Sparks City Council meeting highlights

The following are highlights from the May 13, 2024, Sparks City Council Meeting.

Announcements/ Presentations

• CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada Taylor Adams provided an update on operations.
• Executive Director of Reno Housing Authority Hilary Lopez gave an overview of the RHA’s projects in Sparks.
• Mayor Ed Lawson gave commendation to the Sparks High School SkillsUSA Opening and Closing Team for their recent win at the Nevada state competition, allowing them to represent Nevada at the Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mayor Ed Lawson proclaimed the following:

• May 19-25, 2024, as National Public Works Week to pay tribute to our public works professionals and recognize their contributions to protecting our health, safety, and advancing the quality of life for everyone.
• The month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month to recognize that mental health is an essential part of overall health and to eradicate the stigma, extend support, foster public education, and advocate for policies that prioritize the well-being of those affected by mental illness.
• May 5-11, 2024, as Youth Apprenticeship Week to highlight the benefits of apprenticeships as pathways to well-paying careers.
• The month of May as National Bike and Bicycle Safety Month and City of Sparks Bike Month to encourage the use of bike paths and trails throughout the City.
• May 9-15, 2024, as Salvation Army Week to recognize the wide-ranging support services provided by the Salvation Army to those in need.

Interim City Manager Chris Crawforth announced the following vacancies:

• One vacancy for a non-staff member on the Technical Review Committee – Washoe County Home Consortium for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2027.
• Two vacancies on the Civil Service Commission, each for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2027. Members cannot be City employees or related to one within a third degree of consanguinity.
• Two vacancies on the Parks and Parks & Recreation Commission, each for 3-year terms ending June 30, 2027. Members must be residents of Sparks or have a valid Sparks business license.
• Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, and can be found at cityofsparks.us/getinvolved.

Council approved:

• The joint appointment of Miguel Martinez to represent the owners of the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility on the Board of Trustees of the Western Regional Water Commission for a two-year term ending March 31, 2026.
• Acceptance of the $109,050.00 Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program to purchase technical security assessments for firewalls, cloud, and on-premises infrastructure.
• The Acting City Manager’s final budget recommendations and the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for FY24-25.
• The Cooperative Local Public Agency Agreement with the Nevada Department of Transportation to utilize federal grant funds for the Pedestrian Ramp Replacement Project, with an estimated cost to the City of Sparks of $19,500 and an NDOT reimbursement not to exceed $370,500.00.
• A $441,007.00 construction contract with Sierra Nevada Construction for the 2024 Preventative Maintenance Slurry Project.
• Council held a public hearing and approved expenditures of $1,246,668 of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Program Year 5, Fiscal Year 2024-2025, Community Development Block Grant, and HOME Consortium Annual Action Plan.