Los Alamos County Council honored out-going Councilors Katrina Martin, far left, Pete Sheehey, third from right, and Antonio Maggiore, far right, during its regular meeting Dec. 15. Courtesy/LAC

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

Los Alamos County has done, and is doing, a lot in response to climate change and environmental sustainability. But there is still more work to do.

During the regular council meeting Dec. 15, Los Alamos County Council unanimously agreed to form a task force, the Los Alamos Sustainability and Resiliency Committee, and appoint its members no later than the Jan. 26 regular council meeting. Council Vice Chair Randall Ryti volunteered to serve as council liaison on the task force. Its purpose is to research all possibilities to reach a net zero greenhouse goal in the County and present recommendations to Council.

This agenda was brought to the council by citizens. Katie Leonard and Heidi Rogers presented the petition. Leonard said more than 180 people signed the petition in two weeks.

As far as what this task force would look like, Leonard and Rogers suggested it include representatives from various County Boards and Commissions including the Environmental Sustainability Board, the Transportation Board, the Board of Public Utilities, Planning and Zoning Commission as well as community members.

Councilor David Izraelevitz said he had a few reservations with this suggestion. He pointed out that existing boards and commissions have trouble recruiting members and it might be a strain to ask board members to do more.

He added he felt it might be more advantageous to pause forming the task force until the new councilors start their terms in January so they could weigh in on it.

Councilor James Robinson disagreed. He pointed out the task force that focused on the animal shelter was able to form quickly and present recommendations to the council. The Los Alamos Sustainability and Resiliency Committee could be formed in a similar way, he said.

Ryti also said he felt that the task force could be formed prior to the new council. He suggested that the petitioners could form the charter for the task force and submit it to council before the end January.

During public comments, several residents urged the council to act now rather than later to create the task force.

As Zero Waste Team member Sue Barnes said, Los Alamos has already experienced first-hand the effects of climate change.

“I’m pretty sure most or all of you have experienced first-hand the impacts of climate change,” she said. “You likely had to evacuate once or twice in advance of devastating wildfires racing in our community and dealt with the recovery afterwards … we are also in the grips of a prolonged drought and have already seen increasing temperatures far beyond normal for this area. All to say I am sure I don’t need to convince you of the reality of climate change nor the potential for severe impacts on our community and the need to take action is obvious. So, the question then is how to take that action and I believe this petition outlines the best course …”

FSN/Las Cumbres Contracts Approved

Besides approving the task force, Council OK’d several items when approving the consent agenda. Two of these items were contracts for the Family Strengths Network and Las Cumbres.

According to the staff report, Las Cumbres was awarded funds not to exceed $256,251 for family resources, support and parent education programs with a focus on intervention and treatment. Family Strengths Network was awarded funds not to exceed $205,132 for family resources, support and parent education programs with a focus on promotion and prevention. Each contract is for two years.

These contracts were results of lengthy discussions, important community input, and the desire to get contracts in place to provide some stability for the providers and recipients of services over the next couple of years; in the coming year, a gap analysis that takes a holistic look at the County’s youth and family services to identify potential needs, overlaps and coordination to effectively serve the community will be conducted, Council Chair Sara Scott said.

Ordinance for Sale of Property Introduced

Council introduced an ordinance for sale of County-owned land located at 3661 and 3689 Trinity Dr. to Pet Pangaea. The ordinance will be considered for approval during the Jan. 5 meeting.

While he will not be on council at that time, Councilor Pete Sheehey encouraged his fellow councilors to approve the sale.

“I won’t get to vote on this proposal when it comes before council next year, but I certainly support it,” he said.

Sheehey added three “very good” proposals were submitted for the property.

“I am very hopeful we can find some property for the other two and for anyone else to move the community forward,” he said.

Liquor License Transfer Approved

Additionally, Council unanimously approved a transfer of ownership for a liquor license for New Mexico Innovation Triangle, LLC d/b/a Hilltop Hotel.

Sheehey encouraged the applicant to return to council and report on their plans about the Hilltop Hotel property.

Councilors Antonio Maggiore, Pete Sheehey and Katrina Martin honored

The Dec. 15 meeting was the final one for Councilors Antonio Maggiore, Pete Sheehey and Katrina Martin.

They each offered a few words regarding their time on council.

It was a roller coaster experience for Maggiore. He said he witnessed one “dysfunctional” council and one “really functional” council and had to go through a recall process.

Despite the wild ride, Maggiore said he was honored to serve.

“It’s really been a real distinct pleasure, honor (and) at times painful experience to serve with all of you and representing this community has truly been one of the high points of my life,” he said. “Thank you all for making the experience as memorable as it has been.”

Martin said while her time on council was short – she served a two-year term after former Councilor Christine Chandler was elected to be District 43 State Representative – Martin said she felt she had learned and grown a lot.

“It has been such as pleasure and honor to serve with all of you and to serve and represent Los Alamos County,” she said.

She may be stepping down for now, but Martin said she hopes to run for council again in the future.

Looking at his eight years on council, Sheehey said, “Thank you to the people of Los Alamos for the opportunity to learn and serve for the last eight years. I am grateful for all the support I received … We’re a fortunate community in many ways … I hope more people will become involved to make this a better, more just, greener place.”