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The Minden Town Board meeting was held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at 1602 Esmeralda Avenue, Minden, Nevada. Board members present: Matt Bernard, Charlie Condron, Roxanne Stangle, John Stephans and Bill Souligny. Staff present: Jenifer Davidson, Trish Koepnick, Ryan Russell and Bruce Scott. Ms. Stangle called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Condron. PUBLIC COMMENT: Bobbi Thompson extended her appreciation for her appointment as president of the new Main Street Minden and is excited about the chance to do a good job for the Town. Bernard/Condron moved to approve the agenda as published. The motion was carried unanimously. Bernard/Souligny moved to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2015 Board Meeting and the August 19, 2015, Special Board Meeting. The motion was carried unanimously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GIFTS: None ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE AWARDS: None BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: Event Planning- Bill Souligny reported on Christmas planning. Minden Water- Matt Bernard noted that we are continuing to work on water items as designated by the strategic plan for water. New Development Applications - John Stephans noted the opening of Sonic as well as the Heritage project moving along. Citizen’s Advisory Committee/Main Street Steering Committee - Charlie Condron reported on Main Street meetings and their upcoming October 17 event. CONSENT AGENDA FOR POSSIBLE ACTION: 1. Approval of the July 2015 financial report including claims paid July 24, 2015 through August 20, 2015 for fiscal year 2015 and 2016. Bernard/Souligny moved to approve Consent Item Motion carried unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA: 1. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to provide direction to Town Staff regarding a presentation on the impact of the speed tables installed on Wildrose. Appearance by Jenifer Davidson, Town Manager. Ms. Davidson gave the background on the installation of the speed tables, and gave a report on the current data collected compared to previous data. The number of speeders has decreased as well as the average speed. Overall recommendation by staff is it is too early to see if the speed tables will continue to be effective. Board comments included feeling encouraged by results, and questioning when we will get data on Deseret. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes September 2, 2015 Page 2 of 5 Public comment: Several members of the public addressed this item. They expressed concern about noise from the cars going over the speed humps, commendation for the success of this effort, possible remediation strategy with a sound barrier, taking a stand against the State by installing stop signs, this still being an unsolved issue with the need to look at something else, and putting in more aggressive speed bumps rather than speed tables. Board discussion included how we are honoring the 90 day commitment to collect data; the restriction by the MUTCD, the broader problem of the Highway 395 traffic, and assurance that the Board is listening to the people and will still pursue this. No action taken. 2. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to approve, approve with conditions, continue or deny a request by Town Staff to utilize BHC Consultants, and Lawrence Werner P.E. as a contract employee of BHC to analyze the existing infrastructure and operational parameters of the Town of Minden Water System and the Policies, Procedures and Organizational Structure of the Town of Minden Water Department in furtherance of the Town of Minden Strategic Planning Goal to evaluate the Town of Minden Wholesale Water Program; and if approved, authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement for the same for an amount not to exceed $50,000 in a form acceptable to Town Counsel. Appearance by Jenifer Davidson, Minden Town Manager. Ms. Davidson noted that this action would be in line with the strategic planning. Board discussion included requesting a timeline, questioning the hiring of a company out of Washington, and Mr. Bernard’s involvement as head of the Water Committee. Public comment: A member of the public asked if we will be soliciting information from our wholesale customers about the future amount of water they will require, and when the second water line will be needed between Minden and the airport. Ms. Davidson noted that both will be addressed in this analysis. Following thoughtful and intelligent deliberation, Souligny/Bernard moved to approve the request by Town Staff to utilize BHC Consultants, and Lawrence Werner P.E. as a contract employee of BHC to analyze the existing infrastructure and operational parameters of the Town of Minden Water System and the Policies, Procedures and Organizational Structure of the Town of Minden Water Department in furtherance of the Town of Minden Strategic Planning Goal to evaluate the Town of Minden Wholesale Water Program, and authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement for the same for an amount not to exceed $50,000 in a form acceptable to Town Counsel. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Not for possible action: Discussion regarding an Update on Activities in the Carson River Watershed and the activities of Carson Water Subconservancy District. Appearance by Edwin James, General Manager, Carson Water Subconservancy District. Mr. James gave an overview of activities in the watershed and a presentation was given. Board comments included concern about the low water years which have allowed a lot of growth and debris to collect in the river, and questioned if CWSD will look at doing any cleanup before this winter. Mr. James noted that the state owns the river but does no work; the conservation district does cleanup work. There is currently an effort to re-establish money for this maintenance. Public comment: Members of the public expressed concern about paper versus real water, the effect of the large wells in the area, and encouraged the Town to be careful with water rights. Mr. James noted that the aquifer has stayed in good shape, noting some issues on the peripheral edges, and the state engineer is the contact for any concerns as he protects all users. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes September 2, 2015 Page 3 of 5 4. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to approve, approve with conditions, continue or deny an invitation for the Town Manager to give a presentation at the 2015 Nevada Water Resources Association (NWRA) Fall Symposium October 20th regarding the status of the regional pipeline and the impact of drought on the management of the regional system. Appearance by Edwin James, General Manager, Carson Water Subconservancy District. Ms. Davidson said that Mr. James has asked her to speak at the upcoming symposium, as he would like her to share Minden’s success story. Board discussion included enthusiasm for Jenifer’s attendance as well as reservations concerning the structure and concept of Minden as a regional water manager. Public comment: None Ms. Davidson noted she heard the Board concerns and would address this in the presentation. Following thoughtful and intelligent deliberation, Bernard/Condron moved to approve the invitation for the Town Manager to give a presentation at the 2015 Nevada Water Resources Association (NWRA) Fall Symposium October 20th regarding the status of the regional pipeline and the impact of drought on the management of the regional system. Motion carried unanimously. 5. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to provide direction to Town Staff regarding an update of the projects, priorities and funding options identified in the proposed Douglas County Countywide Connectivity Economic Vitality Project. Presentation by Jacques and Dominique Etchegoyhen, Co-Champions of the Countywide Connectivity Economic Vitality Project. Dominique Etchegoyhen gave a presentation and noted it is primarily the same with some minor changes including the addition of regional road maintenance. Board discussion included agreement with the changes, still being conceptually in favor of the project, the difficulty of passing the gas tax and the subsequent issue with road repairs, the need to save money instead of taxing, what other options we might have rather than raise taxes, and the possibility of redevelopment districts. Public comment: Various members of the public expressed opinions and concerns about this item. Comments included putting this on a ballot for the people to vote on, the need to quit putting this off and show we are serious about planning, concern about paying more taxes and how the tax money would be spent, the status of the Muller Parkway, and questioned where a bypass would be built. Board discussion concluded by questioning the status of Muller Lane and if there was another bypass, as well as the need to show we are serious in planning in order to get state and federal funds. No action taken. 6. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to provide input on a presentation by Douglas County Staff regarding possible regulations and requirements for the installation of photovoltaic solar facilities in Douglas County. Appearance by Hope Sullivan, Douglas County Planning Manager. Ms. Sullivan gave the background for this item and asked for input from the Board. Board discussion included the need for the power produced by solar to stay here, the need to retain the beauty of the valley, and the possibility of doing this on federal land. Public comment: Various members of the public expressed feeling against solar facilities in Carson Valley. Comments also included the need to support renewable energy, having special use permits, and the possibility of changing the zoning requirements. No action taken. ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes September 2, 2015 Page 4 of 5 7. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to approve, approve with conditions, continue or deny a request by the Douglas County Sewer Improvement District (DCSID) #1 for the Minden Town Board to recommend to Douglas County approval of the pending special use permit application for the Buckeye Creek Reservoir Project. Appearance by Robert Anderson, Principal Engineer, RO Anderson Engineer. Mr. Bernard recused himself as he works in a private capacity for RO Anderson Engineering. Mr. Anderson gave background and a presentation on this request. Mike Bradford, Chair of the Douglas County Sewer Improvement District, clarified that the service area for DCSID includes the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe; there are no California customers. Board discussion included concern about controlling trucks coming down buckeye rather than using the intended route, increase in truck traffic and noise to the north area of Winhaven; and the benefits to flood insurance not being implemented for several years. Public comment: Various members of the public spoke against the project and urged the Board to unanimously recommend denial to the County. Comments included concern about lack of information to the public, possible contamination to wells, the impact on the valley in various ways including lowering property value and quality of life, safety issues including traffic control and the need for a signal at Airport Road, bad smells when they irrigate, and benefits to Tahoe rate payers with detriments to Carson Valley. Concern was expressed that a public entity is doing something that private business should be doing, wondered if DCSID has any concerns about the people in Carson Valley, and questioned why sewage needs to be dumped in Carson Valley. Members of the public repeatedly expressed concern about the truck traffic, and the concern that the trucks would not follow the proposed route. One person commented in favor of the project citing good benefits to the community as well as the need for a closer source of aggregate. Mr. Bradford and Mr. Anderson responded by giving reasons this should be supported including that in the end it will provide a flood retention and effluent reservoir that will support agriculture, as well as a local source of aggregate. No acion taken. 8. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to accept, accept with conditions, continue or deny a bid by Kustom Koatings for the 2015 Town of Minden Street Sealing Project for an amount not to exceed $89,855.59, and authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement for the same. Appearance by Bruce Scott, Town Engineer. Mr. Scott recommended approval of this bid. Public comment: None Following thoughtful and intelligent deliberation, Condron/Bernard moved to approve a bid by Kustom Koatings for the 2015 Town of Minden Street Sealing Project for an amount not to exceed $89,855.59, and authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement for the same. Motion carried unanimously. 9. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to direct staff in relation to Staff Reports. Discussion shall include an Engineering Report which may include discussion on streets, sidewalks, drainage, water issues and related items. Discussion may also include an update regarding work completed on the Heybourne Well Project. Appearance by Bruce Scott, Town Engineer. Mr. Scott gave updates on the Heybourne Well, Street Rehabilitation work, and the Well 11 re-bid process. There were no Board questions. Public comment: None ---PAGE BREAK--- Minden Town Board Minutes September 2, 2015 Page 5 of 5 10. For possible action: Discussion and possible action to direct staff in relation to Staff Reports. Discussion shall include a Manager’s 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 Jenifer Davidson, Town Manager Ms. Davidson reported on the meeting with Pool Pact concerning the claims process for the February wind damage. Public comment: None PUBLIC COMMENT: A member of the public noted that houses are being built differently than approved as they are facing away from the road; staff should look into it. REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS: None ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Condron moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m.