COUNTY News:

Public meetings continue this month, as requested by the Council as part of their deliberations on narrowing a project list to fund possible future capital projects.

Based on Council direction on Dec. 8, 2015, the list of projects forms the basis for a new CIP, which could be funded either directly from CIP funds for design and construction, or, could be placed to a public vote no later than May 2017 and (if successful) paid for with a bond. To review the list of projects that were being discussed as of Dec. 8, download this one-page PDF document. 

In addition, the Council is seeking new projects not identified on this list. They are also seeking general feedback from the public about the Dec. 8 list, as well as input about three topic areas: Economic Development (ED)/Infrastructure, Parks & Recreation, and Quality of Life.

Public Meetings will be held as listed below for Los Alamos & White Rock:

• Tuesday, Feb. 9: Quality of Life Capital Projects, Council Chambers, 6 p.m.;
• Thursday, Feb. 11: Parks & Recreation Capital Projects, Council Chambers, 6 p.m.;
• Friday, Feb. 19: Capital Projects, White Rock Fire Station 3, noon; and
• Tuesday, Feb. 23: Economic Development/Infrastructure Capital Projects, Council Chambers, 6 p.m.

The Council will then have a wrap up of all of the public meetings and further discussion at their Council meeting on Tuesday, March 1 (6 p.m. in Council Chambers), when they could take action to narrow the project list.

Here is the format for the meetings:

As residents enter, they will be asked if they wish to sign in with their name and address on one of three sign-in sheets in order to make public comment. The three lists are:

1) Public Comment on CIP items not on the list at the December Council meeting where this topic was discussed;

2) Public Comment on CIP items already on the list at the December meeting; and

3) Public Comment on funding mechanisms for any of the projects.  

Public comment will then proceed by calling the names of each person on each of the three lists to speak at the microphone. Attendees can sign up on all three lists if they wish to do so. The order of public comment taken will be: projects not on the list, followed by projects on the list, and finally public comments about funding mechanisms. 

Based on the number of individuals who sign in for public comment, a limit will be placed on length of time for each individual to speak, however, a time limit between two to three minutes should be anticipated. Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring their comments in writing, and to have a copy to give to County staff. It should be noted that comments in writing given to the County would then be considered a public record. 

These meetings are intended to be informal listening sessions that Councilors may attend and no discussion will occur, although Councilors may ask clarifying questions of the speakers. 

Attendees do not need to give public comment unless they desire to do so; all meetings are open to the public to observe and listen to comments from others. All meetings – including those held in White Rock — will be streamed live and recorded for later viewing – use this link: https:////www.losalamosnm.us/gov/council/Pages/default.aspx

These meetings will not be broadcast on PAC-8.