Audience members await their turn to speak at Capital Improvement Projects Community Meeting Friday at the White Rock Fire Station. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladaily post.com

The Los Alamos County Council held another of its public meetings seeking community input on which Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) should move forward.

Council Chair Rick Reiss led the noon meeting Friday at the fire station in White Rock. Also attending were Vice Chair Susan O’Leary and Councilors James Chrobocinski, Pete Sheehey, Kristin Henderson and David Izraelevitz. Councilor Steven Girrens was unable to attend. Approximately 30 citizens attended and nine spoke.

First, Reiss asked for speakers on CIP projects not currently on the County’s list.

Glenn Lockhart was the first speaker at Friday’s CIP Community Meeting. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Resident Glenn Lockhart spoke in favor of a bridge across Canada del Buey to Smith’s Marketplace. He said the County has a bridge that could be moved to the location for about $100,000. Lockhart also suggested that the County and Los Alamos Public Schools enter into a joint powers agreement to fund upgrades at the Duane Smith Auditorium as well as future projects.

Robert Pelak speaks in favor of upgrading the White Rock Waste Disposal Area. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

White Rock resident Robert Pelak suggested upgrading the White Rock Waste Disposal Area. Pelak would like to see the area include a site for organic waste disposal, a concrete pad to protect vehicle tires, a toxic waste disposal area (to be collected once a week for transport to Los Alamos) and closed containers for waste. Councilor Sheehey suggested Pelak bring his suggestions to the Environmental Sustainability Board for additional consideration.

The discussion was then opened on projects already on the County’s list.

Lockhart returned to the microphone to advocated for upgrades to the White Rock Community Center and White Rock Senior Center complex. A commercial kitchen and upgrades to the facility could make it “the nucleus for the community,” Lockhart said, adding that the senior center is used regularly by 136 citizens, with many others using it occasionally.

Longtime White Rock Senior Center activist Mary Nunz calls for completion of the White Rock Community Center. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Lockhart’s support was echoed by White Rock resident Mary Nunz. “We need to allocate funds to complete the White Rock Senior Center,” she said.

The current temporary quarters of the Center at The Hive are too small and too noisy, causing a drop in attendance, Nunz said. The addition of a commercial kitchen would allow the Center to add a daily hot lunch program and a hot lunch delivery program to its services, she said. “We were told the entire complex would be renovated,” she said. Nunz pointed out that one-third of County residents live in White Rock.

Parent and School Board Member Andrea Cunningham speaks in favor of upgrading Duane Smith Auditorium and recreational facilities. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

“I’m here as a parent,” School Board Member Andrea Cunningham said. She spoke in support of improvements at Duane Smith Auditorium and in favor of improved tennis courts and gym facilities.

Several other speakers pressed for upgrades at the Duane Smith Auditorium.

Los Alamos Concert Association Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin presents the case for upgrading the Duane Smith Auditorium. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Concert Association Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin, having addressed the need for upgraded restrooms at a prior meeting, concentrated her remarks Friday on lobby improvements. “The lobby is ugly,” she said. “People attend LACA Concerts from around the area and we’re missing the opportunity to make a great impression.” The lobby has no seating and no room for receptions to take place. Handicap access to the building is inadequate as is the heating and cooling system at the Duane Smith, McLaughlin said.

“Please think creatively about how a larger, multifunctional lobby could enhance the experience of those using the Duane Smith Auditorium,” she said.

Bill Godwin urges the County to take on Duane Smith renovations. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Bill Godwin also spoke in favor of using County money for the Auditorium. “The schools are burdened with maintenance of the Duane Smith when they can barely afford to renovate classrooms,” he said. “This is a community facility and we ought to help maintain it going forward.”

Other citizens spoke in favor of expanding the Larry Walkup Aquatic Center into a Recreation Center, possibly to include a leisure pool, gym facilities and areas for court sports.

Shelby Redondo shares a letter from former Parks and Recreation Board Member Fredrica Smith . Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Shelby Redondo of White Rock shared a letter from Dr. Fredrica Smith, a former resident and member of the Parks and Recreation Board from 1984-1988. In her letter, Smith reminded the community that the Aquatic Center was meant to be a first step in a larger plan that included a leisure pool and indoor facilities such as a gym, weight room, and other amenities. “Adding phase 2 of a recreation center on the north side of the Aquatic Center and a leisure pool on the south side would be an excellent way to meet more of the indoor recreational needs for Los Alamos and those of surrounding communities,” she wrote.

School Board Member Bill Hargraves brings the needs of those who play court sports forward. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Bill Hargraves, speaking on behalf of the Fusion Volleyball Team, said the elementary school gyms where the team must practice have concrete floors, which are not suitable for court sports. His team and others engaging in court sports would benefit from “a Rec. Center with wooden floors and real courts,” he said.

Reiss then turned the discussion to financing the proposed projects. The County would use existing CIP funds and is considering a bond issue to fund some projects, he said.

YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly suggests a partnership between the County and the Y to enhance recreational facilities. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Executive Director of the Family YMCA Linda Daly, suggested that a percentage of gross receipts taxes be set aside for recreation and quality of life projects. Daly also suggested that partnering with a non-profit organization such as the YMCA has helped other communities to build recreation facilities.

Councilor Sheehey raised concerns about the anti-donation clause in state law when considering such a partnership.

Councilor Chrobocinski asked about the membership model of the YMCA and its fitness for a County facility. “Could we contract with the Y to run the facility and offer subsidies to keep costs low?” he wondered.

Daly said YMCAs have an open door policy and do not turn people away for inability to pay. The non-profit relies on fundraising to meet this need, she said. Currently, the Y has 3,800 members and its programs are used by approximately 6,000 people, she said.

Shelby Redondo wound up public comment by stressing the importance of recreation and community. “We are turning away youth because we lack facilities,” she said. “I lost three of my former students to suicide. We need to support having fun in this community.”

There will be one more community meeting, focusing on economic development and infrastructure capital projects, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building.

The Council will take up Capital Improvement Projects at its regular meeting at 6 p.m., March 1 in Council Chambers and perhaps narrow the list of projects at that time.