Sparks City Council meeting highlights

The following are highlights from the September 11, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting.

Announcements/ Presentations

Mayor Lawson recognized Fallen Fire Fighters Rick Feldman and Mike Foster’s service and sacrifice to the community, critical role in saving lives, protecting property and the environment, and tireless dedication to duty and supported adding their names to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial during a special ceremony to be held on September 28, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

Mayor Ed Lawson proclaimed:

• September 15 through October 15, 2023, as Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate Hispanic culture, heritage, and contributions as well as recognize the many ways that Hispanic members of the community have enriched the fabric of our society.
• The month of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to honor the young lives affected by cancer and recognize the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation which provides support and assistance to families burdened with this horrible disease.
• The month of September as Hunger Action Month. Hunger and poverty are issues of serious concern in the United States, the State of Nevada, and the City of Sparks, and it is essential to raise awareness about the need to combat hunger in every part of the community.
• District Health Officer Kevin Dick gave a presentation about the rebranding of the Washoe County Health District to Northern Nevada Public Health.
• The Regional Transportation Commission’s Executive Director, Bill Thomas, and Director of Engineering, Dale Keller, gave an annual presentation on the recent activities and RTC-led improvements in Sparks.

Council approved:

• The appointment of the following members to the Sparks Police Advisory Committee: Geralynn Paterllaro as business representative, Chard Dillard, as multicultural representative, and John Frey, Tristan McElany, and Duane Matheus to the members at-large representatives, each with a two-year term ending September 30, 2025.
• Acceptance of a $235,850.00 Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant with a $23,585.00 match to purchase paramedic school tuition, personal protective equipment, and turnout washers and dryers.
• A $4,066,496 consulting agreement with the Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. and the City of Reno for design and Construction Manager at Risk support services for the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Dewatering Building Project, with Sparks share being $1,275,659.79.
• A $190,000 Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County to reimburse the City of Sparks for the purchase of specialized micro-mode maintenance equipment, with a 95 % RTC reimbursement.
• The Walgreens and Teva Settlement Agreements and authorized the City Manager’s Office to execute the necessary Settlement Participation Forms.
• An amendment to Fire Chief Walt White’s employment agreement, retroactive to August 14, 2023.
• The City will pay 60% of Chief White’s post-retirement health insurance premiums after five years of City service.
• A one-time, 160-hour increase to Chief White’s annual leave bank.
• A vehicle allowance consistent with IRS standards, which will automatically terminate if Chief White is provided a City vehicle.
• An amendment to the employment agreement between the City of Sparks and Police Chief Chris Crawforth, with an estimated cost increase of $49,680, to serve as Acting City Manager.
• A two-year extension of a Tentative Map for a 454-unit subdivision on a 65-acre site located south of Vista Boulevard, east of Homerun Drive, and directly east of Golden Eagle Regional Park in the Single-Family Residential zoning district, subject to the original 15 Conditions of Approval.
• Council voted to continue agenda item 9.10, a discussion concerning a three-year contract with UMR for third-party administrator services for the City’s self-funded group health care.

Council held public hearings and approved:

• The Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for Program Year 3, FY22-23 for submittal to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Adoption of an amendment to Sparks Municipal Code for the following Sections: Solicitation of Ride, Business or Contribution from Driver or Occupant of Vehicle Prohibited, Outdoor Fires and Portable Open-Flame Devices, Blow Torches and Propane Tanks or Containers, and Portable Generators, effective immediately.