[{"_1":2,"_96":-5,"_97":-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",[32,74,84],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6149612,"mediaKeyId","5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82","parentId",5511566,"title","Council approves a package of contracts; tables wastewater operator staffing contract for more information","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3263000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82&start=3263&end=3263","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82/thumbnail_3263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149612/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Council-approves-a-package-of-contracts-tables-wastewater-operator-staffing-contract-for-more-information","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149612-3cf4827c8ca9a46f14aa6abb1484368a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886223&Signature=NAc110GiVydLwiTufxa5yIqAfhhZUg07EqpCZlDXGMpDNojNdjzl6eVRr4dZN71GwrHpjGcADXdKiF-YTtBQAGRQ3BtAqkFN1HYPZwdJJ898mpP70MpHinuPH2jgoPBp426sn3jkvE8V23SKTAtAiT7pvz7i5M~YbNznoRJcqqqC3pqos0xv5ENocp-yGclWlSfmZSxyqIfNnjXoN29q3A9sk6c~fp8rbsmMa-s4wrfPlnbeNtRUzg5QjJulHveMkl~dco8hTRKmSxb~V8L3EJn0uV18vhjsI83pA26hpJ9zHjxa2xjt9jzgE0TwGWdoizV5vrUNUjh6Cqqg0Pe1Bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Santa Fe, NM","date","2025-07-31T06:57:36.647Z","article","The Santa Fe governing body approved a set of procurement actions on Wednesday that included information‑technology, public‑safety and social‑services spending while tabling one high‑dollar temporary staffing contract for the wastewater plant.

Major approvals:
- Telecommunications and network engineering on‑call services: The council approved a four‑year professional services agreement with HEI Inc. for $649,125 to provide telecommunications and network engineering support.
- IT/ERP support: The council approved Amendment 3 to a professional services contract with Cyber Pathway, Inc. increasing compensation by $1,771,968, bringing the contract total to $6,078,116.40 and extending the term to June 13, 2026; IT director Eric Candelaria presented the request as support for the ERP and Kronos systems.
- Guaranteed income: The council approved a professional services contract with UpTogether (doing business as FIINational DBA UpTogether) to disperse cash assistance funds for the mayor’s guaranteed income pilot in the amount of $999,000 through June 30, 2027.
- Animal shelter services amendment: The council approved Amendment No. 1 to an emergency contract with Santa Fe Animal Shelter (Bridal Shelter and Humane Society, Inc.) to increase compensation by $150,000, raising the contract to $278,000 and extending the term six months to continue shelter services while an RFP is completed.
- Police fleet: The council approved purchase of 20 police vehicles including upfitting and equipment for a total of $1,892,661.18 from Chalmers Ford and Code 3 Service.

Tabling and follow‑up:
- Wastewater operator temporary staffing contract: The council tabled a request for approval of a general services agreement with Southwest Water Works LLC for operation and maintenance services in the amount of $432,750 for one year. Staff said the contract funds temporary certified operators (state Level 4) to cover 24/7 operations; interim utilities director Jesse Roach said the department faces multiple vacancies and that the temporary contract is a stopgap while the city pursues retention and recruitment strategies. Councilors asked for a detailed staffing count and comparison to internal staffing costs before approving the item; staff agreed to return with more detail on August 13.

Staff presentations and questions: Directors and division staff answered questions about timelines and existing procurement documentation. For the wastewater item, Director Roach and other staff said they are pursuing retention incentives and revised job descriptions to reduce reliance on expensive contract operators; councilors asked what the difference would be in cost and how many vacancies the city must fill to avoid future temporary staffing contracts.

