Albuquerque city councilors are expected to consider two proposals during their meeting Monday that would require more accountability from Mayor Tim Keller’s administration. Councilors may also vote on a $5 million operator contract for the city’s Gateway West Facility — an overnight shelter for those experiencing homelessness.
New social media rules
Councilors will consider a proposal — sponsored by Councilor Renée Grout — to implement a new social media policy for city officials.
Grout introduced the resolution shortly after the City Council blasted the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) for the second time over its controversial social media posts a few months ago.
Her proposed policy outlines guidelines for defining what posts are appropriate and inappropriate for city social media accounts, potential consequences for misusing accounts and a plan to regularly monitor accounts to ensure they follow the policies.
Read more about the APD posts and resolution here.
Written Q&A requirement
Another proposal on the agenda would require Keller’s administration to answer councilors’ questions in writing as part of the administration question-and-answer period at council meetings.
“There’s some stuff that I think the public wants to know about, and we want to know, in reference to what’s happening with the administration and how they’re handling things,” Sanchez said. “We don’t get those answers all the time.”
As an example, Sanchez referred to the council’s Oct. 7 meeting when he asked the administration about a grant the city launched to help businesses that have been affected by vandalism.
Sanchez tried to apply for the grant after a window at his business was vandalized but was told he needed to have a police report. He told the administration he could not get a hold of the police department to file a report and asked why this was an issue. He said he never got a straight answer from the administration.
“I was trying to see what the public goes through, in reference to having to get this grant taken care of, and still nobody’s helped me,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez proposes that every question must be answered with a written response and sent to the council within 10 business days of the meeting. The questions and answers would then be shared on the council’s website.
$5 million contract for Gateway West operator
Councilors may also vote on a $5 million contract for Chicanos Por La Causa to oversee operations at Gateway West — the former Westside Emergency Housing Center.
Earlier this week, the Finance and Government Operations Committee forwarded the contract to the council for immediate action. If approved, Chicano Por La Causa, a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, would be responsible for the overnight shelter.
Read more about the contract here.