Inclusivity Task Force hears working‑group updates on trainings, accessibility audit, safe‑parking and transit

Members of the Inclusivity Task Force reported progress across their working groups and outlined near‑term steps on training, accessibility audits, transit and housing‑support ideas.

The working‑group updates matter because they shape the task force’s recommendations to county staff and identify community needs for accessibility, safety and inclusion. Reports covered training costs and targets, a draft ADA audit, a proposed safe‑parking model, transit service use, and possible cultural projects.

Tina (BIPOC Cultural Working Group) said the group is exploring a bystander intervention training through Resolve; “It does cost $1,500 for the 5 hour workshop session,” she told the task force, and the working group discussed whether to target boards and commissions first or expand into broader community sessions. The same group suggested a field trip to the Los Alamos Historical Museum to review exhibit representation and accessibility, and discussed outreach on the Peace Crane statue and a longer‑term idea for a Native American cultural center.

The Accessibility Working Group reported 48 survey responses to date and that roughly 15% of respondents provided phone contact for follow‑up. Kaoh Kyung said cards and an online form are in circulation at county offices and service providers. The group scheduled a hybrid meeting to review a 34‑page ADA audit and is arranging guided tours of the demonstration garden and an assessment at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church for input from people with disabilities. Task force members discussed producing tactile maps at the library for visually impaired users; one member reported a certified teacher of the visually impaired had volunteered to assist.

Rachel, who attended a recent transportation board meeting, said the county’s bicycle working group has a report the task force should review and noted an interactive pedestrian plan website that could capture inclusive feedback.

James (Economic Equity Working Group) described a safe‑parking model for people sleeping in vehicles: social services has identified “at least 10 individuals or families that could use such a program immediately,” he said. The program discussed would limit participants to people employed in the county or using social services; suggested supports included rotating host parking lots, portable toilets with combination locks, on‑vehicle carbon monoxide detectors, access to showers through community partners, a code of conduct and self‑policing among participants. James said the group prefers a low‑profile pilot to demonstrate feasibility before pursuing zoning or ordinance changes.

On utilities and housing, James said many Los Alamos homes lack 200‑amp electric service needed for full electrification; council discussion mentioned on‑bill financing as a potential funding pathway and referenced a Santa Fe Housing Trust program that assists households up to 140% of area median income with utility upgrades.

Other items reported: the county’s Saturday door‑to‑door transportation service is operating (9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.) and has seen demand; Councilor Reitie reported the assessor’s data shows about a 10% loss in commercial space over a six‑year period; and a Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) presentation, run by the administrative office of the courts, was noted as relevant to justice‑system diversion work.

Task force chairs asked members to supply draft report templates and suggested smaller, Wednesday‑afternoon trainings as a pilot before funding larger workshops. Several members volunteered to coordinate museum visits and to collect further data for final working‑group reports. No formal votes were taken on the working‑group initiatives during the meeting.