Los Alamos County Council GOALS focused on enhancing…
Quality of life
Economic vitality
Environmental sustainability
Racial equity and inclusivity
Los Alamos County Council PRIORITY AREAS…
Enhancing communication
Increasing the amount and types of housing options
Protecting, maintaining and improving our open spaces, recreational, and cultural amenities
Enhancing support and opportunities for the local business environment
Supporting social services improvement
Improving access to high quality broadband
Investing in infrastructure
Welcome...
to the 2021 Annual Report!
In many ways, 2021 has been a different and stretching year for our community. As the community shifted gears within the COVID-19 pandemic from response to management of the ongoing crisis, County employees continued to deliver exceptional services through new and improved methods, such as online work processing, modified work schedules, and remote working when needed. By identifying ways to improve efficiencies and delivery of services in this unprecedented time, we have been able to prioritize the safety and health of the community and our employees, while also keeping projects on task.
I would like to share just a few highlights you will see outlined in the Annual Report. First, it is important to recognize the important work being done in the fight against COVID-19. In 2021, Los Alamos County and its valuable partners administered almost 26,000 vaccine doses, bringing over 82% of residents fully vaccinated. This effort, combined with the distribution of $1.6 million in CARES Act funds to our local businesses have played a vital role in keeping the County healthy and strong. The County also created the COVID-19 Committee to identify needs within the community and increase relevant communications and education. These efforts continue into 2022.
Significant progress has been made across the County in housing projects under construction. The Canyon Walk Apartments on DR Rd. are nearly complete, adding 70 new low-income qualified units, and in White Rock, the Mirador Subdivision moved forward with its mixed-use project to add an additional 60 rental units. The Hill apartments and the Bluffs, a new senior-focused housing development, also broke ground in late 2021. And the Arkansas Place housing is making good progress towards completion in 2022. Combined, these projects will add 473 new housing options to Los Alamos County. Look for new projects, such as the Canyon Road and North Mesa housing projects, to move forward in 2022.
In our efforts to strengthen and support our local businesses, our Community Development Department has made great strides in several areas in 2021. The Downtown Master Plans for Los Alamos and White Rock were approved by Council in October 2021, as well as new language addressing cannabis sales and zoning for Chapter 16 of the County's Code. Council also approved moving forward with the designation of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area in the White Rock town center. The Chapter 16 and 18 updates project began the important process of education and gathering community feedback for the development of recommendations to go to Council in early 2022.
In early 2021, site plans for the new Marriott hotel and conference center were approved. The project has been faced with delays due to increased construction costs owed to resulting from the pandemic. DP Rd. Improvements Phase 1 was completed, improving the roadway and providing the needed infrastructure for the new housing projects. Phase 2 infrastructure improvements to support DP Rd. businesses will go to bid in 2022, with construction starting later in the year.
Several projects aimed at improving quality of life were completed or made significant progress in 2021. The Leisure Lagoon addition to the Aquatic Center is nearly complete, with an anticipated opening by summer of 2022. The Piñon Park Splash Pad in White Rock opened to great praise in June 2021, providing a spot to cool off and play throughout the summer season. The Ice Rink addition and improvements were completed in 2020, and a celebration was held at the start of the winter season in 2021. The County hosted the Ice Wolves hockey team for a highly successful event in December 2021, and we look forward to an annual collaboration with the organization in our new facility. And finally, the Canyon Rim Trail Underpass was completed in fall 2021, providing a connection to the Entrada Business park, as well as linking the trail system on the north side of NM502.
Finally, a variety of infrastructure projects made progress in 2021 – most noticeably with the completion of the State Department of Transportation’s NM502 roundabout project. Work also began on State Road 4 at the Truck Route intersection. Construction to widen and improve the intersection will begin in 2022. The Urban Trail Corridor Phase 1 and 2 design moved forward, with construction scheduled to begin in summer 2022. The $30 million budget for replacement of the White Rock Wastewater Treatment Facility was approved by Council in December 2021, kicking off that project. The new plant should be operational by 2023. A new Social Service office space was opened in fall 2021 on Diamond Dr. near the Health Commons, creating a one-stop-shop for social services in the community. Plans to redevelop the WAC Building got underway with several meetings with the public to solicit feedback. Public meetings also began to involve the public in discussions about the ADA Audit and Transition Plan, the Golf Course Improvements project, the Tween Center, new tennis courts, and community gym facilities. All of these projects are expected to move forward in 2022.
