City Council President Debbie O’Malley announced this morning that she will introduce legislation for immediate action at Wednesday’s (April 4) City Council Meeting to acquire all or part of the Vista del Norte site for future balloon landings and soccer fields.

“There are sufficient existing capital funds to acquire this site quickly without expending new dollars,” said President O’Malley. “It’s simply a matter of priorities.”

O’Malley goes on to say, “I have heard loud and clear from the Vista del Norte Neighborhood and from the Balloon Fiesta Park representatives that the future of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is in serious trouble if we cannot secure a sizeable site in the area for balloon landings—and the Vista del Norte site fits the bill.”

“We need to get our priorities straight at this facility (Balloon Fiesta)”, said Councilor Cadigan. “First, we need to ensure that the balloons are there every year, and then we need to get the basics in place, such as simple infrastructure and permanent restrooms.”

Councilor Harris adds, “The whole point of the Fiesta is to see the balloons on a crisp October morning against the beautiful backdrop of our City. We don’t need to build any unnecessary amenities. We need decent restroom facilities, and a place to get a good burrito.”

City Councilor, Brad Winter introduced legislation today that will create an independent Office of Hearings. The bill, which is a direct result of public concerns voiced at a recent Town Hall on Red Light Cameras and emails and calls from citizens, will be introduced at the Council meeting of April 4, 2007.

“There is a general feeling that people are not receiving a fair and impartial hearing in appealing a violation from a camera citation,” stated Councilor Winter. “This bill gives the Chief Hearing Officer autonomy in the performance of all assigned duties.”

The conduct of hearings is also addressed in the proposed ordinance and ensures that each hearing utilizes procedures as are necessary to protect each party’s rights.

“My office continues to receive calls and emails about problems that citizens are encountering daily as they try to reach and get information from the Hearing Office. There is a definite problem, and it needs to be addressed immediately,” said Councilor Winter.

The Councilor has been in touch with the Administration regarding these concerns

This notice is regarding R-07-182 which proposes creation of a neighborhood task force to study homeowner and neighborhood associations.

At the City Council meeting March 19th, the sponsor of the bill will move to defer until April 4, 2007.

The Finance and Government Operations (FGO) meeting scheduled for Monday, April 9th is cancelled.

The meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, April 23rd at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Committee room, 9th floor of City /County Building located on 5th and Marquette.

City Councilor, Brad Winter announced today the results of citizen commentary at the Tuesday (March 6) Town Hall Meeting. Over 150 persons attended the Red Light Camera Town Hall and nearly 80 persons shared their opinions and concerns with the Council. Those who strongly support the program and find it flawless as well as those who vehemently oppose it were in the minority.

The majority of those who spoke at the Town Hall as well as those who called or wrote in, supported the red light program but had issues including:

1. Yellow light timing being too short at red light camera sites.
2. Excessive fines and penalties.
3. Hearing process flawed. People do not feel that they are receiving due process.
4. Difficulty in getting information either by calling or using website.
5. Calls not being returned to citizens.
6. Unequal distribution of red light cameras in different quadrants of the City.
7. Need for financial accountability of program.

Based on the input heard at the meeting, Councilor Winter is preparing legislation to address citizen issues and concerns. “When we first passed legislation regarding the Safe Traffic Operations Program (STOP), we were trying to make intersections safer for everyone,” said the Councilor. “Public safety remains a priority, but we are going to address citizen concerns that were expressed at the Town Hall and through phone calls and emails I received”

Eight of the nine City Councilors attended Tuesday’s meeting as well as several APD officers and members of the Administration. “I am really pleased that so many people came out to share their opinions with us,” stated Councilor Winter. “I appreciate the willingness of the Council and the Albuquerque Police Department to listen to what the public had to say. It is clear that changes need to be made and I look forward to working with the Administration and APD to assure that Citizens receive due process and are treated fairly and respectfully.”

City Council President Debbie O’Malley introduced a Resolution today declaring the City Council’s intent to provide $9.254 million in operational funding for the Metropolitan Detention Center in the 2008 Fiscal Year, which begins on July 1, 2007.

“You cannot put a price on the safety of our citizens. We must do everything we can to insure that violent criminals are not allowed to wander the streets,” said O’Malley.

