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Here comes the Sun Van

Catch it: Several advocates for people with disabilities complained to the City Council, saying ABQ Ride isn't doing a good job operating its paratransit service, SunVan.

Among the complaints: Rides last too long, are late and are refused either outright or in some roundabout way. It boils down to quantity of service, Arc of New Mexico's Marilyn Martinez told the council. "I feel that there are not enough buses that meet the needs of people with disabilities," she said.

True enough: Transit Director Greg Payne told councilors that about 40 percent of his agency's conventional buses are not wheelchair accessible. He said he plans to buy more and knock that figure down to zero by January of 2008.

He's looking to buy more paratransit vans, too, he said. That should help bring ABQ Ride into compliance with the federal law, Payne said.

Quote: "You would hope that, if anyone could comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it would be our government." - Arthur Tannenbaum, who spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.

Hit the books

Audit this: Architect Marc Schiff, recently indicted in the Metro Court construction kickback scandal, has done around $9 million worth of business with the city over the years, said Council President Debbie O'Malley.

Passed: By a unanimous vote, a precautionary measure to audit those city contracts. The findings will be reported to the council.

Later

Deferred: Bills dealing with educating child care workers on the signs of sexual abuse and increasing the fines for parking in spaces reserved for disabled drivers. Look for the proposals to pop up again at future meetings.

Quote of the meeting: "You can make fun of me all you want, but scoop your poop." Councilor Sally Mayer, commenting on the need for dog owners to help preserve the quality of the city's groundwater.