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By Elizabeth McCall, City Desk ABQ
Albuquerque voters will see two questions on their ballots this election that propose changes to the city’s charter.
One charter amendment would allow the council to have the same amount of say as Mayor Tim Keller has in firing police and fire chiefs. The other amendment would create a process for filling vacancies on a three-member committee that resolves disputes between the mayor and the council.
What would the “removal of office” amendment do?
The first proposed charter amendment on the ballot, if approved by voters, would allow the council to fire a police or fire chief without cause with a 7-2 vote.
The police and fire chiefs would have an employment agreement with the city, which the mayor could terminate with cause. The council however would be able to fire a fire or police chief without cause.
Some councilors have been critical about how Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Chief Harold Medina acted following a car accident he was involved in earlier this year — especially Councilor Louie Sanchez, who asked a law enforcement board to investigate Medina because of the incident.
APD refused to comment on the ballot questions.
In an emailed statement to City Desk ABQ, Albuquerque Fire Rescue Chief Emily Jaramillo said it is “concerning that a chief could be removed without cause under the new proposal.”
In an emailed statement to City Desk ABQ, Keller said there were initial concerns about the measure but the administration worked with the council to put the revised proposals on the ballot.
“Now, the proposal to change the way we hire and fire public safety chiefs gives reasonable checks to both the mayor and council,” Keller said.
What would the “separation of powers” amendment do?
If approved by voters, the second charter question on the ballot would set a process that ensures vacancies on a committee that tackles disputes between the mayor and council are filled in a timely manner.
The proposal would require the mayor to appoint one member of the intragovernmental conference committee 30 days before the preceding appointee’s term expires or immediately after the appointee resigns. The city charter already requires the council to appoint another member. Those two members are required to appoint a third member to serve as the chair.
According to the amendment, “if either the mayor or City Council fails to name a replacement committee member within 60 days of vacancy, the other body shall make the appointment.”
For more information about when and where to vote, visit the Bernalillo County Clerk’s website.