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April 13, 2020 The regular meeting of the Yerington City Council was held in the Council Chambers and via Zoom.com due to COVID-19 and Social Distancing Measures enacted by Governor Sandoval at 10:00 a.m. with the following present: Mayor John Garry (Council Chambers) Council Members Jerry Bryant, Shane Martin and Terceira Schunke (via Zoom.com) City Manager Robert Switzer (Via Zoom.com) City Attorney Chuck Zumpft ( Arrived @ 10:35 - Via Zoom.com) Chief of Police Darren Wagner (Arrived @ 10:20 a.m. - Council Chambers) Public Works Director Jay Flakus (Council Chambers) Interim City Clerk/Administrative Director, Sheema D. Shaw(Via Zoom.com) Absent: Councilwoman Selena Catalano Guests: Amy Alonzo via Zoom.com, Amy Miller via Zoom.com, Larry Smith via Facebook, Commissioner Jay Dini via Facebook Mayor Garry opened the meeting and stated due to the Covid 19 virus our council chambers have been closed to public gatherings; thus, to comply with Nevada Open Meeting Law we are utilizing a Teleconferencing/Video conferencing to allow the public to attend remotely which has been posted in a timely manner. We will also be live streaming on Facebook. Mayor Garry stated that City Manager Switzer would act as the “Host” for Zoom.com for acceptance to the meeting. Mayor Garry stated that if the public is viewing the meeting on Facebook live, they can engage in public participation by calling the front desk or emailing the City Clerk at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Mayor Garry stated that Councilmembers may be participating from remote locations and would call on each member of council to determine his or her vote on each agenda item. Mayor Garry begged everyone’s indulgence as this would be a first time for us. Mistakes will occur and there may be glitches in the system. Public Participation Mayor Garry opened the meeting for public comments and waited two minutes for any responses. There no were no comments. Agenda Approval City Manager Switzer stated that we need to remove agenda item 6 as the drag races have been canceled in light of recent events and because of issues with the FAA. Councilwoman Schunke made a motion to approve the agenda as with the removal of agenda item 6, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Minutes Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve the minutes of March 9, 2020, seconded by Councilwoman Schunke. Mayor Garry asked for public comments and waited two minutes, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Business Licenses The following business license applications were presented for review and approval: A. Jeff J. Rife dba Jeff J. Rife & Associates, CPA, 102 S. Center St. Yerington, NV 89447-Name Change & New Location ---PAGE BREAK--- B. Vickie E. Barnes dba Pizen Switch Antiques, Antiques Shop, 3A S. Main St. Yerington, NV 89447-Name Change C. Amandeep Singh dba Port of Subs, Sandwich Shop, 115 W. Goldfield Ave Yerington, NV 89447-New D. Ralph Martin dba Pioneer Mobile Home Ranch, Mobile Home Park, 815 W. Bridge St. Yerington, NV 89447-New E. Christian Rangel dba United Connections Agency, LLC, Public Office, 209 W. Goldfield Ave Ste. B Yerington, NV 89447-New Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve the business license applications as presented, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for public comment and waited two minutes for responses, there were no public comments and the motion passed unanimously. For Possible Action: Discussion and Approval of the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2021 City Manager Switzer stated that this item is for approval of the tentative budget. City Manager Switzer stated that we would see the current economic impact to our budget in the General Fund; we may also see an economic impact on the utility funds. City Manager Switzer stated that the major loss of revenue coming into the state would come from casinos that have shutdown. City Manager Switzer stated that page 10 of the tentative budget showed our proposed general budget for revenues. The consolidated tax will be the hardest hit; fuel and motor tax will also be hit. City Manager Switzer stated that we do not receive a majority of our funds from state shared revenues. City Manager Switzer sited franchise fees such as Southwest Gas, NV Energy and D & S Sanitation are paid directly to the city. City Manager Switzer stated that another amount to hit our general fund is property tax and at this time we do not know how that will be affected. City Manager Switzer stated that in summary the State of Nevada provides us with figures that we receive based upon their projections. City Manager Switzer stated that at this time we have not received any clear guidance from the state or federal level on what kind of a loss we can expect. The governor came out in a press conference recommending a 4% to 6% decrease; the problem is we do not know what that will be. City Manager Switzer stated that he has tried to be conservative in this budget. We have eliminated a part-time position and do not intend to hire any seasonal employees in the coming budget year. We will try to make do with the full-time staff we had. City Manager Switzer stated that he has suggested in this budget that we do not fill the eighth position for the police department for now. That will save us approximately $75,000 in anticipated expenses. City Manager Switzer stated that he believes we will receive further guidance from the state and possibly the federal government on what impact we will have to our budget. City Manager Switzer stated that our congressional representative contacted us and to the extent that they can, they have promised to help with impacts to our operations, which would offset any losses. City