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December 3, 2021 The special meeting of the Yerington City Council was held in the Council Chambers at 1:00 pm with the following present: Mayor John Garry Council Members Jerry Bryant, Selena Catalano, and Shane Martin City Manager Robert Switzer City Attorney Chuck Zumpft City Clerk Sheema D. Shaw Chief of Police Darren Wagner Grants Administrator Angela Moore Absent: Public Works Director Jay Flakus, Building Official Joel Brown, and Mr. Matthew Galvin Guests: Mr. James Sanford, Mr. Frank Pizzo, Ms. Anne Phelan, and Ms. Debbie Gilmore Meeting called to order by Mayor Garry at 1:00 pm and roll call was reported. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Garry. Public Participation/Comments Mayor Garry asked for public comments. Ms. Debbie Gilmore, a life long resident of Yerington and President of the Bee Keepers Association. Ms. Gilmore stated the Bee Keepers Association has received Room Tax funding for the past seven to eight years from the City of Yerington to help with advertising for events. City Council approved utilizing an amount of $23,000.00 for Room Tax funding and the remaining amount to be applied to the new Dog Park fencing. Ms. Gilmore was disheartened this morning at the Room Tax meeting when she was notified that some of the Room Tax monies will be used for fencing at the new Dog Park. Ms. Gilmore requested City Council to reconsider using the monies for the Dog Park. Agenda Mayor Garry stated the agenda would be approved unless there were any corrections or objections. No objections were made and the motion was approved unanimously. Selection of an Applicant to fill one vacant City Council Position. Pursuant to the Yerington City Charter Sections 1.060 and 2.010, Submitted by the following qualified applicants: Matthew J. Galvin, James R. Sanford, Frank Pizzo, and Anne M. Phelan. Mayor Garry stated one of the applicants is involved in SWAT training today and cannot be present for the selection but City Council does have Mr. Galvin’s letter of ---PAGE BREAK--- interest. Mayor Garry asked each candidate to provide a five-minute speech to City Council and how they can serve the community of Yerington. Mayor Garry asked City Attorney Zumpft if City Council may move forward with selecting a candidate if all candidates are not present. City Attorney Zumpft stated City Council may proceed. Mr. James Sanford stated he applied for this position because of three reasons. 1. He has experience in City government as the past Mayor and City Councilman. 2. He has history in the community by living in Yerington for the last sixty years and working for the local newspaper for forty-five years. 3. He would like to continue to give back to the community that he loves. Mr. Sanford requested for City Council to consider his application. Mr. Sanford would like to be active in the community and to continue to give back. Councilwoman Catalano asked Mr. Sanford of his resignation last time on City Council and what makes this time different. Mr. Sanford stated he did apply and City Council chose Councilman Martin. This time it is different because of the different faces, philosophies, attitudes and beliefs. Mr. Sanford can work with anyone and is very opinionated for what he thinks is right. Mr. Sanford was appointed Mayor of the City of Yerington in the 1990’s with a motion to appoint him Mayor and all voted unanimously. He served two terms for Mayor, one appointed term and one elected term. He served two terms for City Councilman, one appointed term and one elected term. Councilwoman Catalano thanked the candidates for their applications and stated the decision made today will not be prejudice. Councilwoman Catalano asked Mr. Sanford of the three internal within Yerington. Mr. Sanford stated City Manager Switzer shows real strength and the City staff are overall very qualified and dedicated. Councilwoman Catalano asked Mr. Sanford of the weakness within the internal system of Yerington. Mr. Sanford stated this last summer, the City of Yerington looked better regarding trash and weeds, which need to be taken care of more diligently. Mr. Sanford stated the City Council are new to the community and sometimes the history might get overlooked. An example is the use of the ball parks and handling issues could be very valuable to the City. Mr. Frank Pizzo stated he has performed a lot of community service within Yerington that includes the Food Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley. Mr. Pizzo is a resident of Yerington for