The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. VOA representative presents overview of services for unhoused and vulnerable: Volunteers of America (VOA) Regional VP of Northern Nevada Travis Sandefur presented an overview of the organization’s services for homelessness in northern Nevada. VOA manages the day-to-day operations of the Nevada Cares Campus, the Village on Sage Street, Sierra Manor, the ReStart Program, and the Highway 40 Motel Project.
Sandefur noted that VOA’s goal is to “move people from homelessness to independence with love and dignity.” Approximately 1,900 people in Washoe County experience homelessness each month, and that chronic homelessness amounts to nearly one-third of all emergency room visits in the United States. Addressing and serving the unhoused population alleviates the demand on other emergency services.
“I’m so proud to partner with you at Washoe County and I love that you put the human touch on the work you’re doing,” Chair Alexis Hill said. “We know that half the people at the Cares Campus are seniors, we’re treating these most vulnerable people, and many people who pass through the Cares Campus have never had a home or are former foster kids that we have let down, so I think it’s really good that you’re putting that human touch on that.”
2. Board approves receipt of donations to county departments and programs: The Board voted unanimously to approve the following donations;
- Approximately $22,000 from various donors to support the Lazy 5 Summer Music Series, Galena Campfire Program, and Bowers Mansion.
- Approximately $15,000 from various donors and the May Foundation to support the May Museum and Arboretum.
- $64,000 from the May Arboretum Society to support staffing and general expenses at the May Arboretum.
- $200,000 from the Molina Foundation and approximately $9,000 from the Hess Family, Clasen Quality Chocolate, and the Horning Family Trust to the District Attorney’s Office to cover operational costs of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Nevada.
- $7,150 in gift card donations from the Washoe Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Foundation in support of the Second Judicial District Court, CASA Program.
- Approximately $11,000 in books, toys, and teddy bears from the Reno Rodeo Foundation to benefit the Second Judicial District Court Reading Room Program.
- $2,000 from the Reno Air Racing Association to support the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office for the Citizen Corps Program.
3. Commissioners reappoint two members to wildlife board: The Board voted to reappoint Matt Melarkey and Coby Rowe to the Washoe County Advisory Board to Manage Wildlife for three-year terms to end on Aug. 1, 2027. Both members were previously appointed in 2022. The wildlife board members must be citizens of Nevada and bona fide residents of the county from which they are appointed and be hunters, trappers or anglers or engaged in ranching or farming in the county.
4. Board accepts grant to support construction of the Canepa Ranch Trailhead: The Nevada Conservation and Recreation Program grant for just under $748,500 with a county match of $187,000 will be used to implement Phase 1 of the Carcione and Canepa Ranch Recreation Access Plan. The Canepa Ranch Trailhead will be located on Washoe County open space and provide public access to the Truckee River and to adjacent public lands and trails managed by the Forest Service. The project will include road paving, ADA parking, fencing, trail work, landscaping and restrooms.
5. Board approves allocation of District 3 Special Fund: Commissioner Mariluz Garcia allocated $3,172 of the District 3 Special Fund to Northern Nevada Public Health to support health fees for Dancing in the Streets.
6. Board approves interlocal agreement for animal services for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony: Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) entered into a three-year interlocal agreement to provide certain animal control and sheltering services for the benefit of the Tribe, with costs to be borne by the Tribe. Services include:
- Impoundment of stray/lost dogs and cats found on Reservation property;
- Work to identify the owners of stray/lost dogs and cats;
- Temporary board and care to such dogs and cats, including veterinary services when applicable, for a five-day minimum stray hold period;
- Disposition services for unclaimed dogs and cats via adoption through releasing agencies and/or euthanasia, as necessary;
- Quarantine services for dogs and cats that have bitten a person;
- Safehold services for dogs and cats in the event of an owner’s death;
- Emergency assistance (upon WCRAS’s availability) by WCRAS field officers, to assist in the capture of stray/lost dogs located on Reservation property and dogs that have bitten a person and require quarantine impoundment, as well as the removal and/or transport of such dogs to the WCRAS’s shelter;
- Outreach services, as agreed to by both parties, to include yearly vaccination services for Reservation residents.
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