Sparks City Council Meeting highlights

The following are highlights from the February 13, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting.

Announcements/Presentations

• University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval presented a university update.

• Adam Searcy, Chief Operating Officer for Washoe County School District, provided an update on the new Procter R. Hug High School.

• Mayor Lawson proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education Month. Career and technical education offer students the opportunity to gain the academic, technical, and professional skills for fulfilling careers and employers with access to a thriving and qualified workforce, ensuring Nevada’s economy remains strong and competitive.

• City Manager Neil Krutz announced the following board, commission, and committee vacancies:

• Two vacancies on the Sparks Police Advisory Committee, one for a business representative and one at-large representative, each for a partial term ending September 30, 2023. Members are required to be either residents or business owners in Sparks. If selected, members must participate in a Sparks Police Department Citizens Academy and undergo a background check. Applications will be accepted until Friday, February 17, 2023, at 5 p.m.
• Two vacancies on the Sparks Citizens Advisory Committee, one Ward 4 and one Ward 4 Alternate member, each serving a term that is coterminous with the appointing City Council member’s term. Committee members must be Sparks residents. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.
• Four vacancies on the Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, one alternate each for Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, each serving a term coterminous with the appointing City Council member’s term. Committee members must be Sparks residents, preferably over the age of 55. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by going to cityofsparks.us/getinvolved.

• Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel and City Clerk Lisa Hunderman provided an overview of the City’s new My Sparks app for residents to report issues and receive notifications from the City of Sparks.

Council approved

• A $596,007.00 construction contract with Sierra Nevada Construction, Inc. for the 2023 CDBG Pedestrian Improvements Project.

• A $72,245.00 Grant Program Contract between the City of Sparks and the Eddy House to provide Community Development Block Grant funds to support Eddy House’s provision of shelter and services to youth experiencing homelessness in Washoe County.

• The purchase of $560,000.00 for equipment and installation of the Purvis Station Alerting System for the Sparks Fire Department. The system is a modern technology alerting system that allows for ramping tones, message boards, mapping, and lighting alerts. The updated technology reduces the stress response on first responders while simultaneously providing critical call information in a timely manner.

Council rejected

• A $441,218.83 settlement offer received from Hutchison & Steffen Attorneys on behalf of Mark Lawson.