Los Alamos County Council immediate past Council Chair Randall Ryti stands with newly elected Vice Chair Theresa Cull, left, and Chair Denise Derkacs. Courtesy/LAC

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

The first order of business for the first Los Alamos County Council meeting of 2023, held Tuesday, was to elect a new chair and vice chair. Vice chair Denise Derkacs was elected chair while newly elected Councilor Theresa Cull was elected vice chair.

Derkacs and Cull said they were grateful to receive the positions.

“I am honored to have been elected as chair of county council,” Derkacs told the Los Alamos Daily Post. “I hope to manage council meetings efficiently and conduct County business expeditiously to accomplish the work of the people we represent, to provide optimal services for our residents, and to serve the diverse needs of our community.”

Cull told the Daily Post, “I was honored to be selected as vice chair of the Los Alamos County Council for 2023. Although I’m a little apprehensive as a first-year councilor, I believe my management experience will enable me to perform well in this position. I am also willing to dedicate the extra time needed for this position and I look forward to serving the County in 2023!”

In other business, council:

• Unanimously approved a resolution which establishes minimum standards of notice to the public for all council meetings, the County Indigent Hospital, County Health Care board and all the County commissions, appointed committees and boards meetings.
• Received a list of the boards and commissions and the number vacancies, if any, each have. The vacancies will be discussed further during the broader discussion on boards and commissions slated for the Jan. 24 meeting.
• Heard from County Manager Steven Lynne that meeting agendas will now feature the tickler report, which lists topics scheduled for future meetings. Additionally, Lynne reported that the County has successfully recruited to fill its Social Services Manager position. The new manager will begin Feb. 6. Regarding the loss of beloved goose, Homer, Lynne said the community has reached out to County staff to see what, if anything, has been done to assist with the second goose, known as Edna. He said County staff do not manage the wildlife at Ashley Pond and are “hands off” with any of the geese. Lynne also reported on the progress made for awarding American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. So far, $250,000 has been awarded to nine recipients. One of the big challenges, he said, is making sure applicants submit all the necessary documentation. Lynne also touched on the process to update the rules and regulations for the North Mesa Stables, which has involved County staff meetings with a sub-committee of stable owners. The current version was circulated to owners in November, owners’ input was received, and the final version sent out to stable owners this week, Lynne said. There will be a 60-day window before the new rules and regulations are official. Cull asked if there are any controversies regarding the new rules and regulations. Deputy Manager Anne Laurent said one concern is that the County might be interested in using the land the stables are located on for future housing. Laurent said this is not an option that County plans to pursue as there is a legacy deed restriction on the property. Another concern was related to the wording in the rules and regulations for a volunteer committee. The wording regarding the committee needed to be clarified, she said.