Taper: Several of the approved items fund ongoing city systems and recently launched programs, while the wastewater operator contract remains unresolved pending staff follow‑up. Councilors emphasized urgency to restore staffing levels while also pressing for cost and staffing detail.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Governing Body Committee Meeting 7/30","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved multiple service agreements and purchases — including a four‑year telecom contract, an IT services amendment, a guaranteed‑income program contract and the purchase of police vehicles — but tabled a $432,750 temporary wastewater operator services contract to get staffing details.","taxTitle","Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico","taxId",2727,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149616,"Dozens of city employees tell Santa Fe council to fund AFSCME contract and preserve sick‑leave bank",11803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82&start=11803&end=11803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82/thumbnail_11803000.jpg","/articles/6149616/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Dozens-of-city-employees-tell-Santa-Fe-council-to-fund-AFSCME-contract-and-preserve-sickleave-bank","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149616-acd4b81026afcbf2b8c4f4e642fa9a3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886223&Signature=dLtG~xl84P5EED3jbeXD45HyZKCYqLwXY0fE88Bo~KGIO1VQJYcZ~X7bwPTjh3sjnCC34wGUgKUY-jQCHdbC8LEADis8E9GRz~HgdGHyaXtaCAKkFRxBkglo6jlQ3r0uVM5xgnWLssOpb1W9QzmzKbSpbI99573SuXZlDwa1s4zJpbOtqhDGrW9wFpfqXTl~1~CXt9IwFMH1EvJErCU4moa1kaqMwxK60Ecx7NcLMFEG8W6TjO11jck0D60iWFjHAqUO14zrqr4sdzBYJRH7w2zZGO3Yb4eVKFx4TDNHCLmdZmaUd7tEE5im0MhFria9SoakoJIGrFyMMAsNRDo4Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Santa Fe municipal employees and union leaders used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the governing body to fund a pending AFSCME contract and to preserve negotiated benefits they said protect city workers.

Union leaders and rank‑and‑file staff from multiple departments — including water, wastewater, streets, parks, transit and library services — described years of protracted negotiations and asked the council to approve class‑and‑comp adjustments already studied by the city and to hold human resources to the current sick‑leave bank arrangements. “We are here demanding much needed and past‑due salary increases,” said Clinton Peterson, an engineer with the water division and a member of the AFSCME bargaining team.

Payroll and recruitment impact: Several speakers tied compensation to operational risks, saying certified water and wastewater operators have left for higher pay elsewhere. “We have lost a lot of qualified people at water divisions,” AFSCME President Gilbert Baca told the council, adding that turnover had pushed remaining staff into overtime and double duties.

What speakers asked for: Union speakers repeatedly sought three priorities — implementation of the city’s class‑and‑comp study, a multi‑year commitment to predictable pay increases and protection of the union’s sick‑leave bank (a pooled leave resource used when employees face serious health emergencies). Several speakers said a proposed change moving sick‑leave bank control to HR would weaken a benefit members value hugely.

No formal council action: The meeting record shows the public comment period was strictly public testimony; no vote or formal step was taken on the AFSCME contract during the session. Councilors listened and some acknowledged the concerns; several asked staff for more information about recruitment, specific vacancies and next steps for negotiations.

Voices from the floor: In addition to AFSCME President Gilbert Baca, speakers included union bargaining representatives and rank‑and‑file employees: Louis (Luis) Damela, Clinton Peterson, Robert Hervice, Therese Martinez, Maxine Sandoval and others who described front‑line services — from sanitation to senior services — that rely on long‑tenured employees.

Taper: The union and city management have negotiated intermittently for several years. The public comments at this meeting make clear that rank‑and‑file employees will continue to use council meetings to press for a rapid resolution and funding of any agreed contract.","AFSCME members and other city employees used the public‑comment period to press the council to fund a long‑delayed union contract, implement class-and-comp raises, preserve a negotiated sick‑leave bank and address recruitment and retention at the water and wastewater divisions.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6149620,"Council rejects one charter change but approves a broader ballot question on removal of top appointees",2826,874000,3700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82&start=874&end=3700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5511566-cd8f63752a293d332dfc3d63cfeeba82/thumbnail_874000.jpg","/articles/6149620/Santa-Fe/Santa-Fe-County/New-Mexico/Council-rejects-one-charter-change-but-approves-a-broader-ballot-question-on-removal-of-top-appointees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149620-8e66214715d334ba1a876fca050c0ca7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886223&Signature=XQZkJBybPcqhIJCLVill3mzwhKoj7kbtugpHB36j4p9~R0eO~LIgVnfPjliJN0rM2NWgyjklu-HB8JrOzzV3d5eno4qbXHEv72U3~BAL9ObQXZZbi6-8Mn1AwatsHj9mK~7RHBma1VIMmgYYMiI6KDts~QzELYvCIP9vTU1vyj4-Xow-ADkLkJ0-lSd-K0Oci0pP74r8rApqzsBapxY4FQ9HaBDOz3HzItL2E9du8xCyrackN9qZo8CJ2xKvYVTGYXcpgDlHJckIwIgZYhbsMWI6l20Yqlgj38fiZRbXB2HG1vAJ6kMv0EG~7Kb6cy~7uwMJ4e95FzN51VtZL6o2pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Santa Fe governing body on Wednesday rejected a proposed charter amendment that would have required council consent before the mayor could remove the city manager, city attorney or city clerk except during the first 180 days of a mayor’s term, but approved a different measure sending a removal-power change to the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal ballot.

