By Rodd Cayton
Albuquerque City Councilors will consider Mayor Tim Keller’s proposed budget Monday evening, but they will also weigh several other matters, including a possible pause in new fiber internet installation permits.
A proposed resolution would halt construction on fiber internet installations until the City Council creates new standards for the activity.
The city issued a cease-and-desist order to Ezee Fiber last week after receiving several complaints about unsafe and incomplete work.
The text of the proposed resolution says residents have complained of a lack of appropriate notice of construction, damage to utility lines, failure to restore impacted landscaping to its original condition, delayed cleanup, failure to mark potholes and unhurried efforts to repair them.
The proposed moratorium would last three months following the effective date of the resolution, or until the City Council updates the fiber rules.
The council will also consider a pair of agreements related to services at Gateway Men’s Housing. Community Bridges Inc. would be paid just over $3 million for first responder receiving area and housing navigation services.
Horizons Services Inc. is being considered for a $2.25 million agreement to provide medical sobering services.
The organizations were chosen after a request for proposals and vetted by a city committee that scored applications.
Also up for consideration is a list of privately funded projects the council could recommend be included in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Councilors would make the recommendation to the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
Among the projects that could be on that list are the construction of various roadways in Mesa del Sol, a new interchange at I-40 and 118th Street and the conversion of the junction of I-25 and Bobby Foster Road to a full interchange.
Another proposed resolution would establish a pilot program that would provide gas cards for police vehicles in the Northwest and Southwest area commands.
Councilor Louie Sanchez, who sponsored the resolution, said those commands are distant from city fueling stations and allowing those vehicles to be fueled closer to their beats would improve operational efficiency and reduce response times, along with allowing officers to spend more time in the field, which will improve community policing efforts.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 5 p.m. May 19.
WHERE: Vincent E. Griego Chambers in the Albuquerque Government Center, 1 Civic Plaza NW VIRTUAL: GOV-TV or on the city’s YouTube channel
