The Santa Fe Ethics and Campaign Review Board dismissed complaint 2026-2 against Montoya, finding no probable cause to proceed. Members also discussed the city attorney’s potential role in future cases and the chair’s wish to transition out of the position.
Discussion Points
•A committee member recalled discussion about clarifying how cases are brought and pursued.
•Beninato alleged campaign finance reporting discrepancies and false statements in prior proceedings.
•Montoya said his written response addressed the allegations, asked for the matter to end and alleged harassment of his friends.
•The Chair cited Rule D-2 as an existing process for the city attorney or a designee to file a complaint following an independent probable-cause determination.
•The Chair said board members had asked the city attorney to take a more active role in pursuing future complaints where appropriate.
•The Chair said the board had two vacancies and the mayor was working to expedite recruitment.
•The Chair said the board was deciding only whether the complaint could proceed, not whether the allegations were true.
•The Chair said they hoped to transition out of the chairmanship while staying on the board.
Decisions
•The board dismissed complaint 2026-2 for no probable cause and said it would not proceed further.
Directions
•The city attorney was to prepare a written order explaining the dismissal.
The Santa Fe Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee discussed trail wayfinding, downtown bike racks, trail signs, committee resolution amendments and its 2027 meeting calendar. It approved changes to Resolution 2021-8, recommended a trail sign design for further review and approved a calendar change subject to clerk verification.
Discussion Points
•A committee member recalled hearing that funding was unavailable; staff later said the amount available for wayfinding was unclear.
•Brick installation requires added work and cost; the project team is considering alternative locations and additional funding.
•Members discussed the green-icon sign design and whether its wording should reflect that trail users include runners as well as bicyclists.
•Members raised concerns about unauthorized motorized vehicles and discussed distinctions between e-bikes, e-motos and motor vehicles.
•Nine of 30 custom racks have been installed.
•Rogers said the phase two plan had been delivered to the city nearly two years earlier and remained unimplemented.
•The chair described proposed term limits and subcommittee membership provisions.
•The chair identified Nov. 11 as a date when the city would be closed.
•The chair recommended moving the meeting to Nov. 4 and said the clerk should verify the change.
•The chair said the city ordinance's treatment of pedal-less e-bikes was not clear to her and could be reviewed.
•The subcommittee prepared specific wording for changes discussed previously.
Decisions
•No new rule on motorized vehicle access was adopted.
•The committee approved sending the green-icon sign design for communications review.
•The committee approved the 2027 meeting dates with the change from Nov. 11 to Nov. 4, subject to verification.
•The committee approved the proposed changes to Resolution 2021-8.
Directions
•Leah said she would ask the land-use director whether concrete strips on the plaza could be used.
•Members planned to revisit wayfinding and no-motor-vehicle signs at a future meeting.
•The chair asked Rogers to resend the design to her and the committee’s temporary liaison.
•The chair said funding and the plan could be discussed at a future meeting.
•The chair said she would take the revised resolution to the governing body as a recommendation.
•The chair said the clerk could suggest a different date if Nov. 4 presented a problem.
•The proposed design was to go to the city communications team and return to the committee for final approval.
Sustainable Land Development Code Hearing Officer Meeting - Nov 12 2026
Santa Fe County’s hearing officer considered Jeffrey and Isabel Lewis’ request to install a separate septic system for a proposed accessory dwelling unit. County staff recommended approval with nine conditions; the hearing officer took the matter under advisement and will send a recommendation to the Planning Commission.
Discussion Points
•Jeffrey Lewis said he may abandon the casita project if connection to the existing system is required and estimated that 30 to 50 trees could be removed.
•Staff and the applicants’ designer said terrain, distance and restored landscaping make connection to the existing septic system difficult.
•The designer said a separate gravity-fed system would be practical and, in his opinion, would not harm neighbors or the property.
