East Gateway Coalition

EGWC of Associations Meeting Agenda for 1/19/2012

2011-12-31T08:35:00.001-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for January 19, 2012
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 Election of Vice President and Treasurer*

6:40 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:45 Future Recycling in Albuquerque Bobby Sisneros, CABQ

7:15 Major Development Projects Representatives of Dept of
Municipal Development

8:50 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EGWC Meeting January 19, 2012

2011-12-19T07:34:00.001-07:00

This is the annual meeting, and we need to nominate (and hopefully elect) the Vice President and Treasurer, whose terms would run for two years.

Zach Hahn, the Treasurer, has moved and submitted his resignation. We need someone to pick up those duties, although almost nothing happens in terms of new NA member dues (it's now a one-time payment) or costs. So....who will run for Treasurer????

I'll contact prospective speakers, and would appreciate your views on topics, talkers, and any other ideas for the agenda. Remember, it's non-political, non-partisan, no candidates for elected office may campaign.

Regards, Roger MickelsonPresident, East Gateway Coalition of Associations332-9273

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 10/20/2011

2011-12-15T07:47:00.003-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 20, 2011

Meeting called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Roger Mickelson. The President then introduced: City Councillor, Dan Lewis; Lenton Malry, representing Bernalillo County; Sally Mayer, Mayor’s office representative; Matt Zidowski, Heinrich assistant. He then introduced Commander Cliff Saylor, from the Lomas APD office.
Commander Saylor noted that APD has been working diligently on reducing loitering, jay walking, and trespassers in the area. He also noted that the officers have been active in patrolling parking lots and checking vehicles and have noted a reduction in losses and damages. He suggested that people always park in well-lighted areas, close to the business, and that everything be placed in the car’s trunk. He noted there has been an increase in counterfeit money being circulated and advised all to take a good look at bills handed them. He stated shop lifting would not be tolerated. If you have a concern you may email him at c.saylor@cabq.gov.
The President then introduced Col. Hornyak, Vice Commander at KAFB. Col. Hornyak presented a video on the many things accomplished at KAFB. He noted there are 21,248 people working on base every day. The number one mission is nuclear, as in many ways all things nuclear lead to weapons. In looking at the operations training at the base he noted flying planes and helicopters with combat reserve officers being in a two-year training program. On mission training he noted it goes from the ground to the air. Economic impact on Albuquerque is 4.3 billion dollars a year which is from job creation, payrolls, and local purchases. He said $310.5 million goes to small businesses. He spoke of the fuel spill and noted they are trying to find out how deep the spill goes, and how far it extends. Hopefully some answers by summer of 2012. He noted it is still a long way from city water wells. In his closing remarks the colonel noted that there is a huge need to get young people interested in the things performed by base personnel and over $3 million is invested in this area to achieve this goal.
Mr. Mickelson then introduced Matt Rivera, Bernalillo County election director. Mr. Rivera noted that there are presently 441 precincts in the county, which will be consolidated into approximately l87 through a new program. He stated that presently less than twenty percent vote on election day; the latest election had 27%, with 44% voting via early voting. Under the new concept voters may vote at any voting location. This will reduce the number of poll workers needed; the number of ballots which must be printed; and the number of p0olling places required. He stated election costs in 2008 were $3.3 million; the current model indicates costs will be $2.4 million. With consolidation, projected costs would be $$1.4 million, and voting locations would be reduced from 187 to 69.
New Mexico State Senator Tim Keller and Representative Jim White spoke briefly on redistricting and noted the Legislature was unable to come to any redistricting resolution during the recent special session. It was noted that Rio Rancho population had increase by 5%, and would gain a new representative. Representative White stated that the passed capital outlay bill allowed for an $8 million supplement to the food stamp program for another year. It was also noted that the legislature voted to impeach Public Relation Commissioner, Jerome Block.
The meeting adjourned at 8:24.

Respectfully submitted,
Geneiva Meeker

East Gateway Coalition of Associations 2012 Meeting Schedule

2011-11-30T17:08:00.001-07:00

The East Gateway Coalition of Associations is scheduled to meet at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (Room #3) 6:30-8:30 pm on:
January 19
April 19
July 19
October 18

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Revised Draft Agenda 10/20/2011

2011-09-27T06:44:00.003-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for October 20, 2011
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor
Commander Saylor has another meeting at 7:00; so please be seated by 6:30

6:55 Kirtland AFB—Community Partner Col David Hornyak, Commander
Economic core of our metropolitan area

7:30 Bernalillo County Voting Centers Maggie Toulouse Oliver (Invited)
Major changes for 2012 elections

8:15 Legislature—Special Session Senator Tim Keller
Representative Jim White

8:45 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 7/21/2011

2011-08-04T15:51:00.001-06:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES JULY 21, 2011 MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 6:36 by President Roger Mickelson. The president then acknowledged Matt Zidowski, who represents Representative Martin Heinrich; Sally Mayer of the Mayor’s office; Lenton Malry, Bernalillo Co. representative; Wendy O’Brien, representing Maggie Hart Stebbins, Bernalillo Co. Commission Chairperson. During introductions Ms. Mayer spoke to the audience about Governor Susanna Martinez’ campaign: “Catch Billy the Kid”. Lenton Malry noted to the audience that August 3rd would be the annual “Neighborhood Night Out” in which neighbors get to know their neighbors to help in the prevention of crime.
The president then introduced Foothills Area Commander Cliff Saylor. Commander Saylor noted the latest crime surge in the area has been in auto burglaries. He cited twenty-one auto burglaries, eleven stolen vehicles, one commercial burglary, and two individual residential burglaries during June. He stated there has been a fifty percent recovery of items taken in the “pillow case” burglaries. Commander Saylor also noted that APD is working closely with the developer’s agent of the former “Furr’s” store property, located on Juan Tabo and Central, to reduce crime, vandalism, and loitering on the property.
City Clerk, Amy Bailey, was then introduced. Ms. Bailey informed the audience of the city election coming up on October 4 when four members of the City Council will be elected, twelve bond issues will be presented, and the red light camera program will be voted upon (this is a preliminary vote on the camera program, since only the City Council can “determine” whether or not the program is continued). There will be early voting at selected sites, and regular voting for our area at Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center and at the Four Hills Country Club. Ms. Bailey noted that all absentee voting lists have been purged, and it would be necessary to call either 311, or the City Clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot for the election; they will no longer be sent automatically to those who have voted absentee in the past. These ballots will go out to those requesting them on August 30.
Jason Marks, District 1 representative on the Public Regulation Commission, was introduced. Mr. Marks noted the industries regulated by the commission, and noted that the most urgent concern is the Public Service Company’s proposal for rate hikes. PNM had asked for a 22% increase, but is now considering an 11% increase. The increase would be in two phases: 6% in August and in January the increase would go 10.85% (or another 4.85%). Then in 2013 PNM is asking for another $20 million, which Mr. Marks feels should not be allowed. He believes PNM is entitled to SOME rate increase due to improvement s they have put into effect, and the capital expenditures they have made, but $20 million is not justified.
Bernalillo County Commissioner Wayne Johnson was then introduced by the president. Mr. Johnson stated that he is very actively working on committees to formulate the redistricting of Bernalillo County due to the increase and change in population cited in the 2010 census. He pointed out that most of the increase has been on the west side, and that some areas lost residents. The County redistricting work will define the boundaries of precincts so important to all elections. The work must be completed by September or October before the next November election.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06.

Respectfully Submitted by
Geneiva Meeker

EGWC Meeting Minutes 4/21/2011

2011-07-19T13:09:00.001-06:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
OF ASSOCIATIONS
MINUTES APRIL 21, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by the President, Roger Mickelson. He noted that we would deviate from the times on the posted agenda, since Mayor RJ Berry had another meeting scheduled after the Coalition meeting.
The Mayor introduced a new concept program which is being offered to the citizens of Albuquerque for comment. In fact, the mayor noted that the citizens of the City are going to set the priority list for what is to be included in “Albuquerque—The Plan”. The items thrown out for discussion included bike trails which form a 50-mile loop around the city for cyclists, joggers and hikers; a sports field at Balloon Fiesta Park; businesses at the state fairgrounds; a facelift for the convention center; overlooks and boardwalks along the Rio Grande; bus rapid transit on Central Avenue from Tramway to 98th Street; and revitalization of the Civic Plaza. No individual project would have a price tag over $55 million, and would be financed without raising taxes. This to be accomplished by returning money to the capital improvements program which was re-allocated for operating expenditures. The mayor also noted that funds would be sought from private sector investors. He said that after further input to the program has been obtained some of the ideas would require collaboration among the various other government entities, among public and private officials and among current and future mayoral administrations. The mayor then left for his meeting.
President Mickelson noted dignitaries in the audience: Lenton Malry of the County Managers’ office; Isaac Padilla, assistant to Councillor Don Harris; (I have down “Kolosh and Nelson”- who are they?)
Commander Cliff Saylor, of the Foothills Area Command was introduced. Commander Saylor noted that recently there had been ten cars burglarized in the Singing Arrow area, and there had been several burglaries in the Four Hills area. He noted that two houses in Four Hills are under surveillance as being involved in the incidents. He noted a recent “Amber Alert” which had a good outcome when a tip was received that the child could be located in a nearby casino. Commander Saylor also noted that they had recently been able to relocate twenty-five homeless people to shelters. He stated surveillance of pan-handlers has been stepped up with ten bicycle officers patrolling the frequented areas.
Roger Mickelson then introduced Misty Salaz who represented UNM Hospital. Ms. Salaz stated that the hospital has approximately 6,000 employees and payroll is approximately $640 million. UNM Hospital is one of 40 National Cancer Institutes designated as cancer treatment centers in the country. The children’s hospital has the only pediatric ER in the state. The mill levy, which has been in place since 1954, is presently at 6.4 mills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Geneiva Meeker

EGWC Draft Agenda for July 21, 2011 Meeting (2nd Revision)

2011-07-11T15:00:00.005-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for July 21, 2011
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:55 Upcoming City Election—October 4 Amy Bailey, City Clerk

7:15 Public Regulatory Commission Update Jason Marks, Commissioner

7:45 Redistricting: City and County Wayne Johnson, Commissioner

8:35 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EGWC Association Meeting Minutes Draft 4/21/2011

2011-05-18T06:48:00.002-06:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES APRIL 21, 2011

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. by the President, Roger Mickelson. The President noted that we would deviate from the posted agenda as Mayor, R.J. Berry, had another meeting.
The Mayor introduced a new concept program which is being offered to the citizens of Albuquerque. In fact, the mayor noted that the citizens of the City are going to set the priority list for what is to be included in “Albuquerque –The Plan”. The items thrown out for discussion included bike trails which would form a 50-mile loop around the city for cyclists, joggers and hikers; a sports field at Balloon Fiesta Park; businesses at the state fairgrounds; a facelift for the convention center; overlooks and boardwalks along the Rio Grande; bus rapid transit on Central Avenue from Tramway to 98th Street; revitalization of the Civic Plaza. No individual project would have a price tag over $55 million, and would be financed without raising taxes. Funding would be accomplished by returning money to the capital improvements program which was re-allocated for operating expenditures. The mayor also noted that funds would be sought from private sector investors. He said that after further input to the program has been obtained, some of the ideas would require collaboration among the various other government entities, among public and private officials and among current and future mayoral administrations. The mayor then left for his meeting.
President Mickelson noted dignitaries in the audience: Lenton Malry of the County Managers’ office; and Isaac Padilla, assistant to Councilor Don Harris.
Commander Cliff Saylor, of the Foothills Area Command was introduced. Commander Saylor noted that recently there had been ten cars burglarized in the Singing Arrow area, and there had been several burglaries in the Four Hills area. He noted that two houses in Four Hills are under surveillance as being involved in the incidents. He noted a recent “Amber Alert” which had a good outcome when a tip was received that the child could be located in a nearby casino. Commander Saylor also noted that they had recently been able to relocate twenty-five homeless people to shelters. He stated surveillance of pan-handlers has been stepped up with ten bicycle officers patrolling the frequented areas.
Roger Mickelson then introduced Misty Salaz who represented UNM Hospital. Ms. Salaz stated the hospital has approximately 6,000 employees and payroll is approximately $640 million. UNM Hospital is one of 40 National Cancer Institutes designated as cancer treatment centers in the country. The children’s hospital has the only pediatric ER in the state. The mill levy, which has been in place since 1954, is presently at 6.4 mills.
The meeting adjourned at 8:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Geneiva Meeker

EGWC of Associations Meeting Agenda for 4/4/21/2011

2011-03-16T07:18:00.003-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Agenda for April 21, 2011 Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:55 Albuquerque’s Future Mayor RJ Berry

8:00 UNM Hospital Update Misty Salaz

8:15 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EGWC Meeting Minutes 1/20/2011

2011-02-23T09:51:00.002-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF JANUARY 20, 2011 MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by President Michelson, who then welcomed guests: County Commissioner, Wayne Johnson; Sally Mayer, City of Albuquerque; Lenton Malry, Bernalillo County; APD Officer, Todd Hardman; Steve Smith, representing Crime Stoppers; Sherry Mangold, representing Animal Protection of new Mexico; and Erika Wilson, 911 Supervisor.
Officer Todd Hardman, reporting for Commander Saylor, stated that during the period of December 1 through January 1 auto burglaries had been one of their largest problems. He said people go out, start their car, go back in the house and leave the car running, and the burglar comes along and drives off with the car. He said many have also been taken from mall parking lots and “big box store” parking lots. He suggested that drivers use “the Club” or any other device to help secure their vehicles. Commander Cliff Saylor, who arrived at the meeting, noted that the most popular vehicles to be stolen were the Toyota Camry and Corolla. He stated that many residential burglaries were being accomplished by kicking in side doors, breaking glass in or beside doors, or just kicking in doors. He noted that doors should be solid and have dead bolt locks. He also stated that people are being robbed as they are unloading packages and not paying attention to their surroundings. He cautioned that we all note what is going on around us at all times.
Commissioner Wayne Johnson stated he has been attending many neighborhood meetings and listening to the concerns of his constituents and trying to answer questions home owners may have about County activities. Should you want to contact him, his phone numbers are: Bernalillo County, 238-9352; cell phone, 379-7540; or email, w.johnson@bernco.gov. He commented on the change to the noise ordinance which the commission is considering.
Steve Smith was introduced. Representing “Crime Stoppers”, he noted that the organization was first created in Albuquerque in 1976 by police detective, Greg Macalise. It is a partnership of community, media, and law enforcement, which is now nationwide, and in 18 countries. The program is in need of funds. Mayor R.J. Berry has designated March 20-26 as CRIME STOPPERS’ WEEK. KRQE television has volunteered to be the base for gathering funds. A new television program will begin – “Albuquerque’s Most Wanted”, which will air right after “America’s Most Wanted”.
Sherry Mangold, representing Animal Protection of New Mexico was introduced. She stated the organization is a non-profit animal advocacy group. She noted that 63% of Americans have a pet, and 99% think of the pet as a household member. She noted that a child in the United States is more likely to have a pet than a father. She also said that 88% of people referred to social services for crimes of abuse have been animal abusers. She also noted that one of the most dangerous things is for a child to abuse an animal and get away with it. The President then introduced Erika Wilson, Supervisor for 911 calls. Ms. Wilson stated that 90% of calls to 911 are answered within ten seconds. Seventy percent are from cellular phones. There are 140 employees answering calls 24/7. Thirty to forty percent of calls result in a dispatch. Land lines give the operators coordinates; cell phones not as accurate. She stated New Mexico does not have the infrastructure in place for texting.
The President thanked those making presentations.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

EGWC Meeting Agenda 1/20/2011

2011-01-06T10:37:00.003-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for January 20, 2011
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 Election of President and Secretary*

6:40 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:45 Crime Stoppers Steve Smith

7:30 Animal Protection Sherry Mangold

8:15 Call 911—Emergency Communications Erika Wilson

8:50 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 10/1/2010

2010-12-30T11:29:00.003-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 21, 2010 MEETING

The meeting held in the Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center was called to order at 6:43 p.m. by President, Roger Mickelson.
APD Foothills Area Commander, Cliff Saylor, told the audience that burglaries in the area have increased with the manner of access being: ring the front doorbell, then go to the back and kick in the door to gain entrance to the home. Auto thefts are on the increase, especially in commercial areas, and with people leaving their cars while they allow it to warm up.
Senator Tim Keller noted New Mexico has no law governing homeowner associations. He is preparing a bill to be presented to the Legislature this year. His committee is basing its work on Arizona, Nevada, and California laws. Several local public forums have been held in which the attendees submitted suggestions for rules they would desire to be covered (or excluded). He noted that hearings would be before two committees in the House and 2 committees in the Senate; then it would go to the Legislature.
Representative Jim White informed the audience that the budget will be a huge problem this year, as one of the major things the Legislature will have to deal with is a $1,000,000 cut in Medicaid subsidies from the Federal government. He noted that the session, which begins January 18, 2011, will be a sixty day session.
Bernalillo County Commissioner, Michael Brasher, thanked the audience for allowing him the privilege to serve on the commission. As his term ends December 31, 2010, he is very concerned with the fact that the County Manager will continue to have the power to approve contracts up to $300,000 without open bidding, or commission approval. He noted that the commission continues to work on an ethics bill. He stated that he is continuing to work on I-40 closures and noted that a meeting is to be held shortly with all concerned agencies.
Dr. Dan Derksen, a twenty-six year UNM faculty member, spoke on the “Affordable Health Care” Act. He noted after this law goes in to effect, the U.S. will be short about 90,000 physicians by 2014. He also noted that presently New Mexico loses three out of four graduates from the medical school to other states.
A Joint Land Use Study for future use of a five mile area around Kirtland Air Force Base was presented. There are recommendations concerning funding, coordination of problems, study of land use compatibility, building code considerations, Base growth, as well as many others.
The President noted that the Sector Development Plan was passed by the City Council on October 4. Many amendments were made to the plan by Council members without public awareness or input. The plan was sent to the Mayor on October 22.
Ted Korbin, Traffic Engineer, discussed the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. The plan, presently in draft form, would review methods of traffic calming, and discuss new methods for handling the process.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m.

East Gateway Coalition Meeting

2010-12-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Annual meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 20, 2011, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. The agenda is not set at this time.

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 7/22/2010

2010-10-12T07:33:00.003-06:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION OF ASSOCIATIONS
MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2010 MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by President Roger Mickelson.

He introduced the following guests: Antonio Sandoval (representing U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich); NM State Representative., Jim White; NM State Senator, Tim Keller; Bernalillo County Commissioner, Michael Brasher; Lenton Malry, Bernalillo Count Manager’s office; and Isaac Padilla (representing City Coucillor, Don Harris).
The President then introduced Commander Cliff Saylor, who is the new commander at the Albuquerque Police Department’s Foothills Area Command. Commander Saylor announced that the Foothills Area Command will hold an open house on August 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and invited all to attend. He then apologized to the audience, stating that he had been called to another meeting, and introduced Lieutenant Todd Hudson to speak to the audience. Lt. Hudson said the area had recently had 12 burglaries and 15 car thefts and car burglaries. He stated that the crimes were most commonly committed during the daytime hours (as people are at their jobs, or otherwise away from their homes). Most vehicle burglaries happen during the night time hours. He stressed that personal items should not be left in vehicles as most of the items stolen were purses, cell phones, lap tops, and other personal items. It was also stressed that cars should be garaged or secured at night. He noted that we should all be aware of what is going on in our neighborhood. If a strange vehicle is spotted at the wrong time in the wrong place, get a license number, note make, color, anything that would help identify the vehicle. The same applies in all situations….be a good witness….note what is happening….report what you have observed.
Mickelson then introduced Senator Tim Keller, who spoke on the recent findings that the State must cut another 3% from its 2011 budget. He stated that both he and Representative White have worked diligently on the budged and are trying to prevent an increase of taxes.
Representative Jim White was then introduced. Rep. White stated that he took office in the fall of 2010, appointed to take Representative R.J. Berry’s seat when Rep. Berry resigned to run for Mayor. He has no opponent in November, so he has two and a half years yet to serve. He stated the 2011 State budget is about $600 million short. He stated the previous Legislature had predicted a six percent increase in revenue which they knew would not occur. He discussed the Legislature’s efforts on establishing ethics legislation. He also discussed a recent proposed City Council bill which would infringe on homeowner associations’ covenants. Rep. White stated that anyone purchasing a home where there is a HOA should have all rules disclosed to them before they purchase.

The President then introduced Russell Brito. Mr. Brito, who is employed in City Planning, stated that the East Gateway Sector Plan is to be heard by the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee on August 11, then will probably go to the full Council in September. It is still possible to submit comments to the Planning Department or Council staff on the Sector Plan. The Sector Plan is designed to help improve the quality of life by sustaining or improving commercial, office, industrial, utility and residential properties. He stated land use could be change by changing zoning. Mr. Brito noted that the Mid-Region Council of Government (MRCOG) is predicting that by year 2035 population in the area will increase by 600,000.
Mickelson then introduced Gabriel Rivera, who summarized potential Metropolitan Redevelopment projects from Wyoming to Tramway.
Mickelson finally introduced Shannon Beaucaire, who is with the City of Albuquerque’s Legal Department. Ms. Beaucaire is in charge of the Community Mediation Department. She urged the audience to utilize this service to help resolve disputes or conflicts that may occur in their areas. The sessions allow the individuals to clearly express their concerns and discuss the resolution with the opposing individuals.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 pm.

Agenda--East Gateway Coalition meeting Oct 21,2010

2010-10-05T15:47:00.006-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for October 21, 2010
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:35 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:45 HOA Legislation Senator Tim Keller

6:55 Legislative Update Representative Jim White

7:05 Albuquerque Administration Initiatives Tito Madrid

7:15 Health Care Concerns Dr Dan Derksen (UNM)

7:35 Joint Land Use Study—Regional Planning Recommendations

8:00 Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan Ted Korbin
Traffic Calming Devices, Policies, Procedures

8:30 Sector Development Plan Status Roger Mickelson

8:50 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda for 7/22/2010

2010-07-01T16:04:00.007-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for July 22, 2010
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order Roger Mickelson

6:30 APD Foothills Area Command Commander Cliff Saylor

6:45 Legislative Update Senator Tim Keller

6:55 East Gateway Sector Development Plan Russell Brito, Planning
Last public discussion prior to August 11 Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Council Committee hearing.

