Latest news with #AlbuquerqueCityCouncil
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Albuquerque council passes ban on intoxicating hemp products that exceed federal THC threshold
Jun. 5—The Albuquerque City Council voted Monday to restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products, citing concerns that children had too much access to the substances being sold on gas station and smoke shop shelves. The council said the products, including delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and THC-A products, may have more THC in them than federally allowed. The ordinance, which was sponsored by Councilor Dan Lewis and passed on a 7-2 vote, prohibits operating a business that chemically or synthetically alters hemp to exceed 0.3% THC. It also prohibits the sale, advertisement, offer for sale, or manufacture of the intoxicating hemp products. That means purchasable items like gummies, cartridges for vape devices, drinks, hemp cigarettes and other hemp-derived products must have less than 0.3% THC, or else the business selling them could lose its license. It doesn't apply to hemp products without THC or any legal cannabis. Federal law allows the sale of hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% THC, although that is widely seen as a loophole in the U.S., where cannabis is still federally illegal. But some of those products have higher levels of THC, which, Lewis argued Monday, was a problem. "This is a product that's not being regulated by the state," Lewis said. "It's really poison that's being marketed to children." No data was presented about how prevalent the products are. Visits to Albuquerque smoke shops and independent gas stations revealed that buying intoxicating hemp-derived products was easy to do and only sometimes required a license. But questions abound about the future of the ordinance. The 2018 Farm Bill, the federal government's primary policy tool for regulating food and agriculture, as well as establishing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, removed hemp and its byproducts from the list of controlled substances. The same move allowed for the proliferation of cannabidiol (CBD) products. However, the federal legislation made no mention of delta-8 and delta-10, which is derived from hemp, not cannabis, allowing companies to produce and sell items such as vape device cartridges, intoxicating hemp cigarettes and edible gummies. Councilor Brook Bassan raised the question of enforcement during Monday's meeting. "Are we even going to be able to do this as a city?" Bassan asked. Samantha Sengel, the chief administrative officer, said the city could not test the intoxicating hemp products and would, therefore, have to send them to a laboratory for testing. She added that the city's Environmental Health Department had concerns about achieving compliance from smoke shops, given the significant personnel commitment required to send inspectors to every smoke shop, gas station and CBD seller in the city. "Everyone is in the fact-finding stage right now to know what that impact would be," Sengel said before the council approved the measure, adding that they'd likely have to come before the council in the future to ask for money to fund enforcement mechanisms, whether that be more staff or more money. Educating smoke shops and gas stations about the law change, another provision of the ordinance, would be accomplishable, Sengel said. Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn joined Bassan in opposing the bill. "This is not a regulation. This is a prohibition," Fiebelkorn said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Squeezed by inflation, city budget keeps spending steady but trims ambition
Jun. 2—The Albuquerque City Council last month approved a $1.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year, largely accepting Mayor Tim Keller's proposals and continuing his priorities on housing, homelessness and policing. The 6-2 vote followed months of meetings and was one of the final steps to fund the local government for the next 12 months, starting in July. But the budget documents outlined concern about the future and the mayor's introduction letter cites "significant uncertainty, attempting to keep up with rising inflation, economic disruptions, and bracing for federal cuts." "I wish we'd had more to work with," said Councilor Renée Grout, who led the council's budget-building efforts. "I'm hopeful that this year, our revenues will pick up and that we'll have some extra funds, and we'll be able to do a mid-year clean-up and get a better raise for everybody." Revenue — where all the money comes from Albuquerque's economic outlook significantly affects the city's budget. That's because the collection of gross receipt taxes, or GRT, makes up about 40% of the city's total resources and about 70% of the general fund, which finances many of the city's core functions. The budget notes that uncertainty caused by the Trump administration's tariff policies, alongside the possibility of escalating wars in Europe and the Middle East, could affect future revenue, particularly as those things impact the price of oil and global supply chains. It also states that Albuquerque is still feeling the economic aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the budget said that retail and wholesale trade, an industry that has historically comprised about 25% of the city's GRT, has struggled to grow under pressure from inflation, lingering from the pandemic and reaggravated by the Trump administration's economic policies. This budget also allocates $4.6 million of the historic opioid settlement money to nonprofits, part of a council-approved plan to distribute money to nonprofits that help people recover from addiction. That money comes from a