Decisions
•No decision was made on the variance. The Hearing Officer took case 26-5040 under advisement and said he would submit a written recommendation to the Planning Commission within 15 business days.
Directions
•The Hearing Officer said the record would reflect that the one-year expiration condition applies if all permitting has not been obtained.
•The Hearing Officer said the record would reflect the corrected water-meter reporting start date of January 1, 2027.
Regular Board of County Commissioners Meeting - Nov 10 2026
Santa Fe County Commission met Nov. 10 to approve proclamations, consider modernizing minutes, hear a wildfire protection plan update and other presentations, approve several resolutions including a grant delegation for a transitional housing project, and hear public comment; one land-use case (Eloisa Subdivision) was tabled for Dec. 1.
Discussion Points
•Affordable-lot delivery mechanism and quality of lot raised
•Coordination with state-level roadmap and county services
•CWPP update process and key technical findings
•Define reserves as insurance vs savings account
•Diagnostic advances and treatment options
•Due-diligence and procurement conditions before disbursement
•Funding gaps and grant-seeking challenges
•Grant awardees: emphasis on arts & culture and proposed weighting for off‑season and emerging events
•Growth in lodgers tax receipts and tourism metrics
•Need for better reporting on lodging revenue sources including STRs
•Neighbors requested more complete engineering exhibits and HOA covenants
•Operational improvements: detection cameras, Firewise outreach, biochar pilot exploration
•Pool reserves across funds to reduce redundant reserves
•Priority projects: watershed protection, landscape fuel treatments, community WUI protections
•Program max assistance, allowable uses, fee structure and access for low-income households
•Project scope and developer responsibilities
•Set a confidence target (80–95%) to remain above rating thresholds
•State Engineer letter received after packet; staff to incorporate it into record
•State grants reauthorized and county as fiscal agent
•Traffic study thresholds not met for a full TIA but targeted access analysis requested
•Workforce/training needs and caregiver supports
Decisions
•Application tabled to Dec. 1, 2026.
•Approved the FY27 marketing and TIFA grant awards; staff to return with recommended changes to the grant guidelines.
•Board signaled support for moving forward with a pooled, risk-based reserve framework and asked staff to return with policy implementation details.
•Commissioners asked staff to return with implementation and funding plan for prioritized projects
•Proclamation adopted; staff to pursue coordination and report back.
•Resolution approved; county to act as fiscal agent and proceed with grant closing steps.
•Adjust criteria to incentivize low‑season programming and support emerging organizers
•Applicant to return Dec. 1 with engineering plans, sewer confirmation and recorded HOA covenants; staff to prepare targeted traffic and access analysis
•Coordinate with sustainability and agriculture for biochar pilots
•County manager authorized to execute documents after due diligence and receipt of state funds
•Expand wildfire detection camera coverage in FY27
•Implement updated regulations; staff to design hardship waivers and county trust fund to assist low‑income applicants
•Pursue grant opportunities and partnerships for priority projects
•Pursue partnerships with state Office of Alzheimer's and local providers; assess local diagnostic capacity and training needs.
•Return with a multi-year list of recommended mitigation investments tied to reserve strategy
•Staff to draft policy language reflecting a chosen confidence target (board preference around 85–90% noted)
•Staff to explore data breakdowns by payor and district
The Santa Fe Planning Commission on Nov. 5, 2026 recommended that the governing body approve a rezoning for 2509 Seringo Lane from R1 to R3 to allow up to three dwelling units per acre. The meeting included staff presentations, an applicant statement about family legacy, several supportive public commenters, and staff updates about a proposed joint city-county extraterritorial land-use body and procedural changes to roll-call and consent-agenda practice.
Discussion Points
•Applicant framed request as a family-transfer lot split; neighbors expressed support during ENN.
•Appointments would be made by the city and county governing bodies.
•Commissioners asked whether applicant attended the ENN and whether neighbor concerns would be addressed in future development proposals.
