Timothy M. Keller, Mayor
City of Albuquerque
Office of the Mayor/ chief administrative office
Interoffice Memorandum
|
to: |
City COUncil |
|
from: |
Timothy M. Keller, Mayor |
|
subject: |
Veto Of R-24-85 - Amending Section 2-1-7 Of The City Of Albuquerque Code Of Resolutions Related To The Charter Review Task Force (Champine) |
|
date: |
October 17, 2024 |
|
|
|
title
Veto Of R-24-85 - Amending Section 2-1-7 Of The City Of Albuquerque Code Of Resolutions Related To The Charter Review Task Force (Champine)
body
I support the idea of establishing a 10-year reoccurring Charter Review Task Force, and could support a resolution that offers a more equitable process that is in step with past efforts and our current Charter. I write today in the hopes that we might be able to revisit this ordinance together, to craft a structure that best balances both geographic representation and the explicit interests - as enumerated in the current Charter and previous Charter Reviews - of both the legislative and executive branches of Albuquerque government. To enable us to work on a mutually agreed upon proposal, I am vetoing R-24-85, the legislation that sets up a charter review task force, because it doesn't maintain an appropriate balance between the geographic representation or legislative and executive branch obligations outlined under the current City Charter.
Albuquerque has been through this process before, in 2008 and 2015. Both times we saw a much more balanced approach: In 2008 there were ten members appointed by the City Council and four by the Mayor; and in 2015 there were eleven members appointed by the City Council and four by the Mayor. But R-24-85 drastically changes that balance, with ten Council appointees and just one from the Mayor’s side. That’s not enough to ensure city wide and executive branch perspectives. Without more equal representation, there’s a real risk that this task force could lean too heavily toward one side, damaging trust in its recommendations. That’s why I ask you to uphold this veto-to make sure the review process is fair for everyone and that both the Council and Mayor’s Office have a voice in shaping our city’s future.
The city’s future governance should reflect input from both geographic and branches equally, and giving both the Council/specific district representation and Mayor/general geographic representation a reasonable share of appointments to the task force ensures that happens. My team and I are willing to work with the City Council to put forth revised legislation that establishes a body where both branches of our local government can be equally represented, giving assurance to the citizens of Albuquerque that any consideration of changes to our City Charter are thoughtful, balanced, and in step with the intent and actual separation of powers outlined in the current City Charter.