7:35 East Central Metropolitan Redevelopment Gabriel Rivera

8:15 Alternate Dispute Resolution Shannon Beaucaire, Legal
8:30 Adjourn Roger Mickelson

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 4/22/2010

2010-06-16T15:18:00.004-06:00

The meeting of the East Gateway Coalition was called to order at 6:45 on April 22, 2010, by President Roger Mickelson.
Roger introduced guests: Antonio Sandoval (representing U.S. Rep. Heinrich), NM Legislature Representative Jim White; Michael Brasher, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Steve Sink and LT Todd Hudson, APD; David Robbins, APS; and Lenton Malry, Bernalillo County Manager’s office.
Steve Sink, who is the Crime Prevention Manager at APD, stated that one of the most important things to keep in mind is we are each in control of our own personal safety, and we control our own environment. He stressed that it is important to always remember the non-emergency phone number to call is 242-cops.
It is necessary to always use our “gut instinct” about what is going on around us. If something does not look or feel right, it probably is NOT right. He stressed that women should not carry a purse. Make a small packet and carry it on your person. Never carry more than one credit card.
He noted that there have been many cars stolen this year as on cold mornings people go out and start their car to let it warm up and go back into their home…..the car is gone within seconds. APD will etch VIN numbers on your vehicle, usually on the last Saturday of the month from 10 am until 2 pm at various locations around the city. Call 311 the week before to find the location for the event. The next VIN event is in the Target parking lot (Lomas, east of Eubank) on May 22, a week earlier than normal to accommodate the May 30 holiday weekend. You can usually find the location listed in the newspaper (or call your local APD office). If carrying your certificate of registration in your car (as required by law) he suggests making a copy of the certificate (and sign the copy) and carrying that instead.
Mr. Sink had many other suggestions about how to make your home safe, handling solicitors, home invasion, and panhandlers.
Mr. Sandoval reported that Rep. Heinrich had been working on various legislation relative to veterans’ affairs (and offered copies of a “Veteran’s Resource Guide”); tax credits for purchase of a new home; “Hire Act” breaks for small businesses; and the American Recovery Act.
Mr. David Robbins, APS Board Member, noted that the board of directors had been working very diligently on the 2011 budget. He noted that the school district has dozens of different funds, of which some are restricted as to how they may be utilized. The primary operating monies come from the state. Capital funds may not be spent for operating expenses.
A couple of year ago staff had “found” $8 million, and bonuses and raises were given to personnel, as well as monies directed to the athletics programs. This same $8 million mistake was repeated the following year. It was later discovered that these monies were not “restricted” and, thus could be recouped and replaced. With lower revenues and higher expenditures, APS now has a $43 million shortfall for the fiscal year. It was found that many procedures were not documented and there was no written protocol in place for employees to follow. The board now requires monthly financial reports, explanations of variances of projected expenditures as well as close monthly examination of financial status. The current operating budget is $650 million.
Mr. Robbins noted that 98 administrative jobs have been eliminated during the last year.
In responding to a question about vandalism at the schools, Mr. Robbins stated that the district is in the process of installing cameras to document the damages and the vandals.
Representative White stated that unemployment in the state is now at 8.7%. He said that we can expect more taxes and the state budget must be balanced and it will probably be done through taxation. He also noted that education gets 60% of every dollar the state takes in.
Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher reported that the county is looking at a charter school. He stated that new construction is “hurting”. The economy does not support much new construction. Tourism is down, and “tax lightning” is definitely going to affect other taxes with increases.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Geneiva Meeker

EGWC NEWSLETTER 2 - 4/ 2010

2010-05-03T07:09:00.001-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhoods Newsletter
February-April 2010
(Publication date: May 1, 2010)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. The East Gateway Sector Development Plan is under consideration by the City Council Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee. The council’s attention is on the budget, so it may be June before the next scheduled LUPZ hearing occurs. The plan can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/eastgatewaysdp.html. Following the LUPZ review, the plan will be forwarded to the full City Council. Review the plan and provide comments to dharris@cabq.gov or testify at the LUPZ or Council hearings. I urge you to participate in the process—this will set the future appearance of our corner of Albuquerque for a long time to come.

Metropolitan Redevelopment. There will be a public meeting on MRA along East Central Avenue on May 4, 2010, at 6:30, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. Contact Gabe Rivera at jgrivera@cabq.gov for further information. Better, participate to see what projects might receive stimulus funding along Central.

Coalition Meeting April 22—Presentations.

Crime Prevention—Steve Sink, APD Crime Prevention Manager
· Who’s primarily responsible for your personal safety? You are! You can control your environment at that critical, unpredictable moment in time when you’re threatened.
· Report suspicious activities to 242-COPS, file a police report on www.cabq.gov/police/, or visit your Area Command. For crimes in progress, clearly threatening situations, or other serious activities, call 911.
· Be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts. You know what’s “normal” and what’s suspicious.
· A Crime requires a Target, Opportunity, and Motivation.
o Targets include women’s purses, someone carrying packages, open garage door, or other “valuable” source of valuable items.
o Opportunities include unlocked cars, open garage door, and people who are apparently unaware of their surroundings and potential threats.
o Motivation is that perception by the criminal that he/she has the opportunity to acquire the target. This is usually fueled by a way-of life, an attitude disregarding laws and rules, past history of criminal activity, need to steal to support a drug, alcohol, or criminal addiction.
· Auto Theft
o Albuquerque is always high on the list due to location.
o Auto burglary is often the goal to steal a car and its contents
o Thieves fence stolen cars to “chop shops” to be disassembled and sold as “off market” repair parts.
o Don’t keep your vehicle registration and insurance documents in the glove compartment. Carry them with you, provide copies (with original signatures) to other drivers, or put them in a secure, hidden location in the trunk.
o APD conducts free VIN etching on all car windows on the last Saturday of each month, except in May it will be on May 22. Call 311 or look for notices in the newspaper for times and place.
· ID Theft
o Often methamphetamine driven. Addicts need drugs, steal wallets/purses, and sell the identification documents and credit cards to wholesalers.
o Theft of a wallet is a short-term crime; recovering from ID theft can take many months.
o Scams abound to capture personal information; they are always externally initiated. Don’t provide account numbers, PINs, social security numbers, or other “private” information to anyone unless you initiated the call or request and know and trust whoever you’re dealing with.
· Homeless and Vagrants—Panhandling
o There are more than 3,000 homeless people in and around Albuquerque. They are in need of cash for a variety of reasons (often to support drug or alcohol problems), but DON’T give panhandlers cash—that will only perpetuate the problems.
o Some panhandlers consider asking for cash (for gas, for baby food/diapers) as their employment.
o See it; sense it; report it! Call 242-COPS, notify store managers.
o Avoid panhandlers, loiterers in parking lots, and suspicious people—don’t respond to please, ignore them, walk around a row of cars; go back to your car; ask someone to walk with you.
o You know what’s normal, so act on your instincts to avoid confrontations.
· Safety at Home
o Locks, lights, 4-inch dead bolt plate screws.
o Make it look like someone is home.
o Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up mail and newspapers, park a car in the driveway at times, take out trash, return the trash container from the street.
· Door-to-Door Solicitation
o These days, there probably aren’t any “legal” solicitors.
o A solicitor may be searching for a vacant house—as a burglary target. So DON’T hide and fail to let the solicitor know that someone is home; you might be surprised by someone crashing through your back door or patio door, leading to a violence—property crimes progress to violent crimes.
o Respond to a knock on the door or doorbell, but DON’T open the door. Let the solicitor know someone is home, but you don’t want that person on your property—tell him/her to leave.
o Solicitors must have a city permit issued and WITH THEM; ask to see it. If there is confusion or hesitation, immediately tell the solicitor to leave the premises (failure to do so is TRESPASSING), and tell him/her that you are going to call police.
o Watch the departing solicitor; if he/she continues to your neighbor’s house, call police.
o Political, religious, and youth-associated solicitation does NOT require a city permit, but you can tell the person to leave your property—you’re not interested.
· Home Invasion
o Rare, but it happens. And it can be violent.
o The 2:00 AM frantic knock on the door. You respond, look, and sleepily assess the situation. It might be an apparently injured non-threatening gal asking for help after “an accident.” But DON’T open the door to express your sympathy, because you might then see two really scary dudes appear from the shadows and bulldoze their way into your home. Without opening the door, assure the non-threatening person that you’ll immediately call 911—and DO THAT while the visitor can hear you. He/she may miraculously disappear, but should be checked on before another neighbor opens a front door.
· Neighborhood Watch
o An effective crime prevention program along a block, where you know the neighbors.
o Get to know your neighbors, their vehicles and habits, and watch for suspicious variance from normal.
o Look out for your neighbors; ask them to look out for you.
o Call Steve Sink (924-3600) for information on establishing a Neighborhood Watch program on your block.
· Who’s primarily responsible for your personal safety? You are!

Albuquerque Public Schools—David Robbins, APS Board of Education
· APS has about 14,000 full-time employees, 1,000 plus part-time employees, and 140 schools (plus other support facilities). Costs have increased about 18% per student over the last 13 years.
· APS gets the vast bulk of its resources ($600 million in operating funds) from the State. Revenues have dropped. So there are severe budget issues facing the Superintendent.
· The School Board has three functions: set policies (not programs or plans); advise the APS Administration; and hire/fire the Superintendent. The Board can’t demand or order any actions outside those activities.
· Finance staff and managers have experienced an unfortunate personnel rotation/loss for the last several years. Inexperience and sometimes weak capabilities created problems; there have been four Budget directors in the last four years.
· APS “found” $16 million recently. The situation was that financial personnel had misidentified $8 million in FY09 funds as “restricted” [reserved for a particular budgeted purpose] rather than “unrestricted” [available for other uses]. With staff inexperience, that same error was made in FY10, so there was a total of $16 million misidentified, but actually “in the bank.” Someone finally caught the error.
· Due to lower revenues and unforeseen expenses, there is a $43 million shortfall.
· Capital budgeted moneys can’t be used for operational expenses—so the choices under consideration are difficult and will adversely affect administrators and teachers. Firing “double dippers” could cost more than the potential savings in salaries, since APS receives more funding for well-experienced teachers—the additional funds probably exceed the projected salary savings.
· Financial problems have included under-budgeting, barely qualified staff, inexperience, and accounting systems issues (the “new” system was not calibrated against the “old” system; software doesn’t work as predicted).
· In the past, budgeting and financial procedures were NOT documented. Each new person had to reinvent a method to budget, pay bills, and account for LOTS of money.
· In the past, APS only reported monthly costs. The Board has now required that monthly reports include projected budget amounts for that period, actual costs, variances, and explanations of over/under spending so that managers and the Board (and the public) can be aware of the financial health of APS and act to correct errors and adjust to changes.
· Fixes are underway. A better-qualified manager is in place; procedures are being documented. Transparency and public notice of newly discovered problems will become the appropriate method of reporting.
· Questions on Vandalism.
o Vandalism costs APS about $1 million per year.
o APS is installing many cameras to document damages and vandals.
o Seeking to recoup repair costs from offenders and parents.
o More costly to hire sufficient APS Police or guards for all the facilities 24/7/365 as prevention measure.
· Questions on Management
o Teachers get promoted to department heads, then Principals, then APS Staff managers without having managerial expertise.
o Some programs to train managers, but the culture promotes “educators” into management.
David Robbins can be reached at 252-2375.

Joint Land Use Study. Kirtland AFB and the Mid Region Council of Governments (MR COG) are coordinating a study of:
· collaborative land use planning among military installations (KAFB), planning authorities (presumably Albuquerque’s Planning Dept and Bernalillo County’s Zoning and Planning Dept), and regional governments;
· intended to provide technical assistance to help understand, assess, and control the impacts on civilian and military populations of potential implications on each other from their respective activities and land uses;
· method to provide for long-term preservation of Kirtland AFB and foster compatible community development and growth.
There have been (poorly publicized) public meetings, and the report is being assembled over the next 2-3 months. I virtually stumbled into the last public meeting that was held next to the meeting place for the County Capital Improvement Program, so I have very limited information at this time. More later on this subject.

Coalition Meetings
· The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 22, 2010, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, beginning at 7:00 pm.
· Please provide your recommendations for speakers, forums, or meeting themes to Roger Mickelson, 332-9273 or fhvharoger@aol.com.

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda 4/22/2010

2010-04-05T08:55:00.001-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for April 22, 2010
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:30 Update: Crime in District 9 (Commander Levi Anaya)

6:40 FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTION

Albuquerque Police Department Steve Sink
(Other APD Representatives Invited)
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Gonzales (Invited)

7:30 Legislative Update US Rep Heinrich’s Staff

7:40 Albuquerque Public Schools David Robbins (School Board)

8:30 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

2010 EGWC Activities

2010-03-19T11:23:00.002-06:00

It's a busy Spring. More details as events get closer.

2-Mar to 28-Apr
Lost and Found in the Open Space
Opportunity to clean up Open Spaces
Joshua Willis jrwillis@cabq.gov
27-Mar
VIN Etching Event at Cottonwood Mall
From 10:00 am until 2:00 pm
17-Apr
Alb Block Captain Assn--Neighborhood Watch
Hoisington Police Academy 8:30 to 12:00 $10 to join
Steve Sink ssink@cabq.gov
22-Apr
First Council Review of City Budget
At 5:00 pm, Council Chambers basement of city hall
Some departments
22-Apr
East Gateway Coalition--Crime Prevention; APS
Manzano Mesa Center 6:30 to 8:30
Roger Mickelson fhvharoger@aol.com
24-Apr
2010 Great American Cleanup
Opportunity to spruce up the neighborhood
3-May
Spring Green Waste Collection
Opportunity to get rid of yard waste
6-May
Second Council Review of City Budget
At 5:00 pm, Council Chambers basement of city hall
Some departments
10-May
Spring Green Waste Collection
Opportunity to get rid of yard waste
17-May
Final Adoption of City Budget (maybe)
At 5:00 pm, Council Chambers basement of city hall
All departments
24-May
Final Adoption of City Budget (if needed)
At 5:00 pm, Council Chambers basement of city hall
All departments

EGWC NEWSLETTER 11/2009-1/2010

2010-01-30T18:14:00.004-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhoods Newsletter
November 2009-January 2010
(Publication date: January 30, 2010)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. The East Gateway Sector Development Plan is under study by the Environmental Planning Commission; the next public hearing is scheduled for March 4 at 3:30 pm in the Basement hearing room of the Planning Department, 600 Second Street NW. The draft plan can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/eastgatewaysdp.html. Following the EPC review, the plan will be forwarded to the City Council and referred to the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee prior to reaching the full City Council. Review the plan and provide comments to pdonahue@cabq.gov or testify at the EPC, LUPZ, or Council hearings. I urge you to participate in the process—this will set the future appearance of our corner of Albuquerque for a long time to come.

Mitigating I-40 Closures. The January 14, 2010, East Gateway Coalition meeting was convened at 6:45 pm, with President Roger Mickelson outlining the intent of the panel presentations and participants’ questions concerning closures of I-40 in the Tijeras Canyon [outside the Albuquerque city limits] due to severe weather and due to accidents; the resultant traffic congestion on the Interstate, along adjacent roadways, and throughout major and residential streets within Albuquerque city limits; and, especially, what actions have been or will be taken by responsible governmental agencies to minimize the dangerous effects of closures. He noted that there are about 50,000 vehicles transiting the Tijeras Canyon stretch of I-40 every day—the problems are long-standing, complex, and more than difficult. Primary responsible agencies involved in responding to closures include:
· New Mexico Department of Transportation (NM DOT)
· New Mexico State Police (NMSP)
· Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department (BCSD)
· Albuquerque Police Department (APD)
Many other governmental bodies are involved, all the way from long-range planning (Mid-Region Council of Governments—MR COG) to emergency responders (e.g., Bernalillo County Fire Department—BCFD, Albuquerque Fire Department—AFD), as well as other support agencies and those that are affected by closures.

· State Representative Jim White summarized the situation, noting that he had lived in the SE corner of Albuquerque for 30 years and has sought resolution of these long-term problems for 15 years. He emphasized the two diverse situations causing closure—weather and accidents, each with differing durations (longer closures for snow; shorter for accidents), separate responsibilities, and tailored mitigating actions. An example—a closure due to snow [or other weather] closes both eastbound and westbound lanes, while an accident usually closes only one travel direction, and maybe not all lanes in that direction. He noted the NM State Law that assigns authority to close I-40 to the NMSP, and pointed out the need for law enforcement agencies to investigate accidents. In the case of a snow closure, NM DOT and NMSP decide when to open the highway. He asked, “Who’s in charge?” “Is it the first responding officer?” and “Who makes the decision?” He asked that the responsible agency representatives address such questions and provide operative solutions regarding a complex solution.

· Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher followed by noting that there will always be such incidents, especially those due to weather. Much has been done because of the Four Hills Village Homeowners’ Association. He has had several meetings with people involved to explore the issue of need which he considers a need of absolute public necessity—the need to get emergency and needed equipment into surrounding areas. He noted that law enforcement agencies had full responsibility in the case of accidents. Having hosted many discussions among elected officials, responsible agencies, other involved agencies or organizations, and concerned citizens, he reported on the progress among agencies and stated that a coordinated response plan would probably be agreed to and published within about two weeks [end-January]. He urged panel participants to let the audience know about past, current, and proposed activities to alleviate the traffic problems resulting from closures. He stated that the solution is for DOT to have a procedure in place in case of road delays.

· Tony Abbo, NM DOT District 3, the first panelist, stated that the overall goal of the NMDOT is “keeping the freeway open.” He reiterated that law enforcement agencies are the only agencies that can close the roads; NM DOT can’t. He then cited projects accomplished to date, including:
· rebuilding of I-40 in the Canyon
· installation of four monitoring video cameras to alert agencies of accidents and building weather problems
· installation of gates to close eastbound access to I-40 at major entrances [Four Hills Road/Tramway, Juan Tabo, Eubank, and Wyoming – 2 more within the Canyon]
· openings in the median separators to permit turnarounds—We have built all the opening. If changes to the design of the openings are needed, then it may be considered
· establishment of a coordinating group [NM DOT, NMSP, BCSD, APD, and others] specifically formed to address closure issues
· the series of coordinating group meetings, about every three months, seeking to revise a response plan to create a “seamless” process
· expansion of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) of informational electronic warning signs as far west as Gallup
· activation of the 511 telephone information number; upgrades to the http://www.nmroads.com/ web site
· text alerts for those who sign up for transportation information notices within the http://www.nmroads.com/ web site
· purchase [Federal Highway Administration funded] and use of extensive camera-based technology for the photogrammetric investigation of accidents to reduce on-scene measurements and open the freeway back to traffic in a reasonable time frame. All calculation and measurements can be done in an office setting
· putting appropriate response staff on call in advance of expected severe weather events
· have snow plows, sand trucks, and personnel ready for deployment prior to anticipated severe weather

He noted that I-40 is NM DOT’s priority in this region, but that the agency had limited manpower and had to concentrate appropriate people based on the individual situation. He briefly discussed the Traffic Management Center [downtown] through which NM DOT coordinates their activities during emergencies.

· NMSP Captain Andy Montoya noted that District 5 has about 40 officers to patrol and respond to situations in this multi-county area all the way to Santa Rosa. He reaffirmed the priority to “keep roads open,” keeping public safety ever in mind. At any given time, there are only 1-2 NMSP officers in the East Mountain/Tijeras area, so BCSD is generally the law enforcement agency patrolling this stretch of I-40. He responded directly to one of Representative White’s questions—the first responding officer at an accident retains jurisdiction [there are legal issues involved, particularly in the case of casualty-causing accidents and subsequent litigation; every investigation must be accurate and thorough]. He reinforced the cooperative nature of response by noting that other agencies work with the first responder to keep traffic flowing—they decide how many lanes can remain open and whether the road must be closed.

· BCSD Chief Deputy Sheriff Dave Linthicum stated that the closure issues are taken very seriously―that responsible agencies seek mutual aid; are aware of protocols; and try to improve response actions. “We understand and are dedicated to make the protocols work.” NMSP is professionally excellent, and BCSD works well with NMSP and APD. We [on behalf of NMSP] won’t hesitate to close I-40 if that is necessary, but “it’s like shoving an elephant through a straw” [considering the huge volume of Interstate traffic]. BCSD stays in communication with everyone [involved in responding to closure].

· APD Foothills Area Commander Levi Anaya noted that his area includes all of the city east from Eubank [east, north, and south] to the city limit, and the city gets the brunt of traffic resulting from closures. APD is concerned and working on coordinated plans. A major success changed the previous policy of closing I-40 at Tramway [the exit farthest east in the city], which can’t handle that volume of traffic, at APD’s request; so now we collectively push the closure back to Eubank and Juan Tabo—diverting traffic from I-40 and directing traffic north and south onto Central and other areas instead of concentrating the traffic jams in the narrow areas near Tramway—preventing 18-wheelers from waiting along Wenonah or Four Hills Road. The area around Tramway and Central cannot handle [diverted] traffic in case of road closure. APD works to prevent such congestion. Is closure inconvenient? Yes, but we learn from each situation—meeting afterwards to discuss events. We’ll continue with the business of keeping roads open. Is it perfect? No, but we’re working on it. If it’s working on accidents on I-40 in the city, that’s APD’s job. We want to “keep highways open.” Our tools include proper investigation, particularly when fatalities close roads. We use APD wreckers to move disabled vehicles, and we try to keep the public informed with Twitter and our web site [http://www.cabq.gov/police/]. APD takes the problem seriously.

· Q and A Discussion provided the audience with the opportunity to ask about details or to enquire about related matters. It was clear from the outset that panelists were eager to respond, that they didn’t object to critical remarks, and that there was an impressive attitude of cooperation among the responsible agencies. Without attribution, the topics covered included:
· The keys to mitigating the effects of closure are controlling eastbound traffic and concluding the pending agreement, which is not looked at as a temporary measure.
· NM DOT has the keys to the gates that can block eastbound access to I-40 at Wyoming, Eubank, Juan Tabo, and Four Hills Road entrances.
· The ITS is not limited to the Albuquerque area. There are electronic signs as far west as Gallup and, within Albuquerque, at 9-mile hill. There are some areas without camera coverage at the present time. There is a need to improve traffic information received (e.g., from cameras, from TV/radio reports, from truckers on CB radios).The Traffic Management Center is expected to work better within about 12 months as improvements are made.
· The plan is to divert interstate traffic [especially 18-wheelers] to Expo and to the Balloon Fiesta Park.
· Turning I-40 traffic around at Tramway [to send trucks back to the west] didn’t happen in 2006/2007; APD hadn’t anticipated the 3-foot snowfall. And truckers don’t want to turn left at that exit intersection, since trucks weighing more than 5 tons are prohibited from driving on Tramway. Note also that APD vehicles are not four-wheel-drive and have difficulty in deep snow situations—some are unable to respond quickly.
· The Albuquerque Emergency Operations Center can be opened with an expanded staff that may be needed. APD calls in additional officers during any closure emergency.
· It’s necessary to adjust any plan to fit the circumstances, but it’s good to have a plan.
· NM DOT is adding [ITS and other] signs. There’s a sign at 4th Street that would direct eastbound I-40 traffic onto I-25. There are now four ITS signs in Albuquerque to inform tourists and truckers.
· The 3-foot snow is what really triggered formation of the interagency group to cooperate on a response plan.
· There is an emergency plan in place; the fully coordinated plan will be completed in January. The plan is implementable.