President O’Malley stated that during the 2007 Fiscal Year, the City took the following steps to help assist with costs of the first year of County operation of the Metropolitan Detention Center:

Provided $12.89 million in operating funds for the Detention Facility and an additional $2.54 million in funding for sick and vacation leave for City employees who now work for the County.

Decreased its imposed gross receipts excise tax rate by one-eighth of one percent effective January 1, 2007 in order to help hold taxpayers harmless during the transition to County funding, management and control of the Metro Detention Center.

In addition, the City agreed to meet and discuss with the County, during the course of 2008 Fiscal Year budget discussions, the Metropolitan Detention Center’s potential need for additional one-time funding during FY/08. This resolution is a fulfillment of that commitment on the part of the City Council.

City Councilor Isaac Benton agrees, “I strongly believe that the City needs to continue to work closely with the County in order to meet our mutual correction needs and to ensure that the citizens of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are held harmless in the process. This Resolution is a step in that direction.”

For further information, please contact Albuquerque City Councilor President Debbie O’Malley at 768-3159 / TTY 768-2474.

The Albuquerque City Council and Mayor Martin Chavez reached agreement on the Capital Budget this afternoon.

The major change to the floor substitute which the Council submitted is a re-appropriation of an additional $2,000,000 on funds for improvements to the animal shelter—making it a total of $5,000,000.

The Mayor, in a meeting with City Council President Debbie O’Malley last Friday, suggested expanding the budget to accommodate additional funding for the shelter. Instead, the Council chose to cut other line items, such as the amount requested for the Bio Park Aquarium, Phase 2.

“Many of us felt it would not be fiscally prudent to expand the capital budget given that we may need additional capacity in future cycles,” said Councilor Michael Cadigan. “It was obvious from the e-mails and articles in the media that the Mayor’s top priority was funding for the animal shelter, so we chose to reduce funding from other non-essential projects.”

Regarding the cut in funding to the Aquarium, Phase 2, Councilor Isaac Benton explained, “Phase 2 of the Aquarium has not yet been designed, and so it makes sense to design it first in order to get a good handle on what it will cost to construct. We made certain there was enough money for design.”

“I’m pleased we were able to reach a consensus budget,” Councilor O’Malley said, “I appreciate the Mayor’s willingness to compromise.”

Dear Mayor Chavez,

I am pleased to present the attached floor substitute for R-07-175. This document contains the proposed changes to the 2007 CIP budget that Committee-of-the-Whole Chair, Don Harris, will submit to the full Council for consideration next Monday.

I believe that this revised budget reflects a respectful and collaborative process that carefully considered the needs and desires of the citizens we represent as well as the priorities you put forward in the budget you submitted.

Chairman Harris, with support from Don Miller in our office, took a very even-handed approach to proposing the attached floor substitute—not only taking into account all of the Councilors’ recommendations, but carefully considering your priorities as well. For example, your original request for $8,000,000 for the expansion of the Aquarium was reduced by $5,000,000 to fund the Sixth Area Command Center—an oversight on your part which you acknowledged. Also, you had indicated to several Councilors that the acquisition of the I-40 / Menual property for a park was one of your highest priorities. Funding for its acquisition was left intact. The majority of changes are in the allocations for basic capital improvements, such as streets, parks and libraries. These were increased in response to many requests from our constituents. Your desire to maintain a balanced program was also a priority consideration of the Councilors.

Your request for $3,000,000 to build a therapeutic pool did not receive adequate support to be included in the floor substitute given the fact that the need for such a facility, and the impact on the private community, has not been evaluated; however, $50,000 was allocated to fund a study to determine if a need for a City-owned therapeutic pool is warranted. Additionally, we will be recommending that the City consider developing a program that will afford the citizens the opportunity to use existing private therapeutic pools.

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Councilor Harris is available to you or your staff to answer any questions you may have concerning this document. As always, I am available to meet with you to discuss this matter or any other issues you consider important.

Respectfully,

Debbie O’Malley
City Council President

P.S. Please relay our thanks to your staff, in particular, Ed Adams, for their cooperation with our budget staff during this process.

The March 14, 2007 LUPZ (Land Use Planning and Zoning) meeting has been cancelled. All items that had been deferred for the March 14th meeting will be addressed at the March 28, 2007 LUPZ meeting.