Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-05, A Resolution of Support Authorizing Application for Funding Assistance to the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the Federal Fiscal Year 2026+ Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program for the Piñon Elementary School Trail Connection Project
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-05, A Resolution of Support Authorizing Application for Funding Assistance to the New Mexico Department of Transportation through the Federal Fiscal Year 2026+ Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program for the Piñon Elementary School Trail Connection Project.
County Manager’s Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Resolution No. 25-05.
Body
New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has announced a call for projects under the Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for funding cycle Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026+ and established an application submittal deadline of March 14, 2025. The application requires a resolution of sponsorship as part of the application process. Design and Construction activities, along with construction management needs are eligible through these funding programs.
In 2021, Los Alamos County applied for and was awarded funding for the NM4 Crossing and Multi-use Trail Project that will provide pedestrian and bicycle connectivity between the Mirador Subdivision, located on the north side of NM4, and Downtown White Rock, located on the south side of NM4, through a mid-block grade crossing across NM4 which also includes improvements to the trail network within the County owned Piñon Park with a connection to the northwest corner of Piñon Elementary School where an existing internal trail begins. The NM4 Crossing project is in the design phase and construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
Since the original NM4 Crossing Project was developed, the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) have undertaken a project to construct a new facility for Piñon Elementary School. This new site design has opened the possibility of upgrading the trail segment and providing a public access trail along the western side of the school property from Piñon Park to Grand Canyon Drive. The concept of this Piñon School Trail connection was presented at the December 5, 2024 and February 6, 2025 Transportation Board Meetings during presentations on the NM4 Crossing and Multi-use Project. Although not the focus of the presentations, the school trail connection received support, and the Transportation Board passed a motion to recommend the County work with Los Alamos Public Schools on this connection. Los Alamos Public Schools is supportive of providing an easement to the County for this trail and a draft public access easement for this segment of trail is under review. A map of the proposed project has been attached (Attachment A) for reference.
In January, the County submitted a Project Feasibility Form (PFF) to the Northern Pueblos Regional Transportation Planning Organization (NPRTPO) as part of the application process. In February, a project review meeting with NMDOT Planning and District 5 staff and NPRTPO representatives was held to discuss the project scope. This project was deemed eligible for TAP and RTP funding and a recommendation to submit an application was made.
If the application is successful, the County anticipates a project award of TAP and/or RTP funding for project Construction in FFY2026. Construction is estimated to cost $700,000. If funding is awarded, it would be comprised of $598,080 (85.44%) in federal funds and would require a county match of $101,920 (14.56%). Additionally, this trail segment can be included in the bid package with the NM4 Crossing and Multi-use Trail Project to take advantage of the economy and timing this larger project can offer.
As part of the Grant Application, the County must provide a resolution affirming its commitment to fund, build, and maintain the project. Resolution No. 25-05 has been prepared to meet these requirements. The Resolution has been advertised as required. A copy of Resolution No.25-05 and the Notice of Legal Publication is attached for reference (Attachments B and C).
Alternatives
Failure to approve the resolution will result in the County being ineligible to apply for or receive TAP or RTP funds for FFY2026+.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
County match funds could potentially come from Budget Savings from other CIP Projects. Should the County receive the grant award, staff will return to Council with a Budget Revision to establish the formal project budget.
Attachments
A - Project Map
B - Resolution No. 25-05
C - Notice of Legal Publication
D - Grant Analysis and Financial Matrix Form