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March 20, 2020 The special meeting of the Yerington City Council was held in the Council Chambers at 9:00 a.m. with the following present: (began at 9:11) Mayor John Garry Council Members Jerry Bryant, Selena Catalano (arrived at 9:11), Shane Martin (via telephone) and Terceira Schunke (arrived at 9:11am) City Manager Robert Switzer Chief of Police Darren Wagner Public Works Director Jay Flakus Bookkeeper Pamela Argo Absent: City Attorney Chuck Zumpft, Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk Sheema D. Shaw Guests: Lyon County Manager Jeff Page, Rick Ortega Public Participation Mayor Garry called for public participation, there were no comments. Agenda Approval Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Schunke. Mayor Garry asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Declare a State of Emergency for the City of Yerington and all other matters properly related thereto Mayor Garry read the Declaration of Emergency into the record. Lyon County Manager Jeff Page stated that he has not faced an event like this in his career. Governor Sisolak has closed schools and non-essential businesses. To put this in perspective, the Governor of Nevada has never ordered an evacuation in the 150-year history of the state. County Manager Page stated that we are facing significant challenges. County Manager Page stated that Lyon, Douglas, Carson City and Storey Counties are a part of what is known as “Quad County”. We do not make any recommendations without going through the Quad County Emergency Center; anything related to the Covid-19 goes out of the emergency center. Recently an elected official spoke stating that we have a confirmed case in Lyon County, we do not, and these are rumors. Please refer people to the hotline for information. County Manager Page stated that the Lyon County Board of Commissioners does not have the authority to shut down business. Our doors are open 9:00 a.m. until noon and then from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 at which time the doors are locked. We are asking the public to schedule appointments rather than just coming into the building. Lyon County will be implementing video and utilizing zoom technology. Commissioners will be calling in from their homes. County Manager Page stated that overall the Quad County has been phenomenal. We do have two people from Lyon County that were on a cruise and are isolating at home. People are doing their best to reduce the spread of coronavirus. County Manager Page stated that he has sent out a list of what the Governor considers essential businesses. Councilwoman Catalano asked for clarification on replacement positions. County Manager Page stated, using the Sheriff’s office as an example, the Sheriff’s office has openings for positions; the county will not stop the Sheriff’s office from hiring those positions. County Manager Page stated that if an employee is in their 70’s they have sent them home on paid ---PAGE BREAK--- administration leave, if there is a single parent, they are being sent home on paid administrative leave. In addition, if someone becomes ill, they are sent home on paid administrative leave. Councilman Bryant asked if we could address these items without claiming a state of emergency. City Manager Switzer stated that the declaration allows us to recover any provable losses through from federal sources. County Manager Page stated that we would see an increase in cases over the next two weeks. A press release goes out every day at 9:00 a.m. City Manager Switzer stated that this declaration does not allow us to close businesses. This helps to protect our employees. Public Safety and Public Works will still have to operate their posts. We may have to close City Hall and make it by appointment only. If someone at the city were to test positive we would all need to be quarantined. Billings can be paid online, mailed in or dropped in the box outside. We can still operate. Councilwoman Catalano stated that staff should not have contact with the public. Mail should be opened while wearing gloves. Protecting the staff should be a priority. Councilwoman Catalano made a motion to declare a State of Emergency for the City of Yerington and all other matters properly related thereto, seconded by Councilwoman Schunke. Mayor Garry asked for public comments. Mr. Ortega stated that the National Guard building could be used for overflow. Councilwoman Catalano stated that the hospital has worked with the county, even using the high school gym. Mayor Garry asked for further comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Budget Overview City Manager Switzer stated that there is potential impact on the city’s budget regarding funds that come through the state, consolidated tax revenue, along with any other shared revenues. City Manager Switzer stated that he did know what those impacts would be. We know by inference that every day the Las Vegas casinos are shut down is millions of dollars in tax revenues that are shared amount cities and counties of our size that are not collected. We cannot survive on property revenue, although we did pickup an increase property tax value due to Nevada Copper’s building that has been going on for the last twelve months. We will receive a second set of figures from the Department of Taxation on the 25th. If needed we can budget at a reduced level. City Manager Switzer stated that at this time the budget is fairly completed. We do not have to approve the budget until the last week in May. We have time between now and that time to review and change the budget as needed. City Manager Switzer presented a PowerPoint of the budget at this time. The presentation was an overview of the funds within the budget. City Manager Switzer explained the function and revenue/expenditures of each fund General Fund; Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Funds. City Manager Switzer stated that in this budget he has proposed an increase of 2% in salaries/wages for all employees reflecting an increase in the CPI for the last calendar year. Negotiations with the Police Union are ongoing with a tentative agreement of a 2% wage increase. City Manager Switzer stated an additional increase of 8% in salaries for the Police Chief, Public Works Director and Interim City Clerk recognizing superior performance in the application of their duties and dedication to the City of Yerington. City Manager Switzer stated this budget also includes allocating $350,000 for street rehabilitation and Capital expenditures include purchasing replacement shotguns, two new AR- 15 tactical rifles for an additional officer and a camera for investigation uses in the Police Department. For Public Works street light upgrade to LED technology and a trailer for the new mini-excavator. Also funding for a half-time grant writing/administrative position. ---PAGE BREAK--- City Manager Switzer reviewed the proposed budget figures with council. Councilwoman Schunke asked if the coronavirus will affect the water/sewer project. City Manager Switzer stated that it has not at this time, nor does he anticipate it. Councilman Bryant asked if things continue as normal when would this come to the council for approval. City Manager Switzer stated that it would come back to council as an action item in April. No action was taken There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk