At the podium, Executive Director DeAnza Valencia Sapien of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities with Deputy Director Yasine Armstrong, right, and Program Assistant Caitlin Terry make an annual presentation to the Los Alamos County Council Tuesday evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Regional Coalition of LANL Communities Executive Director DeAnza Valencia Sapien made an annual presentation to the Los Alamos County Council Tuesday evening.
Sapien explained that The Regional Coalition is comprised of eight cities, counties and pueblos surrounding Los Alamos National Laboratory including Los Alamos County, the City of Española, Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, City of Santa Fe, Taos County, Town of Taos and Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh.
The Regional Coalition was founded in 2011 and works in partnership to create one voice to ensure national decisions incorporate local needs and concerns, Sapien said, adding that the organization’s focus is environmental remediation, regional economic development and site employment, and adequate funding for LANL.
Sapien presented Council with a snapshot of LANL’s investment in Los Alamos County. She said that 3,772 employees and contractors live within Los Alamos County. As of February of this year, LANL paid $414,431,455 in annual base salaries to employees living in the County, excluding contract and craft employees.
In FY-12, LANL purchased $193,827,533 in products and services from Los Alamos County businesses, Sapien said. The Lab also awarded $88,000 in academic scholarships to Los Alamos High School and UNM-LA students in 2012. LANL employees donated 1,981 volunteer hours locally to various STEM initiatives in FY-12. The annual LANL Employee Giving Campaign raised $2,577,633 in 2012. LANS donated $78,935 to 106 nonprofit organizations in 2012 on behalf of LANL employees and retirees. LANL Laces provided $650 for 26 shoe gift cards for students at Los Alamos Public Schools and LANL’s School Supply Drive provided 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to needy elementary and middle school students.
The Regional Coalition was formed through a Joint Powers Agreement and all of the participating municipalities provide funding for the Regional Coalition’s operating budget. 2013 member invoiced contribution amounts include:
- $150,000 Los Alamos County;
- $10,000 City of Santa Fe;
- $10,000 City of Española;
- $10,000 County of Rio Arriba;
- $10,000 County of Santa Fe;
- $5,000 Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh;
- $3,500 and City of Taos; and
- $3,500 County of Taos.
In addition, the Regional Coalition receives funding from the Department of Energy to further its mission of environmental remediation. DOE contributed $100,000 in FY-13.
The Regional Coalition Board of Directors includes Chair Mayor David Coss-City of Santa Fe; Vice-Chair Mayor Alice Lucero-City of Española; Secretary/Treasurer Commissioner Danny Mayfield-Santa Fe County; Commissioner Alfredo Montoya-Rio Arriba County; Councilor Andrew Gonzales-Town of Taos; Commissioner Joe Mike Duran-Taos County, Ron Lovato-Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh; Los Alamos County Councilors Fran Berting and Steven Girrens.
Girrens is scheduled to accompany staff from the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities on a trip to Washington, D.C. next month.