•Consent-agenda format will be split into a preliminary approval and a later formal action-item vote.
•Noe presented the rezoning case on behalf of case manager Claudia Kath.
•Noe's ecology and water-resources background; use of Bosque monitoring data in research.
•Public commenters generally supported the rezoning as family-transfer infill and cited neighborhood cohesion and history.
•Roll-call order will proceed alphabetically each time; commissioners can pass and return to vote later.
•Staff described the ILUC proposal and expected frequency of meetings.
•Staff recommended rezoning from R1 to R3 to align with the future land use map; staff clarified conditions in packet do not apply to rezoning.
Decisions
•Commission to hold officer elections at next (December) meeting.
•Motion to recommend approval passed by roll-call vote (6-0).
Directions
•Forward recommendation to the governing body for final decision.
•Staff to continue negotiations with county and report back.
•Staff to update agenda templates and remind commissioners at future meetings.
Buckman Direct Diversion board met Nov. 26, 2026, heard operational and facilities reports on higher river flows and turbidity, approved a professional services contract with Stantec using settlement funds, moved into and out of an executive session, and discussed filling a Santa Fe County WPAC seat.
Discussion Points
•Commissioner asked staff to recruit and forward a nominee to the county commission.
•Delivery and installation schedule for rebuilt centrifuge (installation Nov. 17, training in December).
•Funding for contract to come from settlement funds via BAR.
•Hiring of financial manager Christopher Parker and current vacancies (five).
•Motion to enter executive session to discuss threatened/pending litigation and contents of a competitive sealed proposal.
•Operations report: diversions, deliveries, monthly contribution to municipal supply.
•River flow increase and elevated turbidity.
•Roll call votes recorded as affirmative.
•San Juan–Chama inflow estimate and potential Nov. 1 allocation.
•Staff recognition for flood response and pumping assistance.
•Staff recommendation to award RFP to Stantec.
•WPAC has a vacant seat for a BDD representative.
Decisions
•Award RFP to Stantec; approve BAR to fund contract.
•No action taken in executive session; record statement approved on return.
Directions
•Staff to identify possible nominees for next meeting.
The Quality of Life committee met to approve the agenda and consent items, hear staff updates from Community Services and Economic Development (including tornado response, an age-friendly plan, and small-business outreach), and set timing for CDC recommendations and a new affordable-housing RFP. No public comments were offered.
Discussion Points
•Age-friendly action plan outreach to community advisory boards; final report expected in March.
•Board of Adjustment passed Richards Avenue micro-community plans; conditional use permit pending.
•CDC recommended issuing another RFP because additional funds were available.
Board of Adjustment Hearing Committee Meeting 11-03-26
The Santa Fe Board of Adjustment approved a conditional-use permit for a temporary “micro community” at 2395 Richards Avenue intended to provide short-term shelter for people experiencing homelessness; the decision passed after public testimony and a failed amendment to restrict future ownership transfers.
Discussion Points
•Applicants described temporary pallet structures, site layout, security, and phasing (Barbara Felix).
•A proposed amendment to restrict storage trailers and change bike/ADA arrangements failed.
•Concerns about stormwater and proximity to Arroyo Chamizo Trail and recreational facilities.
•District court found oath was not strictly necessary, but city is implementing it to avoid appealable issues.
•Interdepartmental team initiating phase two of land development code update; legislative rezoning anticipated.
•LifeLink will provide 24/7 security and clinical oversight.
•Open house scheduled to review proposed future land use map categories and broader code changes.
•Operator reported pilot outcomes: roughly 22 residents housed from pilot site.
•Operators and program staff described services and outcomes from pilot site (Kristen Woods, Janelle Bohannon).
•Public commenters mostly supported the project citing housing outcomes; some neighbors asked for assurances about safety and impacts (Lisa Martinez).
•Questions about ADA parking placement vs. proximity to hygiene facilities and distribution of accessible units.
