMENT FUND HAS A BALANCE OF OVER $5 MILLION. BALANCE WILL BE PAID OVER 18 YEARS. THIS AMENDMENT REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF FAM LEAND COMMUNITY SERVICES TO PRODUCE A REPORT DETAILING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMS AND SPECIFIES FUTURE ALLOCATIONS TO BERNALILLO COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROVIDING OPIOID TREATMENT AND RECOVERY SERVICES AT MDC WILL DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREATMENT AND RECOVERY PROGRAM. THIS AMENDMENT IS IN LINE WITH THE CORE STRATEGIES APPROVED USES AND OTHER STRATEGIES OUTLINED IN R-22-23 THE RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE FUND. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BASSAN. FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE, ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FIVE -- I'M SORRY. COUNCILOR PEÑA, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE SPEAKER OR MOVE YOUR AMENDMENT FIRST? LET'S FINISH THE AMENDMENT. I THINK THIS IS -- THE SPONSORS PREFERENCE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. COUNCILOR LEWIS SAYS YES. FLOOR AMENDMENT ONE PASSES. BACK ON THE BILL. IT'S YOUR PREFERENCE TO PRESENT OR GO TO ONE SPEAKER. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, FOR STAYING SO LATE. THIS IS A GREAT BILL AND I SUPPORT IT 100%. I AM GLAD TO SEE THE REPORTING PIECE AS AMENDED. I THINK THAT A REPORTING STRUCTURE WILL GIVE US OPPORTUNITY TO REPLICATE THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. AGAIN, I ADVOCATE FOR HEALTH RECORDS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL, BUT THAT'S A LONG WAY DOWN THE ROAD. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MA'AM. COUNCILOR PEÑA. HOW DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED? >>COUN. PEÑA: WE CAN GO TO QUESTIONS OR I CAN CLOSE. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR BENTON AND THE ADMINISTRATION. >>COUN. BENTON: SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FLEXIBILITY OF FUTURE BUDGETING, IN THE PRIOR BILL, I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE INTENT. BUT, IF SOMETHING CHANGED THIS REVERSIBLE BY A FUTURE COUNCIL? >>COUN. DAVIS: IT SEEMS LIKE IT. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. >>COUN. DAVIS: IT SEEMS LIKE THE SPONSOR'S INTENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. ACTUALLY, THE AMENDMENT REALLY JUST MADE IT A ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT. AND IF WE GET A REPORT AND THEN I THINK IT SAYS IF WE GET A REPORT AND IT'S SHOWS THERE'S PROGRESS THEN A FUTURE COUNCIL CAN VOTE TO GIVE MORE MONEY. >>COUN. BENTON: THAT'S TRUE OF THE OPEN SPACE FUNDING. ANY FUTURE COUNCIL CAN REDIRECT WHAT WE'RE DOING. IF WE CHOOSE TO. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I COMPLETELY AGREE THAT WE SHOULD PROVIDE THE FUNDING TO MDC. I THINK IT'S THE VERY LEAST WE SHOULD DO. I THINK THERE'S A NEED FOR AN OVERALL PLAN FOR HOW WE SPEND OUR OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUNDS. THERE'S A BILL THAT WE'LL BE HEARING NEXT TIME THAT TALKS ABOUT LOOKING AT THE WHOLE OF $80 MILLION FOR THE CITY WHICH IS LOT OF MONEY AND HAVING A PLAN THAT BRINGS FORWARD ALL OF THE PROPOSALS AND GAPS AND ALL OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND COMING UP WITH A PLAN TO ALLOCATE THOSE THAT COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL. I WANT TO VERIFY, MR. RAEL, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS MOVING FORWARD ON THIS $1.5 MILLION FOR THIS YEAR. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN MOU IN PROGRESS AND ALLOCATING THE FUNDS. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. IS THAT STILL THE CASE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN YES. YOU'RE CORRECT. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: OKAY. I THINK HAVING THAT ALLOCATION FOR THE FIRST YEAR IS VITAL. RIGHT NOW NOT BEING COVERED AND THAT GIVES US THE TIME TO HAVE THE BIG PLAN COME BACK BEFORE THE NEXT PAYMENT. BECAUSE THERE MIGHT BE -- WITH MY UNDERSTANDING AND TALKING TO EXPERTS FROM THE COMMUNITY SERVICES -- NO LONGER FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, HHH, THERE MIGHT BE SEVERAL FUNDING AVAILABLE TO CONTINUE THIS IN THE FUTURE YEARS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR WE'RE GOING TO DO THE 1.5 REGARDLESS OF THIS BILL AND I BELIEVE THAT MDC SHOULD BE A MAJOR PART OF THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD THAT WILL COME BACK UNDER THE BILL WE'LL HEAR NEXT TIME. AND I BELIEVE I'VE HEARD AGREEMENT FROM EVERYONE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE JAIL IS CONSIDERED IN ALL FUTURE PLANS. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN, YOU'RE CORRECT. I THINK ALSO THE ONE PART OF YOUR BILL THAT WE ALL -- AT LEAST FOR THE REST OF THE COUNCILORS, IS WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH THEIR PORTION OF THE FUNDING. IT IS SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY. WORKING IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY TO GET A GOOD PROGRAM IN PLACE WOULD INCLUDE THE EVALUATION IN THIS BILL WHICH IS REQUIRED BY COUNCILOR PEÑA, IF IT'S PASSED, THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE CRITERIA TO REVIEW THE ALLOCATION OF THE FUNDS. >>COUN. BASSAN: CAN WE GET ANOTHER NEW NUMBER THAT WE ANTICIPATE RECEIVING IN FUTURE ALLOCATION? WHAT IS THE GENERAL ESTIMATED DOLLAR AMOUNT? >> COUNCILOR DAVIS, THE TOTAL ESTIMATED NUMBER IS ABOUT $75 MILLION. PART OF THAT IS REALLY PRETTY ROUGH ESTIMATE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS OFFICIALLY ON THE WALGREENS SETTLEMENT WHICH THE LARGEST SETTLEMENT. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN SAID $80 MILLION. THAT'S THE COUNTY ESTIMATE. OUR ESTIMATE IS CONSERVATIVE AND TAKES INTO ACCOUNT FEES. WE'RE SAYING BALLPARK $75 MILLION. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE VERIFY THIS. I DON'T DO PUBLIC MATH, BUT I ALSO DON'T LIKE IT ON MY CALCULATOR. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO 30% THAT DOES GIVE ME HURT BURN. IF WE ALLOCATE 30% TO FUTURE SETTLEMENT ALLOCATIONS. AM I NOT LOOKING AT THE RIGHT ONE? THANKS, NEVER MIND. MY HEARTBURN HAS BEEN FIXED. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I WANT TO ASK A QUICK QUESTION. I DON'T SEE A CONFLICT BETWEEN COUNCILOR PEÑA'S BILL AND THE BILL NEXT WEEK WITH OTHER COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN AND OTHERS. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THESE WORK TOGETHER. >> MR. PRESIDEN -- AND COUNCILORS, I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY WE ARE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DOLLARS BECAUSE WE HAD A VERY AGGRESSIVE STAFF FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL KNOW, KENNEDRA DID A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING THE CITY AND DID A GREAT JOB GETTING THE FUNDS. IT'S A STATE WIDE SETTLEMENT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WE GOT A GREAT SETTLEMENT FOR ALBUQUERQUE BECAUSE OF HER OFFICE. I WANT TO THANK HER AND HER STAFF FOR THE GOOD WORK. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, IT REALLY WAS MS. JACKSON BECAUSE HIS PREDATES ME. AND SHE DID ALL THE WORK. >>COUN. DAVIS: YOU HAVE TO SIT IN THE CHAIR LATE AT NIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE? ING SEEING NOTHING ELSE. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO THE POINT THAT COUNCILOR BENTON WAS TRYING TO MAKE. IT'S MORE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU HAVE IT IN A SET ASIDE. I APPRECIATE THE POINT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO CAN WE OVERTURNEDED. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. I WAS APPROACHED BY BERNALILLO COUNTY LETTING ME KNOW THAT UNMH HAD TAKEN OVER THE MEDICAL PORTION OF MDC. AND THEY WERE REALLY WANTING TO TRY TO PILOT THIS PROGRAM. I THINK THEY DO SOME OF IT WITHIN THE JAIL. WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TREATMENT IN THE COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. AND FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET INTO DIFFERENT PLACES AND WE DON'T HAVE THE TREATMENT WE NEED. I DON'T TEND TO USUALLY SUPPORT TREATMENT INSIDE A JAIL WHILE YOU'RE BEING INCARCERATED. I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HEARTBURN WITH THAT. I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A PILOT PROGRAM AND LOOK AT THE LOW-HANGING FRUIT AND WITH OPIOIDS AND THE GRIP IT HAS ON PEOPLE IT'S SOMETHING THEY CAN'T OVERCOME ON THEIR OWN. SOMETIMES THEY REALLY NEED TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY'RE REALLY -- THIS IS A LIKE A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE AND IF THEY'RE IN JAIL AND RECEIVING THIS TREATMENT, HOPEFULLY THEY CAN SEE THE FOREST -- THEY CAN'T SEE THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES AND HOPEFULLY THEY THIS PROVIDES A RAY OF LIGHT AND HOPEFULLY THEY SEEK RESOURCES. BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO GET OFF IT. THAT'S MY TWO CENTS. I URGE YOUR OTHER. >>COUN. DAVIS: THE MOTION IS FOR DO PASS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. 9-0. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I MOVE A DO PASS ON R-23-163. DIRECTING THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT AND METRO REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT TO CONDUCT A STUDY FOR CONSOLICATING ABQ RIDE AND RIO METRO. AND DEVELOP A CONSOLIDATION PLAN FOR APPROPRIATING FUNDING. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND FROM COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. BENTON: COUNCILORS, THIS IS SOMETHING I'M GOING TO ASK MR. RAEL TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ON THIS SINCE HE'S GOT A LOT OF PERSPECTIVE ON THE TRANSIT DISTRICT AS WELL AS OUR ABQ RIDE SYSTEM. I HAVE SERVED ON THAT BOARD MY ENTIRE TIME ON THE COUNCIL ON THE RTD AND I'VE BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF WHAT THEY DO AT RIO METRO. AND IT'S TRULY A REGIONAL OPERATIONAL, A LOT OF JURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION IN THE REGION. IT'S FAIRLY LIMITED. IT'S THE RAIL RUNNER AND SOME FEEDER ROUTES THAT WORK OFF THE RAIL RUNNER DOWN SOUTH. TO ME, WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, CITIES THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD HAVE REGIONAL TRANSIT. IT'S NOT JUST JURISDICTIONS OPERATING TRANSIT. I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY -- THIS IS SOMETHING WE TALKED ABOUT RIO METRO OVER THE YEARS. YOU KNOW, SOME ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE BEEN LESS THAN EXCITED IDEA ABOUT GIVING UP ABQ RIDE AND PROBABLY SOME MEMBERS OF THE RTD MAY NOT LOVE THE IDEA EITHER. THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY WHO WE ALSO SERVE WITH THE ABQ RIDE AND FOR THAT MATTER SANDOVAL COUNTY BECAUSE WE RUN ROUTES TO SANDOVAL AS WELL. THE IDEA OF THIS KIND OF REGIONAL PLANNING AND CONTINUE TY IS IMPORTANT. CONTIITY OF PLANNING FOR MORE FUNDING COME ALONG WITH A REGIONAL SYSTEM. THE MID-REGION OF THE STATE IS THE ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE OF THE STATE. AND IT'S NICE THAT THE RAIL RUNNER UNITES THAT. TO ME, A FULLY INTEGRATED SYSTEM WITH MORE FISCAL OPPORTUNITIES TO FUND OUR BUS SYSTEM WOULD COME ALONG WITH THIS. I'LL ASK HIM TO FILL IN MORE OF WHAT YOU SEE AND WE'LL EXPLAIN THE BILL A LITTLE BIT MORE. THIS BILL WOULD ONLY GO INTO EFFECT IF THE RIO METRO BOARD WOULD VOTE FOR IT. THE FUNDING REQUEST IS A 50-50 SPLIT OF $150,000. IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS, IT GOES TO THE RIO METRO BOARD FOR APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR BENTON. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, JUST TO OUTLINE A LITTLE BIT OF THE BILL. A BIG PART OF THE BILL IS PROVIDING SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON ABQ RIDE AND RIO METRO SCOPE OF SERVICES. THEIR JURISDICTIONAL REPRESENTATION ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. THE BILL OUTLINES TAKING A LOOK AT FTA RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSOLIDATION. SIMILAR TO OTHER CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT ARE MAKING THAT CONSOLIDATION EFFORT. THE LOOK AT THE STUDY LOOKS AT BENEFITS FOR CONSOLIDATION, GENERAL ASSESSMENT STEPS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS STUDY. LOOKING AT BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL RISKS. A BIG PART OF THIS IS LOOKING AT SOME OF THE LEGAL BARRIERS OR REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSOLIDATION INCLUDING COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS. IT'S ALWAYS LOOKING AT THE BENEFITS OF CONSOLIDATION WHEN IT COMES TO OUR FORMULA OR HOW WE APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM FTA. IT LOOKS AT INTEGRATING FUNDING SOURCES AND BUDGETS. LOOKING AT HOW IT IMPACTS REVENUE AND THE ABILITY TO APPLY FOR GRANTS AND HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR EXPENSES. THIS LOOK ATZ PERFORMANCE METRICS AND MONITORING MECHANISMS TO CONSULT THE EFFECTIVENESS. AND SO, THOSE ARE THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY AND WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. IN THE WRITE UP, WE INCLUDED A FEW OF THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS FROM HAVING THAT REGIONAL CONSOLIDATION INCLUDING GROWING OUR TAX BASE AND OUR ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUE AND BOND ON ITS OWN STANDING. LOOKING HOW THE COMBINED AGENCY HAS A LARGER ROLLING STOCK TO SERVICE THE WHOLE METROPOLITAN AREA INCLUDING RIO RANCHO, LOS LUNAS AND BERNALILLO. AND HOW IT WOULD IMPROVING PURCHASE TERMS AND OUR PURCHASING CAPACITY. AND ALSO I THINK AN IMPORTANT ONE IS IMPROVING HOW IT CAN IMPROVE NON-ROUTE SERVICE AMENITIES. SUCH AS BUS STOP AND BUS STOP MAINTENANCE. I KNOW SOMETHING THAT'S OF COURSE AS WELL AS SECURITY SOMETHING THAT CAME UP QUITE A BIT. THAT PROVIDES A BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THE BILL. I STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >>COUN. BENTON: COUNCILORS, I ENCOURAGE ANY QUESTIONS. BUT THIS IS NOT A SMALL IDEA. THIS WOULD BE A BIG PROJECT WERE IT TO COME TO FRUITION. WHAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT IS STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY. WE'VE BEEN A PARTNER FOR LONG TIME IN THE TRANSIT DISTRICT. WE'VE PUT THE LION'S SHARE INTO THE TRANSIT DISTRICT WHEN COMPARED TO ANY OTHER JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE STATE WHICH IS INVOLVED EARLY ON IN THE STATE. NOT TAKING THIS LIGHTLY. OR SAYING IT'S A MINOR QUESTION. NOT PRESUPPOSING THAT THE THE OUTCOME WOULD REALLY BE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE OF THE STUDY. THAT WILL BE UP TO US AND ANY PARTNER COMMUNITIES INVOLVED TO DECIDE. I THINK IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT IT. I WANT TO ASK MR. RAEL TO WEIGH IN A BIT BECAUSE IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE TRANSIT DISTRICT, I DON'T KNOW, HE'S BEEN CALLED THE GODFATHER OF TRANSIT DISTRICT. