Responding To Los Alamos County’s Direction To Reduce Personnel To Curtail Spread Of COVID-19 Utilities Department Will Limit Staff Yet Continue Essential Services
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos, New Mexico—In response to Los Alamos County’s direction to reduce personnel to curtail the spread of COVID-19, the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will have limited staff effective Wednesday, March 18.
Department officials state, however, that DPU will continue to provide essential services – electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services – to the Los Alamos and White Rock communities.
Customer Care representatives are available only by phone 505.662.8333 or email CustomerCare@lacnm.us 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday to verify Read More
County Cone Zone Report Suspended Until Further Notice
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County’s “Cone Zone” reports, which are published Friday afternoons via email, on the County webpage and through news releases with updates about roadwork coming up the following week, is being suspended until further notice.
The suspension is being put into place temporarily because of limited County staffing and resources focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
News media will still receive information from the New Mexico Department of Transportation or other contractors if there are changes in road construction such as a change in traffic patterns or Read More
Los Alamos County Employees Move To Essential Services And Telecommute To Limit Impact Of COVID-19
Los Alamos County Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. in downtown Los Alamos. Courtesy photo
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has announced additional plans for limiting the impact of COVID-19. These plans address County employees and provision of services.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18:
- Employees providing essential services who have the ability to work from home (telecommute) are being given assigned work and County-issued laptops. Department Directors have identified employees that fall within this category, including any employee who may be at higher health risk if they contract
Atomic City Transit Ends Fixed Route Services Wednesday
COUNTY News:
Because of low ridership, Atomic City Transit announced today that bus fixed-route services will be suspended effective Wednesday, March 18.
ACT will still be operating Dial-a-Ride services 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with reservations accepted up to one day in advance. Call 661-RIDE for information. Read More
Canceled: National Drug Take Back Day April 25
LAPD News:
The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) has announced that the National Drug Take Back Day scheduled for April 25 has been canceled.
Effective immediately, LAPD WILL NOT taking in any unwanted medications. LAPD will announce at a later date when medications may be dropped off again. Read More
Board Of Public Utilities Moves Meeting To March 25
Board of Public Utilities News:
The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has rescheduled its March 18 meeting to occur one week later at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave.
While Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) staff will present to the BPU in council chambers, BPU members will participate by phone. This social distancing is to comply with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Officials encourage citizens to live-stream the meeting and submit public comment via email.
Included on the Read More
All Los Alamos County Boards And Commissions Meetings Are Canceled – Except BPU – Through Friday, April 10
COUNTY News:
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, all County Boards and Commissions meetings, with the exception of the Board of Public Utilities meeting March 18, have been canceled through Friday, April 10.
Canceled: County Personnel Board Meeting March 17
COUNTY News:
In alignment with Los Alamos County’s policies for limiting the impact of COVID-19, the decision has been made to cancel the County Personnel Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28.
Further announcements will be issued should the April meeting be canceled or rescheduled. Read More
Councilor James Robinson Discusses COVID-19 Pandemic
By JAMES ROBINSON
Los Alamos County Council
Good morning Los Alamos,
I personally wanted to first begin by thanking all those workers in our food and retail service. The last week has brought a tremendous amount of change to our daily lives, and every one of you has handled the crowds with grace and patience.
I also would like to give thanks to our amazing community. As soon as it was announced the schools and other services were closing, social media groups were created to help organize volunteers to get those people who are in need what they require to get through this trying time.
When the need comes, Read More
Senior Center Buildings Close BUT Services Are Available
The Betty Ehart Senior Center and White Rock Senior Center buildings are closing effective Monday for the short term as a precaution to COVID-19.
However, the senior center food and transportation services remain operational. A daily drive thru, pick up lunch is available noon to 1 p.m. and can be reserved by leaving a message by 10 a.m. at each center:
Make lunch reservations by 10 a.m. at:
- White Rock – 505.672.2034; and
- Los Alamos – 505.662.8920.
