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Votes at a glance: Santa Fe council passes fireworks ordinance, telecom franchise and appointments; other items moved or postponed
Summary
The council approved several measures with little debate (fireworks permit update, fiber franchise, CAPER submittal, appointments). The $2 million shelter budget amendment was postponed for two weeks; an appeal of a land‑use enforcement decision was denied and a contested historic status item produced split outcomes (see separate article).
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Santa Fe City Council approved a set of routine and substantive items on the agenda and recorded several formal actions. Key outcomes:
- Fireworks ordinance (Bill 2024‑12): Council adopted an ordinance updating Chapter 12‑3 of the city code so the Fire Department will apply the International Fire Code to public fireworks displays and to allow governing‑body approval of public fireworks display permits without additional legislation. The measure passed on a roll call vote after brief testimony in favor.
- Telecommunications franchise (Bill 2024‑15): Council granted a non‑exclusive franchise to Easy Fiber Texas LLC to operate a telecommunications network in city rights of way. Staff said this is the latest of several franchise requests to increase fiber availability; the motion passed on a roll call vote.
- 2023–2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER): Council approved submission of the CAPER to HUD, a required grant condition for the Community Development Block Grant program.
- Consent and appointments: The council approved several routine items and appointed members to boards and commissions, including reappointments and new appointments to the Children & Youth Commission and a mayor’s youth advisory appointment. (See actions list below.)
- Other actions: The council accepted the city attorney’s recommendation to deny a procedural land‑use appeal concerning Mister G’s Auto Sales (the appeal decision can be pursued in district court). The council postponed a $2,000,000 budget amendment (item 8w) intended for non‑congregate sheltering projects for two weeks to allow staff to provide a detailed budget and candidate site list.
Votes and formal actions (high level): items approved included the fireworks ordinance, the fiber franchise, the CAPER submission and multiple appointments. The shelter BAR (item 8w) was postponed; the land‑use appeal was denied without public hearing.
Why it matters: these approvals move forward city administrative processes (telecom infrastructure, HUD reporting and fireworks permitting) and confirm board appointments. The postponed shelter funding item and separate historic‑status appeal from the same meeting are likely to attract more public attention in the short term.
Detailed outcomes (selected): - Bill adopting International Fire Code handling for public fireworks displays — Adopted. - Easy Fiber Texas LLC franchise — Adopted. - CAPER (2023–24) for HUD CDBG — Approved for submittal. - Item 8p, amendment to intergovernmental services agreement with NM Aging and Long Term Services Department (senior/care companion volunteer service year reallocation) — Approved (recusal noted for one councilor who works for a federal agency that operates the senior companion program). - Appointments to Children & Youth Commission and Mayor's Youth Advisory Board — Approved.
Source: City staff presentations and council roll calls, Jan. 15, 2025 Santa Fe City Council meeting.