· CONCLUSIONS
· This series of presentations, questions, comments, and answers provided an unusual opportunity for residents affected by closures of the very high traffic volume stretch of I-40 to (a) learn what responsible government agencies had accomplished to mitigate the traffic congestion resulting from closures, (b) hear about the interagency cooperation in revising response plans and formally meeting as a group to discuss lessons learned from emergency responses, and (c) understand the serious concern and commitment of responsible agencies.
· Closures will happen due to severe weather and serious accidents.
· With 50,000 vehicles transiting the Tijeras Canyon stretch of I-40 every day, closures will create extensive traffic congestion on I-40 due to blockage, on alternate routes (really only NM 333), along nearby major roadways (e.g., NM 14, Tramway, Juan Tabo, Central), in shopping center and other parking lots, and often on adjoining residential streets in Albuquerque as diverted traffic spills over from major roadways and parking lots.
· There is a commendable spirit of cooperation and coordination among the responsible government agencies; this positive attitude has resulted in the preparation of an interagency response plan that should be finalized in January 2010.
· The interagency planning group meets quarterly and following every closure to discuss lessons learned from each situation, to improve response times, and to modify the processes to better mitigate the effects of closure.
· Is it perfect? No. Any plan seeking to respond to an emergency of such a large scale must provide sufficient flexibility for responsible on-scene managers to adapt to specific situations at the time.
· What else needs to be done?
o The public should be informed of the significant progress made by responsible agencies.
o The interagency response plan should be presented to the public to reassure residents affected by closures of I-40 that response actions are focused on opening roadways and protecting public safety.
o Consideration should be given very early in the decision processes to activate the Albuquerque Emergency Operations Center (or the Bernalillo County EOC) to assemble representatives of many organizations who might (a) need information about the closure and response and (b) assist in the response operations.
o The interagency planning group should be formalized, with a Charter to ensure sustainability of the group and its purposes; consider the inclusion of representatives of nearby residential associations or organizations to provide public concerns and inputs to the government agency representatives.

Coalition Meetings
· The January 14 meeting was our Annual Meeting. Elections were deferred to e-mail nominations and votes; Rose Sena was elected as Vice President, and Zach Hahn was elected as Treasurer.
· The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 22, 2010, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, beginning at 6:30 pm.
· Please provide your recommendations for future meeting themes to Roger Mickelson, 332-9273 or fhvharoger@aol.com.

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 1/14/2010

2010-01-22T11:49:00.001-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2010 MEETING

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 by President Roger Mickelson, who stated the purpose of the meeting was to hear from representatives of the State Department of Transportation, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department and Albuquerque Police Department about plans and actions to alleviate traffic congestion resulting from closure of I-40 due to severe weather or serious accidents.

The President introduced the following persons: Jim White, NM State Representative; Michael Brasher, Bernalillo County Commissioner; Tony Abbo, NM Department of Transportation; Captain Andy Montoya, NM State Police; Chief Deputy Dave Linthicum, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department; and Commander Levi Anaya, Albuquerque Police Department, who constituted the panelists. He then introduced the following dignitaries in the audience: Mike Plese, District Engineer; Lenton Malry, County Manager’s office; Tito Madrid, Mayor’s office; and Jorja Brasher, Director Office of Senior Affairs.

Representative Jim White opened the discussion by stating that in a situation where it must be determined as to whether or not the interstate must be closed or is safe to remain open, it must first be determined just who is in charge. Must equipment be sent out for removal of snow or vehicles involved in accidents? If the Sheriff is there first, who does he hand it over to? We must determine who is responsible to get the job done.

County Commissioner Brasher stated that solving the problem is not a public convenience, but an absolute necessity. He said there have been several meetings lately, and things are beginning to come together, and an operational plan of action should be signed and in place in a short time.

The next speaker, Mr. Tony Abbo of the Department of Transportation, stated that in the case of an accident or impassable roads, the local law enforcement agency would call the DOT and request closure. He stated there are four cameras in the area along I-40 which are monitored by DOT; the emergency number, 511, has been improved immensely; web sites have been installed; and signs are in place for instant alert and warning messaging. He stated co-ordination meetings are held every three or four months. When a dangerous storm is predicted, the snow removal crews are placed on stand-by and when the storm moves in, they are sent out immediately.

Captain Andy Montoya of NM State Police, District 5, stated that the priority in the operation of the interstate is to keep the roads open. However, he only has one or two officers in the area at any particular time, and it is difficult to patrol such a large area.

Chief Deputy Dave Linthicum of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s office stated that when they view a dangerous situation on any interstate, it will be closed if necessary, and the State Police will be notified.

Commander Levi Anaya, Albuquerque Police Department, stated that in the past when it was necessary to close I-40 it was closed at Tramway. Now (because of the heavy traffic load) it is necessary to close it either at Eubank or at Juan Tabo, which creates a lot of evacuation to the local streets and parking lots. He stated that it is absolutely necessary that Central be left open to handle traffic flow both locally and to old Route 66. It cannot become congested with parked 18 wheelers. He said APD has jurisdiction of I-25 and I-40 within the city limits and that APD’s website has DOT information posted on it also.

Audience question: “Who has the keys to the gates that would be closed in the case of a shut-down of the interstate?” Answer from Mr. Abbo: “DOT is working on an agreement with the City as to who opens and closes the gates.”

Audience question: “Electronic signs to divert traffic sooner than Eubank or Juan Tabo must be activated in an emergency situation.” Answer from Mr Abbo: “Signs are installed as far west as Gallup and can be activated by the DOT Traffic Management Center. We can get information to truckers on their citizens band radios about various places to park their rigs. For a longer shut-down of the freeway, traffic may be diverted to the fairgrounds, the balloon park, Wilson Stadium, Walmart’s parking lots, etc.”

Audience question: “Who is in charge at Central and Tramway?” Commander Anaya: “It is under my jurisdiction. However, it is tough to know when to move 18-wheelers away, as we get conflicting information as to how long the interstate will be closed, and just when it will be open again. Trucks will not move down Tramway due to load limitation.”

Mr. Abbo: There are presently four electronic signs in the city.

Chief Deputy Linthicum: “The casinos have agreed to allow parking on their lots, and have indicated that they will put messages on their signs inviting parking in their lots.”

Mr. Abbo: “We will use all available public information officers to get information out to the public. We are diligently working on a plan of action which we hope to have in place within a short period of time.

Mr. Mickelson thanked Representative White, Commissioner Brasher, and the panelists, noting an increased spirit of cooperation to mitigate traffic congestion resulting from closure.

Mr. Mickelson stated that the remaining agenda item, “Elections”, would be dealt with via e-mail.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

I-40 Tijeras Canyon Emergency Response Plan

2009-12-23T14:26:00.005-07:00

DRAFT SUGGESTED: I-40 Tijeras Canyon Emergency Response Plan

Purpose. To minimize the unfavorable traffic effects resulting from any emergency closure of Interstate Highway 40 (I-40) in the Tijeras-Albuquerque corridor due to a major accident, heavy snow, dangerous ice, or other severe weather condition.

Background. I-40 carries most of the east-west traffic through New Mexico, with about 50,000 semi-trailer trucks and passenger vehicles passing through the Tijeras Canyon daily. The increasing population in the East Mountain area adds several thousand vehicles to the long-haul traffic count daily. In the future, traffic will certainly increase. In the past, blizzards, icy road conditions, heavy fogs, and major traffic accidents have resulted in the closure of I-40, creating extensive traffic jams or completely stalled traffic on I-40, parallel route NM 333 (old US 66), and major thoroughfares and adjacent side streets in Albuquerque and Tijeras and in city shopping center parking lots as interstate traffic diverts from I-40. Residents frequently are unable to travel to their homes, work, or essential destinations due to closure. Similarly, Bernalillo County and Albuquerque emergency responders are unable to reach homes on fire, badly injured or ill people, and crime scenes—even with sirens screaming and lights flashing. Several meetings have been held with responsible agencies; however, actions need to be documented to coordinate the agencies involved in efficiently responding to emergency closure of I-40 and to assure the public that their personal safety is at less risk as a result of proper planning.

Conditions. There are two general situations that may lead to closure of I-40: weather and accidents. Although the same agencies may be involved in either case, authorities and responsibilities differ. In general, New Mexico state agencies (e.g., NM Department of Transportation, NM State Police) are in charge of the decision and remediation, with support from Bernalillo County and Albuquerque agencies.

Incident Command System. A recommended response management structure is shown below:

For the purposes of this plan, either NMDOT or NMSP could provide the locally-based Incident Commander for, respectively, weather-related or accident-related incident situations. The Operations Section is primarily staffed by law enforcement agency representatives; the Operations Chief should be a representative from the first-responding law enforcement agency that will keep control of the scene for legitimate legal reasons. The Logistics Section is primarily NMDOT and other transportation and support agencies. Planning is primarily a pre-incident function. The Finance/Administration Section may be a small part of the system, but should include appropriate Legal representatives. Liaison includes other involved or affected agencies (e.g., KAFB, AFD, BCFD). Plans should include alternatives for an Incident Command Center, either mobile or an existing fixed facility. Note that some units (e.g., food unit, air operations branch) might not be required due to the limited time involved in responding to the incident.

Responsibilities. Major responsibilities of key agencies include:

· New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is the primary agency responsible for traffic on or affected by incidents on I- 40. As such, NMDOT has the authority to direct closure of I-40 due to severe inclement weather conditions and to coordinate the emergency response activities to minimize the deleterious effects of any closure. For weather-related emergency situations, NMDOT would provide the Incident Commander.
· New Mexico State Police (NMSP) has the primary responsibility for enforcing traffic laws in the public safety and responding to and investigating vehicle accidents along I-40. NMSP has the authority to direct closure of I-40 when a major accident disrupts traffic. For traffic accident-related emergency situations, NMSP would provide the Incident commander.
· Bernalillo County has the responsibility to assist NMSP in controlling traffic on I-40 and NM 333, as well as along adjacent roadways and streets outside the city of Albuquerque.
o Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has the support responsibility to act with and for NMSP as NMSP officers on scene request and direct.
o Bernalillo County Fire Department retains the primary responsibility for emergency response within Bernalillo County for fires and medical emergencies, as well as the secondary responsibility to respond within the city of Albuquerque.
· Albuquerque has the responsibility to assist NMSP in controlling traffic on I-40 within the city limits, as well as those major thoroughfares and streets within the city.
o Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has the support responsibility to act with and for NMSP as NMSP officers on scene request and direct.
o Albuquerque Fire Department (AFD) retains the primary responsibility for emergency response within the city of Albuquerque for fires and medical emergencies, as well as the secondary responsibility to respond within Bernalillo County.
· Mid-Region Council of Governments has the responsibility to plan and coordinate regional traffic management with other responsible and involved agencies.

Actions. General actions and activities include:

· Responsible agencies should prepare and coordinate a detailed emergency response plan that states agreed policies, roles and responsibilities, procedures, and goals (e.g., to clear the cause of the closure in an expeditious manner, to protect the public).
· Monitoring of traffic flow, weather conditions, and disruptions is conducted by NMDOT, NMSP, APD, and BCSO, with inputs from motorists, local governments (e.g., drivers from various government entities), and alert citizens who call in reports of serious traffic matters.
· Decision to close I-40 is reserved to NMDOT or NMSP depending on the situation (e.g., weather, major accident) in consultation with other responsible agencies.
· Coordination of emergency response operations requires the establishment of a multi-functional command center for the use of an Incident Commander (a designated State official) and representatives from all agencies involved or affected by closure; staffing should include public information, legal, Federal (e.g., KAFB), and social agency representatives.
· Notification of closure of I-40 is made via emergency announcements on commercial radio stations, the NMDOT traffic hotline (511), and electronic signs of the Intelligent Traffic System.
· Closure is effected by a carefully planned and coordinated effort (NMSP, APD, BCSO) to close eastbound access ramp gates, to erect barriers as required, and to post police vehicles and officers to redirect traffic from I-40 to pre-planned alternate routes and parking areas.
· Response to mitigate the negative effects of closure includes expeditious alerting and dispatch of appropriate crews (e.g., snow plows, sand trucks, ambulances, wreckers) to deal with the specific situation causing the closure.
· Traffic control, under NMSP, the primary agency, should focus on preventing additional vehicles from entering I-40, diverting vehicles from I-40, and keeping nearby thoroughfares and streets open for essential local traffic and emergency vehicles.
· Status reporting, coordinated by the responsible agencies and approved by NMDOT, provides situation updates via commercial radio announcements, NMDOT highway information phone recording, and ITS signs throughout the area.
· Reopening I-40 is a carefully phased and controlled metering of vehicles from nearby parking areas back onto I-40 to return traffic to a normal flow without subsequent disruption.

Mitigating Actions Already Accomplished.

· Extensive electronic signage, part of the Intelligent Traffic System, has been installed and is operating along I-40 and I-25 to alert drivers to unusual traffic conditions. ITS could also provide explicit directions to divert traffic from I-40 to nearby parking areas or alternate routes.
· Some gaps in the median barrier system permit limited “turnaround” (permitting eastbound traffic to reverse course onto westbound lanes) of traffic blocked on I-40. Additional engineering and redesign could facilitate turnaround of larger, longer vehicles.
· There are a very few potential emergency exit areas along eastbound I-40 that could permit traffic to divert onto eastbound (or westbound) NM 333.

Additional Mitigating Measures.

· Completion of a comprehensive emergency response plan should be a high priority. It should include detailed responsibilities and authorities, an agreed Incident Command System approach, and assignment of specific actions designed to facilitate rapid and effective response to a variety of closure circumstances. The public and experienced emergency response personnel (e.g., Albuquerque Emergency Operations Center, 911 operators) should be involved in this important process.
· The public should be informed of the existing processes, the evolving plan, and the accomplishments designed to minimize the negative effects of any closure of I-40.
· Incident Commanders and staff representatives should be identified and an alerting system established to ensure rapid notification and control in an emergency closure of I-40.
· Training of representatives from responsible agencies and from organizations and agencies that would likely be affected by closures should be conducted periodically.
· Practice drills and exercises should be conducted to ensure that emergency incident staff and responders fully understand the actions required to mitigate negative effects of I-40 closure.

East Gateway Coalition Meeting--I-40 Closure (Email to Coalition Distribution)

2009-12-23T14:24:00.001-07:00

bcc: Coalitions, associations, some others.

Many of us have experienced the negative effects of closing Interstate 40. Clogged NM 333, major connectors (e.g., Central, Tramway), shopping center parking lots, and residential streets near those roadways. There have been many meetings and offline discussions. We've had excellent support from State legislators, Commissioner Brasher, and others----at the last meeting, the NMDOT Secretary and the acting Exec Director of MR COG were very supportive of making more progress. I've been pushing for the development of a comprehensive, coordinated plan so that we know (and they know) what can be done to minimize the traffic jams.

I hope that we can get some responsive presentations from panelists at the January 14 meeting (Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, beginning at 6:30 pm). We will be in the gymnasium, so space is not limited for those who wish to attend. I urge member associations to invite their members as evidence of growing community concerns.

Merry Christmas, Roger Mickelson

East Gateway Coalition Meeting--I-40 Closure (Email to State, County & City Distribution)

2009-12-23T14:17:00.004-07:00

From: FHVHA RogerTo: Debra.Bauman@state.nm.us, Mike.Plese@state.nm.us, larry.velasquez@state.nm.us, Andy.Montoya@state.nm.us, Patrick.Garrett@state.nm.us, sheriff@bernco.gov, LAnaya@cabq.gov, RGriego@cabq.govCC: MBrasher@mercury.bernco.gov, James.White@nmlegis.gov, DCave@mrcog-nm.gov, Gary.Giron@state.nm.us, LMalry@bernco.gov, bmiera@bernco.gov, TZdunek@mercury.bernco.gov, JBreen@cabq.govSent: 12/22/2009 10:35:03 A.M. Mountain Standard TimeSubj: East Gateway Coalition Meeting--I-40 Closure

In discussions with State Rep Jim White and Commissioner Michael Brasher, they'd like to introduce the discussion on January 14, 2010, emphasizing the long-standing and growing problem of closures of I-40. They and many residents in east Albuquerque and the East Mountains have voiced strong concerns with the increased frequency of closure, heavier congestion, and blockage of NM 333 and city roadways.

At a recent meeting co-chaired by Rep White and Commissioner Brasher, it became clear that an agreed response plan is needed to coordinate NM DOT, NMSP, BCSO, and APD activities. There are other government agencies with roles in expeditiously clearing a closed Interstate, but these four agencies, especially the two State agencies, appear to have primary responsibilities. Additionally, both BCFD and AFD have vital interests in clearing roadways for emergency response. I have revised the sketchy plan that I sent earlier; it's attached (and certainly needs comments).

At this point, I've adjusted the agenda to list Rep White and Commissioner Brasher to summarize the problem, followed by a panel-----Debbie Bauman (NMDOT), Capt Montoya (NMSP), BCSO (I don't have a name from that office yet), and Commander Anaya (APD). I ask that each of you (or the "right" representative) contact me at 332-9273 to discuss how I can help you in developing a meaningful discussion on January 14.

Regards, Roger MickelsonPresident, East Gateway Coalition of Associations

(Plan and Meeting Notice in next post)

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda 1/14/2010

2009-12-14T15:14:00.005-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for January 14, 2010
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:30 Update: Crime in District 9 (Commander Levi Anaya)

6:40 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION—I-40 CLOSURES AND REMEDIES
Short Introduction—the Growing Problem
State Representative Jim White and Commissioner Michael Brasher

Panel Presentation—the Solutions
NM Department of Transportation----------- Tony Abbo
NM State Police------------------------------ Captain Andy Montoya

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office------------- Chief Deputy Dave Linthicum
Albuquerque Police Department-------------- Commander Levi Anaya

Other involved government agencies invited to attend.

Adjourn

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

EAST GATEWAY COALITION MEETING MINUTES 10/15/2009

2009-12-01T10:04:00.002-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 2009, MEETING

The meeting was called to order by President Roger Mickelson at 6:45 p.m.

APD Lieutenant Scott Lopez presented a summary of crime information on behalf of Commander Levi Anaya.
· Crime is down in District 9, except for Singing Arrow.
· Go to www.cabq.gov/crime for information on calls for service; you can select the area and duration.
· Four Hills and Juan Tabo Blvd have major speeding problems; APD has mounted more speed checks.
· Reversal operations: Female APD officers are posing as prostitutes, especially along Central Avenue.
· Burglaries have resulted in increased APD operations to counter those crimes.
· APD is working on noise enforcement, especially loud motorcycles.
· Crime prevention specialist, Agrippina Neubauer, is conducting a series of classes for young school children on internet safety, predators, and other concerns.
· Gates have recently been installed near the south end of the Juan Tabo Blvd bridge to prevent vehicles from entering the Tijeras Arroyo.
· APD Foothills Command can be reached at 332-5240.

Focus on Transportation
· NM DOT representative had to cancel at the last minute due to flu; ABQ Ride was not present.
· Traffic Engineer Wilford Gallegos:
o Department of Municipal Development is responsible for both capital programs and operations.
o The ¼ cent Transportation Infrastructure Tax provides about 80% of road maintenance funding.
o Goal of Street Maintenance is to work every street every 8-10 years.
o City has about 4600 lane miles of streets to maintain; about 1/3 are arterial and 2/3 residential.
o Major rehabilitation costs about $200,000 per lane mile.
o Snow removal involves approximately 26 snow plows; emphasis is on salting/sanding.
o I-40 closures. There is a plan, including gates to prevent eastbound access to I-40, signage, and negotiations with EXPO New Mexico for parking, but major questions remain [NOTE: This may be the primary topic for a panel of State, County, and City transportation and police agencies in January.]
o City will salt/sand the Juan Tabo Blvd bridge leading to Juan Tabo Hills, but further south, the issue may be City acceptance of the bridge and developer-built streets.
o Generally, the city doesn’t salt/sand residential streets.
· Jack Lord, MR COG:
o Presented an outline of the Metropolitan Planning Organization that serves as a regional planning, development, and coordinating body.
o Responsible for the long-range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (the process for the 2035 MTP has just begun) and shorter-range Transportation Improvement Plan (eight year budget constrained tactical plan).
o Contact at www.mrcog-nm.gov
o NOTE: Roger Mickelson has an electronic copy of Jack Lord’s .ppt presentation.
· Bruce Rizzieri, MR COG:
o Regional transportation planning and execution.
o Federal Highway Trust Fund has been depleted recently—funded by gasoline/diesel taxes.
o State Road Fund is also funded by gasoline/diesel taxes, but some revenues diverted by the NM Legislature.
o Gasoline/diesel tax revenues have declined during the last several months.
o Local funding includes the new 1/8 cent Gross Receipts Tax passed last year—split between Rail Runner and related transit—and the recently approved ¼ cent GRT that will go into effect on July 1, 2010.
o Rail Runner passengers: About 45% of the Rio Rancho-boarding passengers go to Santa Fe; approximately 80% of the Los Lunas/Belen passengers are bound for Albuquerque.
o Next three years will see more transit routes, park-and-ride locations, and neighborhood circulator services.
o In coming years, New Mexico (and Albuquerque) are predicted to have the fifth-oldest average age population; regional transit planning will adapt to those requirements.

Paula Donahue, Planning Department, presented a short status summary of the East Gateway Sector Development Plan. Comments have been received and analyzed to update the plan. Next step is to submit the plan to the Environmental Planning Commission (target date is November 5, but could be delayed to December 3) and provide public access a week after submission. EPC will hold at least two hearings, and then the city council’s Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee will consider the plan. City council is the approving authority. It is important that residents, business operators, and other interested parties testify and submit written comments after studying the plan as it proceeds. The Coalition attendees complimented Paula for her professional diligence and erstwhile efforts to keep the public informed and involved—much applause.

Bernadine Hernández, UNM Hospital, presented an overview “Report Card” describing UNMH and its accomplishments. UNMH is the only public and teaching hospital in New Mexico. It is also the only Level 1 Trauma center and the only 24/7 Pediatric ER in New Mexico. The long-standing mil levy provides approximately $82 million annually for services and equipment. UNMH will convert to all-electronic medical records on October 25, 2009. NOTE: Roger Mickelson has an electronic copy of her .ppt presentation.

There were some concluding statements by Matt Zidovsky (Rep Martin Heinrich’s office), Qiana Salazar-King (Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins’s office), Bernadette Miera (Bernalillo County neighborhood contact), and Isaac Padilla (Councilor Don Harris’s office).

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

EAST GATEWAY COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOODS NEWSLETTER

2009-11-12T10:28:00.003-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhoods Newsletter
September-October 2009
(Publication date: November 12, 2009)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. The Sector Plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue and I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and KAFB on the south as shown below; the smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area is a darker shade.

(East Central MRA and Sector Plan Map included in original Email).

The East Central Sector Development Plan is in final edit, with reviews by the Planning Department and most other city agencies that will be affected by the many design and zoning proposals from Wyoming on the west, I-40 on the north, and the city limit on the east and south. These reviews seek to produce a cohesive, readable plan that would be submitted to the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) early in December. There are no further public meetings scheduled, although there is a possibility that narrowly-focused discussions could be held to resolve concerns of groups of residents and business operators according to Paula Donahue, the Planning Department coordinator. Paula can be reached at 924-3932 or PDonahue@cabq.gov.
General information and the draft plan can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/eastgatewaysdp.html. Note that this posted draft plan is being reviewed, although the changes may be moderate in some regards—the contents will follow a similar outline.
The EPC will likely examine the plan application in January, and we anticipate that at least one closed “study session” and two public hearings will be conducted. Following the EPC review, the plan will be forwarded to the City Council and referred to the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee prior to reaching the full City Council. The entire process may result in a decision (to approve the plan) in the March-April 2010 timeframe, depending on the plan’s relative priority amidst other legislative issues.
Public review of the plan can therefore begin about December 3, and public comment (testimony) can be offered at the two EPC hearings, the LUPZ hearing, and the City Council meeting. We should all stay involved, read the plan in December, and prepare and present any formal comments early next year. Remember, if you don’t participate, you shouldn’t gripe about the final results.
In parallel, work continues on the Metropolitan Redevelopment Plan that is based on a narrower area along Central Avenue. A summary of the process can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/amra/currentprojects.html. According to Gabe Rivera, the Planner, the contractor is conducting additional economic and market research this month. Gabe will conduct a “walk-around” survey of businesses over the next month, planning for a third public meeting in December. Gabe can be reached at 924-3479 or JGRivera@cabq.gov.

