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Santa Fe council approves multiple litigation steps and pro bono contract retentions after executive session
Summary
After executive session the governing body approved joining amicus filings and authorized pro bono legal contracts in several lawsuits, including Pueblo of Sandia v. City of Rio Rancho and multiple cases handled by the Public Rights Project.
Following an executive-session briefing on pending litigation and property matters, the Santa Fe governing body voted in open session to take several authorized steps related to litigation and outside legal representation.
On a roll-call vote the council approved joining Santa Fe County as an amicus in Pueblo of Sandia v. City of Rio Rancho and New Mexico State Engineer Mike Hammond (appeal A1CA42980). The council then approved attorney-client recommended next steps in Damien Vigil v. City of Santa Fe (K9 services). The governing body also approved multiple contract approvals to retain pro bono representation from the Public Rights Project in national and regional matters, including City and County of San Francisco v. Trump (case 3:25-cv-01350), San Francisco Unified School District and City of Santa Fe v. AmeriCorps (case 3:25-cv-02425), and participation in King County v. Turner and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (case 2:25-cv-00814).
Roll-call votes were recorded for each motion; the clerk recorded affirmative votes for council members present. Mayor Allen Weber recused himself from three items as noted on the record; Councilor Michael Garcia also stepped out for several items and his absences were recorded for those roll calls. The council approved retention and joining decisions by majority roll call; staff will implement contracting steps and file necessary pleadings or amicus briefs as authorized.