thirty years, with twenty-eight of those years in law enforcement. Mr. Pizzo stated he has a lot of insight to the community. Councilwoman Catalano asked Mr. Pizzo what would want you to take away from the work you are doing to be a council member. Mr. Pizzo stated being a council member would take precedence over his community work and the two could mesh together. ---PAGE BREAK--- Councilwoman Catalano asked if Mr. Pizzo has come to any City Council meetings. Mr. Pizzo stated yes, he has. Councilwoman Catalano stated being a part of City Council is more than twice a month. Mr. Pizzo stated City Council would be his top priority and the City would come first. Councilman Bryant asked Mr. Pizzo of the opportunities that he sees in the community and things that are going well. Mr. Pizzo stated the City has the opportunity to grow and to bring businesses in from other states. Councilwoman Catalano stated the City is looking at bringing in external opportunities. Mr. Pizzo stated he is not aware, but the external opportunities would be a good deal for the City. Ms. Anne Phelan stated she is new to Yerington and has lived here for three years. She stated the City has a lot of opportunities to grow and the reason she applied was to learn more about the area she lives in. The new truck stop will be a big plus for the community. The progress on the Water and Sewer Project has moved very smoothly since it has started. Councilman Bryant asked Ms. Phelan to point out the opportunities and for the City. Ms. Phelan stated before the pandemic, the City lost many businesses with places sitting vacant. Food Bank offers a lot to the community and it is encouraging to hear that the community is able to provide food to those families. Ms. Phelan stated City Council and Chief of Police Wagner does a nice job. Councilwoman Catalano asked about the City’s weaknesses. Ms. Phelan stated the Police Department cannot be out and about all the time and a Neighborhood Watch Program would benefit the community. There are not a lot of weaknesses in Yerington and everything is a work in progress. Mayor Garry stated many people have diversified backgrounds and asked Ms. Phelan if anything from her background would be a benefit to City Council. Ms. Phelan stated she has raised money for others and also did some promoting work for the Hospitality industry. Mayor Garry offered options for the selection to City Council. Councilman Bryant selected an option to vote by roll call. Councilwoman Catalano and Councilman Martin agreed. Councilman Bryant stated that it was very nice to see the interest from the candidates. Councilwoman Catalano thanked the candidates for showing interest in the community. Mayor Garry and Councilman Martin agreed with Councilwoman Catalano. Mayor Garry took a vote from City Council. Mr. Matthew Galvin received two ayes from Councilwoman Catalano and Councilman Martin. Mr. James Sanford received one aye from Councilman Bryant. Mayor Garry stated the new City Council member is now Mr. Matthew J. Galvin. ---PAGE BREAK--- Councilwoman Catalano made a motion to approve Matthew J. Galvin as the next City Council member position, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry stated the motion was approved with two ayes and one nay for Mr. Matthew J. Galvin. Public Participation/Comments Mayor Garry asked for public comments and no comments were made at this time. Department Reports City Attorney Zumpft sends his congratulations to the next City Council member. City Manager Switzer stated the Water and Sewer Project is moving forward with great progress. An agenda item will be presented at the December 13th City Council meeting for more water infrastructure work to be completed within the Water and Sewer Project. Some issues will also be presented to City Council at the next City Council meeting as well. City Clerk Shaw stated she will reach out to Mr. Galvin to invite him to the next City Council meeting on December 13th and he will also be sworn in. Councilman Bryant congratulated Mr. Galvin and stated he had a hard time ignoring the impressive application from Mr. Sanford. Councilwoman Catalano stated Mr. Sanford’s experience is beyond words and was not an easy choice. Thank you as well to Ms. Phelan and Mr. Pizzo. Councilman Martin thanked the candidates for applying and congrats to Mr. Galvin. Mayor Garry wished everyone a happy holiday. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 1:38 pm. Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: City Clerk of the City of Yerington ---PAGE BREAK---