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The Albuquerque City Council meets at 5 p.m. Mon. with a short agenda that includes final votes on two key ordinances: one affecting short-term rentals and another on how councilors question Mayor Tim Keller’s administration. The meeting also includes a report on first-quarter finances, which shows revenues $5.1 million above projections.
The proposed short-term rental ordinance, O-26-5, sponsored by Councilors Joaquín Baca, Tammy Fiebelkorn and Nichole Rogers, would create a 330-foot buffer between vacation rentals. New permits would be denied if they fall within that radius of an existing short-term rental, though single rooms in owner-occupied homes and accessory dwelling units, or casitas, would be exempt.
The new rules do not affect existing permits. Active permits that violate the buffer can continue renewing, but a nonconforming permit cannot be renewed if it lapses unless it meets the new distance requirement. The ordinance aims to protect neighborhoods from noise and disturbances and address the local housing shortage. Currently, the city requires permits for properties rented 29 days or less.
Separately, Council President Klarissa Peña’s O-26-7 would repeal rules requiring the administration to respond to councilor questions within set deadlines. The ordinance replaces the one- to seven-day response schedule with a more flexible, pre-meeting dialogue, allowing each councilor to question one department director per session. Peña and other councilors said the current system is cumbersome, slows decision-making and makes constituent service harder.
At the Jan. 21 council meeting, Peña began implementing the changes by moving the question-and-answer period to the start of the meeting and seating City Attorney Lauren Keefe on the dais rather than at the administration’s table.
The council will also review the first-quarter fiscal year 2026 revenue and expense report, EC-26-18. It shows the General Fund $5.1 million above projections, but overall expenses are expected to exceed the budget by $18.8 million, mainly because of Fire Department overtime.
Gross receipts tax and property tax revenues are the driver of the surplus, but the administration cautions a softening job market and federal shutdown could affect future revenue. The report also flags strains, including building permit revenues falling nearly $3 million short of budget.
The council will hold two closed executive sessions to discuss litigation between Keller and the council over Fire Department staffing and an Inspector General investigation into Keefe, according to the agenda.
Get Involved
The meeting starts Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Vincent E. Griego Chambers.
To speak during public comment, you must sign up online by 4 p.m. or call (505) 768-3100 for help.
Join virtually (Webinar ID: 89130267588) or by phone at (669) 444-9171, then enter the Webinar ID.
Watch live on Comcast Channel 16 (GOVTV), cabq.gov/govtv or youtube.com/@GOVTVBoardsCommissionMeetings
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