OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Los Alamos County Council Regular Session - May 19, 2026

County Council & Boards — Tuesday, May 19, 2026
BodyLos Alamos County, New Mexico
SessionCounty Council & Boards
DateTuesday, May 19, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:05:21

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Okay.

0:06

Want to welcome the fairly large group of people here at the fire station for the county council uh regular session of May uh 19th 2026.

0:19

And uh just a couple of comments on the procedure for the meeting tonight.

0:24

So it's no different than we've been doing for many months now.

0:28

So tonight's meeting is going to be in hybrid format.

0:30

So we'll have uh council, presenters in public participate in person as we see tonight, or on Zoom can participate uh virtually uh using computers or other devices.

0:42

We also have phone lines.

0:44

So we're gonna be accepting public comment tonight at the beginning of the meeting on topics that are not on the agenda.

0:50

Comments on agenda items will be taken when the item is discussed during the meeting.

0:55

Uh, during the uh public comment period, uh Ms.

0:58

Madison will look for virtual attendees, they use the raise your hand feature, and that's star nine if you're on a phone line.

1:06

So uh when we have public comment, please limit your comments to three minutes or otherwise directed.

1:12

Uh we'll ask the virtual commenters to include their name on Zoom so they can be properly addressed.

1:17

Comments should be addressed to the chair and focused on the topic being considered.

1:21

So our goal is to complete the meeting no later than 10 p.m.

1:24

We'll be checking our progress around 9 p.m.

1:26

with that goal in mind.

1:28

Uh so we're on to item one, which is opening and roll call.

1:32

So, since uh we have one counselor uh on Zoom, can the clerk please call the roll?

1:38

Councillor Cole here.

1:44

Councilor Rigor.

1:47

Here.

1:48

Councilor Hand.

1:49

Here.

1:50

Councillor Havaman.

1:52

Here.

1:52

Councillor Herman.

1:54

Here.

1:54

Councillor Neil Clinton.

1:56

Here.

1:57

Councillor Riding.

1:58

I'm here.

1:59

Okay, we have six councils in chambers and one remote.

2:03

Okay.

2:11

Okay, so we're on to item number two, which is a pledge of allegiance.

2:15

So if you're willing and able, please join us in the pledge.

2:42

Okay, so now we're on to public comments.

2:45

So uh do we have any members of the public that want to make comments on items that are not on tonight's agenda?

2:54

Not seeing anyone present, Ms.

2:55

Madsky.

2:56

Can you check online?

2:59

I can.

3:00

If you'd like to make public comment, please raise your hand.

3:06

Chair, I'm not seeing any hands raised.

3:08

Okay, thank you.

3:09

Um now we're on to item number four, which is the approval of the agenda.

3:15

Is there a counselor uh interested in making a motion?

3:18

Counselor Hebman.

3:20

I move we um accept tonight's agenda as presented.

3:23

Second.

3:26

Okay, so we have motion by councillor Hubman and second by Councillor Neil Clinton.

3:31

Okay, I don't see any uh discussion.

3:34

Uh can the clerk please call the roll councillor Neil Clinton?

3:40

Yes.

3:41

Councillor Hand, yes.

3:43

Councillor Herman, yes.

3:46

Councillor Ridey.

3:47

Yes.

3:48

Councilor Regor.

3:50

Yes.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████25%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Emergency Management█████5%
Mental Health Awareness████4%
Racial Equity████4%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Public Safety████4%
Public Health████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Los Alamos County Council Regular Session – May 19, 2026

