Full Text
The Minden Town Board meeting was held starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, at 1602 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, Nevada. Board Members present: John Stephans, Matt Bernard, Bill Driscoll, Roxanne Stangle and Susie Jackson. Staff present: Ryan Russell, JD Frisby, Jeff Cady, Seth Altamirano, and Michelle Brown. Chairman Bernard called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Susie Jackson. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. McTee made comments on dust and dirt on the unpaved section of Heybourne road and suggested to lay chip seal to help keep the dust down. Mr. Hellwinkle thanked the board for taking the position it did regarding the siren. Mr. Turner made comments on COVID-19 Pandemic and World economics. He alluded to several YouTube videos and information that he believes is being censored. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Driscoll/Jackson moved to approve the August 5, 2020 agenda. Motion carries unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Driscoll/Jackson moved to approve the July 1, 2020 Board meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GIFTS: None. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Mr. Driscoll gave an update about a GGG Meeting and the misinformation about the water system and how it is being distributed and would like to see a way to get information out about the correct information. Ms. Jackson reached out to Bryan Tibbets to send a crew to help clean up Jakes Wetlands. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of the July 2020 financial report including claims paid June 19, 2020 through July 23, 2020 for Fiscal Year 19/20 and 20/21. After thoughtful and intelligent deliberation, Stangle/Jackson moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA: 1. For possible action: Discussion and possible action for the Town of Minden to endorse a Douglas County additional sales and use tax in the amount of one-quarter of one percent (.0025) to exclusively finance the preservation of open space, agricultural land, undeveloped natural landscape, stream corridors, natural shoreline, ridges and other land exclusively devoted to open space through a purchase of development rights program in accordance with the County’s Open Space Plan. Appearance by Maureen Casey, Mark Neddenriep, and Jacques Etchegoyhen. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes August 5, 2020 Page 2 of 4 Mr. Etchegoyhen provided information about the water tables and how they are being recharged. The open space plan will tie the water to the land so the water can remain here. Mr. Neddenriep touched briefly on the history behind the open space plan and explained the differences between some ranches in the valley that have open space and those that do not. He continued on to explain that the PALS (Parks, Airport, Library, Schools) tax was the last tax increase that was a quarter cent sales tax. Nevada is currently at 6.85% local tax rate. For families that earn between $80-90,000 per year the proposed increase would be an additional $35.00 per year. Ms. Casey explained how the process works. The Commissioners are the ultimate aye or nay for the funding of a parcel and under that board is an advisory committee to work with the farmers and commissioners. This is a tool that can be used by the farmers for legacy planning. Some other areas that are on the list for consideration are areas where there is flooding like near the Carson River, Walker River, and Topaz. This would help save the flood plains, as well as the habitats for local wildlife. Board questions included; when would the tax be implemented? What will be the transaction process at the time a purchase is made? Who decides which easements to purchase? What is the difference between open space and conservation easements or are they the same thing? Is there already a committee put together? Is the County interested in creating a committee or if the voters pass this, is it giving permission to the commissioners to do what they please? The plan sounds like it will benefit the residents but will the farmer’s benefit? Is tax revenue the only way to finance the use of open space land? Concerns were raised about the verbiage used about natural shoreline and the amount of funds that would be needed to afford them. Are the funds collected going to be put in an enterprise fund? Concerns were raised about people being able to afford the additional taxes after the COVID pandemic hit. Timing of the tax increase was expressed as not being a great time to ask of people. How much has been spent in Carson Valley through the Southern Nevada Land Act to acquire conservation and open space from agricultural people? How many have been preserved through the TDR program? How many acres in a 10 year period this may be able to save? Private property owner relinquishes rights and can no longer build on it, how does that effect the property value? Mr. Neddenriep explained under the statute if it is passed in November and the county implements it the next month, the department of taxation takes three months to get ramped up in order to collect the tax. The fee that is associated with collecting this type of tax will be