Highlights from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

Commissioners approve more than $2 million for additional shelter for the homeless.

Reno, Nevada. May 10, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos on-demand online.

1. Board of County Commissioners approves funding for a year-round, overflow shelter for the homeless. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved up to $2,020,856 in funding for the Community Assistance Center (CAC), which will be included as part of the future FY 16-17 Interlocal Agreement with the cities of Reno and Sparks to help operate the shelter.

A portion of the money will go toward the addition of new programming to support the year-round overflow shelter, providing a place for the homeless to stay year-round while also providing case management to support individualized needs which increases funding from $1.9 million a year to $2.6 million.

In addition to the recently approved funding for the CAC, Washoe County pays for three full-time case management positions at the shelter. 

Washoe County Adult Social Services is a participating agency at the CAC and provides services to assist individuals who are homeless with resources and case management in conjunction with all Washoe County indigent services totaling more than $25 million annually.

The CAC provides a men’s, women’s and family shelter. The CAC served more than 2,500 people during the past fiscal year. 

 “This is a regional issue that affects every single municipality and every corner of our county,” Washoe County Commission Chair Kitty Jung (Dist. 3) said. “I made the promise that I could get the votes to support helping the homeless and I am proud of this Commission for doing so.” 

2. County Commissioners adopt a Resolution of Support for federal public lands legislation to aid economic development, conservation, and recreation in Washoe County. The resolution achieves one of the Commission’s Strategic Plan objectives, which is to be a steward of our community.  

The resolution makes the following a priority:

• Making federal lands available for economic development opportunities
• Expanding recreational opportunities in Washoe County by providing land for parks and trails
• Preserving opportunities for recreation on public lands
• Conserving by designating new wilderness areas and providing funding for habitat restoration and other conservation efforts

“This is a phenomenal piece of legislation for Washoe County as a whole as we move forward and start looking toward the potential for economic development,” Washoe County Commission Vice Chair Bob Lucey (Dist. 2) said. “This legislation also allows Washoe County to be in control of our own destiny as we move forward.”

Background

For more than 15 years, County Commissioners have been discussing a potential public lands bill or been involved in the concept of one. About the same time a public lands bill was being discussed, County Commissioners identified federal lands in Washoe County that had potential for public use or economic development. In 2013, County Commissioners once again directed staff to identify federal lands that may have a future purpose for the public and/or economic development. More info here.

3. Grant approved for South Valley’s Playground Resurfacing Project.  County Commissioners approved a $91,207 Land & Water Conservation Fund grant for the South Valley’s Playground Resurfacing Project. The grant requires a 50 percent match and will be using Residential Construction Tax funds. The money will be used to remove wood chips from the playground and resurface 5,650 square feet of playground with rubberized tile material in areas kids are prone to falling.

The new, rubberized surface will save taxpayers money by reducing the amount of upkeep and maintenance. County staff currently replaces the wood chips annually. The new, rubberized tiles require minimal maintenance and provide a much longer life span which, in turn, frees up staff to take on other tasks within the park.

4. County Commissioners accept grant to serve seniors nutritious meals. County Commissioners accepted a $131,373 grant award from the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division for programs to help seniors. The grant is part of the Nutrition Services Incentive Program, which is an Older Americans Title III program. The grant goes toward serving seniors healthy, nutritious meals at senior centers and delivers them through the Meals on Wheels Program. More than 1,000 Washoe County seniors receive a free, nutritious meal every day from Senior Services.

5. Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority calls 2015 a record-setting year. Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority President and CEO Marily Mora presented County Commissioners with an update about the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Mora said the Reno-Tahoe International Airport handled an unprecedented amount of air cargo in 2015, 138,000 pounds, which is an increase of more than 7 percent compared to 2014.

Along with growth in air cargo services, the airport continues to expand their air service as well. She said the airport has added eight new flights in the past 16 months to cities such as Atlanta, New York City, Mexico, Boise, Los Angeles and Oakland. Mora said for the first time in 10 years, passenger growth at the airport has increased.

The future has landed at the Reno-Stead Airport as well with NASA and the University of Nevada opening a drone and virtual reality lab at the Reno-Stead Airport.  Mora said the joint laboratory between NASA and UNR will facilitate research and development of unmanned drones.

“We appreciate your support for the airport from Washoe County Commissioners and Manager John Slaughter,” Mora said. “Thank you for your engagement and great appointments you have made to the Airport Authority.”

Mora said the airport is also working on making the following a reality in the future:

• New TSA Pre-check enrollment location
• Uber and Lyft ride sharing
• Airport Master Plan
• 21^st Annual International Aviation Forecast Summit is coming to Reno-Tahoe

“If there is anything you or the Airport Authority needs help with when visitors come to the airport, rest assured that Washoe County staff is here as a partner to assist by welcoming them and being great ambassadors for this community,” Chair Jung (Dist. 3) said. “Washoe County is committed to the airport and appreciates all that you and your staff do for our area.”

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