City Staff Unite for Daily Cleanups to Keep Albuquerque Beautiful
Last week, the City of Albuquerque kicked off an initiative aimed at beautifying Albuquerque. City employees came together to help clean up neighborhoods across our community, and staff were invited to participate in a two-hour clean-up shift. The campaign started on Wednesday, October 2, and will continue through October 11. Over 700 staff, including the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, and all department directors, have participated. 10,000 pounds of trash has been picked up as of Friday, October 4, through this initiative.
"It was a beautiful day to get away from computer screens and onto City streets," said Transit IT Manager Chris Bergs. "I got to experience neighborhoods I normally drive through and some of the beautiful artwork around town while helping the community and networking with City staff.”
“City workers live here and care deeply about our community,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “We will continue to create opportunities like these for city staff to go above and beyond in their roles as we all work to make a tangible difference in Albuquerque.”
Employees are removing litter, debris, and illegal signage across the city as they work together to make the Albuquerque a cleaner, more beautiful place to live. The cleanups were organized in response to community concerns and the influx of visitors during Balloon Fiesta, and they supplement the regular work the City does to clean Albuquerque. This initiative embodies our One Albuquerque approach, uniting us as a team dedicated to enhancing our city and making a positive impact.
“The goal of this effort is not just to clean up our city but to strengthen the bond between employees and the community they serve,” said Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Samantha Sengel. “By coming together in this way, we hope to set an example of civic pride for our residents and inspire others to join us in keeping Albuquerque beautiful.”
The Administration worked with city departments to provide protective gear for all employees who wish to be a part of the effort. Unclassified City staff, as well as E and I series employees, were required to sign up for at least one shift. Employees were exempt from participating if such participation would have a negative impact to public safety, operation of a city facility or as deemed otherwise by the department director.
The Administration extends appreciation to all those who have contributed to this special effort.