City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Welcome. Today is June 15, 2026. The 14th meeting of the 27th Council will come to order. Is this sound really odd? Okay, thank you so much. I kept hearing the echo. All councillors are present this evening with councillor Ruteas joining us via Zoom and councillor Lewis will be here shortly. So we'll start off with a moment of silence followed by the pledge. Please join us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance. So now, Vice President Champagne.

Madam President, thank you. Just a quick announcement. I had the distinct pleasure today, and this is kind of an explanation of why I'm wearing this today, but I had the distinct pleasure to meet with 10 international visitors from Mongolia. In fact, the three western provinces, they have 21 provinces. The three western provinces, there was delegates from their government. I got to sit down and chat with them for an hour or two and learn more about their system of government and discuss ours. I was so honored when they, at the end of the conversation, they presented me with this hat, so I get to wear it tonight. So that's what's, that's why I'm wearing it. Now down to business. Civic Plaza parking passes are provided for members of the public. You can obtain a parking pass from the council staff at the table near the chamber entrance. Members of the public, city staff, and the media have the ability to view this meeting in person and on live streams through four different platforms, GovTV on Comcast Channel 16, the GovTV website, YouTube, and Zoom webinar. The live streams can be accessed from most smartphones, tablets, and computers. Also, this meeting is closed captioned. and you may enable the closed captioning services on your television or device at this time. The video recording of this and all past Council meetings will remain available for viewing at any time on the City Council's website. Council staff is available via telephone if members of the public need assistance finding the videos online. Please call 505-768-3100 for assistance during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Council will take a break at approximately 7 p.m. this evening if needed. With regard to the decorum in the chambers, We want tonight's proceeding to be as civil and respectful as possible. Please do not make any personal attacks, and please no applauding or snapping or other outbursts during the meeting. The president will provide one warning to anyone causing a disruption. Upon the second or continued disruption, that individual will be asked to leave the chambers, and if necessary, security will be asked to escort that person out of the chambers. Such removal from the city council chambers will be effective for the remainder of this meeting. If continued disruptions occur, the President may recess the meeting until order is restored and, if necessary, may clear the chambers of persons participating in that disturbance. The meeting will go a lot smoother if we are respectful of one another. Tonight, city council staff has received over 80 public comment signups for tonight's meeting. So pursuant to the council rules, public comment time will be reduced from two minutes to one minute to allow everybody to speak. Please begin editing your comments to fit within this timeframe now. With that being said, councillors, do we have any questions for the administration? Councillor Grout.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. My first set of questions are for the Triple H Department, Gilbert Ramirez.

Madam President, Councillor Grout, he doesn't seem to be in the room.

We will figure out where Triple H is and we can circle back. I'll come back to that then. Okay, I have a few questions. This has to do with our recently passed budget. The first set of questions I have is for our council staff. Ms. Brokaw, did the city council modify the mayor's proposed general fund revenue forecast for fiscal year 27?

Madam President, Councilor Grout, no. City Council did not modify the mayor's proposed forecast. For example, the 1.9% GRT forecast that was originally proposed by the mayor remain unchanged in the approved budget. Similarly, the franchise revenue at 2.3% included in the mayor's proposed budget was retained in the approved budget.

Thank you. A follow-up question, Mr. Vice President. What response did the administration provide when asked in multiple meetings about overspending of appropriations in fiscal year 26?

Madam president councillor grout admin stated that they would adjust spending to come in that budget even though second quarter projections Were to be overspent.

Okay. Thank you for that clarification. So Mr. Vice president. My next question is for madam CFO Martinez The mayor stated that the council's forecast is overly optimistic from the proposed budget What is the difference in the council's forecast? I?

Madam Chair and Councillor Grout, I guess I'm not understanding your question about what's the difference between the council's forecast. Are you talking about the revenue that Ms. Brokaw was just speaking about?

Yes. So, Mr. Vice President, Madam CFO, The mayor recently said that the council's decision to build the budget around an overly optimistic forecast that could put core services at risk. The forecast that we built our budget on was on information that you all provided us. So my question is, What let's see where did I put it? Just had it here. So again, it's what is the difference in the Council's forecast?

Madam president and counselor grout. I, I don't want to speak or speculate what the mayor's intentions were with the word forecast. However, I think it goes back to the conversation that we had multiple times during the cow hearings about our position on the $11 million that council was relying upon. That was unrealized. Okay.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

All right. Did you all find? OK. This will be pretty short. Director Ramirez, thank you for being here. Thank you for being here. HUD announced three weeks ago that they're changing the continuum of care homelessness assistance program. to emphasize treatment and recovery programs paired with transitional housing and wraparound services. I emailed you last week because of its significant change from how we're doing things now. Albuquerque has gotten around $3 million of this money in the past. It's all gone to permanent supportive housing vouchers. So my question to you is, what is Triple H doing to solve for the impact this is going to have on existing programs? And how are you building capacity in programs that focus on treatment and recovery?

Madam President, Councillor Gatt, thank you for the question. So yes, we've been monitoring that really closely in regards to the NOFO that was released, which is a notice of financial opportunity. There are going to be some impacts in regards to the funding structure and the percentage of the amount of money that can actually go to permanent supportive housing. With that being said, we've been analyzing this to see what the impact will be as the funding transitions to other programs. We do understand that any withdrawal of funding in the permanent supportive housing area is going to affect individuals' placements and their housing stability. This is not localized just to Albuquerque. The state also has a COC and funding that is going to be impacted. So I do appreciate that we're working in collaboration both with the state and here to see what that impact is and with the coalition and homelessness to see what that RFP and or opportunity will be for vetting individuals and projects. I would say it's still evolving in regards to what the true impact is and we're watching that. I do plan to continue to keep you looped in in regards to your question and response as to what that impact would be in totality, if all the funding were to go away, how many individuals might be impacted by that, and also what programs and or agencies will be funded as a result of the new terms of the funding. The COC is working to qualify those vendors and look at what that programming would be and also what the funding will be, but right now I say it's still a little bit I'd say too soon to tell what the full impact is, given that we've been waiting for this NOFO to be dropped, and now that it is actually live, we're assessing what that impact would be. But again, I would be probably a fail if I would say there's going to be an impact. The true totality of what that's going to be will depend on how much of the percentage of the funding will be allowed to continue to support individuals in actual housing and how much will move to transitional living, which is a much different type of service for individuals who have that need.

Thank you. I just don't want us to leave any money on the table. That money's there. And I think that we should consider shifting our focus, too. I think treatment and recovery is really important. And I think it's super important. There's money available. We need to pivot, too. Thank you. Thank you. That's it.

Councillor Tayes.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I do have a few questions for, if I can have, I have some questions for council staff.

Just for the administration.

go ahead counselor okay great thank you um has city council historically had access to the primary budgeting system used to develop the uh city budget madam president counselor ts yes city council previously had access to hyperion the budgeting system that was in place prior to una okay great and what is the benefit of granting City Council access to EUNA, the current budgeting system.

Madam President, Councillor Tejas, the primary benefit is improved oversight as it allows Council to independently monitor and review budget activity. For example, if the administration reallocates funding from one program to another during budget preparation, the Council will be able to view the full detail of the changes. Wonderful. Thank you.

I appreciate you. I have some more questions, Mr. Vice President for City Admin and our DFAS Director, Ms. Donna Sandoval.

Director Sandoval? She's making her way up now.

Great. Thank you. Hi, Director Sandoval, how are you this evening?

Madam President and Councillor, just fine.

Great, thank you. Okay, Madam President, Director Sandoval, is the administration currently working on getting City Council access to the unit?

Madam President and Councillor, you had asked for that access. and we provided a response to you last Friday. We are happy to provide any kind of reports that you need from ONA. We saw it as a separation of powers. Okay.

Thank you, Director Sandoval. Why is the software used to build and maintain the budget considered a service only for the administration?

Madam President and Councillor Taez, I would ask that our acting budget officer come up and answer because I think there is some misunderstanding about what benefit or what additional information would be received by giving access to the system.

Thank you.

Madam President, Councillor Tellez, I think in your original request you were asking for access to raw data. There's no raw data in UNA. The reports that you have is exactly what you would see in UNA. It just shows how we move from the prior fiscal year's approved budget to this year's current budget. At the time it was proposed, now it's approved and you would see just the changes in that in those reports that you received in the CAO summary, the budget worksheets. Those those two items together. Show those changes so you would be getting access to information that you already have.

Thank you. I you know I was asking for read only access. Is that correct?

you were asking for read-only access to raw data.

Correct.

And the read-only access would be to run the same reports that you've already received.

Yes, and that's correct. Isn't there a, but there would be a reason for that, right? I mean, because it's manual, you use manual application to pull that data, is that correct?

I'm sorry, could you repeat the question? I don't understand.

Yeah. So when you run the, when you run reports in your system, you are at, you're doing so by putting in annual information.

So let's give her a second to reconnect. I think what they're asking is, and please correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm not involved in these conversations, but it seems like they're asking about access to the new software. Does council have access to the new software?

Madam President, we do not have access. We requested access and we were told that that access was denied because it's a service that's being provided to the administration and therefore it is a separations of powers issue and that's why we're not going to be granted access.

I guess I'd like the administration. Oh, you're back. Okay.

I'm so sorry, Madam President. Thank you so much.

I'm just making assumptions off of what I'm hearing. So I don't know if my questioning was correct or not. Councillor Tejas, but I'll let you take over from here.

Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate that. Yes. So I'm just trying to understand why the administration is considering council access to the Iduna system considered a separation of powers.

Madam President, Councillor Tejas, I know that you're very familiar with accounting standards, COSO framework, and I think the way that the administration viewed this is governance versus management roles. And I think the other question as Mr. Noel is trying, you know, has stated is that the information that you are receiving in reports is the information you would receive if you were gaining access. So we're, I think that's where we stand at this point.

Thank you, Madam President. UFO, yes, that is correct. But you, when you run the report in the system, you're running the report by entering your requirements for the type of report that you want manually. Isn't that correct?

Madam Chair, Councillor Tellez, yes, however, the reports, specifically the CAO summary, provides you that detail.

Sure, and isn't it correct, and it coordinates with the COSO framework and Yellow Book and Green Book frameworks, which is what we're trying to kind of get around here, right, is But precisely the reason I asked for read-only access, because I do not want to confer administrative authority or interfere with executive functions. And since I'm not requesting any authority over the administration's ongoing management of the funds, I am simply asking for read-only access so I can review the information within the system, which is appropriate in my oversight role and council's oversight role. Would it be appropriate for us to have read-only access as requested with no separation of powers there?

Madam Chair, Councilor Diaz, I'm not familiar with the items that you cited. However, as I said, it'll be redundant.

