Sparks City Council meeting highlights

The following are highlights from the March 24, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting.

Announcements/ Presentations

Mayor Lawson proclaimed:

• April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month to increase awareness and to support those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
• April 28, 2023, as Arbor Day, to recognize the value of planting trees.
• May 4, 2023, as International Firefighters’ Day, to recognize their extraordinary commitment, exceptional bravery, and essential service to the community.

General Business

Council approved:

• The appointments of Steven Sperber, with a term ending December 31, 2023, and Ricci Rodriguez-Elkins, with a term ending December 31, 2025, to the Sparks Planning Commission.
• The Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommended use of $100,000 to support seniors in Sparks.
• The City Manager’s final budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
• A resolution of intent proposing the issuance of, and authorizing the publication of notices relating to, general obligation fire station bonds to finance fire protection and/or building projects in an amount to exceed $15,000,000.00.
• A $300,000 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant from FEMA to conduct a seismic risk evaluation of the Truckee Meadows Wastewater Reclamation Facility. A match of $100,000 is required, with Sparks’ share of $36,740.
• The rejection of a bid for an alarm system upgrade project at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility.
• The Street & Highway Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County for their FY 2024 programs and projects.
• A tentative map for a 156-lot condominium subdivision on 13.62 acres, located at the southeast corner of Five Ridges Parkway and Antelope Ridge Parkway.
• The proposed Allergan and CVS Settlement Agreements and authorized the City Manager to execute the necessary Settlement Participation Forms.

Council held public hearings and approved:

• An ordinance prohibiting spectators at street races, sideshows, and speed exhibitions.
• Retention of Hutchison & Steffen as special counsel to represent Sparks Firefighter Timothy Egan.

Planning and Zoning

• Council held a public hearing and affirmed the Administrative Hearing Officer’s decision to order the removal of a shipping container located at 501 Pyramid Way by May 31, 2024.