City Councilors made some changes to how the city will handle the administrative side of all the grants that it processes. But it was pleas for a resolution calling for an immediate Israeli ceasefire in Palestine that dominated public comment at the April 15 Albuquerque City Council meeting. 

What the Council did

Councilors approved a pair of bills to improve the way city administration processes the numerous grants the city receives, allowing some grants to be put on a fast track for approval, including those that are not required to be adopted as policy and do not require fiscal impact analyses. 

Councilor Joaquín Baca’s measure to increase permanent housing within the Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas was approved.

The measure establishes a two-year policy for the priority site plan approval and construction permitting of development projects. It also directs the city to implement a ”FasTrax” system to prioritize site plan approvals and construction permitting processes for projects that could contribute to Downtown revitalization. 

Planning Department Director Alan Varela said in a news release, “This resolution will help speed up new housing development in the Downtown Center by getting those permit applications through site plan review and construction permitting as expeditiously as possible.”

Councilors approved a bill sponsored by Councilor Renée Grout directing the Department Of Family And Community Services, now the Department Of Health, Housing, and Homelessness, to prepare and present to the City Council a report regarding the expenditure of city funds on services to the unhoused community.

And councilors approved a measure to authorize the filing of a grant application for the New Mexico Tourism Department’s Destination Forward grant program. The grant would be for a new eye-catching Route 66 East Gateway sign project, near Central and Tramway, for fiscal year 2024/2025.

They also deferred a measure sponsored by Councilor Klarissa Peña to direct the city to collaborate with the Mountain View Neighborhood regarding pollution concerns and develop a proposal for pollution abatement and adjusting fiscal year 2024 operating appropriations and adjusting capital appropriations.

What The Public Said

Nearly a dozen people showed up either in person or via Zoom to ask city leaders for a resolution to be sent calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate unhampered humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the immediate release of all hostages among other peace requests. 

After each person made their request, Councilor Brook Bassan said, “including a full and immediate release of all hostages” or “including a full and immediate release of all Israeli hostages.” Here is a sampling of what the public had to say:

• “I am asking the Mayor to cut ties with Rehovot, our sister city in Israel. I want to look back in history and see that I did all I could.”
• “I am a social worker who is advocating for Palestine. I publically demand a permanent ceasefire and unhampered humanitarian entry into Gaza.”
• “The people of Albuquerque demand a permanent ceasefire. Israel is committing genocide.”
• “I am not turning a blind eye, we demand that all aid be allowed into Gaza. If you care about them, you will call for peace.”
• “The people of Albuquerque do not want their tax dollars to be used to commit genocide. It is imperative to save every life. In Gaza, the stench of death is everywhere. Call for this to end now.”

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to correct the planned location of the Route 66 East Gateway sign.