County

A crowd of citizens lines up to pull a ticket out of a bowl, from the County’s Julie Habiger, for a chance to speak during tonight’s public comment portion of the special CIP meeting in Council Chambers. Speakers hope to sway councilors to approve their project. Six main projects are being considered tonight although other projects may ba considered as well. Tonight’s meeting format allows for 30 speakers given 3 minutes each before Council decides on which projects to approve. There are some $100 million worth of projects and only $22 million in available funds so Council Read More

LOS ALAMOS COUNTY COUNCIL News:

Los Alamos County has announced the process for CIP public comment for tonight’s (Wednesday, May 16) County Council meeting:

1. Beginning at 5:45 p.m. (the meeting starts at 6 p.m.) anyone wishing to give comments should plan to line up in Chambers and draw a ticket (a number) out of a bowl. One ticket can be drawn per person. Members of the public may arrive earlier than 5:45 to get a seat in Chambers, but, should note that the drawing won’t begin until 5:45 p.m. – no early ticket distribution.


2. As each ticket is drawn out of the bowl, one half of the ticket

Progress is being made on the new Visitor Center in White Rock. The parking lots are being paved, windows are going in, and stone facing is being added to the exterior. Photo by TK Thompson/ladailypost.com. Read More

No action was taken tonight. The County Council will its second special Capital Improvement Project meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Council Chambers at 475 20^th Street. At tomorrow’s (May 16) meeting, Council plans to take action on the Phase 2 applications including Ashley Pond Park Improvements, Golf Course Improvements, Ice Rink Cover and Improvements, Nature Center, Teen Center and the White Rock Civic Center or they could also consider any other requests for funding capital projects beyond those listed. Opportunities for public comment will be provided at the May 16 Council meeting. Read More

Denny Erickson, right, explains details of the White Rock Civic Center Project – calling it the capstone of the White Rock Masterplan. The project involves relocating the White Rock Branch Library, Senior Center, Youth Activity Center and Town Hall into a single site with shared and multi-functional areas. The project cost ranges from $8.4 million to $15 million. Robert Repass of the Library Board and Pauline Schneider of the senior centers join Erickson in his presentation. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Daniel Yamada, left, who helps run the current Teen Center, Executive Director Linda Daly of the Family YMCA and Alan Kirk address the need for a permenant Teen Center ranging in cost from $4 million to $8.7 million depending on the option selected. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Local school girls in the auddience tonight at the Council Chambers hold up signs in support of the Nature Center Project, which Council is considering. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

PEEC Co-founder and Board President Becky Shankland, second from left, discusses the proposed $3.5 million Nature Center project along with PEEC Co-founder and Board Member Michele Altherr, far left, Board Member Felicia Orth and PEEC Co-founder and Facility Director Chick Keller. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Fred Roach, at left, serves on the Ice Rink Subcommittee and is answering Councilor questions.County Recreation Manager Randy Smith, right, briefed Council on the $1.5 million needed to fund renovations at the Ice Rink. He is asking for $245,000 to redo the crumbling parking lot and $1.277 million to renovate the facility’s restrooms and locker rooms. Mark Rochester, center, of the Hockey Tournament Association is telling Council that the restrooms are a huge safety, ADA and Title 9 issue. Girls don’t have anywhere to dress, he said. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More

Randy Smith, far right, discusses various options to the proposed $9.888 million golf course project if funded in a single year. He also is speaking about a phased renovation approach stretching over four years. The cost under this scenario would be $11.3 million and would include $2 million in year one, $2.9 million in year two, $2.5 in year three and year $3.9 in year four. Scott Weiss, far left, of the Los Alamos Single Track Association representing open space and trail users is speaking in favor of the improvements. County Media Specialist David Griggs and Deputy County Administrator Steve Read More

Duck Buddies Committee Chair Sallye Sibbett speaks to Council about the need for improvements to Ashely Pond, which she said has not been ungraded since 1973. County Parks Manager Dick McIntyre, center, and Consultant George Radnovich are preparing to speak about the project as well. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Consultant George Radnovich explains that the $1.9 million project includes renovating the sidewalk, which does not meet ADA requirements and to improve the water quality that is now is poor as well as a stage and shade structure and a boardwalk, both of which would be difficult Read More