City Council hears from the public — and some stuffed animals — at Monday meeting

A packed chamber greeted the Albuquerque City Council for a five-hour meeting May 6 where the council spent some money, approved getting some grant money and heard heartfelt public comments about immigration policies in the city.

Standing Room Only

More than a dozen residents turned out to voice their concerns about a proposed amendment that would allow city resources, including Albuquerque Police Department officers, to assist in the duties of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

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Other public comments included one set of speakers who brought stuffed animals to illustrate their plea for the council to make sure the ABQ BioPark gets $200,000 that was left out of the mayor’s proposed budget. 

“The absence of this funding could compromise the care of our animals and in turn the BioPark’s accreditation,” Antonio Aguilar and Fabiola Landers said, along with a lion, a jaguar, a hyena and a bear.

Spending Money

More than $22 million in gross receipts tax improvement revenue bonds were approved. The money fully funds seven projects that city leaders say will promote quality of life for families, support public safety and expand services for people experiencing homelessness.  

The projects supported by the bond sale are the Southwest Public Safety Center, City Youth Shelters, Cibola Loop Multigenerational Center, the Gateway Center, the Westside Emergency Housing Center, the Albuquerque Rail Yards, and the acquisition of a helicopter to support APD’s crime-fighting efforts, according to an administration press release.

Quick Hits 

• Unanimous approval was given to file a grant application for violence intervention funds with the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Gun Violence Prevention. 
• Councilors accepted $98,348 in grant funds from the New Mexico State Library. The city’s match is $9,933, which will go toward continued library services and reading materials.
• The council adopted an updated Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan that brings together some additional plans, such as the Climate Action Plan, that had yet to be included.
• Councilors denied an appeal of the Environment Planning Commission’s approval of a site plan for cannabis retail use near the intersection of Coors Boulevard and 7 Bar Loop on the city’s West Side. This means the retail development can go forward. The development drew concerns from neighbors to the east as there is a parcel of the city’s open space along the development’s eastern edge. Among the residents’ concerns was the impact on wildlife in the area.
• Councilors had an interesting exchange with police department leaders during the administration question-and-answer session over the handling of protesters who set up in front of the Kirtland Air Force Base entrance at Louisiana Boulevard and Gibson Boulevard. Some councilors had concerns over how long it took for APD to respond and clear the entrance.