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A preview of the Los Alamos County Council meeting, September 24, 2024

Hey, Boomtown readers! We're trying something new with this agenda preview for the upcoming Los Alamos County Council meeting. We know it's cutting it close this time, but in the future, we’re aiming to get these out earlier so you can stay informed ahead of time.

Why are we doing this?
In theory, anyone could go dig around the county website and find the meeting agenda, but we think this is a much easier way to stay informed — it’s right in your inbox and simpler to read! Transparency and community are values we care about: this preview is another tool we’re using to help you stay connected to the issues that matter to you.

Is this useful to you? We’d love your feedback — let us know in the comments what works, what doesn’t, and what you'd like to see in future agenda previews (besides more timeliness, we’re working on that!). Your input will help us fine-tune this feature so we can keep you in the loop on important decisions happening in Los Alamos.

Here’s what’s coming up next:

Tonight, Tuesday, September 24, at 6 p.m., the Los Alamos County Council will meet in Council Chambers, 1000 Central Ave. (Zoom link here.) Here’s what to expect — for the complete and exact order of events, see the full agenda.

1. Presentation by Ted Wyka, NNSA Los Alamos field office manager

Ted Wyka is the manager of NNSA’s Los Alamos Field Office. He is responsible for executive leadership and oversight of the multi-billion-dollar Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Management and Operating contract and all Federal activities on the site. He will give an update to the Council. No description of the presentation nor slides were included in the agenda so we’re not sure what he’ll be speaking about.

Ted Wyka is the manager of NNSA’s Los Alamos Field Office

2. Opioid settlement funds allocation plan

The agenda includes the allocation of the $761,000 the county has received from the New Mexico opioid settlement. The funds, which come with no immediate deadlines or state-mandated reporting requirements, will be allocated to support prevention efforts, treatment services, and recovery programs.

County Social Services staff have spent the past year consulting with internal and external partners to determine the best uses for the funds. The proposed plan aims to balance spending between prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives, with a portion allocated to staff development to improve service delivery.

The Council is expected to vote on approving the proposed allocation plan, though there is an option to defer the decision for further discussion. If approved, the plan would allow flexibility for future allocations if additional settlement funds are received. The county will also continue seeking community input on how best to utilize the funds.

The opioid crisis is a complex issue in Los Alamos, and this settlement offers an opportunity to tackle the growing problem.

3. Public infrastructure for Mirador Subdivision Phase II

Housing continues to be a top priority for Los Alamos, and the Council will consider a resolution to accept public infrastructure for Phase II of the Mirador Subdivision in White Rock. This phase includes streets, utilities, lighting, sidewalks, and other essential public infrastructure covering 0.65 miles of road.

With the developer meeting all code requirements, the county's Utilities Manager and Engineer have recommended that the Council approve the infrastructure. Once approved, Los Alamos County will assume responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure, including street repairs and snow removal. The developer will retain responsibility for repairs during the first 12 months, per county regulations.

This infrastructure acceptance is part of a larger effort to address housing shortages in the county, providing new homes in White Rock that are critical for accommodating the increasing workforce at LANL. The Mirador Subdivision, potentially the last “greenfield development” the county will see, has been seen as a key project to alleviate housing pressures.

4. Intergovernmental update

At the regional level, housing continues to dominate the agenda. The intergovernmental update outlines how the county is working with neighboring communities, including Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Sandoval counties, to address the tight housing market driven by LANL staffing increases.

A housing summit is planned for May 2025, which will bring together regional stakeholders to explore solutions to housing shortages. Other regional initiatives include discussions on a potential regional landfill partnership with Española and Rio Arriba County, as well as a broadband expansion project with the Pueblo of San Ildefonso.

On the state level, the county is advocating for better access to medical and psychological services for residents. This includes participating in discussions with the New Mexico Municipal League (NMML) and other entities to improve healthcare access across the state. Federally, Los Alamos is working with the Environmental Management headquarters and New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to secure funding for transportation projects, particularly for Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) routes, which could benefit Los Alamos and its surrounding communities.

5. Regional activities report

The regional activities report dives deeper into the county’s collaborative efforts with nearby communities. Chief among the concerns is housing insecurity. The report outlines ongoing meetings with organizations such as the City of Santa Fe and Rio Arriba County to address homelessness and housing challenges. Los Alamos County is also working with local civic groups to match tenants with landlords willing to accept housing vouchers.

Transportation is another critical issue in the report. The county is exploring improvements to State Roads 502 and 4, which serve as crucial corridors for residents and LANL employees. With safety concerns growing due to increasing traffic, and two high-profile fatal crashes this year already, Los Alamos is working with the NMDOT, Santa Fe County, and local pueblos to secure funding and develop solutions to improve road conditions.

Screenshot from the regional activities spreadsheet

Finally, broadband: the county has made progress on an 11-mile fiber line project connecting White Rock to Pojoaque. This project aims to provide better internet access to underserved areas and improve connectivity across the region. Additionally, Los Alamos is coordinating with state entities on several renewable energy initiatives, including the construction of solar fields and potential climate pollution reduction grants.

6. Looking ahead: climate action and sustainability

The Council is also expected to discuss the county's ongoing sustainability initiatives. Following the closure of the public comment period for the draft Climate Action Plan (CAP), the county is reviewing over 500 comments submitted by residents. The CAP, developed in collaboration with Cascadia Consulting Group, seeks to address environmental stewardship and climate change mitigation efforts for the community.

One of the key sustainability projects currently underway is the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the county. County staff are working closely with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Public Works to identify strategic locations for the charging stations, with the first installations expected in early 2025. Public feedback on the CAP and these projects will play a crucial role in shaping the county’s sustainability efforts in the coming years.

7. Update on wastewater surveillance

Los Alamos County is considering how to move forward with wastewater surveillance following the end of free services from BioBot Analytics, which had been tracking SARS-CoV-2 levels in local wastewater since 2022. After losing its CDC contract in 2023, BioBot continued providing services at no charge, but that ended on August 31. Now, County officials are exploring options, including rejoining the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) or moving to a paid BioBot program.

The County staff are scheduled to present their plans for wastewater surveillance toward the end of the meeting. County Manager Anne Laurent will outline options for continuing the program while following the appropriate procurement procedures.

Other agenda items:

The meeting will also include several routine but essential items for maintaining county operations.

• Consent agenda:

  • Contracts for community services: The Council will review and potentially approve several service agreements related to parks and recreation facilities, ensuring public spaces remain well-maintained and accessible.

  • Approval of legislative priorities for 2025: The County Council will formalize their legislative agenda for the coming year, focusing on advocacy for county-wide projects and securing additional state and federal funding.

  • Routine infrastructure projects: Several minor updates and budget approvals for ongoing road, sewer, and utility infrastructure projects will be voted on as part of the consent agenda.

• Council business:

  • The Council will hold a general discussion about upcoming community engagement activities and potential partnerships aimed at enhancing regional services.

  • Updates on Councilor activities and upcoming events, including local and regional conferences, will be shared as part of the closing business agenda.