Councilor Tejas, are you still there? Looks like we lost her. Madam President, while we're waiting for get her back up, may I ask just to kind of a question off of what her question was?

Yes.

OK. This is, and just so I understand, and maybe the public will understand a little better, the system that we're talking about is the system that you guys use to input money, dollars, accounting information, correct?

Madam Chair, Councilor Champagne, yes.

OK. And it's the same budget, those numbers and everything, is the same budget that you present to us, correct?

Madam Chair, Councilor Champagne, yes.

OK. And it's the same numbers that we go over during Committee of the Whole?

Madam Chair, Councilor Champagne, yes.

OK. So sharing of that information would only streamline things and make it a little better. Wouldn't you agree?

Madam Chair, Councillor Champagne, in this case, probably not because.

OK, and I ask that only in the sense that we just heard someone over here in the administration say it's going to be the same report that you get from us. So if it's just the same report, then what would it matter if we had access to read only to see what you see and better understand it? You don't have to answer it. It's rhetorical. OK. Because. If we're all trying to share the information and all trying to do better within our budget, you would think sharing and communication would help instead of will tell you what we want you to see sort of incident, because that's the way it seems. Madam President.

I apologize. Can you hear me now? I apologize.

Yes, counselor test.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Madam President, Director Noel. Yes, I just thank you for those questions. Mr. Vice President, that's pretty much what we were getting at here. The read-only access was intentional for oversight purposes. Again, I'm curious as to why the administration believes that it is a separation of powers because again, we are read-only access I'm not trying to confer any of the administrative authority or interfere with executive function. And so we do not believe it is a separation of powers with ongoing management, administration's ongoing management. So again, just trying to understand why we are not being granted read-only access to the system.

Madam president and counselor tears. I think I'd like to try to summarize this conversation. I think I heard you say you want oversight authority. I think our question is what oversight authority are you attempting to receive by getting read only access to a system that is being utilized by the administration to build the budget. And the reports that you all receive would be the very same reports you would see in the system. So I guess I'm unclear what access, by receiving read-only access, what additional oversight authority you are trying to gain.

Thank you, Madam CFO. Yes, well, it's the oversight authority that is granted to us within the city charter. for oversight over the fiscal we have fiscal accountability here so i believe it is uh article seven of the charter that gives us our oversight over the appropriations um and expenditures so we are what i'm making sure that we want to ensure. And again, I am familiar with the yellow book, green book standards, also internal control stand works. And one of the important critical distinctions here for getting this type of this type of information is to ensure that we are looking at the exact same information and not getting anything that might be sent to us that could potentially be changed as because of the information that you're requesting when you're running the reports entered manually.

Madam President, Madam President, Councillor Tejas, the way the process works, though, is that when we send the budget to Council, we can't change it until Council authorizes us to change it.

Thank you, Mr. Noel. Thank you, Madam president. Yes, that's true. We're not, but a reasonable concern from a, you know, oversight perspective, right. Is, is, uh, the review party controls. So report generation rather than the reviewer having direct system access, right? So several things become possible if we don't have read-only access to see the information and how these reports are developed and controlled and how the manual processes are entered because it could lead to potential selective report parameters that includes relevant transactions, reliance on summaries or pre-aggregated views rather than the underlying transaction level detail, potential general ledger detail. So really, this is more of a, you know, a right to access versus a right to receive reports. And I think that's a meaningful distinction here, right? With the read-only access, we're ensuring that there is more engagement and a lower level of risk that anything particularly happens to how the reports are provided to council.

Madam President and Councillor Tejas, I think It's a little hard to have a conversation about the system in abstract. So I would offer and encourage that we'd be happy to sit down with you, walk through the system so Mr. Noel can explain to you some of the data as he talks about the raw data, what reports get generated. I think that might be helpful for purposes of this conversation.

Thank you. Yes, Madam CFO. One last question, Madam President. Is the current, when we have access to Hyperion, did we also have access to the fraud data within that system?

Madam President, Councillor Tejas, no.

And for, I have a question for our city attorney, Madam President.

Go ahead, Councillor Tayes.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. So can we get our city attorney to review whether this is really a separation of powers issue? I understand that Article 7, Section 2 of the city charter states that a representative of the council shall be allowed to participate in all meetings and have access to all information relating to the formation of the budget.

Madam President, Councilor Tellez, I'd be happy to do that. I think, like some others here, I'm struggling a bit because I've never accessed this system. I can't visualize it. I'm not sure what's in it. And so I think if I do that, then I could get an opinion for both parties on this issue.

Okay, I think that sounds fair. I'd be happy to accommodate that. Perhaps we can get that meeting scheduled between all of us. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to our administration. Thank you to council staff. I'm sure we'll have more conversations around this.

Thank you, Councilor Titus.

Thank you.

At this time, we'll move on to proclamations and presentations. Madam President, I move that the rules be suspended for the purposes of allowing more than two proclamations this evening.

Second.

Any other questions? Madam Clerk.

Councillor Baca? Yes. Councillor Brisson? Yes. Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Bibelkorn? Yes. Councillor Graup? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. President Pena? Yes. Passes unanimously.

Madam President, the first proclamation is from you or Councillor Baca, whoever wants to give it.

I'll defer to Councillor Baca.

Thank you madam president It's a proclamation recognizing the mariachi spectacular Jeanette Salazar cultural services manager and Trisco companies to accept and everyone else I hope Okay, so I'll start by reading the pockets people who are going to be a

accepting the proclamation will come to the podium. Thank you so much. Whereas Mariachi Espectacular de Albuquerque was founded in 1991 and for 35 years has celebrated mariachi music and culture while enriching the cultural life of Albuquerque and New Mexico. And whereas Mariachi Espectacular de Albuquerque has also grown into one of the nation's premier mariachi conferences and festivals, attracting students, educators, performers, and visitors from across the United States and around the world to Albuquerque each year. And whereas through its acclaimed educational programs, concerts, competitions, and cultural events, Mariachi Espectacular de Albuquerque preserves and promotes the traditions of mariachi music while inspiring future generations of musicians and cultural leaders and,

Whereas the festival has helped establish Albuquerque as a national destination for mariachi arts and education, generating significant cultural and economic benefits for the community, and whereas the Atrisco companies, by presenting the annual Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, honors a legacy of mariachi music through educational programming and recognition of the arts, educators, and cultural leaders who have shaped and advanced the art form And whereas the festival's continued success reflects the dedication of its founders, organizers, volunteers, educators, sponsors, and community partners, whose efforts have strengthened Albuquerque's reputation as a center for cultural excellence and artistic achievement, be it proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque, hereby recognizes and celebrates the 35th anniversary of Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, and extends its gratitude for 35 years of preserving cultural traditions, advancing arts education, inspiring future generations of musicians, and enriching the cultural and economic vitality of our community.

Okay. So we have with us here this evening, Jeanette Salazar, the cultural service manager to the Trisco companies to accept. And we have another gentleman that if you want to say your name into the podium, and then Jeanette, if you want to say a few words. Sure.

My name is Antonio Reyna.

So if you want to say a few words, yes, thank you so much counselors distinguished guests We are honored to be here today with you this evening I just want to give a special recognition to our two board members who are here with us today. I Randy Sanchez and Thaddeus Lucero, who are on our Trisco board and have been so, you know, just tremendously supportive of our Mariachi Spectacular event. On behalf of Mariachi Spectacular, I'd like to thank you for this incredible recognition and proclamation for our 35th anniversary. For more than three decades, Mariachi Spectacular has celebrated the rich cultural traditions of mariachi music while bringing together students, families educators and artists from across the country and around the world here to our beautiful city in albuquerque this proclamation honors not only our organization but also the generations of musicians volunteers supporters and community leader leaders who have helped preserve and elevate this important cultural art form

We are also excited to share that we are currently working with the city of Albuquerque to bring the International Mariachi Music Hall of Fame and Museum to our city. This world-class museum will celebrate the history, artistry, and global impact of mariachi music, and we believe Albuquerque is the perfect home for this cultural treasure. I would like to offer a special thank you to Councillor Dan Lewis and Madam President and Councilwoman Clarissa Pena for going above and beyond your support for Mariachi Spectacular and the Hall of Fame Museum. Your advocacy, leadership and commitment to preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage have meant so much to our organization and the community that we serve. Thank you to the entire city council for your support of the arts, our culture, education, and heritage here in Albuquerque. We proudly accept this proclamation and look forward to continuing to serve the Albuquerque community for generations to come. Thank you.

And on behalf of Mariachi Spectacular, we have just little gifts for you. This is our 2026 poster. It's a beautiful piece of art, so I have a gift for each of you if you want to give this to them. Thank you so much, council members. We appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you. So do you want to come up and accept the approximation?

Madam President, the next proclamation is, again, Councillor Baca and yourself.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Madam President. Proclamation recognizing Mr. Ernie C. DeBaca. Mr. C. DeBaca, President and CEO of Albuquerque's Hispano Chamber of Commerce, to accept. Would you like to come up?

Yeah, if you want to make your way to the podium. Thank you.

So whereas Ernie C. DeVaca has devoted his career to fostering economic opportunity, supporting entrepreneurs and building partnerships that strengthen Albuquerque's business community and regional economy, and whereas following a distinguished career with PNM Resources where he served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Ernie C. DeVaca joined the Hispano Chamber of Commerce and later served as President and Chief Executive Officer leading the organization through a period of growth, innovation, and expanded community engagement. And whereas during his tenure, the Hispano Chamber broadened its programs and services, increased business participation, strengthened its roles as leading advocate for Hispanic-owned businesses and entrepreneurs throughout New Mexico and

Whereas Ernie Sidi Baca worked to elevate Albuquerque as a destination for business development, investment, cultural exchange, by cultivating relationships with local, national, and international partners, and promoting opportunities that benefit the city's economy. Whereas his leadership has helped to advance initiatives that connected business with resources, encouraged workforce development, and expanded opportunities for underrepresented communities, including Hispanic, Indigenous business, and business leaders and whereas Ernie Sidi Baca's commitment to public service, economic development, community collaboration has left a lasting impact on Albuquerque and has helped create opportunities for future generations of business and civic leaders. Bea proclaimed that the council, the governing body of the city of Albuquerque, hereby recognizes and honors Ernie Cittibaca for his dedicated service, visionary leadership, significant contributions to economic development, business advocacy, and the prosperity of Albuquerque's community. Wow. Thank you. So congratulations. Thank you. If you want to say a few words.

Sure. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the City Council. Gosh, early 1990s. I used to sit here back then when I was working at PNM and sometimes till like midnight. And I'd be like the only person. And I remember Lawrence Rael coming up and says, what are you doing here? I said, it's my job. My boss told me as long as you all sat there, I had to sit up there. So I'm honored. Thank you. I'm honored and lucky to have this proclamation. I love my job. I love the chamber. Everything about it is fantastic. Thank you for saying everything that's in that proclamation. But it really belongs to my team here. These are the folks that really have done the work. You know, I get to... Included my boss of 50 years on August 7th. She'll be my boss of 50 years Jerry, so thank you all for the great honor of being Receiving this today.

Thank you so much Thank you Ernie you come up and accept your proclamation and I'll just say as you're walking up that I'm just so proud of you and the work you've done Over the years to make our community a better place. So thank you for everything

What did I hear?

Thank you.

Councilor Tejas is next in line.

Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I have a proclamation here recognizing the 20th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. I'm here to accept the proclamation. I would like to introduce Dr. Joseph Sanchez, the State Director of AARP New Mexico, and Josianca Umi, the Associate State Director of AARP New Mexico.

Mr. Sanchez. Oh, they're making their way down here now, Councillor Tejas. Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Councillor Tejas, are you going to be reading it, or...

we have uh um it'll be me and uh dr rogers so i just wanted to thank you gentlemen for being here as you know um world elder uh abuse awareness is just an important important observance so let's get started with the proclamation Okay, so whereas older adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity to enable them to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers, and vital participating members of our communities, and whereas in 2006, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in support of the United Nations International Plan of Action, proclaimed a day to recognize the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. And whereas 2026 marks the 20th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, its recognition will promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults and

Whereas the National Center on Elder Abuse, NCA, and the AARP New Mexico recognize the importance of taking action to raise awareness, prevent and address elder abuse. And whereas as our population lives longer, we are presented with an opportunity to think about our collective needs and future as a nation. And whereas ageism and social isolation are major causes of elder abuse in the United States and

Whereas recognizing that it is up to all of us to ensure that proper social structures exist so people can retain community and societal connections, reducing the likelihood of abuse, and preventing abuse of older adults through maintaining and improving social supports like senior centers, human services, and transportation will allow everyone to continue to live as independently as possible and contribute to the life and vibrancy of our communities, and whereas, where there is justice, there can be no abuse. Therefore, NCEA urges all people to restore justice by honoring older adults, and whereas, join us in our engaging and empowering movement to put an end to abuse.

Be it proclaimed that the Council, the governing body of the City of Albuquerque, hereby proclaim June 15th, 2026 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Albuquerque and encourage all of our communities to recognize and celebrate older adults and their ongoing contributions to the success and vitality of our country. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Council test gentleman. Yes, I'm president. Councilor Council members. Thank you for having us. A R P is honored to accept this proclamation on behalf of older New Mexicans over Albuquerque residents. We really appreciate all the work that the city does and you all do to bring awareness and attention to this really important issue. As the proclamation had stated, especially systems that uphold transportation and combat social isolation, fight financial exploitation. We're excited about efforts to bring awareness to fraud and scams, especially as they may impact and certainly see a proliferation of that uptick and affecting the financial wellness of older adults and their families. And so we certainly applaud efforts to address that. And thank you so much for this opportunity. Thank you.

General, if you'd like to come up and we have a proclamation for you. Thank you. Madam President, we will now have a presentation from Ms. Turner, the DMD Director, who will provide us an update with the Vulnerable Road Users Campaign and efforts. Director Turner.

A PowerPoint, as I always do. Okay, here we go. Madam President, counselors, thank you for the opportunity to provide my sixth and final update on our traffic safety educational campaign. Campaign will continue, even though my PowerPoints will not. So turning to the reminder of key points from the traffic code updates. First, flashing lights at crossings mean stop for everyone. It's the law. This is particularly important because right now we're launching three new hawk signals around the city, two on East Central. And then one on San Mateo in front of ACS that will support the walking school bus. And then we also have a brand new flashing beacon at Washington and Sunningdale. So whenever you see any of these flashing lights around the city and folks crossing, always stop. Also, vulnerable road users, be safe and be seen. And then drivers, watch for VRUs when turning. So next slide. Turning to our ongoing campaign, Spanish language campaign that you heard about continues. I'm really excited. We have our campaign deployed on bus shelters and digital displays around the city. On Friday, we launched our 12-minute webinar at cabq.gov forward slash stop. So if you want a deep dive, and everyone should be doing this, all my employees are going to be doing this, you can get a deep dive into our traffic code updates. In front of you, you have our one-page flyer we completed deployed to drivers' educational schools. And then you'll also have our bike map, which highlights the campaign. And that brand new bike map highlighting over 400 miles of trails around the city, you can get it from 311 or at various city facilities. I'm happy to launch that. Next slide. I just wanted to preview our webinar, the first page, Stop for Everyone. And so again, 12 minutes. It will change your life by saving lives. And then next slide, just the campaign next steps, continued community meetings and outreach. If you want a meeting for your neighborhood association, you can request one through our campaign website page. We'll be adding those flyers to a reminder to our speed camera citations. There'll be more displays around the city. And we'll be investing in more vulnerable road user safety projects like the Hawks and RRFB I just mentioned. And more information about those projects is at the website linked. And then we'll also be working on future state law changes to better protect vulnerable road users and improve the speed camera legislation. So lastly, I just want to provide thank yous for this campaign. I'm a lawyer. I don't do PR. And so without the support of our consultants, Mood and 2540, folks from the mayor's office, Dan Mayfield, Ileana, Yvette Angelica, Parks, Eli Cosco, Director Simon, and from my department, Valerie Hermanson and Jorge Gonzalez. They brought this campaign to life. Thanks to all of you for unanimously passing the legislation. And then I just want to close by thanking all of the advocates, Melinda, Patrick, Bike ABQ, Ben Garland, Althea, and anyone who has fearlessly stood at this podium and advocated for safer streets. It is why I am here today. And so I am grateful to all of you. Thank you.

Councilors, do we have any questions for the director? No, director. Great job. Thank you very much. We'll miss the presentation. You can come back anytime you want to put some slides together and do it again. It'll work out fine.

Thank you.

Thank you, director. Madam President, that concludes. Oh.

Councilor Filippo.

Sorry, Mr. Vice President. Just a quick question, and it's not for Dr. Turner, perhaps for Dr. Single. I would really, I'm very interested in if we can get that 12-minute webinar to everyone in the city, not just the employees of DMD. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Filippo. Madam President, that concludes proclamations and presentations.

Thank you, Vice President Champagne. We are now on the journal. I move approval of the June 1st journal. Second. There's a motion and a second by Vice President Champagne. All those in favor rate. Pardon me. Madam Clerk, can you call the roll?

Councillor Baca. Yes. Councillor Passan. Yes. Vice President Champagne.

Yes.

Councillor Feeblecorn. Yes. Councillor Grout. Yes. Councillor Lewis.

Yes.

Councillor Rogers.

Yes.

Councillor Tayes. Yes. Yes. President Pena?

Yes. Passes unanimously. Thank you. We are now on to communications and introductions. Are there any changes to the letter of introduction? EC 180, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing EC 180 on tonight's agenda for action. EC 180 is the Mayor's appointment of Benjamin Tobias to the Human Rights Board. And this will require a two-thirds vote. So there was a motion and a second by Committee of the Whole Chair, Grout. Madam Clerk. Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Passant? Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Feeblecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Council Rogers. Yes, councillor tears Yes President Pena. Yes passes unanimously.

Thank you now EC 181 I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing EC 181 on tonight's agenda for action EC 181 is the mayor's appointment of Cecilia Navarrete to the Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees There's a motion in the second by Vice President champagne madam clerk I Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Favelcorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis? Yes. Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Next, R45, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R45 on tonight's agenda for action. R45 is approving and authorizing the acceptance of a grant from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund administered by the State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, a grant from the State of New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration for partial funding of the Crestview Bluffs Park project. There's a motion to second by Vice President Champagne. Madam Clerk. Councilor Baca?

Yes.

Councilor Vassal?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne? Yes. Councilor Febecorn? Yes. Councilor Grout?

Yes.

Councilor Lewis? Yes. Councilor Rogers?

Yes.

Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Vice President Champagne.

Madam President, I make a motion to move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R50 on tonight's agenda for action. R50 is adjusting the fiscal year 2027 appropriations for certain funds and programs.

Second. There's a motion second by myself for R50. Madam Clerk. Councillor Baca.

Yes.

Councillor Bessar.

Yes.

Vice President Champaign. Yes. Councilor Fablecorn. Yes. Councilor Grout. Yes. Councilor Lewis.

Yes.

Councilor Rogers. Yes. Councilor Tejas. Yes. President Pena. Yes. Passes unanimously.

Councilor Baca.

Thank you, Madam President. R48, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R48 on tonight's agenda for action. R48 is approving and authorizing the acceptance of grant funds for a violence intervention fund grant from the New Mexico Department of Health Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Grant Funds from the State of New Mexico Health Care Authority Behavioral Health Regional Investment Act grant through an intergovernmental agreement with Bernalillo County, providing an appropriation to the Albuquerque Community Safety Department in fiscal year 2027.

Second. Second. There's a motion and a second by Councillor Besson for R48, Madam Clerk. Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Fablecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas?

Yes.

President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously. Thank you.

Councillor Baca, R-49.

Thank you, Madam President. R-49. I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R-49 on tonight's agenda for action. R-49 is amending R-25-177, enacting number R-2025054 to adjust the funds for the Golden Forward Gizmo projects.

There is a motion to second by Councillor Rogers for R49. Madam Clerk? Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Burson?

Yes.

Vice President Champaign?

Yes.

Councillor Fibicorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas?

Yes.

President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Councillor Rogers, by request, R44.

Thank you, Madam President. R44, I move the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R44 on tonight's agenda for action. R44 is approving and authorizing a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the federal fiscal year 2025 continuum of care grant and providing an appropriation to the Department of Health, Housing, and Homelessness for City fiscal year 2027.

There's a motion and second by Council people corn to our 44 from Adam clerk. Yes, yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Council people point the 174.

Madam president, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing EC 174 on tonight's agenda for action. EC 174 is an update on city department efforts related to pollinator production and conservation.

Second.

There's a motion and a second by Vice President Champagne to AC 174. Madam Clerk. Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Passant? Yes. Vice President Champagne? Yes. Councillor Feeblecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Councillor Feeblecorn, by request, R46.

Madam President, I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R46 on tonight's agenda for action. R46 is approving and authorizing a grant application from Dennis Friends Foundation in providing an appropriation to the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department for fiscal year 26-27. Second.

There's a motion and a second to R46, Madam Clerk. Councilor Baca? Yes.

Councilor Persaud?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne? Yes. Councilor Fiebelkorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis?

Yes.

Councilor Rogers?

Yes.

Councilor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Council Fiebelkorn by request, R47. I move that the rules be suspended for the purpose of placing R47 on tonight's agenda for action. R47 is approving and authorizing a grant application from the PetSmartz Charities in providing an appropriation to the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department in fiscal year 26-27. Second.

