City Councilor, District 2· 2024-01-01 to 2028-01 (month-level start: January 2024 per Legistar OfficeRecord 2024-01-01; month-level end: January 2028, four-year term, up for re-election 2027 per Wikipedia)
Joaquín Baca
Albuquerque
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 19
- Total speaking time
- 2:10:30
- Avg per meeting
- 6:52
- Segments
- 2303
Want every word Baca has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Baca said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Raising development appeal fees (O-26-60)
Appealing an approved project now costs residents or neighborhood groups $925; builders say every appeal delay can add ~$4,500 to a home's cost.
Downtown food truck parking permit
New permit fees would bring in a small amount of city revenue, and downtown businesses could see changed foot traffic.
Sichler Farms LEDA economic development project
Tax abatements mean forgone property-type revenue in exchange for redevelopment activity along Central.
Uptown Connect transit-oriented affordable housing
Uses Workforce Housing Trust Funds and state capital outlay appropriations for new affordable rental construction.
City Attorney Oversight and Legal Department Accountability
The related investigation and disputes have already cost the city thousands of dollars in legal fees, per Councilor Baca.
Sichler Farms LEDA economic development subsidy
$100,000 city appropriation, recoverable via clawback if the business closes within the contract term.
Transit safety plan update
Contracted security at the ATC costs more than the prior Metro Security arrangement.
Homelessness enforcement and winter shelter
Roughly $1 million spent on sweeps since 2021 and $7 million on a recent state operation, money speakers said could fund housing vouchers instead.
Charter Review Task Force creation
Integrated Development Ordinance update process change
Opioid settlement funds for Gateway treatment connections
About $2 million of opioid settlement dollars will fund treatment connections, out of a projected $7.9 million in settlements over three years.
South Campus TIDD bond issuance
Up to $160,000 in short-term debt backed by gross receipts tax increment generated inside the South Campus TIDD.
Better Neighborhoods Package — zoning appeals reform
O-26-60 would raise appeal filing fees from $190-$265 to $1,000 (approved projects) or $300 (denials), though it was deferred before adoption.
Lofts at Albuquerque High Courtyard Access
Dreamcatcher Sawmill Hotel IRB and neighborhood protections
Provided tax abatements over 20 years for hotel construction projects valued at over $25 million and $40 million.
Digital billboard permit denials upheld
Lindmark cannot proceed with the five digital billboard conversions without removing equivalent advertising area.
Residential parking permits at 400 Hannett NE
Permit fees could apply if approved later.
Yale Blvd overnight shelter appeal
Taxpayers could get stuck with legal, permitting, and delay costs while the city sorts out whether the shelter can open or must be scrapped.
98th Street and Molamosa traffic safety
A new signal could cost roughly $10 million based on the comparable Gibson project.
African American Advisory Board (O-26-11)
The direct cost to taxpayers looks limited—mainly city staff time and meeting administration—rather than a big new program, based on the source provided.
Decisions during term (455)
Recorded while Baca was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
EC-26-252 Aviation On Call Sustainability Consultation Services
EC-26-253 FTA ICAM Grant for Gateway Mobility Network
EC-26-262 Choke Cherry Farmington Exchange Lands Real Estate Sales Agreement
EC-26-284 Transit 2026 Updated Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
O-26-62 Glue trap ban (HEART Ordinance amendment)
O-26-63 Downtown mobile food unit parking permit
R-26-55 Moratorium on Lofts at Albuquerque High courtyard
R-26-70 Albuquerque Museum Foundation funding acceptance
R-26-72 Aviation Department capital improvement program amendments
R-26-75 Indicators Progress Commission update
EC-26-274 Appointment of Sarah Sheesley to Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees
EC-26-275 Appointment of Mario Semiglia to Housing & Neighborhood Economic Development Committee
EC-26-276 Appointment of Theaa Goodwin to Albuquerque Energy Council
EC-26-277 Appointment of Marcus Porter to African American Advisory Board
EC-26-278 Appointment of Dr. Lisa M. Taylor to African American Advisory Board
EC-26-279 Appointment of E. Justin Pennington to Personnel Board
EC-26-282 Appointment of Justin L. Staley to Personnel Board
EC-26-283 Re-appointment of Jessica Sapunar-Jursich to Affordable Housing Committee
O-26-66 Charter Review Task Force ordinance
R-26-71 CIP grant appropriations (consent item) withdrawn
Voting record (406)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
that this matter be Postponed to November 9, 2026
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Be Approved
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Withdrawn by Administration
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Be Approved
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Withdrawn by Administration
that this matter be Amended. Councilor Telles moved Amendment No. 1
that this matter be Amended. Councilor Telles moved Amendment No. 2
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass, as Amended
that this matter be Postponed to November 9, 2026
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass
that this matter be Sent to Council with a recommendation of Do Pass
Withdraw Amendment No. 1 to Amendment No. 1
R-26-73 be Passed as Amended
R-26-57 Dedicating State Capital Outlay Funds To Specific Projects And Phases And Requiring Council Approval Of Scope Changes be Withdrawn by Sponsor
Call for the Question on the original amendment as is
R-26-76 Approving The City Of Albuquerque’s Execution As A Party To The Lease Agreement Between Bernalillo County, New Mexico, As Lessor And Uptown Connect Apartments LLLP be Passed
Mayor's appointment of Mr. Marcus Porter to the African American Advisory Board be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of Sarah Sheesley to the Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of Mario Semiglia to the Housing & Neighborhood Economic Development Committee be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of Ms. Theaa Goodwin to the Albuquerque Energy Council be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of Dr. Lisa M. Taylor to the African American Advisory Board be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of E. Justin Pennington to the Personnel Board be Confirmed
Mayor's appointment of Justin L. Staley to the Personnel Board be Confirmed
Mayor's re-appointment of Ms. Jessica Sapunar-Jursich to the Affordable Housing Committee be Confirmed
O-26-66 Adopting A New Article In Chapter 2 Of The Revised Ordinances Of Albuquerque To Create The Charter Review Task Force And Repealing Section 2-1-7 Of The Code Of Resolutions be Postponed to Nove
R-26-71 Amending The Adopted Capital Implementation Program Of The City Of Albuquerque By Supplementing Current Grant Appropriations And Approving New Projects be Withdrawn by Sponsor
O-26-64 Approving A Project Involving Sichler Farms, LLC Pursuant To The Local Economic Development Act And City Ordinance F/S O-04-10 be Passed
Amendment No. 1 to OC-26-21
OC-26-21 be Tabled
R-26-69 Appropriation Of Opioid Settlement Funds be Passed
O-26-21 be Removed from the Table
Mr. Lucas Abel Pedraza be Confirmed as amended
O-26-60 Amending ROA 1994, Section 14-16-6-4(F) Of The Integrated Development Ordinance (IDO) Related To Application Fees be Passed
Amendment No. 1 to R-26-73
Amendment No. 2 to R-26-73
O-26-60 IDO application and appeal fees
Appeal fee changes affecting another process should go through broader review; higher fees burden neighborhoods.