Title
Incorporated County Of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-283, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8, Article III Of The Los Alamos County Code Of Ordinances To Clarify Membership Eligibility And Duties And Responsibilities Assigned To The Historic Preservation Advisory Board.
Recommended Action
I move that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. No.02-283, an ordinance amending Chapter 8, Article III of the Los Alamos County Code of Ordinances to clarify membership eligibility and duties and responsibilities assigned to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board and ask the staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council adopt Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 02-283.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) approved the changes to Chapter 8, Article III at its Wednesday, March 7 HPAB meeting.
Body
The County is applying to the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (NMHPD) to become designated as a Certified Local Government (CLG). This designation is designed to promote the identification, evaluation, nomination, and protection of cultural resources and properties in the County. This certification formalizes a partnership between Los Alamos County and the NMHPD which will expand access to grant funding established annually by the NMHPD that could fund activities such as building rehabilitation projects, feasibility studies, and National Register nominations. It also provides access to historical technical advisory assistance from the NMHPD.
As part of an outreach effort to promote the CLG designation, the Historic Preservation Board members and CDD staff attended the Farmers Markets on May 3, and May 10, and the Friday night Gordon Concerts at Ashley Pond on May 25, and June 1. The purpose of this outreach was to explain to residents the purpose and importance of receiving the Certified Local Government designation for preserving and maintaining the historic treasures in Los Alamos. The board also wanted to stress that the CLG certification does not entail the establishment of an Historic District which would constitute an entirely separate and robust community outreach process for consideration.
County staff also held a special meeting on April 24, 2018 with community leaders active on historic preservation issues including current and past HPAB and Historical Society members and also including Atomic City Tours and the Bradbury Museum. The group expressed unanimous support for this application. The Executive Director of the Los Alamos Historical Society was unable to attend that meeting but has also expressed her full support for this effort as well.
If approved by Council, the application will be signed by the Council Chair. Attachment C contains selected portions of the CLG certification application with an emphasis on maps, photos, historic facts on all federal, state historic and cultural assets and resources in the County.
Alternatives
Council may choose to maintain current Ordinance No. 02-283 as written.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
Staff will be able to apply for State and Federal grants on behalf of the County and HPAB to further historic preservation goals including maintenance and preservation projects.
Attachments
A - Publication Notice
B - Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 02-283.
C - Federal and State Historic and Cultural Inventory - Selected Sections of the CLG Application