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Council approves $1.646 million BAR to fund staff capacity and small-business crime mitigation grants
Summary
The committee approved a $1,646,000 BAR to expand staff capacity and fund small-business crime mitigation and security grants, workforce development, small-business development and related office costs.
The Quality of Life Committee approved a budget amendment resolution (BAR) to allocate $1,646,000 from general fund balances to support staff capacity, small-business crime mitigation and security grants, small-business development, workforce development, and office rent for Community Services and the Office of Economic Development.
Economic Development Director Johanna Nelson and Community Services Director Henry Hammond Paul described the crime mitigation proposal as a city-run grant program designed to address vandalism, break-ins and other business impacts. Nelson said the concept was modeled in part on Albuquerque’s program for broken-window repairs and that Albuquerque expended its fund quickly due to strong demand. She said the city is working with Albuquerque staff to understand results and program design.
Nelson and Hammond Paul said eligible uses under consideration include prevention measures (for example cameras or improved doors), immediate cleanup and repairs after incidents, and conditional training or participation requirements tied to grant awards to strengthen community-based public-safety practices. Hammond Paul said staff will engage businesses and neighborhoods to shape eligible uses and distribution.
Councilors urged staff to consider historic-district constraints (for example, barred windows on historic storefronts may require Land Use review) and to coordinate with Police, Park Rangers, Constituent Services and other departments. Councilor Travis asked that the program be structured to allow reimbursement for businesses that already invested in security measures; staff said the program can be designed with time-bound reimbursement windows and verification requirements. Councilor Faulkner suggested funding could support organized business associations and neighborhood business-watch efforts.
A motion to approve passed on a roll call: Councilors Castro, Chavis, Garcia, Faulkner and the chair voted yes (5–0).