The Los Alamos County Council held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at Fire Station No. 3 in White Rock. The meeting included proclamations, recognitions, several public hearings, and approval of major infrastructure contracts. Council took action on a gas rate ordinance introduction, a cable franchise continuation, ambulance debt write-off, building demolition, fire protection project, and a roadway safety project. Council also gave direction to form an Inclusivity Advisory Board.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from May 5, 2026 regular session.
  • Budget Revision No. 26-69 ($550,000) and order for a vacuum excavator truck ($549,720.28).
  • Budget Revision No. 26-58 ($234,827) for repair of an 18-inch water transmission line.
  • Reinstatement of contract for Bayo NP Booster Station Rehabilitation including Change Order No. 3 ($34,983.25) with new completion date June 30, 2026. All items passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made on items not on the agenda or on consent agenda items.
  • During the Quality of Life presentation, Councilor Havemann raised questions about unhoused individuals and community support; Social Services staff provided data on approximately 10–12 individuals currently unhoused and efforts to connect them with services.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations & Recognitions:
    • National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026) proclaimed.
    • Mental Health Awareness Month proclaimed; Health Council members highlighted upcoming Mental Health First Aid training on May 29.
    • Atomic City Transit recognized for winning the 2025 NMTA/NMDOT Rural Transit System of the Year Award and the Avail Transit Vanguard Award.
    • 2026 "I Voted" Sticker Contest winners from local schools were recognized.
  • Overview of Council Strategic Goal – Quality of Life: Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson presented accomplishments across health, inclusion, mobility, parks, and public safety. Highlights included: 2,000+ pounds of food collected, 360+ Narcan boxes distributed, 125+ trained in suicide prevention, 30 Nature Therapy Guide graduates, 1,314 attendees at Hawk Hangouts, $32,000 donated to Utilities Assistance program, and award-winning transit. Council discussed unhoused populations, the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, and the need for a dedicated emergency operations center.
  • Introduction of Ordinance on Gas Service Rates: Code Ordinance No. 02-379 was introduced (without prejudice) to amend gas rate schedules. Proposed increases: 29% in FY2027 and 17% in FY2028 for residential/commercial customers; 30% in FY2027 and 19% in FY2028 for County/Schools. The FY2026 sales revenue is projected at $5.9 million vs. $8.36 million budgeted, and the FY2025 audited net loss was $489,267. A public hearing is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
  • Public Hearing on Cable Franchise – Ordinance No. 754: The hearing was continued to June 9, 2026, due to the absence of the presenters. Council voted unanimously (7-0) to move the item.
  • Public Hearing on Ambulance Billing Write-off – Resolution No. 26-04: Council approved removal of $878,092.79 in unsecured ambulance billing accounts that have been uncollectible for four years or more. The resolution was adopted unanimously (7-0).
  • Business Item – Longview Drive Demolition: Approved Task Order No. 31 with All-Rite Construction, Inc. for $578,117.43 plus GRT to demolish three buildings at 112, 124, and 126 Longview Drive, with a project budget of $750,000. The demolition is part of the White Rock Metropolitan Redevelopment Area plan to realign Longview Drive and enable future housing. Council voted unanimously (7-0).
  • Business Item – Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Phase III: Awarded bid to Dub-L-EE, LLC for $3,904,195.98 plus 15% contingency ($585,629.40) and applicable GRT. This final phase includes construction of four booster stations, fiber installation, disinfection of existing tank, and tie-in to non-potable water line. The total project award is $4,489,825.38. Council voted unanimously (7-0).
  • Business Item – Trinity Drive/NM502 Safety and ADA Improvements: Awarded bid to Hasse Contracting Company, Inc. for $7,120,655.79 plus GRT, with a project budget of $8,172,067.28 (roadway and utility work). The project includes a hybrid road diet, new bike lanes, an RRFB at 20th Street, widened sidewalks, and a bus pullout. Grant-funded through HSIP (90%) and NMDOT Road Fund (10%). Council approved 6-1, with Councilor Reagor voting against, citing a preference for separated bike lanes.
  • Council Business – Formation of Inclusivity Board: After discussion on board size (recommended 7 members, but some supported 5–9), Council directed the County Manager to develop a code ordinance as drafted in Attachment A (with the title "Inclusivity Board," removing "Advisory"). The ordinance will be introduced and then go through a public hearing process. Motion passed unanimously (7-0).
  • Appointment – Board of Public Utilities: Council reappointed Matt Heavner to Position UT1 for a term from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031. The roll call vote was 6 votes for Heavner, 1 for Richard Nebel.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (all 7-0 unless noted):
    • Consent Agenda items.
    • Resolution 26-04 (ambulance write-off, $878,092.79).
    • Task Order for Longview Drive demolition ($578,117.43).
    • Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Phase III contract ($4,489,825.38 total).
    • Trinity Drive/NM502 project contract ($7,120,655.79) – 6-1.
    • Direction to draft Inclusivity Board ordinance (7-0).
    • BPU appointment of Matt Heavner (6-1).
  • Introduced: Gas Rate Ordinance No. 02-379 (public hearing June 9).
  • Continued: Cable Franchise Ordinance No. 754 to June 9.
  • Next Steps: The County Manager will prepare a final ordinance for the Inclusivity Board; staff will provide updates on the Trinity Drive project communication plan; and the next regular council meeting is June 9, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Want to welcome the fairly large group of people here at the fire station for the county council uh regular session of May uh 19th 2026. And uh just a couple of comments on the procedure for the meeting tonight. So it's no different than we've been doing for many months now. So tonight's meeting is going to be in hybrid format. So we'll have uh council, presenters in public participate in person as we see tonight, or on Zoom can participate uh virtually uh using computers or other devices. We also have phone lines. So we're gonna be accepting public comment tonight at the beginning of the meeting on topics that are not on the agenda. Comments on agenda items will be taken when the item is discussed during the meeting. Uh, during the uh public comment period, uh Ms. Madison will look for virtual attendees, they use the raise your hand feature, and that's star nine if you're on a phone line. So uh when we have public comment, please limit your comments to three minutes or otherwise directed. Uh we'll ask the virtual commenters to include their name on Zoom so they can be properly addressed. Comments should be addressed to the chair and focused on the topic being considered. So our goal is to complete the meeting no later than 10 p.m. We'll be checking our progress around 9 p.m. with that goal in mind. Uh so we're on to item one, which is opening and roll call. So, since uh we have one counselor uh on Zoom, can the clerk please call the roll? Councillor Cole here. Councilor Rigor. Here. Councilor Hand. Here. Councillor Havaman. Here. Councillor Herman. Here. Councillor Neil Clinton. Here. Councillor Riding. I'm here. Okay, we have six councils in chambers and one remote. Okay. Okay, so we're on to item number two, which is a pledge of allegiance. So if you're willing and able, please join us in the pledge. Okay, so now we're on to public comments. So uh do we have any members of the public that want to make comments on items that are not on tonight's agenda? Not seeing anyone present, Ms. Madsky. Can you check online? I can. If you'd like to make public comment, please raise your hand. Chair, I'm not seeing any hands raised. Okay, thank you. Um now we're on to item number four, which is the approval of the agenda. Is there a counselor uh interested in making a motion? Counselor Hebman. I move we um accept tonight's agenda as presented. Second.

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