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The Minden Town Board meeting was held starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 1602 Esmeralda Ave, Minden, Nevada. Board Members present: Susan Jackson, Bill Driscoll, Bryan Davis and Steven Thaler. Member Walsh is absent. Staff present: Ryan Russell, JD Frisby, Marcie Schurke, and Rachel Hamer. Chairman Thaler called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice-Chair Davis. PUBLIC COMMENT: Leslie Hokenson, a resident, gave public comment regarding Jake’s Wetlands is overrun with green slime on the ponds. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Driscoll/Jackson moved and seconded approval of the, October 4, 2023, Agenda as presented. Motion carries unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Davis/Jackson moved and seconded approval of the September 6, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes. Motion carries unanimously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GIFTS: None BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Member Jackson thanked Mr. Alex Brown for fixing the lights at Jake’s Wetlands. Vice Chairman Davis thanked Mrs. Hamer for her work on the survey. Chairman Thaler thanked staff for their work on the newsletter and recommended anyone in the public check it out. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Approval of the September 2023 financial report including claims paid August 26, 2023 through September 22, 2023 for Fiscal Year 23/24. Public comment: None Driscoll/Davis moved and seconded approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carries unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA: 1. For discussion only: Discussion on the status of SB391, passed in the 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislature in 2023. Discussion may include a presentation on the passage of the bill, the effects thereof on the Town of Minden, and enforcement of that bill in relation to the Town of Minden. Appearance by Ryan Russell, Town Counsel. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes October 4, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Town Counsel Ryan Russell gave an update regarding the bill regarding the historical Minden Siren. Chairman Thaler relayed to those in attendance that this was brought forward to the agenda as a way for the Board to discuss the siren and to hear from the public. Member Jackson thanked Mr. Russell for all his work on this. Vice Chairman Davis said he was looking forward to listening to the residents. Public comment: Ken Gray gave public comment on the siren and suggested it could be changed to play something patriotic out of respect to veterans. Marty Meeden, who helped write the bill, gave public comment regarding the siren and asked the board to respect the law and not to find loopholes. Leslie Hokensen gave public comment regarding the siren and expressed frustration as to why the Town is even talking about it. Debbie Silva gave public comment and relayed that she is not in favor of turning it back on. She thanked the Town for turning it off, and was surprised to see it on the agenda. Laura Cudow gave public comment on the siren and that she is opposed to it. Marlena Hellwinkle gave public comment on the siren, relayed that the law is the law, but wished to correct comments regarding the history of the Minden siren. Sheila Kendrick gave public comment regarding the divisiveness of the siren and encouraged the Town to find a better way to come together and show pride in the community. Susan Minor gave public comment regarding the siren and her opposition. Valerie Melendez shared a story of her experiences with the siren. Matt Bernard gave public comment on the siren and relayed disappointment that assumptions about Minden residents have become tied to this. Stacey James gave public comment on the siren and the history of the native peoples in the Valley and the racial discrimination around the siren. Vice-Chairman Davis thanked the public for getting up and speaking. Chairman Thaler relayed that the Board gets comments from both sides and it is not always easy to find where the community stands. He relayed that he knew this was going to be a polarizing issue, but wanted to afford the public the opportunity to speak to it. He expressed that there is a lot of misinformation regarding the community. Chairman Thaler relayed that there is hopefully an opportunity for unity. Mr. Driscoll thanked the public for coming, he relayed the history of the siren, and agreed the siren was not coming back. Item not for action. 2. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to accept, accept with conditions, or deny recommendation by the County as presented, for the classification and compensation study completed by Baker Tilly, for Douglas County employees which includes Town of Minden Staff. Appearance by Wendy Lang, Director of Human Resources, Douglas County and JD Frisby, Town Manager. Wendy Lang gave a presentation regarding the Comp and Class study done by the County and offered to answer any questions the Board may have. Member Driscoll asked why this is before the Board. Mr. Frisby relayed that there are provisions to allow the Town to compensate our employees as we see fit, that being said, we generally do try to follow ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes October 4, 2023 Page 3 of 3 along with the County. Staff recommendation is to follow suit with the County. Member Jackson thanked Wendy for the presentation. Board comments included: None Public comment: None No action taken. 3. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to approve, approve with conditions, continue or deny Town of Minden Resolution TOM2024R-001, augmenting the FY 2023/2024 budget. Appearance by JD Frisby, Town Manager. Marcie Schurke gave the specifics on the proposed changes to the budget and offered to answer any questions the Board may have. Public comment: None After thoughtful and intelligent deliberation, Davis/Driscoll moved and seconded approval of the Town of Minden Resolution TOM2024R-001, augmenting the FY 2023/2024 budget. Motion carries unanimously. 4. 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 and JD Frisby, Town Manager. Mr. Frisby gave an update on various items of interest. The repairs to the Wells, Staffing shortages, and that Christmas lights might be started a little earlier. NV Energy has been receptive regarding undergrounding utilities along 395 and possible funding mechanisms. Public comment: Leslie Hokenson gave public comment regarding the water rates. Mr. Pohlman gave public comment on the last planning commission meeting and brought up concern over residents cutting down trees in Jakes. Public comment: None ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Thaler adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.