•Requests to clarify who will be eligible for units (families vs. seniors) and how long temporary structures will remain.
•Staff presented that approval criteria were met and recommended approval (Joel Cruz Haber).
•Two oath options were offered; members chose option 1 which includes swearing language.
Decisions
•Conditional use permit approved; findings and conclusions of law approved; project subject to staff/DRT conditions; reauthorization required after three years.
Directions
•Applicant and staff to continue coordination with Development Review Team, Parks & Rec, and ADA coordinator; design details to be finalized during construction document review.
•Applicant to submit building permit plans meeting conditions; development review team to complete final construction document checks.
•City staff to maintain removal plan and data collection on use and water meters/submeters.
•Operator to manage day‑to‑day site operations; staff to require submetering and construction review prior to occupancy.
•Public outreach (open house) to solicit feedback; future briefings to Board of Adjustment.
•Record that board members took option 1 oath for the record.
Public Works & Utilities Committee (Santa Fe) heard a presentation on utility billing and administration modernization, honored a utilities employee, thanked staff for tornado response, received brief updates on local construction and bike‑rack installations, and set the next meeting for Nov. 30, 2026.
Discussion Points
•Need for modernization to improve billing speed, reconciliation, and reporting
•Recognition of employee contributions during routine work and emergency response
•RFP for payment processing closed the day of meeting; call-center vendor selection targeted for Jan 2027
•Staff emphasized workforce development and training for system adoption
Decisions
•Employee given one day of administrative leave
Directions
•Staff to continue system integration and employee training; Bolden offered to meet with councilors for follow-ups
Santa Fe Archaeological Review Committee met Oct. 20, 2026 to review monitoring reports and after‑the‑fact work across downtown and historic districts; members debated AI‑generated minutes, denied a homeowner clearance‑waiver after an emergency gas‑line repair, accepted multiple monitoring reports, and postponed a convention‑center drainage project pending engineering profiles.
Discussion Points
•Applicability of ordinance when work is within existing footprint vs. new disturbance
•Artifact context limited to near surface
•Coordination meeting to ensure timely responses to discoveries and to identify on‑site contacts
•Cost concerns for after‑the‑fact reporting (est. ~$6,000)
•Desire for occasional special meetings rather than a standing second meeting
•Failing inlets temporarily plated; proposed inlet elevations and pipe tie‑ins
•Missing trench profile sections and unclear trench drain details
•Need for clearer figure captions and north arrows
•Need for clearer map orientation and artifact measurements
•Need for potholing/HydroVac to locate existing utilities prior to excavation
•Need to correct personal name capitalization, soils legend and photographic captions
•Permit record discrepancy (0 linear feet vs. actual trench >50 ft)
•Specific spelling and vote‑reporting errors in the Jan. 22 draft
•Typo in address (133 vs. 1323)
•Volunteer workload and desire to avoid two regular monthly meetings
•Whether AI‑transcribed minutes were sufficiently accurate for official records
Decisions
•Calendar updated to remove optional dates
•Continued to Nov. 19 (date certain)
•Minutes approved with corrections
•Monitoring plan approved; staff follow up required
•Report accepted as survey‑level; no further action unless future work expands
Special Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners meeting (hybrid) on Nov. 2, 2026: staff presented proposed amendments to short‑term rental rules and to the Sustainable Land Development Code (ADUs, parking, stormwater, open space, data‑center moratorium); commissioners discussed enforcement, caps, waiting periods, water and ADU incentives; agenda items approved and meeting adjourned.
Discussion Points
•Commissioner Kokari Stone noted national resources and interagency collaborations as useful.
•Commissioners requested geolocation of unpermitted listings, platform outreach, and revenue impact analysis (lodgers tax/gross receipts) for commercial operations.
•Commissioners requested incentives and ADU‑ready infrastructure tie‑ins to lower future retrofit costs and encourage smaller units for affordability.
