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Volume 4 | April 21, 2021
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Bernalillo County in "Yellow Level" in the Red to Green Framework.
Below is a list of what this means for the community.
- Essential businesses (non-retail): No capacity restrictions but operations must be limited to only those absolutely necessary to carry out essential functions
Essential retail spaces: 33% of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
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Food and drink establishments (if NM Safe Certified): 33% of maximum capacity for indoor dining; 75% of maximum capacity for outdoors dining; any establishment serving alcohol must close by 10 p.m. each night
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Close-contact businesses: 33% of maximum capacity or 20 customers at one time, whichever is smaller; 33% of any outdoor space on the premises
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Large entertainment venues: 25% of maximum capacity of any outdoor space on premises; indoor not permitted with the limited exception of operating up to 25% of maximum capacity for recording and broadcasting entertainment without any in-person audience
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Recreational facilities: 33% of any outdoor space on the premises; indoor not permitted
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Bars and clubs: May not operate **All other businesses: 33% of maximum capacity (indoor and outdoor)
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Houses of worship: May hold religious services, indoors or outdoors, or provide services through audiovisual means, but may not exceed 33% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises
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Places of lodging: 60% of maximum occupancy for those that have completed NM Safe Certified training; 25% of maximum occupancy for all others; 5 guests maximum for vacation rentals
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Mass gatherings limit: 10 persons; 80 vehicles
To learn more about the Red to Green Framework visit https://cv.nmhealth.org/public-health-orders-and-executive-orders/red-to-green/
- Foremost, please stay home if you are sick. Period.
- Masks are mandatory in public, non-compliance can result in a $100 fine
- Practice social distancing -- be aware of your surroundings and others near you
Adhere to the six-foot rule and stay at home except as needed for grocery shopping, medical assistance and exercise
- Limit group contact to 10 or fewer people
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen ).† |
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The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings.
Fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
- Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
- Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
- Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Follow guidance issued by individual employers
- Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
Learn more...
To schedule a COVID-19 test or register for the COVID-19 vaccination go to: https://cvtestreg.nmhealth.org/
All New Mexicans age 16 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine.
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The Bernalillo County Public Safety Division, in collaboration with the New Mexico Department of Information Technology (NM DoIT), officially activated the county’s new public safety communications system on Monday, April 19.
The new 700-megahertz P25 digital communications system replaces the county’s 25-year-old system and provides enhanced radio coverage and matches up radio capabilities for the Bernalillo County public safety departments to include the Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Department, Animal Care Services, Office of Emergency Management, Youth Services Center, and the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Read more....
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Point and Pay implementation
Bernalillo County property tax payers can pay their bills using their cellphones and receive payment reminders via email and text messaging with the treasurer’s new electronic payment system. Property tax payers will also be able to easily schedule recurring payments and have full access to their account information 24/7.
The Treasurer’s Office remains closed to the public and continues to work diligently for Bernalillo County residents. To speak to a customer service representative, call 505-468-7031. More information can be found at www.bernco.gov or email the Treasurer’s Office at treasurers@bernco.gov
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Residents must live outside city limits to qualify for county help
Bernalillo County is now accepting online applications for utility and rental assistance through the Bernalillo County Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) assistance program. Paper applications are also being accepted.
The RENT program makes available $5 million to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and Native American tribes.
The grant, made available to Bernalillo County by the United States Treasury, has been earmarked for qualifying renters outside the city limits of Albuquerque, but within the county. Applicants within the city must apply to the City of Albuquerque’s rental assistance program. Applicants can verify if they are located outside of the city of Albuquerque before applying by using the provided locator Map. Please click here for a short instructional video on how to use the map.
Read More....
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Stormwater Pollutants
As the weather warms up and spring cleaning begins, let’s focus on ways we can eliminate stormwater pollution. Stormwater comes from rain and snowmelt, and stormwater runoff is the water we see in our streets and arroyos when it rains. Pollutants, like oil and gas, trash, animal waste, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals, get picked up by stormwater runoff and enter our storm drains, channels, and arroyos, quickly making it into our waterways. There are some easy ways you can help reduce pollution in stormwater. These tips are especially relevant when there is more stormwater runoff during our monsoon season starting in June, but applicable throughout the year.
Read more....
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Know these rules and putting them into practice during your recycling journey will help you recycle more efficiently. And it will help to ensure everything that makes it into your bin finds a second life.
- Recycle clean bottles, cans, paper and cardboard
- Keep food and liquid out of your recycling
- No loose plastic bags and no bagged recyclables
For Waste Management customers in the Bernalillo County unincorporated area, for delivery of a recycle container contact 505-224-1639 or visit
https://www.wm.com/us/en/home/residential-waste-recycling-pickup
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The county has seen a significant rise in illegal dumping throughout Bernalillo County since the beginning of the stay-at-home directives. This trend is particularly troubling because dumping is being reported in populated areas as well as rural open spaces.
