The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Board approves grant for Lemmon Valley flood and stormwater plan: The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, awarded $450,000 for the Lemmon Valley Flood and Stormwater Advance Assistance Design and Planning Project. This grant will be used to plan, analyze and develop a design for construction projects to address the flood and stormwater needs of Lemmon Valley. The funding will also allow for identification and planning for upstream sedimentation basins and enhance new and expanded wildlife and wetlands areas. The grant requires a $150,000 match from Washoe County, either in cash or in-kind.
2. Commission conducts public hearing on “dangerous dog” ordinance: In June, Washoe County Regional Animal Services Director Shyanne Schull presented possible changes to the county code related to dangerous dogs, and sought direction from the Board. Today, the Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments to Washoe County Code Chapter 55 (Animals and Fowl). The amendments include repealing a section duplicative of state law related to harboring a vicious dog; adding a section making it unlawful to fail to quarantine or surrender for quarantine biting animals or animals that have been in close contact with an animal suspected or known to have rabies; adding a section governing euthanasia of vicious dogs; amending provisions related to: the definitions of “dangerous” dog, “vicious” dog, “animal,” “substantial bodily harm” and “provocation.” The amendments also pertain to the determination process of what a dangerous dog is, as well as exemptions under which a dog may not be found dangerous or vicious and the requirements for registration. Other details of the proposed amendments can be found here.
“Ms. Schull, you have been so proactive since you’ve been here in fleshing out these issues and cleaning up the code,” Chair Vaughn Hartung said. “Most people don’t realize that code is a living document. I want to thank you for being proactive to make sure that we have these definitions because ambiguity in the law is not good, and that’s the important part of this. I genuinely appreciate it.”
Today’s action was a first reading and required no vote from the Board. A second reading will be conducted on Sept. 13.
3. Washoe County presents bill draft requests for 2023 Legislative Session: Washoe County is permitted to introduce two bill draft requests (BDRs) each legislative session. Today staff sought direction from the Board of County Commissioners on two BDRs that will be pursued in the 2023 session. During the Board’s strategic planning session in January, staff solicited input on BDRs from county departments and commissioners. Out of the six items submitted, staff is recommending the following two:
- Change NRS 111.273 to redact discriminatory language in property records. This would provide authority to the Board to pass an ordinance that would allow the Recorder’s Office to review county records and redact discriminatory language and covenants. In 2021, this discriminatory language came to light, and Commissioner Alexis Hill allocated funding from the District 1 Special Fund so that homeowners could submit a denouncement of the discriminatory language on their property records. Due to the current NRS, the language could not be removed.
- Modify NRS 484D.200 to allow county vehicles to use blue tail lamps to enhance roadway safety. The NRS was modified in 2017 to allow Department of Transportation vehicles to use the blue tail lights, and modified again in 2019 to allow contractors of NDOT to use the lights. This BDR would extend the privilege to county vehicles for construction, maintenance, and road repair. Blue tail lights are easier to see from a greater distance and in inclement weather, and come standard on heavy equipment.
“These are difficult. It’s a lot of work to put these BDRs in and identify the needs of the county, being as robust as we are and what we need to address during the session,” Commissioner Bob Lucey said. “It’s through leadership – Manager Brown and Assistant County Manager Kate Thomas – to identify those real needs and how we can carry those bills and navigate the legislative waters in Carson City. I also want to point out our County Recorder Kalie Work did a lot of work to allow for an evolution of these laws to make sure that we’re addressing discriminatory terms and covenants that prevent individuals from changing recording documents. This is important work, and I’m very proud that these are the two bills that we are bringing forward.”
4. County Commissioners receive presentation on broadband expansion to Gerlach: In June, the Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to expand broadband internet access to the area in and around Gerlach. The cost of construction, $2.4 million, will be fully funded by the State of Nevada Office of Science, Innovation and Technology, and federal funds for technology. Today, Office of Science, Innovation and Technology Director Brian Mitchell presented an overview of the vision and implementation of this project.
