CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
EIGHTEENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-09-297 ENACTMENT NO. __________________
SPONSORED BY: Trudy Jones, Rey Garduño
RESOLUTION
t
Creating A Community Gardens Study Group To Examine Ways To Strengthen And Expand Community Gardens In Albuquerque And To Recommend Changes To Local Ordinances Or Regulations That Will Enhance Development Of Community Gardens (Jones, Garduño)
b
CREATING A COMMUNITY GARDENS STUDY GROUP TO EXAMINE WAYS TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND COMMUNITY GARDENS IN ALBUQUERQUE AND TO RECOMMEND CHANGES TO LOCAL ORDINANCES OR REGULATIONS THAT WILL ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY GARDENS.
WHEREAS, it is nationally recognized that community gardens are beneficial to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque has included community gardens as one of the priorities in achieving a greener Albuquerque; and
WHEREAS, community gardens improve the quality of life for people who participate in community gardening; and
WHEREAS, community gardens encourage neighbor-to-neighbor interaction providing for more cohesive neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, community gardens beautify neighborhoods and expand green spaces; and
WHEREAS, community gardens provide healthy food while also reducing the cost of family food budgets; and
WHEREAS, community gardens provide educational opportunities for people of all ages on farming and gardening methods; and
WHEREAS, there are examples and models of successful community gardening projects locally and nationally; and
WHEREAS, the Albuquerque City Council encourages and supports the expansion of community gardens throughout the city.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
Section 1. There is hereby created a "Community Gardens Study Group" whose purpose is to research community gardening programs in Albuquerque and other cities and recommend best methods for Albuquerque. This may include, but is not limited to, identifying barriers to the development of community gardens, recommending solutions to the identified barriers and developing recommendations regarding regulatory changes to improve and strengthen community gardens.
Section 2. The Community Gardens Study Group shall meet during the first, second and third quarters of FY/10 and make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council at the beginning of the fourth quarter of FY/10, in advance of the growing season. The Community Gardens Study Group may meet thereafter as needed.
Section 3. The Community Gardens Study Group shall be appointed by the Council President and shall consist of the following members:
a. A representative of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Authority;
b. A representative of the Mid-Region Council of Governments;
c. A representative of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District;
d. A representative of the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services, Bernalillo County;
e. A representative of the Rio Grande Community Farm (Los Poblanos);
f. A representative of the Sawmill Community Gardening project;
g. A representative of the SouthWest Organizing Acequia/Community Garden project;
h. A representative of the Sage Council, Urban Native American Gardens project;
i. A representative of the Albuquerque Growers Market;
j. A representative of Sandia Laboratories knowledgeable in hot and cold houses;
k. A representative of the Native Seed Bank;
l. A representative of the Alley Gardens/Mural project;
m. A representative of the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Field to Table project;
n. A representative of the Gardener's Guild.
Section 4. The Community Gardens Study Group will be staffed by Council Services who shall work in coordination with the Administration and include representatives of the Environmental Health Department, the Parks and Recreation Department and the Open Space Division, the Department of Municipal Development/Storm Water Division, the Legal Department/Real Property Division, and the Planning Department in these study group discussions, as necessary.
X:\SHARE\Legislation\Eighteen\R-297final.doc