•Data center moratorium and night‑sky protections will require outside experts and separate timelines.
•Data center moratorium flagged as requiring specific deadlines and outside expertise; staff recommended retaining consultants and researching model ordinances.
•No ordinance vote; staff will return with detailed proposals and coordination with housing/water departments.
•No policy was adopted; staff will return with consultant scope and draft language.
•Proposals include applying existing caps to all STRs, requiring permits be tied to natural persons, a 24‑month waiting period for investor permits, expanding notice to 500 feet, and adding conditional‑use triggers for larger occupancies.
•Staff proposed code modernization: ADU flexibility tied to water/septic capacity, parking rightsizing and shared parking, standardized height limits, green stormwater infrastructure and clarified inclusionary zoning provisions.
•Staff proposed escalated fines and license revocation as enforcement tools but provided no immediate enforcement action at the meeting.
•Staff proposed explicit evidence rules (advertising screenshots, booking calendars) and escalating fines plus license revocation for repeat violations.
•Staff proposed sizing ADUs to water/septic capacity and deferring technical determinations to state agencies (NMED) or the assessor.
•Staff reported ~630 STRs countywide with 275 permits and ~355 unpermitted listings and proposed comprehensive ordinance changes.
•Staff said enforcement backlog is driven by staffing losses and time required to assemble evidence from listings; vendor Granicus is used to flag properties.
•Stakeholder input and three stakeholder meetings were cited; staff remains at conceptual stage without redlines.
Directions
•Staff to attempt geolocation mapping of unpermitted listings and to follow up on revenue figures and platform outreach options
Santa Fe County code enforcement held public nuisance hearings on two La Cienega-area properties (11 Paseo De Espaderos and 3 Paseo Los Pereas). County inspectors asked the hearing officer to find violations and recommend clean-and-lien abatement while owners said cleanup is underway and requested more time.
Discussion Points
•County inspectors described interior conditions (holes in floors, mold, feces, no running water/power in parts) and documented the scene with dozens of photographs taken during execution of a court‑authorized warrant.
•County presented inspection reports and photographs documenting trash, junk vehicles and unsafe conditions at 11 Paseo.
•Occupants said they have removed multiple truckloads of debris, made interior clean‑outs and repaired some holes but that structural repairs remain and additional time is needed.
•Owner Frances Perea Fowler said family members removed an estimated 10–12 tons and that 75% of yard cleanup is complete; she estimated costs so far at $5,000.
•Ownership and probate status were discussed; occupants acknowledged they did not bring documentation of taxes or title to the hearing.
•Parties disputed which photos showed the subject property versus adjacent parcels.
Decisions
•No final abatement order issued at hearing; hearing officer will file recommendation to county board.
•No immediate abatement order issued at the hearing; recommendation pending.
Directions
•Hearing officer will issue a recommendation within five working days and forward it to the Board of County Commissioners for final determination on any abatement.
•Hearing officer will issue a written recommendation within five working days and forward it to the Board of County Commissioners for any abatement action.
Santa Fe governing body met Oct. 28 for a regular meeting and immediate emergency session after severe weekend weather. Highlights: recognition of two city retirees; presentation and council questioning of the expanded BASO/CARE crisis-response unit; planning and land-use items on Sireos Road and Boylan Circle (rezoning approved); HUD CAPER report and public comment including calls to oppose nuclear pit production and requests for more tenant assistance.
Discussion Points
•Bill 2026-20 would authorize a $2.55M loan/grant for water chemical-feed upgrades and pledges repayment from water utility net revenues.
•City attorney clarified different appeal windows for conditional use (15 days) vs development plan (30 days).
•Council approved extension to continue recovery operations.
•Council clarified bollard ownership and scope.
•Council noted need to improve public communications about appeal timelines.
•Councilors pressed for warm-handoff metrics and a six-month progress update.
•Councilors requested CAD access assurances and the ability for CARE to self-dispatch.