Mitigating I-40Closures
Winter storms, icy roads, and accidents have created incredible traffic backups in the East Gateway area for many years. Senator Sue Wilson-Beffort, Representatives Kathy McCoy and R.J. Berry, and local officials have tried to ensure that responsible authorities (e.g., NM Department of Transportation, State Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, Albuquerque Police Department) are planning to divert the heavy traffic from I-40 onto parking areas without impeding residents’ necessary movement to and from homes and stalling emergency service response vehicles.
Gates blocking access to eastbound I-40 have been installed. Electronic warning signs have been set up and tested. Ideas have been proposed for turnarounds or temporary exits from I-40. Discussions have been held—far too many discussions—without preparation of a coordinated plan to cope with the hundreds of 18-wheelers that frequently have filled shopping center parking lots, clogged major collector roads (like Central Avenue), and completely halted local residential traffic, including emergency vehicles responding to accidents, medical emergencies, and fires.
Recognizing that I-40 carries an enormous volume of traffic, that winter storms will happen, and that major accidents will occur, it is apparent that more planning needs to be done. To that end, we’ll ask our elected officials to demand that responsible agencies create and test plans to minimize the negative effects of I-40 closures. Additionally, the East Gateway Coalition of Associations will ask those officials and responsible agencies to provide relevant information and to summarize emergency plans early next year—at the Coalition meeting at 6:30 on January 14 at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (Southern and Elizabeth SE).

Coalition Meetings
· The January 14 meeting is our Annual Meeting. In 2010, representatives of member associations need to elect the Vice President and the Treasurer for a two-year term. As noted above, we hope to have a panel presentation of solutions to the long-standing I-40 closure problems.
· Please provide your recommendations for future meeting themes to Roger Mickelson, 332-9273 or fhvharoger@aol.com

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda

2009-09-08T07:29:00.006-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Meeting Agenda for October 15, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
(South-West Corner of Elizabeth and Southern Blvd SE)

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:30 Update: Crime in District 9 (Commander Levi Anaya)

6:40 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTATION
Panel Presentation, followed by questions and answers

NM Department of Transportation Debbie Bauman (NM DOT Planner)
ABQ Ride—Progress and Programs Greg Payne (Director, ABQRide)
Albuquerque Traffic Engineering Michael Riordan (Director, DMD)
2035 Metropolitan Trans Plan Jack Lord (MR COG)
Regional Planning Bruce Rizzieri (MR COG)
8:10 East Gateway Sector Development Plan (Paula Donahue)
Short update on next steps in the process

8:30 UNM Hospital Community Report Card (Bernadine Hernandez)

8:45 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

EGWC Meeting Minutes 7/23/2009

2009-08-10T07:10:00.001-06:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
MINUTES OF JULY 23, 2009, MEETING

The meeting was called to order by President Roger Michelson at 6:45 p.m.

Lenton Malry ,a coordinator of the Bernalillo County Neighborhood Association, handed out a “NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS” publication, and called attention to an article about the newly appointed County Commissioner for District 3, Maggie Hart Stebbins .

President Michelson introduced Albuquerque Police Department Commander Levi Anaya, who spoke on crime statistics in the Gateway area. Some areas have considerable increases in violence while others have not increased dramatically. He noted that neighborhood coordinators could go to the CABQ web site at “crimemapping.com” to see what is happening in their areas. He strongly proposed that neighborhoods participate in the “Neighborhood Watch” program, and get to know their neighbors; how to contact them; and share information with them. He said “311” DOES WORK, and contact may be made at “cabq.gov/crm”. Commander Anaya may be contacted at “LAnaya@cabq.gov”.

President Michelson then introduced Ms. Ester Tennenbaum, who is employed by City of Albuquerque Information Central – 311. Ms. Tennenbaum informed the group that 311 first originated in Baltimore as a relief for 911 operators, who were overwhelmed with non-emergency calls for information. The 311 system was started in Albuquerque in 2004. In 2005 there were 400 calls recorded for the service. Now there are more than 8,000 calls per day. The slogan for 311 operators is “The citizen is always first.” She stated that quality of information provided to the citizen is their number one priority, and 311 never closes – they are there 24/7.

Mr. Michael Brasher, Bernalillo County Commissioner for District 5, was introduced and spoke briefly on County happenings.

Paula Donahue, Senior Planner of the City of Albuquerque Planning Department, was introduced by the President. Ms. Donahue presented the “First Draft for Community Review” of the East Gateway Sector Development Plan. She explained various portions of the plan and noted that a meeting will be held on August 20, scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Manzano Mesa Multi-generational Center to discuss the plan. She requested that comments on the proposed plan be forwarded to her office no later than August 7 either by e-mail or regular mail. Ms. Donahue stated that after the meeting on 8/20/09, it will take at least another month for review of proposed changes, and that a proposal incorporating changes should be presented in October, with a final document to be presented in December. The document would then go to the Planning Commission; then to the City Council for review and adoption. It could take ten to fifteen years for implementation.

The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Agenda

2009-07-10T10:56:00.006-06:00

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for July 23, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, Room 3

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)
Minutes for January and April meetings were approved by e-vote

6:30 Crime Statistics (Commander Levi Anaya)

6:45 311—Albuquerque’s Information Central (Esther Tenenbaum)

7:15 East Gateway Sector Development Plan (Paula Donahue)

8:50 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Minutes 4/21/2009

2009-06-18T13:03:00.002-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2009

The quarterly meeting, held at the Manzano Mesa Multi-generational center, was called to order at 6:42 .m. by President Roger Mickelson. There was not a quorum present.

The President introduced New Mexico State Representative R.J. Berry. Representative Berry commented that paving at Central and Tramway was underway as the NM Department of Transportation was able to transfer $200,000 to the project, thanks to the efforts of Larry Vellasquez, NM Department of Transportation. Rep. Berry noted that the legislature had the least number of bills introduced in the 60-day session since 1985. He stated the state is solvent for four years; however the 2010 budget will be smaller than that for 2009. It was stated that state government hired 5,700 new employees during the current administration. He believes a special session will be called in August or September to deal with fiscal matters.

NM State Senator Sue Wilson-Beffort was introduced and commented that she had served in the legislature for thirteen years, presently on the Senate Finance Committee, and has never witnessed the fiscal dilemma that this year’s legislature has had to deal with. She noted that due to this fiscal problem, no new programs were introduced to the legislators.

NM State Representative Tim Keller was introduced and spoke of actions taken by the legislature for corporations, education, Tax Increment Development Districts, green jobs, a 40% tax cuts for green remodels, $400,000 allocated for films, $60,000 for Eclipse Aviation, and the allocation of $180,000 for the study of the Southern Blvd. intersection in the sector plan being studied for the area.

Bernalillo County Commissioner, Michael Brasher was introduced and discussed the continuing problem of our jail over-crowding, which he feels is due to the inefficient system of legal operations. He noted that we need to apply pressure to more quickly to get from arrest, to trial, to sentence. He said attorneys stall, and 98% of pleas are entered at the last minute. There is a huge need to get attorneys, public defenders, and courts to work together, seeking earlier plea agreements as one priority measure. Mr. Brasher noted that the Water Utility is increasing rates, the City is increasing taxes, and that the time is wrong to be raising taxes and rates.

Roger Mickelson then introduced Steve Sink, APD Crime Prevention specialist. Mr. Sink’s first statement was “You are the person responsible for your safety”. He noted that the more information you can provide about an offender, the better the chance of the person’s being caught. Be aware of your surroundings; trust your instincts; follow through. He stated that “meth” is driving the crime rate. The triangle of crime is: motive, target, opportunity; so be aware of your surroundings at all times. He had the following suggestions: get rid of purses and wallets; etch VIN numbers on vehicle windshield and windows; trim hedges and shrubs on your property so no one can hide in them; have good outdoor lighting; put longer screws in door frames; when you are away, do not stop mail and papers, have a neighbor pick them up. Door to door solicitors must have a city permit with them and can only come to your home from 9 a.m. to dusk.

Bernadette Miera, Bernalillo County Neighborhood Association contact, was introduced and spoke of notifications she sends to community neighborhood leaders.

The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Geneiva Meeker

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda

2009-05-28T10:22:00.003-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations

Agenda for July 23, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, Room 3

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:30 Approval of Minutes (Geneiva Meeker)
Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report (Zach Hahn)

6:35 311—Albuquerque’s Information Central (Esther Tennenbaum)

7:10 East Gateway Sector Development Plan (Paula Donahue)

8:50 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

EAST GATEWAY COALITION OF NEIGHBORHOODS NEWSLETTER

2009-04-21T17:47:00.003-06:00

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. The City’s consultant contractor has been hard at work to revise and expand the contents of the draft East Gateway Sector Development Plan. The Sector Plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and KAFB on the south as shown below; the smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area is a darker shade.

(JPG posted in outgoing email).

Draft reports can be reviewed at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/eastgatewaysdp.html. Paula Donahue, the city’s Senior Planner for the Sector Plan, can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov. The contractors and planning staff should have a more polished draft available for public review by the end of May 2009.
Tijeras Arroyo.
1. There is a proposal initiated by the Trust for Public Lands to purchase approximately 60 acres of undeveloped property just east of the City-County boundary south of NM 333 (old US 66), including a portion of the arroyo, and further south, connecting to the Manzano Open Space. Councilor Don Harris sponsored legislation to earmark $400,000 toward this purchase. This could provide an important link between open space north of I-40 and potential open space in the Tijeras Canyon for a wildlife corridor. Issues include overall costs within fiscally-constrained budgets, policing of the arroyo (a favorite “camping” area for homeless people), and maintenance of the extended open space.
2. Public dumping and intrusive activities further west in the arroyo continue to be an irritant to residents. The developer of Juan Tabo Hills has been asked to install locked gates to limit access to trash dumpers, and both the City and County have been asked to participate in a cleanup operation to remove accumulated trash from the area north of Juan Tabo Hills.
3. Non-native trees and other growth continue to proliferate in the arroyo. There is a Council bill pending to remove these unwanted plants to preserve native vegetation.
Form Based Zones. The Environmental Planning Commission dedicated hundreds of hours to revise a comprehensive proposed addition to the Zoning Code establishing five (seven if you count the sub-categories) new Zones, outlining procedures to request Zone changes, and templates for each new zone. The Council approved the proposal. Note that developers must request changes to existing Zone designations and that those applications are subject to established Planning procedures, including public review and comment. Note that developers had the flexibility within the established Zoning Code to apply for any of the template designs under an SU-1 Zone.
Great Streets. This proposed Rank 2 Facility Plan would provide for enhancing street segments to provide a “sense of place” through widening of sidewalks, emplacing shade trees and other plants, and similar measures to attract walkers. Similar to the Form Based Zone procedures, developers, community groups, business owners, and others would apply for a Great Streets designation for a specified street segment. It is expected that the Council will approve the Great Streets Facility Plan, which could override sector plans, subdivision plats, and overlay zones, all of which are Rank 3 plans. Note that Great Streets projects had already been approved under the established Zoning Code.
Coalition meetings.
· The Annual meeting was held on January 22, 2009, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. Member association representatives elected Roger Mickelson as President and Zach Hahn as Treasurer, each for a two-year term. PRC Chairman Jason Marks reported on regulatory activities. US Postal Inspection Service agent Stephanie Herman provided insightful information about identity theft and postal security matters. Mayor Martin Chàvez spoke about his efforts to secure Federal stimulus funding for City projects.
· The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 pm on April 21, 2009, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. NM Senators Sue Wilson-Beffort and Tim Keller and state Representative RJ Berry will report on the 60-day 2009 legislative session. APD Crime Prevention manager Steve Sink will provide information on avoiding crime to attendees.· Please provide recommendations for future meeting themes to Roger Mickelson, 332-9273 or fhvharoger@aol.com.

East Gateway Coalition of Associations Meeting Agenda

2009-04-10T06:55:00.003-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for April 21, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
SW Corner of Southern Blvd and Elizabeth Street SE

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:30 Approval of Minutes (Geneiva Meeker)
Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report (Zach Hahn)

6:35 New Mexico Legislative Update (Sen Sue Wilson-Beffort)
(Rep R.J. Berry)
(Sen Tim Keller)

7:00 Avoiding Crime: Awareness and Actions (Steve Sink, APD)

8:30 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

EGWC Meeting Minutes 1/22/2009

2009-02-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

EAST GATEWAY COALITION
Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2009

Call to Order: The Annual Meeting of the East Gateway Coalition was called to order at 6:40 p.m. at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center by Roger Mickelson. There were thirty participants, including three coalition officers, ten member association representatives, invited guests, and government officials. Member association representatives were provided with copies of the approved revised bylaws, the Treasurer’s Report and the October Meeting Minutes.

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 23, 2008, were approved as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: It was moved that the report of the Treasurer be accepted as presented; seconded, and passed.

Election of President and Secretary: Zack Hahn nominated Roger Mickelson for President for the ensuing two-year term. The nomination was seconded, and there were no ensuing nominations. Nominations were closed. All voted in favor of the nominee, and Roger was elected as President. Rose Sena nominated Geneiva Meeker as Secretary for the ensuing term. The nomination was seconded, and passed. There were no other nominations and nominations were closed. All voted in favor of Geneiva, who will serve as Secretary for the ensuing two-year term.

Public Regulation Commission Activities: Newly re-elected PRC commissioner, Jason Marks, provided information relative to new PNM rate increases and growth predictions that the commission is reviewing. PNM desires to construct five new transmission stations to satisfy the projected needs of its customers. The utility has received permission from the PRC to add a charge for the increased cost to install underground lines to service areas. He urged constituents to contact him at www.jason.marks.com; e-mail: jason.marks@state.nm.us. He may be telephoned at: 1.888.4AS.KPRC, or (cell) 505.235.8015.

Mail and Identity Theft: Stephanie Herman of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service spoke to the attendees on how to help avoid identity theft. Some points of interest if you are a victim of identity theft:
· Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
· Review your reports
o Equifax: 1.800.525.6285
o Experian: 1.888.397.3742
o Trans Union: 1.800.680.7289

The alert will stay on your credit report for at least 90 days; an extended alert for seven years. (You may also obtain a FREE credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com (1.877.322.8288). Next, close accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Then file a report with your local police where the identity theft took place. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. This may be done online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft; by phone at 1.877.IDTHEFT.

Ms. Herman had many other pointers: shred financial documents; protect your Social Security number; do not give out personal information over the phone; never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; don’t use an obvious password such as your birth date; keep personal information in a secure place.

Ms. Herman provided four handouts, including a Quick Reference of pertinent organization contact phones, addresses, and e-mails. Highly recommended web sites include www.fakechecks.org, www.identytheftassistance.org, and www.idtheftcenter.org.

Member association representatives may request a copy of Ms. Herman’s PowerPoint presentation from Roger Mickelson at fhvharoger@aol.com.

Mayor Martin Chavez arrived at approximately 8:30. He discussed his recent trip to Washington, D.C. relative to requests for receipt of Federal funds to help cities defray costs of miscellaneous infrastructures; such as roadways, etc. (He was one of fifteen mayors invited to attend the meeting with President Barrack Obama’s economic advisers.) He noted that the State will probably receive about 1.3 million dollars, but the amount the City will receive is still unknown.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Geneiva Meeker, Secretary

EGWC of Associations Agenda for 4/23/2009

2009-02-18T07:25:00.004-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
for April 23, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, Room 3

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:35 Approval of Minutes
Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report

Avoiding Crime

6:40 Awareness and Individual Actions (Steve Sink, APD)

8:00 Updates on the East Gateway Sector Development Plan, Tijeras Arroyo, Open Space Acquisition, and other matters

8:30 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/

Eastgateway Coalition Newsletter NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008

2009-01-12T14:40:00.002-07:00

(Publication date: January 4, 2009)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. Another public meeting was held on November 20, 2008, to report progress on the East Gateway Sector Development Plan. The Sector Plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and KAFB on the south as shown below; the smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area is a darker shade. In a related matter, the Moratorium and Interim Design Standards affecting construction along East Central Avenue, in place now for more than two years, will probably be modified to allow for single story commercial development along Central. One construction project at Central and Elizabeth SE is moving forward. Maestas and Ward, the developer for Franklin Square at Juan Tabo and Central, will proceed slowly to redevelop that corner property. The Sector Plan contractors and Planning staff will hold additional public input meetings in the next month or so.

(Map was included in the email to all)

Reports and status may be reviewed at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/eastgatewaysdp.html. Paula Donahue, the city’s Senior Planner for the Sector Plan, can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov. Although this round of comments ended on December 18, 2008, Paula solicits your input concerning how this corner of the city should be modernized.

Great Streets. The Planning Department developed a facility plan for aesthetic landscaping, limiting parking, walkable sidewalks, and other features to provide a “sense of place” along selected streets in Albuquerque. The Environmental Planning Commission reviewed the plan earlier in December and deferred further action until January 22, 2009. Status and the December 2008 revised version of the plan can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/long-range/GreatStreets.html.

Form Based Zones. The proposed addition to the Zoning Code was forwarded to the City Council on November 5, 2008, with extensive suggestions by the Environmental Planning Commission. The complete Planning Staff report is 852 pages long; will the Council read that thoroughly? The FBZ will probably include:
Language was added to the General provisions establishing the use of the zones as allowed by existing legislation.
A list of incentives was included.
A new implementation process was adopted and is described in the plan.
Language regarding the administration of the zones was clarified and simplified.
The Definitions section has been removed and coordinated with the Zoning Code.
Many technical changes.
It is anticipated that the Chair of the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee will schedule FBZ for hearing later this month or in February.

Economic situation. The Mayor has proposed significant budget reductions to offset lower revenue projections. The Council has proposed cuts of about $23,000,000 in a similar vein. It is expected that many city services and projects may be reduced in scope, eliminated, or deferred pending improvements in the overall economy and tax revenues. The New Mexico Legislature will be wrestling with similar concerns during the upcoming session.

Next Coalition meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on January 22, 2009, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. This is the Annual Meeting, and member association representatives are strongly urged to attend. The agenda includes election of the President and Secretary, a summary report of activities of the Public Regulatory Commission by Jason Marks, and an intriguing discussion of mail and identity theft by Inspector Stephanie Herman, United States Postal Inspection Service. I heard Inspector Herman’s presentation at the New Mexico Crime Prevention Association meeting late in 2008—she covers a lot of topics that threaten all of us.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

revised East Gateway Coalition Annual Meeting Agenda

2009-01-12T14:37:00.003-07:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Annual Meeting Agenda for January 22, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

6:35 Approval of Minutes
Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report
Changes to Bylaws approved by e-vote Oct-Nov 2008

6:40 Election of President and Secretary
Nominations from the floor
Summary statements of qualifications by candidates if desired
Election by voting members

6:55 Public Regulation Commission Activities (Jason Marks, PRC)

7:10 Mail and Identity Theft (Stephanie Herman, USPIS)

Special Guest Speaker Mayor Martin J. Chávez

8:40 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

www.eastgatewaycoalition.org

EGC 2008/2009 Calandar 12/5/2008

2008-12-05T15:59:00.002-07:00

January 2008City of Albuquerque District 9
Meeting January 15, 2008 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
Red light Cameras--East Central Re-development-TIDD's

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
January 22, 2008 6:30 PM-8:10PM

Annual MeetingManzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
Gateway Coalition Meeting
July 22 6:30-8:30
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center
"Focus on Crime" -- Sheriff Darren White, followed by APD Commander Levi Anaya or another APD representative

Public Safety Fair
APD-- AFD--& Code Enforcement
August 19, 2008
5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Manzano Multigenrational Center

East Gateway Sector Development Plan Workshop - Open House - Meetings
Where: Four Hills Country Club, 911 Four Hills Road SE. Head south of Central on Four Hills Road or call 299-9555 for directions.
Workshop--- --Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Open House--- Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
---Thursday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Wrap-Up Session--- Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m

East Gateway Coalition of Associations---October 23, 2008---- Meeting Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

East Gateway Coalition of Associations---Annual Meeting ---January 22, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

East Gateway Coalition Annual Meeting

2008-12-05T15:41:00.002-07:00

East Gateway Coalition
Annual Meeting
January 22, 2009
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

Agenda emailed 12/5/2008

Eastgateway Coalition Newsletter Septemeber- October 2008

2008-10-28T14:49:00.004-06:00

September-October 2008
(Publication date: October 28, 2008)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue. Meetings on the East Gateway Sector Development Plan were held in August, with an update on Planning Department and consultant progress on August 26. Focus group technical meetings were held on August 27, and a summary of the results was presented on August 28. The preliminary, conceptual ideas should not be taken as part of a “plan”; each concept needs to be reviewed in the coming weeks. A short summary of the MRA was presented at the District 9 meeting on October 22, 2008; the MRA will seek about three projects for special treatment in support of the Sector Plan. The Sector Plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and KAFB on the south as shown below; the smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) is a darker shade.

(MAP INCLUDED IN THE EMAIL VERSION)

Paula Donahue, the city’s Senior Planner for the Sector Plan, and the contractor Planning Team will conduct a public meeting on November 20 at the East Gate Church, 12120 Copper NE, beginning at 6:30 PM to review the draft report and to discuss next steps in the process. It is important that concerned citizens participate in the redesign of our corner of Albuquerque—transportation, parks, public services, schools, aesthetics, urban design. Paula can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov.

Great Streets. The Planning Department developed a facility plan for aesthetic landscaping, limiting parking, walkable sidewalks, and other features to provide a “sense of place” along selected streets in Albuquerque. There are still many unanswered questions concerning costs; water use; maintenance; locations; and competing priorities in a time of tight budgets. In particular, there is a concern that “beautifying” street segments in one part of Albuquerque will divert scarce tax revenues from capital projects in other parts of the city. The Planning Department was directed to revise the plan by the Environmental Planning Commission (EPC); that revision should be available for public review and comment by November 10. The EPC will probably review the revised proposal on December 11, 2008, at a special hearing.

Form Based Zones. The 63-page proposed Code amendment was reviewed at several special EPC informal meetings; many substantive changes were prepared, including:
Language was added to the General provisions establishing the use of the zones as allowed by existing legislation.
A list of incentives was included.
A new implementation process was adopted and is described in the plan.
Language regarding the administration of the zones was clarified and simplified.
The Definitions section has been removed and coordinated with the Zoning Code.
Many other technical changes were recommended by the Commissioners; the Planning Staff should complete the revision by the end of October. That draft should be available for public review by November 3, but may not be dealt with until November 17. It is anticipated that the Council President will refer the FBZ to the Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee for a hearing in December.

