ALBUQUERQUE — On Monday night the Albuquerque City Council approved changes to a rental housing ordinance aimed at ensuring tenants have reliable cooling during hot weather. The measure passed on a 5-4 vote and places new performance requirements on cooling systems in rental units.

Under the revised rules, every rental property must be equipped with a cooling unit capable of reducing the indoor temperature by at least 15 degrees when outdoor temperatures reach 85 degrees or higher. The ordinance also prohibits landlords from relying on portable cooling devices in place of a permanent system.

Councilor Stephanie Telles warned about the human cost of inadequate cooling, noting the risk to vulnerable residents during heat waves. Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, who initially sponsored the proposal, later removed her name; she said the intent was to set standards for cooling performance rather than force landlords to replace existing systems outright.

The council also confirmed two key public-safety appointments: Cecily Barker as police chief and Raul Bujanda as executive director of public safety. In the new role, Bujanda will oversee the Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque Fire Rescue and Albuquerque Community Safety. Some members of the council questioned the expense tied to creating and funding the position.

Supporters argued the executive director is needed for stronger oversight and accountability. Councilor Nichole Rogers pointed to Bujanda’s prior work, including his involvement in investigating the department during the DWI scandal, as evidence that he can help keep city agencies accountable. Bujanda previously served as the Special Agent In-Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque office.