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

A group of passionate community members’ efforts paid off to make Los Alamos a Bee City USA affiliate; County Council unanimously approved 6-0 to adopt a resolution to support the Bee City certification during its regular meeting Tuesday night. Councilor Keith Lepsch was absent.

Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson explained the resolution is one step in becoming an affiliate. The next step will be to apply to Bee City USA to finalize the County’s membership. Other steps, she said, include forming a committee, installing a Bee City street sign, identifying a host and a facilitating organization to be the Bee City sponsor, developing a website and implementing pollinator habitats. Matteson added the County’s pest management plan will be adhered to.

Some of these steps have been accomplished; Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) will be the host and facilitating organization and it will develop the website, she said.

Matteson commended the residents who pushed for Los Alamos to receive this certification as well as the County staff especially resident KokHeong McNaughton and Community Services Department Director Cory Styron.

“I really recognize that group of passionate community members and staff members,” she said.

Several community members spoke in favor of the resolution, including PEEC Director of Programs Kristen O’Hara.

“…This commitment through the resolution will include planting native plants reflecting our dedication to environmental stewardship, acknowledging the interconnectedness of living organisms and the responsibility to protect and conserve natural resources for future generations,” she said. “This Bee City designation provides not only education opportunities for all ages, fostering awareness of bees’ vital role, but also assisting practices (that) empower residents to make informed choices that benefit both the environment and our community. This initiative will also foster collaboration among local entities, encouraging partnerships to create bee friendly environments and strengthen our sense of community.”

Resident and Bee City committee member Craig Martin also expressed support.

“I support this resolution because it will help maintain the biodiversity of both Los Alamos and the Jemez … this resolution supporting the bees and plants will help maintain the beauty of Los Alamos and our three surrounding national park units and I urge you to continue your support for the environment in Los Alamos, for the education of the public on wildlife issues … and also for supporting native pollinators,” he said.

In another environmental issue, council passed 5-1, with Councilor David Reagor opposed, the action plan for the previously accepted recommendations made by Los Alamos Resiliency, Energy and Sustainability task force.

Reagor said he supported all the recommendations and their corresponding strategies but questioned the recommendation to set up a cut-off date for new natural gas hook-ups.

Los Alamos County Sustainability Manager Angelica Gurule explained to create this action plan, there were engaged discussions to define achievable actions, identify resource needs, address potential concerns and develop practicable and impracticable solutions. She added with a focus on timeliness, actions were prioritized with two timeframes: one that was quick and could be achieved in six months and a second that was more long term and would need more effort. Many of the actions will require investment and will be presented for the council’s consideration during the upcoming budget approval process.

In other business, council:

• Unanimously re-elected Denise Derkacs as chair and Theresa Cull as vice chair.
• Received a State of the County presentation by Derkacs that detailed the county’s accomplishments and progress in addressing council’s 2023 strategic goals and priorities.
• Unanimously approved the annual resolution establishing the minimum standards for public notice of county meetings and the 2024 council meeting schedule.
• Unanimously approved the FY2023 annual comprehensive financial report with auditor’s opinions.
• Learned that Pet Pangaea has withdrawn its purchase of one of the lots on 20th Street.
• Received a brief overview of snow removal operations in the County. Public Works Department Director Juan Rael explained the snow removal plan is approved annually by the County Transportation Board. Streets are divided into priorities one, two and three. Priority one streets are main arterial roads such as Diamond Drive and Trinity Drive. Priority two streets are other roads and priority three are residential streets, which are the biggest number. He added not all sidewalks are plowed; just those that are included in the safe routes to schools and those located in the downtown area. One of the biggest things Rael said his department hears about is where snow is dumped. He explained drivers either plow down the middle of the road or go edge-to-edge. To make things easier for both residents and drivers, Rael said it is recommended that cars are not parked on the street. He added drivers are assigned to one particular area and they are responsible for addressing all the issues for that one area.