Highlights from Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting

County Commission proclaims October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Reno, Nevada. Oct. 18, 2016. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Videos of County Commission meetings are replayed regularly on WCTV (Charter Ch. 193). You may also watch videos on-demand online.

County Commissioners proclaim October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) Proclaimed October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and supports the essential purpose of Susan G. Komen Northern Nevada. Washoe County recognizes and supports its employees and their families who are currently battling breast cancer, those who have survived the battle, and especially remembers our employees and their family members who have lost the battle to breast cancer.

On average, nearly 300 women in Washoe County are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. Susan G. Komen has helped through programs like the Nevada Health Centers Mammovan, which had provided thousands of mammograms to women since its inception in 2000.

Find out more about Susan G. Komen and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Department presentation regarding the Washoe County District Family Court’s response to Domestic Violence.  

Judge Chuck Weller, District Court Judge in the Family Division of the Second Judicial District Family Court, gave County Commissioners a presentation regarding the District Court’s response to Domestic Violence.

The court has implemented the results of a review of procedures in order to provide better services to victims of domestic violence. Judge Weller said the court has streamlined all processes to be more efficient, including making changes to scheduling and reducing the number of interviews conducted. The average length of time it takes for a person to walk into the District Court and leave with a temporary protection order (TPO) is an average of two hours and 25 minutes. That process used to take at least two days. Judge Weller said the number of protection orders against domestic violence adjudicated by the Washoe County District Court has increased 12 percent during the past year.

Washoe County Commission Chair Kitty Jung (Dist. 3) said, “As you well know Judge Weller, Family Court is the most violent court and we know that you know that situation all too well. I appreciate your commitment to protect some of our most vulnerable citizens in the community. ”

Second Judicial District Court launches reform initiatives for pretrial services.

Pretrial Services Manager Heather Condon gave a department presentation and updated County Commissioners on the Court’s latest projects and programs.

Condon said the Second Judicial District Court Pretrial Services Division is working on significant reform initiatives to streamline processes and incorporate evidence-based decision making into the pretrial stage of the judicial process. On Sept. 1, 2016, the Nevada Pretrial Risk Assessment (NPR) was successfully implemented in all seven courts within Washoe County.  Upon arrest, all defendants facing new charges are screened with this tool, which identifies the defendant’s risk of failing to appear at a future court proceeding and for committing a future crime. 

Condon said the second phase of the reform effort, which revolves around judicially imposed money bail, is tentatively set to begin on Nov. 1, 2016. Arresting agencies in Washoe County have agreed to provide information more quickly so that a judge can review all information within 24 hours to determine whether to impose money bail or release the defendant with community supervision. 

Condon said the major initiative would not be possible without the collaboration of all local courts and arresting agencies.

“Through all stakeholders’ efforts, Pretrial Services will be able to recommend release based upon risk rather than an individual’s ability to pay; thus, comporting with constitutional requirements and ensuring a safer community.”

Commission Vice Chair Bob Lucey (Dist. 2) thanked the court’s staff for their hard work.

“I commend the court’s staff for putting together this presentation and this program. From my standpoint, we have been extremely successful so far. The Board feels this is one of our major initiatives this year and well into next year. I think the pretrial risk assessments are working and we will continue to support you.”

City of Sparks Manager Steve Driscoll promotes “It’s Happening Here.”

City of Sparks Manager Steve Driscoll gave Commissioners an update about the It’s Happening Here tagline the City of Sparks is using to promote several of the city’s wonderful events such as Hot August Nights, Star Spangled Sparks and the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. The City of Sparks hosts more than 14 events in downtown Victorian Square throughout the year and It’s Happening Here is a creative campaign to get the word out about the great things the City of Sparks has to offer. Through It’s Happening Here, the City of Sparks is working to encourage economic development, promote tourism and stimulate civic pride. Learn more about It’s Happening Here.

County Commissioners also made the following proclamations and accepted donations:

• Oct. 16-22, 2016 is National Friends of Library Week.
• Oct. 24, 2016 is Food Day.  
• Approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Washoe County Health District and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office allowing the Health District to provide $23,809.60 worth of personal protective equipment to the Sheriff’s Office.
• Accepted a $2,538 community donation to purchase of a self-loading gurney for the Gerlach Fire Department.  Gerlach residents raised the money themselves to provide the donation.

All photos from Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meetings can be seen online.

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