The Quality of Life Committee on Nov. 6 debated Bill 2025-22, a proposed amendment to the Santa Fe City Code addressing abandonment and unattended animals, prohibitions on keeping animals on medians and changes to the fee schedule. Councilor Jamie Cassatt introduced the item after it had been pulled from the consent agenda.

Councilor Alma Castro asked that the bill be referred to the Public Safety Committee to create an opportunity for discussion of enforcement and to request time to develop amendments with advocates. Castro moved to postpone to a date certain (Dec. 3) while also proposing an immediate amendment to lower the fine for keeping animals on medians to $50. "After hearing from the community and looking at what some of the other fines are ... starting with a lower fine ... we can reassess," Castro said.

The committee voted on the $50 median fine amendment by roll call; the vote recorded Councilor Castro voting no, and Councilors Michael Garcia, Pilar Faulkner and Chair Jamie Cassatt voting yes. The amendment passed (yes 3, no 1). Councilors discussed additional amendments Castro described as relating to the municipality's ability-to-pay alternatives, protections around civilian possession and transfer of animals, and clarifications of the abandonment prohibition. The committee agreed to refer the bill to Public Safety (third Tuesday meeting noted as Nov. 18), return it to Quality of Life on Dec. 3, to Finance on Dec. 8, and to the Governing Body on Dec. 10; that schedule-change motion passed by roll call (yes 3, no 1; the chair voted no on that roll call).

Deputy Chief Thomas Grumler joined by phone to confirm Public Safety's meeting date and staff advised committee members that the noticing schedule would allow the amended timeline while preserving Open Meetings Act requirements. No final ordinance adoption occurred in committee; the bill will return with amendments and scheduling as described.

Action summary: the committee approved a $50 fine for restraining/keeping an animal on a median (first and subsequent offenses as amended) and approved a referral and timeline for further committee and Governing Body consideration.