BoomGov - Council agenda 3-11-25
Affordable housing, funding for trails, and hiring a new Community Development Director
Welcome to our BoomGov agenda preview for the upcoming Los Alamos County Council meeting. The Los Alamos County Council will hold its regular session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers - 1000 Central Avenue. If you can’t make it in person, the meeting will also be available via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994
Agenda overview:
Here’s a quick look at what’s on the agenda:
Public comment is available at the start of the meeting for non-agenda and non-action items, both in person and by Zoom. Submit e-comments before 11:45 a.m. on meeting day, or email CountyCouncil@lacnm.us. E-comments become part of the public record, and councilors receive them before the start of the meeting.
Presentations, proclamations, and recognitions: This opening portion of the meeting is when Council celebrates community members and learns about important initiatives.
Report on the social and economic impact of the 8th Annual Atomic City Winter Classic Outdoor Hockey Tournament
Presentation of the Los Alamos County Fleet Conversion Plan and Community-Wide EV Charging Plan
Quarterly economic development update from the County Economic Development Division and Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation
Consent agenda: The consent agenda is a group of routine items that Council can approve all at once without discussion unless a Councilor requests to discuss a specific item. There is a separate public comment for the consent agenda. It includes:
Approval of additional design services for the NM 4 Crossing and Multi-Use Trail Project
Board appointments for the Planning & Zoning Commission, Transportation Board, and Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board
Public hearings: Public hearings allow community members to voice their opinions on specific topics before Council decides. At this meeting, Council will consider:
Three resolutions supporting grant applications to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for trail improvement projects:
Piñon Elementary School Trail Connection Project
Rehabilitation of the NM4 Trail and Canyon Rim Trail
Canada Del Buey Trail Improvement Project
Business items: These are topics Council will discuss in detail and may consider for action. In this session, they'll review:
Discussion and possible approval of the County Manager's selection of Elias Isaacson as Community Development Department Director
Proposed 9th Street Apartments rehabilitation and affordable housing project overview
Council business: This section allows Council to discuss or act upon additional issues. This time, they’ll talk about:
Boards and Commissions vacancy report
Report from the federal legislative working group on advocacy trip to Washington, DC
Preview of upcoming agenda items
More details:
Affordable housing project: Council will discuss a public-private partnership proposal to preserve 87 affordable apartments. The 9th Street Apartments (formerly Aspen Studio and Thunderbird Apartments) would receive approximately $4 million in county funding to rehabilitate the properties and maintain them as affordable housing for the next 20 years. The project is intended to ensure rents remain affordable for households at or below 45% of the Area Median Income. (The technical definition of “affordable housing” is that the occupant pays no more than 30% of gross income for housing costs, including utilities. The term often is also used as a stand-in for “subsidized housing.”) Waitlists for affordable housing in Los Alamos remain extensive.
Trail improvement funding: Council will consider three resolutions (the Piñon Elementary School Trail Connection Project, the rehabilitation of the NM 4 Trail and Canyon Rim Trail, and the Canada Del Buey Trail Improvement Project) supporting grant applications for trail improvements throughout Los Alamos County. These projects align with the County’s mobility goals and would secure federal funding for trail rehabilitation and new connections. The Piñon Elementary School Trail would improve access for students from the Mirador Subdivision. At the same time, the Canada Del Buey Trail improvements would create a continuous 3-mile paved trail from western White Rock to Overlook Park.
New community development director: Council will consider the County Manager's recommendation to appoint Elias “Eli” Isaacson as the new community development department (CDD) director. Isaacson brings experience from previous roles as Santa Barbara, CA’s community development director, and planning director for Santa Fe and Española. CDD oversees administration, building safety, economic development, housing, and planning functions for the County. A video of Isaacson describing his previous job as a community development director is available here.
Fleet conversion and EV charging plan: Council will hear a presentation on plans to transition the County’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles while expanding community-wide EV charging infrastructure. This initiative supports the Count’'s Climate Action Plan goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with intermediate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040.
NM 4 crossing and multi-use trail project: Council will consider approving an additional $129,457 for design services on this important transportation project, bringing the total design cost to $379,895. The project includes installing a pedestrian hybrid beacon (HAWK Signal) at a mid-block crossing on NM 4 east of La Vista Drive and trail improvements. Recent design modifications address ADA compliance challenges and add a public easement connecting Piñon Elementary School to establish an accessible path from NM 4 to Grand Canyon Drive.
Economic development update: The quarterly update will provide information for the small-business community, including details on new business licenses (255 new licenses in 2024), business outreach efforts, and tourism initiatives. The presentation will cover work underway to improve communication between organizations, consolidate event calendars, and support national parks. The Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation will also provide updates on their recent initiatives, including launching a new Community Cash E-Gift Card and ongoing discussions regarding the East Downtown Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan.
Mark your calendars and stay informed!