Despite the coronavirus impacts encountered by the County, I am proud of our employees and their demonstrated ability to adapt, change, and in some cases, reinvent the way we deliver services, to keep things running smoothly. Our economy has been fairly resilient in the County, thanks to a continued hiring boom by LANL, and I am confident as we close out 2021 that 2022 will be a year full of opportunity, new challenges and options for economic growth. We will continue to move ahead with the Council’s goals while providing citizens with the most cost effective and exceptional services every day. My door is always open to you – please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Steven Lynne, Los Alamos County Manager
COVID-19: Pandemic
Responding to a Crisis & Maintaining Operations
March 2020 - Pandemic began:
At the close of 2021
- 975 positive cases of COVID-19
- 840 recovered
- 10 deaths
- 41,600+ COVID-19 tests
January 2021: 36 vaccine clinics held
Partners:
- New Mexico Department of Health
- Nambe Drugs
- Trinity Urgent Care
- Los Alamos Retired & Senior Org
- More than 30 volunteers
25,772 vaccine doses were administered:
- 82% of Los Alamos County fully vaccinated
- 58.9% of eligible minors fully vaccinated
- 48.9% of eligible citizens 18 years or older receiving a booster
Essential services maintained:
- Police and fire protection
- Refuse and recycling collection
- Water, electricity, and natural gas delivery
Methods of operations:
- Teleworking
- Phasing essential work crews
- Masking
- Social distancing
- Disinfecting work sites and vehicles
- COVID-19 testing
- Self-isolations and quarantines
Creative ways to meet community needs:
- Curbside services at the Libraries
- LIVE Streaming of summer virtual concert series
- Hybrid ScienceFest and a hybrid Water Festival
CARES Act Funds distributed: $1.6 million
County COVID-19 Committee:
- Created in Nov. 2021 to provide a County point-of-contact for the community
- COVID Newsletter to the Community Started Dec. 2021
Priority Area: Enhanced Communication & Transparency
New Website
County is in the process of replacing its webpage:
- Staff is in contract negotiations
- Upon awarding a contract: Design, Information migration, Training users
- Anticipated launch Spring of 2023
Update the Communication Plan
County staff is updating the 2015 Communication Plan:
- Incorporate Council priorities into communication efforts
- Inform residents on why and how public policy decisions are made
- Inform County employees to disseminate consistent messages
- Engage stakeholders in the community
- Engage the public
- Build community trust
- Revise the social media policy
- Reinforce branding
- Measure and track the effectiveness of the Plan
County staff will present the draft Plan to the Council in early 2022.
Tyler Notify and MyCivic 311 Software
County Council approved two modules to assist in improved communication with Los Alamos citizens:
Tyler Notify
- Leverages existing ERP systems for the County to disseminate messages
- Targeted audiences can be reached through phone, email, and text messages
My Civic Engagement
- Mobile app built to increase civic engagement
- Citizens can push information to the County and track progress until the issue is resolved
Los Alamos County’s Enterprise Resource Planning Director is currently working with the Customer Care Center and Tyler Munis to implement these two programs in 2022.
Priority Area: Increase Housing
Mirador Subdivision
Final Stage of Development (White Rock):
- Construction of 161 houses on the north side of SR4 in White Rock
- Final phase of Mirador approved by the P&Z in early 2021
- 60 units of multi-family rental units
- Expected to begin construction in late 2022
Canyon Walk Apartments
Affordable Housing on DP Road:
- Encompasses three acres of land donated by the County for construction of 70 one-, two- and three-bedroom units
- Construction is near completion
- Ready to lease to low-income qualified tenants by February 2022
The Bluffs
Site Plan Approved for Seniors Affordable Housing:
- 64-unit apartment complex
- Low-income qualified tax incentive project
- Located across the street from A-9 on DP Road
- Affordable housing specially designed for Seniors
- Scheduled to be completed by early 2023
Schools’ Housing Project on North Mesa
- Several design workshops with focus groups and the general public
- Entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with LAPS in November 2020 to proceed
- Continue to explore options
Arkansas Place
New Housing Under Construction:
- 44 single-family homes on the site that was once home of “The Black Hole”
- Should be completed in 2022
Canyon Road Housing
Site Plan In Progress:
- Private property on Canyon Rd will add 100 units
- Expected to submit for rezoning and site plan in 2022
The Hill
New Apartments for Rent Coming Soon:
- 144 apartments to be completed by the end of 2022
- Canyon-edge property – former location of the Site Office
- Road improvements will be made to Trinity Drive in 2022
Land Use Committee
Exploring Options for New Housing:
- Focused on land use that will support businesses and housing, while balancing open space
- RFP for two County-owned parcels issued in fall 2020: Located on Trinity Drive to be sold to interested developers; Pet Pangaea, LLC submitted the successful proposal for the parcels in January 2021; New pet store with four apartments planned
Programs Continue to Help with Home Repairs and Purchases