levied at 1.75% of the total revenue collected. The transaction process is between a willing buyer and willing seller. There is a committee but it is working toward passage of the ballot question. Public Comment: Mr. Turner expressed that he is against the conservation easements. Mr. Hellwinkle made comment about how he would like to see the open space but it is not as easy as it once was. Mr. Brissenden showed support for the tax increase and thanked board members for support of Hope Valley Preservation Project in the 80s. After thoughtful and intelligent discussion, Bernard/Jackson moved and seconded the Minden Town Board to endorse a Douglas County additional sales and use tax in the amount of one-quarter of one percent (.0025) to exclusively finance the preservation of open space, agricultural land, undeveloped natural landscape, stream corridors, natural shoreline, ridges and other land exclusively devoted to open space through a purchase of development rights ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes August 5, 2020 Page 3 of 4 program in accordance with the County’s Open Space Plan. Motion carries 4-1, Stephans voting no. 2. For presentation only: Presentation by the Carson Water Sub-Conservancy District on the “Water Supply Picture” for the Carson River Watershed. Appearance by Edwin James, Carson Water Sub- Conservancy District. Mr. James gave brief overview of the Carson River Watershed and the surrounding areas. His presentation is attached to these minutes. He opened the floor to the Board for any questions. There were none. 3. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to review and accept, accept with changes, continue, or deny the draft 2020 Arsenic Study prepared by Sunrise Engineering. Appearance by Joseph Phillips, Sunrise Engineering. Mr. Philips provided information on the study. The mitigation plan was brought forward to be created because the parties involved felt there was a rising increase in arsenic levels and asked for a plan or method if it is needed, to be able to lower the level back under the max contamination level. He provided recommendations for the town to stay within the guidelines. The mitigation plan is attached to these minutes. Board comments and questions included; why do arsenic levels very from well to well? How was 7 parts per billion selected, when the federal level is 10? Do we test regularly for arsenic? Comments included interest in the provided information and for future well sites and asked how do two wells get blended? Mr. Philips responded to all Board questions and discussion ensued. Public comment: None After thoughtful and intelligent discussion, Jackson/Stangle moved and seconded to accept the draft 2020 Arsenic Study. Motion passed unanimously. 4. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to approve, approve with conditions, continue, or deny a request to create a Town of Minden Patriotic Summer event and to set a budget for the event not to exceed $5,000. Approval of this event will also include the closure of Esmeralda Avenue and Mono Avenue from Fifth Street to Sixth Street, and Fifth Street and Sixth Street from Esmeralda Avenue to Mono Avenue from 8:00am until 4:00pm on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Appearance JD Frisby, Town Manager JD asked the board to discuss a possible September event and to the extent necessary provide direction to staff about the September event. Board comments included not wanting to cancel the event but understanding the likely inability to proceed given the continuing mandates related to the Covid-19 related emergency directives. Concerns about being able to obtain health permits were also brought up. No action was taken on this item. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes August 5, 2020 Page 4 of 4 5. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to direct staff in relation to Staff Reports. Discussion shall include a Staff Report on the activities, progress on or status of assigned tasks and projects, or general information regarding operations and projects related to trash, retail and wholesale water service, and other functions of the Town of Minden. Appearance by Jeff Cady, Public Works Superintendent, Seth Altamirano, Town Accountant and JD Frisby, Town Manager. Mr. Altamirano gave a presentation on the Year End Budget. Mr. Frisby gave an update about the Seeman Pond and the status of the zoning of the new well site. Board comments included giving thanks to the staff for putting the large flag up for the 4th of July and making the year end budget easier to understand. Comments about the new playground equipment and how awesome it looks were also expressed. There was conversation about drilling for the well, suggestions for easements, and zoning. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Turner talked about money barons who want to destroy the USA, global leaders, communism and how they are using CVOID-19, tyranny, and the New World Order. Ms. Giannopulos showed appreciation for the Board and the first responders and considers the Board as such. She talked about how safe she feels in the community with all the hate out there. ADJOURNMENT: Stangle moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:44pm