Legislation
Paseo del Norte and I-25 Interchange: R-11-296, R-12-2, O-12-17
The Council reserved $3,000,000 to provide $50 million dollars bonding capacity for the City’s cash match for Paseo del Norte / I-25 interchange improvements, contingent upon voter approval in November 2012. With this money and almost $30 million dollars in funding provided by the State, $5 million committed by the County, also contingent on voter approval in November 2012, and possible funding from the Federal Government, the construction on the first phase of the Paseo del Norte / I-25 will be fully funded. The completion of Phase I is expected to cost just under $90 million and will greatly reduce the worst points of traffic congestion. This project has been repeatedly recognized as the foremost transportation improvement project for the City of Albuquerque.
International Energy Conservation Code: O-11-65
This legislation repealed the 2006 Albuquerque Energy Conservation Code and replaced it with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code as adopted by the State. Councilor Lewis and Councilor Jones were concerned about the increased costs of construction the 2006 AECC placed on homes and businesses in Albuquerque. Those increased costs are ultimately borne by consumers, who always bear the brunt of the regulatory costs imposed by the City. This bill saved Albuquerque homebuyers thousands of dollars and saved Albuquerque businesses tens of thousands of dollars.
2003 International Fire Code Sprinkler Requirement: O-11-62
The 2003 International Fire Code does not require sprinklers in buildings primarily used or designed for the purposes of assembly of 101-500 persons if the building predated the adoption of the fire code. The City amended this part of the 2003 International Fire Code and required existing buildings to be retrofitted, a heavy burden on small business owners. For some small restaurants, the cost to retroactively install a sprinkler system was close to $100,000. Councilor Lewis believes proper fire safety can be accomplished through the use of adequate exits, alarm systems and fire suppressant systems in the kitchen where the majority of restaurant fires start. This legislation removed the requirement for all pre-existing buildings to install a fire sprinkler system.
Red Light Cameras: O-11-74, R-11-218
Since his first day in office, Councilor Lewis carefully researched and weighed the costs and benefits of the Red Light Camera program. After much research he was concerned about the reported increase in accidents, the incentive to increase violations at intersections in order to increase revenue, and the amount of money sent to an out-of-state company, Councilor Lewis decided to sponsor legislation that put the Red Light Camera question on the October ballot. Since the inception of this program, every detail has been decided by politicians. For these reasons and many more Councilor Lewis believed it was time to give the voters of Albuquerque a chance to decide whether they wanted to continue the program.
The public voted to reject the Red Light Cameras at the October 4th election. Based on the vote, and believing that municipalities have the responsibility to engineer intersections for safety, not revenue, Councilor Lewis introduced a bill that repealed the Ordinance that authorized the red light camera program. This bill passed at the November 7th Council meeting.
Department of Justice: R-11-275
Councilor Lewis and Councilor Garduño co-sponsored legislation affirming that the City Council and the Mayor will work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Department of Justice (DOJ) should it choose to conduct a comprehensive review into whether there has been a pattern or practice of civil rights violations by the Albuquerque Police Department.
Westside Ladder Truck: R-11-236
In a memo to all Firefighters, Chief Breen pointed out an “existing ladder service gap” on the City’s West Side. As Councilors for the City’s West Side, and believing that the safety of West Side citizens is of paramount importance, this gap was of significant concern to Councilor Lewis and Councilor Sanchez. Because of this, they worked to develop a legislative solution to close the “service gap” to which the Chief referred. R-11-236 restored $604,000 to the Fire Department’s budget in FY/12. The bill took advantage of savings that accrued to the City as a result of a “fuel hedge” agreement.