Advocates framed both measures as efforts to rebalance power under Santa Fe’s strong-mayor system. “This isn’t about individuals. This is about striking a balance between the legislative and what is forming up to be the executive,” Councilor Pilar Faulkner said during the debate.

Why it matters: The city’s charter and the rules that flow from it determine how power is split between the mayor’s office and the eight-member governing body. Any charter change approved by the council and then by voters would change who can remove senior appointed officials and when — a decision that affects everyday operations, oversight and stability at City Hall.

What the council did: Two related resolutions were before the governing body. The first (on the agenda as item 9q) proposed a ballot question to require council consent before the mayor removes the city manager, city attorney or city clerk, except in the first 180 days of a newly elected mayor’s term. That measure failed on a roll call vote (Yes: Councilors Pilar Faulkner, Lee Garcia, Michael Garcia, Amanda Travis; No: Councilor Lindell, Councilor Romero Wirth, Councilor Caset, Councilor Castro, Mayor Weber).

A second resolution (item 9r), amended in committee to require six councilors rather than five, passed the council and will go on the Nov. 4, 2025 regular local ballot. The clerk read the amended caption at the meeting and the body voted to place the proposal before voters; the final recorded roll call showed six “yes” votes and three “no” votes.

What supporters said: Sponsors and backers argued the measures give the governing body a check against politicized firings and protect institutional continuity. “This allows some protections to ensure that that critical role, the city manager role is — if not the most critical role — given that they are the ultimate boss of everybody,” Councilor Lee Garcia said, arguing the change would insulate the position from political leverage.

What opponents said: Other councilors urged caution and said the questions should be vetted by a Charter Review Commission. Councilor Romero Wirth said he opposed single, stand‑alone charter amendments on foundational governance questions and urged a comprehensive review. Councilor Lindell said she opposed the measure on procedural grounds and said the city lacks the public engagement and research a charter change of this nature deserves.

Process notes and next steps: The body amended the one proposal in finance committee to require six councilors for removal and then voted to send the revised measure to voters. The council explicitly discussed whether the question should instead go back to a charter review commission for broader consideration; several members supported that longer review even as they sent this item to the ballot. If approved by voters on Nov. 4, the charter change would take effect according to the voters’ direction and the charter’s implementation rules.

Votes at a glance
- Item 9q (require council consent except first 180 days): Failed (Yes: Faulkner, Lee Garcia, Michael Garcia, Travis; No: Lindell, Romero Wirth, Caset, Castro, Mayor Weber).
- Item 9r (amended to require six councilors to suspend or remove city manager, city attorney, city clerk): Approved to go to ballot (Yes: Michael Garcia, Caset, Castro, Travis, Faulkner, Lee Garcia; No: Lindell, Romero Wirth, Mayor Weber).

What the council record shows: Sponsors repeatedly referenced the 2023 Charter Review Commission’s recommendation to examine separation of powers. Opponents repeatedly urged additional public engagement and a fuller charter-review process rather than “one-off” ballot measures.

Taper: Because the council sent the amended 9r question to the ballot, voters will decide in November whether to change the local constitution; the debate about broader charter review and the balance of authorities is likely to continue through the fall and next year.","After a lengthy debate over separation of powers, Santa Fe councilors voted down a proposal to restrict mayoral removals with a 180‑day exception and approved a separate measure sending a proposal to let six councilors suspend or remove the city manager, city attorney and city clerk to the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves a package of contracts; tables wastewater operator staffing contract for more information

Dozens of city employees tell Santa Fe council to fund AFSCME contract and preserve sick‑leave bank

Council rejects one charter change but approves a broader ballot question on removal of top appointees