•Council sought clarity about application of upcoming code changes to future development plans.
•Council thanked retirees for years of service and impact on parks and libraries.
•Deputy city manager thanked staff for response; mayor and councilors described community recovery efforts.
•Displaced tenants described emergency assistance and gaps and called for continued aid and reapplication opportunities.
•Multiple speakers urged council action on opposing pit production and supported a Los Alamos Study Group resolution.
•NMDOT offered collaboration on pavement replacement through intersection; city share covers a short segment of Sireos Road.
•Public commenter online asked whether water fees would increase and whether this amount covers the full project.
•Public commenters criticized short public-comment window and requested more transparency.
•Staff advised Mixed Use aligns with the West Santa Fe River corridor plan and overlay (height and setback constraints).
•Staff described BASO/CARE structure, new crisis responder roles, and dispatch protocols.
•Staff reported resources and mixed outcomes; delayed federal acceptance and staff turnover affected results.
Decisions
•Budget adjustment approved; project to proceed.
•Council approved CAPER submittal to HUD.
•Emergency proclamation extended to Nov. 5, 2026.
•Motion to accept city attorney's recommendation to deny conditional-use appeal passed.
•No council motion or resolution on pit production recorded during this meeting.
•No final ordinance adoption recorded in the regular-session excerpt.
•No vote or budget change; staff to return with implementation data.
•Plaques presented; no council action required.
•Rezoning to Mixed Use approved by roll call.
Directions
•Development proposals must comply with the zoning code in force when filed and overlay standards.
•Office of Affordable Housing to provide supplemental updates for activities completed after 6/30/2026 and improve public outreach.
•Proceed with allocation and coordinate with NMDOT.
•Staff to consider clearer public materials as part of code updates.
•Staff to continue damage assessments and bring follow-ups as needed.
•Staff to provide further financial detail and full presentation as needed before final adoption.
•Staff will implement dispatch protocols and sit-alongs with regional dispatch and provide follow-up reporting on metrics and capacity.
Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board met on 2026-10-27 and heard three new-business cases: a new house at 817 Vista Catedral (approved with conditions), an after-the-fact window/stucco application at 124 Camino Santiago (allowed windows to remain; stucco must be restored), and a 704 Camino Lejo Wheelwright Museum addition (approved with exceptions after discussion of portal size). Several public commenters spoke on procedural voting rules, the plaza obelisk, and an unrelated legal claim about pharmaceutical companies.
Discussion Points
•Applicant and staff confirmed sign posting and terrain management review; applicant estimated heated area ~4,900 sq ft.
•Applicant argued the portal is essential for climate control, accessibility and programmatic needs; the architecture team offered small reductions short of staff's request.
•Board debated historic authenticity of fenestration and egress/code implications.
•Board focused on public visibility, escarpment limits and whether divided lights were original to the subdivision.
•No board action taken in response during the meeting.
•Public commenters raised concerns about board voting practice and civic projects; one commenter presented an unrelated legal narrative about pharmaceutical executives.
•Staff recommended approval of most exceptions but requested the portal depth be decreased to reduce its impact on the original Hogan portion.
•Stop‑work order issued Aug. 14 for unpermitted window/door replacement, enclosure of openings, and stucco replacement.
Decisions
•Application approved; findings entered that exception criteria met for height and footprint.
•Motion adopted; project approved with conditions.
•Windows allowed to remain; stucco restoration required; doors allowed as personal choice.
Directions
•Applicant to restore stucco texture and color to a reasonable facsimile; staff to approve final samples.
•Applicant to submit revised plans showing wood lintels and divided lights (except under portales) for staff approval.
•Board approved application as submitted; staff to work with applicant on final details as part of permitting.
Zepi Tapia, risk management supervisor in the Human Resources Risk Management Division, described her duties scheduling safety trainings for roughly 900 employees, the annual emergency action plan requirement, and thanked former HR risk director Sonia Quinta after noting an unexpected recognition. Remarks focused on training logistics and Tapia’s career path into risk management.