Dispose of it Properly
For abandoned cars contact Bernalillo County Zoning at 505-314-0350. In the city, contact City Code Enforcement at 505-924-3850.
Large item pick-up, appliances, furniture, etc., is free to county residents by calling Waste Management at 505-892-1200. Call one week before your scheduled pick-up day. City residents can call 311.
To report illegal dumping along irrigation ditches, contact the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy Districts at 505-247-0234.
Household hazardous waste including paint, pesticides, cleaning solvents, batteries, etc. can be dropped off for free at Advanced Chemical Transport, 6133 Edith Blvd NE, 505-345-1650 or 505-998-4154.
Regarding animals, call the Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center at 505-314-0281. In the city, call City Animal Welfare call 311.
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The Natural Resources section of the Technical Services department strives for excellence and continues to push their performance forward. Natural Resources focuses on wastewater permitting, ground water monitoring, conservation projects, and storm water compliance. Within each of these areas, Natural Resources concentrates on educating and outreaching to the public to ensure residents are aware of conservation and incentive programs to help the environment and save money. Natural Resources utilizes data collection and monitoring alongside outreach and feedback from the community to make informed decisions that benefit the residents.
To stay on top of outreach efforts, Natural Resources strives to increase public awareness through outreach and event support, see their performance measure to learn more.
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One on-going effort addresses locating and addressing aging and failed septic system using GIS databases to target inspection and enforcement efforts. Water level data collected by the section in the Sandia Basin is used to protect water resources, most recently by prompting state officials to prohibit new water rights because existing declines are not sustainable.
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A recent extensive community engagement program using public meetings and surveys was used to revamp the incentives program, including the introduction of customer management software and direct-buy coupons to increase program delivery efficiency. The stormwater program continues to COVID-19 adapt its public education efforts by going to on-line training programs for volunteers, employees, and contractors that work on green infrastructure projects. Through data collection and analytics, the department has identified areas for improvement and made changes to become more efficient and effective.
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Virtual event features cooking, music and history
The second week of the El Camino Real Trade Fair gets underway Friday at 6:30 p.m. with a cooking demonstration, a kids’ activity that combines archaeology and cookies, and a musical performance. The event is virtual this year and presented by Bernalillo County and community partners.
The series of virtual events highlights the historic trade route between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo from 1598 to 1882. As described by the National Park Service, “this artery of commerce and travel came to be known as El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, which meant ‘royal road’ or ‘king’s highway.’ Blazed atop a network of indigenous footpaths and trade corridors that connected Mexico's ancient cultures with the equally ancient cultures of the American Southwest, this highway was the oldest of the great highways heading north. Extended by segments throughout the 16th century, it was at one time the longest road in North America.”[1]
El Camino Real Trade Fair is happening Friday evenings and Saturday mornings through May 1, 2021 on the El Camino Real Trade Fair Facebook page. Event videos are premiered at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays and 9 a.m. on Saturdays. This week’s activities are listed below. The full schedule is here.
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Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - Detention Facility Management Oversight Board at 4:30 p.m.
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Thursday, April 22, 2021 - Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Government Commission (ABCGC) at 5 p.m.
Stay on top of public meetings click here to subscribe to the new BernCo Public Meetings bulletin.
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Recent BernCo News Releases
(Click each news release below to read in full)
County Commission Approves Money for New Library
$500,000 is dedicated to International District project
April 20, 2021 – Bernalillo County commissioners have approved the expenditure of $500,000 in capital general obligation bonds, approved by voters in the 2020 general election, for a new library in the International District of Albuquerque. The library will be built on Central east of Louisiana at the old Caravan East location.
Metropolitan Detention Center Set to Roll Out Vaccinations to Inmate Population Metropolitan
April 20, 2021– The Metropolitan Detention Center will be working with the Department of Health, National Guard, Bernalillo County Fire Department and medical provider Centurion to administer the Moderna vaccine to MDC’s inmate population.
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- Bernalillo County Treasurer's Office: (505) 468-7031
- Metropolitan Detention Center (general inmate info): (505) 839-8700
- Roads and traffic: (505) 848-1504 or (505) 848-1503
- Animal Care Services: (505) 468-PETS
- Property Maintenance (report a park or facility that needs cleanup): (505) 224-2119
- Schedule a large item pick-up: (505) 892-1200
- Department of Behavioral Health Services customer service: (505) 468-1555
- Court of Wills, Estates and Probate (general info): (505) 468-1232
- Schedule an appointment: call (505) 468-1229 or email, probate@bernco.gov
- Unclaimed & Indigent Cremation Program: (505) 468-7295
- Accounts Payable general inquiries: (505) 468-7020
- All other calls: (505) 468-7777 or email, contactcenter@bernco.gov
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