By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved the purchase of a historic home on Juniper Street during Tuesday night’s meeting.
According to the staff report, the owners of the home, which is immediately adjacent to the west of the Historical Museum and north of the Fuller Lodge parking lot, offered to sell the property to the County.
The agreed price is $725,000. It is further stated in the staff report that the property has a lot of historic significance to the town; it ties back to the Ranch School and contributes to the historic district.
County Manager Steven Lynne said what the County would do with the property isn’t known yet, but it could be used as a visitor center. He added that staff will develop a programming plan for the home as part of the next budget cycle.
Councilor David Izraelevitz noted even if the County decided to resell the property it would be able to ensure that the home would be preserved as a historic structure.
Councilor Denise Derkacs said she supported the purchase.
“This Boys School/Manhattan era building – it is a historic asset to the County … I think this is an excellent opportunity for the County to purchase this property,” she said.
County Council also unanimously approved other agenda items amending the salaries for several elected officials including Municipal Judge, County Assessor, Sheriff and Probate Judge.
Additionally, it was unanimously approved to authorize an amendment to the lease that T-Mobile has for a cell phone tower on North Mesa. The amendment allows for an antenna as well as some equipment to be replaced to improve the cell phone company’s broadband.
The council voted 7-0 to approve the County’s comments on the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Site-wide Environmental Impact Statement (SWEIS). Its comments covered a range of topics including consideration of potential effects and impacts on the public, air, water, topography, wildlife, cultural sites and socio-economics due to radiological and other hazardous materials. Council further moved that the report be formatted in a way that offers clarity and easy understanding of its findings.
In other business, council:
Passed 6-1 with Council Chair Randall Ryti opposed to place the resolution for supporting New Mexico Constitutional Amendment No. 2 on the Oct. 18 meeting agenda.
If passed by voters, the amendment would allow for state funds to provide essential services such as water, electric and broadband primarily to residential areas. This type of investment would not be prohibited due to the state’s anti-donation clause. Many on council felt a few things about the resolution needed to be clarified before voting on it.
As Councilor David Reagor said, everyone supports this but “we just want to clarify a few issues before the vote.” Ryti pointed out that scheduling the agenda item for the Oct. 18 meeting would be a little late since voting would have already begun.