Discussion Points
•Scheduling trainings for ~900 employees and completing the annual emergency action plan.
•Tapia described division duties, training coordination, and background.
Finance committee reviewed proposed code changes to increase the city manager's authority over contract approvals, budget adjustment requests (BARs) and grants, sought clearer definitions of “contract,” and requested more preemptive reporting and guardrails; staff will return with drafted language and reporting proposals. Public comment included a request related to litigation against Pfizer.
Discussion Points
•Allow city manager to accept grant agreements up to $1,000,000 if local match is within contract authority.
•Allow city manager to apply for grants of any amount unless grantor requires governing-body action.
•Change aims to align local language with state practice and reduce renewal ambiguity.
•Committee requested a maintained list of authorized signatories and coordination with finance.
•Councilors asked for examples demonstrating guardrails to prevent cumulative increases.
•Councilors raised concerns about oversight, cumulative BARs, and the need for preemptive reporting and guardrails.
•Councilors thanked staff and partnered organizations for a quick tornado response and ongoing recovery coordination.
•Proposal allows city manager to delegate signature authority to directors for routine administrative items.
•Proposal to authorize administrative contract amendments up to 25% of original contract or within manager's authority.
•Public commenter Steven Fox urged the city to help permit alleged Pfizer vaccine-injury claims to move forward locally.
•Remove the word 'initial' from a procurement exemption for recurring purchases to restore a single exemption.
•Staff proposed aligning BAR threshold with contracting authority (proposed $200,000) to speed administrative action.
Decisions
•No action taken on the public comment; item recorded on the public record.
•No delegation ordinance drafted at the meeting; staff to prepare draft language.
•No final action; staff to draft and return.
•No final action; staff to return with examples.
•No formal adoption; committee expressed support.
•No ordinance was introduced; staff to return with drafted language for one additional committee review.
Directions
•Staff to complete grants-management policies and procedures and return with recommended ordinance language and reporting plan.
•Staff to continue recovery coordination and signpost assistance resources for affected residents.
•Staff to draft ordinance language and complementary policy/procedure documents.
•Staff to include the language cleanup in drafting if the committee remains comfortable.
•Staff to provide drafting examples, suggested caps and reporting language
•Staff to provide reporting options including a monthly log and clear objection/reversal procedures.
•Staff to return with specific examples, recommended limits, and reporting mechanisms.
Santa Fe County Housing Authority board met Oct. 27 for its monthly meeting. Board members heard a public comment alleging missed minute approvals, received a detailed briefing on RAD (rental assistance demonstration) options and capital needs, reviewed multiple grant and capital fund updates, and received operations and staffing reports including mold remediation updates.
Discussion Points
•Eight home rehab projects moved to funding; six in construction
•Multiple funds and grants reviewed with expenditures and encumbrances noted
•Nine units identified with mold across Camino De Jacobo, Santa Cruz and Via Vista
•Public comment alleged missed approvals of Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 minutes and questioned oversight
•RAD can convert operating and capital funds to more flexible revenue and requires replacement reserves
•RAD increases access to private capital (LIHTC, bonds, loans) via long-term HAP contracts
•Requests submitted for capital outlay acceptance and LIHTC/bond applications are underway
•Resident protections under RAD include right to return and rents capped at 30% of adjusted income
•Scope includes procurement of stoves and refrigerators and site landscaping work at Santa Cruz and Valle Vista
•Staff explained vendor change caused transcript delays and committed to faster distribution
•Staff to coordinate scheduling with residents to avoid displacement
Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee heard a presentation on the Feria Southside economic initiative, took public comment, held a public hearing on the City's 2025 CAPER for CDBG funds (with questions about delayed spending and staffing changes), advanced the CAPER to the governing body without recommendation, and received staff announcements about events and staffing.