Coalition Meeting. The October 23 quarterly meeting included a presentation by Jill Holbert, Deputy Director of the Albuquerque Solid Waste Department, on Recycling—current program, goals (Zero landfill impact by 2030), and future expansion of the program. The Focus on Transportation included presentations on the 2030 Metropolitan Transportation Plan by Rodolfo Monge-Oviedo, Rio Metro Transit Plan by Bruce Rizzieri, I-40 closures and progress on corrective measures by Tony Abbo and Charles Remkes, and a summary of the 21st Century Transportation Task Force report by Tom Menicucci and Nevin Harwick. Discussion raised concerns about the Rio Metro proposed 1/8 cent tax increase (on the November ballot) and recommended extension of the 1/4 cent Transportation Infrastructure Tax due to expire in 2009. Questions were also raised about interagency plans to limit the effects of closures of I-40; progress has been made, but solutions are not yet sufficient. The conclusions of the 21st Century task force were discussed, particularly concerning the proposed modern streetcar, funding, and allocation of the proposed extended 1/4 cent tax.

Next Coalition meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on January 22, 2009, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

Revised Agenda for October 23 East Gateway Coalition Meeting

2008-10-15T11:32:00.002-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for October 23, 2008 Meeting
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

Minutes of previous meetings were distributed via e-mail to member association representatives for approval. Member association representatives and officers approved the April and July minutes.

6:30 Recycling program (Jill Holbert, Solid Waste Dept)

Focus on Transportation
Each speaker will summarize his topic, allowing adequate time for questions.

2030 Metro Transportation Program (Rodolfo Monge-Oviedo, MR COG)
Rio Metro Transit Plan (Bruce Rizzieri, MR COG)
21st Century Transportation Task Force (Tom Menicucci, Council Staff)
Transportation Tax in the Future
Modern Street Car
I-40 Closures: Progress and Plans (Tony Abbo, NM DOT)
Taxation and Infrastructure Considerations (Mike Gibson, Assoc Contractors)
Transit considerations (Greg Payne, Dir Transit Dept)

8:30 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

East Gateway Coalition Meeting Agenda

2008-09-23T15:24:00.001-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
Agenda for October 23, 2008 Meeting
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

6:30 Call to Order (Roger Mickelson)

Previous Minutes and Treasurer’s Report distributed via e-mail to member association representatives for approval/acceptance.

6:30 Recycling program (Jill Holbert, Solid Waste Dept)

Focus on Transportation
Each speaker will summarize his topic, allowing adequate time for questions.

2030 Metro Transportation Program (Rodolfo Monge-Oviedo, MR COG)
Rio Metro Transit Plan (Bruce Rizzieri, MR COG)
21st Century Transportation Task Force (Tom Menicucci, Council Staff)
Transportation Tax in the Future
Modern Street Car
I-40 Closures: Progress and Plans (Tony Abbo, NM DOT)
Taxation and Infrastructure Considerations (Mike Gibson, Assoc Contractors)

8:30 Adjourn (Roger Mickelson)

EGC 2008 Calandar 9/23/2008

2008-09-23T14:33:00.000-06:00

January 2008City of Albuquerque District 9

MeetingJanuary 15, 2008 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

Red light Cameras--East Central Re-development-TIDD's

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations

January 22, 2008 6:30 PM-8:10PM

Annual MeetingManzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

Gateway Coalition Meeting

July 22 6:30-8:30

Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

"Focus on Crime" -- Sheriff Darren White, followed by APD Commander Levi Anaya or another APD representative

Public Safety Fair

APD-- AFD--& Code Enforcement

August 19, 2008

5:00 PM-6:30 PM

Manzano Multigenrational Center

East Gateway Sector Development Plan Workshop - Open House - Meetings

Where: Four Hills Country Club, 911 Four Hills Road SE. Head south of Central on Four Hills Road or call 299-9555 for directions.

Workshop--- --Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Open House--- Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

---Thursday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Wrap-Up Session--- Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m

East Gateway Coalition of Associations
October 23, 2008 Meeting
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

East Gateway Coalition Newsletter

2008-08-11T14:13:00.003-06:00

July-August 2008
(Publication date: August 9, 2008)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue has moved slowly for three months. A series of public meetings on the Sector Development Plan will be held in August. The initial plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south as shown below in yellow; the much smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area is a darker shade of gray.

(MAP WAS INCLUDED IN THE EMAIL)

Paula Donahue, the city’s Senior Planner for the Sector Plan, and the contractor Planning Team will conduct a public meeting on August 26 in the evening at the Four Hills Country Club. Several technical team meetings will be held on August 27 to focus on various aspects of the Sector Plan. There will be additional meetings on August 28. More information will be sent by mail notice and e-mail. Paula can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov.

Redevelopment Progress. Independently, a real estate consortium and a local developer have stepped forward to begin the lengthy process of redeveloping the NE corner of Central and Juan Tabo (the abandoned Furr’s grocery store and shopping center). This was a market-driven decision that has been slowed by the slump in the real estate market and the increased costs of construction materials.

Great Streets. The Planning Department had proposed a complex and comprehensive Rank 2 (policy level) facility plan for landscaping, limiting parking, building walkable sidewalks, and adding other features to provide a “sense of place” along two dozen street segments. In May, public testimony and messages opposing the need for an overarching policy/plan convinced the Environmental Planning Commission to defer hearing the proposal until August. Today, the Staff Planner sent the first page of the August 14 Staff Report recommending a 60-day delay. There are many unanswered questions concerning costs; water use; maintenance; locations; and competing priorities in a time of tight budgets. Perhaps the 113 pages of standards and guidelines that provide design templates and aesthetic suggestions might more properly be considered during preparation or review of Sector Plans, Overlay Zones, or separate legislation rather than being incorporated into a citywide facility plan.

Form Based Code. The revised 63-page (previously 151 pages) proposed Code amendment was introduced at a special hearing of the Environmental Planning Commission. Public testimony suggested that (a) there was no need for additional Zones, (b) that the building and development designs could be applied for and approved under the existing Code, (c) that the intended “optional” nature of the proposed Code could become mandatory in the future, and (d) that applications for site development/subdivision plans should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There were other technical and implementation issues, and the proposal will be heard in a series of EPC meetings beginning August 14. The EPC members are keenly aware of the potential implications of this complex legislation; they want sufficient time to study the proposal in depth. Several people who follow such things suspect that many controversial issues will remain unresolved at the August 14 hearing.

July’s Coalition Meeting was held on July 22, with Sheriff Darren White, Albuquerque Police Department Deputy Chief Mike Callaway, District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, Judge Pat Murdock, and Judge Victor Valdez summarizing each organization’s roles in responding to calls for service and arresting, investigating, prosecuting, trying, and sentencing criminals. Approximately forty people attended, asking good questions and receiving useful answers. It’s clear that responsible people and organizations involved in the criminal justice system are working hard to streamline procedures, to interact cooperatively, and to do their utmost to deal with crime in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. There are some inefficiencies in the system, stacks of cases to be dealt with, too many suspects in jail awaiting hearings, inadequate laws and ordinances, and shortfalls in funding and staffing. Most panelists agreed that adding APD officers and BCSO deputies would be their highest priority—both to deter and to respond to reports of crime. There were suggestions that coalitions and neighborhoods cooperatively work with public safety offices to consider appropriate actions to improve the system.

Next Coalition meeting will tentatively be held at 6:30 pm on October 23, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

INVITATION East Gateway Sector Development Plan Workshop and Meetings

2008-08-11T11:39:00.003-06:00

East Gateway Sector Development Plan Workshop - Open House - Meetings
The City of Albuquerque invites you to share your ideas for guiding future
land and transportation development in the East Gateway area
( Wyoming on the west, I-40 on the north, and City limits on the east and south).

Please attend as many of the events as you can.

Bring your neighbors.

There will be activities for children and teens.

Where: Four Hills Country Club, 911 Four Hills Road SE.

Head south of Central on Four Hills Road or call 299-9555 for directions.

Schedule:

Workshop Tuesday, August 26, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Open House Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 27, 2008 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Wrap-Up Session Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:30 – 8:30 p.m

For more information, contact Paula Donahue at (505)924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov. 7-1-1(Relay NM) For information in Spanish, contact Ramona Gabaldon at (505)924- 3923. If you need English language interpretation, interpretation for the deaf, or other assistance to participate, please call or email as soon as you receive this.

Information about planning progress and reports from each meeting are posted on a City of Albuquerque Planning Department Web Page, http://www.cabq.gov/planning/advance/eastgatewaysdp.html

The report from the May 22nd meeting will be posted by Friday, August 15

EGWC Treasurers Report

2008-07-22T12:57:00.003-06:00

Because the panel program, Focus on Crime, is our primary purpose for tonight, I plan to skip the bureaucratics of minutes and $$$ report tonight. Sissy is having computer problems, so the minutes from April will be sent later. Zach is out of town, but submitted a report that shows:

Income
Dues ($10 each from 15 groups) $150
Donations $50
TOTAL INCOME $200

Expenses
Bank Fees and Charges $39.73
State Incorporation Fee 25.00
TOTAL EXPENSES $64.73

Statement of Assets
Checking Account $135.27

Sincerely, Roger Mickelson

East Gateway Coalition Meeting July 22

2008-07-14T14:50:00.002-06:00

East Gateway Coalition Meeting July 22 Subject

The major topic is Focus on Crime, with Sheriff Darren White, APD Deputy Chief Mike Callaway, DA Kari Brandenburg, District Court Judge Pat Murdock, and Metro Court Judge Victor Valdez on the agenda to summarize the role of each agency in arresting, prosecuting, and punishing criminals in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. BernCo Assistant County Manager John Dantis will be there to address issues about Metro Detention Center.

This is an impressive array of talent addressing an important topic of great concern to taxpayers.

Plan to attend. Bring the Pres/VP/Security Director from your organization. Learn about the criminal justice system. Think about questions for the panelists to address so that we can all fully understand the constraints, successes, and needs of the criminal justice system.

Why don't the BCSO and APD arrest all of the criminals?
How many law enforcement officers are actually "on the street"?
How many law enforcement officers are in support/administrative jobs?
Why aren't investigations conducted more quickly?
To what extent does multiple jurisdiction e.g., city, county, federal) hinder arrests and investigations?
Who takes jurisdiction over serious crimes (e.g., drugs, assaults, murders)?
Why do some people (e.g., repeat DWIs, Daskalos) get off?
How long does it take to decide to prosecute?What's the role of Grand Juries? Why aren't they all prosecuted?Do we send the right people to jail? Are probation violators more dangerous than other criminals?
Does parole work?
What's the rate of recidivism for violent offenders? For property crime perpetrators?
What major limitations exist that keep your organization from arresting/prosecuting/convicting criminals?
What legislative changes would you like to see to help you do your job?
How can citizens help?
What civilian volunteer programs (neighborhood watch, crime prevention, police station augmentation) are there?

Many other areas come to mind...recruitment, trial delays/deferrals, victim's rights, rights of accused, rehabilitation, medical treatment, education of prisoners.

Please thing this through so that we can elicit good hard information from the panel members.

Sincerely, Roger MickelsonPresident, East Gateway Coalition of Associations

East Gateway Coalition Meeting July 22

2008-06-10T16:22:00.000-06:00

Planning continues for the 6:30-8:30 meeting at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. The primary topic of "Focus on Crime" may be preceded by a 5-10 minute pitch by City Legal on Alternate Dispute Resolution.

The approach for Focus on Crime is to allow speakers to speak for 3-5 minutes each on the role that their organization plays in the criminal justice system, beginning with actions taken after a crime (Sheriff Darren White, followed by APD Commander Levi Anaya or another APD representative); prosecutorial tasks (DA Kari Brandenburg); and trials (Judge Pat Murdock is the likely speaker). The focus should be on how suspects are handled throughout the process; what constraints exist that limit arrests/trials/convictions; how priorities are set; and what improvements are needed (e.g., staff, budget, legislation). After the talks are concluded, the floor would be opened for questions and answers and general discussion.

I trust that the attendees will come pre-armed with good questions and insightful concerns. Over the last years, I've heard many people who didn't fully understand why some perpetrators escaped justice---this is an opportunity for representatives of several community associations to ask and be answered.

Please note that our Bylaws prohibit any partisan political activities. I ask for your cooperation on sticking to the main topic of the evening.

Sincerely, Roger MickelsonPresident, East Gateway Coalition of Associations

East Gateway Coalition Newsletter

2008-06-05T07:44:00.007-06:00

April-May 2008
(Publication date: June 4, 2008)

Revitalization of East Central Avenue is moving forward, with a public “kick off” meeting on May 22 to discuss how the Sector Development Plan will be developed. The initial plan boundaries are Virginia Street on the west, Copper Avenue to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south as shown below in yellow; the much smaller Metropolitan Redevelopment Area is a darker shade of gray.

Paula Donahue, the Senior Planner for the Sector Plan, and the contractor Planning Team presented the program process, asked for public input as to good and bad locations in the plan area, and answered questions. The next series of public input meetings will be conducted during the last week in August. The Metropolitan Redevelopment planning process will support the sector plan by identifying a few projects to improve the economic and aesthetic environment. Paula can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov.

Great Streets. The Planning Department proposed a complex and comprehensive Rank 2 (policy level) facility plan for embellishing two dozen street segments with landscaping, limited parking, walkable sidewalks, and other aesthetic features to give selected area residents a “sense of place.” Testimony and messages opposing the need for an overarching policy/plan convinced the Environmental Planning Commission to defer hearing the proposal until August. There have been some public meetings that generated both support and opposition; many comments are addressed in the Staff Report. However, there are still questions concerning costs (estimates are in the $50-70 million range); water use; maintenance; locations; and competing priorities in a time of tight budgets. The EPC directed that concerns be considered in a revised Staff Report and that the implementation process be clarified a month prior to the next hearing. Perhaps the 113 pages of standards and guidelines that provide many design templates and suggestions might more properly be considered during preparation or review of Sector Plans, Overlay Zones, or separate legislation rather than being incorporated into a citywide facility plan.

Form Based Code. The proposal to add a151-page addition to the Zoning Code was withdrawn at the EPC hearing due to extensive concerns and opposition. That document is being rewritten and should be available very soon. Several people who follow such things suspect that many controversial issues will remain. These may become issues for the Coalition to consider after receipt and analysis of the revised proposal.

Next Coalition meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on July 22, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. The major topic on the agenda will be Focus on Crime, with an Albuquerque Police Department senior representative (Foothills Commander Levi Anaya or a Deputy Chief), District Attorney Kari Brandenburg, and other organizational officials prepared to answer questions. The intent is for a few presenters to summarize their roles in finding, arresting, investigating, prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing criminals. This has been one of the major concerns of citizens, and I encourage all member-representatives to prepare some hard questions and to participate on July 22. More details will be provided via e-mail.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

East Gateway Sector Development Planning Meeting Summary

2008-05-27T16:08:00.002-06:00

I attended the May 22 East Gateway Sector Development Planning Meeting at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. About 100 East Gate Coalition members attended, but I didn't see any from our association except Mori Jafari. The meeting was conducted by Paula Donahue, City Senior Planner with a team of contract consultants. Before the Sector Plan discussion, we were told that an 0.125% county tax increase would be proposed for the Rail Runner and that an increase of 9.5% in gas and electric bills had been approved by the PRC.

Paula asked us to place green or red stickers on locations within the plan area indicating those they favored or not for attractiveness, drivability and security. We also asked to fill out cards with questions or comments on issues, needs, problems, etc. The plan will involve integration of transportation, land use and market studies for economic development feasibility. Duration will be 15 months with several milestones, tasks, schedules and key events. The objective is to make the East Gateway more prosperous and attractive.

The chief consultant presented a slide lecture showing the Centers and Corridors concept approved by the City, with high density centers with hotels and offices buildings at major intersections, integrated with residential neighborhoods between.

He showed various city street, business and residence configurations that have developed in major cities and pointed out their pros and cons and how they were able to adapt or not to changes in transportation, commercial building, and residential construction. Regulations must allow for interconnectivity, change, regulate use, maintain property values, and facilitiate trsnsportation and parking.

Paula will send attendees a report on their favored and unfavored areas for attractiveness, etc. and the issues they brought up or submitted on cards at the meeting. I'll send you a copy for e-mailing to our members.

Sent to Roger Mickelson

5/26/2008

From Tom Conley - Meeting Attendee

MARCH-APRIL 2008 Newsletter

2008-04-21T10:12:00.002-06:00

(Publication date: April 20, 2008)

Revitalization of East Central is finally through the contractual process—fully funded. The East Gateway Sector Development Plan process will be “a broad, inclusive community effort that covers multiple issues.” The current proposed plan boundaries are (approximately) Virginia Street on the west, Copper to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south. Paula Donahue of the City Planning Department is the responsible planner; she can be reached at 924-3932 or pdonahue@cabq.gov. She and the contractors have already compiled a great deal of preliminary information over the last several weeks. The first of four major public input meetings will be conducted on May 22, 2008, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center (Southern Blvd and Elizabeth Street SE) beginning at 6:30 pm. The approved Metropolitan Redevelopment planning process will support the sector plan by identifying a few (perhaps 3-4) key projects in need of additional government assistance to improve the economic and aesthetic environment.
This may be the most important study of this corner of Albuquerque in this decade, setting sweeping goals and directive guidance for development for the next few decades. So it is essential that business owners and nearby residents consider the future of the east Central Avenue corridor and adjoining areas.

Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Watch. Steve Sink, APD Crime Prevention Manager, conducted an annual conference of the Albuquerque Block Captains Association on April 19. Some key points were discussed concerning crime statistics, technological innovations, and personal safety. The topics focused on Albuquerque, but many of the ideas and suggestions apply to Bernalillo County residents:
In 2007, Albuquerque experienced a 5 percent reduction in Part I crimes (violent crimes), an 11 percent reduction in burglaries, and an increase of 12.6 percent in arrests. Crime hasn’t disappeared, but standards are being enforced and criminals tracked down and arrested.
APD is adopting new technologies, including a Computer Aided Dispatch System (with on-board maps linked to addresses of calls for APD Units responding). APD can find your home quicker.
COP Logic is a system used by other police departments that should be available in Albuquerque this summer. Citizens can create their own police call—reporting minor incidents, graffiti, abandoned vehicles without calling 911 (reserved for violent emergencies) or even 242-COPS (for routine calls.
Another automated program that citizens will soon be able to access on the Internet to view (graphically) locations of crimes. APD supervisors can use the database and program to collect information about high crime areas, types of crimes, patterns. Mobile APD Units can look at recent crimes in the area being patrolled to sharpen their awareness. Citizens can query the system about recent crimes in their neighborhood by type and location. Coming this summer.
The very best deterrent to crime is forming the habit to:
be aware—SENSE what’s going on around you. Walk with your head up, look around frequently, recognize who is approaching, understand your environment.
trust your “gut feel” about danger—INSTINCTS must be trusted. If you are uncomfortable with someone approaching you, believe your feelings. Focus on potential threats and risks.
act on those instinctive assessments—FOLLOW THROUGH by avoiding the possible threat through actions (turn aside, continue to watch, change your pace, escalate to verbal levels).
Another deterrent to crimes, particularly at home, is to form a NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH with your neighbors along your block. Neighbors watching out for neighbors, using the same SENSE—INSTINCT—FOLLOW THROUGH techniques. If a stranger loiters or disappears between homes, call 242-COPS. Call Steve Sink at 924-3600 to get more information about setting up a Neighborhood Watch on your street.
Hints to avoid becoming a victim. Criminals look for targets (something of value) and opportunities (weaker or more vulnerable person, unoccupied house).
Steve Sink pointed out that women’s purses are clear targets. He recommended that women sort through their purses to remove unneeded “stuff” and collect a small set of identification (driver’s license), 1-2 credit cards, and a few dollars that can be carried in a pocket when shopping. Leave your purse at home or lock it in the trunk of your car.
Similarly for men with bulging wallets. Weed out the “junk” in your wallet and collect the same few essential items. Wrap a rubber band around those key items and carry the packet in a front pocket—not in your back pocket.
He recommended folding your vehicle registration and insurance card and including those in your small packet. But that doesn’t work well for people who share vehicles. Another hint that I heard several years ago was to put the vehicle registration and insurance card in a black plastic envelope and hide that in the locked trunk of the vehicle—that way, two drivers have access to those documents.
Keep your car keys and house keys on separate rings. We all trust our car repair folks, but there’s no reason to hand them (or their sneaky customers) an opportunity to copy house keys—and thieves already know where you live because you didn’t hide your vehicle registration and insurance card in the trunk.
Identity theft is increasing. Shred your mail—not just the bank statements, bills, and unwanted credit card applications, but also the envelopes with your name and address on them. Yes, criminals can find that information elsewhere, but prevent the “easy” access if someone searches through your recyclables.
Scam alerts. New Mexico has a web-based listing of recent scam attempts at http://www.nmag.gov/ (click on Scams). APD has begun a crime alert system on the West Side that may be extended to other substations—in the near future; the Crime Program noted above may substitute for that.
Set up a Neighborhood Watch program on your street (or more than one in your neighborhood). It costs nothing, deters crime, and helps neighbors meet their neighbors.
City Meetings. The meeting dates and agendas for the City Council; Finance and Government Operations committee; and Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee (including links to the proposed legislation) are posted at http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/#current. Agendas are not normally posted until Friday afternoon prior to a Council meeting on the following Monday.
The agendas for the Environmental Planning Commission (and the staff reports linked from the agenda) are posted at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/epc/epcagenda.html.

Form Based Code. The proposal to add a151 page addition to the Zoning Code was withdrawn due to extensive opposition. That is being rewritten and should be available in just a few weeks. Several community activists who follow such things suspect that many controversial issues will remain. These may become issues for the Coalition to consider—there are other groups examining the details and taking initial opposition. I’ll pass along the more balanced news to Coalition member representatives.

Web site. The coalition web site is operational at http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/. Please provide suggestions as to content so that this may be a more useful and attractive site.

Next Coalition meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on April 24, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center. In addition to electing a Vice President and Treasurer for 2008-1010, we will hear reports from State Senator Sue Wilson-Beffort, State Representative R.J. Berry, and Commissioner Michael Brasher. The Commissioner’s discussion will focus on the Bernalillo County Capital Improvements Planning process, seeking our advice and recommendations for projects to be developed in the East Gateway area.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

East Gateway Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Planning Meeting

2008-04-09T07:44:00.006-06:00

East Gateway Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Planning Meeting

East Gateway Sector Development Plan

(to be supported by the MRA plan)

May 22, 2008

6:30 PM

Location: Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

East Gateway Coalition Meeting

2008-03-24T07:41:00.002-06:00

East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations
April 24, 2008 Meeting 6:30PM
Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center

Sandia/KAFB/Science Park Meeting March 18

2008-03-20T16:08:00.001-06:00

District 9 Councilor Harris sponsored presentations at Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.
March 3, Council passed a Traffic Study to analyze Tramway-Eubank south of Central, looking at needed improvements, routes, cut through traffic, etc.
May 22, public meeting on East Gateway Sector Development Plan at 6:30 pm at the MMMC.

