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City Council roundup

Tribune Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2006

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Kendra's Law: City Council passes it. But APD Sgt. Carol Oleksak says she'll push for a statewide version.

Trolley tracks: City unveils proposed streetcars.

Other action: Ethics reform, a new Downtown park, an earmark for renewable energy.

Park shifts to drive

Passed: By a 7-2 vote, $4.8 million for construction and design of Metro Park, a 3.4 acre affair just north of Civic Plaza in Downtown.

Why it's important: To those in favor, this is about more than a park. It's about making Downtown a better place and a draw for out-of-town visitors.

"Downtown is a critical part of bringing tourists to Albuquerque," said Councilor Craig Loy. "I think this Metro Park could be a piece of the puzzle."

The park will include fountains that children can play in and a venue for summer movie screenings, according to the city's Chief Administrative Officer, Bruce Pearlman.

Councilors Brad Winter and Michael Cadigan voted against the measure, saying the city should consider other park-related priorities first.

Quote:"We need parks for kids," Winter said. "What $5 million could do to build soccer fields."

Crank up the (renewable) juice

Passed: By a 7-2 vote, more money - about $2.8 million - for renewable energy projects.

The gist: The city will now divert 3 percent of its capital improvements budget - the money that goes to renovating buildings, constructing new ones or building roads - to conservation and renewable energy projects designed to save money and help the environment at the same time.

A 1 percent diversion is up and running already, funding such initiatives as switching out incandescent traffic bulbs for energy efficient LED lights.

The extra 2 percent will go to purchasing solar, wind or other renewable power systems.

Loy and Councilor Don Harris voted against the ordinance. Loy said he supported the concept, but had concerns about tying up too much of the city's capital budget.

Quote:"We've just been chipping away a little bit at a time," Loy said.

Right and wrong

Passed: By an 8-1 vote, an ethics reform bill.

The gist: The ordinance tightens the rules on what issues city officials can involve themselves in if they have some direct or indirect interest, be it financial or otherwise. It also imposes new campaign disclosure requirements, especially for donors who do business with the city, and puts city property and money off limits for use in campaigns.

What happened: Councilor Sally Mayer cast the lone no vote, saying that she didn't think the bill would actually stop corruption.

"Just because you call it ethics does not make it so," she said.

Council President Martin Heinrich, meanwhile, hailed the measure as a model for the rest of the state.

But wait, there's more: Councilor Michael Cadigan says he'll take ethics reform a step further by pushing a bill that would prohibit candidates from accepting contributions from corporations of anyone who has business dealings with the city. He wants the proposals to go to the voters in 2007, something the council would have to sign off on first.

The king's ransom?

Passed: A measure allowing the mayor to try and buy a section of the Del Rey Mobile Home Park, where residents have been battling eviction to make way for higher-priced homes.

Why it's important: The council is interested in preserving affordable housing. Meanwhile, Equity Life Styles is trying to sell the property to someone else, with the stipulation that the section with mobile homes stays. This bill, according to Cadigan, is a backup if that sale can't be pulled off.