CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY FOURTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-21-134 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Cynthia D. Borrego and Lan Sena, by request
RESOLUTION
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Establishing A Priorities List For The City Of Albuquerque's Future Open Space Land Acquisitions; Identifying Immediate Priorities And Special Provisions For Certain Properties (Borrego and Sena, by request)
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ESTABLISHING A PRIORITIES LIST FOR THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE'S FUTURE OPEN SPACE LAND ACQUISITIONS; IDENTIFYING IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN PROPERTIES.
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division of the Parks and Recreation Department manages an inventory of Open Space Lands and has established a list of additional lands that are desired as additions to the City’s open space network; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is responsible for ensuring that public funds earmarked for open space acquisition are expended only on purchases that best promote the open space needs and interests of the residents; and
WHEREAS, City Ordinance Section 2-6-16(B)(2)(b) requires that the Open Space Advisory Board recommend to the City Council for its approval a list of priority projects suitable for acquisition through purchase, exchange, or any suitable mechanism, for purposes of “major public open space”.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
R-2016-12 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 1. Open Space Priority List. The following updated list is approved and adopted as the official open space acquisition priorities for the City:
Calabacillas Pueblo II;
Cerro Colorado Volcano;
Diamond Rock/Four Hills;
Northern Geologic Window (North 1/3);
Northern Sand Dunes;
North Rio Puerco Escarpment;
Poole Property;
Volcano Cliffs Sector Plan Development Plan Parcels (Boca Negra Arroyo Middle Branch and La Cuentista);
Tijeras Arroyo Biological Zone;
Volcano Heights (State Land Office parcel).
The order of the above list is not intended to connote an order of importance, but only to list all of these properties as priorities for the City.
Section 2. Poole Property acquisition. The council hereby approves up to $2,200,000 for the purchase of the Poole Property, from the following City capital sources:
2% for Open Space 2019 GO Bonds $540,000
Impact Fees - Parks NW $550,000
Open Space Trust Fund Interest $810,000
Councilor Set-a-sides $250,000
Council Services Gen. Fund transfer $50,000
The funds authorized by this section may not be used to acquire any Open Space other than the Poole Property.
Section 3. That the following amounts are hereby appropriated to the following programs for Fiscal Year 2021:
GENERAL FUND - 110
Council Services
Transfer to Capital Acquisition Fund (305) $50,000
OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND - 850
Parks
Transfer to Capital Acquisition Fund (305) $375,000
Section 4. The following appropriations and designations are hereby made to the Capital Program to the specific funds and projects as indicated below for Fiscal Year 2021:
Department/Fund Source Amount
Parks & Recreation/Fund 305
Open Space Trust Fund Interest Transfer from 110/850 $425,000
Section 5. Special Procedures for the Northern Sand Dunes & North Rio Puerco Escarpment. The properties in unincorporated Bernalillo County known as the Northern Sand Dunes and North Rio Puerco Escarpment, which were included in the priority list through R-16-12, remain Open Space priorities to the City. The City shall support and cooperate with Bernalillo County in the event the County pursues acquisition of the property, however, no City funds shall be used for any acquisition or negotiation activity without prior approval of the City Council.
Section 6. Prioritizing Volcano Cliffs Sector Development Plan Parcels the Northern Geological Window (North 1/3), and the Poole Property. The Volcano Cliffs Sector Development Plan Parcels (La Cuentista and the Boca Negra Arroyo Middle Branch) and the Northern Geologic Window (North 1/3) are situated adjacent to the Petroglyph National Monument in an area of present or near-term growth pressure, have provided unauthorized access to the Monument, and contain unique land forms, view sheds, natural and cultural resources, and critical wildlife habitat that would be threatened by growth. If preserved as municipal open space, these parcels could contribute to the open space and cultural resources available at the monument. The Poole Property faces even more intense development pressure and the property offers invaluable environmental and conservation benefits to the public. The City shall pursue the properties identified in Section 5 as its most immediate open space acquisition priority through fee purchase, acquisition of easements, negative easements, licenses, leases, or any other reasonable mechanism or any combination thereof that allows for the preservation and enjoyment of this open space for the general public.
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