There's a motion to second by committee the whole chair grout madam clerk Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes Thank you, I move approval of the letter of introduction

There's a motion to second by Vice President Champagne. Madam Clerk. Councilor Baca?

Yes.

Councilor Besson? Yes. Vice President Champagne? Yes. Councilor Favelcorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis?

Yes.

Councilor Rogers? Yes. Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena?

Yes. Passes unanimously. Thank you. We're now on to reports of committees. Councilor Lewis.

President the finance government operations committee met on Monday June 8th reports out the following items EC 160 approved OC 10 receive be noted Oh 32 or 40 or 41 or our 27 a do pass you see 116 EC 159 that be approved and acts upon the meeting which they are reported Matter of our 26 of the do pass and be acts upon the meeting is which is reported move to accept the committee reports. I

There is a motion and a second by Councilor Baca, Madam Clerk. Councilor Baca?

Yes. Councilor Besson? Yes. Vice President Champaign? Yes. Councilor Favelcorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis? Yes. Councilor Rogers? Yes. Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Councillor Besson. Madam President, the Line Use Planning and Zoning Committee met on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026, and reports out the following item. In the matter of O39 that do not pass, I make a motion to accept the committee report.

Second. There's a motion and second by Councillor Feeble-Corn. Madam Clerk.

Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Feeblecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Councillor Brown?

Thank you, Madam President. I make a motion to revive O2639 and place this item on the August 3rd Council Agenda for Action. O39 is amending the Integrated Development Ordinance to revise the regulations for cannabis and nicotine retail uses in Table 4-2-1, allowable uses in Section 14-16,

dash four dash three second there's a motion second by councillor bassan um 4026 39 madam clerk councillor baka yes councillor bassan yes vice president champaign yes councillor feeblecorn no councillor grout yes councillor lewis yes councillor rogers no

Councilor Taez? No. President Pena? Yes.

Passes on a 6-3 vote. Thank you. We are now on deferrals and withdrawals. Councilors, do we have any deferrals or withdrawals at this time?

Madam President.

Vice President Champagne?

Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to defer P2 from tonight's agenda.

Second. There's a motion to second by Councillor Brisson to defer P2 on tonight's agenda. If anyone's following, please make note of that. Madam Clerk, or do I need to, looks like our attorney has a question. Oh, do you, the date?

Oh, to the first meeting in August. Is it August 3rd? Okay.

Is it August 3rd? It's just August 3rd. Okay. So the community knows till August 3rd. So Madam Clerk. Councillor Baca.

Yes.

Councillor Besson.

Yes.

Vice President Champagne.

Yes.

Councillor Fablecorn. Yes. Councillor Grout. Yes. Councillor Lewis.

Yes.

Councillor Rogers. Yes. Councillor Taiz. Yes. Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Madam President.

Vice President Champagne.

Make a motion to defer R30 till August 3rd's meeting.

Second. There's a motion and second by Committee to hold Chair Grout for deferral of R30 to August 2nd. Madam Clerk, 3rd.

Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Besson? Yes. Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Fablecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?

Yes.

Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas?

Yes.

President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. So that's how we work around here. We add a bunch of things to the agenda and then we take some off. So we are now on the consent agenda. Are there any changes to the consent agenda?

Madam President.

Vice President Champagne.

Make a motion to remove letter U, R2648.

Anything else no, okay for those of individuals on tonight's Consent agenda who are appointed to serve on a Board of Commission. Thank you for your willingness to serve and I move approval of the consent agenda There's a motion second by Vice President champagne Madam clerk Councillor Baca Yes

Councillor Burson? Yes. Vice President Champaign?

Yes.

Councillor Papelkorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis? Yes. Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Vice President Champaign?

Madam President, give me one second so I can find it. It's basically, I have a question for the administration about it. And I think I read it further, but I kind of wanted just to kind of them to explain it. In there it says 30,000 in indirect costs from the transfer of operating grants funds to the program of ACS. And I'm just curious what the 30,000 is for. Madam President.

Madam President, the ACS crew is here and can speak specifically. The questions about this.

Madam President, Councillor Champagne, my understanding is that is to, given the parameters of the grant and the IDOH, the indirect cost that is required with it, it's just the transfer to ensure that that's covered as part of, like you mentioned, the grant parameters.

So it's IDOH coverage of that? Is that correct?

Madam President, Councilor Champaign, it is the indirect overhead costs that we have applied to grants for the rest of the administrative costs, yes.

OK. Perfect. That's all I needed to know then.

Do you have a motion?

I'll make a motion to accept R2648.

There's a motion to second by Councilor Rogers. Madam Clerk.

Councilor Baca? Yes. Councilor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne? Yes. Councilor Favelcorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis? Yes. Councilor Rogers? Yes. Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena? Yes. Passes unanimously.

Thank you, Warren. We are Now onto announcements. Councillor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President. The Local Government Coordinating Council Commission on Thursday, June 18th at 5 p.m. has been cancelled. And I have one other announcement. We have our Juneteenth holiday on this Friday, June 19th. So there's city services that will be closed. City offices are closed for the holiday. But I'd like to invite everyone to come celebrate with us at Civic Plaza from 5 to 11. It is not just for the black community. It's for everybody. Just some history, right? We weren't free during the 4th of July. But we still show up to the Balloon Fiesta Park and go to all the cookouts on 4th of July and celebrate too. And we'd love for you to celebrate our liberation holiday when we were freed, while the folks in Texas didn't know until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. They didn't tell us, because we couldn't read, to read the notices. So the president actually had to send troops to tell folks in Texas that they were freed. And we commemorate that every year. And so we'd love for you to join us. Friday, Civic Plaza, 5 PM to 11 PM. We have a free health clinic. You can get dental cleanings and eye exams, three-on-three basketball clinic, and a lot of amazing performers, including some African acrobats that are pretty phenomenal. So please come and join us. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Rogers. We are now on to financial instruments. Councillor Bassam, by request.

Madam President, 036, approving a project involving no Eden Pharmacy LLC pursuant to the Local Economic Development Act and City Ordinance FS0410 and the city's implementing legislation for that act to support the expansion of Eden Pharmacy Compounding Pharmacy and Fulfillment Center to be located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. and move a due pass.

Second. There's a motion and a second by Councillor Feeble-Corn for a due pass of 036. Councillor Passant.

Madam President, before I go to Director Gruner to really actually do an appropriate open for this, I would like to move amendment number one.

There's a motion and a second for what's labeled A in your packet. Now will be floor amendment number one by Committee of the Whole Chair Grouch. Councillor Passant.

Madam President, this amendment adjusts the ordinance's title by correcting the organization's recognized business name and removing a typing error. It will read on page one beginning with line two, amend the title as follows, approving a project involving Eden Pharmaceuticals LLC pursuant to the Local Economic Development Act and City Ordinance FS0410, the city is implementing legislation for that act to support the expansion of Eden Pharmaceuticals, compounding pharmacy, and so on.

I urge your support.

So is there any questions? Seeing none, Councillor Passanto closed. She urged the support. So did you want to... We're on the amendment, so are you here to speak on the bill when we get back to the bill? No, okay. Madam Clerk.

Madam President, Councillor Passan, who was the second on that? Councillor Baca?

Yes.

Councillor Passan?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Fablecorn? Yes. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis? Yes. Councillor Rogers? Yes. Councillor Tejas? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Now we are back on the bill as amended.

Madam president, council person, madam president, I would like to have a request that director Gruner doesn't open and also invites, uh, probably state economic development to speak on this as well. If, if we may.

Yes, Mr. Gruner. Madam President, councillors, thank you very much for hearing this project. This project is pertaining Eden Pharmacy, a compounding pharmacy. This is an eligible leader project, Local Economic Development Act. We stand here today to request your support to serve as the fiscal agent for the state of New Mexico economic development for the amount of $300,000 for this project and an additional $100,000 from the city of Albuquerque. And if it pleases Madam President, I do have with me my colleague, Daniel Schmuck, for the formal staff analysis, as well as Beth from the state and a representative from the company.

Yes, please.

Thank you, Madam President, members of the Council. My name is Frankie Hermosillo, and thank you for the opportunity to present this economic development project. Tonight, we are requesting the approval of 02636, a Local Economic Development Act project supporting the expansion of Eden Pharmacy in Albuquerque. Eden Pharmacy is a rapidly growing healthcare and telehealth company providing omnichannel health and wellness services across the United States with the focus on metabolic health, weight loss, peptides, and longevity care. The company is expanding its Albuquerque operations into a next generation compounding pharmacy and national fulfillment center that's located at 8300 Carmel Avenue Northeast. The project will integrate Suites 601 and 602 into approximately 7,000 square feet of operational space, supporting sterile and non-sterile compounding, fulfillment packaging, shipping, quality assurance, and advanced pharmacy automation. Staff finds this project qualifies both under the State Local Economic Development Act and the city's LITA-enabling legislation. The project includes approximately $2.7 million in private capital investment for facility improvements, clean room infrastructure, automation systems, and operational enhancements. Eden is requesting a combined LIDA investment of up to $400,000, including $300,000 in state LIDA funds and $100,000 in city LIDA funds. LIDA is a performance-based economic development program. Before any public funds are dispersed, the company must satisfy specific contractual requirements related to investment, job creation, reporting, and ongoing operations. In Eden's case, those requirements include capital investment, job creation targets, and maintaining operations in Albuquerque. It is also important to note that Eden is and will remain a small business. This project is not supporting the relocation of a large national corporation, rather it's helping a growing company scale its operations right here in Albuquerque. In return for the lead investment, Eden is committing to create 56 new direct jobs in Albuquerque with an average annual wage of approximately $69,000. These positions include pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, quality assurance, compliance specialists, automation technicians, operations personnel, and healthcare support staff. This project is expected to generate approximately $3.86 million in payroll in year one, growing to more than $11 million annually by year three. Staff reviewed the project for compliance with city plans and zoning requirements and found the proposed use to be consistent with the existing MXT zoning designation. The project expands operations within an existing commercial facility and does not require a zoning change or new construction outside the existing building footprint. The economic impact analysis estimates approximately $78 million in total economic impact over 10 years, with 56 direct jobs and an additional 79 indirect and induced jobs created through our economy. Based on staff's review and project, it meets the city's lead evaluation criteria, including the requirement that public investment be recouped within the 10-year compliance period. For the reasons, the staff recommends the approval of proposed ordinance 02636. And at this time, Madam President, I would like to introduce Daniel Dietz with Eden Pharmacy to share more about the company, the project, and Eden's vision for Albuquerque.

Yes, thank you.

