Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance 02-356 An Ordinance of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Amending Article II, Division I, of Chapter 22, Section 22-33 Fire Restrictions and Duties of the Fire Chief, Section 22-35 Appeals, and 22-36 Violations; Penalties
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-356 An Ordinance of the Incorporated County of Alamos Amending Article II, Division I, of Chapter 22, Section 22-33 Fire Restrictions and Duties of the Fire Chief, Section 22-35 Appeals, and 22-36 Violations; Penalties and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council introduce this Code Ordinance.
Body
The Incorporated County of Los Alamos has adopted regulations governing the prevention of fires within the County in Chapter 22 of the Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances ("County Code"). Code Ordinance 02-356 is being introduced to amend Article II, Division I, of Chapter 22 to better define the three stages of fire restrictions. By expressly defining the three stages of fire restrictions, this amendment aims to facilitate better understanding and compliance among County residents and stakeholders. The primary purpose of Code Ordinance 02-356 is to provide enforceable fire restrictions in a comprehensive framework for managing fire restrictions within the County. By codifying these restrictions, the amendment aims to streamline the process of implementation and enforcement, thereby strengthening the County's overall wildfire prevention strategy. Additionally, the amendment seeks to define three distinct levels of fire restrictions that are appropriate for the County and when possible better align with the standards set forth by the United States Forest Service (USFS), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), National Parks Service-Bandelier, Santa Clara and San Ildefonso Pueblo during peak wildland fire season promoting consistency and coordination in wildfire management efforts. The adoption of this Code Ordinance is crucial to safeguarding lives, property, and natural resources from the devastating impacts of wildfires in the County.
The ordinance also clarifies that the Los Alamos County Police Department shall enforce violations of the fire restrictions and adjudication of alleged fire restrictions shall occur in the Municipal Court. The administrative appeal of the interpretation and application of the adopted fire codes remains a quasi-judicial proceeding before the board of appeals described in the ordinance.
Public Hearing Scheduled for 3/5/2024
Alternatives
To continue to utilize the Code Ordinance without amended content.
Attachments
A - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-356