Carol Meincke, Sandia National Labs, described the programs at the lab. SNL is a government owned, contractor operated (GOCO) complex managed by Lockheed Martin for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under general supervision by the federal Department of Energy.
Five major areas expanded/completed through large investment:
Master Engineering and Systems Applications (MESA), External Communication, Test Capabilities Revitalization (phase 1), Master Substation, and Center for Integrated Nano-Technology (CINT).
SNL's major projects are part of the NNSA's Complex Transformation designed to upgrade, rebuild, and create smaller, more efficient, more secure, modern, safer, and more economical set of capabilities. [Complex Transformation was presented on March 11 at the convention center.]
SNL seeks stable Supplier Partnerships based on Best Value (not necessarily cheapest price) contracts with competent local businesses, such as CH2MHILL, Garrett-Smith, Smith Engineering, and Bridges.
SNL received a federal "green" award for past accomplishments in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Colonel R E Suminsby, Commander of the 377th Air Base Wing, provided an overview of KAFB, the 6th largest Air Force Base with 52,000 acres and a total of 23,000 employees (military, civilian, all tenant organizations). KAFB is NM's largest employer, spending about $3 Billion locally, with a $3.2 Billion payroll. As a multi-mission complex, KAFB and its tenants have tasks in every USAF mission area and, through SNL and others, in the commercial sector (an example was research for Goodyear tires).
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) will add about 1000 employees by 2010, including movement of the Reserve Center from Wyoming between Central and Lomas to a new facility inside the KAFB fence. BRAC will also close the confinement facility (good) and consolidate the Space Vehicle Directorate, a major tenant organization. Cannon AFB will transfer 3 F-16 aircraft to KAFB, and the Air Force Research Lab will move the Space Vehicle Battlespace Environmental Lab from Hanscom AFB (north of Boston) to KAFB, with + 284 people...many of whom may be local hires if existing staff prefer not to move to Albuquerque.
Leasing is a new thrust, including two proposed areas south of Gibson Blvd west of KAFB for office and industrial use, two renewable energy leases (solar collector fields), and other commercial options.
KAFB has had a problem with trails and access near Otero Canyon in the east; may release 530 acres to National Parks. Also have signed an agreement with Albuquerque for the preservation of a wildlife corridor through KAFB in and along the Tijeras Arroyo watershed.

Jim Clinch, Manager of the Sandia Science and Tech Park, provided an overview of SSTP, which began 10 years ago with approval of a master plan. SSTP is about 200 acres on both sides of Eubank and includes the future National Museum of Nuclear Science and History (former Atomic Museum) on SW corner of Eubank and Southern and CINT farther to the south.
SSTP organizations employ about 2100 people now; look to grow to 6000 in another 10 years.
SSTP has public/private partnership agreements involving many government organizations (e.g., DOE, NM, County, City, MR COG) and 27 corporate partners (e.g., EMCORE, Ktech, TVC, TEAM Technologies).
Grants. $2.85 million from Dept of Commerce + $200,000 for planning; NM $1.157 million in infrastructure; Albuquerque $$785,000 plus about $3.4 million improvements to Eubank Blvd.
Total investment = $67 million public and $229 million private.
Average salary of SSTP = $62,000/year compared to $37,000 citywide.
Community service includes blood drives and food collection and donation.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008 Newsletter

2008-02-18T07:58:00.001-07:00

(Publication date: February 17, 2008)

Revitalization of East Central is still moving forward through the City’s contracting process; there were some difficulties in appropriated funds being in the right/wrong category. Expectations are that the contract will be signed before the end of February. Paula Donahue, project officer in the Planning Department, has done a lot of preliminary work (e.g., compiling relevant data files, gathering maps). The East Gateway Sector Development Plan process will be “a broad, inclusive community effort that covers multiple issues.” The current proposed plan boundaries are (approximately) Virginia Street on the west, Copper to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south.
This may be the most important study of this corner of Albuquerque in this decade, setting sweeping goals and directive guidance for development for the next few decades.

Overlapping Coalition. An additional coalition has been proposed for District 9. The East Gateway Coalition is apparently too inclusive, permitting County neighborhood organizations to participate in matters that affect those of us in the city and those in nearby residential areas (like revitalization and I-40 closure challenges).

Closure of I-40. Concerns about traffic congestion due to weather and accidents have resulted in some actions, primarily by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (the lead agency). Gates that would block east-bound entrances to I-40 have been erected at Wyoming, Eubank, Juan Tabo, and Four Hills Road (although the last needs some additional “blockage” to prevent vehicles from driving around the barrier). Additional solutions to the problems include more timely information, closely coordinated traffic control by the several law enforcement agencies involved, priority clearing, diversion onto NM 333, detouring traffic off I-40 to the west (e.g., at Louisiana Blvd), and manual control of city traffic lights. Further discussions will be held.

Neighborhood Task Force. There have been no actions taken on the final report. It recommended an independent Office of Neighborhood Coordination, legislation concerning restrictive homeowner associations, and no changes concerning the Neighborhood Recognition Ordinance. Note that the proposed legislation to amend the requirement that a new, overlapping association show that it has more members has been deferred until April 2008.

City Meetings. The meeting dates and agendas for the City Council; Finance and Government Operations committee; and Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee (including links to the proposed legislation) are posted at http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/#current. Agendas are not normally posted until Friday afternoon prior to a Council meeting on the following Monday.
The agendas for the Environmental Planning Commission (and the staff reports linked from the agenda) are posted at http://www.cabq.gov/planning/epc/epcagenda.html.

Traffic Study. The City Council will hear a proposal for a transportation study broadly focused on Central/Tramway to Eubank Blvd (EC-08-61 is the Administration’s request to the Council). This seems to conflict with the ordinance passed by the Council (O-07-279) that excludes the Tijeras Arroyo and limits the Tijeras Corridor Study; section 4 of that ordinance says:
“The scope of this project includes transportation planning, system analysis and preliminary engineering and environmental studies to determine the location of a new east-west collector roadway between Eubank Boulevard and Juan Tabo Boulevard, or other traffic management methods to be applied in the study area.”

The dollar amounts also don’t match up: O-07-279 includes $100,000 of State funding and $150,000 of City money; EC-08-61 proposes $150,000 for the study.

Based on informal comments at the last Coalition meeting, perhaps the more recent study proposal (EC-08-61) will also address cut-through traffic between Singing Arrow and the Four Hills Mobile Home Park. In any event, the differences need to be resolved.

Major Voter/Taxpayer-Related Initiatives.
Tax Increment Development Districts. Major developers have already been approved for TIDDs. Mesa del Sol (south of the SunPort) includes five TIDDs, and Bernalillo County has approved nine TIDD areas for the Upper Petroglyphs (west of Albuquerque). TIDDs are poorly understood, and there has been a great deal of emotional information (and misinformation) distributed. There is a need for an unbiased panel presentation to inform voters of the potential risks and value of TIDDs in general and in the two cases noted. The Governor just vetoed a Bill that would have committed an estimated $629,000,000 to the Upper Petroglyphs project; but that’s not the end of that proposal by a long shot.
Transportation planning. There are several government bodies involved in projecting future transportation needs, including the NM Department of Transportation, Mid Region Council of Governments, 21st Century Transportation Task Force, Albuquerque, and Bernalillo County. Major investment decisions concerning Rail Runner (e.g., unfunded capital investments, annual multi-million dollar operating costs, four-county tax district funding), overall New Mexico highway maintenance under-funding, Paseo del Norte/I-25 interchange improvements, and the Albuquerque Modern Streetcar proposal each involve hundreds of millions of dollars—taxpayer money.
Form Based Code. There is a proposal to add a large (151 pages) addition to the Zoning Code. The “optional” city-wide provisions emphasize accessibility, flexibility, mass transit, higher density, and other “new urbanist” aspects. The big question is whether developers can already apply for conforming development under existing Code (with exceptions and variances). You can access the details at http://www.cabq.gov/council/FormBaseCode.html.
These may be “too big” for the Coalition to consider—there are other groups examining the details and taking positions on these challenges. I’ll press for unbiased “voter education” information and will pass along the more balanced news to Coalition member representatives.

Web site. It is operational at www.eastgatewaycoalition.org. Please provide suggestions as to content so that this may be a more useful and attractive site.

Next Coalition meeting is tentatively scheduled for the evening of April 24, 2008, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

Initiating the Sector Development Plan

2007-12-26T14:10:00.000-07:00

(Original File was an Acrobat PDF File)

Albuquerque East Gateway
Initial Focus Groups and Public Input
August 7-8, 2007
Prepared for the City of Albuquerque Planning Department
by Architectural Research Consultants, Inc. and
Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc.

INITIATING THE EAST GATEWAY SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The City of Albuquerque will be initiating an East Gateway Sector Development Plan process for a part of the City that lies within an area generally bounded by Interstate Highway 40 on the north, Wyoming Boulevard or Moon Street on the west and the city limits on the east and south. (See the graphic below.) Central Avenue is the area’s primary east/west street. Short, but important portions of Juan Tabo and Eubank Boulevards are primary north/south streets.
Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, just southwest of these boundaries, are a dominant presence in the East Gateway area, with approximately 25,000 personnel and employees jointly on site.

The focus group meetings and public workshop summarized in this report dealt with a large general area for the East Gateway, though as planning efforts continue, this focus area may be refined.

The Sector Development Plan process will be a broad inclusive community effort that covers multiple issues.
This report describes initial information gathered from an intensive two-day series of focus groups, interviews, and a public meeting with some key stakeholders, technical experts, and members of the community. The report also includes a proposed scope of work.
The intent of these meetings was to develop an understanding of the area’s issues to ensure that the City and their consultants include appropriate topics in upcoming sector development plan work. This initial information gathering gives the planning team a ‘head start’ to develop a well informed, publicly accessible effort when the planning process officially begins.
To assist with this intensive information gathering and analysis the City hired a consultant team consisting of planners from Architectural Research Consultants Incorporated (ARC) of Albuquerque and Glatting Jackson Kircher Anglin, Inc. of Orlando, Florida.
Sixteen focus groups and interviews and a large public meeting were held August 7 and 8, 2007. Approximately 160 people participated. Participants included representatives of City departments and regional agencies, business owners, neighborhood representatives, residents, property owners, developers, elected officials, representatives of non-profit businesses, Sandia Labs and others with an interest in the area. (See the participant
list at the end of this report.)
On August 9, City staff and the consultant team members met all day to assess collected information and to begin discussions about a possible scope of work to address area issues. The interviews and meetings summarized here are a first step to understanding area issues and assets that will inform solutions later in the planning process. The Sector Plan process will develop a broad vision based on community participation. It is not the intent of an East Gateway Sector Development Plan to change functioning and positively contributing parts of
the community or to follow predetermined solutions. Ideally, East Gateway Sector Development Plan objectives will be based on community assets. The planning process will delve into and work to resolve challenges that might impede positive change.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The values and issues identified by the public and the information derived from focus group meetings and interviews
will help to guide the scope of an East Gateway Sector Development Plan. Although the issues presented
below will not be the only areas explored in the Sector Plan process, they represent some of the major points made throughout the two-day meeting process.

Aesthetics are a concern. There is a widespread feeling that the look and feel of the Central Avenue corridor is an impediment not just to its revitalization,
but also to positive change in the East Gateway area as a whole. Central Avenue should be transformed into a pedestrian-friendly environment that serves the community and its visitors while improving the business climate. This eastern gateway to Albuquerque should be improved.

Crime and safety influence the community’s sense of ownership and pride, although a more established police
presence can help with that. Crime spots are happening where community confidence has faded. Issues stemming from homelessness also concern residents.

Affordable housing that does not detract from the community’s worth or coherence is needed.

Motorized and non-motorized circulation
is important and essential, but new ways to do it should not be disruptive to the community.

Diverse commercial services, retail, emergency and routine medical services
Should be provided.

SECTOR PLAN WORK RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on information gathered during the two-day scoping event, the City will develop a detailed scope of sector development plan work that includes identifying a sector plan study area, special studies, timeframe for completion, and public involvement process. The meeting input summarized in this report provides a foundation for how sector development plan work can be done. This information will ensure that the sector plan serves the East Gateway community and helps make East Gateway a healthy, vibrant part of Albuquerque.

URBAN DESIGN / LAND USE
1. Based on initial and continued public outreach, identify assets in the community and the goals and expectations of the sector plan.

2. From an analysis of existing conditions, analyze the likelihood that change is possible, identifying areas where change will most likely not happen (no change), where change is likely only to be incremental, and where change is more likely or where the physical conditions suggest that change could positively enhance the area.

3. Through an open and interactive public participation process using a focused urban design workshop activity, identify special character districts in the East Gateway study area and develop visions for the physical appearance of each.

4. Identify appropriate zoning and land use patterns for East Gateway.

TRANSPORTATION
Traffic
6. Prepare a general circulation evaluation, looking at traffic, congestion, movement patterns and the nature of vehicle trips (regional, local and a combination of the
two). Base this analysis on the following data and information (each is listed with the agency that will provide this information):
• Crash Data – University of New Mexico
• Sub-Regional Traffic Model – Mid-Region
Council of Governments (MRCOG)
• Select Link Analysis – MRCOG
• Existing Traffi c Counts/Turning Volumes -
MRCOG
• General Intersection Vehicle Level of Service (LOS) Assessment

7. Make recommendations for connectivity and network enhancement so that major roads aren’t the only choice in completing trips. Include appropriate measures for traffic calming to make sure that traffic using the local network does not adversely impact neighborhood quality of life and that it moves slowly and safely.

8. Develop a summary of community principles
and guidelines for the evaluation of any potential eastwest
corridors in the East Gateway area.

9. Develop a conceptual streetscape plan for the Central Avenue Corridor, including streetscape, key pedestrian and bicycle improvements, bus shelter locations, and potential inclusion of future streetcar service. Examine and make recommendations for vehicle lane configuration, including number and width of lanes. Conduct a micro-simulation analysis to evaluate the performance of this corridor from a traffic operations perspective.

10. Develop an East Gateway truck freight staging analysis for Tijeras Pass/I-40 closures.
Transit

11. Document pedestrian access to transit from ABQ Ride data concerning transit routes and stops. Identify needed pedestrian improvements for access to transit stops.

12. Develop a general study of transit-oriented development potential for Tramway & Central. This will inform a potential, more detailed study to be conducted by ABQ Ride.

Pedestrian
13. Develop a general pedestrian circulation plan and identify key areas of improvement within the East Gateway area.

14. Develop conceptual designs for sidewalks and other improvements for walkers. These may be for particular street segments where improvements are needed and should also serve as general guidelines for improving pedestrian facilities throughout the East Gateway area.

15. Develop a Conceptual Streetscape for Central with recommended pedestrian improvements (see Item 9).

Bicycle
16. Develop an overall evaluation of bicycle circulation,
including an assessment of bicycle suitability along
Central Avenue from Eubank Boulevard to Tramway
Boulevard.

17. Prepare an inventory of trails and bicycle lanes.
Make recommendations for additions to the system and
prioritize capital financing to complete already proposed improvements.

18. Develop a Conceptual Streetscape for Central (see Item 9).

SAFETY
19. Develop a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) evaluation based on both conditions of the existing physical environment and programmed development. This evaluation will explore landscaping, street connectivity, and other topics.

PARKS
20. Conduct a Parks Service Area Assessment, identifying underserved areas and opportunity sites for additions and enhancements to the parks system.

SUMMARY OF AUGUST 7-8 FOCUS GROUPS AND INTERVIEWS

Transit, Pedestrian and
Bicycle Facilities
Transit is an important East Gateway issue. Th e Central Avenue Route 66 bus route has the most riders in the ABQ Ride system. Introduction of the Rapid Ride service, a faster bus service on Central with fewer stops, has resulted in reduced service levels on the regular Central route. Rapid Ride’s eastern service limit is currently Wyoming Boulevard, leaving East Gateway riders with slower service and longer waits. ABQ Ride is studying the possibility of extending Rapid Ride service further east to provide greater connections for the East Gateway study area to downtown Albuquerque. This service could tie into a potential park-and-ride facility behind the Albertson’s supermarket at the Four Hills Shopping Center or another site to allow easier transfer to transit service from outside the ABQ Ride service area. The City of Albuquerque has explored the possibility of a transit-oriented development study for this site to help anchor the eastern end of Central Avenue and to create higher ridership potential for transit service. No East Gateway multi-purpose trails or bicycle lanes are currently scheduled for funding in the City’s 10 year Capital Implementation Program, but some have been programmed in the 2030 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Existing and proposed multi-purpose trails and on-street bicycle lanes and routes are shown in a number of places: the Trails and Bikeways Facility Map, the Long Range Bikeway System Map, and the 2000 Comprehensive On-Street Bikeways Plan. The Greater Albuquerque Bicycle Advisory Committee and the Greater Albuquerque Recreational Trails Committee are the two
advisory boards that initially review bicycle facility and trail proposals before recommending them to City staff , the State, Bernalillo County, and the Mid-Region Council of Governments to be included in long-range transportation plans. Though the area includes some assets for cyclists, particularly the Tramway Trail, bicycle facilities in the East Gateway are not seen as providing a complete circulation network linking residential and employment areas. Bicycle advocates and planners believe that an area evaluation of existing bicycling conditions would contribute to the East Gateway planning effort. Bike ABQ, a nonprofit advocacy organization, promotes motorist education and awareness and employer assistance for bicycle storage and end-of-trip facilities. Currently the organization is working to coordinate and integrate overlapping bicycle planning eff orts undertaken in the past by the City with the Mid-Region Council of Governments bikeways map.

Central Avenue, Eubank Boulevard, and Juan Tabo Boulevard are generally considered to be poor environments for walking. The Central Avenue sidewalk area is narrow and lacks street trees. All the major streets lack convenient and safe crossing opportunities. Several focus group, meeting, and interview participants indicated that Central Avenue pedestrian crossings are needed at Moon Street and Elizabeth Street.

Transportation and TrafficRoads and vehicle circulation are major concerns in the East Gateway area. In general, the roadway network is constrained from easy expansion by several dominant
area features: Kirtland Air Force Base, the Tijeras Arroyo, City Public Open Space, and Federal Lands in the Manzano Mountain foothills.
Traffic congestion and inefficient, annoying and unsafe circulation patterns are important issues both to residents and transportation officials. One major concern with traffic is access to and from Kirtland Air Force Base.
It is generally perceived that limited entry into the base property through security checkpoints has delayed traffic on Eubank Boulevard and increased travel time for area residents, even those not traveling to the base. In addition, reliance on Eubank Bouleavard as a major connection from Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories and the nearby Science and Technology Research Park has caused traffic congestion issues at the Eubank/ Central intersection. Although many employees of these facilities do not ultimately make trips on Central, the burden of regional trips that this intersection bears has raised questions about alternative routes. Many area residents expressed opposition to a connecting roadway that would generally follow the course of the Tijeras Arroyo. This is a concept that was introduced in the Singing Arrow Sector Development Plan adopted in 1983. The Tijeras Arroyo is designated an Open Space Arroyo in the Facility Plan for Arroyos adopted in 1986. A major roadway within Tijeras Arroyo boundaries is contrary to Arroyo Public Open Space designation with its objectives of passive recreation, wildlife protection, and water recharge. The original design concept for Southern Avenue was intended to distribute traffic to and from the Kirtland/Sandia area via Southern to Juan Tabo Boulevard. The transition from Southern to Juan Tabo Boulevard has been only partially constructed, so that the issue of east/west connectivity remains. Central Avenue is one of the primary elements of the East Gateway area. Transportation and hydrology officials and neighborhood leaders discussed concerns they have for treatments to its streetscape and roadway geometry in the future. Presently Central is maintained by the City of Albuquerque and is subject to Albuquerque’s property access regulations. The current policy on access is that one to two driveways per 300 feet will be allowed, though as many residents have pointed out, driveways are currently located more frequently. Such conditions present a dangerous environment to bicyclists and pedestrians on Central. Agency representatives have mentioned the possibility of cross-access agreements as a way to reduce the driveway spacing on Central and improve the pedestrian environment. Many area residents noted problems with drainage infrastructure in the area, particularly near the Tijeras Arroyo. Although the drainage system of the area is built for 100-year flood events, it depends on east-west streets acting as major flow-ways. Any changes to the design of these streets may affect overall drainage capacity. Particular details of the drainage infrastructure, especially in street-level storm water collection, have caused problems for area residents and businesses. Some drainage problems exist in the Four Hills area and the Singing Arrow neighborhood.

Housing
Housing age and type throughout the study area is varied. Housing in East Gateway neighborhoods range in age from the mid-twentieth century to those built within the last fi ve years. Some are still in construction south of the Tijeras Arroyo at the southern end of Juan
Tabo Boulevard and additional home development may be approved there. Neighborhoods have single-family detached homes, multi-family buildings, and mobile homes.
While home ownership is high in many neighborhoods of the East Gateway area, many households rent. The perception of rental housing in the East Gateway area has suff ered due to crime hot spots and some poorly maintained properties. Th ese properties tend to have lower rents and are a practical option for many low-income families. However, the problems associated with rental housing have given residents little incentive to take ownership in the surrounding neighborhood. As a result, tenant turnover is high and the sense of community found in some of East Gateway’s neighborhoods has not been strong. Some residents feel that rental properties in the area are in a downward spiral of decreasing rents, providing less incentive for landlords to properly maintain units.
By contrast, the East Gateway area also includes many stable and some relatively affl uent areas, especially the our Hills neighborhoods in the far southeast corner of the East Gateway area. Th e housing in these areas is predominantly owner-occupied.
Th e City’s Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) has just completed a needs assessment of aff ordable housing that examines the city by community planning area. Th e ‘East Gateway Community Planning Area’ referred to in the needs assessment is larger than
the Sector Development Plan study area. Census tracts within the Sector Development Plan study area have large populations of low to moderate-income residents who may need housing assistance of various types. There are no City-funded housing eff orts currently underway
in the East Gateway area, although DFCS and many residents have acknowledged a need for permanently affordable housing in the community.

