Highlights from Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

The Washoe County Commission welcomes the new director of Animal Services.

Reno, Nevada. Jan. 13, 2015. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos-on-demand online.

Introduction of the new Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) Director: Item 6. Shyanne Schull was introduced to the Board of County Commissioners as the new Director of Regional Animal Services. Schull is from Bakersfield, CA. Schull earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from California Polytechnic State University and following her graduation, began a career in animal care and control. She brings more than a decade of experience, including Animal Control Manager for the City of Shafter, CA, and most recently as the Director of Kern County, CA Animal Services. In addition to her experience working with county animal control operations, Schull was responsible for overseeing the move to a new shelter in Kern County last year. 

Schull said she is happy to join the Washoe County team and eager to get to work.

"I’m honored to lead Washoe County Regional Animal Services through the next chapter and beyond," said Schull.

The process for standing up the new Washoe County Regional Animal Services Department began last spring when County Commissioners voted unanimously to transition it to a stand-alone department. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office had managed Animal Services since Jan. 12, 2012, and requested a transition of the operations under the organizational structure and control of the County.

Grant to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) for Internet crimes against children investigations: Item 8.H.1. The Board approved an $80,000 grant and a contract between the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Washoe County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the WCSO. The grant is reimbursement for costs associated with Internet Crimes Against Children investigations.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, awarded a grant to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. A portion of that grant is intended to fund additional Nevada law enforcement agencies that are designated as affiliates in the Nevada Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The WCSO received the grant because it is one of those designated affiliates. Funding is used to prevent and investigate crimes against children by sex offenders using the Internet.

Board proclaims January National Radon Action Month: Item 7.A. Many Washoe County residents do not know about radon and the health risks associated with the colorless, odorless naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that at least 21,000 people in the United States die each year from lung cancer caused by indoor radon exposure. Due to the health risks radon presents, the Board proclaimed January National Radon Action Month. Learn more about radon risks and how to test your home for radon by visiting www.unce.unr.edu/radon.

Resolution to support the Nevada Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Campaign: Item 7.B. It’s been proven that breastfeeding provides a safe and reliable food source. All major medical authorities recommend that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months. Due to the previous points, the Washoe County Commission supports the Nevada Breastfeeding Welcomed Here Campaign and encouraged breastfeeding for new mothers and infants in Washoe County.

Commissioners selected the boards and committees that each of them will serve on for 2015. Their appointments are as follows:

Chair Marsha Berkbigler, District 1: Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Internal Audit Committee, Investment Committee, subject to appointment for the Nevada Association of Counties Board of Directors, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Organizational Effectiveness Committee, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Tahoe Transportation District Board of Directors, Tahoe Transportation Commission, Washoe County Stadium Authority.

Commissioner Bob Lucey, District 2: Debt Management Commission, Regional Planning Governor Board, Regional Transportation Commission, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Smarter Regional Economic Development Vision Subcommittee, Truckee River Flood Management Authority, subject to appointment for the Western Regional Water Commission.

Vice Chair Kitty Jung, District 3: Community Assistance Center Transitional Governing Board, District Board of Health, Regional Jobs Network, Washoe County Stadium Authority, Western Nevada Development District, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Library Board of Trustees.

Commissioner Vaughn Hartung, District 4: Investment Committee, Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway, Nevada Land Transfer Task Force, Regional Planning Governing Board, Regional Transportation Commission, Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Truckee River Flood Management Authority, Western Regional Water Commission.

Commissioner Jeanne Herman, District 5: Nevada Association of Counties Board of Directors, Nevada Works, Verdi Water Service Oversight Advisory Board, Regional Planning Governing Board, State Land Use Planning Advisory Council, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board, Western Regional Water Commission.

###