Administration Questions & Answers

Questions and Answers from City Council Meetings.

Date of Meeting	Councilor to Admin	Question	Response
5-5-2025	Council President Bassan to Solid Waste (Deputy CAO Whelan)	President Bassan requested an update on the recycling contract.
5-5-2025	Councilor Champine to Admin/APD	Will the new helicopter attend the annual ASPCON convention in Phoenix in July to be showcased and to do a PR campaign?
4-21-2025	Councilor Sanchez to DMD/Director Turner	Is there any way that you could put some temporary lighting on West Central while we are waiting for the replacement lights?	As per email from GovAffairs dated 4/30/25: "There are long lead times for the replacement lights. They are scheduled to ship July 15, with install to start in August. DMD has considered whether to use temporary lights and based on cost and delay in receiving and installing the lights has determined it would not be effective."
4-21-2025	Councilor Pena to Admin/CAO Sengel	What is the status of Route 66 arches? They are still out.	As per email from DMD: "Councilor Pena, Follow-up from the April 21, 2025 City Council meeting Q & A Question - The Route 66 arches are still out. Answer - we have tasked lighting contractor Dalkia to repair the small arches. We do not have a timeline for repair yet, but have stressed the urgency of the repair. As soon as we have an timeline, we will provide an update."
4-21-2025	Councilor Champine and Council President Bassan to Admin/DMD	Councilor Champine requested a department-level breakdown of the IDOH rates assessed in 2025, including dates. President Bassan asked for an update on how this is impacting the North Domingo Baca Aquatic Center.	As per email from Jennifer Turner of DMD dated 4/30/25: “Councilor Bassan, Followup from April 21 Council Meeting Q&A - Question – How is IDOH increase impacting NDB Pool? Answer – I have attached a spreadsheet showing the open purchase orders for the NDB pool that could bill between April 1 and June 30, 2025, and be subject to the 12 percent IDOH.” NDB 12 IDOH
4-21-2025	Councilor Sanchez to Admin	Why the Mayor...did not consult with City Council in reference to the decision to bring the National Guard here to Albuquerque.	As per email from GovAffairs dated 4/30/25: "Based upon separations of powers, operational decisions fall within the preview of the administration. If you would like additional information please feel free to reach out directly to the Mayor or Chief. "
4-21-2025	Councilor Champine to Admin	Will the National Guard be carrying mace to defend themselves? Will they fall under APD's Use of Force?
4-21-2025	Councilor Rogers to Admin	Councilor Rogers requests a meeting with the APD leadership, National Guard leadership and ACS Leadership to discuss the humanitarian efforts and how they can help us set up safe outdoor spaces at Gateway and how to address community concerns effectively. Contact information of the National Guard leadership Will the National Guard be assisting ACS? 3. At his press conference, the Mayor said the National Guard would not be in military attire, but they appear to be training in military attire. When will the uniform switch happen, and can they train in non-military attire?	As per email from Josh Anderson dated 4/30/2025: "Councilor Rogers, Follow up from April 21 Council Meeting - Q&A. Councilor Rogers requests a meeting with the APD leadership, National Guard leadership and ACS Leadership to discuss the humanitarian efforts and how they can help us set up safe outdoor spaces at Gateway and how to address community concerns effectively. Contact information of the National Guard leadership General Miguel Aguilar 505-407-3354 Will the National Guard be assisting ACS? No At his press conference, the Mayor said the National Guard would not be in military attire, but they appear to be training in military attire. When will the uniform switch happen, and can they train in non-military attire? NMNG will have polo and BDU pants as their uniform attire. They are currently wearing civilian attire during their training until their uniforms arrive. They were in the military fatigues on their first day of training however has seen changed to civilian attire.”
