Votes at a glance: Santa Fe council actions and appointments Jan. 29, 2025

The City of Santa Fe governing body recorded several formal actions during its Jan. 29 meeting. Below are the items that drew final votes, the outcomes and key details recorded in the meeting transcript.

• Budget amendment — microcommunity units (agenda item 11b): Approved. The council reallocated $2,000,000 from a prior appropriation to buy pallet/microcommunity units and fund site planning for non‑congregate shelter solutions. Vote: unanimous (9–0). Staff noted no sites or operators had been selected when the funds were approved.

• Saint Michael’s Drive pedestrian underpass (resolution, agenda item 10q): Approved. Resolution authorizing the city’s representatives to work with New Mexico Department of Transportation to acquire rights‑of‑way and plan, design and construct a pedestrian underpass on Saint Michael’s Drive. Vote: unanimous (9–0).

• Purchase order amendment — police vehicles (agenda item 11a): Approved. Council approved increasing the purchase order for 26 police vehicles to cover an additional $6,000 per vehicle for equipment and installation, bringing the total to $1,713,731.94. Vote: passed (8–1); Councilor Castro recorded a no vote.

• Muffler/noise ordinance (bill 2024‑18 / final ordinance adoption, agenda item 20a): Adopted. The council amended the city’s uniform traffic ordinance to increase penalties for noisy or modified mufflers, remove a multi‑offense tier distinction and allow community service as an alternative. Vote: approved by roll call.

• Technical correction to vehicle regulations (bill 2024‑20 / ordinance, agenda item 20b): Adopted. The council approved a technical amendment relocating definitions within the code. Vote: approved by roll call.

• City manager appointment (agenda item 22a): Confirmed. The governing body approved the appointment of Mark Scott as city manager. Vote: passed (8–1); Councilor Michael Garcia recorded a no vote and offered an explanation citing concerns about the increase in the city manager salary from the previous city manager’s pay.

• Appointments to boards and committees: Multiple appointments were approved by roll call (immigration committee, transit advisory board, public safety committee and other appointments listed on the agenda). Vote: unanimous or recorded as approved in each roll call.

These votes do not include routine consent items that were approved as part of the consent agenda and which the governing body adopted by roll call during the meeting.

For details on each item — including staff presentations, public comment and next steps — consult the transcript and staff reports on the city’s website or contact the City Clerk’s office.