Legislation sponsored by Councilor Lewis.
Legislation
Analyst Position for Police Oversight Commission
Councilor Lewis and Harris cosponsored this legislation that appropriates funding for an analyst position to provide analysis and data that will aid the Independent Review Office and the Police Oversight Commission in furtherance of the goal of identifying long-term trends and recommending policy reform.
Albuquerque's Priorities for the 2013 NM Legislature
This resolution establishes the City of Albuquerque’s legislative policy for the 2013 Legislative Session of the New Mexico Legislature. Among the listed priorities were funding for open space purchases and Paseo del Volcan right-of-way purchases.
Election Process for Public Improvement Districts
This legislation establishes the election process, policies and procedures for the Public Improvement Districts located within the City.
Rules Amendment to the Council Order of Business
Councilor Lewis requested this legislation in order to prioritize economic development discussions at council meetings and to clarify the order of business on the agenda to help the general public follow the order of the meeting.
Establishing Paseo del Volcan as a Regionally Significant Roadway
This legislation prioritizes the Paseo del Volcan corridor as an outer loop by-pass road, establishes the need for corporation between jurisdictions and requests local, state and federal funding allocations for the acquisition of right-of-way and construction of this vital highway.
Establishing an Action Council and Funds for Economic Development
This legislation, co-sponsored by Councilors Lewis, Jones and Garduño, set aside $5 million dollars received from the 2013 Termination Payments in an Economic Development Act Account (EdAct Account) to enhance the development of economic base companies in expansion and relocation decisions. Additionally, this legislation establishes an economic development action council to review and recommend the use of such funds.
Approval of Special Assessment District 227
At the request of the numerous property owners in the area, through various required Resolutions and Ordinances, the long process of approving a Special Assessment District is finally complete. This will enable the property owners to coordinate construction of the necessary infrastructure and finally build on their lots that the vast majority have owned since the 1960’s.
Resolution to Send the Paseo del Norte / I-25 Improvements to the Voters
Councilors Lewis, Winter and Sanchez co-sponsored this legislation that sent the question to the voters relating to the issuance of gross receipts tax revenue bonds in the principal amount of up to $50,000,000 for improvements to the Paseo del Norte / I-25 interchange.
The Sexually Oriented Business Ordinance
Councilors Lewis, O’Malley and Benton co-sponsored this legislation that regulates sexually oriented businesses. After much effort to reach a compromise between business owners, employees and activists, the Councilors passed this Ordinance on a 7-2 vote. This Ordinance is intended to reduce the negative effects sexually oriented business can have on human trafficking without impeding their ability to do business.
Affirming the Priority of Paseo del Norte and I-25
This legislation, co-sponsored by Councilors Lewis, Sanchez and Winter, strengthened the City’s commitment to funding the Paseo del Norte / I-25 Interchange Improvement Project.
Paseo del Norte and I-25 Interchange
With this legislation the Council reserved $3,000,000 to provide bonding capacity for the City’s cash match for Paseo del Norte / I-25 interchange improvements. With this money and possible funding provided by the Federal Government, the State and the Mid-Region Council of Governments 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 mitigate 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
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
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
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 4 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 7 Council meeting.
Department of Justice
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
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
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
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
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
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 20, 2010 Council meeting.
Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories
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
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
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
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.
Proclamations
Cibola High School Proclamation
Cibola High School Proclamation
This proclamation was presented to Cibola High School in recognition of the baseball tournament held at Cibola High School to raise awareness of childhood cancers. In an effort to support this good cause, the City of Albuquerque provided funding for improvements to the facility.
Volcano Vista High School Proclamation
Volcano Vista High School Proclamation
The Volcano Vista High School student-athletes earned five state championships. This proclamation celebrates their achievements.
Kiwanis Kite Flying Day Proclamation
Kiwanis Kite Flying Day Proclamation
This proclamation declares the first Sunday after Mother’s Day as Albuquerque’s “Family Kite Fiesta Day,” hosted by the Albuquerque Westside Kiwanis Club.
Metro Teen Court Proclamation
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.
WESST Proclamation
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.
End the Wait Proclamation
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.
