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June 24, 2019 The regular meeting of the Yerington City Council was held in the Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m. with the following present: Mayor George Dini Council Members Selena Catalano, John Garry, Larry Reynolds and Terceira Schunke City Manager Robert Switzer City Attorney Chuck Zumpft Chief of Police Darren Wagner Public Works Director Jay Flakus (arrived at 10:10 a.m) Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk Sheema D. Shaw Absent: Guests: David Ray, Wayne Carlson, Sylvia Banta, Marilyn McMcurry, Stace Carlson, Owen Maerhoff, Heather Muchoro, Tina Petersen, Debbie Dini, Chris Garry, Diane Arvizo and Lee Reynolds Agenda Approval Councilman Reynolds made a motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Catalano and passed unanimously. Minutes Councilwoman Schunke made a motion to approve the minutes of June 10, 2019, seconded by Councilman Garry and passed unanimously. Business Licenses The following business license application was presented for review and approval: A. William Hill Nevada I dba William Hill Race & Sports Book, Race & Sports Betting, 45 N. Main Street, Yerington NV 89447 – New Councilman Garry made a motion to approve the business license application as presented, seconded by Councilwoman Catalano. Mayor Dini asked for public comment, there were no public comments and the motion passed unanimously. Renewal Proposal from Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool (Pool) and Approval for Payment from Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Funds. Mr. Wayne Carlson of Pool/Pact and Ms. Tina Peterson of A & H Insurance addressed the City Council. ---PAGE BREAK--- Ms. Peterson stated that there are a few changes with this year’s renewal. There are a couple of new police vehicles and some payroll expenses. Those are the two items that make the majority of the changes this year. Ms. Peterson handed out a booklet to all councilmembers and stated that it would show all of the benefits that the Pool offers. Ms. Peterson stated that the Pool offers Human Resources as a benefit along with risk management. There is a lot of training offered to members and a lot of tools that the city is not utilizing. To date the City of Yerington has only used $240.00 on educational grant funds. The City is eligible for five $2,000.00 grants a year. Mr. Carlson stated that Pool/Pact does have some very good programs that include law enforcement. Mr. Carlson stated that the laws keep changes and we need to keep on top of them. Mr. Carlson stated that he encouraged the city to apply for the risk management grants that are available. Mr. Carlson stated that the legislature is challenging the works compensation law this year and there are some bills that effect workers compensation. There are some major bills that expand benefits especially in the public safety; police and fire. On the liability side there was also an increase from the legislature on the tort liability. The present cap is $100,000 and the legislature is phasing in an increase over the next couple of years to $150,000 and going up to $200,000. There are also changes to the open meeting law. Pool/Pact will have an officer from the Attorney General’s office at their litigation workshop on July 19th. There will also be someone from the Ethics Commission. Ms. Peterson stated that the city had a cyber assessment last year and the benefit to the city was $20,000. Another change that was made this year to the coverage was the addition of the aiport to Pool coverage with a savings of $4,000 a year to the city. Mayor Dini stated that the city has always appreciated Pool/Pact and the benefits and services that they offer. City Manager Switzer stated that the total bill for FY 19-20 is $82,285.01 Councilwoman Catalano made a motion to approve the renewal proposal from Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool (Pool) and approval for payment from Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Funds in the amount of $82,285.01, seconded by Councilman Garry. Mayor Dini asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Transfer Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Appropriations Within the General Fund From: Police Fund in the amount of $47,000 to Mayor Fund in the Amount of $5,000; Administration Fund in the amount of $12,000; Municipal Court in the amount of $7,000; Parks & Recreation in the amount of $20,000 and Airport $$3,000 for a Total Amount of $47,000 pursuant to NRS 354.598005 ---PAGE BREAK--- City Manager Switzer stated that we are winding down the current fiscal year and have found that some of our functions may exceed the budgeted amounts. NRS does not allow the city to spend outside of those functions. The memo he has submitted, with council approval, will allow for transfers. This will not change the current budget. Councilman Garry made a motion to approve the transfer Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Appropriations