District 3 Newsletter

Official Newsletter as sent out to District 3 communities.

City Councilor Klarissa Peña

As your new Councilor for District 3, I want to extend my gratitude for your support.  My overall priorities for the District are to:

• Work to ensure safe and healthy neighborhoods.
• Bring businesses and jobs to our area.
• Strengthen city and school partnerships for better schools and education.

Upon taking office on December 2, 2013, we have been busy meeting with neighborhood associations and community groups, responding to phone calls and email messages and gathering information on issues and concerns important to the District.

City of Albuquerque Budget FY2015

I am happy to report that I was able to get the following items into the FY2015 Budget that was passed by the City Council in May and signed by the Mayor.

• Funding to keep the Alamosa and Westgate Libraries open.
• A 3% raise for all City employees.
• Reinstate the 2011 5% cut in social services along with another 2% increase.
• Funding for Economic Development study and analysis to help bring business and retail to West Central and the Southwest Mesa.

APD Crisis

The Justice Department reached an agreement with the City of Albuquerque to implement sweeping reforms on use of force by the Albuquerque Police Department. During this challenging time, as emotions run high, it is important that we come together as a community for solutions not only to restore the public’s confidence in APD but also to resolve some of the underlying issues that plague our community which have led us to this point.

The City Council, as the policy making body of the City, will be an important part of how the agreement will be implemented in the years to come.

Essential Services Study

Last July, I sponsored a resolution that provided $35,000 in funding for an Essential Services Study to assess the gaps in the City, County and State’s provision of mental health services. While not part of its formal recommendations, the DOJ mentioned in its April report the need to address the mental health crisis in our City.

This is but one of many steps we must take to address the underlying issues that plague our community.  Mental health and substance abuse issues cut across both ethnic and socio-economic lines.  Visit the Task Force on Behavioral Health Website.

Completed & Ongoing Projects in District 3

For a list of District 3 Projects, visit the D3 Project Page.

Get Help for Common Issues

Call 311 to Report any of the following issues to the City of Albuquerque: Graffiti, Lost Animals, Large-item garbage pick-up, Missed trash pick-up, Weed complaints, Potholes, Abandoned vehicles, Residential trash container request, Traffic Signs, Traffic Pavement Markings. They can answer questions and respond to requests for service. You can call any day from 6am – 9pm.  You can also go to the City Website to get more information for a particular issue or complaint.

Direct numbers for help

• Streets and Traffic issues:  505-768-3830
• Report illegal dumping by calling:  505-768-DUMP(3867)
• File a complaint with Code Enforcement:  505-924-3850
• Contact APD Southwest  Area Command:  505-831-4705
• Dust complaint: 505-768-1972

Need more help? Didn't get a response? Contact us right away and we'll help.

ABCWUA

Councilor Peña serves as Chair of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. You can call them at 842-WATR (9287) or 768-2800 for issues regarding:

• Cockroach Control
• Sewer Odor
• Water line breaks

Planning for the Future

Congratulations to the Southwest Alliance of Neighbors and their member neighborhood associations for helping to get the Coors Corridor Plan extended to include Coors south of Central to Bridge.  It is this continued community involvement and support that will help us transform the South Valley and Southwest Mesa into a place where neighborhoods and businesses can thrive.

I will be working with my policy assistant to review the various sector plans that affect our area to identify resources to build out infrastructure, utilities and other needs to help bring business, retail and dining establishments to our side of town, in particular to Unser Crossing.

I will continue to update the community on projects and initiatives which are underway.

If you need to contact me, please email me at [email protected].  If you need help or have an issue or concern, contact Nancy Montaño, 505-768-3127, [email protected].