City Council shorts

LANL CLEANUP

Issue: A resolution requesting the state Environment Department to strengthen its cleanup order with Los Alamos National Laboratory. The measure also calls for increased cleanup funding, significant additional safety training and a suspension of a planned expansion of plutonium pit production at the lab “until safety issues are resolved.” Discussion: Councilor Mike Harris had critiqued the proposal at committee meetings and encouraged Councilor Renee Villarreal, who introduced it, to make changes. Harris said the heavily amended resolution “represents a lot of work” and commended Villarreal, asking to be added to it as a cosponsor before it was unanimously approved. “Team effort,” Villarreal said, smiling, before casting her “yes” vote. What’s next: A copy of the resolution will be sent to Gov. Susana Martinez, top state legislators, the state’s congressional delegation, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Butch Tongate, secretary of the state Environment Department.

AIRPORT RENAMING

Issue: A resolution renaming the Santa Fe Municipal Airport as the Santa Fe Regional Airport. Discussion: None. Councilors approved the renaming item as part of Wednesday’s consent agenda. What’s next: Roadside signs identifying the airport by its new name already have been erected.

DRUG ABUSE TASK FORCE

Issue: The establishment of a municipal drug strategy task force to study the city’s problems and identify and recommend long-term solutions for drug and alcohol abuse. The task force will comprise 20 volunteer members from local government agencies, service providers and addiction experts. Discussion: Councilor Chris Rivera: “There are other states out there already way ahead of us in the game, and I hope we look at that … and incorporate those ideas.” Councilor Joseph Maestas also introduced a resolution requesting the city manager work with Santa Fe County toward joint legislation “to address the opioid crisis.” What’s next: The task force will host public conversations and monthly meetings and develop a community strategic plan within six months.

UNDERPASS CONTRACT

Issue: A roughly $120,000 contract increase for the city’s construction management firm for the Acequia Trail Underpass was approved. Discussion: Councilor Mike Harris had expressed concern about project management; a representative of the construction management firm told Harris the firm would not seek any additional fees after its contract expired Dec. 1. What’s next: The target date for the multimillion-dollar underpass beneath St. Francis Drive to open to the public is Dec. 1.