settlement between local governments and pharmaceutical companies, and follows a joint plan established by the city and Bernalillo County. Higher raises for city workers stall One of the final budget flashpoints revolved around pay increases for employees. The mayor's proposed budget called for a 2% increase for all city workers. The council added another 0.5% increase. That raise does not apply to firefighters since their contract was renegotiated last year. Some of the money being used to fund the increases comes from about $1 million in savings after the city was released from the Court Appointed Settlement Agreement and the decade-long oversight of the city's police department. The settlement was reached after a Department of Justice found a pattern of excessive use of force within the police department. But for some on the council, 2.5% wasn't enough. Councilor Klarissa Peña pushed for the council's 0.5% increase to be 1%. "I think 1% across the board is important to our employees and the services that they provide," Peña said. "They're the ones that keep the parks clean, and they're the ones that keep all the other services going." But that money would have to come from somewhere, and some on the council felt it was shaving away at council priorities. Peña's plan called for cuts to after-school programs, employee early retirement and some vacant positions. Ultimately, Peña's efforts failed on a 4-4 tie vote, leading the councilor to vote against the budget. The top-funded departments The approved Albuquerque Police Department budget of about $274 million, about a 2% increase, took the largest portion of the general fund budget. Despite that, police funding was a point of contention. In one of the most high-profile moments of the process, APD Chief Harold Medina verbally sparred with Councilor Louie Sanchez during a presentation on May 8. Sanchez, a former police officer who is running for mayor, said that APD and Keller's administration were inflated. Sanchez reiterated that concern May 19. "We have an over-bloated administration as it is," Sanchez said. "I think if the administration would actually realize and make some cuts where cuts need to be made, I think that these people (city staff) could be funded." Sanchez ultimately voted for the budget, but another councilor who raised concerns about police funding did not. Councilor Dan Lewis criticized the administration for eliminating police officer positions, despite Medina saying he could not fill them this year. APD can have up to 1,100 officers, but the upcoming budget will only pay for 1,000. APD currently has around 900 officers and aims to reach 1,000 by the end of this year, Medina said. "This budget cuts police officers," Lewis said, "and has no vision for hiring any more police officers." The mayor's office defended the move by reiterating Medina's point about staffing. Kevin Sourisseau, the city's chief finance officer, also said the council has told the administration they don't like seeing money for vacant jobs sit around undisbursed. Other top-funded departments and initiatives include Albuquerque Fire Rescue, which was budgeted for $128.6 million. General obligation bond debt service, which pays back bonds for capital projects, was budgeted for $97.4 million. The Municipal Development Department, which oversees public works projects, was budgeted for $50.6 million
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Wastewater concerns, McDonald's assault charges, Warm and calm weather, Dangerous road, Global business accelerator
Santa Fe teacher, principal, and school counselor put on administrative leave Albuquerque City Council approves program to give gas cards to APD officers Will DWI corruption criminals have to pay victims? St. Pius X hires former UFC fighter as wrestling coach How drone soccer at this Albuquerque school is inspiring students Remains found in Santa Fe National Forest identified as 1950s wrestler, actor Man charged with giving alcohol to 20-year-old who fell from stands at Pirates game [1] Permit hearing for wastewater project near Tesuque draws mixed reaction – Some residents in northern New Mexico are voicing their concerns over a local resort's plan to dump its treated wastewater near a local water source. The Bishop's Lodge Resort in Tesuque is asking the state for a wastewater discharge permit. Residents say it would allow the lodge to release 30,000 gallons per day of partially treated sewage, putting surrounding areas at risk. An attorney for Bishop's Lodge argues their wastewater system is state-of-the-art and safe. A spokesperson for the New Mexico Environment Department says the matter is now in the hands of the cabinet secretary. [2] Judge denies motion to dismiss charges for man accused of assault at McDonald's – Last year, surveillance video shows a man violently beating another customer, leaving him in a coma. Police said Heath Miller was the attacker after a tipster identified him. In a motion, the defense argued that the anonymous tip was not enough probable cause for arrest. The judge denied the defense's motion. She also denied the defense's motion asking for him to be released pending trial. He is charged with aggravated assault. [3] Way-above-normal temperatures & calm weather ahead – High temperatures will hit the 90s for the first time this year on Thursday afternoon in Albuquerque. Winds will stay light as well, with the exception of a few 25 to 30 mph breezes. Moisture will push into eastern New Mexico Wednesday night, bringing a chance for spotty showers to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and far southeast New Mexico. [4] Santa Fe County officials address deadly road near jail – Santa Fe County officials are working to address a stretch of New Mexico Highway 14, outside the county