[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6159803,"mediaKeyId","5452539-ba344b9ebeded4cfd8743e809f409812","parentId",5452539,"title","Committee advances two charter amendment questions to change removal powers for city manager, attorney and clerk","audioSeconds",970,"startMs",1300000,"endMs",2270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452539-ba344b9ebeded4cfd8743e809f409812&start=1300&end=2270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452539-ba344b9ebeded4cfd8743e809f409812/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159803/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-two-charter-amendment-questions-to-change-removal-powers-for-city-manager-attorney-and-clerk","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159803-e8d8a41fcb91ad0591c1cbc5bbe6a42f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584046&Signature=nlmJiwhPzht7MKlX4yqlcDdbbqcaQldC2czGH4FdfYqNebH4o5RiDvwejZzRiMgA9jXyoPaO9v2rTXv6IgwPZ2J6cJ7v3tm3nqJw1WKkBpc28QHQCPRt~n7cqCvmA1j4-sO8ShgJu6n-QrqY1vhPwn4JkdysvL5ZAR2jllByOfBV4dmbEJr3F~7Za9fEukiQiV39Rsrh1zxiEZjwUYXZ-9PEgeTs-~4BrLdj-gx7zkg75smcRdFNdij~c7R9uoUQffeI1oBMx7jBsfoS8nTelJSqKh-z42zfmfWquniBDdelHRHqq7mXtlUX-3RyRmloM4xRcE1O3EUDp5K0dpUyQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Fe, NM","date","2025-07-23T15:31:11.21Z","article","The Public Works and Utilities Committee on July 21 approved two separate resolutions to be placed on the Nov. 4, 2025 local ballot that would change how the City of Santa Fe removes or suspends certain senior city officials.

The first resolution (item 7I) asks voters whether the municipal charter should be amended so that five councilors may suspend or remove the city manager, city attorney and city clerk at a regularly scheduled meeting. That resolution passed the committee by roll call, with Councilor Michael Garcia, Councilor Lee Garcia and Chair Amanda Chavez voting yes; Councilor Romero Worth and Councilor Kelsey Castro voting no. The motion passed (yes 3, no 2).

The second resolution (item 7K) asks voters whether the charter should be amended to require governing-body consent before a mayor can remove the city manager, city attorney or city clerk. Committee members moved that item 7K proceed to the next stage “without a recommendation” so sponsors and staff could finalize a drafting amendment; that motion passed on a roll call vote (Kelsey Castro no, Lee Garcia yes, Romero Worth no, Michael Garcia yes, Chair Chavez yes).

Sponsors said the proposals are intended to rebalance checks between the mayor’s executive authority and the governing body. “When we were contemplating a stronger mayor, I don't think we paid enough attention to the balance, the checks and balance that would be necessary from the council,” said Councilor Faulkner, a sponsor of the resolutions.

Committee discussion focused on three recurring points: whether the change should refer to a fixed number (five) or to a supermajority if the governing body size changes; whether suspension and removal should be allowed only at a “regularly scheduled meeting” or also at specially called meetings for time‑sensitive situations; and whether the charter language should add the city attorney and city clerk explicitly (the current charter provision cited removal language for the city manager).

Councilor Michael Garcia noted the proposal lowers the removal threshold for the city manager from six votes to five and extends removal authority to the city attorney and city clerk; he said that if the governing body has appointment power by a certain threshold, it makes sense the removal threshold match that approval threshold. Marcy (staff) clarified that item 7I covers both suspension and removal and that sponsors are preparing a drafting amendment to refine language and timing. Sponsors said they would review a proposed amendment and aim to present a signed version to the Quality of Life committee on Wednesday.

The committee did not enact any immediate personnel actions; both items will appear as proposed charter amendments on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot if advanced through the required charter amendment process.

Votes recorded in committee:
- Item 7I (suspend or remove by five councilors): Yes — Councilor Michael Garcia, Councilor Lee Garcia, Chair Amanda Chavez; No — Councilor Romero Worth, Councilor Kelsey Castro. Outcome: passed by committee.
- Item 7K (require governing-body consent before mayor can remove): Motion to move forward without recommendation passed (Kelsey Castro no; Lee Garcia yes; Romero Worth no; Michael Garcia yes; Chair Amanda Chavez yes).