2-19-2025	Councilor Grout to Admin (Assoc. CAO Carla Martinez)	In the last meeting, you stated that the Head Start Program Governance Advisory Committee had been disbanded. However, the committee was established by city ordinance and it's part of our laws. Is it the administration's position that it does not have to follow the law and establish this committee? When can we expect the committee to be re-established?	As per email from Carla Martinez on 2/20/2025: Responses to Councilor Grout-EHS Governance 2-19-25.pdf “Good afternoon President Bassan and City Councilors, As discussed in the City Council meeting yesterday, attached for your review is the answers to Councilor Grout’s questions to Youth and Family Services regarding the Governance Advisory Committee. Please understand that my comment about Councilor Grout’s questions coming in at 5:01 to the Administration was not meant to be punitive in nature, but rather to express that I wanted to provide the City Council a thorough and accurate response to the questions, and I needed more time to do that. I obviously was not effective in communicating such and I apologize. You will see based upon the detail provided in the response, that time was spent being as thorough and accurate as possible. Thank you, Carla CARLA MARTINEZ Associate Chief Administrative Officer”
2-19-2025	Councilor Grout to DMD Turner/Admin (COO Montoya)	Last meeting I asked Director Turner to follow up on a contract with Wilson & Company for grant writing services for a Safe Streets For All Grant with the US Department of Transportation. It hasn’t been signed by DMD yet, I’d like to know why.	As per email from GovAffairs on 2/26/2025: “DMD executed the contract with Wilson & Co on February 19. Aziza Chavez originated the contract and was notified the second that DMD signed it through docusign. Government Affairs”
2-3-2025	Councilors Rogers/Grout to Admin (Deputy CAO Whelan)	Councilors Rogers and Grout requested a map and a schedule detailing when the Duke City Ambassadors program will be present in their districts.	As per email from Deputy CAO Matthew Whelan dated 2/18/2025: Final Exhibit A-B.pdf “Councilor, per our discussion this morning attached is the area that Duke City Ambassadors operate in. The map shows a section of downtown but they mainly focus on Central, Gold and Copper, 1^st through 8^th street. They also do a small section in Nob Hill Central, from Sierra to Girard. I am copying Brenda Martinez and Director Gallegos on this email so we can get something set up next week when Director Gallegos returns so can meet and discuss other issues you brought up this morning. MATTHEW WHELAN Deputy Chief Administrative Officer ”
2-3-2025	Councilor Grout to DMD (Director Turner)	In regards to East Gateway Arch project: Councilor Grout requested: 1) information regarding the construction experience of the project manager, Paul Olson; 2) Can someone on Council Staff be involved in this project? 3) Councilor Grout also asked if language in Council's (canceled by DMD) contract with Wilson & Co. that ensures Council involvement in every meeting will be carried over into DMD's new contract with Wilson for the same work; 4) Have DMD staff met with Wilson Engineers about this project? 5) Have any elements of the sign been changed since DMD took over the project? and 6) follow-up is needed regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation grant application for safety improvements, specifically about the contract for the grant writer that has not yet been signed by DMD.	As per email from Josh Anderson dated 2/7/2025: “Good Morning Councilor Grout and Rachel, I wanted to share the responses from DMD regarding your questions asked at City Council on Monday Feb 3. Have a great day, thank you! 1. How much construction experience does Mr. Olson have? Mr. Olson has over 25 years of experience. He is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer with project related experience in a variety of infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, bridges, dams, pipelines, roads, channels, and stream restoration. 2. Will Council staff still be involved in this project? We appreciate Councilor’s leadership in securing funding for this project and moving it forward. We will schedule monthly project discussion meetings for the Councilor and Council staff and keep them updated on all stages of project development. 3. Wilson’s contract has been cancelled by DMD. The original contract included language that insured all Council staff in meetings, has that language been carried over to this project? Wilson’s contract has not been cancelled. The DMD project team has requested an updated scope, fee and schedule from Wilson and Co. Council staff will be provided regular updates during project development. 4. Has DMD staff met with Wilson engineers about this project? DMD has recently met with Wilson and Co. 5. Has the sign been changed in any way since DMD took over this project? The Arts and Culture Director, Dr. Shelle Sanchez, provided feedback to Councilor Grout via email on recommended changes to the sign. The Councilor was in agreement with the recommendations made, therefore DMD is moving forward with implementation. 6. One more question about grants, we are applying for a US Department of Transportation grant for safe streets for all program, for safe streets on East central and District 9. The contract for the grant writer hasn’t been signed yet, can you please follow up on that? DMD has received the Wilson & Co scope and fee for grant writing services. However, DMD is not aware of what project this grant will be written for. The US Department of Transportation Grant is for shovel ready projects and is a very competitive selection. DMD requests additional information about the proposed project so we can have a follow up discussion. JOSH ANDERSON Government Affairs Official”
2-3-2025	Council President Bassan to Senior Affairs (Director Sanchez)	Director Sanchez to compile an analysis regarding staffing vacancies, reclassification and recruitment efforts at North Domingo Baca MultiGen Center.	As per email from Josh Anderson dated 2/11/2025: “Hello President Bassan, Following up on your question from the last City Council meeting, thank you! Director Sanchez to compile an analysis regarding staffing vacancies, reclassification and recruitment efforts at North Domingo Baca MultiGen Center. North Domingo Baca recreation staff currently has three vacancies. The vacancies are a Program Coordinator (posted), a Recreation Assistant which is being reclassed, and Program Assistant II which is in the approval to be posted. For recruitment, we are recruiting one temporary employee in the interim while we access staffing levels and hours of operations. North Domingo Baca is open 71 hours a week, including every night and on Saturdays. JOSH ANDERSON Government Affairs Official”
2-3-2025	Council President Bassan to Administration (CAO Sengel)	Provide an update on the disbursement of non-recurring Council sponsorships in the FY 25 budget. CAO Sengel indicated she would share the list of who has received letters regarding funding.	As per email from GovAffairs dated 2/12/2025: List of FY25 Non-Recurring Items.pdf “Hello President Bassan, Please find attached the update you requested at the City Council meeting on Feb 3. Thank you! … Government Affairs”