The Community Development Department continues offer low-income qualified individuals in two ways:
Home Renewal Program
- 6th year with a budget of approximately $200,000
- Low-income homeowners in Los Alamos County
- Financial assistance and technical assistance
- Upgrades that promote energy efficiency, accessibility and other necessary home repairs
- Eight applications in 2021
Homebuyer Assistance Program
- 4th year with a budget of $150,000
- Low-income qualified can apply for assistance
- Low-interest loan for a down payment
- Loans range from $8,000 to $25,000
- Three loans were approved in 2021
Priority Area: Open Spaces, Recreational, & Cultural Amenities
Women’s Army Corp (WAC) Dormitory Project
- In 2021, several meetings held to solicit feedback from citizens on proposed improvements, future use and potential impacts to adjacent neighborhoods
- The County plans to advocate that the facility be registered with the National Register of Historic Places
Golf Course Improvements
- $4.524M Council Approved Budget
- Approximately $2.6M spent to date on design services and installation of new irrigation system
- Approximately $1.9M remaining budget
- The scope of work for the next stage of improvements will be conducted in a phased approach per Council’s direction to County staff
Community Gyms, Tennis Courts and Tween Center
- Meetings in 2021 have been exploring scope, development process, and site locations
- A joint session of Council and School Board is scheduled in early 2022
ADA Audit and Transition Plan
- To improve accessibility for those in our community with disabilities
- Focused on recreational facilities in our community which include athletic fields, picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, and other amenities
- Seeking input regarding barriers of use that citizens may have experienced
Ice Rink Improvements
- Budget of $1.2 million
- Construction was completed in Nov. 2020
- Due to the pandemic, the celebration of this accomplishment was delayed until December 2021
Splash Pad at Piñon Park
- Grand opening in June 2021
- Included in the 2017 Recreation Capital Expenditures, approved by Council
- Conveniently located in Piñon Park adjacent to the Library, Youth Activity Center, restaurants, trails, and more
Leisure Lagoon
- $9.6 million budget
- Anticipated completion in 2022
- Includes a slide and play features
- Upgrades the lobby, main building infrastructure and replaces the flat roof replacement over the lobby and offices
Canyon Rim Trail Expansion
The ADA compliant Multi-Use Trail crossing was completed under NM502 in fall 2021. It connects to the existing Canyon Rim Trail on the south and Entrada Drive to the north.
Bike Flow Trail
Potential for single, day-use events through Los Alamos Canyon
Priority Area: Support Local Businesses
Hotel/Conference Center Moves Ahead
- 85 rooms on County-donated property on Trinity Dr
- Conference center that can seat up to 300 people
- Site plans were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission in Jan. 2021
- Project is delayed due to increased construction costs associated with the pandemic
- Council denied a request in December 2021 from the developer to amend the Project Participation Agreement (PPA) to extend the date that the hotel and conference center shall be completed and fully open for operation
DP Road Phase 2 Improvements
- Council approved $4.5M for design & construction
- Infrastructure improvement and economic development project to create opportunity for improved land development along DP Rd
- 60% Design Review in December 2021
- 90% Design are on schedule to be delivered at the end of January 2022, with a review meeting scheduled for February 17, 2022
- Expect final design to be completed in mid to Late March, then bid and award of contract by May/June, 2022 and then construction to start soon thereafter
Local Economic Development Act (LEDA)
Under LEDA, the State can administer grants to local governments to enter a “public private partnership” for an economic benefit. LEDA can be used to reimburse eligible expenses for hard assets. The County also can act as the fiscal agent for State funds contributed to a qualified project.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
In addition to funding households, small businesses and schools, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides relief funds to state, local, and tribal governments that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Assistance Program Toolbox
- COVID Recovery Assistance
- Workforce Development/Training
- Consultation for Design Services
- Targeted Grants by Business and Project Type
- Commercial Loan Down Payment Assistance
- Commercial Loan Interest Rebate
- Public Participation Agreement: Reimbursement for Land Acquisition; Reimbursement for Land Preparation; Reimbursement for Public Infrastructure and Facilities
Downtown Master Plan
- Two-year project initiated by Los Alamos County
- Project encompasses two phases: Phase 1 - Create Downtown Master Plans for Los Alamos and White Rock downtown areas; Phase 2 - Update of the County’s Chapter 16 Development Code
- Develop strategies to address the economic and population growth projected for the County
- The Downtown Master Plans for Los Alamos and White Rock were approved by Council in 2021
Metropolitan Redevelopment Area
Council approved moving forward with the designation of a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area in the White Rock town center in 2022.