Volcano Cliffs Sector Development Plan: R-11-200
Councilor Lewis sponsored, by request, legislation to adopt a Sector Development Plan for the Volcano Cliffs area. This Rank 3 plan adopts new policies and zoning regulations for a 2,327-acre area atop the Northwest Mesa. The area is surrounded on three sides (east, south, and west) by 10,000 acres of open space under City, State, and Federal jurisdictions. The northern boundary of the VCSDP is Paseo del Norte/the Town of Alameda Grant line extending west of the Paseo del Norte alignment where Paseo del Norte turns towards the northwest. For more information on this planning process, please visit the following website: http://cabq.gov/planning/long-range/VolcanoCliffsSDP.html
Volcano Trails Sector Development Plan: R-11-211
Councilor Lewis sponsored, by request, legislation to adopt a Sector Development Plan for the Volcano Trails area. This Rank 3 plan adopts new policies and zoning regulations for a 446-acre area held by Longford Homes. The VTSDP consists of residential villages, parks, an open space corridor, trails, and neighborhood retail and services. The Plan adopts zoning and land-use strategies that support area-wide policies for high-quality development with a range of housing densities and that respond to the area’s unique location and landscape. For more information on this planning process, please visit the following website: http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/VolcanoTrailsSDP.html
Third Party Review: O-11-47
Councilor Lewis and Councilor Cook co-sponsored legislation that allowed the City to approve certain individuals or organizations to perform a review of construction documents to determine if those documents conform to the City’s technical codes and to other applicable laws. The intent of the Third Party Review option is to speed up the process for plan review for those willing to pay for private review. Of course, the final approval of those documents still rest with the City’s Building Official. We have heard great success stories since the inception of this program.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Screening at the Airport: R-10-172
This Legislation directed the Administration to work with the City Council to outline the steps for the City of Albuquerque to “opt out” of TSA screening at the airport and replace that screening with a private contractor under the provisions of the screening partnership program authorized by federal law. It failed to pass at the December 20th, 2010 Council meeting.
Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories: R-10-147
Councilor Lewis and Councilor Winter co-sponsored this legislation that recognizes the importance of Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories in the defense of the United States and the economic impact that it has on the City of Albuquerque.
Alarm System Ordinance: O-10-21
This Ordinance allowed a waiver for residents 65 years of age and older from alarm user permit fee requirements for private premises alarm sites. Councilor Lewis sponsored this legislation after conversations with concerned constituents and ensuring this change did not threaten the operations of the program.
Extension of Impact Fee Moratorium: O-11-40, O-11-41, O-11-42, O-11-43
Councilor Lewis and Councilor Sanchez co-sponsored legislation to extend the moratorium on Impact Fees for an additional 12 months. Impact fees for green development will be calculated at 0%, while impact fees for all other development will be calculated at 50%. This legislation is intended to provide time to the Impact Fee Committee as they review the impact fee calculations and to encourage much needed development on the West Side.
Unser Boulevard Extension: R-09-1
At his first council meeting, Councilor Lewis sponsored and passed a major West Side transportation bill. R-09-1 allocated $5 million dollars for the completion of Unser Boulevard. The money is from unencumbered funds from the old ¼ transportation tax. Construction on this two-lane extension is expected to begin by the end of 2010. Phase 1 will be from Compass Drive to Paseo del Norte, while Phase 2 will be from Paseo del Norte to Paradise Boulevard. Additionally Councilor Lewis and the Administration are working to secure federal funding of $2.4 million dollars. This will aid in ultimately completing Unser to four lanes from I-40 to Rio Rancho, providing long awaited relief for those living on the West Side and encouraging economic growth along this important corridor.
NW Education Corridor: R-10-44
This resolution allocated a total of $665,000 for safety improvements at the Northwest Education Corridor around Tierra Antigua Elementary School, Tony Hillerman Middle School, and Volcano Vista High School. These allocations will improve traffic safety measures along Paseo del Norte, Rainbow Blvd and Universe Blvd, including, but not limited to lighting on Universe Blvd, pedestrian safety improvements, and a traffic signal at the intersection of Rainbow Blvd and Paseo del Norte. $375,000 is appropriated from the Capital Program within DMD for developing streets in the Northwest Mesa; $50,000 is from a reappropriation of a cancelled project where funds were returned to District 5; $240,000 is from the old ¼ cent transportation tax designated for road deficiencies.
Councilor Lewis prepared a proclamation that declared December 1st, 2011 as Metro Teen Court Day. Metro Teen Court, since 2009, has helped juvenile offenders restore their relationship with the community through accountability and personal development. This alternative sentencing program teaches youths that they must take responsibility for their actions and gives them a better understanding of the consequences of breaking the law.
With this Proclamation Councilor Lewis along with the rest of the Council recognized the important contribution that WESST Enterprise Center made to growing New Mexico’s economy by promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship in the midst of an economic downturn. Since 1988 WESST has expanded to become a statewide small business development organization by cultivating entrepreneurship and providing training, technical assistance and access to capital.
Councilor Lewis sponsored a proclamation for April to be designated as “Donate Life – End the Wait” Month, encouraging Albuquerque residents to register to be donors at MVD or online on the new Donate Life registry at www.NMdonor.org, and consider living donation for a family member or a friend in need of a life-saving transplant. Councilor Lewis donated a kidney to save the life of his brother, Tim.