Thank you so much, Madam President, members of the council. Thank you for your time this evening. My name is Daniel Dietz. I'm one of the co-founders and the chief operating officer of Eden. With me are Rebecca Emch, our general manager, and Chris Lovato, our pharmacist in charge here in Albuquerque. We're here today to ask you for your approval of our ELITA package. At its core, this is a jobs project for Albuquerque. We're committing to 56 new direct jobs, roughly 135 with indirect employment, an average wage of $69,000. These are high-wage technical roles with licensed pharmacists, automation engineers, QA officers, sterile compounding specialists. We recruit from UNM and CNM, and we have enjoyed significant local talent, both within the entity that we purchased along with those that we have hired since already. We offer full benefits, including health, dental, vision, retirement match, and career development pathways at Eden. The installation of these certified clean rooms and cold chain logistics infrastructure are permanent structures. We don't move these. We're committed to Albuquerque as our home base for compounding for our national clinicians that we service. These positions require state licensure and specialized trainings. They can't be outsourced or automated. And demand for compounding has grown steadily over the last decade driven by an aging population and chronic disease management. This is not a trend it's a structural shift and Eden supports that shift. We're back in this with a 10 year operating commitment clawback provisions tied to these jobs that we've promised. Every dollar we earn comes from the patients and providers that we service around all 50 states bringing net new jobs and revenue into the state of New Mexico as local salaries vendor contracts and tax payments. Outside capital converts into in-state payroll. I personally spent 11 years in Albuquerque and earned degrees at UNM. I know what stable high wage jobs do for the community and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide those to others in this community. I respectfully ask for your approval of this item and I'm happy to stand along with Rebecca and Chris for any questions that you may have. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Councillor Besson.

Madam President, I would urge support if there's no questions.

Councillor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to ask more question about automation. Sure. Does that mean it's replacing people doing jobs?

It doesn't quite work that way. So typically, these machines just allow. In fact, I might ask Rebecca what the impact of automation. But in essence, when you have an automation device, it allows you to be more precise with monitoring and measurement. Many of these tools are far superior than, for example, the human eye and measuring cloudiness and the nature of these. But they're all operated by a technician who is a specialized certified technician. If you'll allow, I'd love Rebecca, our compounder, to speak on how these automation devices enhance how our technicians and our pharmacists work within our facility.

Thank you, Madam President. I think that'd be great because I know a little bit about compounding from nursing and oncology compounding, and there's some interesting technology that could replace people, so I'm just interested in what you're talking about.

Yeah, absolutely. And Madam President, members of city council, thank you so much for having us here today. So to answer your question about automation, we aim to have the highest quality assurance possible. People can make mistakes. People can have off days, especially if you're in a sterile compounding lab. So that doesn't mean that we're taking away a technician. That technician can either be working this machine or they can be doing it all by hand. If they're working this machine, they're able to also produce more with more precision and higher output as well. So we'll be able to serve more patients across the country with less footprint by doing so.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. Any additional questions? Thank you. Anything from the admin? Thank you so much. So how many jobs? Oh, I'm sorry. Councilor Grau. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to say that I have a prescription at your facility. And it has always been on time. You all actually even deliver it, too. And I really like that service. But it has always come when it was supposed to. And it's been very easy through texts. And I mean, I have just really. enjoyed it. So I'm really glad that you're expanding here. Congratulations.

I'm delighted to hear it. Thank you so much.

Councillor Baca.

Thank you Madam President. I just want to make a quick pitch. Downtown lost its pharmacy a couple years ago. So if you look to expand even more we could use you.

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you so much.

Just a quick question. So how many jobs are you proposing as part of this.

Fifty six as part of the expansion.

Okay, thank you so much. Council Besson, I urge your support. So Madam Clerk.

Councilor Baca?

Yes.

Councilor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councilor Piepelkorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis?

Yes.

Councilor Rogers? Yes. Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena? Yes. Passes unanimously.

Thank you. Councillor Bassam, by request, 037.

Madam President, authorizing the issuance and sale of the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico Taxable Industrial Revenue Bond Dreamcatcher Journal Center Hotel Project Series 2026 in the maximum principal amount of $25,008,118 to provide funds to acquire, construct, equip, and prove the Dreamcatcher Journal Center Hotel, a home to Suites by Hilton Hotel with an anticipated 103 guest rooms. I move a do pass. Second.

There's a motion and a second by Committee of the Whole Chair, Grout.

Councilor Passant to open. Madam President, I think that the Journal Center has become a place of live, work, and play more so than ever. I'm very excited by what's been happening around there. But I would also like Director Gruner to do it even more justice for an introduction and open, please.

Madam President, counselors, I'm very excited to present to you this IRB. Just as a quick reminder, an IRB is a tool that we have at the city. It's the Industrial Revenue Bond to allow projects that would otherwise not pencil out to be developed. The development of this particular hotel at the Journal Center, I think, similar to what Councillor Bassan said, it is one of those areas, and you'll remember we've brought a number of projects over the years that are really in this region. I think the value proposition of that particular hotel really is for that business traveler. And I have with me, if it pleases Madam President, both my colleague Daniel Schmuck for the formal staff analysis, as well as the developer and operator of this particular hotel.

Okay. Thank you.

Madam President, councillors, thank you for allowing me to present this development project to you this evening. The information for this development, including a fiscal impact analysis, was provided in the package received ahead of the city council meeting. The Dreamcatcher Journal Center Hotel Development is requesting $25,008,118 in city-issued taxable industrial revenue bonds. The project will support construction of a new home to suits by Hilton Hotel at 5910 Jefferson Street, Northeast. The development will include approximately 103 guest rooms. The UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research fiscal impact analysis estimates the project will generate almost $4.3 million in taxes by 2045. The project is expected to remain tax positive throughout the bond term. And the project will be legible for up to 20 years of property tax abatement on land, buildings, and equipment. Equipment purchased with bond proceeds will be exempt from gross receipts or compensating taxes, and no city funds will be used, and the city's credit will not be pledged. The project is a new construction on land currently controlled by the applicant. The project is located in a federally designated opportunity zone. And the project supports redevelopment and renewed investment in an area prioritized under local economic development policies. The project is expected to create approximately 32 to 37 permanent full-time and part-time jobs. Positions will include professional, supervisory, clerical, and operational hospitality roles. Eligible employees will receive access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the employer covering 50% of healthcare premium costs. The company will offer also a 401k plan with a 50% employer match on employee contributions, up to 3% of eligible compensation. Madam President, based on the findings, staff recommends approval of IRBO-26-37 as proposed in the project plan application. And with that, I would like to hand it over, if the council would like so, to the particular developer of this project.

Sure, thank you.

Good afternoon, Madam President, Counselor. My name is Dipesh Kolodwala. I am the CEO of Sun Capital Hotels. I'm here to ask for your support for the Journal Center Hotel IRB project. I care about three things. One is Albuquerque tourism economy. Two, growing the local family business. And three, creating a real career path for our team members. I serve on the visit Albuquerque board and lodgers tax board. After COVID, when travel stopped, lodgers tax revenue dropped dramatically and hotels were on the brink of shutting down. I chaired the visit Albuquerque board year following COVID and along with my board, fellow board members, we worked with the mayor's office to secure 1.5 million of marketing dollars so that we can keep destination marketing going. That investment paid off and helped support recovery of our industry. Tourism matters for Albuquerque. Visitors dine and shop at local businesses. They come here and spend money. That creates jobs, lodgers tax, gross receipt tax, and future investment in our community. This is what I believe. If you create a place people want to visit, you create a place where people want to live. That's why quality of hotel matters. For many visitors, the hotel is one of their first touch points with Albuquerque. The Journal Center project serves a very practical need. Journal Center is one of our major business areas. Travelers want to have a place where they can have their meetings. They don't want to fight the I-25 traffic in the morning. They want clean rooms, reliable service, and hotel close to where they need to be. This project is about taking a vacant lot that might otherwise become a used car lot and turning it into a hotel that brings people into the area and support local businesses. Both projects are very personal to me. I grew up here in Albuquerque at Fourth and Manal, not too far from here at Court John Motel. I cleaned rooms there as a teenager. I went to Garfield Middle School. I went to Valley High School. I went to UNM. I live here. I hire here. I buy here. And our team supports local charities here. This is just not about building a hotel. It's about continuing to build a local company that creates opportunity. My son, Sahil, is here with me today. He went to OSU, earned a degree in real estate and finance, and chose to come back home to join the family business. Like a lot of young people from Albuquerque, he had options. He could have gone to a bigger market, but he came back because he believed in Albuquerque. At this point, I would like Sahil to say a few words about what he sees for the future. Sahil, you want to come up?

Thank you, Dad. Madam President, members of the council, My first exposure to the family business was not in an office. I worked front desk shifts, helped during renovation, moved furniture in 100 degree connexes, helped get hotels open, and filled in wherever labor was short. This taught me a lot. What I learned very quickly was that every business has a secret ingredient. Hotels are all very similar to each other. They all have a pool, Wi-Fi, comfortable beds, clean rooms. But where I saw the big distinction was our people. Our business follows one simple rule. Take care of your people, and your people will take care of your customers. Our secret ingredient is our team members. I came back because I want to build things I can be proud of. Hotels are part of that, but so are student housing, multifamily, mixed use, and other projects that bring people, activity, and investment into the city. I want Albuquerque to be more vibrant. more walkable, more attractive to young people, and more competitive with other cities. These hotel projects are one step in that bigger vision. Thank you.

Haliya Todd is also here with me. Haliya started with us in 2009 in an entry level position. Today, she is our executive vice president over assets, construction, renovation, and capital expenditures. Her story is exactly what hospitality can do when a local company grows. We don't just create jobs, we create paths to leadership. I'd like to have Haliya come up and briefly speak about her.

Madam President, with all due respect, I would like us to please, if we can move on to counselor questions, I'm sure you have a fabulous story. I am in support of your project, but I think that with our agenda tonight and with some upcoming things, Madam President, if it's all right with you, we can move to counselor questions. Yes, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I'm sorry to you, but I would be happy to hear your story another day.

Thank you. Thank you. So we do have, Councilor Baca has a question.

Thank you, Madam President. I don't know if this is more for Director Gruner. I'm just curious on our approval matrix, is there a section for community benefits and what might those be?

So at this point in the process, it is really a question of whether this project will pencil out and whether the council is going to approve this particular tool. We are always happy to convene meetings with the community associated with any kind of project. And we've always done that. We just finalized a community benefits agreement for the media academy.

OK.

But neither the state statute nor the city enabling statute requires a community benefits agreement to get to this point in the process. Okay, thank you.

Any additional questions? Are you saying that you wanted to add an amendment to this or are you just asking the question? Okay. Mr. Cornelius, I don't think we have anyone signed up to speak this evening. We do? On 037 I don't see anyone Okay, okay, we don't we do not have anyone signed up to speak so then we're done with questions from counselors comes for Santa close Madam president.