Committee members requested staff and sponsors to circulate and finalize the drafting amendment before the next committee meeting so the language presented to voters matches sponsor intent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Works and Utilities Committee 7/21","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Works and Utilities Committee on July 21 approved sending two charter amendment questions to the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot to change how the city removes or suspends the city manager, city attorney and city clerk.","taxTitle","Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico","taxId",2727,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159808,"Santa Fe committee reviews street maintenance, bridge replacement and drainage projects; director to depart",592,239000,831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5452539-ba344b9ebeded4cfd8743e809f409812&start=239&end=831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5452539-ba344b9ebeded4cfd8743e809f409812/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6159808/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Santa-Fe-committee-reviews-street-maintenance-bridge-replacement-and-drainage-projects-director-to-depart","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159808-e048fb07a9408e6626af31139d4b9087/orig.mp4?Expires=1773584046&Signature=FgLyJmZQn6wEC9DUkboLqAgrF80ELsTqaBvd3oa9O1~UM2vOICzz-B2N5dqY92AeIk7dqPWDRNKZ7x5d-7~JG-zTPLLTpiT2tYXchwSfNnOx8lffW7aoFsATqS0OB8jlO-v2U9cZdo1NOrfuak3lRGbDbwlCGAMzH1s6Vgo4UX6xnN7fEI3ckUpN2yKVTDMFSLNlpG05bswz-ArOJ3JyJWiOiUf21YFzygIiD~9ajI3PjLKat8~VVthaU16BTP09L4GdvrcfUetrHJkt-luIGc5J3spSQY~EIi1kHgv-fyDAQSv1RvkceQT3LltUaLSjZxrET~nac07fj0yuBKj3eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Santa Fe Public Works and Utilities Committee on July 21 heard a status report from Jennifer Morrow, Complete Streets division director, on street rehabilitation, drainage and bridge projects and remaining staffing needs.

Morrow said the department is focusing on rehabilitation projects rather than large capital improvement projects and described a set of near-term works and longer-range projects funded by one-time money, legislative grants, road impact fees and a $25 million geo-bond the city approved earlier. “This project included upgrades to the existing traffic signal, making everything ADA compliant, and then we also added pedestrian refuges at all our crosswalks,” Morrow said of the nearly completed St. Michael’s bike-and-ped improvements.

The report laid out several discrete items the division is managing: conversion of a failing traffic signal at Sandoval and Montezuma to a four-way stop (construction estimated at about $700,000, to be paid from road impact fees); design and replacement of the Cerro Gordo Bridge with the existing abutments retained (design expected in about three months and construction targeted to begin by the end of the year and finish by summer 2026); ongoing sediment maintenance at the Rio Vista channel (about $63,000 spent to date); and multiple drop inlet replacements using NMDOT-standard trench drains at problem locations such as Cielo Azul and Otaway and Vitalia.

Morrow also reviewed recent paving completed with FY2025 one-time funds and noted unfinished projects: Rufina (from Zarafino to Calle Tahoe) about $650,000; Orno Ali about $25,000; Solano (from Guadalupe to Paseo Del Peralta) about $60,000; Alice (Sheridan to Grant) a little over $100,000; Sandoval (Alameda to Grant) nearly $400,000; Autumn Leaf Lane end to end about $100,000; and Old Pecos Trail (Cordova to Kaya Medical) about $900,000. She said the department is waiting for the $25 million geo-bond to become available to proceed on a larger programmed list of 2026–2027 projects.

The presentation included operational details: a 15-ton restriction placed on the Cerro Gordo Bridge while design proceeds, an effort to relocate gas lines that delayed culvert work at Hayatekalote, and routine discovery of deteriorated storm infrastructure during ADA ramp or sidewalk work that can turn a small project into an emergency repair. On drainage on private property (Nepal and Alameda), Morrow said staff are pursuing a sediment pond solution but the parcel is in probate, which has slowed right-of-way acquisition.

Elected members pressed for priorities and clarity on timing. Councilor Lee Garcia said he is hearing frequent requests from constituents about Airport Road and urged it be prioritized: “It can’t come soon enough,” he said, asking the department to place Airport Road high on the list. Morrow replied that Airport Road is “the top of our list at this time,” and that crews are waiting on bond funds to proceed. Councilor Michael Garcia raised a question about new signal control at St. Michael’s and Llano — whether the intersection uses a red arrow or a signed “no right on red” — and Morrow said she would check the design intent and add signage if engineers intended a no-right-on-red restriction.

Committee members also acknowledged staffing and succession. Councilor Romero Worth told the committee this would be Morrow’s last formal presentation to the committee because she is leaving the city for another position, and noted four vacant engineering positions in the Complete Streets division. “We’ve been really lucky to have her,” Romero Worth said. Members thanked Morrow for her work and asked staff to return with details as projects move from design to construction.

The committee took no separate vote on the presentation; the briefing was informational.

The department identified several near-term actions: finalize design for the Cerro Gordo Bridge within about three months, start construction once funding and right-of-way issues are resolved, replace clogging drop inlets with trench drains built to NMDOT standards, and proceed on the programmed asphalt and storm-drain list when the geo-bond funds are released.","Complete Streets Director Jennifer Morrow told the Public Works and Utilities Committee on July 21 about planned paving, drainage and bridge work, funding sources and staff losses, including an estimated $700,000 intersection conversion and a planned replacement of the Cerro Gordo Bridge.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee advances two charter amendment questions to change removal powers for city manager, attorney and clerk

Santa Fe committee reviews street maintenance, bridge replacement and drainage projects; director to depart