Highlights From Jan. 28 Council Meeting
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Improvements to the irrigation system at Overlook Park, entering a power purchase agreement to be supplied with energy from sustainable sources and a modification to the electric energy and power coordination agreement between Los Alamos County and the Department of Energy were among the items approved during the regular County Council meeting Tuesday night.
Council Approves $800,000 loan/grant from New Mexico Finance Authority
Council unanimously passed an ordinance for a $800,000 loan/grant from the New Mexico Finance Read More
DPU Recieves Roadrunner Award From Quality New Mexico
DPU Manager Philo Shelton
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
After a rigorous application process and a thorough site visit, Quality New Mexico awarded the Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) its Roadrunner distinction.
“We’re pleased to get this award,” DPU Manager Philo Shelton said. “In the feedback report, there’s more good than bad.”
Some of strengths highlighted include DPU’s engagement with their customers. Shelton pointed out that DPU has included the community in several committees such as the Future Energy Resource Committee. Read More
Red Flag Gun Bill ‘Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act’ Steeped In Controversy Clears Senate Panel
By JENS GOULD
The New Mexican
In an emotional hearing before hundreds of supporters and detractors, a state Senate panel narrowly passed a high-profile gun bill today that would allow law enforcement to obtain a court order to confiscate guns from people considered dangerous.
The Senate Public Affairs committee voted 4-3 along party lines in favor of Senate Bill 5, known as the “Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act”.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The legislation is a marquee item on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s agenda and likely to be one of the most contentious Read More
Right Of Way Maintenance On Canyon Road Jan. 28-31
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets Department will be performing right-of-way maintenance along Canyon Road between the Los Alamos Jewish Center and 15th Street.
Work will commence Jan. 28 and end Jan. 31.
Crew will be setting up a flagging operation starting at 8:30 am each day and ending by 3:30 pm.
Vehicle traffic is urged to slow down in this area and follow all traffic diversion devices and to watch for crews working in the area as well as pedestrian traffic.
For questions or concerns, Call 505.662.8113 or email us at lacpw@lacnm.us. Read More
County Notice Of Possible Quorum Jan. 30
CDD Director Discusses Building Permitting Process
Community Development Department Director Paul Andrus
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The process a commercial property owner needs to maneuver through to receive a building permit and ultimately a certificate of occupancy isn’t always easy.
The ability to be open for business may involve additional expenses, hiring contractors and architects and sharing design plans and work scopes with building officials.
The process can feel aggravating and lengthy but one piece of advice Community Development Department (CDD) Director Paul Andrus offers for any Read More
County Invites Public To North Mesa Housing Study Meeting At Municipal Building Thursday Jan. 30
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County and its consultant will host a public meeting on the North Mesa Housing Study at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 in Council Chambers (1000 Central Ave).
The County is seeking to create a design concept for workforce housing on approximately 30 acres of land located on North Mesa, east of the Los Alamos Middle School, between the school, soccer fields, North Mesa Road and San Ildefonso Road.
The land is owned by the Los Alamos Public Schools District. The overall goal for the project is to generate a concept that can be carried into design and development.
Preliminary work Read More
Fifteen Talented Spellers Compete In Los Alamos County Spelling Bee At Chamisa School Wednesday Night
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus poses with County Spelling Bee winners, from left, first place winner 7th grader James Hudlemeyer, second place winner 6th grader Penelope Barry-Hoffman and third place winner 8th grader Veronica Parra Wednesday night at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock. Hudlemeyer will move to the next round of competition in Santa Fe. ‘My favorite thing about school is that once you learn, you can apply your learning in real life,’ Hudlemeyer said. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
There was a fierce battle for third place, with many Read More
On The Job In Los Alamos: Instructing County Hires
On the job in Los Alamos Thursday morning at the Municipal Building is gas, water and sewer Deputy Utilities Manager Jack Richardson, standing, presenting orientation to recently hired County employees. #worklosalamos #wherediscoveriesaremade Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com Read More
Major Economic Impact: Los Alamos National Laboratory Spent $396 Million With New Mexico Businesses In 2019
LANL employed 12,041 people for a total of $1.16 billion in salaries in 2019. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
- Economic impact data shows gains in procurement contracts to small business, job creation, and economic development projects
New numbers for fiscal year 2019 show Los Alamos National Laboratory’s big impact on New Mexico’s economy, as the Laboratory employed 12,041 people for a total of $1.16 billion in salaries and contracted with small businesses statewide for $288.6 million.
“Los Alamos National Laboratory is a major economic driver in the region, and we are fully committed to strengthening Read More
Public Meeting On Sign Code Ordinance Canceled
COUNTY News:
The public meeting on changes to the Sign Code Ordinance, which was scheduled for Jan. 29, is canceled.
The meeting will be rescheduled for a later date.
Read More
2020 Census Complete Count Committee Gathers For Strategy Meeting At Municipal Meeting Today
The 2020 Census Complete Count Committee meeting this morning at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building. The County Council recently created the committee to plan and conduct local educational initiatives, publicity and promotional activities to increase community awareness and participation in the 2020 Census and to work with the Census Bureau and the New Mexico 2020 Statewide Complete Count Commission. The committee is hard at work advocating for participation in the 2020 Census. Census data is used in the distribution of approximately $675 billion in federal funding to communities Read More
Community Development Advisory Board Meets Jan. 21
County Planning And Zoning Commission Jan. 22
Arts In Public Places Advisory Board Meets Jan. 23
Labor Management Relations Board Meets Jan. 21
Oops … Street Sign Mishap
Local resident Amanda Smith spotted a new sign being installed Thursday on Nickel Street and pointed out that it was misspelled: ‘Nickle’. The good natured installers removed it and promised to return with a corrected sign soon. Photo by Amanda Smith Read More
DPU Seeks Volunteers For Conservation Committee
DPU News:
The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will be updating its energy and water conservation plan this year to meet state and federal requirements.
As part of this process, DPU is inviting customers to volunteer to participate in a committee to develop conservation initiatives to recommend to the Board of Public Utilities.
Los Alamos businesses and citizens who are interested are encouraged to complete a survey of interest online.
The businesses link is: https://ladpu.com/Business-InterestSurvey and the citizen link is: https://ladpu.com/Citizen-InterestSurvey Read More
DPU Reminds Residents To Keep Meters Clear Of Snow
DPU reminds residents to maintain access to and clear snow and ice off meters. Courtesy photo
DPU News:
With the recent snowfall in Los Alamos, officials with the Department of Public Utilities would like to remind customers to maintain access to and clear snow and ice off meters.
This will ensure that DPU can bill customers on actual meter reads rather than estimating reads.
Meter Technician Supervisor Edgar Castillo asks customers to check gates if meters are in the backyard.
“Make sure your gate can open and close without obstruction of snow and ice,” he said. “Clearing your meters of snow Read More
Letter To The Editor: County Snow Removal Crews Deserve Our Thanks And A Raise
By REID PRIEDHORSKY
Los Alamos
I write to express my appreciation to county snow removal crews.
This season, they have worked both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and now they’re working again overnight. It is hard work, the hours are bad, and it takes a lot of time and expertise.
I am currently sitting in my pleasant living room while the snow stays comfortably outside.
I think it is important for citizens to keep in mind that the reason they are warm and safe at home is other human beings. There are lots of people performing essential labor that’s easy to forget about when done right.
In this case, it’s Read More
