Preserving NM News

Who: Albuquerque City Council

When: 5 p.m. Monday April 21, 2008

Where: Vincent Griego Chambers, 1 Civic Plaza, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Building

What: At Monday’s City Council meeting, Councilors will consider legislation to reform the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF), create new water conservation and efficiency standards and a resolution supporting national toxic mining reform.

-    Councilors Cadigan, Benton and Garduño—Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Although originally used to promote urban infill development, Tax Increment Development Districts (TIDDs) have been being used to subsidize “greenfield” development. TIDDs allow developers to receive up to 75% percent of the district’s incremental gross receipts and property tax revenues for up to 25 years, which very little state or local oversight. Greenfield TIDDs can lure jobs, economic activity and homebuyers out of the existing community and into fringe developments, which hurts our communities and contributes to sprawl and global warming. This bill would permit TIDDs only within the1979 boundaries of the City, as defined in the Planned Growth Strategy, within a metropolitan redevelopment area, and/or in a Reserve area in which City Council has previously approved a TIDD. TIDDs would be allowed outside of the 1979 boundaries only if the TIDD were consistent with the No Net Expense Policy and was limited to non-residential development only. The bill would also limit the use of property tax money used to pay for TIDDs.

-    Councilor Garduño—Ending Toxic Mining on Fragile Lands. Councilor Garduño will be introducing a resolution in support of the 1872 Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2007, which the U.S. House of Representatives has already passed and the Senate will soon consider. The century-old mining law that is currently on the books allows mining companies practically unfettered access to our public lands and national forests. According to the EPA, mining waste has polluted 40 percent of the watersheds that provide Western communities with drinking water. This reform is needed to protect our National Parks, our drinking water and ensure that polluters pay to clean up abandoned mines.

-    Councilor Cadigan—Protecting New Mexico’s Limited Water Supply. Councilor Cadigan will be introducing the “Water Conservation Landscaping and Water Waste” and “Water Conservation Water by Request” ordinances that would promote water efficiency and conservation by setting strict water conservation standards for city-owned property and private property (including low-flow toilet and xeriscaping requirements). It would also remove restrictive covenants that prohibit property owners from using xeriscape landscaping, efficient irrigation systems and water harvesting; determine irrigation system standards, inspection and enforcement procedures and require restaurants to provide drinking water only by request and hotels to offer customers the option of not changing sheets and towels for short stays. These important ordinances would help to safeguard New Mexico’s limited water supply by increasing efficiency and eliminating wasteful practices.

For the agenda and links to the proposed bill and exhibits, go to: http://daystar2.cabq.gov:81/calendar/