Los Alamos County Council Regular Session - May 5, 2026: LANL Update, Housing MOU, Sign Code Discussion
Los Alamos County Council Regular Session – May 5, 2026
The Los Alamos County Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Fire Station No. 3 in White Rock. The meeting included proclamations for Building Safety Month and Historic Preservation Month, a presentation from LANL Deputy Laboratory Director Mark Davis, approval of a consent agenda, introduction of two ordinances, three public hearings, and a discussion on temporary sign code revisions. All seven councilors were present (one remote).
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from March 31 and April 7, 2026 regular sessions.
- Awarded Bid No. IFB 26-25 for the Piedra Loop Underground Replacement Project to Bixby Electric in the amount of $1,182,877.44 (including 20% contingency) plus applicable GRT, with a 4.5-month term.
- Approved authorized signers for county investment accounts at UMB Bank, including County Manager Anne Laurent and other financial officers.
- Appointed Matthew McCleary to the Los Alamos County Health Council for a term ending May 5, 2028.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sam Gardner (191 Dome Road, Jemez) expressed concerns during the LANL presentation: He noted that LANL's higher wages have drawn construction workers away from local projects, making it impossible to find labor for his subdivision. He criticized the shift from science to nuclear weapons production and questioned whether taxpayers are getting value from LANL construction projects.
- Denise Durkicks (White Rock resident, former councilor) spoke during the sign code discussion. She supported updating the code, advocated for more visible designated sign zones (e.g., near the golf course and on Diamond Drive), and opposed signs in roundabouts. She noted that the county issued sign permits without fees in 2020, which provided start dates.
Discussion Items
- LANL Presentation by Mark Davis (9A-C): Davis reported that LANL has shifted from stockpile stewardship to stockpile modernization, meeting pit production requirements and progressing on LAP4 and the Electric Power Capacity Upgrade. FY26 appropriation is $5.5 billion; hiring is ~1,000 this year to offset attrition. Economic impact in FY25: $752.5M in NM procurement, $2.04B in salaries, 40.2% of employees native New Mexicans, $141M in GRT paid. Collaboration with county fire and police on active shooter and wildfire drills. Questions addressed workforce commuting (over 50% commute from outside county), housing needs, skilled trades demand, and expansion to 24/7 operations.
- Temporary Sign Code Revision (Item 10A): Staff presented options to regulate temporary signs in county rights-of-way. Current code is unenforceable due to missing designated zone map and no start-date mechanism. Council discussed Options 3 (year-round designated zones) and 4 (year-round plus additional zones during election cycles). A registry (not a permit) was suggested for tracking 60-day duration. Council directed staff to pursue Option 4, with input to improve locations (e.g., avoid roundabouts, consider safety and wildlife), and to engage community groups (realtors, Chamber, sports leagues). County Attorney emphasized content neutrality per Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
Key Outcomes
- Distracted Driving Penalty Ordinance (CO0753-26b): Unanimously adopted Code Ordinance 02-378, amending Sections 38-92 and 38-315 to clean up the penalty assessment for distracted driving (base penalty $200). Corrected two typographical errors in the whereas clauses (non-substantive).
- Workforce Housing MOU (RE0675-26): Unanimously adopted Resolution 26-08, approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Madrone Community Development Corporation for the Coyote Mesa development on County Parcel A-8-A. The project will deliver approximately 380 workforce housing units (120 county-deed-restricted at 60-100% AMI, 98 state-deed-restricted at 120% AMI). Madrone, a nonprofit, will use tax-exempt bonds; net cash flow after debt service will return to the county. $4.6 million in state grants received.
- MainStreet Program Support (RE0677-26): Unanimously adopted Resolution 26-07, supporting Los Alamos MainStreet and authorizing a biennial MOU with New Mexico MainStreet. Outlines county financial commitment and partnership for downtown revitalization.
- Councilor Expense Approvals: Approved expenses for three trips: (1) One councilor to the ECA Intergovernmental Meeting (June 23-24, Arlington, VA) – reimbursed; (2) Two councilors to the National Cleanup Workshop (Sept 14-16, Crystal City, VA); (3) One councilor to the New Mexico Municipal League Annual Conference (Sept 1-4, Las Cruces). All motions passed 6-0 (Councilor Reagor absent).
- County Manager's Report: Noted that EPA denied a $1 million+ grant for food composting due to incomplete landfill permit and DOE lease amendment; county will seek debrief. LEDA/MRA applications are progressing (Janet Lovato loan, Ubiquity closing, Guesthouse/Hilltop House application).
Meeting Transcript
So I want to welcome everybody to the May 5th, 2026 County Council regular session. We're here in White Rock and Fire Station 3. I think we have just get back to my notes here. I believe we have one counselor online, so we'll get to that in a second. So tonight's meeting, like all the meetings we have are in hybrid format. So we have people here in person, appreciate that, and people also participating on Zoom. And people can participate with their computers or other devices if they like. During public comment, uh, which we'll accept the beginning of the meeting, and also on agenda items over going through the meeting. Um people will be uh asked to uh see if they want to make public comment in the room or on Zoom. And uh Ms. Madison will be looking on Zoom for uh virtual attendees. Just ask that if you're a virtual attendee, please make sure you have your name on Zoom so you can be properly addressed. So uh please limit comments to uh three minutes unless you're otherwise directed. Um and virtual, okay. We already talked about that. Okay, um so the goal is to end the meeting no later than 10. Uh we'll be checking our progress at nine if we're still meeting at that time. So um since we do have one counselor um remote, uh can the clerk please call the roll. Counselor Rigord. Here counselor Cole? Here. Counselor Haberman here. Counselor Herman, here. Counselor Righty. Here. Counselor Neil Clayton, here. Counselor Hun. Who? Hunt. Counselor Hunt. Sorry. I think your mic wasn't like the was that heard on the recording. Yes. Okay, thank you. You say we have six counselors in chamber and one online. I think you might have to have the microphone a tad closer. We have six counselors in chambers and one online, counselor Rigor. Okay, thank you. Uh let the record show we have all seven counselors. Uh Councilor Reger is remote this evening. So um if you are willing and able, please join us in the Pledge Allegiance. I'll be allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. For which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and investors for all. Okay, so now we're on to item number three, which is public comment. Uh so this is going to be public comment for items that are not on tonight's agenda. Uh do we have anyone present here at the fire station that would like to make public comment? Okay, I'm not seeing anyone present. Ms. Madison, can you check online?
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