Inclusivity Task Force Meeting – January 21, 2026

Meeting of the Los Alamos County Inclusivity Task Force, chaired by Lisabeth Lueninghoener, held in person and via Zoom at 12:15 PM on January 21, 2026. The primary agenda item was discussion of the final report to Council, including format, working group contributions, and the potential transition to a permanent board. A quorum was present; no public comments were offered.

Agenda Approval & Minutes

• The agenda was approved unanimously after a motion and second.
• Minutes from the December 10, 2025 meeting were approved with an uncontested clarification regarding Member Edwards’ attendance; the recorded minutes were confirmed as accurate.

Discussion Items

• Final Report Format & Content: Chair Lueninghoener noted that working groups had not provided complete, evidence-based summaries. Members proposed using the mid-term report (designed by Rachel Cazier) as a baseline, organized by chronological phases or the existing work plan. Suggestions included visual progress indicators (e.g., loading bars) for each working group’s achievements and struggles. It was agreed that each working group should report on data collection methods, identified needs, suggestions to meet those needs, challenges faced, and remaining work.
• Future of the Task Force: Council Member Cole reminded the group that the charter asks whether the task force should become permanent. The Chair led a discussion on interest in continuing as a permanent board with formal applications. Several members expressed support for a permanent board, noting the learning curve and the county’s need to demonstrate inclusivity values. Others raised concerns about low public engagement and unclear needs. Suggestions for a less resource-intensive model included moving to a liaison-based board (no working groups) that serves as a repository of information, hosts quarterly trainings, and coordinates with other county boards. The idea of project-specific working groups (e.g., safe parking program) rather than broad categories was also discussed. Members proposed researching other communities’ inclusivity models (e.g., Santa Fe, Farmington) and embedding inclusivity goals into all county board work plans.
• Timeline for Final Report: The Chair outlined a timeline: questions for working group leads would be distributed by the end of the meeting; leads should return answers by Monday, January 26; the Chair will compile common themes and a template for the next meeting. The target presentation date to Council was debated: March 3 (deemed too rushed), March 17 (work session – potentially waived for action by the Council Chair), March 31 (during spring break), or April 7. Preference was expressed for March 17 if the Council Chair grants a waiver, to maintain momentum.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals: Agenda and minutes approved unanimously.
• Deadlines: Working group leads to receive questions by end of meeting and provide responses by Monday, January 26. Chair to compile a summary of commonalities and a template for the next meeting.
• Presentation Schedule: The final report will be presented to Council on one of the following dates, pending confirmation: March 3, March 17 (work session, if rules waived), March 31, or April 7.
• Future Structure: No formal vote was taken, but the discussion will inform the final report’s recommendation to Council. Key points favoring a permanent board will be included, along with alternative models and documented challenges.