Public Safety
Residents of the East Gateway area are generally concerned about safety from crime, although most say that crime occurs in concentrated places. In many conversations with neighborhood leaders and representatives of local organizations, the subject of crime was linked to
the overall aesthetic appearance of the East Gateway corridor.
While crimes may be concentrated in a few ‘hot spots,’ the generally poor appearance of Central Avenue and other parts of the East Gateway is perceived to be a barrier to community pride and ownership that many see as an important early step to crime control.
Th e Albuquerque Police Department has a series of proactive programs intended to foster a safer environment through community-oriented policing, better screening
of potential rental tenants, and a focus on nuisances and potential causes for crime. Its Crime-Free Multi-Family Housing program certifies apartment complexes that have reduced their service calls, and the Criminal Nuisance Abatement program has helped to identify businesses
and properties that have fostered criminal activity, resulting in certain cases of City acquisition.
Th e Police Department has also been actively promoting a positive image of its offi cers and community partners and allies, most notably through an elementary school
mentorship program, a bicycle patrol unit that allows officers to make more immediate contact with residents and visitors to the area, a Citizens’ Police Academy, and classes offered at the Community and Intergenerational Centers.
Th e focus group representatives of the Albuquerque Police Department expressed a wish for a police substation or other police facility serving the immediate area.
Schools and Community Facilities Public schools in the area face the challenges of a transient
population even though many of the neighborhoods around them are relatively stable. School officials see Central Avenue as a problem for the area in that its negative image has adversely aff ected the public perception of their facilities. Highland High School, which is not in the East Gateway study area but serves a large portion of its population, and Kennedy Middle School
see this problem most acutely.
Many of the greatest concerns of the school offi cials who met with the City were not directly related to schools themselves. Issues involved choices in housing options in school areas, the walking environment of routes to chools, and the availability of safe, reliable public transit
for students living outside school bus service areas.
Th e area’s public schools have highly diverse populations and, while this has presented students with new opportunities for learning about one another and growing up in a tolerant community, school offi cials are concerned that some families may have language barriers and other
issues preventing them from interacting with the schools.
School offi cials also point to the relative proximity of other educational and community-serving institutions, especially the University of New Mexico and the Central New Mexico Community College, and emphasize the need for a safe and attractive walking and transit realm so
that students can take advantage of these opportunities.
Two principal community centers serve the area: the Manzano Mesa Multi-Generational Center and the Singing Arrow Community Center. Manzano Mesa is a newer facility that is popular throughout the city for its focus on multi-generational programs. It is busy and well staffed, off ering a diverse range of programs including foreign language education, athletics, dancing and
general community meetings. Th e Singing Arrow Community Center is a smaller facility focused on youth programs.
It off ers before and after-school programs that primarily serve Manzano Mesa and Eubank Elementary schools, the Native American Academy, a charter school located at Wilson Middle School, and families within walking distance of the center. It also accommodates neighborhood association meetings and classes for immigrant groups. Although it is a smaller center, its staff
point out that it maintains a strong relationship with the nearby schools, encourages community use of its adjacent park and enjoys a high level of participation from parents.
Parks and Open Space Residents and City staff agree that the East Gateway area could use additional park space. Focus group and interview participants mentioned some park opportunity sites near Central Avenue.
Privately owned land in the Tijeras Arroyo is interspersed with publicly owned open space. Th e Tijeras Arroyo forms a band of native plants and animals through the East Gateway area. It is accessible until it passes through Kirtland Air Force Base land where it is off -limits to the
public. Many citizens see the arroyo as a valuable natural resource that should be preserved for public use and enjoyment, The Facility Plan for Arroyos indicates that the Tijeras Arroyo area is appropriate for passive recreation such as walking and horseback riding. No trails are currently
shown near the Tijeras Arroyo on the Regional Trails map, although a proposed primary trail is shown above it.
Economic Development and Job Creation
The businesses occupying much of the land along Central Avenue in the East Gateway area are automobile sales and service, recreational vehicle sales, and mobile home sales. The dominant area employment center is to the south: Kirtland Air Force Base, the Sandia National Laboratories and the Science and Technology Office Park. Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB) is a dominant presence, housing 15,000 personnel and employees. It shares its location with Sandia National Laboratories, a federal government institution established through the U.S.
Department of Energy, which also does work for the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Aviation Administration and many other federal agencies. Sandia employs approximately 8,500 people full-time and approximately 3,000 additional
contract employees. Approximately 10,000 employees associated with Sandia work on-site at KAFB. Many people connected with the base or Sandia live in the East Gateway area.
In the past, Sandia had limited interest in the appearance and functionality of its own facilities and the surrounding area. In today’s more competitive climate, Sandia is
concerned that the retirement of its largely Baby Boom era workforce will lead to employee shortages difficult to fill. Staff from the labs noted that employee expectations for workspace and community environment have increased with younger generations. Sandia planners believe
that in order to hire the brightest and most capable future employees, on-site working conditions and an attractive East Gateway area are necessary. Sandia planners also believe that East Gateway appearance significantly affects Sandia’s ability to attract new investors and partners.
Th e economic activity that Sandia generates has created opportunities for support businesses, both high tech and other. Th ese opportunities are being promoted and nurtured by the City’s Economic Development Department.
Economic development professionals envision the development of a business incubator facility to support general-purpose retail and other business establishments.
Th ese facilities encourage potential business owners to pursue their interests, providing moderate rents for startups. A single facility where technical assistance and training
are available can be a visible statement of confidence in the area’s ability to support small businesses.
Th e Sirolli Institute STEPS program has been active west of the East Gateway area on a contract funded by grants from the City and other organizations. Sirolli’s mission is to develop wealth in the community by supporting small start-up businesses. Though the program
has focused its energy west of Wyoming Boulevard, the Institute will work with interested parties anywhere in Albuquerque.
Many small businesses are successfully operating in East Gateway. Th ey share many of the same concerns as others, but are particularly concerned about potential land use regulation changes that could limit their ability to continue their businesses. Generally, the different parties involved in economic development are concerned about the lack of business diversity; namely, that insuffi cient neighborhood-supporting businesses are keeping employers from locating
in the area. Th ey are also concerned about the overall appearance of the East Gateway. Office and commercial rents are relatively low, but building quality is poor and the image that this presents is seen as unappealing to potential customers. Assistance on these issues is available
through façade improvement grants, although economic development stakeholders would like to see the development of a business action team that works actively with the Science and technology Park, Kirtland Air Force Base and area lending institutions to develop long-lasting
partnerships and identify alternative funding sources.
In addition to the concerns from economic development professionals, area residents and employees expressed a similar need for a greater number of small neighborhood -serving businesses, especially drugstores, restaurants, grocery stores, and general merchandise stores.
Development and Redevelopment Potential Generally, community members and public agency representatives see Central Avenue and a few other parts of the area as good revitalization candidates. Th e Four Hills shopping center, though it hosts viable businesses, does have opportunities for revitalization and its proximity to the parking facility where a transit-oriented development is being considered makes it a viable location for largerscale development. The Juan Tabo Boulevard/Central Avenue area has some vacant properties and could be redeveloped. Other parts of the Central Avenue corridor within the East Gateway study area have potential for more active uses. Perceived barriers to area revitalization were echoed
throughout the focus groups and public meeting. Disinvestment from absentee landowners and general vandalism and neglect give the Central Avenue corridor a negative image. The negative image does little to encourage motorists leaving Interstate 40 to support corridor businesses.

Though there are many opportunities for revitalizing properties and improving the business
environment, the majority of businesses along the corridor are small in scale and securing necessary funding or other capital needed for redevelopment is a significant burden.
East Gateway is an established part of Albuquerque. Redeveloped business properties in established parts of the City like East Gateway must pay impact fees for public safety. Residential redevelopment requires impact fees for public safety and parks. Redeveloped properties within designated Metropolitan Redevelopment Areas pay no impact fees at all.
In other parts of Albuquerque the opening of large-scale general merchandise retailers such as Wal-Mart and Costco challenge small businesses. East Gateway business owners and residents have expressed concern that these large retailers siphon much-needed business demand
from the Central Avenue corridor.
Th e City sees the need for better transit and urban mobility as another important issue for Central Avenue. Streetcar service or extension of the Rapid Ride Bus along Central is being explored, although these efforts have only been discussed at a conceptual level and have
not been fully planned. The proposed Transit Oriented Development study adjacent to the Four Hills shopping center off ers an opportunity to tie transit service into any future redevelopment of this site and suggests it as an important location. One challenge to the establishment of a more complete community-serving business center along Central Avenue is the lack of medical facilities, emergency services, visible law enforcement, and banks. The presence of fundamental public institutions would be a sign of confidence in the area.

THE PUBLIC MEETING: PRESENTING IDEAS AND
HEARING THE COMMUNITY’S FEEDBACK
The City and its consultants presented some of these initial findings to the public on August
8, 2007 at the Singing Arrow Community Center. The high degree of public turnout refl ected
the community’s strong interest in many of the East Gateway area’s issues and concerns that
a Sector Plan for the area would adequately express their wishes for the area. Generally, the
concerns stated by the public refl ected many of the concerns noted by public agency representatives
and other East Gateway stakeholders during the preceding two days of focus group
meetings. Residents are concerned about crime and safety, good schools, open space and
parks, and the general image of their community. Early community involvement in considering
the issues of the Sector Plan is essential to developing a useful plan.

Overview of the Activities
City staff opened the evening presentation by stating that the official planning process for the East Gateway Sector Development Plan had not yet begun. Th e purpose of the August 7 and 8 focus groups, interviews, and meeting was to learn more about the area and hear concerns
from the public. Th is input would help to define the objectives of a sector plan once the planning process begins.
Community Values
The meeting facilitators invited participants to share what they most value in a community, including elements that do or do not exist in the East Gateway area today. The intent of this exercise was to elicit a broad community vision, from the infrastructure that accommodates
daily functions to the amenities and character that enrich quality of life. Participants were invited to write down three diff erent values, expressed as a concise word or phrase, on Post-It notes. Th e meeting facilitators then organized these thoughts by general themes.
Th e general themes or values summarized here are followed by the number of statements about that subject that meeting participants wrote down:

The community meeting allowed residents and other members
of the East Gateway community to offer additional input that
will help to guide the content of the Sector Plan.

• Low Crime and Safety in the Communiry (48)
• Aesthetics and an Attractive Community (34)
• Healthy Businesses (34)
• Good Transportation and Transit (33)
• Plentiful Parks and Open Space (27)
• Schools and Community Facilities (19)
• Landowners Who Care for Property (16)
• Restaurants and Entertainment (11)
• A Good Image for Central Avenue (9)
The meeting facilitators explained that this exercise lets planners know what a community values, beginning with focus on assets that the community wishes to develop or has to some degree.
Presentation
A consultant from Glatting Jackson gave an overview of
what a sector planning process can be for a community, particularly as it concerns tying the revitalization of an area and its major corridor to a balanced transportation network supporting transit, pedestrians, bicycles and a healthy business climate.
Key Issues
Meeting participants continued their discussion by articulating key issues that should be taken into consideration rocess begins. Meeting facilitators then used color dots to cast six votes for issues they felt were most important. Participants were allowed to use multiple votes for individual issues. Due to crowded meeting room conditions, some participants left before
the voting exercise.
Th e evening’s facilitators used this voting process to gauge which issues had the most momentum and meaning in the community at the time of the meeting. All of these issues will be reintroduced for discussion and possible expansion when the planning process for the Sector
Development Plan begins.
Beautifi cation and Cleanup of the Area (54 votes)
Police Substation (32 votes)
New Residential Development is Too Dense
(31 votes)
Retail Diversity (30 votes)
Pedestrian-Friendly Environment (e.g. shade trees,
lighting) needed to support businesses
(30 votes)
Improve the Gateway from the East (30 votes)
Homeless Population (25 votes)
Medical Facilities Needed (24 votes)
Promote Community-Oriented Businesses
(24 votes)
Emergency Services (22 votes)
Keep Roadways Out of Arroyo (21 votes)
Truck Storage in Storm Events (19 votes)
Neighborhood Cleanup (19 votes)
Traffi c Flow on Central and Southern (17 votes)
Minimize Cut-Through Traffic in Neighborhoods
(16 votes)

Need Local High School and Middle School
(16 votes)
Access to Government Services (13 votes)
Control Prostitution Problem (13 votes)
Better Services for Homeless and Transient People
(12 votes)
Complete Public Works Projects (10 votes)
Reliable Mass Transit (10 votes)
Manage Residential Growth (9 votes)
Assisted Living for Seniors (7 votes)
Cultural Facilities (7 votes)
Too Many Cheap Hotels (7 votes)
Restricting Unwanted Land Uses (6 votes)
Community Involvement and Support from Real
Estate Industry (1 vote)

By listing values for a place to live and work, members of the
community started a discussion about what they have now
that makes their community a place they want to live and what
they would like to see to make it better. This listing helps to
identify assets in the community. It advances the discussion
to resolve issues.

Participants at the community meeting had an opportunity to
share issues that they felt were important. They where then
invited to cast votes on them, each participant getting to vote
up to six times. The results provided a sense of the issues
that had the greatest importance or concern to members of
the community.

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Paula Donahue, City of Albuquerque Planning Department
Ingrid Biel, Architectural Research Consultants, Inc.
(ARC)
Troy Russ, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin
Joel Mann, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin
LIST OF STAKEHOLDERS/FOCUS
GROUP PARTICIPANTS
Councilor Don Harris
Isaac Padilla, Council Staff
Transportation and Infrastructure Focus
Groups
Andrew DeGarmo, ABQ Ride
Ben Savoca, Bike ABQ
City of Albuquerque Department of
Municipal Development
Theresa Baca (Transportation)
John Hartmann (Transportation)
Dan Hogan (Hydrology)
Roland Penttila (Transportation)
Ed Stang (Transportation)
City of Albuquerque Planning Department,
Development and Building Services Division
Tony Loyd (Transportation Development Section)
Wilfred Gallegos (Transportation Development
Section)
Brad Bingham (Hydrology Development Section)
Mid-Region Council of Governments
David Pennella
Mark Sprick
Housing Interview
Elizabeth Dwyer, City of Albuquerque Family and Community
Services Department

Public Safety Focus Group
Lt. Allen Banks, Albuquerque Police Department
Sharanne Fisher, Albuquerque Police Department
Schools Focus Group
Nikki Dennis, Principal, Highland High School
Angela Gonzales-Carver, President, New Mexico Parent-
Teacher Association
Parks and Open Space Focus Groups
City of Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department
Sandy Zuschlag (Parks Division)
James Lewis (Open Space Division)
Jim Sattler (Open Space Division)
Kent Swanson (Open Space Division)
Economic Development and
Metropolitan Redevelopment Focus Groups
Steve Whitman, Sirolli Institute STEPS Program
Dierdre Firth, City of Albuquerque Economic Development
Department
Gabe Rivera, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency
Councilor’s East Gateway Steering Committee
Jim Clinch, Sandia Science and Technology Park
Jeff Jesionowski, AMC Development
Richard Mabry, Four Hills Private Community
David Orwat, Residential Rental Property Owner
National Association of Industrial and Offi ce
Properties (NAIOP) Interview
Chris Willadsen, SMPC Architects
Area Business Owners
Cathy and David Lawrie, Composite Tooling
Karen Fox, Rainbow Sands
Brian Nigg, Desert Star
Buddy Wheet
Ben Ulibarri, Ulibarri Construction
Tom Ligget
Bud Leonard
Carolyn Neuber, Excel Screen Printing
Sandia National Laboratories Focus Group
Ralph Cipriani
Jim Alsup
Singing Arrow Community Center Interview
Cristin Chavez, Manager

East Gateway Coalition of
Neighborhood Associations Focus Group
Jim Alsup, Four Hills Village
Tom Conley, North Four Hills Neighborhood Association
Mike Davidson, Singing Arrow
John Doran, Tomasita Neighborhood
Joe Koprivnikar, Hidden Valley Homeowners Association
Paul Kinahan, Coronado Terrace Homeowners Association
and Tijeras Arroyo Neighborhood Association
Geneiva Meeker, Villa Serena Four Hills
Martina Mesner, Singing Arrow
Roger Mickelson, East Gateway Coalition and Four
Hills Village Homeowners Association
Kate Olsberg, Executive Hills
Denise Pisto, Pinon Creek Townhomes
Rose Sena, Singing Arrow Neighborhood Association

PUBLIC MEETING PARTICIPANTS
Th e City Planning Department sent over 6,000 postcard meeting invitations to addresses of property owners listed by the Bernalillo County Assessor and businesses listed on the New Mexico Business Registry within the area roughly between I-40 on the north, Wyoming on the west, and City limits on the south and east. They sent another 37 letters to representatives of neighborhood and homeowners associations located within and surrounding the boundary described above. The following names were transcribed from signatures on the 9 meeting sign-in sheets. There may be misspellings.

Reg and Molly Baldwin
Peter Wells
Isabel Castillo
Mary Castillo
Paula Neri
Marc and Patti Schneider
Eleyna Spinar
Christel Wittler
Ascenzi’s
Lucia Munoz
Laurie Estrada
Mike and Charline Baitz
D. McClelland
Clay and Violet Whetstone
Alvaro Lozano
Linda and Bob Williams
David Orwat
Tom Conley
Mori Jefari
Patrick Gutierrez
Kay Nordeen
Sissy Drain
John Myers
Wynona Dreuss
Marge and Paul Martinez
Debra Smeker
Brenda Winff
Kay Lawson
C. Wayne Garner
Viola Castillo
Ken and Esther Starr
Bob Arregnia
Paul Heck
Mary Carol
George and Mary Jacobson
Jolene Puckett
Z. With
Roger Wittler
Emily DeWolf
Charles Hall
Scot Cushman
Reba Wejak
Frank and Patti Comiskey
Nellie Burns
Paula and Robert Gordon
Neal Dragberg
Lois Smoker
Janet Faulhaber
Phyllis Dinkel
Ruth Burch
Barbara and James Witt
Deb Walters
Julia Stone
Pat and Joe Zmuda
Dan and Shirley Winckel
Leah Sichel
Melody Cushman
Carlton Canaday
Jim Alsup
Jeff Gluth
Harmin Sian
Sal Kare
Woessner
Karen Gibbs
Dannelle and Brad Gundlach
Jan Demay
John Doran
Jim Baca
Kahil Joseph
Gary Smith
Elma Villanueva
Geneive Meeker
Roger Mickelson
Lois Stearns
Michael Barns
John Daugherty
Ruth and Fred Smith
Ian Aeny
Julia Vertrees
James Brackon
Amy Schrebre
Tom and Cyndy Tipps
Pauline and Rick Bauer
Dominguez Jr.
Linda Gahan
Linda Cherry
Mehran Hakhamian
Buddy Wheet
Carol Breen
Rose Sena
Maria Duran
Th eresa Sanchez
Dale Frazier
Roger Umber

Albuquerque East Gateway (Original Document contained 15 pages)

Web master is not responsible for any typographical or spelling errors since the original document could not be imported to this blog site, but was copied and pasted to the best of his ability.

Sector Development Plan Focus Groups Slides

2007-12-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

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Slide # 1

East Gateway Sector Development Plan

Initial Results and Hints
October 22, 2007

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Slide # 2

Early Activities

•Focus groups met August 7-8
–Participants included 160 people
–City representatives, business owners, neighborhood representatives, residents, property owners, developers, Sandia Lab, and others
•Issues and concerns identified
•Sector Plan process to develop a broad vision based on community participation
•Objectives will be based on community assets
•Seek to resolve challenges that might impede positive change in “East Gateway” area

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Slide # 3

Focus Groups

•Council staff
•Public forum August 8
•Transportation and infrastructure
•Housing
•Public safety
•Schools
•Parks and open space

•Economic development & metro redevelopment
•Councilor’s East Gateway Steering Committee
•NAIOP
•Business owners
•Sandia National Lab
•East Gateway Coalition

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Slide # 4

East Gateway Sector Boundaries

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Slide # 5

Summary of Findings

•Aesthetics are a concern
–Central Avenue now an impediment; should be transformed into an environment that serves the community and visitors
–This eastern gateway to Albuquerque
•Crime and safety
–Influence community’s sense of pride
–Police presence can help
–Homelessness is of concern
•Affordable housing
•Traffic is essential but shouldn’t disrupt
•Commercial, retail, emergency, and medical services should be provided

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Slide # 6

Tentative Scope of Work

•Identify (refine) the study area
•Special studies
•Timeframe for completion
•Public involvement process
Twenty aspects identified for:
•Urban design and land use—goals
•Economics—market trends and opportunities
•Transportation—traffic, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle
•Safety
•Parks

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Slide # 7

Votes During Public Meeting August 8

Community Values
•Crime & safety (48)
•Aesthetics (34)
•Businesses (34)
•Transportation (33)
•Parks & OS (27)
•Schools & facilities (19)
•Care for property (16)
•Restaurants (11)
•Good image (9)

Key Issues (Top 12 only)
•Beautification (54)
•APD substation (32)
•Home high density (31)
•Retail diversity (30)
•Pedestrian uses (30)
•Improve “Gateway” (30)
•Homeless population (25)
•Medical facilities (24)
•Community businesses (24)
•Emergency services (22)
•No arroyo roadway (21)
•Truck parks in storms (19)

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Slide # 8

What Should the Plan Include?

(THIS IS ADDED COMMENTARY)

–Existing platting, zoning, and mix of land use types/densities
–Stakeholders’ diverse interests—developers, owners, residents
–Planning process—incremental versus broad community scope
–Future community identity—overall and component areas
•Plan development process
–Surveys and public meetings to gather inputs and views
–Project web site and periodic flyers reporting progress
–City-contractor-citizen advisory committee
–Technical review by government staff
•Set guiding principles early
–Review Comprehensive Plan and other policy documents
–Future land uses, densities, access, park/trail/OS coordination
–Examine development cost options carefully

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Slide # 9

Plan Organization and Topics

(THIS IS ADDED COMMENTARY)

•Current situation—summary
•Issues (update initial list periodically)
•Land use—residential mix, commercial development
•Zoning
•Urban design concepts
•Utility services, APD, AFD
•Drainage implications
•Traffic management and transportation
•Strategies and recommended approaches
•Financing options
•Special areas of concern
–East Central commercial corridor
–Small areas in need of redevelopment

Revitalization of East Central Proceeds

2007-12-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

November-December 2007
(Publication date: December 26, 2007)

Planning for Revitalization of East Central is proceeding.

East Gateway Sector Development Plan. The proposed plan boundaries are (approximately) Virginia Street on the west, Copper to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south. A contract scope of work has been developed, and the contract will be in place by the end of the year. Paula Donahue will discuss the process at the January 22, 2008, meeting of the East Gateway Coalition. There will be public involvement meetings, including focus groups for several aspects of plan development.

Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan. The Albuquerque Development Commission approved an initial map that designates the area shown below for planning. Note that two I-40 interchanges and two commercial areas (Juan Tabo north of I-40 and southeast corner of Eubank and Central) have been added. All residential areas have been removed from the area to be “blighted.” MRA planning will seek public inputs to identify a very few (2-4 likely) specific project areas for cooperative commercial-City planning and development. The northeast corner of Juan Tabo Blvd and Central Avenue has been cited in every meeting concerning MRA. Business owners and nearby residents should think about particular problem properties as potential projects. Gabriel Rivera will present information about the MRA planning process at the Coalition meeting on January 22.

Closures of I-40. State, County, and City officials have identified some options to avoid or to minimize the disruptive effects of I-40 closures (due to snow or accidents). Plans are in process to provide more timely information (e.g., message boards, radio announcements, hot lines for inquiries), install gates to close I-40 entrance ramps, place roadblocks, coordinate all governmental agencies, divert traffic to NM 333, detour trucks off I-40, lower speed limits during emergency periods, and manually control traffic lights. Technological solutions to speed recording of accident information and accelerated availability of tow trucks and cleanup crews are also in consideration. NM Department of Transportation representatives discussed ongoing planning at the October 25 Coalition meeting. State Representatives Kathy McCoy and RJ Berry, Commissioner Michael Brasher, and key representatives of law enforcement agencies are working with NM DOT on solutions in advance of this winter’s probable closures.

The Coalition web site is located at http://www.eastgatewaycoalition.org/. Please take a look and provide suggestions so that the site may become a more useful and attractive site. Leroy Tafoya, the webmaster, will report status at the January Coalition meeting.

Election of the Coalition Vice President and Treasurer is on the agenda for the January meeting. Officers are elected for two-year terms, with the VP and Treasurer elected at the even-numbered-year annual meeting, and the President and Secretary at the odd-numbered-year annual meeting.

City Council and Committee Meetings:
The meeting dates for the City Council; Finance and Government Operations committee; and Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee are posted at http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/#current. Agendas are normally posted on the Friday afternoon prior to a Council meeting on the following Monday.

Next Coalition meeting is scheduled for January 22, 2008, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center beginning at 6:30 pm.

Membership in the Coalition is open to any neighborhood or homeowners association or other community organization that has at least one boundary within Albuquerque Council District 9; dues are currently $10 per year, with a proposed change to Bylaws that dues would be biennial (every two years).

