The following are highlights from today’s Washoe County Board of County Commissioners meeting:
1. County staff presents update on 2017 North Valleys flooding: In 2016-2017, our region experienced a combination of weather patterns that resulted in record-setting snowfall and rain with subsequent runoff that created localized flooding. Washoe County Community Services Department (CSD) has completed significant work to clean up the flooding and mitigate future flooding with three directives in place: manage Swan Lake within its current boundaries, prevent water from entering businesses and homes, and maintain open access for residents and emergency responders.
Washoe County Engineering and Capital Projects Division Director Dwayne Smith, P.E., today updated the Board on the projects and programs related to this flooding. Flood response funding in the North Valleys has totaled approximately $11.6 million.
The County has purchased four homes (three completed, one currently in escrow) that were impacted by the flooding. Flood barriers were recently removed and the area restored to a condition better than pre-flood conditions, and the full Lemmon Drive/Swan Lake project is scheduled to be complete in April.
“It won’t be complete until we left it better than we found it,” Smith said.
“The good thing is that the lake is low now, and we can achieve all these things without having to deal with a lake that is brimming,” Chair Vaughn Hartung said.
The 2017 flood revealed inaccuracies in the FEMA 100-year flood risk map, so CSD has been updating the map to more accurately reflect actual risk areas. CSD has also established methods to protect residents, businesses, and infrastructure by diverting water to retention areas and pumping water away from homes and businesses.
“Another one of our focuses is the wildlife in that area. Swan Lake is named that for a reason,” Smith said. “We are working with other partners to see what opportunities we can bring to enhance the wildlife and wetlands component. I think there’s a real opportunity to bring together those pieces that improve the quality of life of residents and wildlife alike.”
2. Commissioners receive presentation on sex trafficking and exploitation: Jen Robinson, co-founder and youth intervention director of Awaken, presented an overview of the local faith-based nonprofit organization that provides awareness about human trafficking in Nevada. In 2021, Awaken assisted 113 women and 64 teens who had been trafficked. Awaken operates a drop-in survivor-run resource center that has helped more than 100 children with case management, therapy, mentorship, and education since 2017. Awaken opened a transitional house in 2019 for women exiting the sex trade and has housed 15 women on an average of 6 month
“We often notice that girls and women will stay in an unhealthy situation because the know what’s coming and they know the abuse,” Robinson said. “The healing journey is really hard. Offering traditional and nontraditional therapy is so important. We provide different types of therapy: equine, art, adventure. We have two therapists on staff and one on staff to care for our other staff. If we’re not well, we can’t work well with the women and girls.”
3. NDOT updates Commission on study of sustainable funding sources: Nick Johnson, project management chief for the Nevada Department of Transportation, presented its ongoing study for roads and how Washoe County will fund road construction and maintenance as the fleet transitions away from fossil fuels. Fuel taxes are the primary funding source for the State of Nevada’s road projects, making up 42 percent of the budget. The 2021 Nevada Legislature directed NDOT (AB 413) to conduct an in-depth examination of the financial sustainability of the State Highway Fund, the results of which are to be brought forth to the 2023 Legislature. An advisory working group was created, comprising 29 members representing metropolitan planning organizations; environmental agencies; tax policy experts; local, state, and tribal agencies, organized labor, and more.
The group has identified guiding principles for future revenue sources, including financial sustainability sufficiency, user equity, social equity, flexibility, greenhouse gas emissions, transparency and efficiency. Revenue sources currently being analyzed are a variety of fuel taxes, vehicle fees, usage-based fees, and other fees or surcharges. More information on the study and the working group can be found at www.nvtransportationfuture.org.
4. Board accepts donation from Grace Community Church for the River House, approves other public donations: Grace Community Church has been a longtime supporter of the Washoe County Human Services Agency, which serves women, children, and seniors who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Recent donations funded “welcome kits” for children and families entering the Our Place shelter, supported clients who completed the Crossroads substance abuse program to transition back into the community, and funded the expansion of the Women’s Crossroads program.
The Board today approved a donation of $701,000 that will be used for exterior and interior improvements to the River House on the Our Place Campus.
Other donations approved by the Board today include:
- Approximately $2,200 from various donors for the Washoe County Regional Parks & Open Space programs and facilities.
- Cold-weather clothing and supplies valued at $3,000; snack donations valued at $300 from the Reno Sparks Gospel Mission; 99 cases of bottled water valued at $1,385 from Joaquin Roces. All these donations support residents of the Nevada Cares Campus.
- Donations from numerous donors valued at $11,400 to support the care and treatment of animals at Washoe County Regional Animal Services.
- Donation of $300 from Fire Shows West to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office to support the Citizen Corps Program.
5. Board approves Special District Fund allocation for District 1:Commissioner Alexis Hill distributed $3,900from the District 1 Special District Fund to the Washoe County Continuum of Care administration. The distribution will provide $5 McDonald’s gift cards for unsheltered individuals who participate in the Point in Time (PIT count) as an incentive to participate.
“The PIT count is very important to us to collect data and identify those in our community who are experiencing homelessness, and identify funding for us,” Commissioner Bob Lucey said. “I want to thank Commissioner Hill for her continued dedication to our homeless community.
###