Discussion Points
•Chamber provides subsidies to equalize vendor access; childcare is provided during workshops to increase participation.
•Committee members questioned why several CAPER goals were incomplete and whether HUD would sanction the city for delayed spending.
•Organizers described Feria Southside as a market-plus-education initiative to support immigrant entrepreneurs and reduce barriers to licensing and business formation.
•Public commenter urged that an external trial would impact vaccine-injury claims and stated the mayor had agreed to pursue litigation with outside counsel.
•Staff explained litigation-related delays, staffing turnover and that some contracts were extended to Sept. 30 so reporting would appear in the next CAPER.
Decisions
•CAPER forwarded to the governing body without committee recommendation to allow public comments to close and for final review.
Directions
•Organizers to return with follow-up evaluation and participation data.
•Staff to confirm HUD communication and timelines and report back to committee and governing body.
•Staff to provide an intermediate report on outcomes that fell after the CAPER cutoff and to improve outreach to Spanish-speaking communities about the CAPER.
Santa Fe Public Safety Committee met Oct. 20, 2026, to recognize drone-team accomplishments, announce an ARU rollout press briefing, debate models for a police advisory board, review police and fire reports, and appoint Chandler Moore to a committee seat.
Discussion Points
•Ambulance-reimbursement program generated just over $8M with roughly $4M net to be moved to fire revenue accounts for capital use.
•ARU rollout press conference scheduled and will be media-only.
•Brewster described next steps to get fire personnel into drone first-responder programs.
•Chair explained BPAC recommended Chandler Moore to fill an open seat.
•Committee agreed to continue supporting training and mutual aid.
•Drive-by shooting: ShotSpotter aided response and a juvenile was detained within 24 hours.
•Existing internal review (Blue Team) and state-level oversight (certification board) constrain local authority over decertification and discipline.
•Improved Priority 1 response times and nearly 3% increase in proactive activity.
•Joint structure-training from a recently acquired demolition site.
•Members noted the new member will liaison with BPAC on trail and e-bike issues.
•Models for a police advisory board (standalone, integrated, hybrid).
•Oudekirk described current drone uses (wildfire, flood, suspicious package) and honors awarded to contributors.
•Risks of untrained volunteers reviewing use-of-force incidents and possible duplication of effort.
•September call volume (1,798) and swift-water mutual-aid deployment to Clovis.
•Station 5 construction timeline (expected before next summer) and legislative fund allocation.
•Working-group products (dispatch policies, job descriptions) will be presented to answer common questions.
•Year-to-date decreases in major crime categories.
Decisions
•Appointment approved by roll-call vote.
•Committee approved pursuing city-attorney guidance and assembling volunteers to research models.
Directions
•Clerk to record appointment and update roster.
•Committee to publicize program accomplishments; staff to continue joint training with county and state partners.
•Councilors participating in the working group may provide short remarks at the briefing.
•Department to continue updating committee on staffing, training and investigative progress.
•Form a 3-person subgroup (including Chief Valdez and chair) plus 2 committee volunteers to meet with the city attorney's office to explore legal options and models.
•Staff to provide future training-plan updates and construction milestones at subsequent meetings.
At its Oct. 19 meeting, the Public Works and Utilities committee unanimously approved a $3.45 million budget adjustment to fund FY27 roadway preservation, sidewalk repairs and drainage work and postponed an employee-of-the-month recognition to the next meeting.
Discussion Points
•Director Roach described the BAR and its intended uses: pavement preservation, sidewalk repair, pavement condition assessment and drainage cooperative cost share with the Georgia Keith Museum.
•Director Roach requested postponement of the employee-of-the-month recognition for September 2026.
Decisions
•Agenda approved as amended; meeting adjourned without further business.
•Consent agenda including the BAR approved by roll call vote
Directions
•Item 6a to be scheduled for the next meeting on Nov. 2, 2026.
