Full Text
Yerington City Council Meeting March 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. – City Hall The regular meeting of the Yerington City Council was held in the Council Chambers at 10:00 a.m. with the following present: Mayor John J. Garry Council Members Jerry Bryant, Matthew Galvin, Shane Martin (Via Telephone) and Frank Pizzo City Manager Robert Switzer City Attorney Chuck Zumpft City Clerk Sheema D. Shaw Chief of Police Darren Wagner Public Works Director Jay Flakus Building Inspector Joel Brown Grants Administrator Angela Moore Absent: None Guests: Mr. David Ray, Ms. Chantae Lessard, Ms. Noel Chinnet, Ms. Lisa Selmi, Ms. Tracy Rothman, Mr. Jerry Rothman, Fire Chief Scott Draper, Ms. Jessica Halterman, Ms. Leah Wilkinson, Ms. Julia Pounds, Mr. Vince Granato, Mr. Dave DeGrendele, Ms. Deb DeGrendele, Mr. Jim Kusmerz, Ms., Mr. Travis Crowder, Mr. Kevin Petry, Ms. Joanne Gardella, Ms. Sonia Guarrieros, Mr. Kerry Griggs and Mr. Greg Shape The meeting was called to order within the James Sanford Community Center and roll call was reported by Mayor Garry. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Garry. Public Participation Mayor Garry asked for comments and no comments were made at this time. Agenda Approval Mayor Garry stated the agenda would be approved as presented unless there were any objections or corrections. City Manager Switzer stated no corrections need to be made at this time. Mayor Garry stated the agenda was approved as presented and the motion was approved unanimously. Minutes Mayor Garry stated the minutes from prior meeting dated February 27, 2023 would be approved unless there were any objections or corrections. Mayor Garry stated no objections were made at this time, the minutes from prior meeting dated February 27, 2023 were approved as presented and the motion was approved unanimously. Review Bills Previously Submitted for Payment ---PAGE BREAK--- Bills, Salaries and Vouchers: Accounts Payable Checks 02/21/2023 36579 through 36614 Payroll Checks 02/21/2023 36615 through 36620 Payroll Vouchers 02/21/2023 2232301 through 2232328 Transmittal Checks 02/21/2023 36621 through 36622 Transmittal Vouchers 02/21/2023 2212301 Mayor Garry stated the bills previously submitted for payment, checks 36579 through 36622 totaling $119,586.75, and would be approved unless there were any objections or corrections. Mayor Garry stated no comments were made at this time and the bills previously submitted for payment were approved unanimously. Approve New, Renewal and Name Change Business Licenses Applications. A. Kyle Cheek dba Cheek Construction, LLC., Construction, 3303 Reno Highway, Fallon, NV 89406 – RENEWAL B. Levi Stotts dba Hammerhead Construction, LLC., Carpentry/Construction, 245 River Road, Dayton, NV 89403 – RENEWAL C. Brandon Thomas dba Sunrise Mobile Repair, LLC., Mobile Automotive Repair, 625 South Center Street, Yerington, NV 89447 – NEW D. Emily Jo Dumas dba The Holistic Koi, Mobile Massage Therapy, 434 Shipley Drive, Yerington, NV 89447 – NEW E. Anna Dezember dba Golden Empire Concrete Products, Inc. dba StructureCast, Precast Concrete Building, 8261 McCutchen Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311 – NEW F. Brian L. Heckathorn dba Brian’s Electric Service, Contractor – Electrical, 95 East Stillwater Avenue, Fallon, NV 89406 – NEW Mayor Garry stated the business license applications A. through F. approved. Mayor Garry asked for comments, no comments were made at this time and the business license applications A. through F. were approved unanimously. Approve a Recommendation by the Yerington Planning Commission: Rick Christian with Denson Surveying, Inc., on behalf of Dennis McDuffee is proposing a Reversion to Acreage Application with APN 001-572-01 and 001-572-02. City Manager Switzer stated a recommendation was provided from the Yerington Planning Commission to merge two properties to create one large lot and approve of the reversion to acreage application for Mr. Dennis McDuffee. Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve agenda item number seven as presented, seconded by Councilman Martin. Mayor Garry asked for comments, no comments were made at this time and the motion was approved unanimously. ---PAGE BREAK--- Consider financial assistance for the Yerington Food Bank to move from its current location to one more compatible to its mission of food assistance to needy citizens. Healthy Communities Coalition will present a proposal for the Council’s review. Ms. Noel Chinnet and Ms. Lisa Selmi with the Yerington Food Pantry provided a presentation to City Council. Ms. Selmi stated the current facility was donated to the Yerington Food Pantry and the only expense were the utilities of the facility. The Food Pantry is operating on private donations and mainly runs on volunteers. The Food Pantry cannot afford to purchase a building but would like to rent a building for now. The Food Pantry is asking City Council to donate funds to help pay for rent and utilities. Food deliveries and the school backpack program are offered as resources through the Food Pantry to the community. The Boys and Girls Club is a subgrantee and the Food Pantry helps to fund programs through the Boys and Girls Club. Ms. Chinnet stated in order to help the citizens within the community, help by the City is greatly needed and would be really appreciated. Mayor Garry thanked the Food Pantry for the presentation. If the City is able to help at all with funding, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding could be used if possible. City Manager Switzer stated the City donated a vehicle a few years ago to the Food Pantry, a car port was paid for at the current facility and City Council approved of a grant for the Food Pantry in the amount of $20,000.00. The City does not have any amount budgeted to help fund this request but the Food Pantry is requesting an amount of $42,000.00 to help cover rent and utilities. Councilman Bryant asked where the Food Pantry is currently operating from. Ms. Chinnet stated we are operating across the street from Ave Hardware. A lot of damage has been done at the Food Pantry due to the recent storms and includes mold damage, the structure of the walls and roof damage as well. A more permanent solution needs to be found to operate within a safe facility for the Food Pantry. Councilman Galvin asked if any other temporary funding has been requested. Ms. Selmi stated the Food Pantry has received about $5,000.00 in private donations and D&S Waste also donated $12,000.00. Councilman Bryant stated he has a few concerns with the request. The Food Pantry is asking for assistance or money but does not currently have a long-term solution in place. Councilman Pizzo asked if the Food Pantry were to receive money from the City, would the funding only stay in Yerington. Ms. Selmi stated yes and only on the Yerington Food Pantry. Councilman Pizzo asked if any buildings are available right now that the Food Pantry would like to rent. Ms. Selmi stated one building is in mind but we have not been able to meet with the owner to discuss the details. Ms. Chinnet stated the current building is old and everything would need to be updated. Councilman Galvin stated the Food Pantry is asking for an amount of $42,000.00 for a building that you hope to have. The Food Pantry has had two years to fund a building and a permanent location should have been found by now. Ms. Selmi stated there is no funding for the Food Pantry and the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding was being looking into. ---PAGE BREAK--- City Manager Switzer stated it is at City Council’s discretion to approve of the funding. Mayor Garry asked if the funding would be available. City Manager Switzer stated yes. Councilman Bryant stated a long-term plan needs to be in place first but he is very concerned that the Food Pantry is mainly assisting with the working-class ages eighteen to fifty-five years old. Ms. Chinnet stated that age category is mainly the working class but they also have small children. Councilman Bryant would like to see a long-term plan with statistics before help from the City could be offered. Councilman Galvin stated other funding and donations were offered to the Food Pantry and a building has not been set yet. Councilman Galvin suggested that Healthy Communities Coalition (HCC) should come back to City Council after a building is set then to request the funding. Councilman Bryant suggested to assign two Council members to help HCC with a special meeting to discuss what the next steps are. Ms. Chinnet stated for the month of February 2023, the Food Pantry has helped three hundred forty-three households with two hundred and nineteen of those households being senior citizens which accounts for about sixty percent of the community and seventy-five percent of those households with children that are served. Councilman Bryant suggested to table the agenda item until a more concrete plan is in place and if approved, this program would be on a reimbursement basis only. City Manager Switzer stated the Food Pantry would need to pay the expenditures up front then with proper documentation, the City would reimburse the amount. Councilman Bryant made a motion to table agenda item number eight, seconded by Councilman Galvin. Mayor Garry asked for comments. Ms. Leah Wilkinson, a local community member, stated she picked up and dropped off food within the community until the Food Pantry came to town. The City of Yerington citizens really needs the Food Pantry. Mr. Vince Granato, a volunteer with the Food Pantry, stated the HCC and the Food Pantry did have some goals but the pandemic hit us hard. Mr. Travis Crowder, Director of the Boys and Girls Club, would like to offer to his help. If the City does decide to move forward with the help, the funding could possibly also be matched. Mr. Dave DeGrendele, a local community member, appreciates the HCC’s effort but this is not the City’s responsibility. The City should not put any money out unless there is a plan in place. Mr. Kevin Petrey, a local community member, stated it’s amazing what the HCC does for this community and it is a blessing. Ms. Tracy Rothman with HCC, stated she started