The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. Registrar of Voters presents overview of office updates since last election: Registrar of Voters Andrew McDonald presented an overview of the 2024 General Election, including an explanation of mail ballot signature curing and undeliverable ballots. McDonald further spoke about the ongoing voter roll list maintenance activities in partnership with the Secretary of State to continue keeping Washoe County’s voter list clean. In February, more than 8,600 voters were inactivated after failure to respond to a notice from the Registrar’s Office.
The presentation also included a synopsis of Election Integrity Violation Reports (EIVR) filed by citizens with the Secretary of State’s office raising concerns about NRS Title 24 Election Law not being followed. One hundred and thirteen EIVRs had been filed over the course of the 2024 election cycle, and while investigations are still ongoing, none have yet found Washoe County in violation of NRS Title 24.
“Thank you for wanting this job, working so hard in this job, stepping up during a really difficult election season, for keeping your team happy and motivated,” Chair Alexis Hill said. “How ever we can support you, keep this commission apprised. We appreciate you and your entire office.”
2. Board reappoints two members to the Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board: The Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) Advisory Board is composed of seven members, four of which are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and three are an elected member of the Reno City Council, Sparks City Council, and the Washoe County Board. Members serve four-year terms and may be reappointed to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The Board reappointed Julie McMahon to the seat representing the veterinary field, and Trudy Brussard to the seat representing the real estate or business community. Both terms will expire on June 30, 2029.
3. Board votes to sell former TB clinic building to Renown Health: The building at 10 Kirman Avenue in Reno is on a half-acre adjacent to Renown Health and once housed the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s office and the Northern Nevada Public Health’s (NNPH) tuberculosis clinic. It was built in the 1950s and as soon as the new tuberculosis clinic is finished the building will be empty and has been determined to be economically unfeasible to renovate or refurbish. Washoe County negotiated a direct sale to Renown Health for $750,000, which reflects the value of the land less the estimated cost to demolish the existing building.
The next step will be a public hearing on March 11 to allow for any objections to the sale.
4. Board denies appeal of approval of zone amendment on White Owl Drive: Resident Russ Earle appealed the Planning Commission’s approval of a zoning amendment changing two parcels of approximately 170 acres from Low Density Suburban to Medium Density Suburban and Open Space in the Silver Knolls area of Washoe County. The change in density means the number of units allowed on the site will increase from 169 to 489, and the open space will be a 50-foot green space buffer around the two parcels.
The zoning amendment was applied for by Silver Sky Ranch LLC, and the Planning Commission found that the applicant met the required six findings for approval: consistency with Master Plan, compatible land uses, response to changed conditions/more desirable use; availability of facilities; no adverse effects, and desired pattern of growth. The Board of County Commissioners agreed that the findings were met and upheld the Planning Commission’s decision, denying the appeal from Earle.
“We have a tough job because we’re balancing the rights of a private property owner who wants to develop his land and the rights of property owners who live out there,” Commissioner Mariluz Garcia said. “It’s very challenging for us, but this is the first pass, the first phase. There’s a lot of work that these folks have to do to get to the next steps and there’s a lot of eyes on them in doing so.”
5. Board approved appeal of Planning Commission denial on Osage Road: The Board approved an appeal overturning the Planning Commission’s denial of an application from Lifestyle Homes TND, LLC to rezone approximately 50 acres from Low Density Suburban to Medium Density Suburban, increasing the area from an allowed 41 units to 131 units.
The Planning Commission denied the application based on the applicant’s failure to meet the required six findings for approval: consistency with Master Plan, compatible land uses, response to changed conditions/more desirable use; availability of facilities; no adverse effects, and desired pattern of growth.
The Board determined that the findings were met and reversed the Planning Commission’s decision, ultimately approving the rezoning. This does not approve a development or any specific project, but rather allows for medium-density suburban use.
6. NNPH Air Quality Management Division to receive large grant for air monitoring stations: Commissioners approved a four-year grant worth more than $650,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) Air Quality Management Division (AQMD). The grant will help upgrade equipment inside the seven ambient air monitoring stations in Washoe County, which allows for the collection and transfer of near real-time air pollution data to the public through the gov platforms (website and mobile app).
7. Board approves donations to county programs and departments: The Board voted unanimously to approve the following donations:
- Several donations to the Washoe County Child Protective Services Fund: $5,602 from various donors; $6,420 from juror donations; and goods valued at $16,180 from numerous donors.
- Several donations to the Washoe County Housing and Homeless Services Division: $5,000 from the Ekedahl Family Trust; $3,500 from Truckee Meadows Quilters, $500 from Second Baptist Church, $299 from Doral Academy of Northern Nevada, $240 from anonymous donors, goods valued at just over $6,200 from various donors.
- Several donations to the Senior Services Fund: $10,000 from the Ekedahl Family Trust; $500 from the Mattson Family Rev Living; $77 from anonymous donors; goods valued at $500 from various donors.
- $185,000 from a private citizen to Washoe County Emergency Management to cover the cost of an evacuation study for all of Washoe County, including the cities of Reno and Sparks.
“We have been talking about the importance of an evacuation study in the overall process of updating our plans and ensuring we’re doing everything we can to support our communities as we grow and expand,” Emergency Manager Kelly Echeverria said. “A huge thank you all of you who have listened and helped and championed this opportunity.”
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