jail, that is considered dangerous for walkers. A New York Times article published last week highlighted how some inmates would choose to walk along the road after being released. The jail is in a a remote area with little-to-no lighting and no sidewalks. In the last ten years, at least five people who have been released have been killed while walking along NM 14. The jail warden says everyone is offered a ride to a designated location once they're released. [5] NMexus Center officially opens at Mesa del Sol – A first-of-its-kind global business accelerator center opened in New Mexico. Mesa del Sol held a ribbon cutting to officially open the NMexus Center. The center is meant to act as a permanent pipeline for foreign investment in the state. There are currently seven companies housed in the center with room to serve up to 40. Right now, there are companies from India, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
After clashes over opioid funds, City Council and mayor find common ground
May 7—The Albuquerque City Council sent about $4.6 million in opioid settlement money to three Gateway Center services, the latest vote in a series of decisions about how to spend the historic settlement. The council's resolution approved at a meeting Monday night states that the funds will help cover operational costs at the First Responder Receiving Area, Medical Sobering Center and Micro-Community Recovery Housing. Overdoses in New Mexico declined 8% in 2023 from their peak in 2021 with 1,029 deaths, according to recent data from the New Mexico Department of Health. The vote came about a month after the City Council set guardrails for spending money from the historic settlement between local governments and big pharmaceutical companies. That settlement gave Albuquerque $80 million over several years. The funds must be spent in ways that remediate the effects of the opioid epidemic, per the settlement agreement. In that agreement, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors accused of spreading misleading information about opioids' addictive nature while overprescribing the drug were forced to pay millions to states and local governments. That ruling followed years of litigation. The city of Albuquerque formed a joint committee with Bernalillo County to help determine what to do with the money. Together, officials decided the money would primarily go to nonprofits and providers doing on-the-ground work with people experiencing addiction. The council gave some money to Albuquerque Public Schools to expand its Crossroads treatment program and set aside money for the mayor's office but set strict guidelines about how they can use it. The council said the mayor's portion could not be used for police vehicles, police salaries, safe-use sites or naloxone vending machines. Additionally, they said 40% must be spent on disconnected youth, while 60% must be used on treatment efforts. Mayor Tim Keller's office objected to the plan. The office raised concerns that the nonprofits and providers would use the money for infrastructure and capital development, arguing it would be better spent on further investment in the Gateway Center. The objection led to heated disputes between the mayor and the council, but those tensions did not resurface on Monday night. When introducing the legislation, Councilor Tammy Fieblekorn said this proposal from the mayor's office perfectly aligned with the council's guidelines. "This is just closing that loop on the opioid settlement funds for this year," Fiebelkorn said. Fiebelkorn co-sponsored the legislation with Councilors Nichole Rogers, Renée Grout and Dan Champine. The measure passed unanimously. After the late-night vote, Keller released a statement touting the city's "work to build a continuum of care for folks experiencing addiction and homelessness," highlighting the services the council funded. "With this funding, City Council is doing its part to open a critical component of the Gateway system — the Sobering Center — and to provide recovery housing to help people turn their lives around," Keller said.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Albuquerque City Council looks to crack down on problematic motels
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque City Councilors are cracking down on problematic motels and hotels, but some councilors are warning that the changes could hurt the homeless. 'We continually say that we don't like seeing unhoused people on our streets, but now we're saying if they somehow scrape up enough money to stay in a hotel for a night or two… We don't want them to be there either, and I think that's a large problem with this bill,' said City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. Albuquerque City Council votes to offer more services at Gateway Center Changes to the city's Hotel and Motel Accountability Ordinance would require motels to collect photo IDs and current addresses from all guests if the motel or hotel continues to violate city code. Under the new rules, hotels and motels that repeatedly violate the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance will need to start logging guest stays. Failure to comply can result in a fine of $500 per day. Councilors in favor said the goal is to crack down on crime and hold owners accountable, but others worry the rules unfairly impact the homeless. 'We need to help the victims, and with the victims not coming forward, they're probably being threatened, which is also an issue. So those are the kinds of things that we need to have IDs for, those are the things police need to be talked to about,' said Councilor Louie Sanchez. The city passed the new law on a 5-4 vote, with multiple councilors changing their votes last minute. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