within the General Fund From: Police Fund in the amount of $47,000 to Mayor Fund in the amount of $5,000; Administration Fund in the amount of $12,000; Municipal Court in the amount of $7,000; Parks & Recreation in the amount of $20,000 and Airport $$3,000 for a Total Amount of $47,000 pursuant to NRS 354.598005 seconded by Councilwoman Catalano. Mayor Dini asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Resolution Number 2019 - 03 of the City Council of Yerington, Nevada Providing for the Transfer of the City’s 2019 Private Activity bond Volume Cap to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority; and Other Matters Related Thereto. Mr. Diane Arvizo of Nevada Rural Housing Authority addressed the council and stated that she was here today to ask for a transfer of the city’s 2019 private activity bond volume cap to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority. Ms. Arvizo stated that Nevada Rural Housing Authority pools the cap into a fund that can be used in rural Nevada. The Home at Last program serves 8,200 families in Nevada and this last year 68 families in the City of Yerington a total of $8.6 million total Ms. Arvizo stated that the Home at Last program serves 8,200 families. 68 families in the city of Yerington. The average loan size is $143,000 and the average income is $50,000. Ms. Arvizo reviewed some of the programs offered through the Nevada Rural Housing Authority and their benefit to those looking to purchase a home. Mayor Dini congratulated Mr. Arvizo on the success of the program and wished her continued luck. City Manager Switzer stated that on page 2 the City Manager is listed as Dan Newell, we need to make that correction and the resolution could be signed with council approval. Councilwoman Catalano made a motion to approve Resolution Number 2019 - 03 of the City Council of Yerington, Nevada providing for the transfer of the City’s 2019 private activity bond volume cap to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority; and other matters related thereto, seconded by Councilman Garry. Mayor Dini asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion carried unanimously. Review Bills Previously Submitted for Payment Bills, Salaries and Vouchers: Accounts Payable Checks 6-4-2019 31016 through 31035 6-12-2019 31036 through 31087 ---PAGE BREAK--- 6-18-2019 31095 through 31108 Payroll Vouchers 6-17-2019 6201901 through 6201924 Payroll Checks 6-17-2019 31088 through 31092 Transmittal Vouchers 6-17-2019 6171901 Transmittal Checks 6-17-2019 31093 & 31094 Councilwoman Schunke made a motion to approve the bills as submitted, seconded by Councilman Garry. Mayor Dini asked for public comments, there were no comments and the motion passed unanimously. Public Participation There were no comments. Department Reports City Attorney Zumpft stated that it has been more than 20 years since he and Mayor Dini began working together and he appreciated his guidance, direction and work ethic. The City of Yerington is in a far better place than it was before Mayor Dini sat on council. City Attorney Zumpft also thanked Councilman Reynolds for his service. Chief Wagner stated that he also wanted to thank Mayor Dini for his service of over 20 years. We have seen a substantial number of changes over the years, the city has seen many annexations and has increased by many square miles. There have been some very good times and some hard times, but we always managed to get through it. Chief Wagner reported that it was an active weekend. We had a plane at the aiport that was a manual start engine that got out of control. It turned in circles until it hit a fence. It was trying to lift, but never did get off the ground. City Manager Switzer thanked Mayor Dini for his leadership and recognized the projects that he has contributed to in the past. City Manager Switzer stated that he has reached out to the National Guard regarding the Armory and is in discussions with them. City Manager Switzer stated that he met with the USDA regarding the water and sewer project to discuss recent cost estimates. The USDA has assured us that if the cost comes in over estimates we will be provided grant funds. City Manager Switzer stated that an ad for the utility bills will be sent to the Mason Valley News this week giving 30 days to customers to make good on past accounts. ---PAGE BREAK--- Interim City Clerk Shaw thanked Councilman Reynolds for his service to the City of Yerington as a councilman and that she has enjoyed working with him. Interim City Clerk Shaw thanked Mayor Dini for his service to the City of Yerington and stated that she appreciated his wisdom, time and the many years of working with him. Councilman Garry thanked Councilman Reynolds and Mayor Dini for their service. Councilman Garry stated that he was touched when a member of the community had stated to him how much they appreciated how many people came out to paint the food pantry and how much they cared. Councilwoman