as a volunteer and is now an employee. The gratitude for people that are hungry is so amazing and the HCC does make a difference to this community. Mr. Gary Griggs, a volunteer with the Food Pantry, stated a community should be working together and helping each other. Mr. David Ray, a local community member and Coordinator with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, stated he worked with the Food Pantry before HCC came into the picture. Mr. Ray stated he would like to be part of the group that meets to discuss the long-term plan for HCC. Other funding should be obtained by grants to help the costs of the Food Pantry. He offered his help with HCC in obtaining grants but HCC did not respond back to him. Mayor Garry asked for comments, no further comments were made at this time and the agenda item was tabled for a future agenda item. ---PAGE BREAK--- Approve a Cooperative Agreement between the City of Yerington and Walther Law Offices to serve as the City’s Municipal Court Public Defender and Indigent Defense in the amount of $24,000.00 (twenty-four thousand) annually, effective May 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2025. City Attorney Zumpft stated he does not have any concerns with the contract. Councilman Galvin made a motion to accept agenda item number nine as presented, seconded by Councilman Bryant. Mayor Garry asked for comments, no comments were made at this time and the motion was approved unanimously. Approve a $15,000.00 donation from Hudbay Minerals towards a new T-Ball baseball field. Ms. Chantae Lessard with Hudbay Minerals stated she is very excited to help participate with the youth of this community and to provide a donation to the City of Yerington for use towards a new T-Ball baseball field. Councilman Bryant stated youth sports is very near and dear to his heart and he greatly appreciates Hudbay Minerals help with this project. City Manager Switzer stated the City has made a promise to Hudbay Minerals that a sign will be made to display Hudbay Minerals name at the location of the project. Mayor Garry thanked Hudbay Minerals for their contribution. Councilman Galvin also thanked Hudbay Minerals as well. Councilman Bryant made a motion to approve agenda item number twelve as presented, seconded by Councilman Pizzo. Mayor Garry asked for comments, the public applauded and no comments were made at this time. The motion was approved unanimously and Mayor Garry and the City Council members will meet after the meeting to take a picture as well as to receive the check from Hudbay Minerals. Public Participation Mayor Garry asked for comments and no comments were made at this time. Department Reports Chief of Police Wagner stated it has been a busy couple of weeks. A pursuit occurred within town a few days ago and a suspect was apprehended. The water level situation is an issue and a big snow pack is out there which we will need to pay close attention to. The K-9 vehicle is almost complete and the position has been advertised from within. Mayor Garry asked Chief of Police Wagner if the City needs an evacuation plan in place. Chief of Police Wagner stated yes, it would be good for the City to have ---PAGE BREAK--- that plan in place and we should move forward with the City declaring a state of emergency. Public Works Director Flakus thanked Hudbay Minerals for the contribution. Regarding the flooding issue, Walker River Irrigation District (WRID) is working tirelessly to mitigate the flooding issue by lowering the levels to get rid of the water to make room for the additional water coming. Lyon County is the emergency coordinator and provided a non-emergency number for flooding concerns or information about the flooding situation. The Public Works crew went out with Lyon County to close Miller Lane which will increase the traffic coming through town. City Manager Switzer thanked Hudbay Minerals for their donation. An emergency declaration to the flooding will be held on Wednesday, March 15th at 10:00 a.m. City Clerk Shaw stated the special meeting will be held in the conference room. City Clerk Shaw stated everything is good to go with the budget meeting, which will be held on March 24th at 9:00 a.m. at the Jeannie Dini Center. Councilman Bryant thanked Hudbay Minerals as well. The Department of Forestry was in Yerington over the weekend helping at the sandbag stations. The task force for the Food Bank could stay after the City Council meeting and we will start getting a plan going. Councilman Galvin thanked WRID and the ditch companies for their hard work. The local farmers were also hauling their own equipment. Mayor Garry stated he wholeheartedly agrees with the power of the community and neighbors helping neighbors is a great benefit to the community. The community has Mayor Garry’s personal gratitude. Mayor Garry thanked the Mason Valley Fire Department for their hard work and their help. The community should but extra food and water for your home in case there is a flood and to think ahead. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: City Clerk of the City of Yerington ---PAGE BREAK---