I do urge your support Thank You madam clerk Can I can have a seat?

Thank you so much

Councilor Baca?

Yes.

Councilor Besson?

Yes.

Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councilor Piepelkorn? Yes. Councilor Grout? Yes. Councilor Lewis? Yes. Councilor Rogers? Yes. Councilor Taez? Yes. President Pena?

Yes.

Passes unanimously.

Thank you. We are now on to 038 by request, Councilor Baca.

Thank you, Madam President. 038, authorizing the issuance and sale of the City of Albuquerque New Mexico Taxable Industrial Revenue Bond Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel Project Series 2026 in the maximum principal amount of $40,520,267 to provide funds to acquire, construct, equip, and improve the Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel, a dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home 2 suites with an anticipated 135 guest rooms. I move to pass.

Second. There's a motion and a second by Committee to hold Chair Grout, Councillor Buckeye to open.

Thank you, Madam President. I think I'd like to hear from Director Gruner on this one.

Madam President, councillors, Thank you for considering this project. Once again, much of what was said for the previous project applies to this project also. We are proposing an IRB as one of the tools that allows this project to pencil out for the developer. This is in a very economically active area of the city. Other IRBs have been given for similar projects in their general vicinity. The other thing I wanted to point out, this project is in the character protection overlay for the sawmill, so there will be certain kind of Permitting requirements as to the look of this project that will make this project commensurate with kind of the feel of that area Similar madam president if it pleases council we have the developer To say a few words about this project Yes Oh, Madam President, my bad, staff analysis.

Okay. Councillor Baca, yes. I don't believe it.

Madam President, thank you, councillors. So thank you for the opportunity to present this second economic development project to you this evening. The Dreamcatcher Sommel Hotel Development is requesting $40,520,267 in city-issued taxable industrial revenue bonds. The project will support construction of a new dual-branded Hampton Inn and home to Suits Hotel Development at 1018th Street. The proposed development will include approximately 135 guest rooms with 72 Hampton Inn rooms and 73 home to suits rooms. The development will include associated site improvements including parking, landscaping, guest amenities, and supporting infrastructure. The UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research fiscal impact analysis estimates the project will generate approximately $6.4 million in taxes by 2045, and the project is expected to remain tax positive throughout the bond term. The project will be eligible for up to 20 years of property tax abatement on land, buildings, and equipment. Equipment purchased with bond proceeds will be exempt from gross receipts or compensating taxes. No city funds will be used, and the city's credit will not be pledged. The site currently contains an approximately 25,600 square foot office building that has experienced limited leasing activity and is considered underutilized. The project is also located within a metropolitan redevelopment area and opportunity zone and the historically underutilized business zone. The project supports redevelopment and renewed private investment in an area prioritized under local and federal economic development policies. Now, an overview of the jobs. The project is expected to create approximately 42 to 47 permanent full-time and part-time jobs, and positions will include professional, supervisory, clerical, and operational hospitality roles. Eligible employees will receive access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the employer covering 50% of healthcare premium costs. The company will offer a 401k retirement plan with a 50% employer match on employee contributions, up to 3%. of eligible compensation. Madam President, councillors, based on the above findings, staff recommends approval of IRB 0-26-38 as proposed in the project plan application. If the council is okay with this, I would also like to let the developer say a few words.

Thank you. I think we're going to go to public comment. Okay, thank you so much. So Mr. Cornelius, can you call the first speaker?

Thank you, Madam President. Our first speaker is Senator Debbie O'Malley, followed by Pauline Baca.

Good evening Madam Chair, Councillors. My name is Debbie O'Malley and I'm here to speak in opposition of 038. I do so as the founder and volunteer advisor to the Sawmill Community Land Trust, the owner of 37 acres of property near the proposed hotel called out in this ordinance. The CLT was founded over 20 years ago to preserve high quality affordable housing in an area that was once a contaminated industrial site it's through the work of this community and private investors such as heritage hotels that have made sawmill the destination it is today both organizations organizations have been committed to high quality development and cultural preservation for example the flamingo institute is on the trust the 130 unit five-story proposed hotel will bring more unwanted traffic to an art area that already has a dangerous mix of pedestrian and vehicles. It abuts old existing houses in a residential neighborhood, unlike other hotels of its kind which are off major corridors. I doubt the affected homeowners are even aware of this proposed project. However, since the ordinance is about the approval of an IRB, You can continue. Thank you. We feel strongly that it should not be granted. While locally owned, it is a franchise hotel. IRBs are meant to encourage high quality development and good jobs to an area that otherwise would not see any kind of investment. It's not whether a project pencils. The Sommel has become a very desirable area to invest. To approve an IRB for this franchise sets a bad precedent and is a misuse of that IRB redevelopment tool. Thank you, and we respectfully ask that you not approve this request.

That'll be whoever clapped your first warning. Thank you so much.

Pauline Baca, followed by Juanita Ramirez.

Good evening, Madam President and counselors. My name is Pauline Baca. I'm a member of the Sawmill Community Land Trust. I have a small business in the Land Trust area. My husband and I live blocks away from this proposed hotel. My family, in particular my father, Max Ramirez, was very involved years ago in organizing the community to clean up the contamination left by industry and bring back families and businesses, small businesses. We are glad to see the Sawmill area is being successful, but we are paying the price with traffic and safe streets. This proposed hotel is going to add A lot more traffic to the area where pedestrians cross the streets between museums, not to mention right next to homes and community, unlike other hotels nearby. That being said, that being said, the IRB for proposed hotel listed on this bill IRBs are supposed to be used for exceptional situations, not just any development. There is nothing exceptional about this hotel. It's another franchise hotel like Holiday Inn Express and Town Suites, both of which are very close by across the street from the hotel. Pueblo Cultural Center, please deny the request on the IRB. Thank you for your consideration.

Juanita Ramirez, followed by Viola Martinez.

Good evening, Madam President and city councilors. My name is Juanita Ramirez. I sit on the board of the Sawmill Community Lawn Trust. I raised my family in the Sawmill neighborhood. I also own a home not far from this hotel that wants an industrial revenue bond. I agree with the speakers in opposing this bill. This hotel is more appropriate on a major corridor with significant parking like other franchise hotels of its kind. Because of its size, it needs to be in an area that does not directly compete with pedestrian traffic. We should not be giving tax breaks to development that does not benefit the community and will only cause future safety issues. Please deny this request. Thank you.

Viola Martinez, followed by David Stryker.

Good evening, Madam President and counselors, and thank you for giving us this voice tonight. My name is Viola Martinez, and I serve as president of the Sawmill Community Land Trust Board. The Land Trust has long been a responsible steward of the land it controls and a strong advocate to the homeowners, residents, and businesses it represents. It's important to our residents that we continue to build on the strong foundation created over the years that includes the development of high quality housing, amenities, safe streets, and so on, while preserving the character and history of this unique area. We are also a developer, and we understand the challenges affecting development, in particular, the high cost labor and materials. I do want to remind you that the Land Trust recently cooperated and collaborated with city officials to begin the first phase of the rail trail. And that has been an enormous benefit to our residents as well as the community of Albuquerque. Also, which has been mentioned previously, there is no tangible benefit to having this impactful business off of a residential wide street with limited access in our community. We don't see the benefit. Our residents do not see the benefits. It is extremely congested in that area and I want you to reconsider. Please deny this request. It is an inappropriate use of an industrial revenue bond. Please do not set a precedence.

Thank you for your time. Thank you. And we have just a minute for the public comment. I'm allowing you all to go over just because you are directly impacted by this. So just so that you know. And Councillor Passant.

Madam President, I was going to ask for a point of order and out of the sake for decorum that we do limit the public comment to one minute or expand it to two for everyone.

Thank you, Councillor Bassant. I think it's at the discretion. We've been allowing that if the councillor asks for the person to finish their comment, that we usually allow for that. So and I have been, you know, so sorry. Go ahead and proceed.

I'm David Stryker. I thank you, Madam President, members of the council, members of the public. I'm the acting president of the Sawmill Area Neighborhood Association, and I'm speaking against this motion. There have been very slick presentations beforehand, and since I'm limiting it, basically we were not involved in any way with decisions regarding this. We had no input into any kinds of zoning decisions. I understand that signs were put up. They were well hidden because I never saw them, and I walked that neighborhood daily. And I would just say that if this is a five-story building, it's going to be in the backyards of all the folks who are on 15th Street on the west side. really destroy their houses. And I would urge that you do not pass this bill. One last thing in terms of jobs, there was a office building there which had multiple jobs, probably as many as the hotel would provide. Why can't you use that for the jobs? Thank you.

Lene Unterman, followed by Adrian Perez.

Good evening, Madam President and council members. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and service to this community. When a corporate development asks for $40 million of our city's tax dollars to build a cookie cutter hotel in our most historic district, Albuquerque has the right and the responsibility to set the terms. Other cities do it. Local leadership in Sedona successfully mandated that even global corporations, after their iconic branding to preserve the high desert aesthetic, they prove that local culture is non-negotiable. Albuquerque needs to show that same backbone. For the sawmill and old town districts, we cannot settle for mass produced corporate southwestern style decor. Make Albuquerque Bridge history Spanish and Pueblo. We demand that any approved public funding for our project be explicitly tied to strict local design covenants. True agricultural architectural integration directs structural nodes to our Spanish colonial roots, bridging this seamlessly into the historic old town landscape. authentic indigenous visibly forcing corporate change to remove past superficial gestures by commissioning permanent architectural features designed directly by local pueblo and indigenous artists so my suggestion is say 25 of that they can then compromise and to fund the architecture, the culture of the old town, to keep it true, to keep it authentic, to respect.

Thank you, ma'am, for your comments. Thank you so much.

Adrian Perez, followed by Pamela Martosip on Zoom.

Madam President, Councillors, Adrian Pettis, and the President, Chief Operating Officer for Heritage Companies, see if I can take 30 years and put it into one minute. I'm going to be respectful of your time. So over the last 30 years, our company has worked extremely hard to try to protect the Sawmill District. It has been my work and my life's work to protect something that I think is very special in Albuquerque. Multiple times, we've had the opportunity to bring national brands in the district. Happy to share with the council, we own Hilton's, we own Brands. The reason our company exists today is because Brands forced us to not be Native American, to not be Hispanic, to not be respectful of our culture, which is why we changed our renovation at Hotel Albuquerque when Sheraton told us we couldn't do that. I'm happy to share those communications with you today. We're currently in a fight with Hilton right now in Las Cruces over the same thing. It is critical that we protect the district. The district is something very, very special to Albuquerque community, and I hope we do what future generations will be proud of us for, and that's protect the district and do what's right for Albuquerque and make sure we celebrate our culture, not a national brand. Thank you for letting me speak today.