Chapter 16 Updates
- Work on the update to Chapter 16 should be completed at the end of 2022
- Cannabis zoning
- Cannabis retail
- Public meetings will be held in early 2022 to seek feedback
Chapter 18 Updates
- The update to Chapter 18 is underway with recommendations going to Council in 2022
- CDD issued a Code Enforcement survey to the community through a third-party contractor in Dec. 2021. Final report to be presented in early 2022
- Public meetings will be held in early 2022 to seek feedback
Tourism Strategic Plan Implementation
Tourism Implementation Task Force split their efforts into work groups:
- Events work group: Developed a schedule of all events; Developed a contact spreadsheet; Conducted a survey with event organizers to assess gaps and support needed
- Outdoor Recreations work group: Hosted Zoom sessions with state’s Outdoor Recreation Division Manager; Held special panel discussion to encourage new business start-ups to provide outdoor industry support services
Tourism Marketing, Measures & Management
County and its tourism partners used the downtime in 2021 to improve several aspects of the visitor experience:
- Participated in the New Mexico Tourism Department’s free FY21 Recovery Readiness Initiative
- Worked with Google experts and tourism marketing consultants: Updated Google listings for businesses and attractions; Audited and enhance our website experience; Increased our social media postings; Focused on outdoor experiences; Produced videos and photos—a $27,750 value at no cost to the County
June 2021 marked fresh beginnings:ew scopes and contracts for tourism marketing and visitor center services contractors
- Developing new scopes and contracts for tourism marketing and visitor center services contractors
- Revamping creative messaging on ads, posts, and public relations
- Teaming with Datafy to use “geo-fencing” to collect actual demographic and in-market data
- Focusing on implementing a new customer service training program
- Providing group marketing support for visitors attending events
New Suite of visitor orientation materials:
- Located in 29 information kiosks strategically located across the County
- Designed to greet and orient visitors and new residents and serve as tools to guide their stay
- Managed by the County’s visitor center services contractor, who is tracking distribution and effectiveness at each location
Branding
- Revisited our brand tenets: “For those who never stop questioning what’s possible, Los Alamos County, in the elevated outdoors of Northern New Mexico and home to the Los Alamos National Lab, is where some of the world’s best brains power the breakthroughs that shape our world, where you are challenged to think bigger and live brighter"; “Los Alamos. Where Discoveries Are Made”; Where we cultivate curiosity and deliver a-HA moments
- Began initiating place making projects to improve our customer service and place marketing projects to the people we want to come live, work and recreate in Los Alamos
- Anticipated launch for these programs in 2022
Lights, Camera, Action!
The Los Alamos Film Office (LAFO), comprised of the Film Liaison and other County staff, assist in location scouting, resource referrals, permitting, communication between local public safety officials, traffic control, and helping production crews to facilitate the cost-effective and efficient operations required by this industry.
In 2021, the New Mexico film industry had established its COVID-Safe Practices and began welcoming film projects of all sizes back to the state. The Los Alamos Film Office facilitated scouts and/or productions for five different projects:
- God is a Bullet: feature film starring January Jones and Jamie Foxx - scenes at the White Rock Overlook
- How the Universe Works: Series episode, interview conducted at Pueblo Canyon Inn & Gallery
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Saving Bikini Bottom: Scout and prep only of downtown locations
- Two yet-to-be-named films about the Manhattan Project filmed in European locations
- LAFO and its partners hosted a series of scouts for the new Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer scheduled to film at the Oppenheimer House, Fuller lodge, the WAC Dorm, and the Performing Arts Center in spring 2022
Priority Area: Social Services
Social Services Division –New Office
- Opened a new office space in fall 2021
- Created a one-stop-shop for social services in the community
- Located near the Health Commons, a local food distribution location, the Los Alamos Medical Center, UNM-LA, and Los Alamos High School, the new office will be more visible and accessible to the community
Mobile Recreation Van
- Used during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring science, history and art programming into the community
- Designed to get kids ages 5 - 14 out and active
Comprehensive Health Plan
Los Alamos County Council approved the Los Alamos Health Council’s process to develop a Comprehensive Health Plan in Dec. 2021. The Plan will seek to answer 4 questions through a series of steps to gather data, solicit input, conduct interviews to identify:
- What are the barriers to achieving individual and community health and well-being?