Manager Switzer stated that we are tracking the hours employees are off due to Covid-19, in order to be reimbursed for the lost work hours that we are paying for. City Manager Switzer stated that the tentative budget needs to be submitted to the state by Wednesday. The final budget meeting will be held at the end of next month and will look different the budget before council members today. Councilman Bryant asked if in these economic times would we be better served by keeping our police force strong. City Manager Switzer stated that we could have another workshop to more clearly define this issue. ---PAGE BREAK--- Councilwoman Schunke made a motion to approve the tentative budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for public comments. Due to the delay on Facebook, the Mayor waited four minutes. There were no public comments and the motion carried unanimously. Discussion and Approval to Retain Sciarani & Company to Complete the Audit Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020 City Manager Switzer stated that each year we must approve the auditing firm for the current audit year and submit a letter to the Department of Taxation. Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve the letter to retain Sciarani & Company to complete the audit report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, seconded by Councilwoman Schunke. Discussion and Approval of D & S Waste Removal Proposed Rate Increase of 3.22% for Commercial Bin Services City Manager Switzer stated that D &S Waste Removal has a franchise with the city of Yerington for the privilege to provide service in our area. City Manager Switzer stated that they must come before council when they would like to make an increase. We have received a letter stating they will not increase fees to residents at this time, only commercial bins. Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve the D & S Waste removal proposed rate increase of 3.22% for commercial bin services, Seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for public comments and waited four minutes. There were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. For Discussion Only: Review Financial Statement FS10 City Manager Switzer stated gave an overview of the FS-10 report through March 31, 2020. Our General Funs has a good ending fund balance and the water and sewer funds are also doing well. City Manager Switzer stated that things would change as we move through this pandemic. No action was taken Review Bills Previously Submitted for Payment Bills, Salaries and Vouchers: Accounts Payable Checks 3-3-2020 32144 through 32164 3-10-2020 32169 through 32195 3-16-2020 32196 through 32212 Payroll Vouchers 3-9-2020 3122001 through 3122020 Payroll Checks 3-9-2020 32165 through 32167 Transmittal Vouchers 3-9-2020 3092001 Transmittal Checks 3-9-2020 32168 Councilwoman Schunke made a motion to approve the bills as submitted, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for public comments and waited four minutes, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. ---PAGE BREAK--- Public Participation City Manager Switzer read two public comments from Mr. Larry Smith that were posted on Facebook: “Thank you for relinquishing your constitutional rights and God-given rights and being content in police state America…More fraud and sensationalism from the corrupt media and the Satanic operative in high placers and from the useful idiots in the deep state and shadow government on behalf of the New World orderly you have no constitutional right to bankrupt the city of Yerington’s small businesses nor mandate essential services etc.” “What’s going on with the authoritarian actions of individual state governors. City mayors, etc. what in the 10th amendment allows them to override the intent of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights as they deny our basic God-given and inalienable rights!” Mayor Garry stated that we understand your passion at this time. Department Reports City Attorney Zumpft reported that open meeting law allows that we can have public comment at the beginning of the meeting, which would apply to all items on the agenda at each agenda item. Also, add a second public comment section at the end of the agenda. City Attorney Zumpft reported that Farr West Engineering has put together legal position and those are now in City Manager Switzer’s hands and moving forward. Chief Wagner reported that Officer Brown has almost completed FTO. The new vehicle has arrived and now just needs to be taken in to be outfitted. Chief Wagner stated that he has one more applicant at this time that is in background, however, he is in the POST academy, which has been closed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. If we hire that applicant we will have more officers than vehicles. Chief Wagner stated he is looking into state purchasing at this time. Public Works Director Flakus stated that the Mason Well has gone down. Carson Pump has been called to help out. This will be a very expensive fix. City Manager Switzer reported that we have gained $7,200 in interest on the LGIP for the month of March. Councilwoman Schunke thanked everyone; public, council and staff for their patience. Some decisions are out of our hands, we are in unprecedented times. Mayor Garry We have a cooperative spirit in our community and he is impressed by the good deeds being done here. Mayor Garry stated that he heard of someone purchasing food at Raley’s and did not have enough money, the person behind said that they would pay the difference. City Clerk Shaw had told him that on Facebook, people are offering food to those in need and reaching out to each other. Sherri’s Stage stop gave away a total of 436 meals on Easter Sunday. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk