BY LWVLA OBSERVER CORPS
Editor’s note: Members of the League of Woman Voters of Los Alamos Observer Corps have been providing LWV members with reports on certain meetings in the County for many years. These reports have been included in the LWV’s monthly newsletter and now, at the invitation of the Los Alamos Reporter, will also be submitted to the Reporter for publication. The video of the full meeting may be seen at https://losalamos.granicus.com/player/clip/4774?view_id=2&redirect=true
Observer Corps Report — County Council – May 19, 2026
Longview Drive Project; Trinity Drive Diet and ADA Improvements; Gas Rate Ordinance; Inclusivity Board
The session was attended by Councilors Randall Ryti (Chair), Theresa Cull, Melanee Hand, Suzie Havemann, Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton, and David Reagor.
Building Demolition for the Longview Drive Project
Council unanimously approved a task order for All-Rite Construction to demolish three buildings on County-owned land along Longview Drive in White Rock. The approved project budget is $750,000.
Providing background on the request, Public Works Director Eric Martinez presented redevelopment plans for the White Rock Town Center, highlighting the boundaries of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Area and the target area surrounding Longview Drive. He explained that the roadway realignment project is intended to create a safer and more efficient transportation network and requires the removal of three vacant buildings.
Demolition work is expected to begin in June and be completed by August. The tentative timeline for the broader Longview Drive realignment project includes conceptual design, public engagement, land acquisition, and preparation of final design and construction documents, with construction anticipated to begin next year.
Trinity Drive Road Diet and ADA Improvements
County Council voted 6–1 (with Councilor Reagor in opposition) to award the Trinity Drive/NM 502 Safety and ADA Improvements project to Hasse Contracting for $7.12M in roadwork and utility work.
Jennifer Morrow, Engineering Project Manager, outlined the project’s key elements, which include a hybrid road diet for Trinity Drive, along with pedestrian crossing upgrades, new bus stops, and the installation of a pedestrian-activated flasher at 20th Street opposite Ashley Pond. She also noted that the project is fully funded through grants.
Councilor Reagor opposed the project, expressing a preference for bicycle infrastructure designs that would provide greater separation between bicycle traffic and motor vehicles along Trinity Drive.
Proposed Gas Service Rate Changes
Council introduced a code ordinance to increase gas service rates following a recommendation from the Board of Public Utilities, which reviewed this proposal during its work session on May 6, 2026.
A public hearing on the proposed rate changes is scheduled for June 9, 2026.
According to the County staff report included in the agenda packet, the proposed increases are driven by financial shortfalls in the Gas Fund. The FY2025 audited net income for the Gas Fund reflected a loss of $489,267, and the projected net loss for FY2026 is approximately $2.36 million. Officials stated that the rate adjustments are intended to stabilize revenues, maintain current operations, and rebuild cash reserves needed for future infrastructure investments.
Proposed Inclusivity Board
Council voted unanimously to direct the County Manager to move forward with development of a code ordinance to form the Inclusivity Board.
For more information about activities and membership in the League of Women Voters in Los Alamos, go to https://my.lwv.org/new-mexico/los-alamos