- Who do these barriers affect, and why?
- What is the socio-economic impact of reduced health and wellbeing?
- What was learned and what can be done, building on past efforts and existing services, to address the barriers in evidence-based, doable, sustainable, equitable, and cost-efficient ways?
Priority Area: Infrastructure
Coordinating on Utility Infrastructure Needs:
Carbon Free Power Project (CFPP)
- BPU and Council are pursuing an option to add nuclear generation to its power generation portfolio though Utilities’ membership in the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) with a cost target of $58/MWh
- Proposed project to construct a nuclear generating facility in Idaho using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology
- The CFPP will be the first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project in the United States; and the first SMR project to be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Will also enable and complement the development of wind and solar energy
The Resiliency, Environmental and Sustainability (RES) Task Force
- Created in late January 2021
- Final report is due February 2022
- Will include recommendations on how the County can achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions and advance other sustainable practices in the face of climate change
New Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
- Will be funded by the Volkswagen Settlement grant to install EV charging stations at the Municipal Building and the White Rock Visitor Center
- Project completion scheduled for late 2022
Replacement White Rock Wastewater Treatment facility
- $30 million budget
- Construction will begin in 2022
- Replace the aging White Rock Wastewater Treatment facility with a water resource recovery facility
- Both wastewater treatment plants are going to produce much cleaner effluent water
- The plant will be operational by 2023
San Juan Generating Station (coal-fired plant)
- Los Alamos County will be exiting the San Juan Generating Station in 2022
- A portion of this energy will be replaced with 15 MW of firm power through a Power Purchase Agreement with Uniper (Wind and Solar projects to be built in New Mexico)
Urban Trail Corridor
- Design of Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2021
- Environmental/Cultural studies and clearances for this portion of the project finished in late 2021
- Phase 2 of the project will be a multi-use path that begins at Spruce Street where Phase I concludes
- Construction documents will be assembled and both Phase 1 and 2 should be built beginning in Summer 2022.
The project will help connect businesses, tourism, retail, schools, parks, recreation, and residences as envisioned in the Bicycle Transportation Plan. Completion increases the County’s chances to achieve a higher level bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.
- Phase 1 of the trail is funded for design and construction in FY 2021/22 for $700,000
- Phase 2 is funded in FY 2020/22 for $3,605,000
- The County will supply a 14.56% local match required by the grants, totaling approximately $102,000 for Phase 1 and $525,000 for Phase 2.
NM502 Roundabout Completed
- Completed in Summer 2021
- Through the year, the County invested significant staff time and effort on behalf of the community to keep Los Alamos represented
State Road 4
- Construction by the State to widen and improve the Truck Route and New Mexico State Road 4 intersection
- Will add capacity and help reduce traffic congestion
- Improve access into Tsankawi (of Bandelier National Monument)
- Utility infrastructure improvements began fall 2021
- Construction is planned for Summer 2022
Environmental Sustainability Plan
- Updated annually
- In process of revising the metrics and goals
- Targeted efforts support the Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability Task Force (LARES)
- Priority work continues: Food-waste education and diversion efforts; Wildlife protection; County’s facility condition assessments
- Virtual and COVID safe events were held: Annual Clean Up LA Day; Recycle Art Fair and Fashion Show; Outreach booths at Farmer’s Market; Participation at PEEC’s Bear Festival; People’s EcoChallenge
- Zero Waste articles and short videos are published to engage the community
- Zero Waste team has distributed ~300 backyard composting kits in 2021
New Food Composting Feasibility Study Near Completion
- Working with a contractor to conduct a food waste composting feasibility study
- Goal is to have a pilot project and eventually provide more options for the community to engage in food scrap composting
- Study is near completion and recommendations will be provided to the Environmental Services Board and County Council in Spring 2022
Operation Save the Bears
- In FY22, County Council allocated $2.4M from the general fund to purchase bear resistant refuse containers for households and businesses
- Contract agreement goes before Council Jan. 2022
- County has identified a vendor that produces fully-automated bear resistant roll carts and 1360 carts will be deployed in Spring 2022
General Questions & Information
Customer Care Center - 505.662.8333
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