The following are highlights from Monday’s Sparks City Council Meeting:
Proclamations and Recognitions
• Council proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month. April 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act which proves equal opportunity for all Americans in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
• Council proclaimed April as National Donate Life Month and encouraged all eligible Nevadans to become organ donors by checking “YES” when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or signing up at www.donatelifenevada.org
General Business
• The council approved a $75,000 three-year interlocal agreement with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) in support of the operation and maintenance of the Nevada Water Innovation Campus (NWIC). NWIC is the outcome of a shared vision by UNR, City of Sparks, City of Reno, Washoe County, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Nevada Department of Transportation, and the Northern Nevada Water Planning Commission / Western Regional Water Commission. The goal, in part, is to help develop innovative water management systems, demonstrate national leadership in water innovations and enhance community awareness and understanding of water issues and practices.
• Council awarded a 2018 Street Rehabilitation contract in the amount of $1,357,277 to West Coast Paving, Inc. The contract is part of the city of Sparks Pavement Management Program for reconstruction of certain roadways and removal and replacement, as needed, of curb and gutter, driveway approaches and sidewalk ramps as outlined in the 5-year program of projects.
• Council approved a $990,397.28 purchase of body-worn cameras (BWC), fleet cameras and associated maintenance services form Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a five-year term. The passage of Senate Bill 176 requires uniformed peace officers, including city marshals, in Nevada to wear body-worn cameras (BWC) when contacting the public, effective July 1, 2018. The bill provided approval to use the enhanced 911 telephone line surcharge fund managed by Washoe County to purchase and maintain BWC, vehicle cameras and associated costs. Sparks Police has chosen to deploy vehicle cameras in addition to BWC. The City of Sparks will provide the initial purchase of equipment and request reimbursement from the county’s 911 telephone line surcharge fund in compliance with the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners’ policy related to the use of these funds.
• Council approved the addition of a deputy building official position and corresponding salary range to the city of Sparks. Due to an increase in the number of complex building projects underway in the city of Sparks, the position is needed to supervise and train the building division’s inspectors.
Planning and Zoning Public Hearings
• Council approved an Impact Fee Service Agreement between Bruce Investment Group and the city of Sparks concerning the development of Highland Ranch Park, a 67.4-acre property located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Highland Ranch Parkway and the Pyramid Highway. Council also approved a comprehensive plan amendment to change the land use designation from Open Space to Commercial and adopted an ordinance to rezone the property from Agriculture to Commercial.
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