By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

When it comes to improving the process of starting a business in Los Alamos, County Council agreed it would be beneficial to bring in some fresh blood.

During its regular meeting April 8, council unanimously approved engaging  Cities Work to evaluate the County’s permitting requirements and processes.

The decision was met with almost universal support from council and representatives of the business community.

“I think that what you could bring would be a fresh set of eyes … I do not believe in reinventing the wheel,” Councilor Beverly Neal-Clinton said. “If you have processes that are working somewhere else, I think they can be reciprocated here, so it just looks and sounds smart, so I think this is a good idea.”

Councilor Ryn Herrmann agreed, saying, “Partnering with Cities Work shows our commitment to the small business community. If we can make it faster and simpler and cheaper for businesses to start in Los Alamos that’s a good thing.”

Likewise, several members of the business community expressed their support. SALA Event Center Owner Allan Saenz thanked the council for considering partnering with Cities Work, adding he hoped the council would take advantage of this opportunity.

MainStreet Futures Chair George Marsden also applauded council for reaching out to Cities Work, saying, “This exactly the breath of fresh air that we need.”

Boomerang Consignment Owner and Los Alamos Local Business Coalition member Anna Dillane said she supports the partnership.

“For the County Council to partner with Cities Work to prioritize economic development in our town by identifying and removing any possible obstacles would be a benefit not only to the community but to our community’s future,” she said.

Chad Reese of Cities Work explained what the organization is and the work that it does.

He explained it is a project under the Institute of Justice. Cities Work is a mission-driven non-profit; it does not charge the municipalities that procure its services but rather operates on donations.

“Our goal is to make it cheaper, faster and simpler to start a business in cities across the country,” Reese said.

He emphasized that Cities Work collaborates with cities. It believes in allowing entrepreneurs to guide the process, uniting with community stakeholders and being grounded in operational sustainability. There are three project pillars, Reese said. The first is to start with comprehensive, regulatory research, the second is hold roundtables with entrepreneurs and interview stakeholders and the third is offer a customized strategy reform and implementation as well as continual learning.

“We value simplicity and transparency in the licensing and permitting process,” Reese said. “We aim to make things accessible to everyone. Many cities and counties have sort of complicated processes that make entrepreneurs have to go hire an expeditor, for instance, and that’s just the way business is done. But we don’t think you should have to have an accountant or a lawyer on staff to start a very small business, just to test out an idea and see if it works.”

One of the most important services Cities Work provides is a one stop analysis to look at permitting and licensing portals on websites and make them more user friendly, Reese said. He explained Cities Work looks at the steps involved and has criteria to judge websites. The goal, Reese said, is that these websites connect an entrepreneur to all levels of requirements. While municipalities may not have control over the state level permitting process, they can offer a link for a state level requirement. Another useful feature is allowing entrepreneurs to complete forms and registration through the portal and not individual department websites as well as only requiring a single login, he said.  Another big consideration is how much information is provided on websites to guide entrepreneurs.

In other business, council:

• Heard from several members of the community who encouraged the council to review and perhaps revise the food services contract at the Los Alamos Golf Course, which is up for either renewal or be recompeted. Los Alamos resident Donna Jones said there are problems with the current food service provider and perhaps a better contract could be issued. For instance, she said the current contract provides no incentive for the provider to excel. They are guaranteed business without having to work very hard, she said. Jones noted that this is the only publicly owned property that restricts people from using an outside provider. Whether the current contract continues, or a new one is issued, Jones urged the County to look at the structure of the contract and install clear, concise and measurable performance measures, which include a public satisfaction metric.
• Approved 6-1 with Councilor David Reagor opposed to amend an ordinance that addresses distracted driving. It was decided to remove radio microphones in a vehicle mounted radio from the definition of handheld mobile devices. Police Chief Dino Sgambellone explained it is believed the ordinance’s interpretation of hand-free devices could include hand radios. He added that staff felt the action of reaching for a microphone isn’t a significant contributor to traffic hazards. Reagor took issue with the wording about voice use on a cell phone.
• Approved 4-3 an ordinance to implement automated speed enforcement measures to enhance existing traffic regulations and improve public safety including speed cameras. The estimated cost is $300,000. Councilors Melanee Hand, Reagor, Neal-Clinton were opposed and Councilor Randall Ryti, Chair Theresa Cull, Vice Chair Suzie Havemann and Herrmann were in support. The goal of this, Sgambellone said, is not bring in revenue – any revenue made would go back into traffic safety – the real purpose is to modify behavior and drive safer. The opposition for this ordinance ranged from feeling it would cost more than $300,000 to believing speed cameras are not the solution but better utilizing police officers is the correct path. Members of the community argued that the speed cameras seemed like an invasion of privacy and the County should work with what it already has to deter bad driving. On the flip side, it was argued that the speed cameras would support safety and reduce anxiety as well as modify bad driving behavior. It was noted that the money for the speed cameras will need to be approved during the upcoming budget hearings.
• Unanimously approved the Los Alamos County Assessor’s Maintenance and Property Valuations plan.