Roger Mickelson 332-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

Coalition Standing Rules

2007-12-20T11:45:00.003-07:00

Standing Rules

Section I: General. These Standing Rules set forth policies, procedures, and processes to supplement and implement the Bylaws of the East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (hereinafter Coalition). These rules are subordinate to the Bylaws, Robert’s Rules of Order, City Ordinances, and other approved legislation; where there are conflicts, those shall prevail. These rules are intended to promote democratic principles, candid interaction within the Coalition, and inclusion of member groups and the public in matters of concern to the Coalition.
Section II: Authorities. Regular Member and Associate Member Representatives are entitled by right to participate in internal debate concerning Coalition matters. Only Officers and Regular Member Representatives may cast votes reflecting their judgment on issues brought before the Coalition. Because the right of every citizen to do as he or she pleases may become incompatible with the collective interest of the Coalition, there must be some rules that restrain the individual for the betterment of the Coalition—these are the parliamentary standards published in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Section III. Duties and Responsibilities. Duties of the elected Officers and the Past President are summarized in the Bylaws. Those are described in more detail below.
President. (To be determined)
Vice President. (To be determined)
Secretary. (To be determined)
Treasurer. (To be determined)
Past President. (To be determined)
Representatives. (To be determined)
Section IV. Meetings. The President shall chair a quarterly meeting of the Coalition, unless exigencies preclude a specific meeting, on the second Thursday of January, April, July, and October at a place to be arranged for by the Secretary. Special meetings may be called as provided in the Bylaws. The President and the Secretary shall, prior to each meeting, prepare and distribute an agenda to Coalition representatives including: (1) guest speakers (if any); (2) Unfinished Business, including the Treasurer’s Report, Minutes of the last meeting, and Committee Reports (if any); and (3) New Business.
The Secretary shall take careful note of participants and all actions taken (not a record of discussions), compile those into Draft Minutes within a reasonable time after the meeting, forward the draft Minutes to the President for review, and distribute Minutes to members of the Coalition and such others as approved by the Coalition on a timely basis.
Section V. Business Procedures. Normal business of the Coalition shall be referred to the responsible Officer or Committee for consideration when it arises for action. If the contemplated action would require review or approval by the Coalition, the responsible Officer or Committee Chair shall inform the President with a summary of the situation and a recommendation for appropriate action.
Any Officer or Regular Member Representative may identify cases in which the need for action cannot await the next meeting of the Coalition and request consideration by the Coalition. The President may request approval by a majority of the Officers and Regular Member Representatives concerning proposed actions in these urgent cases. Alternatively, the President may refer urgent matters to the responsible Officer or Committee Chair. In either case, the responsible individual shall distribute a concise explanation of the situation and proposed action to all of the other Coalition Officers and Regular Member Representatives.
Actions may be moved and voted on in a virtual meeting initiated by the President or responsible Officer or Committee Chair (e.g., e-mail notice, phone or e-mail discussion, recording of votes given by phone or e-mail, archiving of e-mail messages and notes of phone calls with votes). A reasonable time for response shall be set, and a phone and/or e-vote shall be taken by that time. No action shall be taken without approval of a majority of the Officers and Regular Member Representatives.
Section VI. Policies
The Coalition shall not interfere with any Member Association’s actions, execution of association responsibilities, or individual’s rights or responsibilities. For example, the Coalition shall not act in any manner concerning enforcement of Covenants, disagreements between or among Member Associations, or other matters of concern only to a Member Association.
The Coalition shall… (To be determined)
The Coalition shall not… (To be determined)
Section VII. Financial Approvals. The Treasurer may approve reasonable and documented reimbursements of expenditures up to $XX so long as only one expenditure applies—expenses exceeding that amount, even if divided or split, shall require additional review and approval. The President is authorized to approve (a) reasonable and documented reimbursements and expenditures up to $YY, within the conditions above, and (b) all legal expenses (if any). The Treasurer and the President may refer individual invoices or other bills to the Coalition for consideration. The Coalition reserves the authority to approve reimbursements and expenditures in excess of $YY, except for legal fees.
Section VIII. Committees. Committees shall be authorized by the Coalition. The President shall appoint committee chairs and members. Committees shall not act for or in the name of the Coalition unless specifically approved at the time of creation of the committee; normally, committee recommendations shall be submitted to the Coalition for approval or other action.
Section IX. Web Site and e-Mail. The Coalition shall maintain a public access web site to publish information (e.g., Bylaws, organization with links to contact officers, newsletters, most recent agenda, meeting minutes, summary of each current challenge/issue, links to government sites) relevant to the Coalition. The President shall appoint a web master and approve all postings. The appointed web master shall be responsible for the general appearance and functioning of the web site. Each Officer shall be listed by name, with a link provided for users of the site to send e-mail messages to any Officer. Except for that provision, e-mail addresses of Officers and Members shall be protected in such a manner as to preserve the privacy of their addresses from others (e.g., by using the bcc: function to hide addresses) unless individuals waive their privacy to provide access to Members, government officials, or other interested parties.
Section X. Suspension, Amendment, or Revision. Any provision of the Standing Rules may be temporarily suspended, amended, or rescinded by a majority vote of officers and regular member representatives.

East Gateway Coalition Standing Rules

Revised: March 7, 2007

Bylaws

2007-12-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

Bylaws of the East Gateway
Coalition of Neighborhood Associations

Article I — Name, Boundaries, and Purposes

1. NAME: The name of this organization shall be the East Gateway Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (hereinafter “Coalition”).

2. BOUNDARIES: The boundaries of the Coalition shall be the boundaries of the City of Albuquerque Council District 9 and adjoining areas of Bernalillo County to the east of District 9.

3. PURPOSES: The purposes of the Coalition shall be:

(a) To facilitate communications and the flow of information among member associations and city, county, state, federal, and other government officials,

(b) To promote policies consistent with member association and public interest desires, uphold and promote responsible planning, protect the environment, and promote the community welfare, and

(c) To provide a united voice on issues common to all or a portion of the member associations.

While the Coalition may be involved in the discussion of issues that may be political in nature, the Coalition shall not participate or intervene in any partisan political campaign, including the publication or distribution of candidate materials, or endorse any candidate for public office. The Coalition may publish nonpartisan materials for the information and education of member neighborhood associations.

In the implementation of these purposes, the Coalition shall address matters within and beyond the boundaries of the Coalition that affect or could affect its member organizations or their individual members’ collective common interests (e.g., land use policies, tax proposals, water-use rules, acquisition of property, development proposals, city-wide legislative initiatives, governmental rules of procedure, City and County Legislative priorities, City and County Capital Improvement Programs).

Article II — Membership

1. MEMBERSHIP: There shall be two categories of membership in the Coalition, regular and associate.

(a) REGULAR MEMBER: Any neighborhood or homeowners association or other community organization that has at least one boundary within District 9 and has paid the required annual membership dues of $10 shall be a Regular Member of the Coalition and shall be entitled to one vote on Coalition matters.

(b) ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Any neighborhood or homeowners association or other community organization adjacent to the boundaries of District 9; any neighborhood or homeowners association, Coalition, or other community organization in Bernalillo County in proximity to the boundaries of District 9; or any business within or in proximity to the boundaries of District 9 may be an Associate Member of the Coalition without a vote on Coalition matters.

2. REPRESENTATIVES: The Coalition shall be composed of one representative from each member association, in addition to the Officers of the Coalition.

(a) Representatives shall be elected or appointed by each member association for a term to be determined by each member association. Only Representatives of Regular Member associations may vote. There is no limit imposed by the Coalition on the number of terms that a Representative may serve.

(b) Each member association may also elect or appoint an Alternate Representative who shall have the same rights and privileges in the absence of the Representative. Designation of an Alternate Representative shall be provided to the President of the Coalition in writing (including e-mail) at least 48 hours prior to the first meeting at which the Alternate Representative would attend. The member association shall be responsible to provide the proposed agenda, past minutes, and other relevant materials normally provided to the Representative to the Alternate Representative in a timely manner.

Article III — Organization, Responsibilities, and Election

1. OFFICERS: The Officers of the Coalition shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting, and the immediate Past President as an ex officio voting Officer. The positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined. Officers shall serve for two years. The President and Secretary shall be elected in odd-numbered years, and the Vice President and Treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years, except for the first year in which Officers are elected, when all Officers shall be elected—two to a one year term and two to a two year term consistent with the phased election rule above. Officers shall be members of Regular or Associate member organizations. Each elected Officer and the immediate Past President shall have one vote on any action pending before the Coalition.

(a) TENURE: Officers shall not serve for more than three full consecutive terms. Incumbents shall serve in office until the installation of a duly elected successor, including serving beyond the three full and consecutive terms if no successor has been elected. Any Officer may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Officers and Representatives present for misconduct or malfeasance in office, provided that notice of the intent to remove such Officer shall be furnished to the subject officer in writing at least five days prior to the meeting at which such action is to be discussed. Any Officer may resign with or without stating a reason for resigning.

(b) VACANCIES: Vacancies in office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Officers and Representatives present at a meeting with election to fill a vacancy on the agenda, and the new Officer(s) shall perform in that office for the remainder of the existing term.

(c) RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES: Officers shall perform duties consistent with provisions of these Bylaws. Duties, responsibilities, and authorities may be further clarified in detail by Standing Rules approved by a majority of the Coalition.

(1) PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings, represent the Coalition, appoint Committee Chairs, approve agendas, and ensure compliance with these Bylaws and any approved Standing Rules. The President shall supervise or act independently on all of the business and affairs of the Coalition between meetings in accordance with policies established in the Standing Rules, seeking to determine a consensus before deciding a Coalition position on time-urgent issues, and shall be an Ex-Officio member of all Committees except the Nominating Committee. The President shall make an annual report at the Annual Meeting and file such report with the Secretary.

(2) VICE PRESIDENT: The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence and shall perform other such duties as the President may direct.

(3) SECRETARY: The Secretary shall send notices and keep official minutes of all meetings. Minutes shall consist of a listing of Officers and Members in attendance; a record of the name and subjects addressed by guests; motions made, name of the Officer or Regular Member making each motion, seconds made; and action taken on each motion; and attachment(s) of committee reports, if any are presented. Minutes shall not include debate comments or discussions. The Secretary shall present a written copy of the Minutes of the last meeting at each Coalition meeting and shall maintain the official records of the Coalition, including agendas, minutes, reports, and other materials relevant to Coalition activities. All official records shall be passed on to each succeeding Secretary.

(4) TREASURER: The Treasurer shall collect all monies due the Coalition, protect, deposit, and disburse Coalition funds as approved by the Officers and Regular Member Representatives, keep account of all receipts and expenditures, and present a written Treasurer’s Report for acceptance at each Coalition meeting and for approval at the Annual Meeting. The Treasurer shall arrange for an annual independent audit of the financial records of the Coalition immediately prior to the Annual Meeting and shall pass on the financial records, including audit reports, to each succeeding Treasurer.

(5) PAST PRESIDENT: The immediate Past President shall ensure continuity of all unfinished business of the Coalition, assist in the orderly transition of all Coalition business, provide historical perspective and experienced advice to the Coalition, and perform other tasks assigned by the President.

2. REPRESENTATIVES: Representatives of Regular Member associations shall participate in each Coalition meeting; shall have one vote each on any action pending before the Coalition; and shall propose agenda items and discuss and act on all matters that may come before the Coalition. Representatives of Associate Member associations may participate in Coalition meetings without vote.

3. COMMITTEES: Officers and Regular Member Representatives shall determine the committees necessary to fulfill the Coalition purposes by majority vote of the members present at a meeting. The President shall appoint Committee chairs and members.

4. NOMINATING COMMITTEE and ELECTIONS: At the regular meeting immediately following the Annual Meeting, the Coalition Officers and Regular Member Representatives shall elect a Nominating Committee of five Officers or Regular Member Representatives of the Coalition to serve for a term of one year, except that the President may not serve on the Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint the Chair of the Nominating Committee from among the five elected Committee members. The Nominating Committee shall seek the best-qualified candidates to be nominated for election at the next Annual Meeting and shall provide a single slate of nominees to be considered by the Officers and Regular Member Representatives at the next Annual Meeting, at which time additional nominations may be made from the floor. Election of each Officer shall be voted separately (in seriatim) by voice vote, except when additional nominations have been made from the floor, in which event the election of contested Offices shall be by ballot.

5. FINANCIAL EXCLUSION AND INDEMNIFICATION: No Officer or Representative shall receive directly or indirectly any compensation or pecuniary benefit from the Coalition, except that the Coalition may reimburse Officers and Regular Member Representatives for reasonable expenses on the approval of the Treasurer and the President.

Article IV — Meetings

1. ANNUAL MEETING: An Annual Meeting of the Coalition shall be held in the month of January for the purposes of electing officers, accepting the President’s and Treasurer’s Annual Reports, voting on any amendments to these Bylaws, which must be published at least 30 days in advance of the Annual Meeting, and conducting such other business as may appear on the approved agenda.

2. REGULAR MEETING: A meeting of the Coalition shall be held quarterly on a date and at a place to be determined by the President.

3. SPECIAL MEETINGS: Special meetings shall be conducted at the call of the President or at the call of five other Officers and/or Regular Member Representatives with at least a five-day notice.

4. QUORUM AND VOTING: The presence of at least one-half of the Officers as well as a majority of Regular Member Representatives shall constitute a quorum. All votes shall be decided by a majority of the Officers and Regular Member Representatives present at any Coalition meeting, provided that a quorum is present, except that motions that restrict or remove authorities or amend the Bylaws must be approved by a two-thirds vote. Provisions for proxy, mail-in, telephonic, or e-mail voting to conduct the business of the Coalition between meetings shall be included in Standing Rules for the Coalition.

Article V — Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the conduct of all Coalition meetings in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these Bylaws.

Article VI — Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the Coalition, the Officers and Regular Member Representatives shall, after payment of all liabilities of the Coalition, dispose of the remaining assets of the Association by donating the money to an organization with purposes similar to those listed in Article I, Section 3.

Article VII — Amendment

These Bylaws may be amended at any Annual Meeting by a two-thirds vote of the Officers and Regular Member Representatives in attendance after it is determined that a quorum is present, provided that the Officers and Regular Member Representatives have been notified at least thirty days in advance of the Annual Meeting of the text of proposed amendments.

East Gateway Coalition Bylaws

Revised: January 25, 2007

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007 Newsletter

2007-12-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

September-October 2007
(Publication date: November 1, 2007)

Revitalization of East Central is still moving forward through the City’s Planning Department. The three interrelated aspects are the initiation of the Sector Development Plan, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area process, and the extended moratorium/interim design rules, all of which have passed the City Council.
Sector Development Plan. This will be “a broad, inclusive community effort that covers multiple issues.” A report covering the August focus group meetings summarizes the concerns and issues expressed. Community values include crime and safety, aesthetics, healthy businesses, good transportation and transit, parks and open space, landowners who care for their properties, restaurants and entertainment, and a good image in that order of priority. Key issues are clearly related, with beautification and cleanup, policing, less dense residential development, retail diversity, pedestrian-friendly environment, improving the Gateway, dealing with the homeless population, medical facilities, and several other challenges in that order. The current proposed plan boundaries are (approximately) Virginia Street on the west, Copper to I-40 on the north, the City limit on the east, and Kirtland AFB on the south. A contract scope of work will be developed to address these and other concerns. The contract will be in place by the end of the year.
Metropolitan Redevelopment. The Albuquerque Development Commission deferred hearing the MRA by 90 days at the August meeting to allow additional refinement of the area and more public meetings. Notification of the October 29 public meeting was insufficient, however, it was generally agreed to (a) initiate the Sector Plan prior to implementing the MRA plan, (b) expand the area as shown below, and (c) with some conditions, proceed with designation of the area, deferring hearing for two weeks after the planned November 21 ADC meeting to allow for additional public input.

Moratorium/Interim Design Rules. Business owners who testified at the August ADC meeting complained that they were prevented from expanding their existing businesses or were kept from constructing new commercial buildings. Those complaints were echoed at the October MRA meeting, with the additional comment that the legislation had been extended through October 2008. Residents and the Planning Department representatives are sympathetic, and there may be recommendations to amend the existing legislation.

Closure of I-40. Increasing concerns about area-wide traffic congestion as a result of snow and accidents has resulted in several meetings with State, County, and City representatives to discuss the issues and consider options to minimize the negative effects of closing I-40. Some ideas include timely information (signs, KKOB announcements, frequently updated web site), coordinated traffic control (State, County, and City reps in a consolidated control center), priority clearing of one traffic lane, diversion onto NM 333, detouring trucks off I-40 farther to the west (e.g., Louisiana, Wyoming), and manual control of city traffic lights. Further discussions will be held.

Fiscal Advisory Committee has identified appropriate projects that might be funded by City, County, or State in future budgets. Projects that will enhance the appearance, livability, and economic health of our community were prioritized and provided to elected officials. They include complete Southern Blvd, complete Steven Moody Drive south of Southern, install gates and signage to cope with I-40 closures, redesign I-40/Tramway/Central interchange, provide landscaped pedestrian islands on Central ($625,000 already earmarked), purchase Open Space in the Tijeras Arroyo, redesign La Luz de Amistad park (Central at Tramway), widen NM 333 east of Tramway, and widen Juan Tabo south of Central in that order.

Web site. Is now operational at www.eastgatewaycoalition.org. Please provide suggestions as to content so that this may be a more useful and attractive site.

Neighborhood Task Force. The final report has been forwarded to the City Council. It recommends an independent Office of Neighborhood Coordination, legislation to govern restrictive homeowner associations, and no changes concerning neighborhood associations.

City Council and Committee Meetings:
The meeting dates for the City Council; Finance and Government Operations committee; and Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee are posted at http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/#current. Agendas are not normally posted until Friday afternoon prior to a Council meeting on the following Monday.

Next Coalition meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 24, 2008, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com

East Gateway Coaliton Newsletter - August-September 2007

2007-09-15T21:35:00.000-06:00

Revitalization of East Central is moving forward at glacial speed. Paula Donahue, Planning Department, and consultant staff held 19 focus group meetings on August 7 and 8 to scope the broad issues for the East Gateway Sector Plan. Their report will be published in a week or two to (a) form the basis for a formal statement of work for contractual support and (b) initiate a dialogue with the public concerning what WE WANT East Central and adjacent areas to look like well into the future. This will address transportation, commercial development, residential character, schools, parks, and many other facets of standards for development. She has suggested that the Plan examine strengths and future needs of the area south of I-40, east of Wyoming Blvd, and west of Tramway Blvd, a much larger area than proposed for the MRA. Substantive work will commence very late this year or early in 2008.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (designating blighted areas) was deferred by the Albuquerque Development Commission until a November 20, 2007, hearing. The commission clearly saw the “rush to judgment” implicit in the Council legislation, the lack of adequate public consultation, unanswered questions concerning the effects of “blighting” on property values, and the need for more public involvement. Commission Chairman Alex Romero was fairly direct in asking Cynthia Borrego to schedule public forums to get residents’ and business owners’ concerns addressed before November. In a parallel action, the Council legislation was deferred for 90 days—tentatively until November 19; given the November 20 ADC hearing, the Bill might be further deferred.

Council and Committee Meetings:

The meeting dates for the City Council, Finance and Government Operations committee, and Land Use, Planning, and Zoning committee are posted at http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/#current. Note that agendas are not normally posted until Friday afternoon for a Council meeting on the following Monday—72 hours is normally all the advance notice that we get.

Fiscal Advisory Committee has not met yet, but will identify appropriate projects that might be funded by City, County, or State in future budgets. Several projects have already been suggested, and more will result from the Sector Plan process. We need to establish reasonably-priced priority projects that will enhance the appearance, livability, and economic health of our community.

Annexation of an 85-acre residential area in Juan Tabo Hills West (bounded by Juan Tabo Hills, Kirtland AFB, and the Tijeras Arroyo was approved by the County Commission on September 13. This is a reduced plat of land, with exclusion of 70 acres in the Tijeras Arroyo and 45 acres north and west of the arroyo; those will be dealt with later. The developer addressed our concerns about dedicating park land, limiting access, protecting the arroyo, and meeting or exceeding community norms.

Separately, City legislation (R-07-273) has been introduced to adjust the 2007 Component Capital Implementation Plan, adding $300,000 for the park in the 2009 program. That Bill will be voted on at the September 17 Council meeting.

Voter Education forum was considered, based on suggestions from two Coalition member-representatives. The League of Women Voters declined to sponsor and conduct an objective, balanced District 9 forum to address the propositions for changing the City Charter, ten bond questions, and (possibly) debate of issues concerning the recall of Councilor Harris. The League declined based on the many commitments already approved, so I’ve sent a summary and comments to member-representatives.

Election on October 2 includes five propositions to change the City Charter:

Regular elections will normally be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday, except when that falls on a recognized holiday or religious holiday.
No campaign contributions any candidate for mayor or city council from businesses or people doing business with the city.
Members of boards, commissions, and committees might be appointed by the Council if the Council passes an Ordinance to that effect.
Raising the salary of Councilors from $9,963 to $29,569 annually.
Extensive changes to make recall of elected city officials much more difficult.

There are ten bond issues on the ballot:

Public safety $12,184,000
Senior, family, community center, community enhancement $14,090,000
Parks and recreation $37,491,000
Energy conservation, public facilities, system modernization $13,972,000
Library $ 3,081,000
Streets $45,193,000
Public transportation $ 7,323,000
Storm sewer system $10,403,000
Zoo, biological park, museum, and cultural facility $ 6,136,000
Affordable housing $10,100,000

The separate ballot for District 9 offers a choice of recalling or retaining Councilor Harris in office.

Web site development, slowly but surely, will use www.eastgatewaycoalition.org. The prototype site is up, with only the election summary paper posted at this point. Leroy Tafoya, the webmaster, and I plan to meet with the developer on September 17 to work on adding more material to the web site.

Neighborhood Task Force was formed and has met in “public” meetings to discuss neighborhood and homeowner association governance and roles of the Office of Neighborhood Coordination. Despite requests for meeting dates and places, notice was apparently not made to associations in District 9. As I understand it, the task force will recommend something to regulate homeowners associations; will probably not recommend legislation concerning neighborhood associations; and will recommend a more independent Office of Neighborhood Coordination. The next meeting will be held on September 25 at 6:15 pm in the City Council committee room on the ninth floor of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County building (One Civic Plaza).

Legislation is a continuing task to follow the meeting agendas, as well as multiple and sometimes complex Bills on East Gateway Sector Plan/Metropolitan Redevelopment; Tijeras Arroyo studies; and other matters. Some timely items will be heard September 17:

R-07-295, notification of Council meetings. Some Associations support adding words to require posting of meeting dates and agendas on the city web site. State law only requires posting in the lobby of City Hall—19th Century technology.
R-07-257 and R-07-277 deal with determining how much and how the City should contribute to funding the Metropolitan Detention Center. These ideas should have been addressed well before the Council voted to give Bernalillo County $9,000,000 earlier this year.
R-07-278 proposes a $100,000 study for a Tijeras Arroyo Bio-Zone preserve, while R-07-279 (t0 be heard later) requires the Mayor to proceed with the $300,000 Tijeras Arroyo Transportation study.

Next Coalition meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 25, 2007, at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center.

Roger Mickelson 323-9273 fhvhaRoger@aol.com