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT. HE CERTAINLY HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN. I THINK HAS PERSPECTIVE ABOUT WHEN THE TRANSIT DISTRICT WAS CREATED WAS SOMETHING LIKE THIS ANTICIPATED OR SEEN AS A FUTURE POSSIBILITY. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. COUNCILOR BENTON, FIRST LET ME SAY THAT WHEN THE TRANSIT DISTRICTS WERE FIRST FORMULATED IN THE FIRST 2001 DURING THE GOVERNOR RICHARDSON'S ADMINISTRATION IT WAS PRIOR TO THE RAILRUNNER. THE IDEA WAS ALWAYS THAT THERE ARE AREAS ACROSS THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO WHERE REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEMS WOULD ACTUALLY BENEFIT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING TRANSIT WHERE COMMUNITIES DIDN'T HAVE TRANSIT. ALBUQUERQUE ALWAYS WAS THE ENVY OF OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE BECAUSE WE HAD A TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE CITY. WHAT IS BECOMING EVIDENT AND PART OF THE CALCULATION IN TERMS OF RAILRUNNER, THE NUMBER OF CARS THAT COME FROM RIO RANCHO AND SND AND SURROUNDING AREAS, THE NUMBER IS SIGNIFICANT. AND THE -- THAT BROUGHT INTO THE CONVERSATION OF WHY WE WOULD NOT INVEST IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO NOT ONLY IMPROVE AIR QUALITY BUT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THE CORRIDOR IN THE REGION. NONETHELESS, I THINK THIS IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT MR. HEARSE RAISED AS IT RELATED TO THE STUDY BUT ALSO GIVE THIS PIECE OF INFORMATION. WHEN THE VOTERS APPROVED THE 1/8 GROSS RECEIPTS TAX TO SUPPORT THE OPERATION WITHIN THIS CORRIDOR, EACH OF THE OTHER COUNTIES DID. HOWEVER THE REVENUES THAT COME OUT OF BERNALILLO ARE HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE SHEER SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY AND MANY OF THE FOLKS IN THOSE OTHER COMMUNITIES SPEND THEIR MONEY HERE. WE'RE IN A LAER -- VERY SIBYOTIC RELATIONSHIP. EVERY YEAR RIO METRO GIVES ABQ RIDE FIVE MINION DOLLARS A YEAR TO FUND REGIONAL ROUTES TO THE RAIL RUNNER SO THE OPERATIONS CAN GET FOLKS INTO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CORRIDOR WHETHER IT'S TO SANTA FE OR BELEN. IN SOME WAYS WE HAVE A REGIONAL RELATIONSHIP IN THE FUNDING ASPECT OF THIS. WHAT WE DO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP IS UNDERSTANDING OF HOW DOES ALBUQUERQUE'S TRANSIT SYSTEM BLEND IN WITH THE OTHER SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN PLACE. SUCH AS THE ONE IN SANDOVAL COUNTY AND RIO RANCHO AND IN LOS LUNAS AND BELEN AND BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY HOW DOES IT BLEND WITH BERNALILLO COUNTY IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY? WE HAVE CRACKS THAT BERNALILLO COUNTY PAYS ABQ RIDE TO RUN SERVICE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF BERNALILLO COUNTY. IN MANY WAYS WE ALREADY HAVE THE MAKES OF THE SYSTEM WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS AND INFORMATION I BELIEVE THIS STUDY WOULD GIVE FUTURE COUNCILORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AT THE CITY AND THE REGION AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW THIS SYSTEM COULD ACTUALLY WORK. IT MAY BE IT DOESN'T, MAYBE IT MEANS THAT EVERYONE STAYS WHERE THEY ARE. I CAN GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE. THE DENVER REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT EVERY COUNTY OR CITY LIKE AURORA KEEP THEIR SYSTEM BUT CONTRACT WITH THE REGIONAL OPERATOR TO OPERATE IT. SO THAT YOU DON'T TRANSFER FUNDS EXCEPT YOU HAVE A CONTRACT FOR THE REGIONAL OPERATIONS WHICH MEANS YOU'RE PART OF A REGIONAL CONTACT TO A SYSTEM BUT YOU DON'T GIVE UP INFRASTRUCTURE OR ABILITY TO MANAGE THE SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY. THERE ARE MANY RELATIONSHIPS IN MANY STRUCTURES AND THAT'S WHAT THIS STUDY GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THOSE AND SEE WHAT MAKES FOR THE REGION. I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. THAT WAS THE REASON WHY WE DID TRANSIT DISTRICTS IN THE FIRST PLACE. HAVING ALBUQUERQUE BE PART OF THE SYSTEM IN A BIGGER AND DIRECT WAY WOULD HELP REGION AS A WHOLE AND PROMOTE FUTURE GROWTH. >>COUN. BENTON: WE RECOGNIZE ALL THE POTENTIAL UPSIDES AND ALSO A LOT OF COMPLEXITY. THAT'S WHY I FEEL LIKE WE NEED A ROBUST STUDY WITH A TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF $300,000 TO GET NATIONAL TRANSIT EXPERTS TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE. I HAVE AN AMENDMENT. I HAVE AN AMENDMENT AND THIS DOES HAVE TO DO WITH ONE FACTOR THAT WE ANY WILL COME INTO PLAY REGARDLESS. AND THAT IS THIS WILL BE FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. AND THIS I CAN READ THE ENTIRE THING. BUT IT'S BASICALLY SAYING WE HAVE TO STUDY -- FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE TO ENSURE THE CURRENT UNION MEMBERSHIP OF THE SYSTEM AND THAT WOULD NOT BE THREATENED IN ANY WAY BY A FUTURE MERGER. I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH. AFTER FIRTHSER DISCUSSION WITH THE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT WITH OPERATING GRANTS FUND, TRANSIT DECIDED TO USE TRANSIT OPERATING FUND. THERE'S THREE PIECES TO THIS. THE FIRST PART IS THE LABOR QUESTION AND KEEPING THAT CLEAR FOR THE TIME BEING THAT THIS IS THE INTENTION TO ENSURE THE CURRENT UNION EMPLOYEE POSITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNIONIZED. BUT THE STUDY WILL ALSO EXPLORE POTENTIAL OF EXTENDING UNION REPRESENTATION TO OUR MTD EMPLOYEES IF IT WERE TO BE MERGED. AND SECOND PART OF THE AMENDMENT WAS JUST A NUMERICAL CORRECTION TO THE WRITING. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THE OPERATING FUNDS GRANT WOULD BE THE OPERATING FUND 661 WOULD BE THE SOURCE OF THE FUND AS TO HOW IT WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN WITH THE SECOND. COUNCILOR BASSAN ON THE AMENDMENT. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ON THE NUMBER THREE ON THIS AMENDMENT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M READING IT RIGHT. IT SEEMS DUEPLICATIVE, MAYBE IT'S OUT OF CONATTACKS. BUT IT SAYS IT SAYS CHANGE GRANTS TO TRANSIT OPERATING 661 AND IT REPEATS THE SAME THING AGAIN. >> COUNCIL PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR BASSAN, THAT WAS JUST IN THE EXPLANATION. IT IS A DUPLICATE. I UNDERSTAND THAT. THIS WAS THROUGH CONVERSATION WITH THE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT THAT THEY RATHER USE TRANSIT FUNDS 661 INSTEAD OF 665. >>COUN. BASSAN: OKAY. IT'S NOT IN THE EXPLANATION AS WRIT FOR THE ACTUAL WORDS. WE MIGHT WANT TO DO A CLERICAL CHANGE. >> WE CAN MAKE THAT CHANGE. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANKS. OTHER COMMENTS ON THE AMENDMENT. SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT SAY YES. AMENDMENT STANDS. WE'RE BACK ON THE BILL. AND TO SPEAK WE HAVE COUNCILOR SANCHEZ AND MAYBE COUNCILOR BASSAN. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. JUST GOT A COUPLE OF CONCERNS IN REFERENCE TO THE WHOLE THING. I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THE STUDY. ALTHOUGH, I KNOW COUNCILOR BASSAN MIGHT BE. ANYWAY, I'M LOOKING AT THIS THING AND WE HAVE A BUS SYSTEM RIGHT NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT. ARE WE TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK? ARE WE TRYING TO GET RID OF A PROBLEM THAT WE CREATED? I LOOK AT THAT AND THAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MY MIND. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE FIGURE THIS OUT. IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL NEED AS A COMMUNITY TO WORK AND OPERATE PROPERLY. I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF IDEAS. AND I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AS WELL. I THINK ITS IMPORTANT WE HANDLE THAT FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OPERATIONAL. I LIKE THE FACT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE UNION MEMBERS. I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I KNOW THAT WILL CHANGE IN REFERENCE TO THIS BECAUSE IT'S AN OBVIOUS FACT. THE FIRST THING I WANTED TO DO IS ASK THE ADMINISTRATION ARE WE ALLOWED TO GIVE OUR ASSETS AWAY, REFERENCE THE FEDERAL FUNDING WE RECEIVE WITH THE ART PROJECT? HAS CITY LEGAL DONE AN ANALYSIS ON THIS? AND SEE IF WE WILL BE IN VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE CONTRACTS WE HAVE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVING THE ART CONTRACT? >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR SANCHEZ NO. WE DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE ANY OF THOSE ISSUES. THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE STUDY. TO ENSURE WE'RE NOT -- IF YOU WILL, VIOLATING ANY OF THE CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE FTA. RIO METRO IS AN FTA-ORGANIZATION AS WELL. THEY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE SAME RULES WE DO. MY PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE RIO METRO STAFF AND FTA STAFF IS THAT THOSE ISSUES WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM GIVEN THEY'RE BOTH UNDER THE SAME FTA STRUCTURE AND WORKING TOGETHER. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE IS THE COMPLETE ANALYSIS TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE THAT ISSUE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS TO ME THAT'S VERY OBVIOUS IS IF RIO METRO TAKES AND RUNS IT LIKE A BUSINESS IT'S ONLY OBVIOUS WE EXPECT SEVERAL THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE. ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WILL CHANGE IS WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO FARES. THAT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING THEY'RE GOING TO PROBABLY WANT TO DO AND MAKE SURE THEY DONE DO BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE STRETCHING ACROSS DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT AS A CITY AND AS COUNCIL IS THAT THERE'S A VERY GOOD POSSIBILITY THOSE FARES -- FREE FARES ARE GOING TO GO AWAY. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WE HAVE BUS ROUTES THAT ARE OUT THERE SET FOR MOSTLY THE CITIZENS OF ALBUQUERQUE. I THINK THAT DURING THIS ISSUE WHILE WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT IF RIO METRO TAKES THE AMOUNT OF BUS DRIVERS WE HAVE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN ROUTES. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO LOOK AT. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IF THEY'RE RUNNING IT LIKE A BUSINESS, THEN THEY'RE MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO THE RIGHT THING TO MAKE IT RUN SO IT'S AS CLOSE TO PROFITABLE AS POSSIBLE. THERE'S A CHANCE THAT SOME OF THESE BUSES THAT ARE RUNNING EMPTY CAN BE TAKEN OFFLINE. I THINK THAT SMALLER BUSES, MORE MOBILITY IS THE BETTER WAY TO GO RATHER THAN HAVING A LARGE BUS MOVING ACROSS THE CITY THAT'S HALF-EMPTY. THOSE ARE THE THINGS IN MY OPINION ARE PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE IN REFERENCE TO THIS. I STILL SEE IT AS THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE PROBABLY TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK AND GET RID OF A PROBLEM WE'VE CREATED. ALTHOUGH, I THINK WE SHOULD MAINTAIN CONTROL OF IT. I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY, VERY TIGHT WITH THE STUDY AS A COUNCIL, AS A CITY. I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME IN REFERENCE TO THIS. I HONESTLY THINK WE DON'T GIVE UP OUR ASSET. I THINK THE CITY HAS THE BUS SERVICE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS. ALSO, THIS IS GOING TO END UP SETTING THE STAGE FOR OTHER OF OUR FAILED DEPARTMENTS WE CAN CONTRACT AS WELL. IF WE'RE THE BODY, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AS WELL. AND LOOK AT THESE OTHER BODIES WITHIN THE CITY THAT AREN'T WORKING THE WAY WE THINK THEY ARE AND MAYBE WE CONTRACT SOME OF THOSE OUT. