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Yerington City Council Meeting June 8, 2020 at 10am – City Hall 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 Guidelines enacted by Governor Sisolak at 10:00 a.m. with the following present: Mayor John Garry (Council Chambers) Council Members Jerry Bryant (Council Chambers), Selena Catalano, Terceira Schunke, and Shane Martin (Via Telephone) Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk Sheema D. Shaw (Via Zoom) Deputy Clerk/Grants Angela Moore (Via Zoom) City Attorney Neil Falk (Via Zoom) Absent: City Manager Robert Switzer, City Attorney Chuck Zumpft, Chief of Police Darren Wagner, Public Works Director Jay Flakus Guests: Garrett R. Kalt with the State of Nevada and guests present via Zoom/ Facebook Meeting called to order, roll call reported and Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Garry opened the meeting stating that the council chambers have been closed due to the COVID-19 and are now open for public gatherings and meetings. We are also livestreaming on Facebook. Mayor Garry stated that Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk Sheema Shaw will be acting as the host and will accept the public into the meeting. If the public has any questions, they can call the front desk at [PHONE REDACTED] or email the Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk at [EMAIL REDACTED]. Mayor Garry stated that he will call each member of the council, in order for him or her to vote on each agenda item. Public comments will be taken after each agenda item. Public Participation Mayor Garry asked for public comments with a wait time of two minutes. Mayor Garry stated he would like to read a letter from a citizen of Yerington, Chris Garry. Please see attached document. Councilwoman Schunke asked if the council chambers are now open. Mayor Garry confirmed, yes, they are open. Councilman Martin is trying to connect to the zoom meeting, but is having connection issues. Agenda Approval Mayor Garry stated that the agenda would be approved as presented unless there were any objections, there were no objections and the agenda was approved as presented. Minutes Mayor Garry stated that the minutes of May 26, 2020 regular meeting would be approved as presented unless there were any objections, there were no objections and the minutes of May 26, 2020 regular meeting were approved as presented. ---PAGE BREAK--- Presentation and Update by Mr. Garrett R. Kalt on the Nevada Census 2020 Mr. Garrett Kalt stated that he would like to update City Council on the Census for Yerington and all surrounding areas. Mr. Kalt works for the State of Nevada. Mr. Kalt stated that we, Nevadan’s, should complete the Census as soon as possible in order to receive our federal share of funding. The national average for people who have completed the Census is at 60.7%. Yerington is just under the national average for completion of the Censes at 59.8%. Yerington households who have completed the survey is at 59.5%. For each person who completes the Census, the state receives $20,000 per person in federal funding for the state of Nevada. Mr. Kalt stated there is nothing in the Census for providing personal information such as banking or social security numbers. With only ten questions to answer, completing this survey will make an impact for ten years. In light of the COVID-19, the State of Nevada is taking this issue a little differently; with the state’s efforts to help fill out the Census. Since all businesses are beginning to open up, they will start traveling to help others regarding the Census. Mr. Kalt would like to remind groups that have their Census’ completed 100% by members will receive a shout out. Yerington is close to Las Vegas, a friendly competition between cities for the purpose of response challenges would be a good idea. The City of Fallon and the City of Fernley are wearing opposing t-shirts to show their support. This competition would be helpful in raising responses up in order to have the Census completed. Mayor Garry believes that a competition would be a good idea, but we need the citizen’s participation. Councilman Bryant asked Mr. Kalt if there are common objections from communities to not fill out the Census. Mr. Kalt stated that there are a lot of hurdles that needs to be overcome. The Census is important, safe and easy, with completion in less than ten minutes. With only ten questions, this makes it simple for everyone to complete. Councilman Bryant asked if there were other methods other than the mail to send the Census. Mr. Kalt stated there are three options; online, by phone or mail. The website is census.nv.gov and phone numbers are listed on the website also, if anyone has questions. If the Census is not completed by August 2020, a federal census worker will come to help fill the census out with you. Councilwoman Schunke asked Mr. Kalt if the Census packets will be mailed to P.O. boxes or just physical addresses. Mr. Kalt stated that if you have a P.O. Box the packet would be delivered to your house. He stated that he offers services to Mineral, Lyon, Churchill, Pershing, and Humboldt counties. Mayor Garry asked if there is a deadline to complete the Census. Mr. Kalt stated in mid-October, the Census is due for people who are going to self-respond and fill out on their own. But come August, a federal census worker will come to help people who still haven’t filled out the Census packet. All dates and deadlines are tentative and could be pushed back further due to COVID-19. Mayor Garry stated the City of Yerington will do what we can. We will post on our Facebook page to help draw awareness to people about the Census. . Councilwoman Catalano recommended the city to encourage people to go to the public library, if they don’t have computers at home. The City should offer assistance to the public, if they need any help. We need to remind people of the importance regarding federal funding and how much of an impact the completion of the Census will offer. Mayor Garry thanked Mr. Kalt for his presentation. ---PAGE BREAK--- Review Bills Previously Submitted for Payment Mayor Garry stated that the agenda would be approved as presented unless there were any objections, there were no objections and the bills previously submitted for payment were approved as presented. Bills, Salaries and Vouchers: Accounts Payable Checks 5-20-2020 32387 through 32415 5-27-2020 32416 through 32421 6-1-2020 32423 through 32429 Payroll Vouchers 6-1-2020 6042001 through 6042021 Payroll Checks None Transmittal Vouchers 6-1-2020 6012001 Transmittal Checks 6-1-2020 32422 Public Participation Mayor Garry asked for public comments with a wait time of two minutes. Amy Miller of the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) stated she would like to be added to the City of Yerington’s post on their website; to assist people and offer support from the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Garry would like to offer compliments to Amy Miller for reaching the fundraising goal for the fireworks, a month ahead of schedule. Amy Miller stated that we live in an awesome community and we all need to be proud of it. Mayor Garry stated there are no further comments at this time. Department Reports Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk Sheema Shaw stated that the City of Yerington’s doors are now open to the public and we will continue to be available to assist the public as needed. Councilman Bryant would like to address a concern to Public Works Director Flakus; a citizen at Mountain View Park stated that the lights should be corrected as they are too bright. Councilman Bryant asked if a Public Safety Committee or Police Committee could schedule a meeting soon to address these concerns. Administrative Director/Interim Clerk Sheema Shaw stated she will get in touch with the Chief of Police and the City Manager to have the meeting arranged. Councilwoman Catalano would like to address a concern to Public Works Director Flakus; a couple of people approached her about the alleys and easements being cleared and cleaned. She thought this issue was being addressed already and would like clarity. She would like for everyone to continue to be safe and we will get through this. Councilwoman Schunke stated she wants to thank everyone. We need to continue to do what we can and the staff, we wouldn’t be able to do it without you guys. ---PAGE BREAK--- In regards to the Rodney King riots, violence does not prove or fix anything. We should help out one another, help your neighbor, love one another and do your best. Mayor Garry stated that 2.5 million jobs have been created in regards to a jobs report. The stock market still seems very healthy, even during the COVID-19. The 75th anniversary has just passed for D-Day and we need to take a moment and remember those who have lost their lives. Dwight D. Eisenhower, he met a lot of the troops and felt the need to see the men that were going to give up their lives for the mission. If the mission failed, he was prepared to accept responsibility and it to be solely on his shoulders. The Governor would like for us to have a conversation about race. A YouTube link was sent to Mayor Garry about the people who have lost their lives from civil disturbance. Captain David Dorn was a father of five, a grandfather to ten, and also a police officer. He was guarding his pawn shop and he was shot and killed. He lived a life of service and was a giver to his community. He would like to remember Captain David Dorn and what has happened with him reflects Mayor Garry’s thoughts and opinions. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Mayor of the City of Yerington ATTEST: Administrative Director/Interim City Clerk