Jesse Jones, Author at City Desk ABQ

City installs AI-automated “parking sticks” to send you tickets in the mail

Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ — Albuquerque is rolling out artificial intelligence-powered technology to curb illegal parking in high-risk safety zones across the city. The city has launched an automated parking enforcement program that uses 60 solar-powered camera units, known as SafetySticks, provided by Municipal Parking Services Inc., to catch drivers who block bus stops, […]

New NM law sparks ICE showdown: Will this new law change operations at MDC?

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB9 into law Thursday, creating a legal firewall between New Mexico local governments and federal immigration agents. While the move marks a major statewide shift, Bernalillo County officials say their facilities are already ahead of the curve. Known as the Immigrant Safety Act, HB 9 bars state and local agencies […]

BernCo pushes $110 million compromise for $35 million PNM vs neighborhood substation fight

Bernalillo County commissioners unanimously delayed a decision Tuesday on a proposed $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation, directing the utility to study burying transmission lines, with cost estimates reaching up to $110 million. The commission voted to continue the case for 120 days and ordered three analyses: the cost of underground […]

Neighborhoods vs. housing crisis: Council to take another step towards sweeping residential zoning changes

Albuquerque city councilors will take another step this week towards enacting sweeping zoning changes that would allow grocery stores, duplexes and townhouses in single-family neighborhoods and reshape development rules for about 160,000 properties, a move supporters say could ease the housing shortage and critics say threatens long-established neighborhood character. The proposal, part of the city’s 2025 Integrated […]

Foothills residents challenge $35M power project as county decides Tuesday

Bernalillo County commissioners will decide Tuesday whether to uphold a controversial $35 million Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) substation approval. Several resident groups appealed the Planning Commission’s December decision. The appeals are among six scheduled for a special 1 p.m. zoning meeting Tuesday. Groups, including the Sandia Heights and High Desert homeowner associations, […]

In downtown Albuquerque, more than 65 renters at The Alvarado Apartments signed a formal demand letter accusing their management company, Apartment Management Consultants (AMC), of dangerous neglect, safety failures and "excessive" fees. They are demanding rent abatement and a written repair plan.

Cockroaches, no water, no stairs: Downtown renters unite to demand action from neglectful apartment owners

In downtown Albuquerque, more than 75 renters at The Alvarado Apartments signed a formal demand letter accusing their management company, Apartment Management Consultants (AMC), of dangerous neglect, safety failures and “excessive” fees. They are demanding rent abatement and a written repair plan. The Alvarado Apartments and AMC did not respond to requests for comment on […]

District 6 City Councilor Nichole Rogers looks on as the Albuquerque City Council voted down her proposed rental protection ordinance on Jan. 21. (Jesse Jones)

“A complete betrayal”: Council rejects enforcement of renters rights against predatory landlords

Albuquerque renters will not receive local protection from excessive fees after the City Council rejected an ordinance Wednesday that would have enforced the state’s Senate Bill 267 in limbo. The 5-4 vote leaves the law, which caps application fees at $50 and limits late fees to 5% of rent, unenforced at the local level. Since […]

Samantha Sengel, Albuquerque’s chief administrative officer, talks with Arts and Culture Department Director Shelle Sanchez during the City Council meeting Wednesday, Jan. 21, where councilors unanimously reappointed her to the position.

Who runs Albuquerque day-to-day? Meet the city’s reappointed CAO

When your trash is picked up, a pothole disappears or you spend an afternoon at the BioPark, you’re seeing the work of Samantha Sengel even if you don’t know her name. The Albuquerque City Council unanimously reappointed Samantha Sengel as chief administrative officer (CAO) Wednesday. The city’s most powerful non-elected position oversees 6,000 employees and […]

Frustrated by delays, Council proposes fix for contentious City Hall Q&A

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information about a new Q&A process proposed to replace the repealed agenda item, if passed, as well as reactions from councilors. The mayor’s administration and Council President Klarissa Peña have a plan to make the most frustrating and contentious parts of the council meetings more useful […]

Will Albuquerque strengthen renter protections?

Albuquerque City Councilors are set to vote Wednesday on a rental protections ordinance that would give the city authority to enforce state renter laws and on funding to help 92 households stay in their homes. Housing dominates the agenda, with final action expected on the Rental Practices Ordinance, O‑25‑102, which would codify state protections while allowing […]