Thank you.

Pamela Martaza.

Hi, good evening, Madam President and Councillors. My name is Pamela Martocchi and I live on the Sawmill Community Land Trust. One of the reasons I bought my house on the trust, aside from the affordability, was that it is a true neighborhood with neighborhood-sized parks. It's a walkable community, so we are able to walk or bike to the Sawmill Market, the museums, and other parks. I am shocked, actually, that the planners who approved this project did not see the conflicts this project would have with pedestrians that are walking to the museums on 18th Street. We have the Albuquerque Museum of Natural History as well as the Explorer. And this project is off of 18th Street, just behind the Explorer. It is not a major corridor at all. And the only way in and out of this hotel would be through 18th Street and Rio Grande, which probably everybody knows is really, really congested. I plead with you, please, to... deny this IRB. This project does not bring any benefit. Thank you. Did you find it?

Thank you, Madam President. That concludes comment. Thank you.

We have some questions from Vice President Champagne, followed by Councillor Bassan.

Madam President, can we also hear from the developer on this one? It doesn't have to be right away, but however we can.

Absolutely.

I'll keep it really brief, abbreviated. I heard a few things here about the $40 million bond size, the traffic, franchise, mid-scale, What I want, I want to address that. So we are taking an existing office building that we will demolish and build a hotel there. I do think that it improves the traffic situation because an office building is busy Monday through Friday during peak hours. And hotel use is usually evening and weekends. So I do think the traffic issue is going to be reduced, not increased. Um, as far as somebody met, you know, this is a $40 million bond. That's how it was published, but we don't get any benefit. City's not writing us a check. It's basically a tax abatement after we build what we say we're going to build. As far as franchise is concerned, our people love franchising because our people get trained and certified as Hilton and that makes them more marketable and they move around and they build their resume. Franchising also brings safety, life security for guests that stay. They have standards. part of being Hilton family. And we don't have to spend millions of dollars advertising with Google. And Hilton does that job for us through franchising. And another point about franchising is it's not a corporate hotel. I own the hotel. I guarantee the loans. I build it. It has nothing to do with corporation or Hilton owning this thing. We spoke to a lot of local businesses in the area, and what they like, especially about what we're doing, is that we're intentionally designing a hotel that has no bars and no restaurants. And that will get people coming into the district and spending money in the restaurants and bars that are around the Sawmill area. And so business owners are very supportive, except one business owner. And it's not going to be urban box. It's not going to be a typical hotel that you're going to see on a side of a highway. We are looking at the fabric of the neighborhood, the colors, the design cues. We're pulling that out of the sawmill area. So this will be a very much southwestern industrial type of a look of a hotel. I stand for any questions.

Chancellor Baca.

Thank you, Madam President. So just for the record, we did get several letters from local businesses. I just wanted, into the record, Indian Country, Titan, Ponderosa Brewery, Co-Creations, Candle, Enchanted Candle, ABQ Trolley, and Darlene Gomez Law, those are in support. We also got one withdrawing support that's puzzled, puzzled business. So I just wanted that to be on the record. Quick question, and maybe this starts with Director Gruner or Director Bruner. What type of community, this is an MRA project. Does this fall under MRA or LENA?

Madam President, Councillor, this is an MRA district. However, this is an economic development IRB.

Okay. Thank you. So then my question was going to be about community benefits. Do I assume then that, like the previous hotel, there was no community benefits agreement?

At this point in the negotiations of whether this project is viable, there is no community benefits agreement. This is really just an exercise to understand whether the a capital stack as such that this particular developer can pursue this particular project.

Okay. Is that something you'd be interested in working on with the community, Depeche? I'm sorry, can you repeat that question? Would you be open to working with community in terms of community benefits, so design and look and...

Yes, sir. I mean, we talked to Councilor Telles, and we said we would look at bringing people together and talk about what community benefits we could do, especially like the exterior design and things like that. We're open to that.

To that. So, yeah, I'm asking if you'd meet with the land trust folks. It doesn't sound like you've met with them at all.

I have not met with the land trust folks, no, sir.

Okay. I do feel it's Old Town. It's kind of like Santa Fe where everything looks a certain way for a reason. I feel pretty strongly about that as far as hotels and everything. What else did I have? Yeah, I think it should fit the area. Traffic's a very real concern down there. Although we have started some traffic changes down there in terms of opening up some roads for residents, I don't think that's enough. There needs to be more done on that. And this isn't for you, sir. This is just kind of getting that word out. Yeah, OK, that's good.

That's it? OK, thank you so much.

okay yeah i have her down vice president champaign all right i think i'm ready uh and i guess this is for director bruner uh what's the results of the traffic studies or what were the results of the traffic studies properly asked

Madam President, Councillor, a traffic study was not required because there is an existing building that has, I'm doing this from memory, 140 parking spots. This hotel at peak usage would be using fewer parking spots. So there is no traffic study required.

Okay. When's the last time that building was in use?

It was last used December 2025. And how many businesses were in that building. There was just one tenant sir. With how many employees do we know. I don't know. But it had 140 office spaces. It was a state agency.

I'd be curious to see if we're talking that it only has, I mean, you're talking about parking spots that are being used and it didn't require a traffic study, but yet if that office only had seven people in it, this is going to be a huge influx of vehicles on one street. I mean, it's Rio Grande or Mountain that's going to get to it. So I'm kind of curious on why we didn't make the effort knowing that this was going to be an influx of vehicles. Common sense would say that.

Councillor Champagne, I would like to have Angela come to the podium. She's modular architect and she's our land planner. Would that be okay? Yes, thank you. Thank you. Madam President, that's okay.

Yes. Good evening, Madam Chair, President, Councillor. I am the CEO and managing partner of Modulus Architects and Land Use Planning. We are handling the approvals for this project that have not been submitted for site plan approval. However, we did submit the ITE trip generation scoping requirement to the City of Albuquerque. The City of Albuquerque's Traffic Engineering Division determined that this project would not

uh create enough traffic to warrant a traffic study that's based off the ite and we have that signed scoping form from the city of albuquerque engineering division thank you um madam president and i guess director um it kind of goes into my second question what were the discussions with the neighborhoods and how did that go and the reason why i asked this is because you well i'll have you answer that first

Thank You council champagne so right now we are in the process of developing a site plan and the architecture that Depeche alluded to that has not been formalized yet we have not made an application to the city DFT yet for formal site plan approval that is ongoing right now we're waiting for an availability statement once that is issued then we will make the notices to the neighborhood associations as required but we're not that far along yet in our process for approval with the city of Albuquerque on the site plan and the architecture. But that will be coming shortly.

OK. And the reason why I ask that is because, I mean, if you were looking to put it, the other location was a little different, Madam President. It was in an industrial off of Jefferson. There's a car dealership to the east of it. There's commercial on both sides of it. This is going to be backed up to a neighborhood. And the entrance into another apartment complex just south or north of it, if I recall correctly, I would think you would go above and beyond in that sense and saying I know this is going to influx people that you would take into consideration that doesn't require a traffic study. But being that we're going to be into a neighborhood we would go and say we will do in any way to see what it is. I would hope that that's your approach to it. But again, and I don't know the process apparently of we ask for tax abatement, we ask for this before we even start doing plans or discussing anything.

Because I guess if this doesn't go through, you don't go with this project. Is that correct?

That would be correct. Thank you, sir.

Okay. Director, this would be more for you, Madam President, Director. One of the things mentioned in here was the amount of people coming in and what I've talked about in the last few minutes of the amount of vehicles, the amount of cars, the traffic. How does this change or how does this differ from The addition of that rail trail the neighborhoods in the comments talked about they don't want a lot of traffic coming in They don't want a lot of people and such it's going to be a large influx isn't the rail trail going to bring an influx of people as well Madam president counselors Yes, any development of of any

contained area is going to increase the desirability, the traffic, whether pedestrian, bike, or otherwise. The three proposed additional developments by Heritage Hotels, this development, the rail trail in the aggregate, all of that is going to increase Traffic in in the sawmill district.

There's no doubt about that Amanda president I'm just kind of curious the two different locations the the the the buildings are similar Why is there a difference in the cost of the bond? ones at 25 and yes ones at 40 and

The bonds are calibrated against the actual costs of the construction. So the construction cost and the value, the property value of one is significantly higher than the other.

OK OK and that leads me to my last question Madam President the tax abatement agreement is is that we are we the way I understand tax abatement is that it sets the taxes property taxes and freezes it at a set rate before the construction and then the construction happens and then those the future taxes so before it's reevaluated to the new value those are frozen for X amount of years.

That is correct. The way an IRB works is there's two ways to think about it. There's a correct way to think about it, and there's a useful way to think about it. The correct way to think about it is it's 100% abatement of property taxes, and then there's a negotiated pilot payment, payment in lieu of taxes. In this case, and this is, I think, the useful way of thinking about it, it's going to feel like a 70% abatement of property taxes and a 30% pilot payment back to the city to keep our special districts whole. And in the city of Albuquerque and IRB is for 20 years.

Okay, and Madam President, I apologize. With that being said, and we've seen this happen, the tax abatement happen before, but before like Lomas in third or in San Mateo and Central and deals would not pencil correctly because you're having to take an existing structure and and renovate it, and take 3rd and Lomas. I mean, that was an office complex. It's got one bathroom per floor, and now you're wanting to put in eight bathrooms. So why do these locations, one that doesn't have a building, and I guess I'm lumping the two in because the two are the same, they're two different locations, the same developer, but one doesn't, is brand new construction needs an abatement, and the other one, I guess, is using the existing office structure to redo. And that's more money than the other one that's brand new construction. So I'm kind of, why the abatement?

So the project in the sawmill, That existing building is going to be raised to the ground and a new building is going to be constructed on the same site. Similar footprint. The state and the city enabling statute for IRBs have a but for clause in them. So but for this incentive tool, the developer will not make this investment into the community. And that is true for both of those projects. I'm not sure what I answered your question.

No no that makes sense. You know it's as clear as mud. I appreciate it. Thank you Madam President.

Thank you. Vice President. Now we have Councillor Tejas. Thank you Madam President.

Thank you everyone. I just had a couple of questions for. Thank you. Yeah, our wonderful director, EDD director here. Doesn't the Old Town and Small Mill area have overlay requirements, Mr. Brunner?

That is correct. I mentioned in my introduction for the sawmill project that the, for lack of a better term, the sawmill hotel falls squarely within the, I apologize if I butchered the name, the historic preservation overlay district for the sawmill. So there are protections that ensure that any new development in that area adheres to predetermined architectural standards that are commensurate with the district.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Krueger. And I understand if they go back to, I believe, like 1950 is the sort of design requirement style in the area. If that sounds right.

Madam President, Council, I cannot speak to the history of those requirements. I'm ignorant of that.