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN GET THE HINT, BUT THERE'S SOME ISSUES OUT THERE WE NEED TO RESOLVE AND WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. AND IN REFERENCE TO LOT OF ISSUES, CRIME AND HOMELESSNESS. I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE. I THINK ALSO THAT BOTH ENTITIES NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF AN EXIT PLAN. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE COMPLETELY FORGET AS A CITY AND GET INTO IT. THERE SHOULD BE TIME LIMITS. I THINK WE DON'T GIVE UP OUR ASSET. 100%. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I THINK FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES FOR THE PUBLIC AND FOR ANYBODY, CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY THIS IS ALL OF ALBUQUERQUE'S PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM OR LOOKING AT CONSOLIDATING ABQ RIDE AND RIO METRO OR DIFFERENT PORTIONS? I THINK THAT IS SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THAT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ABQ RIDE, THERE'S DIFFERENT PARTS TO OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM. CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY FOR PEOPLE WATCHING. >> COUNCILOR BASSAN, MR. PRESIDENT, I WILL TRY TO ANSWER AS BEST I CAN. I KNOW WE HAD TOM WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE A BETTER ANSWER. AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT'S ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SERVICES. NKDZING SUN VAN INCLUDING SUN VAN. IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE BUS SYSTEM. WE LOOK AT THIS AS HOLISTICALLY AS POSSIBLE. >> COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILOR BASSAN, ACTUALLY IT'S HOLISTIC TO THE ALBUQUERQUE TRANSIT DEPARTMENT AND RIO METRO. IT WOULD NOT BE APS TRANSIT OR SENIOR AFFAIRS. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY SAY IT'S THE ART BUS, VERSUS CITY BUS, AND SUN VAN. WHAT IS THIS ENCOMPASSING. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. HOW LONG THIS IS STUDY ESTIMATED TO TAKE? IS THERE A TIMELINE? IS THERE A PARAMETER WHEN THIS SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED? >> MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, WE DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME ESTABLISHED. IT'S NOT OUTLINED IN THIS BILL. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROVISION HERE RELATED TO SOME OF THE EXPECTATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO GOING BACK TO SANCHEZ'S COMMENT ABOUT AN EXIT PLAN OR THE TIMELINE FOR SOME OF THE THINGS. WE DON'T HAVE A TIMELINE OUTLINE IN THE BILL. >>COUN. BENTON: I CAN RESPOND TO THAT. THIS IS LAYING OUT THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT THE PLAN WOULD CREATE. I THINK IN THE OUTCOME OF THE STUDY, AND CERTAINLY PRIOR TO THE CONTRACTING WHICH WOULD BE CO-CONTRACTING WITH RIO METRO TO PROST THE STUDY, AT THAT TIME WE WOULD PUT A TIME LONT -- TIMELINE ON THE STUDY. RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A FEEL FOR WHAT THAT SHOULD BE. >>COUN. BASSAN: OKAY. GLAD TO HEAR THERE WILL BE SOME TIMELINE ADDED TO IT. SO WE'RE HAVING A STUDY, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY DIRECT -- >> IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE DO A STUDY AND DO A PLAN. THE QUESTION IS WHAT IF THE STUDY SAYS DON'T DO THE PLAN. IT'S ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE STUDY WILL RECOMMEND THAT YOU CAN CONSOLIDATE. BECAUSE WHEN WE LOOK AT THEM THEY'RE BOTH TRANSIT SYSTEMS. THEY BOTH SERVE A GENERAL URBANIZED AREA RECOGNIZED BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT DEMONSTRATION. AND THERE'S PLENTY OF EXAMPLES AROUND THE COUNTRY OF SIMILAR CONSOLIDATIONS THAT HAVE COMMUTER RAIL, MANNED TRANSIT LIKE RIO METRO HAS AND REGULAR ROUTE TRANSIT. THAT WOULD BE DENVER, LOS ANGELES, SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO. THE QUESTION IS WHY THE PLAN. THE PLAN WILL TELL YOU EXACTLY BY GOING THROUGH THE PLAN IS THE CONSOLIDATION WORTH IT. THAT'S WHEN YOU GET INTO THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS. YOU TAKE THE SYSTEMS AND UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS AND SHARED CHARACTERISTICS AND BY THE TIME YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER WE ACTUALLY PLAN HOW THEY OPERATE TOGETHER. ONCE YOU GET THE PLAN IN PLACE, THEN THAT'S THE REPORT GOES TO THE TWO BOARDS. CITY COUNCIL AND RIO METRO BOARD AND SAY THIS IS WHAT PLAN WOULD LOOK LIKE OVERALL, DOES THAT LOOK BETTER THAN WHAT YOU HAVE NOW. I GUESS THAT'S THE REASON IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT LIKE THAT. WE CAN'T DO A STUDY AND SAY CONSOLIDATE. YOU HAVE TO DO THE DETAILED PLANNING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT'S GOING TO WORK THE BEST. >>COUN. BASSAN: IN ANOTHER LIFE I NEED TO BECOME A STUDIER. $300,000 TO DO A STUDY, COME UP WITH A PLAN AND IT'S ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE STUDY IS GOING TO SAY WE SHOULD DO THE PLAN. I DON'T LIKE STUDIES. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER QUESTIONS? ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION? BACK TO THE SPONSOR. >> WHY IN THIS CASE WE'RE -- I THINK THE QUESTION YOU HAD A GOOD POINT WHY WOULD WE DO A PLAN. THE PLAIN IS THE PLAN SETS THE CRITERIA FOR HOW WE DO. THE STUDY WILL SET THE CRITERIA FOR THE PLAN. MAYBE WE COULD HAVE REPHRASED IT TO SAY DO A CRITERIA ANALYSIS FOR A PLAN. WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE DONE THAT. COULD HAVE PROBABLY USED WORDING BETTER. BUT WE HAVE TO DO CRITERIA. PULL THE CRITERIA TO DO THE PLAN. REGARDING THE TIMELINE QUESTION, THAT GOES TO THE FACT THAT NOT UNTIL WE GET INTO THE PLANNING, AND YOU LOOK AT THE CHARACTERISTICS, YOU DO A TIMELINE. THE HOPE IS ONCE WE GET INTO SCOPING AND GET PASSED THE CRITERIA, MAYBE THERE'S AN AMENDMENT TONIGHT THAT ONCE WE GET PASSED THE CRITERIA PHASE WE CAN ESTABLISH A TIMELINE. >>COUN. BASSAN: THANK YOU. >>COUN. BENTON: AGAIN, COUNCILORS, THIS IS TO NOT ONLY -- I GUESS THE STUDY IS GOING TO DETERMINE AS TOM WAS TAKE WHAT IS THE PLAN CONTAINED. TO ME, THE PLAN ULTIMATELY WOULD GIVE US THE FINAL OUTLINE OF HOW A MERGER SHOULD OCCUR. THAT IT WOULD BE UP TO THE FUTURE COUNCIL, A FUTURE COUNCIL OR THE NEXT COUNCIL AND THE RIO METRO BOARD WITH ALL THE VARIOUS PARTNERS TO DECIDE WHETHER IT'S BENEFICIAL OR NOT TO MOVE FORWARD. IT WOULD -- THE PLAN WOULD HOPEFULLY -- AND IT SAYS THAT IT WOULD LAY OUT EACH OF THE POTENTIAL PITFALLS OF TRYING TO DO THIS AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS FOR THE DECISION MAKERS. UNLESS THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. AGAIN, THIS IS -- IT WOULD BE A BIG MOVE. AND JUST QUICKLY, TO ANSWER COUNCILOR SANCHEZ'S CONCERN, YEAH, WE ARE STUDYING A CHANGE TO THE ROUTES RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DO THAT AND THAT WILL BE DONE BEFORE THIS IS COMPLETE. I AGREE WITH YOU FULLY ABOUT THE SMALLER VEHICLES AND IN FACT MOST OF THE VEHICLES THAT RIO MEET METRO USE IS SMALLER VEHICLES MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE RIDERSHIP. AND -- I DON'T PROPORT TO KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS. BUT I CERTAINLY THINK HAVING SERVED ON BOTH ENTITIES FOR SOME TIME INCLUDING THE RIO METRO THAT IT'S WORTH A GOOD, HARD LOOK. AND ARE WE UNLOADING OUR TROUBLES ON THEM? THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. WE STILL HAVE OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE DO THIS OR NOT AS WE ALL KNOW WITH REGARD TO SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS AND ATTRACTIVENESS OF OUR CURRENT SYSTEM. I'M NOT DENYING THAT OR TRYING TO SHOVEL THAT UNDER THE RUG. THE CITY IS NOT DOING THEIR PART AS A PARTNER IN THIS, THEN IT'S UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE PARTNER COMMUNITY. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S A FAIRLY SMALL INVESTMENT BUT IT COULD PROVIDE LOT OF INFORMATION FOR OURSELVES AND OTHER FUTURE DECISION MAKERS. >>COUN. DAVIS: SEEING NO OTHER DISCUSSION ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO PASS R-163 AS AMENDED -- I'M SORRY? WE PASSED AN AMENDMENT ONE? WE DID. WE'RE ON RESOLUTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF DO TAZ -- DO PASS. THAT PASSES ON A 7-2. LET'S DO THIS REALLY QUICKLY AND WE'LL DEAL WITH THE CLOCK. R-167. SETTING OFFICIAL LIST OF COUNCIL MEETING FROM JANUARY 24 THROUGH DECEMBER 24. I MOVE A DO PASS. SEVERAL SECONDS. I HEARD COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. I THINK WE HAVE A DIFFERENT AMENDMENT THAN THE ONE IN THE iPAD. AND COUNCILOR BASSAN HAS A SMARTER ANSWER. I'M GOING TO OFFER THIS FIRST, COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: IT IS IN YOUR iPADS. IT'S A TWEAK ON THE AMENDMENT YOU HAD. I LIKE TO MOVE AMENDMENT ONE. ON PAGE ONE LINE 25 DELETE JANUARY 3 AND 17 AND REPLACE WITH JANUARY 8 AND 22. ON PAGE TWO LINE EIGHT DELETE SIX AND REPLACE WITH FOUR. LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR IT'S A FIVE-WEEK MONTH IN JANUARY AS FAR AS MONDAYS. INSTEAD OF US HAVING A COUNCIL MEETING ON A MONDAY AND NEXT WEDNESDAY, THE NEXT WEEK, WHY NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE FIVE MONDAYS? WE WOULD ALLOW SOME TIME FOR THE NEW COUNCIL AND PRESIDENT AND EVERYBODY TO GET SWORN IN AND ALSO BE ABLE TO STILL SPACE IT OUT WITH EVERY OTHER WEEK COUNCIL AND IF INSTEAD OF TWO FGO WE HAVE ONE. I THINK IT SHOULD WORK OUT. THAT WAY IT SEEMS CRAZY TO HAVE COUNCIL TEN DAYS APART. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND THAT. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: ALL I CAN SAY IS THANKS FOR TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS. >>COUN. DAVIS: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF FLOOR AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. 8-1 ON THE AMENDMENT. WE'RE BACK ON THE BILL. WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH THIS? THIS IS STANDARD BUT AS COUNCILOR BASSAN ELOQUENTLY EXPLAINED THERE'S ADJUSTMENTS THAT FIRST OF YEAR WILL ACCOMMODATE SOME NEW PEOPLE SITTING HERE. >> THAT'S CORRECT. TYPICALLY YOU CALL OUR MEETING ON THE FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY OF EACH MEANT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A HOLIDAY THEN OUR MEETING GETS SHIFTED TO WEDNESDAYS. THAT'S THE BASIS FOR THE BILL. WE ADOPT IT ANNUAL AND TRY TO DO SO THE STAFF CAN PLAN FOR LUSTIS -- LOGISTICS. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL THOSE IN FAVORER SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. ANY OPPOSED? 8-1. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN OPPOSED. ALL RIGHT, FOLKS. WE'RE WATCHING THE CLOCK. WE HAVE TWO PAGES AND A CONFIRMATION HEARING. I KNOW. I MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND -- TENGSD -- EXTEND THE MEETING TO 11:30. ANY DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES. THAT MATTER CARRIES. WE'RE EXTENDED. WE COVERED THAT. ALL RIGHT. NEXT UP, 169. ITEM E. RENAMING EAST CENTRAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER AFTER RUTH ADAMS. I MOVE A DO PASS. SECOND FROM COUNCILOR GROUT. LET'S SEE. WE HAVE A SPEAKER. I KNOW WE HAVE MS. THEY DASH TAYLOR THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS TO US. YOU WERE WITH RUTH'S FAMILY WHEN WE DID A PROCLAMATION. I WANT TO APPRECIATE AND SAY THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR MOVING THIS QUICKLY. IT WAS AN EXCELLENT IDEA YOU BROUGHT US. AND THANK YOU. YOU ARE OUR PUBLIC SPEAKER. >> MR. PRESIDENT, HELLO AGAIN. HER DAUGHTERS ARE IN DENVER AND CAPE COD WATCHING US. I'M THE DESIGNATED HITTER TONIGHT. I MOVED TO ALBUQUERQUE IN 1986 AND I RENTED A CASCIETA FROM RUTH. SHE WAS MY LANDLORD. BUT SAYING LANDLORD IT'S LIKE USING FORBIDDEN WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. SHE CONTINUED TO BY MY GOOD FRIEND. MY RENT WHAT SO LOW THAT WHEN I GOT A JOB WITH THE CITY I RAISED MY OWN RENT. WHEN SHE RAN FOR CITY COUNCIL I WALKED EVERY BLOCK IN DISTRICT SIX. NOBODY BELIEVED SHE COULD WIN. AND SHE HARDLY SPENT ANY MONEY, BUT WE BOUGHT A VOTER REGISTRATION LIST AND HIT EVERY DOOR OF EVERY REGISTERED VOTER THREE TIMES. THE QUIANT DILIGENT APPROACH DOES WORK. WHEN SHE RETIRED AFTER TWO TERMS SHE LEFT A LEGACY BEING CELEBRATED TONIGHT. SHE MADE PEOPLE'S LIVES MUCH BETTER AND LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT. THERE MAY BE MORE WORK TO BE DONE, BUT SO MUCH LESS BECAUSE OF HER CONTRIBUTIONS. RENAMING THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER IS PERFECT FOR THE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE PERSON THAT RUTH WAS. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A FUNNY STORY. AND I WARNED HIM THAT INVOLVES BOTH RUTH AND LAWRENCE. THERE WAS A CITY COUNCILLOR WHO I WON'T NAME. I THINK HE'S SOME PLACE BASEBALL WHO DESCRIBED CITY STAFF AS COAT HANGERS. OPEN ANY DOOR AND YOU FIND THEM HANGING OUT. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW WELL THAT WENT DOWN. SO, YOU'RE GOING TO MISS LAWRENCE, YOU'RE GOING TO MISS HIS INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE BUT YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO MISS HIS HUMANITY. IT CAME TO BE BUDGET TIME, AND AS YOU KNOW LAWRENCE LIKES TO DO SOMETHING AT THE END OF EVERY BUDGET SEASON AND IT WAS RUTH'S LAST BUDGET AND LAWRENCE AND VICKY FISHER HAD FOUND A VERY FANCY WOODEN HANGER AND MOUNTED A PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. AND STAFF WROTE THIS CHAMBER WAS HOOTING AND HALLERING AND CLAPPING AND THE COUNSELOR WAS NOT SO HAPPY. IT'S A STORY ABOUT RUTH AND LAWRENCE. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THIS RECOGNITION IS SO MEANINGFUL. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. I CAN'T SAY ANY BETTER THAN THAT. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO TRY? MR. RAEL. >> MR. PRESIDENT, THANKS FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT STORY. I WOULD SAY THAT I THINK IT'S REALLY A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE WORK THAT PEOPLE DO IN PUBLIC SERVICE TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER. AND EVERY TIME WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR OUR CITY AND GOOD FOR THE FOLKS WHO HAVE ASPIRATIONS POTENTIALLY TO WORK LIKE YOU ARE DOING. COUNCILLOR ADAMS HAD THE TAG LINE, RUTH THE TRUTH. AND THERE WERE DAYS WHEN WE WERE SITTING IN COUNCIL MEETINGS DOING THE BUDGET AND AT THE END WHEN WE HAD 15 AMENDMENTS TO GO, SHE WAS OFTEN THE ONE THAT COULD SAY I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE SPENDING LIKE DRUNKEN SAILORS BECAUSE ALL THE AMENDMENTS WOULD GO UP AND WOULD VOTE FOR THEM. SHE WAS THE ONE THAT SAID THINGS THE WAY SHE FELT THEM. OFTENTIMES SHE HAD TO APOLOGIZE. THE LONG AND SHORT I'M HAPPY WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS AND I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. DAVIS: SEEING NO OTHER DISCUSSION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT IS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT. NEXT UP, COUNCILOR LEWIS, COUNCILOR BASSAN, COUNCILOR SANCHEZ AND COUNCILOR GROUT. WHOEVER WANTS TO GO FIRST. >>COUN. LEWIS: R-170 IS URGING COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. LEWIS: COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I'D LIKE TO MOVE FLOOR AMENDMENT ONE ON PAGE 3 LINE 12 INSERT SECTION FIVE. THE CITY CLERK DIRECTED TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO IT GOVERNOR OF THE NEW MEXICO, NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE AND CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. IT SHOULD BE IN A RESOLUTION. TO DIRECT SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING. WE NEED TO ADD THAT. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR GROUT SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT SAY YES. THAT CARRIES. BACK ON THE BILL. I'M SORRY. ARE YOU YES OR NO? COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN IS A NO. THAT'S AN 8-1 ON THE AMENDMENT. BACK TO THE SPONSORS. >>COUN. DAVIS: WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER. I'M SORRY, WE HAVE TWO. THAT'S MY FAULT FOR TRYING TO DO YOUR JOB. >> WITH THE PRESUMPTION THAT ALBUQUERQUE LEADERSHIP WANTEDS TO COME COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY, I THINK THIS IS GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I'M SEEING THE THREE BRANCHES OF OUR GOVERNMENT POINTING THE FINGER AT THE OTHER ONE. MEANWHILE, THE CRIMINALS HAVE ZERO FEAR OF BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE WORD HAS GOTTEN OUT THAT ALBUQUERQUE IS A PLACE TO BE TO RUN YOUR CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE. THEY OVERWHELM THE SYSTEMS WE HAVE IN PLACE. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. WE ALL SAY WE WANT THE SAME THING. CAN WE PLEASE JUST GET EVERYBODY IN THE SAME ROOM AT THE SAME TIME AND FIGURE THIS THING OUT? NOBODY LEAVES THE ROOM UNTIL EACH BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT COMES UP WITH THREE ACTIONABLE THINGS WE CAN DO TODAY TO STOP KICKING THAT CAN DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS TO KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS. ICIDELY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO LEGISLATE OURSELVES OUT OF PROBLEM. CITY COUNCIL, ROUND HOUSE CAN MAKE LAWS ALL DAY EVERY DAY, BUT WHAT GOOD ARE THEY WHEN NO ONE IS GOING TO ENFORCE THEM? THERE'S A LOT OF ACTIONABLE THINGS WE CAN DO. ONE OF WHICH IS THE ADMINISTRATION AS A MATTER OF CITY POLICY STOP LEAVING THE CRIMINAL ON THE VICTIM'S DOORSTEP AND DRIVING AWAY. I LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND I'M HOPING FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE THAT HOPEFULLY CAN GET RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. >> OUR SECOND SPEAKER IS ANALI. >>COUN. DAVIS: BACK WITH THE SPONSORS AND WE'LL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILORS. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU. REALLY JUST TO SUMMARIZE IN WAYS, I THINK THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. IT'S SOLUTIONS. AND WITHOUT -- I THINK IT'S A GOOD STATEMENT BY THE COUNCIL TO SAY WHEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE GOVERNOR WEIGHS IN WITH ORDERS AND YOU HAVE EVERYBODY FROM THE A.G. TO DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS TO EVEN ALL ACROSS THE NATION THAT HAVE WEIGHED IN TO THE CHALLENGES IN ALBUQUERQUE AND WHAT WE'RE FACING, I THINK WHAT THIS RESOLUTION DOES IS SAYS LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME SOLUTIONS THAT WE BELIEVE WOULD MOVE THE NEEDLE AND WOULD REDUCE CRIME. AND I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANYTHING IN THIS RSOLUTION THAT IS CONRUVERSEAL. I THINK THERE'S LOT OF AGREEMENT. I WANT TO POINT OUT EVEN THOUGH THE RESOLUTION DOES SAY AT THE SPECIAL SESSION -- IT ALSO SAYS THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SO, WHETHER IT BE A SPECIAL SESSION OR THE NEXT SESSION, WHICH WOULD BE IN JANUARY, THIS RESOLUTION SAYS WE WOULD LIKE THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. AND SEVERAL OF THEM ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP IN LEGISLATURE IN THE PAST. I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE SUPPORT THIS AND CERTAINLY SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S CHAM YND OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY WE SUPPORT THESE IDEAS. WE BELIEVE THE IDEAS ARE GOING TO REALLY HELP US INCLUDING A FUNDING FOR WHAT WE KNOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PROGRAM, A WARRANT PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE TO SAY LET'S FORM THAT FOR THE NEXT COMING YEAR. LET'S COMMIT TO THAT. WE KNOW THAT'S GOING TO HELP. WHEN IT COMES TO OPIOID CRISIS, AND DRUG TREATMENT CHALLENGES IN OUR STATE AND OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED BY IS I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CRIME AND PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR TREATMENT CENTERS AND BEDS, AND THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND THE STATE THE NEED FOR MORE BEDS AND THAT'S THE HEART OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE. THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BEDS. TREATMENT CENTERS WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. IGNORING THE FACT THAT THE STATE HAS $1.9 BILLION OF NEW REVENUE OVER THE LAST YEAR. I THINK A GOOD USE OF THAT NEW REVENUE WOULD BE FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THAT THAT WOULD HELP PEOPLE GET INTO TREATMENT CENTERS AND GET THE HELP THEY NEED. THIS BILL TALKS ABOUT WHAT THE GOVERNOR CHAMPIONED IN THIS PAST YEAR IN REGARD TO PRE-TRIAL DETENTION. GIVING JUDGES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A TOOL WHEN PEOPLE COMMIT VIOLENT CRIMES TO BE ABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE IN JAIL UNTIL TRIAL. SO THIS IS REALLY JUST SUPPORTING WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S CHAMPIONED. AND HARSHER PENALTIES WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE WHO USE GUNS IN CRIMES. AGAIN, LET'S FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT CRIMES AND USING GUNS AND COMMITTING CRIMES AND HARSHER PENALTIES. AGAIN, I DON'T THINK THESE ARE SOLUTIONS. I THINK THEY'RE IN MANY WAYS REAL CONTROVERSIAL. I THINK THEY'RE STRAIGHT-FORWARD. THIS IS NOT POINTING THE FINGER. IT'S SAYING WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER. AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU TO SEE THESE SOLUTIONS REALLY MOVE FORWARD. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER SPONSORS BEFORE WE GO TO QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR SANCHEZ AND WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER COUNCILORS. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: THANK YOU. I THINK IT'S REAL IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE IN A CRISIS MODE IN ALBUQUERQUE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DYING ON THE CITY STREETS EVERY DAY. THE BIGGEST INDICATOR IS OUR HOMICIDE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE. I'M SURE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT PROPERTY CRIMES. THOSE CAN BE WORKED OUT IN DIFFERENT AREAS. THEY GET CHANNELLED INTO LOWER PRODUCING CRIMES. WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT IS THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DYING ON THE STREETS OF ALBUQUERQUE. I URGE THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION. SHE CAN CALL THAT SPECIAL SESSION TOMORROW MORNING. REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR DID CALL A SPECIAL SESSION FOR CANNABIS. I THINK BASED ON THE FACT WE'RE IN A CRISIS A SPECIAL SESSION CAN BE DONE REMOTELY. WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT TAKES TO RUN A FULL SESSION WITH EVERYBODY REPORTING TO SANTA FE. I THINK IT CAN BE HANDLED REMOTELY. I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED AND REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. I HEAR THE VIOLENT CRIME EVERY SINGLE DAY. LAST NIGHT ONE OF MY CUSTOMERS AT MY BUSINESS ACTUALLY GOT HELD AT GUNPOINT. HE WAS FOLLOWED AROUND AND TAILED AND HE WAS BLOCKED BY TWO CARS AND TOOK OUT OF HIS CAR AND ROBBED. THAT HAPPENED RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY OFFICE. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING EVERY SINGLE DAY. I ACTUALLY HAD AN ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY TAKE PLACE AT MY BUSINESS WHERE I LITERALLY ON CAMERA HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO EXITED THEIR VEHICLE AND WALK UP TO MY DOOR WITH GUNS AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY DID NOT WALK IN THE DOOR, THEY STALLED AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT DOOR. THEY'RE ON CAMERA AND THEY DECIDED TO TURN AROUND AND WALK AWAY. THEY BOTH HAD MASKS. THEY BOTH HAD HOODIES AND THEY BOTH HAD GUNS. AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY TURNED AROUND AND WALKED AWAY. THAT HAPPENED AT 5 P.M. WHEN I JUST STARTED A COUNCIL MEETING ABOUT A MONTH -- SEVERAL MONTHS BACK. THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS WE'RE DEALING WITH. WE NEED TO REALLY ADDRESS THE REAL ISSUE OF -- LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS ARE NOT THE ISSUE. IT'S THE LAW-BREAKING PEOPLE CARRYING GUNS ARE WHAT WE NEED TO TARGET. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN ALBUQUERQUE LAWS ARE ENFORCED AT THE LOWER LEVELS. THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE MISSING ON. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THE PROGRESSION OF CRIME. SOMEBODY STARTS SMOKING A LITTLE BIT OF WEED AND GO INTO A HIGHER DRUG AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT THEY USE FENTANYL AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO CRIME TO COMMIT OR PURCHASE THAT DRUG AND THEN IT GETS OUT OF HAND TO THE POINTED WHERE DESPERATION SETS IN. IF WE CAN TARGET THE CRIMES AT THE LOWER LEVEL JUST LIKE COUNCILOR LEWIS SAID WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY LARGE AMOUNT OF FELONS OUT THERE. AND PEOPLE WITH WARRANTS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. THERE'S A STATISTIC THAT CAME OUT NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT CHIEF MEDINA STATED THAT 90% OF THE INDIVIDUALS HE HAD ARRESTED FOR HOMICIDE HAD WARRANTS FOR THEIR ARREST. THAT'S CRAZY. THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL INSTEAD OF BEING OUT THERE COMMITTING A CRIME. I THINK THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. I THINK THE MAYOR NEEDS TO DIRECT THE POLICE CHIEF TO HAVE HIS OFFICERS ARREST THESE INDIVIDUALS OR CITE THESE INDIVIDUALS AT THE LOWER LEVEL AND GET THEM IN THE SYSTEM. I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE GET IN THERE TO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION SO THEY CAN MAKE SOME BIG CHANGES. I'M JUST GOING TO THROW A COUPLE OUT THERE. ANY FELONY COMMITTED WITH A FIREARM POSSESSION SHOULD MEAN A MANDATORY FIREARM ENHANCEMENT. THAT MEANS YOU WILL SERVE TIME IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME WITH A GUN. INCLUDING THIRD AND FOURTH DEGREE FELONIES, THESE CRIMINALS SHOPLIFTING WITH GUNS THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY GET MANDATORY JAIL TIME. WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE CASES OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE JUDGES. YOU HAVE THAT ARNOLD RULE OUT THERE AND IT'S JUST NOT WORKING. AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THAT. ANOTHER THING WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF IS FIREARMS IN SCHOOLS AND KIDS -- VIOLENT YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS. THOSE VIOLENT YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS WE NEED TO CHANGE THE ACTUAL CHILDREN'S CODE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S SOME SORT OF ENHANCEMENTS AS WELL SO IF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE OUT THERE THEY'RE USING GUNS IN SCHOOL OR COMMITTING CRIMES WITH GUNS THERE SHOULD BE AN ENHANCEMENT IN REFERENCE TO THE JUVENILE CODE. THOSE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I URGE THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION. WE HAVE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE DEALT WITH IN THE PAST SUCH AS PRE TRIAL DETENTION. THAT FAILED IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. DENIAL OF BAIL. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT ADDING 12 DIFFERENT OFFENSES TO THE THREE STRIKES. THIRD DEGREE FELONY, IF YOU'RE COMMITTING A THIRD DEGREE FELONY WITH FIREARM, IF -- AGGRAVATED FELONY FOR BATTERY AGAINST A POLICE OFFICER. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW A VIDEO OF A CAR DRIVE BY AND FIRE AN ENTIRE MAGAZINE WHILE AN OFFICER WAS TRYING TO WORK WITH AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE STREETS. THAT VIDEO IS UNBELIEVABLE. WHAT TAKES PLACE IS THE OFFICER SITTING THERE DEALING WITH AN INDIVIDUAL AND A CAR COMES DRIVING BY AND YOU CAN SEE THE HEADLIGHTS AND HE JUST STARTING FIRING AND EMPTIES THE WHOLE 20-ROUND MAGAZINE AT THE OFFICER. LUCKILY DID NOT HIT HIM. THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE NEED LOOK AT AND WORK ON AS A STATE. SO, WITH THAT, I'M URGING YOUR SUPPORT IN REFERENCE TO THIS. AND I URGE THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION AND LET'S GET THE BODY IN THERE THAT CAN MAKE THE CHANGES RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR GROUT AND OTHER COUNCILORS. >>COUN. GROUT: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I'M REALLY PROUD OF THIS BILL. CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL IN OUR CITY. WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION HOW TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. COUNCILOR LEWIS SAID IT VERY ELOQUENTLY, I DON'T THINK IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL BILL. IT'S OFFERING SOLUTIONS. WE ALL NEED TO COME TOGETHER. IT WAS REALLY HEART-WARMING TO SEE THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES COME TOGETHER AND SIGH THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD SAID. OR DONE. WE NEED TO DO OTHER THINGS. AND SO, WE OFFERED SOME SOLUTIONS. AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT IT. I KNOW LAST YEAR THERE WERE SEVERAL CRIME BILLS THAT WERE INTRODUCED AND THEY WERE SQUASHED, STOPPED, AND I THINK A LOT OF THE BILLS WERE VERY GOOD BILLS. THEY SHOULD BE REVISITED. IT'S TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO COME TOGETHER AND MAKE SOME CHANGES. A LOT OF THE CHANGES, A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR CITY IS BECAUSE OF THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE IN SANTA FE. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT. R-123-70 OFFERS WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR, STATE LEGISLATORS, AND REAL COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I THINK WE ALL AGREE THERE'S A CRIME PROBLEM IN THE STATE AND IN OUR CITY. AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE HERE WOULD EVER SAY THAT'S NOT TRUE. I THINK THAT WHAT I KEEP HEARING IS WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND THIS DOES NOT BRING US TOGETHER. WORDS MATTER. THIS BILL, FOUR TIMES, SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WE CAN SAY NOW, WHICH I HEARD EARLY, WELL TALK ABOUT IS AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. BUT THE BILL IN FRONT OF US TODAY IS SAYING THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION. IT SAYS IT FOUR TIMES. OUR GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT SHE IS NOT CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION. I PERSONALLY WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE A SPECIAL SESSION. SHE SAID NO. INSTEAD OF ANTAGONIZING HER WITH FOUR TIMES HELLING HER HOW TO DO HER JOB. NOW IS THE TIME TO COME TOGETHER. WE HAVE A BILL THIS COUNCIL PASSES EVERY YEAR WHICH IS THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BILL WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. ALL OF THE THINGS I HEARD FOLKS SAY TONIGHT. THAT IS THE WAY WE GET OUR POSITIONS NOT ONLY TO THE GOVERNOR BUT ALSO TO THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE. THE PEOPLE THAT WILL ACTUALLY BE VOTING ON IT. IF IT REALLY IS TIME TO COME TOGETHER AND FIND SOLUTIONS, I SAY LET'S PUT ALL OF THE IDEAS INTO THE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY BILL WE PASS AS A COUNSEL -- COUNCIL AND WORK WITH LEGISLATORS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND RATHER THAN PLACEICAL POSTURING. WHICH THIS IS DOING TELLING OUR GOVERNOR HOW TO DO HER JOB. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. ACTUALLY, WITH THE BILL, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I CAN SEE THE INTENT. THERE IS THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IT'S A NO-BRAINER. I AGREE WITH COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN IN TERMS OF THE SHOULD -- I DIDN'T PREPARE ANY AMENDMENTS. IF I WERE TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION I WOULD ACTUALLY ASK TO SAY -- I HAVE IT IN MY NOTES, THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION. INSTEAD OF -- IT FEELS LIKE IT'S A BIT OF POLITICAL POSTURING. IT'S SAYING THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CALL SPECIAL SESSION AND PRIORITIZE -- I WOULD CHANGE SHOULD CONSIDER. JUST BECAUSE I REALLY BELIEVE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. AND THEN ONLINE SIX, THE WHEREAS STATES WHEREAS THE STATE'S PRISON POPULATION HAS CONSISTENTLY DECLINED OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS WITH A PROJECTED 3% REDUCTION ANTICIPATED IN 2024, JUST SEEING SOME OF THE BILLS AND SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS OUT THERE, AND WE'RE FOCUSED ON BEING TOUGH ON CRIME AND I SUPPORT THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VIOLENT CRIMINALS. SOMETIMES PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE REPRESENTED IN OUR POPULATION AND WHEN WE'RE JUST GENERALIZING AND SAYING THE STATE PRISON POPULATION IS IN DECLINE, ARE WE SAYING THE STATE PRISON POPULATION SHOULD BE FULL? BECAUSE WHEN WE SAY THAT IT'S MOSTLY FULL OF PEOPLER OF COLOR. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT MINOR INFRACTIONS, I LOOKED FOR IT ALL DAY, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHIC FOR THE PRISON POPULATION, MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN JAIL ARE FROM MINOR INFRACTIONS. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE HOMELESS. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE ADDICTED. SO, WE HAVE ANOTHER STATEMENT IN HERE THAT SAYS DRUG ADDICTION HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SEE THE PEOPLE GOING INTO STORES AND BREAKING WINDOWS AND STEALING EVERYTHING, I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THEY'RE DOING IT -- I DON'T THINK THEY'RE NECESSARILY DRUG-ADDICTED. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS STATEMENT COMES FROM. I REMOVE THOSE TWO STATEMENTS IN PARTICULAR. AND THEN CHANGE THIS SHOULD TO CONSIDER. OR ADDING AN ADDITIONAL STATEMENT THAT SAYS AS COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN STATED THAT WE SHOULD SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND PASS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR LEGISLATORS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S THE LEGISLATORS THAT ARE MAKING THESE DECISIONS AND PUTTING THEM FORWARD TO THE GOVERNOR. YOU KNOW, I HAVE HARD TIME WITH IT. I DO AGREE THAT WE'RE IN CRISIS. WE'RE IN CRISIS AS A CITY, STATE NATION. WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TAX, AND IT'S WITH THE COUNTY AND WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS LOTS OF ISSUES IN TERMS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WE HAVE OUR UNMH WHEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR TREATMENT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WE'RE PRETTY MUCH DEVOID OF TREATMENT SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND UNMH AS I STATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHEN WE LOOK AT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PEOPLE THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE STREET ARE SUFFERING FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, WE CAN'T PAINT THIS WHOLE THING WITH A BROAD BRUSH. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT SUFFER. THEY SAY ONE IN FOUR -- IF YOU LOOK AT ONE IN FOUR, THERE'S LOTS OF US SITTING AROUND HERE THAT SUFFER FROM SOME TYPE OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER. WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT AND FOR EXAMPLE, UNMH, THEY DON'T DO DUAL DIAGNOSIS. WHEN YOU GO THEREIN AND YOU'RE WANTING TO BE TREATED FOR DRUG ADDICTION THEY DON'T ACCEPT YOU THERE. THEY SEND YOU AWAY. AND SOMETIMES WHEN I HEAR SOME OF THE DISCUSSION ABOUT GOING TO UNM IT'S REALLY A FARCE. I FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE DOING THIS STUFF -- AND I APPRECIATE THE SPONSORS. EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING. I DON'T THINK THIS IS ANYTHING IN THE NEGATIVE LIGHT AGAINST THE SPONSORS. EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO SOMETHING. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. SOMETIMES I SAY PEOPLE NEED TO LISTEN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE STREETS. THERE'S PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS -- AND WHEN WE HAD A DRUG ADDICTION IN THE COMMUNITY YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS HEROIN AND IT IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WE USED TO SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO RING THE ALARM UNTIL IT STARTS IMPACING SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS. IT'S HERE. WE REALLY HAVE TO PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THIS. I CAN GO ON AND ON, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IF WE WERE TO REMOVE THOSE ITEMS THAT I STATED. IF WE CAN DO AN AMENDMENT, BUT IF NOT, I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MA'AM. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. MY COMMENTS ARE PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT COUNCILOR PEÑA JUST OUTLINED. AT FIRST GLANCE, I LIKED WHAT I SAW IN THE BILL. BUT THERE'S SOME NUANCES THAT I WOULD ALSO NEED TO HAVE ADJUSTED IN ORDER TO VOTE FOR IT. THEY'RE PRETTY SIMPLE AS COUNCILOR PEÑA SAID. THAT PAGE TWO, LINE ONE, IF WE SAID ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME IS ADDICTION AS OPPOSED TO A ROOT CAUSE, MAYBE THAT'S A NUANCE. I DON'T KNOW. THEN WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF THE ADDICTION? WE CAN GO DEEPER AND DEEPER WITH THAT QUESTION. NO DOUBT ADDICTS ARE OUT THERE AND PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS. THEY'RE OUT THERE COMMITTING CRIMES. NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES. THE LANGUAGE THAT COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN AND COUNCILOR PEÑA POINTED OUT, I THINK IT READS FUNNY TO ME TO SAY IT'S ON THE GOVERNOR. A LOT OF WHAT FAILED LAST TIME AROUND WHEN IT WAS IN SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES, NOT THE GOVERNOR. THE GOVERNOR I THINK SUPPORTED EACH OF THE MAIN SECTIONS ONE THROUGH FOUR. IF YOU LOOK AT IT. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH SENDING A MESSAGE NOW. I'M ALMOST IN AGREEMENT WITH THE MESSAGE. I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL OF THE WORDING. I CAN PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT ON THE FLY. OR WE CAN DEFER THIS AND GIVE IT ONE MORE GO NEXT TIME. >>COUN. DAVIS: LET ME GET TO ONE OTHER COMMENT AND WE'LL COME TO CIRCLE BACK. LET ME ADD MY TWO CENTS AND SAY I'M WATCHING THE CLOCK. I AGREE WITH THE LAST THREE COUNCILORS. I THINK WE ALL AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT. AND I THINK YOU HAVE MADE A WELL-ARGUED CASE OF SOME OF THE LANGUAGE AND REF RENESES AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AREN'T FULLY THOUGHT OUT. I POINT OUT, I GET IT. I DEPART FROM MY PROGRESSIVE COLLEAGUES AND SUPPORT THE IDEA OF REBUTTABLE PREZUCHLTION. I THINK THAT'S IN THERE. I THINK THERE'S OTHER STUFF LIKE REQUIRING WHATEVER IT IS -- ASK THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION, WE CAN'T DO THAT. WE CAN'T REQUIRE ANOTHER LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING OVER FIVE YEARS. THAT DOESN'T WORK. THAT'S NOT LEGAL. THAT'S A BIG DEAL TO ME. NUMBER FOUR. SAYING WE SHOULD PASS LEGISLATION IMPOSING LIFETIME SENTENCE FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT USE COMMISSION OF FELONIES WITH FIREARMS. WE HAVE A LAW ON THE BOOKS, IT'S 31-18-23. IT DOES NOT FOR MORE THAN FIREARM OFFENSES. BEFORE WE FROM ALBUQUERQUE GO TO SANTA FE HOW TO DO THEIR JOB, WE OUGHT TO KNOW THE LAW. I AGREE WITH THE PREMISE. I BELIEVE THIS IS BETTER FOUNDED IN INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. I'M GOING TO VOTE NO. I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT IDEA WE SHOULD GET OUR ACT TOGETHER AND GET SOMETHING UP THERE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET A SPECIAL SESSION. LET'S FOCUS ON WHAT THE OBJECTIVES COULD BE. BY THE WAY, I THINK IT SHOULD BE SUPPORTING AND WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO PRIORITIZE ALBUQUERQUE CASES. I'VE ASKED THE CHIEF AND I'VE TALKED TO THE MAYOR AND THERE'S MOVEMENT ON THIS AFTER THREE YEARS OF ASKING. IN THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE I THINK IT SHOULD BE IF YOU ARE ARRESTED ON -- I THINK AN APD OFFER SHOULD KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR. KNOCK ON THE DOORS UNTIL WE FIGURE YOU OUT. WE CAN USE THE D.A.'S MONEY FOR THAT. