Los Alamos County Council Work Session – February 10, 2026: Phoenix Award, Wildfire Preparedness, Brewer Arena Funding, Charter Discussion
Los Alamos County Council Work Session – February 10, 2026
The County Council held a work session on February 10, 2026, at Fire Station No. 3 in White Rock. The meeting included a recognition of the Los Alamos Fire Department Phoenix Award recipients, a wildfire preparedness presentation, approval of a $2.87 million project budget for Brewer Arena ADA and safety improvements, and discussion of possible changes to the County Charter. The Council suspended its procedural rules to take formal action, approved the January 27, 2026 regular session minutes, and authorized the Brewer Arena task order. A council working group was formed to review potential charter amendments.
Consent Calendar
- Action to Suspend Council Rules: Unanimously approved (7-0) to allow formal action during the work session.
- Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved (7-0) the minutes of the January 27, 2026 regular session.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On Brewer Arena Improvements (Item 7C):
- Lisa Reeder (ELWG/LASOA member) expressed that user groups still have concerns but acknowledged the process improved; she requested clarification on "phasing" exclusion and urged that the restrooms not be renovated if they will be closed five months of the year. She also noted the final design was under $3 million and thanked staff for collaboration.
- Wendy Burke Ryan (LASOA president) stated that the bathroom will continue to be closed in winter due to freezing; she emphasized that user groups had raised the same concerns earlier in 2025 but were ignored until November; she also pointed out labeling errors on drawings ("press box" vs. "crow's nest", "asphalt roadway" vs. sidewalk).
- Carol Bronis thanked the Council for the final design and stressed the importance of early user engagement, noting that the initial design was done without equestrian expertise. She asked about construction access for arena users and trail access.
- On Charter Discussion (Item 8A): Phil Gursky urged the Council to consider impaneling a charter review commission rather than a council working group, emphasizing public involvement in changes to the governing document.
Presentations & Recognitions
- Phoenix Award (Item 6A): Fire Battalion Chief Manuel Pacheco presented the Phoenix Award to emergency responders and family members for a successful cardiac arrest resuscitation. Recipients included Captain Paramedic Chris Rondo, Driver Engineer Michael Monzanatis, Firefighter Steven Tenodio, Firefighter Jennifer Edmonds, Firefighter Nicholas Lopez, Firefighter Paramedic Adrian V. Hill, Firefighter Paramedic Brian Thomas, Driver Engineer Paramedic Dustin Rogers, and Emergency Communication Specialist Amanda Buckland. Family members Destiny Montoya and Madison Treviso Montoya were recognized for their immediate lifesaving actions. Patient Anthony Montoya attended. The award symbolizes rebirth; only about 5% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests result in good neurological outcomes.
- Wildfire Preparedness (Item 6B): Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg, Wildland Division Chief Van Leimer, and Fire Marshal Colorado Cordova presented the "Ready, Set, Go!" program. Key points: Los Alamos County is in extreme drought; the Fire Department has mitigated about 200 acres in the last 3–5 years, including 32 acres with a Burnbot near the airport and work behind homes on the Cuneta del Bowie Trail. The Department has moved from Code Red to Everbridge for emergency alerts (contract signed February 4, 2026). Home assessments are available, and a Wildland Urban Interface Code has been adopted. The annual Wildfire Day is scheduled for April 4, 2026. Councilors discussed the need for low-income assistance, the role of insurance, and the importance of community fire adaptation.
Discussion Items
- Brewer Arena Improvements (Item 7C): Project Manager Russell Naranjo presented the revised design for ADA compliance and safety upgrades at Brewer Arena, which is over 20 years old. The original pavilion, grandstand, and crow's nest were demolished in December 2024 after structural damage was found. The new design incorporates public feedback from the Los Alamos Sporting Arena Organization (LASOA) and Equestrian Liaison Working Group (ELWG): grandstand elevated 40 inches above grade for unobstructed views, 15-foot setback, extended pavilion roof, accessible parking to the south, restroom rehabilitation, and chip-seal asphalt sidewalks for equestrian safety. The total project budget is $2,870,000, including $2,113,060.56 task order amount plus gross receipts tax and 15% contingency. Funding sources include a $150,000 NM Department of Finance Administration Recreation Grant and $2,720,000 from FY26 CIP. The Parks and Recreation Board recommended approval on December 11, 2025. Construction is expected to start May 2026; site work (restrooms, parking, sidewalks, crow's nest) will be completed by the 2026 rodeo, but the grandstand and canopy will not be finished until the 2027 rodeo. Steel prices prompted expedited council consideration. Councilor Cull expressed disappointment that user input was not sought during the design phase, which delayed the project.
- Charter Changes (Item 8A): Council Chair Ryti initiated discussion of possible amendments to the County Charter, noting the deadline for the November 2026 ballot is August 25, 2026. Councilors Hand, Cull, and Ryti identified areas for review: clarifying the County Manager/Utilities Manager relationship, updating the non-discrimination policy (currently narrower than NM Human Rights Act), gender-neutral language, term limits for boards/commissions, inconsistency in utility fund language (compensatory vs. profit transfer), and vacancy appointment procedures. A council working group was formed with Councilors Hand, Cull, Reagor, and Ryti (volunteered) to draft recommended changes, with support from the County Attorney. Public comment urged a charter review commission instead.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Brewer Arena Task Order: Approved unanimously (7-0) to authorize Task Order No. 29 with All-Rite Construction, Inc. for $2,113,060.56 plus applicable GRT, and establish a project budget of $2,870,000.
- Formation of Charter Working Group: Council agreed to create a working group (Councilors Hand, Cull, Reagor, Ryti) to identify priority charter amendments, with a report expected in March or April 2026.
- Closed Session Statement: The Council included in the minutes that the closed session (held at 5:00 PM prior to the meeting) was limited to specified topics and no action was taken.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I want to welcome everybody to the uh February 10th County Council work session. Uh so tonight's meeting is going to be in hybrid format with uh council presenters and public participation uh on Zoom as well as in person. Um so you can participate virtually with computers, other devices. We also have phone lines available. So we'll have public comment except at the beginning of the meeting for items that are not on tonight's agenda. We'll have comments on agenda items as they're taken during the meeting. Uh during public comment, Ms. Mass will look for virtual attendees that use the raise your hand feature uh on Zoom, or if you're on the phone line, that's star nine. Uh please limit your comments to three minutes or otherwise directed when we come to that item and appreciate people state their name before making comments. So if we have virtual commenters who want to make comments, request that they include their name on Zoom so they can be properly addressed. So just also ask that uh comments be addressed to the chair and be focused on the issues being considered. So our goal tonight is to finish the meeting no later than 10 p.m. Uh we will check our progress round nine if we're still meeting at that point. Um I think with that we're ready for um since we have one member online. I think we can do the roll call from the clerk, please. Councilor Ridey. Here. Counselor Rigor. Counselor Hamm? Here. Counselor Cole. Here. Counselor Haviman? Here. Counselor Neil Clinton? Here. And Councilor Herman. Here. All present. Okay, so now we're on to item two, which is the pledge of allegiance. Uh so if you're willing, Able to please join us in the pledge. I believe the five of the United States of America. Thank you. Okay, so uh the next item is item three, which is a statement regarding the closed session. Is there counselor uh willing to make the motion? Counselor Herman. I move the council suspend their procedural rules for well closed session. Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have that public. Okay, somebody have the closed session statement up. Okay, councillor hand. The matters discussed in the closed sessions of county council held on February 10th, 2026 that began at 5 p.m. was limited only to the topics specified in the notice of the closed session, and no action was taken on any matter in the closed session. We request that this statement be included in the meeting minutes. Okay, thank you, Councilor Hand. Um so now we're on on to item number four, which is public comment. So again, this is for comment on any items that are not on tonight's agenda. Do we have any other numerous people in the worker fire station here tonight they want to make any public comment? I'm not seeing any. Uh so Ms. Masson, can you check online to see if we have any public comment?
openpublica.com