Me too. That's why we're here. Thank you, Mr. Gruner, Madam President. With regard to the traffic issues going on here, I'm kind of curious about the parking supply, trail connectivity. I believe that the idea really is to increase flood traffic And that seems to be what this project will lead to. Is that something that's part of the plan, really? With more people walking in the area, car traffic might increase. But overall, with this project and the rail trail, it could keep it lower than a big car-oriented hotel would.

Madam President, Counselor, if I heard your question correctly, you are asking whether in the aggregate given all the development including the rail trail, the theory would be we would increase foot traffic and by extension decrease vehicular traffic. Did I hear that correctly?

Yes.

Madam President, counselors, I mean, it's always hard to speculate what the future will hold. I will say that the underlying theory of action of both of those hotels is to have clients engage in the community for their food, for their drink, for their shopping, hence no amenities within the hotel proper. I will also say I think there's a real difference between the Journal Center Hotel and the Sawmill Hotel. in that the Journal Center Hotel really is a business hotel. And you would assume that most people would have cars because they're going to spend their one, two, three days on the ground going to meetings. The Sawmill Hotel, the theory is that this is really a mid-level hotel for families. And I think some will rent cars. Others will Uber to the hotel and then walk in this very desirable neighborhood, which is both the Sawmill and Old Town, but I would be not confident to go on the record as to what the net traffic result is gonna be five years from now, 10 years from now, I just don't know.

Okay, well, do you think, Mr. Grenier, do you think, or can you explain maybe how this hotel project is really expected to complement the rail trail and support increased pedestrian activity in the area, including those connections to nearby businesses and destinations?

Madam President, Councillor, I would concur that the hope would be that this particular hotel and the rail trail would do exactly what you just said, which is increase foot traffic and the small and local business ecosystem, yes.

Wonderful, so Mr. Stewart, do you think that this type of project then would really increase sort of the economic activity, walkability, and that neighborhood connectivity as a positive outcome for the Old Town and the Sawmill area?

Madam President, Councillor, yes.

Thank you.

Is that it, Councillor Tess? Yes, Madam. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Rogers.

Thank you, Madam President. I just was wondering if the sponsor would be interested in deferring a little bit on this. I think I think I heard that we would want to work together to come up with a plan with the neighborhood since we haven't talked to most of the neighborhood in the area. I think. You know, I think obviously we can have different opinions on traffic. I think we can also say we could say we want a traffic study. as a part of this to make sure that we take the considerations into account. All of those things, there's something we could do so that we can get to, because I think just looking at the landscape of Sawmill, right? If I wanted to get a hotel, there's not a lot of mid options for folks that like, let's figure out, let's have both conversations. There's not a lot of options for folks to not pay high end hotel prices at places that we already have. And that's just the truth, right? And so I think it would be good to have a more affordable option in this neighborhood for families who are visiting to stay. Because I, for one, cannot hang out at Chaco, those places. Just don't make that kind of money. And that's OK. We need those. We need that. And we also need the mid-level. But I think what I'm hearing is that we want to make sure that we're going to do the same things that our current operators are doing, working with the community, making sure that a franchise does dictate what things look like in neighborhoods. And so I think my question is for the developer around what are those restrictions for the franchise to make, how much freedom do they have to make those kinds of concessions for the neighborhood? Or is it, and I've worked in hotels with Holiday Inn and Hilton, they're usually not very they won't give a lot of wiggle room. So I just wanted to ask the developer for this particular brand, is there wiggle room on the design as you said before? Just talk to me a little bit about the franchise specifically. Do they allow you to make some of those changes, design changes here that the neighborhood might want?

I'd like you to pull up that picture if that's possible. Thank you. I submitted a rendering of the hotel. It's very early, but this is kind of the early rendition of what it might look like. So we do have flexibility within the design. and it is a mid-scale hotel. It will be affordable. It's not gonna be the luxury upscale that's currently out there. And so yeah, there is playroom in the flexibility of the design, and that's why we have Angela here. We're going through the formal DFT process with the city to make sure our site plans line up, our building designs line up, and we will meet with the neighborhoods to talk about what this would look like.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. And I think my family, sadly, had to be in a hotel for three months because of an insurance issue with a water heater explosion. And we stayed at one in Noptown that looked a lot like that. And it was a great option for us. But I think I'd ask the sponsor if he's willing to defer a little bit to work with our neighborhoods, figure out a plan with DMD on the traffic. situation because that is i just did a panel about pedestrian deaths so for me that's it's a that's a non-starter that we don't have a plan for traffic and i think we can get there and figure that out if we had a little bit more time thank you madam president counselor is there any other questions counselor buck um sorry counselor about council people i didn't hear this so

Thank you. Just real quick, I had a question for Director of the MRA, Bruner, but I no longer see him. So I'm going to ask the question, and perhaps Dr. Singel or Mr. Bruner could answer it. I was reading last week in the paper about the new Albuquerque Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Agency's community benefits matrix. um which sounds awesome by the way but i was looking in the documentation that we got about this project and all the projects and i didn't see any of those community benefits matrix this one is in an mr area and so i'm just curious if somebody can explain where that matrix is and if we can get a copy of it uh madam president councillors

This is in an MRA area. It is also in a historically economically underutilized area. It's in a lot of areas. The IRB mechanism that economic development uses is really just to establish whether the capital deck allows the developer to proceed with this particular project. The developer still has to go through all of the permitting phases of four projects. So this is really just, I use the term exercise. It's an exercise to understand whether there will be, through approval from the city council, whether there will be a tax abatement that allows this project to pencil. As with any IRB, if the answer to that is yes, and the project will actually proceed, then all of the things you are asking for, the community meetings, potential community benefits agreements, et cetera, can be and will be pursued if that is something the community wants. which communities don't always want because most projects I bring to you are in industrial areas with no adjoining residential neighborhoods. So that would be the case here also. But no, there's no, I want to be very clear, there's no community benefits agreement at this point because it is not clear that this project will proceed.

Thank you, Madam President. So again, I am just reading the paper like everyone else. And there was an op-ed from Director Bruner from the Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency that says that projects receiving public support should provide real community value that's why we the city created the new community benefits matrix so this is not a community benefits agreement it is a community benefits matrix this was just last week in the paper I read it I think it's great I'm very excited about it so I'm asking when this community benefits matrix will be completed for these projects that are in in Mars in our areas and how I get a copy of it

great madam chair counselor so we've had the community benefits agreement in place for about three years now at mra it's used for mra supported projects particularly the tax abatement that's how we have incorporated the community benefits agreement for our redevelopment tax abatement program which is different from an industrial revenue bond they're two different financing techniques with different requirements. We have had many discussions in the last two or three months with the Economic Development Department about incorporating our matrix that we use into their work as well. And I think that's forthcoming. We really want to see that happen. I think we've got ours incorporated into 18 projects around the city right now. that are specific metropolitan redevelopment area projects sponsored by our agency. But we have applied that to our programs, hasn't yet been adopted by Economic Development Department yet. So that's kind of how we're proceeding with it.

Thank you for that clarification. And I guess, Madam Chair, if I can just say to the administration, this sounds like a great tool. I think we've heard from the community a lot tonight that they want some sort of community benefits agreement. matrix, whatever we want to call it. But I do think that it would be helpful in the future, particularly when you're bringing forward a project that comes to us that is in the middle of a metropolitan redevelopment area that is really kind of what I think of as serious infill. that we had had some conversation around some of these things before it comes to us so that we could have these answers before we vote on approving an IRB. Again, a lot of the things that the Economic Development Department brings us are, like Mr. Gruner was saying, are not infill in a very heavily dense Part of the city, but when they are I I think it would be really helpful if that community benefits matrix or community benefits agreement or report on Meetings that have happened with the community whatever that looks like was actually done before it comes here It would just make our job of reviewing the project a lot easier. Thank you

Madam President, Councilor Fivokorn, we've had this similar discussion about the value of the matrix in guiding our work going forward as a city broader than MRA, but want to evaluate where it makes sense and when it is a similar tool or, sorry, that exact tool or a similar tool that would make more sense in terms of the type of incentive or capital project we're using it on. So we commit to doing similar work.

Thank you. I just have a couple questions and I have an amendment. So I just wanted to say that, you know, this kind of conjures up a lot of thoughts about what we've done in the IDO, how we've kind of limited neighborhood association participation through not having to do a traffic study. It used to be like an automatic when certain thresholds were met and now it's not. And then when we talk about a community benefits matrix, It's not the same as a community benefits agreement, which really involves getting involved with the neighborhoods and coming up with some real things that the community wants signed in. So I think I'll just leave that at that, but it did just kind of bring a lot of thoughts to my head. But I actually have an amendment, and the amendment is, and I should have done this on the last one, so I'm not sure if the maker of the last one would consider a reconsideration after... this amendment but this is floor amendment number one and they're gonna I think put it up in the screen they just drafted it for me and this is as soon as I see it on the screen I don't want to jump ahead of everyone and this is an amendment that that I had did when we did the last IRB so this is on page six This is the wrong one. It's okay. You guys just did this now, so. I can go ahead and start reading it. Well, no, I better not. Thanks for your patience, everyone. They just drafted this and are emailing it back and forth to each other, so thank you so much. Okay, I think we have it. There you go. So this is floor amendment number one to 02638. And this is on page six after line three, insert a new section five as follows and renumber the remaining sections accordingly. Section five, prevailing wages of the approval of these industrial revenue bonds is contingent on the developer paying prevailing wages as defined in HB 6 passed in 2025 legislative session. This amendment adds a new section which requires the IRB to be contingent on the developer paying the prevailing wage. And this is the same amendment that was put forth when we did the last IRB in this area. So I would move approval.

Second.

There's a motion to second by Vice President Champagne. Any discussion?

Thank you, Madam President. So I obviously love this, but we did pass HB 6 in the 2025 regular session at the state that does this. And so I'm just asking if we have to put it in ours as well, or aren't all IRB recipients required to follow the state law?

We actually did, but since we did put it in the last one, I thought it was important to add the language to this one. So Councillor Lewis.

Thank you, thank you, Madam President. Yet the other I seem to recall that the other reason why that was put in the last one was because there was a gap. I think there was a month or two gap at the time and then that would have been. I think it was July 1st and so then we went under that. So it's I mean it seems. Mean I understand the intent.

It just seems a little and it seems unnecessary functionally Thank You councillor Lewis so if there's any other additional questions No I think I explained why just because it was in the other one and I think it's important to have the same language if we're doing two different I have these in the in the same area, so I heard your support madam clerk councillor Baca

Yes.

Councillor Besson? Yes. Vice President Champagne?

Yes.

Councillor Feeblecorn? No. Councillor Grout? Yes. Councillor Lewis?