Los Alamos County Council Work Session – March 17, 2026
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Los Alamos County Council Work Session – March 17, 2026
The Los Alamos County Council held a work session on March 17, 2026, at Fire Station No. 3 in White Rock. The meeting was hybrid, with six councilors present (one excused). The agenda included public comment, proclamations, board briefings, acceptance of the Inclusivity Task Force final report, and approval of the Community-Wide EV Charging Plan and Fleet Conversion Plan, among other items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert (Bob) Day expressed concerns that the county landfill no longer accepts clean dirt from home improvement projects, leaving residents without a disposal option. He also requested removal of severe penalty provisions (thousands of dollars and up to six months jail time) from the nuisance code, advocating for lien-based enforcement instead. Council noted these items were not on the agenda and could not be discussed.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation: Council unanimously adopted a proclamation designating March 29, 2026 as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day in Los Alamos County." Linda Carol Alt, Chapter Regent of the Valle Grande Chapter, DAR, accepted and noted a Vietnam veterans flag will be suspended over a pedestrian overpass on Diamond Drive.
- Parks and Recreation Board Briefing: Vice Chair Jerry Cowan reported on 2025 accomplishments including approvals of the Rose Garden Fence, Wahee Pine Cemetery Expansion, NM State Road 4 Pedestrian Crossing, Ice Rink Shade Structure, and Brewer Arena Improvement Plan. Three working groups (Open Space, Bike Park, Equestrian/Livestock) were active. Council thanked the board and noted funding questions for future phases.
- Library Board Briefing: Chair Beth Stelle highlighted 2025 community engagement, website testing, and 2026 plans including a revised outdoor classroom design (due to a utility line), community needs assessment, and participation in National Library Week and Atomicon. Council praised the library's work.
- Inclusivity Task Force Final Report: Rachel Cazier presented the report covering near-term needs (e.g., education on Native American culture, accessible trailheads, housing stabilization, improved communication on accessibility) and long-term solutions (e.g., standing inclusivity board, stronger tribal relations, expanded bus service). The task force sunsetted in February. Discussion centered on next steps: whether to create an ongoing board or integrate recommendations into existing boards. Council heard public comment from David Hampton (supported extending the task force or creating a board), James Warnicky (stressed urgency and need for concrete wins like a wheelchair swing and land acknowledgement), Lisa Reader (thanked task force leaders), Karen Edwards (concerned not all voices were represented; recommended distributing recommendations to relevant departments with a central fund). After debate, Councilor Cole moved to accept the report and direct staff to draft an ordinance (and cost estimate) for an ongoing board/commission. Passed 6-0.
- Community-Wide EV Charging Plan: Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule and Stantec consultants presented the final plan, which added four new charging sites (Urban Park, Hilltop Shopping Center in Los Alamos; Smith's and Overlook Park in White Rock) to improve equity. The plan recommends a phased network, streamlined permitting, and continued engagement. Council accepted the plan (6-0). - Fleet Conversion Plan: Annale Castillo (Stantec) presented two scenarios: the current EV policy (2 EVs/year, reaching 31% electric by 2050) and the ambitious CAP policy (80% electric by 2050, 25% more expensive cumulatively). Discussion covered cost assumptions, infrastructure needs, and the plan as a living document. Council accepted the plan (6-0).
- Amendment No. 2 to Wilson & Co. Agreement: Jennifer Morrow and Eric Ulibarri requested approval of $17,477 plus GRT for construction management and public outreach for Trinity Drive Safety and ADA Improvements (from Connet Street to Oppenheimer). The project will advertise in April, with bids opening April 16. Council approved (6-0).
- Tourism Update: Linda Matteson and Ellyn Felton reported 2025 visitation numbers (0.93% decrease overall despite government shutdowns), lodgers tax trends, influencer campaigns, and new tools like a business directory (51 businesses enrolled). A tourism working group is coordinating events and has received a $25,000 state grant for a trailhead design. Council noted progress.
- Electric Coordination Agreement Status: Utilities Manager Philo Shelton updated on negotiations with DOE for a new 10-year fixed-price agreement (replacing the 40-year-old adjusted-price contract). A 120-day extension will be requested. A subcommittee engaged Kutak Rock to draft language; key issues include contract term flexibility for long-term investents (e.g., small modular reactors) and infrastructure investment protection. Council also will consider a budget authorization for short-term power purchases at favorable market rates.
Key Outcomes
- Vietnam War Veterans Day Proclamation adopted unanimously.
- Inclusivity Task Force Final Report accepted; Council directed staff to draft an ordinance and cost estimate for an ongoing board/commission (motion passed 6-0).
- Community-Wide EV Charging Plan accepted (6-0).
- Fleet Conversion Plan accepted (6-0).
- Amendment No. 2 to Wilson & Co. Agreement approved (6-0).
- Approval of minutes for February 26 special meeting and March 3 regular session (6-0).
- Approval of agenda (6-0).
- Suspending council rules for work session actions (6-0).
- Council received updates on tourism activities and electric coordination agreement; no formal votes taken.
- Councilor Hand reported on North Central Regional Transportation Board (NCRTB) election results (same officers retained).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, uh that's money loud, I guess. So uh well, welcome everyone to the uh the March 17th uh 2026 County Council work session. So uh tonight's uh meeting is in hybrid. So we're gonna have uh council presenters and public participation either in person or on Zoom. Attendees can participate virtually via computer or other devices uh when also we have phone lines available. Uh public comment will be accepted uh at the beginning of the meeting on items that are not on the agenda, and we'll accept uh public comment as we're going through the agenda tonight. Um during public comment, uh Mr. Rielle or look for virtual attendees that use the raise your hand feature, uh which is uh star nine up here on the phone phone, star six if you're on the phone line. Um just request that uh people limit their comments to uh three minutes or uh otherwise directed by the chair. Um our goal is to conclude the meeting by 10 o'clock tonight, and we'll check on our progress at nine if we're still meeting at that point. So uh given we have counselors uh in person and online. Uh can the clerk please call the role councillor hand here. Counselor Ridey. Here. Counselor Call. Here counselor Neil Clinton. Here. Councillor Haviman. Here. Councilor Herman. Here. All right. We have six present with four remote and counselor regor absent. Uh yeah, I've let the record show uh we have two counselors in chambers or in the works at the fire station uh for online. Um counselor Rieger is excused for this evening. Um so uh the pledge of allegiance now. So if you're uh willing able, please join us in pledge. Okay, so now we're on to item number three, which is public comment. Is there anyone present here in the fire station that wants to make public comment? Please come up and and uh we'll get the timer ready for you. And you have to make sure you press the button that looks like kind of a person talking. It'll light up green then. Okay. Thank you. Um thank you, uh chairs and and uh counselors. Um I wanted to bring something to the attention of the of the council. Um can you hear me? Oh, uh can you just state your name for the record? Oh, yeah, my name is Robert Day, Bob Day. Um at any rate, I wanted to bring something uh up to the council because uh well, first of all, if you want to upgrade your home, like putting in a walk or something like that, you have to uh like for paving stones, you have to remove a lot of dirt, and then you put in um base course, and then you put in sand, and then you uh put in your paving stones. But what you're left over with is a lot of dirt. And so you have to get rid of that dirt. And so I've done this in the past and took it out to the landfill. Well, the last time, Friday, I uh went to the landfill and they don't take dirt anymore. And I mean, this is just normal dirt that is comes right out of the ground. It's I've been called older than dirt, but uh this is actually older than me. And uh it it was here before I got here and before all of us got here. And there's nothing wrong with it. It has some rocks, and maybe there might be a little um concrete from past uh building that had gone on. And so I um I was amazed I could not find any place to put this, so I asked where can I take it?
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