Council to review Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities, new housing project on Monday

By Jesse Jones — Albuquerque City Councilors are expected to review Mayor Tim Keller’s 2026 legislative priorities Monday, Oct. 6, including public safety measures and housing policies the administration wants state lawmakers to address when the session begins in January. 

The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Vincent E. Griego Chambers, One Civic Plaza NW. The administration’s requests include proposals for gun violence prevention, a fentanyl court, tenant protections and expanded gunshot detection technology for the 30-day session beginning Jan. 20.

Councilors are also expected to consider a supplemental agreement for an 88-unit affordable housing project.

Keller’s legislative priorities

The administration’s 2026 legislative requests focus on a third Metro Crime Initiative, calling for stricter penalties for street racing, tougher sentencing for road rage, and funding to expand gunshot detection technology citywide. The proposals also include a dedicated fentanyl court and higher penalties for assaults on transit workers.

Housing and homelessness measures include a proposed Tenant Bill of Rights, state support for micro-community shelters and investments in Gateway Center facilities. The administration is also seeking changes to anti-donation laws that could ease restrictions on affordable housing development.

Casitas del Camino 

The supplemental agreement would allow the Albuquerque Housing Authority to use state capital outlay funds for Casitas del Camino, an 88-unit project at 60th Street NW serving households earning 30% to 60% of the area median income. Construction could begin in December with completion targeted for December 2027.

Other Items

Councilor Dan Lewis’s emergency resolution to spend $2 million from city reserves on park turf replacement is expected on the agenda for the first time since he proposed it in August, though it will likely appear on the consent agenda.

Councilors will also hear City Clerk Ethan Watson’s annual transparency report showing the public records backlog has fallen below 1,000 for the first time since June 2023.