By Elizabeth McCall, City Desk ABQ
The Albuquerque City Council is expected to consider multiple bills Monday night, including a proposal that would reinvest recreational-use cannabis excise tax revenue into city communities. Councilors are also expected to decide whether to approve a contract with a “faith-based” organization to run a pallet home campus. City councilors may also vote on a proposal aimed at filling city board and commission vacancies.
Marijuana equity bill
In 2023, the council approved a bill to use tax revenue from marijuana sales for a permanent Marijuana Equity and Community Reinvestment Fund as a way to invest in those who have been “negatively impacted by the criminalization of marijuana.”
Councilors are expected on Monday to vote on a bill that lays the groundwork for putting the money to use in the community.
Endeavors contract
The council may also vote on the approval of a three-year, $8.1 million contract with Endeavors — a self-described “faith-based” organization — to run a pallet home campus for people experiencing homelessness and recovering from opioid and other substance use disorders.
While the contract passed through a council committee, there may be more discussion on the contract Monday night after a councilor questioned Mayor Tim Keller’s administration about the long-term funding of the project.
Boards and commissions bill
Council President Brook Bassan is proposing a bill to create a new board that would act as a task force for city boards and commissions, in an effort to fill longstanding vacancies and determine which panels need to stay or go.
The proposal comes at the request of the City Clerk’s Office because more than 20 boards are inactive. Bassan said the task force would evaluate which boards, committees and commissions need to be eliminated.
To fill one vacant position, city councilors are required to recommend two qualified applicants. The proposed ordinance would relax that requirement if only one person applies.