Los Alamos County Art in Public Places Advisory Board Meeting - October 22, 2026

The Art in Public Places Advisory Board met on October 22, 2026 at 5:30 PM in Los Alamos, NM. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, working group updates, a detailed discussion on the Fire Station #4 art project selection committee, a conservation and maintenance report, and updates on pending art projects. Key outcomes included establishing the selection committee membership and setting initial meeting dates for the Fire Station #4 project, as well as agreeing to a backup plan for approving the police station lion sculpture maquette.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (September 24, 2026): The board unanimously approved the minutes from the September 24, 2026 meeting. Motion by Brian, seconded by Andy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made or received.

Discussion Items

• Working Group Updates: No updates were reported for the Homesteaders, Strategic Plan, Dino World, or Nexus working groups. The Fire Station #4 working group was deferred to its agenda item. The Dino World working group noted a 60-day notice to the artist ends November 19, 2026; the item may be placed on the November agenda if no response is received.
• Fire Station #4 Art Project Discussion: The board discussed forming a Local Selection Committee for the Fire Station #4 art project. Committee members were identified:
  • Artist: Jasmine Stephens (filmmaker/multimedia artist) and Brian Fearey (musical artist) as buffered artists.
  • Arts Professional: Andy Wright (art center role).
  • User Agency Representative: Fire Chief Eric Litzenberg (and one additional fire department member).
  • Architect/Engineer: Sobia.
  • Owner Agency Representative: Tim Foley (APP Chair).
  • Additional buffers were discussed, including a potential new member to replace Anna and a possible recruit from Ponderosa Estates.
  • Meeting dates for the committee were set: January 28, 2027 (Meeting 1: develop call for art) and May 27, 2027 (Meeting 2: select five finalists from qualifications). Both will coincide with regular APP meetings to avoid special meeting notices. The state's Meredith will lead Meeting 1.
• Conservation & Maintenance Report: Staff reported on the August 2026 visit by Pacific Coast Conservation. The company has a contract through June 14, 2029. They performed maintenance on select outdoor artworks and invoiced $23,112.97, already budgeted. Remaining contract balance is $58,545. One planned project (restoring the "Corky" pony at Ashley Pond) was deferred to apply UV coating on a new art piece at the senior center; this may leave a budget shortfall at contract end. No board action was needed; staff will address the future shortfall.
• Pending Items List:
  • White Rock Pottery Relocation: No update.
  • Los Alamos Heritage Gate plaque: Not yet installed (on parks to-do list).
  • Justice Center Wall Mosaic plaque: Not yet installed (parks to-do list).
  • Police Station Art Project (lion sculpture): Contract negotiations are near completion. The artist requested a backup plan: if the physical maquette cannot be delivered in time for the November 19, 2026 meeting, the board may approve using a 3D video of the maquette instead. The board agreed to this plan B, allowing the artist to proceed without delay. The maquette approval vote will be on the November agenda.
• Staff Liaison Report: Chair Tim Foley and Councilor Rieger interviewed two applicants to fill Anna's vacant board position. A recommendation will go to the County Council on October 27, 2026. If approved, the new member will attend the November meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 24, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous).
• Established the Fire Station #4 Local Selection Committee members and set Meeting 1 for January 28, 2027 and Meeting 2 for May 27, 2027.
• Agreed to allow a recorded 3D video as a backup for maquette approval on the police station lion sculpture, to be included in the contract.
• Noted the conservation contract budget status and potential future shortfall; staff will address.
• Set the November 19, 2026 agenda to include: new member welcome, working group reassignments, discussion of possible ordinance changes (presentation with pros/cons), Dino World item (if artist does not respond), and approval of the lion sculpture maquette.