“In my 2 ½ years as county manager, I’ve never seen a state resource step forward to me as county manager to offer resources to help expand services in our county. Mr. Mitchell has done that,” County Manager Eric Brown said. “He helped us figure out a way to make the Gerlach fiber build pencil out. We’re also now working with his office to explore how we can use federal and state money to see how we can expand broadband access into other rural areas of the county where we have profound broadband challenges.”
“The Gerlach project would not have been possible without Manager Brown’s efforts to establish strong relationships with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which was essential to getting this project done,” Mitchell said. “They’ve been a great partner to the state and county, and I’m hopeful this will have many more benefits to the community as these relationships move forward.”
5. Board approves agreement for law enforcement services during Burning Man: The Board of County Commissioners approved an agreement between Burning Man Project and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to provide reimbursement for extra staffing in the Gerlach/Empire area during Burning Man, which starts August 28. The cost is estimated around $130,000. More than 70,000 people gather on the Black Rock Desert for the annual event, which increases the demand for law enforcement and safety personnel in the communities near the event.
6. Board appoints three members to advisory boards: The Board of County Commissioners named three residents to serve on advisory boards:
- Ann Medaille and Lea Moser were appointed to the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees for terms through June 2025.
- Charles (Mark) Neumann was named as an alternate to serve on the Senior Services Advisory Board. He will fill this role through June 2025.
With Neumann’s appointment to the Senior Services Advisory Board, all vacancies except a representative from District 4 will be filled. To learn more about the board and to apply in District 4, visit the Boards and Commissions page online.
7. County receives numerous donations for projects and programs: The Board of County Commissioners must approve all donations – in cash or in kind – made to the County. Donations approved today include:
- $20,000 from Lifestyle Homes for the Community Services Department’s Engineering Division’s Crystal Canyon Boulevard Traffic Calming Improvement Project to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety in this County roadway within the Woodland Village in the Cold Springs area. The traffic calming project was initiated by Washoe County, but due to increases of costs beyond the county’s control, the project is expected to run $20,000 over budget. Lifestyle Homes offered to pay the excess in order to purchase and install the identified traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements.
- Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) Child Protective Services Fund received a total of $1,150 from private donations and from Donated Juror Fees, a program through which jurors may donate their fees to CPS. The private donations were $100 from Valerie Cooke, and $570 in memory of Patrick Heyer.
- The Washoe County Senior Services Fund received donations in cash and goods. Cash donations were received from Carolyn Misumi in memory of Frank and Sam Misumi, and from anonymous and Fan Club donations. Other donations of goods included fans valued at $10,035, hygiene and beauty products, books, puzzles, cat and dog food, and more. Visit the Senior Services website to learn how to donate or volunteer.
- The Nevada Center for Juvenile Justice Innovation awarded two scholarships to Washoe County staff to attend the American Probation and Parole Association’s 47th Annual Training Institute in Chicago this month.
8. Commission Chair recommends District Special Funds to Reno Sparks Pop Warner: The Board approved $5,000 of District 4 Special Funds, proposed by Chair Vaughn Hartung, for Reno Sparks Pop Warner, an organization that enables young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment.
“These gentlemen came to my door selling chocolate bars for Pop Warner. It was 100 degrees outside and they could have been doing anything other than this, but they were out soliciting donations for their team,” Hartung said. “They were working as a group to fund their team. I’m extremely proud of this kind of effort because youth sports builds that team spirit and continuity, and builds leadership, and helps them function as a group, even when they disagree.”
9. Commissioners proclaim September as National Emergency Preparedness Month: National Emergency Preparedness Month is observed by local and state entities throughout the United States as a reminder to prepare for any type of emergency, natural or man-made. Today the Board read a proclamation designating September as National Emergency Preparedness Month, and Emergency Manager Kelly Echeverria introduced community partners such as fire departments, Sheriff’s Office, and School District.
“None of what we do as a program could happen without these entities standing here with me,” Echeverria said. “I thank them for their participation in helping our community become more prepared, and as a result, more resilient.”
The Washoe County Regional Emergency Operations staff will be conducting planning exercises at Food Truck Friday and Senior Fest over the next couple of weeks. They will also hold an Alternate Emergency Operations exercise in September.
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