Resolution to reaffirm SF values gets tied vote

Councilors call it too partisan, unnecessary

Atie vote by the Santa Fe City Council upended a proposed resolution intended to reaffirm the city’s commitment to its values — and those of the United States and state of New Mexico

— that the resolution’s lead sponsor said would serve as “a framework for action.”

Some councilors said they felt the resolution came off as too partisan and unnecessary because the framework is already in place.

The resolution appeared to be in response to the election of Donald Trump as president. It mentioned Trump by name, saying the President-elect “espouses beliefs that are contrary to and undermine our community values.”

Trump has threatened to withhold federal funding from so-called “sanctuary cities” — those cities that have established policies that shield residents from federal immigration authorities — and since the election Mayor Javier Gonzales has garnered national media attention for his stance in support of sanctuary cities.

However, references to Trump were removed by the time the council took the vote.

City Councilor Joseph Maestas said he introduced the resolution in part to back up Gonzales, who since the election has appeared on CNN, Fox News, NPR and other media networks to speak in support of sanctuary cities.

But Maestas said the proposal could also be used by the council as a framework for future legislation “that would complement this overarching resolution.”

“I believe the framework already exists,” countered Councilor Mike Harris, referring to the city charter. “We’ve been setting our agenda in the charter. I don’t see any reason to fall into the same trap that has been set during the election cycle and I think is carrying on.”

Maestas’ resolution cited the preamble to the city charter adopted in 1997 and declares that Santa Fe has “a history of tolerance towards all peoples, cultures, traditions, and lifestyles.”

But it went further, saying that climate change exists and is caused by fossil fuels, and that city residents have benefited from the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion under the Obama administration. It also stated the city’s opposition to building a wall on the southern border with Mexico; condemned hate speech, objectifying women and discrimination of any kind; and expressed support for religious freedom.

Councilors Harris, Peter Ives, Chris Rivera and Ron Trujillo voted against the resolution.

Ives said that, while he supported its content, the council has addressed many of those issues through previous legislation.

“I’m not clear on the purpose, unless it’s to send a message,” he said.

Trujillo was concerned about the message it would send. Like it or not, Trump won the election, he said.

“Why pick a fight? That’s my concern,” he said. “I don’t want to pick a fight with this administration.”

Maestas, Carmichael Dominguez, Mayor Gonzales and the resolution’s co-sponsor, Renee Villarreal, voted in favor.

Signe Lindell, who earlier in the meeting said the resolution could be construed as being divisive and “kicking a hornets nest,” abstained.

After an hourlong discussion and vote, the council unanimously passed a resolution opposing the transfer of the management of federal lands to states without discussion.

Packet material for the resolution says, “The incoming administration has suggested that federal lands across the country would be turned over to the states to manage. This not only creates an additional financial burden for the state, but puts the integrity of those lands at risk.”

The resolution itself says that “proposals are being circulated among New Mexico Counties favoring the transfer of Federal public lands to State government.”

It states that transferring federal public lands to state ownership would make New Mexico taxpayers liable for rehabilitating nearly 4,000 abandoned mines, estimated to cost about $842 million, and hundreds of millions of dollars to fight wildfires.