Schunke thanked Councilman Reynolds and Mayor Dini for their service to the City. Councilwoman Catalano thanked Councilman Reynolds for all of his service both as a public responder and as councilman to the City of Yerington. Councilwoman Catalano thanked Mayor Dini for his service and stated that she knew where to find him if he was needed. Councilman Reynolds thanked Mayor Dini for all his years of service to the community. Councilman Reynolds thanked his wife Lee Reynolds for being his sounding board these last few years. Councilman Reynolds thanked City Manager Switzer, Interim City Clerk Shaw, the Public Works Department and the Police Department. Mayor Dini stated that it was hard to reflect on 24 years of service. Mayor Dini stated that it is important that he thank the community for supporting him and allowing him to serve as a councilmember and mayor. It has certainly been an honor and privilege. Mayor Dini extended his thanks to all of the volunteers who make the city run; members of the animal shelter, Room Tax Board, Planning Commission and many others. Without their volunteerism, we would not move forward. Mayor Dini thanked all of the staff at the City of Yerington. They have always done an excellent job. We have had some minor moments of turbulence, but we have made it right. Mayor Dini stated that some of our decisions could have been better; however, we overcame them. Mayor Dini stated that the city has a new City Manager; however we need to convince Interim City Clerk Shaw to take the title of City Clerk. It’s time. Mayor Dini congratulated Mayor-Elect Garry. Mayor Dini stated that there will be some stumbling blocks along the way and while Mayor-Elect Garry is still fairly new to the community he will learn what the terrain is like and how to move forward. Mayor Dini stated that his greatest accomplishment was the lands deal with Nevada Copper. It was an enlightening experience. We had to satisfy a Senator with an act called the WINO (Wilderness In Name Only) attachment. Mayor Dini stated that it is his belief that Nevada Copper is the future of the City. The City has a chance to grow with the revenue and the ---PAGE BREAK--- proceeds to come from that venture. Not only from the mine, but from the growth to the community that will follow the mine. Mayor Dini stated that over the years we have purchased all of the water systems in the area and we are now in control of all of them. Water issues can be very toxic and Mayor-Elect Garry will have limited success when customers come to talk to him about their issues. One of the reasons we took them on is because our water rights were being exposed and lost at a rapid rate with no beneficial use to show to the state. Nevada Copper helped to secure those rights. Mayor Dini stated that 25 years ago they started talking with ARCO, the local community and tribes to try and cleanup the Anaconda site. There is an agreement in place now. Let’s hope it stays in place and they move forward on it. It was hard to get ARCO to commit $220-million for cleanup with the oversite of the state. Mayor Dini stated that we built an arsenic treatment plant. The government changed the part per billion from 50 to 10. Senator Harry Reid was instrumental in helping us get the million to build it. We received a $3-million grant for the Airport runway from the FAA. Mayor Dini stated that he is very happy with his work on the Sunset Hills project and the negotiations with ARCO. Mayor Dini advised Council to keep in mind when ARCO comes for the Weed Heights sewer project to start high in the negotiations; remember, they get to walk away when it is done, the city takes the responsibility forever. Mayor Dini stated that he has been through 2 droughts, 2 floods, 2 lawsuits, 2 plane crashes and a smelly sewer system for the last 18 months. Mayor Dini thanked City Manager Switzer and Public Works Director Flakus for taking care of that issue. Mayor Dini stated that it would be great if the city could obtain the Armory as a City Hall. The cemetery project is not finished; but that is a very sacred ground and very sentimental to this community. Our streets are a in a bit of disrepair, but we are slowly getting to them. Mayor Dini wished the Police Department well and his best to Chief Wagner. Mayor Dini stated that if there is one thing that he regrets not saying over the years it is to the media. If the media askes you something and you are not sure, his regret is that he should have said “I cannot comment at this time until I know more of the facts”. Mayor Dini stated that is all you have to say. Mayor Dini stated that it is time for him to move on He has enjoyed the journey immensely, the city has a bright future, new people, new ideas, new revenues, new energy and hopefully a new economy. Mayor Dini thanked everyone for their support over the years and he appreciated it very much. There being no further business Mayor Dini adjourned the meeting. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk