Sparks City Council Meeting Highlights

The following are highlights from the January 22, City Council meeting.

Announcements/ Presentations

• Mayor Ed Lawson and City Council members recognized Fred Olsen and Tanja Ramociotti for their 35 years of employment with the City of Sparks.
• Interim City Manager Chris Crawforth announced one vacancy for a performing arts representative on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee to fill a partial term ending November 30, 2024. Members must be a Washoe County resident, possess a full understanding of being an arts advocate, and have five years or more experience as an arts advocate. Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. and can be found at cityofsparks.us/getinvolved.

Council approved:

• Filing a petition for judicial review of the December 28, 2023, order of the Nevada Department of Administration Appeals Officer regarding benefit penalties.
• Acceptance of a $17,700.00 grant from the Nell J. Redfield Foundation to support the 2024 Leisure Without Limits program.
• A $15,600 grant and grant agreement with the Office of Traffic Safety for the three Sotoxa Oral Fluid Testing Devices and testing cartridges.
• Acceptance of the $58,850 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the Office of Criminal Justice Assistance.
• An estimated $200,000 Interlocal Agreement with the Regional Transportation Commission to reimburse the City of Sparks for actual costs for wetland monitoring needed for work associated with the RTC’s Sparks Boulevard Improvement Project North Phase.
• A not to exceed $250,000 grant agreement with the Nevada Housing Division to provide Home Means Nevada Initiative funds to purchase approximately 0.207 acres at 2026 I Street.
• The not to exceed $250,000 sale and purchase agreement utilizing Home Means Nevada Initiative funds for a 0.207-acre parcel located at 2026 I Street.

City Council held public meetings and approved:

• The Memorandum of Understanding amending the collective bargaining agreement with the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Skilled Workforce with no direct financial impact.
• The Memorandum of Understanding with the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Skilled Workforce allowing the hiring of part-time or temporary personnel in the Emergency Communications Dispatch Center until December 31, 2026, with no direct financial impact.
• The Memorandum of Understanding amending the collective bargaining agreement with Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 Skilled Workforce Supervisors providing for special assignment pay for Crew Supervisors assigned to the wastewater operations function, with a cost increase of $52,475 in FY24.