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT PROGRAM AND WE'LL HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT SOON. I THINK THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THINGS WE CAN PRACTICALLY DO TO SHOW WE'RE PARTICIPATING AND BEING PROACTIVE WITH THE TOOLS WE HAVE SO WE HAVE SOMETHING TO CARRY TO SANTA FE WHEN WE'RE ASKING FOR MORE COME JANUARY. IF WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE TOOLS WE HAVE LIKE THAT D.A. FUNDING FOR WARRANT ENFORCEMENT INSTEAD OF SAYING GET 5,000 WARRANTS, LET'S GET THE GUN ONES. WE CAN FIND YOU PRETTY QUICKLY. EVERY DAY THAT PASSES. I THINK WE OUGHT TO WORK MORE ON WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE. I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. I'LL VOTE NO. I'M GOING TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE SPONSORS TO CLOSE HOWEVER THEY CHOOSE. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE ABOUT THE SAME TOPIC, SORT OF. >>COUN. LEWIS: I THINK I'M JUST SUMMING UP WHAT I HEARD. I'M FINE WITH TAKING LINE SIX AND SEVEN OUT. COUNCILOR BENTON, YOU MENTIONED A ROOT CAUSE. I THINK YOUR OKAY WITH IT. WE CAN SAY ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES. WE CAN SAY THAT. THE OTHER THING I HEARD WAS ON EACH OF THE SECTIONS IF WE SAY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER, I'M FINE WITH THAT TOO. I DON'T THINK YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT IF WE MAKE THOSE CHANGES. AND YOU JUST SAID YOU WOULDN'T ANYWAY. I THINK THE TIME TO MAKE THOSE NUANCED CHANGES IS PROBABLY OVER. I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S WORTH OUR TIME TO GO THROUGH THAT. I'M ALTHOUGH I'M GLAD TO. AGAIN, I'M SEEING FROM ALL OF YOU THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE ON IT. AND THEN, WITH THE -- THE GOVERNOR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSION. TO JUST SAY THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IS POINTING THE FINGER, IT'S NOT REACTIVE, IT'S NOT IN ANY WAY SAYING WE'RE NOT IN THIS TOGETHER. SHE'S FOUGHT -- GOT TO DO IT. SHE DID IT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA. IT JUST GOES WITHOUT SAYING. YES, FOR A STATEMENT FROM US TO SAY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD DO IT. WHETHER SHE DOES IT OR NOT, SHE REALLY SHOULD. IT WOULD BE TO OUR ADVANTAGE. TO THE ADVANTAGE OF REDUCING CRIME AND HELPING IF SHE DID. AGAIN, WE TALKED ABOUT NUANCES YOU NEED TO LIVE WITH THE FACT OF VOTING NO IF YOU'RE OPPOSED TO IT. >>COUN. BASSAN: MR. PRESIDENT, I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION BEFORE I'M READY TO CLOSE. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS TRUE THAT ALL OF THE COUNCILORS WOULD VOTE NO TO THIS IF WE MADE THOSE CHANGES BECAUSE I'M NOT OPPOSED TO MAKING THE SUGGESTED CHANGES. WE HAVE ITEMS IN HERE THAT ARE SUGGESTING THAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES NOT SAYING WE'RE TARGETING CERTAIN PEOPLE OR ONE SINGULAR DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE. YES, LET'S URGE THE GOVERNOR TO HELP US MAKE SURE WE INCREASE THOSE SERVICES, NOT JUST FOR ONE THING OR IN SOME BOX AND SO, TO ME, THIS IS A RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR MAKING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION. OF COURSE WE SHOULD RESPOND TO THAT. IT'S SO DIRE AND SO EXTREME THAT THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO CALL A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY BECAUSE OF CRIME IN ALBUQUERQUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RESPONSE TO THAT. SO, TO ME, IT'S NOT US JUST TELLING HER HOW TO DO HER JOB, I THINK THIS IS US SAYING WE HEAR YOU. IT'S THAT BAD WE AGREE WITH YOU. MAYBE THIS IS WAY TO OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT AND US BE A TEAM AND NOT POINTING FINGERS. ENOUGH OF THAT, CRIME IS CRAZY. FOR THE RECORD I DO THINK WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN PRISON. BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MANY VIOLENT CRIMINALS ON OUR STREETS AND I THINK THAT THEY'RE THE ONES THAT NEED TO BE THERE. NOT PEOPLE FOR SMALLER CRIMES. WE THINGS SO BACKWARDS, WHY WOULDN'T WE REQUEST THE GOVERNOR TO HELP US? I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE THE AMENDMENTS AND DISCUSS IT AND VOTE ON IT AND SEE HOW THE COUNCIL WILL ON THE OVERALL BILL. >>COUN. LEWIS: YEAH, IF THE COUNCIL WOULD AGREE TO THE -- I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO MAKE AMENDMENTS ON THIS TONIGHT? FINE. I WOULD MOVE AN AMENDMENT THEN TO STRIKE LINE SIX AND SEVEN. AND THEN TO LINE ONE OF PAGE TWO PUT ONE OF THE ROOT CAUSES. AND THEN IN SECTIONS ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, SAY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER. WE'LL ADD THE WORD CONSIDER CALLING. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT AMENDMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: MOTION AND SECOND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE CLERK GETS A CHANCE TO CAPTURE THAT. MOTION AND SECOND. WE HAD COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN, COUNCILOR BENTON AND COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: I THINK YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF YOU'RE SAYING IN SECTIONS, ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, IF YOU DELETE THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CALL A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND INSTEAD SAY THE DPUFB GOVERNOR AND HOUSE AND SENATE PRIORITIZE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS IN NEW MEXICO. ARE YOU LEAVING IN THE SPECIAL SESSION CALL? >>COUN. LEWIS: I'M OPEN TO THAT. WE'RE SAYING THE GOVERNOR SHOULD IN EACH SECTION SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING SPECIAL SESSION. AND THE GOVERNOR HAS TO CALL IT. AND THEN THE REST OF THE STATEMENT WOULD REMAIN THE SAME. THEY SHOULD PRIORITIZE. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION. I MISUNDERSTOOD YOU WHEN YOU SAID IT WOULD BE DISCUSSION AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. IT'S A CALL TO HAVE THE PRIORITIES IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION I'M MORE OPEN TO THAT. I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE THE GOVERNOR ASKED TO HAVE A LEGISLATIVE SESSION. >>COUN. PEÑA:. >> COUNCILOR, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. >>COUN. PEÑA: CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO YOUR AMENDMENT -- ADDING TO YOUR AMENDMENT, I SHOULD SAY, IS THAT THE NEW MEXICO SENATE SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING REFORM OF THE DETENTION. THAT WAS IT. >>COUN. LEWIS: COULD YOU CLARIFY THAT? >>COUN. PEÑA: I'M SORRY, THIS IS ONLINE 32. SECTION TWO, LINE 31, IT SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR, NEW MEXICO HOUSE, AND NEW MEXICO SENATE SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING REFORM AND OF THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION. >>COUN. LEWIS: THAT'S FINE. THAT'S FINE WITH ME. I MOVE THE AMENDMENT. I AGREE TO ADD THAT TO THE AMENDMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: YOU CONSIDER THAT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. DID WE CAPTURE THAT? >>COUN. PEÑA: THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. AN AMENDMENT TO AMENDING YOUR SAME AMENDMENT. LET ME FIND MY NOTES. THIS IS ON LINE 32, SECTION 2, THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR, NEW MEXICO HOUSE, AND NEW MEXICO SENATE SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING REFORM OF THE PRE-TRIAL DETENTION SYSTEM. OF COURSE, MR. PRESIDENT, AS COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN STATED, ANYWHERE IT SAYS, THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION. >>COUN. DAVIS: OKAY. NODS FROM THE STAFF TABLE. COUNCILOR LEWIS IS OKAY WITH THAT. ALL RIGHT. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: JUST BEFORE THE HORSE LEVERS THE BARN ENTIRELY. ON THIS AMENDMENT, I THINK THE POINT IS THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSIDER CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION, BOUGHT NOT THAT THE NEW MEXICO SENATE SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING THE REFORM. THAT IS JUST BASICALLY WEAKENS IT. IN MY OPINION. I'M JUST ARGUING THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, I SUPPOSE. >>COUN. LEWIS: I AGREE TO TAKE THAT OUT. >>COUN. BASSAN: I HAVE A QUESTION. >>COUN. BENTON: TO ME, WE DO WANT THEM TO PRIORITIZE. AND WE DO WANT THE GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER CALLING, IF NECESSARY, A SPECIAL SESSION. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, WE WANT TO CONSIDER ALL OF THE NUANCES AND CHANGES. I AGREE TO THAT. IF YOU GUYS CAN GET TO IT. IT'S FINE. >>COUN. DAVIS: WHAT ARE WE -- SO, COUNCILOR LEWIS IS THE AMENDMENT SPONSOR. COUNCILOR BENTON HAS A TECHNICAL SUGGESTION. WHAT IS IT? >>COUN. PEÑA: MR. PRESIDENT, I SEE WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. THE ONLY THING IS THAT WE'RE JUST TELLING THEM TO DO STUFF. IT'S JUST LIKE SOMEBODY TELLING US THAT WE SHOULD DO A 3% SET ASIDE. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE LANGUAGE SHOULD BE ON THAT. >>COUN. LEWIS: I THINK -- I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE WALKING ON EGGSHELLS. I THINK IT SAYS WHAT IT SAYS. WHETHER WE PUT CONSIDER IN THERE OR NOT, I'M FINE WITH IT. I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY THAT WE HAVE TO -- I THINK WE'RE STRAIGHTFORWARD. I'M HAPPY TO DEAL WITH THE NUANCES SO YOU CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE WE'RE NOT BEING MEAN. >>COUN. DAVIS: I THINK WE HAVE ANOTHER PAGE AND A HALF AND CONFIRMATION. SHOULD WE CONSIDER DEFERRING? >>COUN. BASSAN: I DO NOT WANT TO DEFER THIS. I ALSO DO NOT WANT TO ADD SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING OR SHOULD PRIORITIZE. I DISAGREE THAT WE -- PEOPLE ARE TELLING US WE SHOULD ENFORCE LAWS IN ALBUQUERQUE AND WE'RE NOT DOING THAT HALF THE TIME. WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE THIS. AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LISTEN. SO, TO ME, THE -- I AGREE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER CHANGES THAT WERE MADE. I DON'T WANT TO SAY SHOULD CONSIDER PRIORITIZING. THAT TAKES THE MEAT OUT OF THE ENTIRE POINT. AND AS THE SECONDER TO THAT, I JUST WILL CONTINUE TO SAY YES TO THE SECOND AS LONG AS IT'S NOT WITH THAT ONE LAST THING. IF YOU WANT TO ADD THAT ONE LAST THING. >>COUN. PEÑA: MR. PRESIDENT, SO, CAN WE THEN SAY AND NEW MEXICO SENATE -- CAN YOU DO COMMA OR PRIORITIZING REFORMS? I JUST DON'T -- I REALLY DON'T WANT TO SAY THE WORD SHOULD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORD WOULD BE. I DON'T KNOW IF MR. PADILLA CAN HELP WITH LANGUAGE ON THAT? >>COUN. LEWIS: I GUESS SINCE THE -- I'LL AGREE WITH COUNCILOR BENTON, WE CAN HONOR WHAT COUNCILOR BENTON HAD SUGGESTED. I THINK WE'VE GONE FAR TO ACCOM DATD ALL OF THE NUANCES. AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WE CONSIDERED. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR PEÑA, I THINK ONE WAY TO ACCOMMODATE WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVER IS SAY THE SENATE IS ENCOURAGED TO PRIORITIZE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S QUITE TO WHAT YOU'RE GOING FOR. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, I WON'T SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THE SPONSORS. I'M FINE WITH THAT. >>COUN. DAVIS: IT'S YOUR AMENDMENT. >>COUN. BASSAN: I WILL SECOND THE ENCOURAGED TO PRIORITIZE. AND ALL OF THE PREVIOUS OTHER REMOVALS. >>COUN. DAVIS: DOES STAFF HAVE ENOUGH TO CRAFT THE AMENDMENT AS EXPLAINED? GREAT. WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? WHATEVER IT SAYS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. OPPOSED? THAT 7-2. >>COUN. DAVIS: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE BILL SAYS NOW. SOMEBODY DOES. BACK TO THE SPONSORS. BILL HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. >>COUN. LEWIS: I MOVE IT AS AMENDED. >>COUN. DAVIS: ALL RIGHT. GREAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? 