Pop Quiz: District 2

Every election season SFR reprises a favorite tradition: pop quizzing candidates regarding information pertinent to the communities they hope to represent. This week, it’s time for District 2 hopefuls.

District 2 covers the east side, including most of the South Capitol neighborhood, the vast majority of St. Michael’s Drive and neighborhoods along the eastern half of Rodeo Road to the southern edge of the city limits. Incumbent Councilor Michael Garcia seeks to keep his seat for a second term, while challenger Phil Lucero says he aims to work more urgently for a bikeable and walkable city.

Per SFR’s ground rules, the candidates agree to not use any sources aside from their own knowledge to answer the quiz questions. SFR records the conversations and reports the answers verbatim. Early voting in the Nov. 7 election begins Oct. 10. Read the Pop Quiz for candidates in District 4 and District 3 at sfreporter.com/elections.

Questions

1. Name the City of Santa Fe’s drinking water sources and at least one project planned by the Water Division to address future water needs.
2. What are the current policies about camping on city land and approximately how much has the city spent to clean up encampments this year to date?
3. Based on August 2023 crime mapping from the Santa Fe Police Department, which two crimes were most common in District 2?
4. How much did immigrant entrepreneurs generate in business income for Santa Fe in 2019?
5. For every $1 the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund awards, how much additional funding do recipients need to acquire for projects? Bonus question: What sources can be used for that additional funding?

Answer

1. The four potable water sources for the city are: the Santa Fe River, the city well field, the Buckman Direct Diversion and the Buckman wells. The city is currently working to establish a 17-mile return flow pipeline to carry water from a wastewater treatment plant on Airport Road and pump it into the Rio Grande. Still in the planning phase, the project faces several hurdles—and significant disagreement over its design. Also in the works are renovations to the Nichols and McClure reservoirs, which feed into a water treatment facility on Canyon Road.
2. During the pandemic, the city allowed camping in public spaces, but in August of 2022, officials returned to enforcing city ordinances that prohibit the practice. According to the most recent Homelessness and Safe Outdoor Spaces update from the Community Health and Safety Department, the city has spent $1.2 million cleaning up encampments so far this year.
3. Santa Fe Police Department crime stats mapping shows assault offenses and motor vehicle theft as the two most common crimes reported in District 2 in August. Larceny tops the list for the city as a whole.
4. According to data for a plan underway in conjunction with the city Office of Economic Development, the American Immigration Council estimates approximately 1,800 immigrant entrepreneurs generated over $35 million that year in the city.
5. City code stipulates for every dollar awarded from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a grantee must leverage a minimum of $3 in outside funding or resources. Bonus question (worth half a point): Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant recipients can be matched by philanthropic funds, organizational resources, other federal or state funds, impact investments, in-kind resources or private debts.

Michael Garcia

SCORE: 3/5

Elected to City Council in 2019, incumbent Michael Garcia serves on the Quality of Life Committee and the Public Works and Utilities Committee. Garcia graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration.

1. So we’ve got the Buckman Direct Diversion and then we’ve got the Canyon Road Water Treatment Plant. And one project is the return flow pipeline. *Incomplete Answer—partial credit*
2. It’s no longer allowed. Restrictions were allowed during the pandemic, but it is no longer allowed, and we spent easily over $1 million for cleanup.
3. Property crime and shoplifting.
4. What year did you say? [SFR then replied, “2019.”] Oh, that’s a great question. Let’s say $15 million.
5. It’s $3 overall. Sources can be anywhere, I mean, they can be private, state, federal.

Italic Text: Incorrect

Phil Lucero

SCORE: 3/5

Apart from being a climate educator, Phil Lucero serves on the Planning Commission and is a member of the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Lucero graduated from Colorado College and later earned his master’s degree in environmental education from the University of New Mexico.

1. Well, there’s the Buckman Direct Diversion, there’s the watershed, and there are aquifers— or the Buckman wells. So the Buckman wells, Buckman Direct Diversion, and then there’s the watershed and the water coming through there. And then I think a plan down the road is I think we need to revise the wastewater treatment plan, and I think there’s also the Santa Fe River, and the San Juan/Chama project as well. And the release pipeline is also I think another future project that I’m certainly interested in.
2. I don’t…well, let me think. I think there should be a policy in place, or I don’t know if there is a policy in place, about directing folks to city shelters perhaps. I don’t know that we’re necessarily kicking folks out of encampments, but if we can direct them to city shelters, that’s, I think, an approach that is in place. Don’t quote me on that, though. Well, I mean you have to quote me on that. Well, I mean, I think this is ballpark. I would probably say $75,000.
3. I would say car theft, and I don’t know if this is related, but the theft of catalytic converters. I know that that’s a problem. That could be the same issue. I know that they’re both problems. (Partial credit.)
4. 2019, so this is before the pandemic. Well, I would hope it’s a lot. I’ll give you a number because I guess that’s what you’re asking for. I would think $800,000.
5. I would say at least $3,000. No, no, no, no. Three per dollar given, maybe? [SFR asks the bonus question.] Federal sources perhaps, or grants, I would think.

Italic Text: Incorrect