City Council discusses renter's right bill

The City Council has voted down an ordinance that would codify a state renter’s rights law.

The ordinance failed on a vote of 5-4.

Councilors Dan Lewis, Dan Champine and Brook Bassan called the law “duplicative” and said that the state should be responsible for enforcement of its law rather than the city.

“We don't have the resources to be able to assist something that the state department should be handling,” Bassan said.

Council President Klarissa Peña joined with those councilors to strike down the proposed law, saying "we aren't ready for primetime yet."

Councilor Renée Grout also voted no on the bill, although she offered no explanation.

Despite councilors concerns, Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel said that Code Enforcement was capable of enforcing such an ordinance, although intense safety concerns would come first.

Meanwhile, Councilor Stephanie Tellez argued that the city ordinance was the most efficient way to enforce the law, rather than asking the New Mexico Attorney General's to create an enforcement mechanism that already exists within the City.

Councilor Nichole Rogers, who proposed the bill, said that enacting the ordinance was not just good government, but a moral obligation.

"We need to act now," Rogers said.

Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo was reappointed by unanimous vote after a fierce debate about staffing decisions made under her leadership.

"I really want to take the time right now to just thank all of the firefighters that work tirelessly to serve this city and I would appreciate your support to continue to lead them," Jaramillo said before the vote.

Several firefighters, both working and retired, showed up to support their Fire Chief as she faced the vote.

But not all firefighters backed her.

The union also showed up, bringing tensions between the City Council, chief and union to the forefront. The union and several council members disagreed with the chief about a change that reduced paramedics on ambulances from two to one to improve staffing on firetrucks in high-intensity areas. Jaramillo attributed a national shortage of paramedics and quicker response times for the decision, while the union and councilors questioned safety and workload for firefighters.

Union President Miguel Tittmann told the council that in a survey of 220 members of the union, that 67% did not approve of her reconfirmation.

Several councilors pleaded with the union and chief to come to a compromise.

The council unanimously voted to reappoint Samantha Sengel as Chief Administrative Officer, the mayor's second in command.

"I think it's been an incredible two years of work that we've accomplished as a city," Sengel said before the vote.

Sengel mentioned the Gateway homeless shelter as her proudest achievement while serving as CAO.

With the slam of the gavel, Council President Klarissa Peña reopened the council meeting after a brief dinner break. The council will shortly swear-in Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel and Fire Chief Emily Jaramillo if re-appointed.

The City Council has adjourned for a 30-minute dinner break and will return at 7:30 p.m.

Teresa Garcia, who narrowly lost the election for City Council's District 3 seat, addressed the council and her former opponent, now Council President Klarissa Peña during public comment. Garcia called on the council to take a stand against federal immigration enforcement and enact legislation similar to what Bernalillo County passed in November. That ordinance made hospitals, schools, courthouses, churches and worksites off-limits to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents without warrants in Bernalillo County.

"Councilor Peña, you represent District 3 – where is your advocacy for the people that you serve?" Garcia said. "Many of (those constituents) are immigrants, mixed-status families and workers who deserve dignity and protection."

The City Council returned from closed session around 6 p.m. and are now listening to presentations by city staff about various programs. The Albuquerque Police Department began the presentations by discussing their Police Service Aides programs.

The City Council has left their post at the dais to enter closed session. As per transparency laws, the council has limited opportunities to discuss matters away from the public's eye. One of those reasons is to talk about ongoing lawsuits and utilize attorney-client privilege, which the council unanimously invoked at tonight's meeting.

The second Albuquerque City Council meeting of the year began at 5 p.m. On the docket are swearing-ins for several high-level city officials, like the fire chief and chief administrative officer, the mayor's second in command. The council will also discuss codifying a renter's rights law passed by the Legislature last session into a city ordinance.