COVID-19: Los Alamos County Provides Updates, Announces Additional Closures Taking Effect Monday, March 16
Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave. File photo
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott provided updates this morning regarding the County’s policies for limiting the impact of COVID-19.
“The community has done an amazing job of taking required actions, recommendations, and caring behaviors to heart; we are making a difference,” Scott said. “However, public health concerns continue to evolve as does the context for how our community is and will be affected, including school closures and the return of community members from college and travel.”
Scott Read More
County Assessor’s Office Remains Open For Business
County Assessor Ken Milder
COUNTY News:
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and recent reports of closures, the Los Alamos County Assessor’s Office would like to inform the public that staff will continue to conduct business and provide services without changes for the foreseeable future.
Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, the Assessor’s Office will continue coordinating with the Emergency Management Office and County Manager to align with other proactive measures being taken.
During this emergency situation, ensuring the health and well-being of the public and staff is the top Read More
County Addresses Contractors, Service Contracts, Facilities
County Manager Harry Burgess
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Manager Harry Burgess sent a letter Friday to contractors who operate a variety of County facilities on behalf of the County, assuring them that they could continue to receive monthly compensation in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Burgess sent the letter to the executive directors of the Los Alamos History Museum, Pajarito Environmental Education Center, which manages the Nature Center, the Fuller Lodge Arts Center and the Arts Council.
The executive directors expressed concerns to the County about financial impacts, should Read More
Canceled: Environmental Sustainability Board Meeting
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 19 has been canceled due to safety precautions regarding COVID-19. Read More
Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office To Limit In-Person Services in Response To COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
COUNTY News:
As a result of Governor Lujan Grisham’s declaration of a public health emergency this week, due to reported COVID-19 cases in New Mexico, County Clerk Naomi Maestas is taking proactive measures, beginning Monday, March 16, and until further notice, the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office will suspend all in-person services and transactions.
Customers may drop off items in its designated drop-box located outside the Clerk’s Office, and the items will be mailed back to customers after processing. Any urgent matters needing in-person services, will be handled through appointments Read More
Los Alamos County Library System Addresses COVID-19
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Library System issues response to the COVID-19 Outbreak:
Los Alamos County is monitoring the current outbreak with the goal of taking appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of the community.
At this time, the Library System is taking the following measures:
- Furniture has been reconfigured to increase distance between seated individuals in library spaces.
- Toys and crayons have been removed from the youth areas.
- Borrowed item returns are being routed away from service desks and towards drop boxes to decrease the number of people handling them.
Canceled: County Council Work Session March 17
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott made the decision earlier today to cancel the upcoming work session scheduled for March 17.
In making this decision, she noted that with the emerging situation surrounding COVID-19, it is prudent to exercise caution and support similar efforts to limit the spread of the disease.
“Given that work sessions are not a required meeting according to County Code, unlike stated requirements for twice-monthly regular County Council meetings, it seems appropriate to cancel this specific work session, especially since the limited number of Read More
Los Alamos Council Chair Sara Scott Addresses COVID-19
By SARA SCOTT
Chair
Los Alamos County Council
Our County is facing challenges to our health, economy and personal stress levels – concerns regarding the Coronavirus are evolving rapidly and we are all responding to new information, significant closures, and public health orders daily. As a community, this is a chance for us to show how much we care for each other.
We’ve been through challenges before and what I’ve seen from folks in town these past few weeks doesn’t surprise me – from the sincere interest by so many in what they personally can do to limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to rapidly Read More
Postponed: Coffee With A Cop And Athletes
LAPD News:Los Alamos County Issues Update On COVID-19
County Manager Harry Burgess
COUNTY News:
County Assessing, Monitoring Impacts on County Services
The Los Alamos County Emergency Management Office and County Manager continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in cooperation with the State Department of Health and new directives being issued.
County Manager Harry Burgess said today that he expects Situation Reports from Department Directors by the end of today regarding their assessment of their department and a variety of factors that might impact County services in the near future.
Burgess said that planning is underway Read More