6-3. THAT CARRIES. R-171. SAME FOLKS. >>COUN. GROUT: MR. PRESIDENT, R-171 IS AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS TO URGE THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE NO ACTIONS THAT VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND TO UPHOLD THE DUTY OF GOVERNMENT OMGS -- OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. DAVIS: MOTION AND SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BASSAN. COUNCILOR GROUT. >>COUN. DAVIS: WE HAVE SPEAKERS. I DEFER TO THE SPONSORS. >>COUN. GROUT: LET'S LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS. >> WILL YOU CALL OUR TWO SPEAKERS? >> YES. OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS FRANCESO. >>COUN. DAVIS: MR. FRANCESCO WAIVES. COME ON UP TAD. >> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO ASK WHO SPONSORED? ALL OF THEM ARE REPUBLICANS. LET ME ASK YOU DEMOCRATS, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE EVER SERVING IN ARMED FORCES? NONE. I DON'T HEAR ANYONE SAYING ANYTHING. SO, DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT HAPPEN IF SOMEBODY BREAK INTO YOUR HOUSE AND PULL A GUN ON YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? SHOULD YOU DEFENSED YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR PROPERTY? ARE YOU CALLING 911? I WON'T CALL 911 WITH SHOTGUN POINTING. IF YOU COME TONIGHT, YOU WILL GET FOUND TOMORROW. THAT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT. THIS IS NOTHING CONTROVERSIAL. THAT IS UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HAVE ARMS AND PROTECT. I NEVER SHOT ANYONE. I SPENT TWO YEARS IN ARMY. I NEVER SHOT ANYONE. AND I NEVER EVER, EVER WILL BE. SO, ANYWAY, IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP. THE ANSWER SHOULD BE -- GOVERNOR IS AN IDIOT. DICTATOR. SHE HELPED ANOTHER ORDER FORCING MASKS. CAUSING MY HEALTH ISSUES. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR GROUT AS LEAD SPONSOR, YOU'RE BACK. HOW DO YOU WANT TO PROCEED? WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. >>COUN. DAVIS: WE HAVE 15 MINUTES. >>COUN. GROUT: AS A MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER I'M HORRIFIED BY THE EPIDEMIC OF CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHEN THOSE CRIMES INVOLVE GUNS. REMOVING GUNS FROM LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS IS NOT THE WAY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER ONLY SERVED TO BURY THE REAL ISSUE. CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL AND WE NEED REAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS IT. SO, I THINK THERE'S -- RESTRICTING THE SECOND AMENDMENT ISN'T A SOLUTION. IT'S JUST A DISTRACTION. R-171 REAFFIRMED THE OATH WE TOOK AS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE CONSTITUTION OF LAWS OF THE STATE. IT CLARIFIES THAT CITY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES AREN'T GOING TO USE CITY RESOURCES TO INFRINGE ON CITIZENS RIGHT TO LAWFULLY KEEP AND BEAR ARMS. PRETTY SIMPLE. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU, MA'AM. WE'LL SEE IF OTHER SPONSORS WILL SAY ANYTHING ELSE. AND WE'LL GO TO OTHER COUNCILORS AND TRY TO BRING IT HOME. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, I JUST WANTED ONE COMMENT. THE GOVERNOR MADE AN ORDER SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY. AND EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTRY WEIGHED IN ON THIS. I JUST THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALBUQUERQUE WOULD WEIGH IN ON IT. AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO THAT AND AFFIRM SOME OF THE THINGS AND I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANY OF THE OTHER SPONSORS? COUNCILOR SANCHEZ. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: OUR STATE CONSTITUTION SPECIFICALLY SAYS NO LAW SHALL ABRIDGE THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS FOR SECURITY AND DEFENSE, FOR HUNTING, LAWFUL HUNTING, AND RECREATIONAL USE AND OTHER LAWFUL PURPOSES. THAT COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE CONSTITUTION. AND I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HONOR OUR CONS CONSITUTION. THAT WE FOLLOW THE LAWS AND THAT ACTUALLY GOES FOR THE GOVERNOR. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAS THAT RIGHT TO LEGALLY CARRY A GUN BASED ON THE LAW. AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, ME AS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, I HONESTLY FEEL THAT IF WE TOOK THE GUNS AWAY FROM OTHER RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS, OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN SECURITY POSITIONS, PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING A JOB AND ALSO SERVING THE COMMUNITY, I MYSELF HAVE BEEN IN SITUATIONS WHERE IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY GUN, IT COULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK OF ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO PROVIDE A SECURITY SERVICE FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US BE ALLOWED TO BEAR OUR FIREARMS. I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. WHERE THE REAL ISSUE IS IS THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE THE LAW BREAKERS. THE INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE COMMITTING CRIMES USING GUNS. THAT IS WHERE THE ISSUE IS. MOST INDIVIDUALS WHO ACTUALLY HAVE A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT HAVE GONE THROUGH EXTENSIVE TRAINING ON HOW TO USE, MANIPULATE, AND FIRE THEIR WEAPON. THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH TRAINING ON WHEN AND WHEN NOT TO USE THAT FIREARM. VERY RARELY DO YOU SEE ANYBODY GET IN A SITUATION WHO IS A LAW ABIDING CITIZEN BEING ARRESTED FOR AN ACTUAL CRIME WHERE THEY ACTUALLY COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME. USING THAT FIREARM. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT OFTEN. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT DOES. THERE'S TIMES WHERE IT DOES. FOR THE MOST PART, IT DOESN'T. AND IF SOME PEOPLE ARE OUT THERE CARRYING GUNS AND THEY ARE CRIMINALS, AND AN INDIVIDUAL OUT THERE IS NOT, GUESS WHAT? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY INDIVIDUALS ON THIS COUNCIL THAT I'LL WALK OUT WITH YOU, I KNOW YOU'RE ARMED. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PROTECT MY OTHER FELLOW COUNCILORS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AS WELL. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: HAVING HEARD FROM THE SPONSORS. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. LET ME BE CLEAR. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE UNCHECKED OWNERSHIP OF GUNS IN THE SOCIETY. THE NUMBERS ARE STAGGERING. EVERY YEAR ON AVERAGE IN NEW MEXICO 492 PEOPLE DIE, 618 PEOPLE ARE WOUNDED BY GUNS IN OUR STATE. IT IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS IN OUR STATE. AND OF THAT, 48% OF THE KIDS ARE SUICIDE. SOMEBODY HAD A LEGAL GUN AND THEY HAD A KID THAT SOMEHOW GOT IT. THEY ENDED THEIR LIFE. I WILL NOT SAY THAT I THINK WE SHOULD BE UPHOLDING ANY RIGHTS THAT HAVE GUNS IN OUR SOCIETY. I THINK THE TIME IS NOW FOR LESS GUNS IN OUR SOCIETY. LESS CHILDREN KILLING THEMSELVES IN THEIR HOMES. LESS CHILDREN BEING SHOT DO DEATH OUTSIDE THE ISOTOPES, LESS GUN, NOT MORE. >>COUN. DAVIS: OR COMMENTS? OTHER COMMENTS? SEEING NO OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME AMENDMENTS? YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MUCH. I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION IN HERE. AGAIN, ONE OF THE ONES I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND IS LINE NINE ON PAGE TWO LINE NINE. ALL THE WAY THROUGH 18. 17. AND THEN THERE'S -- >>COUN. PEÑA: WILL NOT ONLY FAIL TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE -- WE DON'T KNOW THAT. I MAKE A MOTION TO PAGE FOUR LINE ONE THROUGH SIX, REMOVE THAT. AND THEN SOME OF THE OTHER LINE ITEMS, THEY JUST HAVE WITHIN THE SENTENCE STATEMENTS. AND I DON'T KNOW WHO DRAFTED THIS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BECAUSE IT IS SO CONTROVERSIAL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO HAVE REAL FACTS IN HERE. ON PAGE FOUR, LINE 20, IT HAD THAT THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OPPOSED GUN PROHIBITION. I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY FROM THE ENTIRY CITY OPPOSES THAT. I THINK THAT'S A GENERAL STATEMENT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S NECESSARILY TRUE. I HEARD FROM ONE OF THE COUNCILORS HERE. ON SECTION TWO, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OPPOSED AND URGES GOVERNOR TO TAKE NO ACTION. THAT VIOLATE FREEDOMS. I DON'T KNOW. I THINK I WOULD REMOVE THAT OR REFORM THAT SENTENCE IT SAYS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO IMPOSE ANYTHING THAT VIOLATES THE FREEDOMS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION OR LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS THAT POSSESS FIREARMS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> HOW WOULD WE CHANGE THAT? >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU CUT THAT IN HALF. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: LET'S LET THEM GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. >> MR. PRESIDENT, COUNCILOR PEÑA, ARE YOU SAYING TO DELETE THE FIRST HALF OF THE SENTENCE? >>COUN. LEWIS: POINT OF ORDER. IS THE COUNCIL MEMBER PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT. IF YOU ARE THAT'S FINE. I'M NOT GOING TO SPONSOR ANY AMENDMENT IN THIS REGARD. >>COUN. DAVIS: I THINK COUNCILOR PEÑA IS SPONSORING THE AMENDMENT. >>COUN. PEÑA: YEAH. ON PAGE -- WHAT DID I SAY? SECTION TWO, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE OPPOSED THE GUN PROHIBITION AND URGES THE GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIALS TO TAKE NO ACTION. WE URGE THE GOVERNOR AND STATE TO NOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT VIOLATE CONSTITUTIONS. >> IT READS THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE URGES THE GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIALS TO TAKE NO ACTION. >>COUN. PEÑA: REMOVE ALL OF THAT. AND REMOVE AND. AND WE URGE OR -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU START THAT WITH. I JUST SAID IT. >> WHAT ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNOR. . >>COUN. PEÑA: YES. THANK YOU. >> IF I MAY, ON PAGE TWO LINE NINE THROUGH 17, I WASN'T CLEAR WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO WITH THAT SENTENCE. >>COUN. PEÑA: JUST TAKE THAT OUT. >> OKAY. >>COUN. PEÑA: YOU GOT THE ONE ON TOP? PAGE FOUR, LINE ONE? >> MR. PRESIDENT, YES. >>COUN. PEÑA: PERFECT. I MOVE THAT AMENDMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THAT IS AN AMENDMENT NUMBER ONE. IS THERE A SECOND? >>COUN. GROUT: I'LL SECOND IT. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR GROUT SECONDS. I THINK COUNCILORS ARE ABOUT TO ASK WHAT THE ACTUAL CONTENT IS. GO AHEAD, COUNCILOR BASSAN. >>COUN. BASSAN: I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE WHEREAS CLAUSE THAT IS ON PAGE FOUR, THE GOVERNOR DID IN FACT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO STOP CRIMINALS FROM USING GUNS AND VIOLENT CRIMES. THAT IS A FACT. >>COUN. LEWIS: MR. PRESIDENT, AND THEN ON PAGE TWO LINE NINE, COUNCILOR PEÑA WANTED TO STRIKE IN THIS AMENDMENT, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF FACT. I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT'S THE MOST RECENT SUPREME COURT RULINGS THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED THE ORDER FROM THE GOVERNOR. SO THE OTHERS ARE STATEMENTS OF FACT THAT COUNCILOR BASSAN MENTIONED. AND THE OTHERS ARE JUST STATEMENTS THAT YOU MAY DISGREE ON. I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH HAVING THEM IN THERE. AND I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. COUNCILOR BENTON AS A PROCEDURAL NOTE AND SOMETHING TO SAY. >>COUN. BENTON: MR. PRESIDENT, I MOVE WE EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL MIDNIGHT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ALL RIGHT. MOTION AND SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. 8-1. WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE ONE BY ONE. >>COUN. BENTON: ON THE SUBJECT OF THE AMENDMENT, PROPOSED AMENDMENT. I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS BILL. I DON'T THINK IT'S FIXABLE BY AN AMENDMENT. THEREFORE, I CAN'T SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT. THIS IS OLD NEWS TO ME. WE CAN MAKE A STATEMENT, I DON'T THINK THE VOTES ARE HERE TO MAKE A STATEMENT. WE CAN MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE GOVERNOR OR WEIGH IN ON SOMETHING THAT WAS IN THE NEWS CYCLE TWO WEEKS AGO AND IT'S BEEN DEALT WITH BY A JUDGE. IT'S ALREADY BEEN DEEMED THAT THE MAIN ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR, WHICH I DID NOT AGREE WITH, WAS STRUCK DOWN, FOR THE MOST PART. I JUST DON'T THINK THIS GETS US ANYWHERE. I WON'T SUPPORT EITHER THE AMENDMENT OR THE BILL. THANK YOU. >>COUN. GROUT: SO, WE HAVEN'T HAD A MEETING SINCE ALL THIS WAS FOUND. THAT'S WHY WE'RE JUST GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. ALSO, THERE'S ALSO LITIGATION IN THE STATE -- NOT IN FEDERAL COURT, BUT STATE COURT. FYI. JUST FYI. YEAH. IT'S NOT OVER. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: OKAY, THE AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR. I'M NOT GOING TO ASK HER TO DO THAT UNLESS WE ASK FOR IT. WE'RE REMOVING SECTIONS MAKING THE SUGGESTIONS AND CHANGES COUNCILOR PEÑA OFFERED. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF COUNCILOR PEÑA'S AMENDMENT SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. I'M SORRY -- COUNCILOR JONES HAD A COMMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: WOULD YOU GIVE A QUICK SUMMARY OF THE AMENDMENT? >> SURE. THE AMENDMENT WOULD DELETE THE LINES ON PAGE TWO, LINES NINE THROUGH 17. WHICH SUMMARIZED THE RIFLE AND PISTOL ASSOCIATION VERSUS BREWING SUPPORT CASE. ON PAGE FOUR LINE ONE THROUGH SIX ALSO DELETE SECTION AND ENTIRETY WHICH IS THE SECTION ABOUT THE STATEMENT THAT GOVERNOR MADE REGARDING THEORDS. AND PAGE FOUR LINE 20 AMEND SECTION TWO TO READ THE CITY COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIALS TO TO TAKE NO ACTION. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE AMENDMENT? TWO? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? 7. WE'RE BACK ON THE BILL AS DRAFTED. COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. BEFORE WE CLOSE ON THIS, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I REALLY WANTED TO SUPPORT THIS. I DIDN'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR DID. I THINK HER INTENTION WAS WELL. I KNOW WE'RE ALL FEELING THE SAME SENSE OF URGENCY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE FEEL WE NEED TO DO. I KNOW EVERYBODY REALLY IS JUST DOING LOT OF THINGS OUT THERE. I REALLY FEEL IT CAME FROM SOMEWHERE -- I BELIEVE IT CAME FROM SOMEWHERE WHERE SHE OUT OF URGENCIES WANTED TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT IT. I DO. I HAVE A CONCEAL CARRY PERMIT. I DON'T WANT TO BE HYPOCRITICAL. AND I WAS NOT SUPPORTIVE OF HER EFFORT WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT. YOU KNOW, I REALLY THINK THIS HAS SIMILAR POLITICAL STATEMENTS IN THERE AND I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT. AND I WAS HOPING THOSE AMENDMENTS WOULD PASS. SINCE THEY DIDN'T, I DON'T THINK I CAN SUPPORT THE BILL. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER DISCUSSION? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. OPPOSED? DID THE CLERK GET THE VOTE? IT'S LATE. LET'S DO THIS. WE HAVE THREE MORE REALLY FAIRLY, I THINK, QUICK ACTION ITEMS PLUS A CONFIRMATION HEARING. ARE ANY OF THESE ONES THAT NEED TO BE MOVED? I THINK THEY'RE ALL COUNCIL ITEMS. DOES THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE A PREFERENCE? I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY WE GET PAST MIDNIGHT. COUNCILORS, I HAVE A PREFERENCE WE'RE GOING TO ROCK THROUGH THESE. THEY'RE SAYING WE CAN DO THESE. COUNCILOR BENTON AND COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. QUICKLY. >>COUN. BENTON: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. M10 IS URGING BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSION TO APURSUE ADOPTION OF THE 2017 BERNALILLO COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS A SHARED VISION FOR PLANNING AND GROWTH CRITICAL TO BOTH JURISDICTIONS. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND FROM COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. ANYTHING ELSE? >>COUN. BENTON: MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS REALLY JUST AN APPEAL TO THE COUNTY TO STICK WITH US ON A JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH IS SOMETHING WE'VE HAD SINCE 1978 AND WE'VE ALWAYS PLANNED OUR LARGER COMMUNITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEM. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DYNAMICS WERE THAT LED THEM TO WANT TO BASICALLY CREATE A COMPLETELY SEPARATE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. WHICH I SUPPOSE I THINK THEY'RE SAYING IT WOULD BE THE BERNALILLO COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. IT WOULD REALLY BE THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BECAUSE WE'RE A PART OF THE COUNTY. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD REASONING BY PEOPLE LONG BEFORE US TO SAY WE NEED TO PLAN. -- THE LARGER COMMUNITY OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY IN CONJUNCTION OF ONE ANOTHER. HAVING SAID THAT, I KNOW THE COUNTY PLANNING STAFF AND FOLKS IN THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON UPDATING THE PART REALLY SPECIFIC TO THE COUNTY WITHIN THE COMP PLAN, BUT THERE'S ALSO BEEN CONFUSION. THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION OVER THE YEARS NOW THAT SOMEHOW THIS WAS GOING TO SUBJECT THE COUNTY, THE UNINCORPORATED COUNTY TO THE IDO. IT'S NOT. THEY'VE ALWAYS HAD THEIR SEPARATE ZONING. WE HAVE SEPARATE ZONING. WE HAD A JOINT PLAN AS THE GREATER COUNTY AREA AND THIS IS JUST APPEALING TO THEM TO -- LET'S INCORPORATE ALL THE WORK THEY'VE DONE TO UPDATE THEIR PART OF THE COMP PLAN AND INCORPORATE THAT AND KEEP IT AS A JOINT PLAN. THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S INTENDED TO DO. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF M10 RAISE YOUR HAND. ALL THOSE OPPOSED? 8-1. COUNCILOR PEÑA IN THE NEGATIVE. THANK YOU, ALL. AND NEXT UP R-172. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS IS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE GRANT APPLICATION FOR SECTION 5307 FUNDS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF THE UPTOWN TRANSIT CENTER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. DAVIS: SECOND FROM COUNCILOR BENTON. COUNCILOR FIEBELKORN. >>COUN. FIEBELKORN: MR. PRESIDENT, THIS IS ALLOWING US TO PUT A GRANT APPLICATION TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE UPTOWN REDESIGN OF THE TRANSCENTER AND IT HAS HOUSING AND NEWLY CONSTRUCTED TRANSIT CENTER. I URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? ANYTHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'RE ON TO COUNCILOR PEÑA. R-173. >>COUN. PEÑA: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. R-173 IS APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF LEASE BETWEEN THE HISPANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND NEW MEXICO MUNICIPAL CORPORATION. I MOVE A DO PASS. >>COUN. BENTON: SECOND. >>COUN. DAVIS: COUNCILOR PEÑA. >>COUN. PEÑA: URGE YOUR SUPPORT. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANYTHING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION? ANY QUESTIONS? ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. THAT MATTER CARRIES. NICE JOB, WE'RE ON TO THE ITEM THAT WE SKIPPED. AREN'T YOU GLAD WE KEPT YOU HERE. EC23-342. THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. SMITH TO CAO. I MOVE A DO PASS. SECOND FROM COUNCILOR GROUT. MR. RAEL. MAYOR HAS REQUESTED SUCH. WHAT SAY YOU? >> MR. PRESIDENT, OBVIOUSLY I WOULD URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF HER TO BE YOUR NEXT -- THE NEXT C.A. O. SHE HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE IN HER WORK AT CNM AS VICE-PRESIDENT. SHE HAS WORKED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES AND MANY OTHER ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY FROM HER POSITION. SHE ALSO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY COMMUNITY PROJECTS, IF YOU WILL. AND HAS SPENT A GREAT PART OF THE LAST FEW WEEKS REALLY WORKING WITH ME AND THE CITY STAFF TO GET A REAL SENSE OF CITY GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE SHE'S GOT THE ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS AND TALENT TO DO THE JOB BUT QUITE FRANKLY AS ALL OF US WOULD SAY A LOT OF TIMES HAVING A NEW PERSON COMING WIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE IS GOOD FOR THE ORGANIZATION. AS YOU KNOW, I WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. AND I LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HER FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRANSITION IS A SMOOTH ONE AND THAT YOU ALL CONTINUE TO DO THE GOOD WORK YOU'RE DOING. I WOULD URGE YOUR SUPPORT OF HER APPOINTMENT. >>COUN. DAVIS: WELCOME. COME ON DOWN. >> GOOD EVENING. >>COUN. DAVIS: DO CNM MEETING GO THIS LONG? >> NO. I HAVE BEEN AT THINGS UNTIL MIDNIGHT BEFORE. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANKS FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR BEING PATIENT. THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU. COUNCILOR DAVIS, COUNCILOR GROUT, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS GREAT EXPERIENCE THAT I HOPE TO HAVE AT -- THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT'S SO LATE. AT THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE. I'VE HAD A LONG CAREER AS A PUBLIC SERVIENT. 25 YEARS WORKING FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES AND MOST OF THE TIME WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY IN CONNECTING RESOURCES AND THE ASSETS AND CHALLENGES TOGETHER TO ENSURE THROUGH COLLABORATION WE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE THOSE ASSET ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE GREATER OUTCOMES. I HAVE FOUND THROUGH THE YEARS THAT IT'S THROUGH COLLABORATION AND CONNECTION THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. SUCCESS IN MY CAREER HAS BEEN THROUGH WORKING WITH OTHERS AND FINDING WAYS TO DO GOOD WORK TOGETHER RATHER THAN ONE ENTITY ON THEIR OWN OR ONE PERSON. I'VE HAD THE GRADE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I HEARD EACH OF THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE. YOU DON'T HAVE CONSENSUS AMONG YOU AND THAT'S OKAY. THAT MEANS WE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY TO GET GOOD WORK DONE. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THE MAYOR TO FIND WAYS TO MOVE THROUGH THE IMPORTANT ISSUED AND MAKE SURE WE'RE REPRESENTING THIS COMMUNITY IN WAYS THEY'RE EXPECTING US TO DO SO AND TO SOLVE HARD ISSUES. WE KNOW CRIME, HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, TRANSIT, THERE ARE MANY ISSUES THAT WE TOGETHER HAVE TO TACKLE AND FIND SOLUTIONS FOR ALBUQUERQUE TO THRIVE. I HOPE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WITH ALL OF YOU. I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE SHORT TIMERS. I SHOULDN'T SAY THAT. MY CAR IS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT THAT SAYS JUST RETIRED. I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A SHORT TIMER. MY SHORT TIME UNTIL FIVE O'CLOCK TODAY AT CNM. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >>COUN. DAVIS: QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL. >>COUN. LEWIS: THANK YOU. I ENJOYED SPENDING SOME TIME WITH YOU. I KNOW YOU HAVE GOT AN EARFUL FROM ME. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME. I SINCERELY HOPE YOU'RE GOING TO ENJOY THIS JOB AND DO WELL AND WE'LL GET A LOT DONE TOGETHER. I BELIEVE WE CAN. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER. OF BEING HERE. AND YOU'LL REALLY ENJOY THIS AND REALLY DO WELL. IN MY SHORT TIM -- I CALL THAT A SHORT TIME. IT'S A SHORT TIME TO GET LOT DONE. HOPEFULLY GET A LOT DONE AND DO A LOT OF GOOD THINGS FOR THE CITY. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF GREAT BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE. I I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THIS JOB THAT'S ABOUT MAKING THINGS MOVE AND THE WHOLE WHEELS TURN AND SEE IF WE CAN GET GOOD THINGS DONE FOR THE CITY. AND ENSURE PEOPLE GET A GOOD RETURN ON TAX DOLLARS. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: OTHER COUNCILORS? COUNCILOR SANCHEZ. >>COUN. SANCHEZ: THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I ACTUALLY HAVE ALREADY SENT YOU SOME WORK AND YOU GOT IT DONE. THANK YOU. THAT WAS REALLY QUITE IMPRESSIVE. I WASN'T SURE YOU WERE ACTUALLY OFFICIALLY ON, BUT YOU ACTUALLY MADE THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS AND GOT IT TAKEN CARE OF. I JUST THINK WITH WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR, I HOPE WE CONTINUE THAT. THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: I DON'T THINK MR. RAEL DOES ALL THE THINGS YOU ASK HIM. KIDDING. COUNCILOR GROUT, I'M GOING TO GO DOWN THE LINE. COUNCILOR BENTON. >>COUN. BENTON: I FEEL LIKE I HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION. THEN I WENT HOME AND I TOLD MY WIFE, I DID MOST OF THE TALKING. I'M SURE THAT'S TRUE. IT'S KIND OF LIKE THERE'S -- IN MY 18th YEAR IN COUNCIL I'VE BEEN THROUGH A FEW CAOs. I WANTED TO IMPART MY EXPERIENCE TO YOU. ALL KIGD ASIDE, I THINK YOU BRING A LOT TO THE POSITION. WE'RE GOING TO MISS LAWRENCE RAEL. ARE YOU GOING TO BE HERE NEXT WEEK SO WE CAN -- OR THE NEXT MEETING SO WE CAN GIVE SOME SORT OF -- ANOTHER NAMBEWARE? I WISH YOU THE BEST. I THINK YOU BRING A LOT OF CAPABILITY TO THE POSITION. I MAY BE A SHORT TIMER, YOU CAN STILL CALL ME PLAYER. I MIGHT NOT BE IN THE CITY. I'LL BE IN ALBUQUERQUE PART OF THE YEAR. WHEN IT'S HURRICANE SEASON, I'LL BE HERE. REALLY, WELCOME, AND THANKS FOR STEPPING UP AND TAKING ON JOBS. >>COUN. DAVIS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE GOT TO MEET A COME OF TIMES. I'M EXCITED YOU CHOSE TO DO THIS WITH US. WE'RE INCREDEBLE IMPRESSED AND EXCITED AT WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY HOLDS. IT'S THE BEST JOB IN THE CITY BECAUSE YOU GET TO TOUCH EVERYTHING HARD AND DELIVER SOME BIG THING AND LITTLE THINGS. I'M EXCITED YOU'LL GET TO DO THAT WITH US. I KNOW WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT BIG PLANS AND YOU'RE INHERITING BIG CHALLENGES AROUND HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS. LOFP -- ALL OF THOSE THINGS TO HAVE PLANS IN PLACE, OR STUDY AND NOT HAVE A PLAN. I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE HOW THOSE COME TOGETHER. I KNOW THAT YOUR COLLABORATION WITH US AT CNM AND IN THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER FOLKS HAS BEEN FABULOUS. I COULDN'T THINK OF A BETTER PERSON WE COULD BE LAUNCHING THIS VENTURE WITH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >>COUN. DAVIS: ANYTHING ELSE? SEEING NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR AS APPOINTMENTED PRESENTED SAY YES AND RAISE YOUR HAND. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ]. [ ADJOURNED ]