Los Alamos County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Los Alamos County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
North Mesa Recreation Area
Council moved an extra $1 million from a contingency into the North Mesa bike park phase one on top of $500K in the FY 27 budget, to speed progress. Councilor Cull voted against it, worried about dedicating money before design is done.
Fire Station #4 Art Project
The county has $20,000 set aside for art at the new fire station, but a bigger commissioned piece could be done by pooling funds with the state — costing the county at least $80,000 and taking two to three years. The board wants a month to think before recommending anything to Council.
Walkup Aquatic Center Closure and East Park Pool Partnership
The Aquatic Center's $3.3 million rehab hit a pump manufacturing delay, keeping the pool closed into January 2027. Twelve residents urged the county to help keep East Park Pool open with lifeguards or support, but staff said procurement rules, staffing shortages, and lifeguards' unwillingness to work outdoors block a quick deal; an Española MOU is being finalized.
Piñon Pool reopening under county operation
The county leased the Piñon Pool property for a nominal $1 and spent months cleaning, repairing and inspecting it. It reopens May 23 with daily hours, but repairs come at county expense since the lease is essentially free.
Olympic Pool Mechanical System Improvements
The aquatic center's 38-year-old Olympic Pool pumps are being replaced with a redundant pump-and-filter setup so one failure won't shut down the pool. Work happens during the current closure, with swimmers expected back by November.
Library Annual Report
Circulation of physical items is declining while digital use and adult programming grow, and staff say they can't add programs without more resources. The data will feed the library's strategic plan.
Ashley Pond Safety Improvements Design
The council picked boulders with plantings to keep vehicles from leaving the road at Ashley Pond, matching 70% public support from 592 survey responses. Boulders may be donated by a White Rock contractor, cutting the ~$120K estimate.
Ashley Pond Safety Improvements
The county is replacing the jersey barriers at Ashley Pond with three options — crash-rated bollards, bollard-planter combos, or large boulders with native plants — and residents can vote online; boulders are currently leading.
Ashley Pond Bollards
The county wants to replace temporary Jersey barriers around Ashley Pond with permanent crash-rated protection before festivals draw big crowds. Three design concepts — seat bollards, rustic planters, and natural boulders — are being voted on by the public, and all cost roughly $100,000. The preservation board recommended the natural boulder option as the most sympathetic to the historic landscape.
Brewer Arena ADA and Safety Improvements
The arena's old grandstand and pavilion were torn down after a safety study found them unsafe and the site non-ADA compliant. The council approved $2.87 million total to rebuild with a new elevated grandstand, pavilion, ADA restrooms, parking and chip-seal sidewalks, with substantial completion by July 2027.