Top headlines to know from the Board of County Commissioners meeting

Commissioners approve vendor for law enforcement body cameras

Reno, Nev. March 13, 2018. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting.

1. Commissioners approved vendor to implement body-worn and vehicle-mounted cameras for law enforcement. The City of Reno, City of Sparks and Washoe County have mutually agreed upon equipment from Axon Enterprise, Inc., to provide body worn cameras for the region.

In the 2017 legislative session, Senate Bill 176 (SB 176) passed, requiring uniformed peace officers employed by a law enforcement agency to wear a portable recording device, or body camera. SB 176 also allowed use of the 911 telephone line surcharge to be used for the purchase and maintenance of both wearable and vehicle-mounted recording devices.

All three entities have mutually agreed upon Axon Enterprise, Inc. as the vendor to purchase body-worn cameras for the region. Research by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office determined a greater discount was available through a Joinder Contract through the State of Nevada, meaning if all three jurisdictions select the same vendor, a significant discount would be available. The estimated expenditures are $730,579.25 per the 5-year contract term.

The goal is to use E-911 telephone line surcharges to fund this expense. The required ordinance changes and the associated E-911 fee surcharge resolution are expected to be heard for the second reading and final adoption at the March 27, 2018 Board of County Commissioners meeting.

2. Commissioners approve a pilot program to implement a Regional Bike Share System. An interlocal agreement between the City of Reno, Regional Transportation Commission, the City of Sparks, University of Nevada, Reno and Washoe County has been approved. This agreement allows the entities to implement a Regional Bike Share System pilot program, through December 31, 2018 with the ability to extend the program.

Background

The program began with the research phase back in 2015, and in 2017 community and industry forums were conducted to learn more about the bike share model in the Truckee Meadows. On January 9, 2018 the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to pursue a dockless bike share pilot program.

Program and Next Steps

A dockless system offers bikes available for check-in and check-out at any bike share location without the requirement of racks or designated parking areas. The dockless system is privately funded and requires permitting through the local jurisdictions. With today’s vote, the Cities of Reno and Sparks along with Washoe County will contract one bike share vendor to implement the pilot program.

“We worked hard to ensure we involved as many local community and regional partners in this process,” says Assistant County Manager, Kate Thomas. “We look forward to launching this pilot program and gauging its benefits here in our region.”

3. Washoe County Human Services Agency and Wolf Pack team up for foster children. County Commissioners approved a $117,000 marketing and sponsorship  agreement with Wolf Pack Sports for foster care recruitment and retention activities. The Human Services Agency (HSA) uses funding from the agreement to team up with Wolf Pack Sports when promoting fundraisers and awareness campaigns, which benefit 430 foster and adoptive families.  One of the more notable events is the annual Have a Heart Wolf Pack football game at Mackay Stadium. Adoptive families are invited to the game for an appreciation tailgate party and are honored on the field at halftime by Pack fans. This past year, former foster adoptive parent and Women’s Pack Basketball Coach, Amanda Levens, spoke with foster families about their value to the community.

“This relationship has redefined how HSA partners with the community, and as a result, we have seen our support and foster care licenses steadily increase,” said Alice LeDesma who works in HSA’s Children’s Services Division.

In 2017, HSA oversaw 136 adoptions, but quite a bit of works remains as 40 children are still hoping to find a forever home.

4. Commissioners unanimously approve grant to Glenn Duncan S.T.E.M. Academy. Washoe County continues its support of Partner In Education school, Glenn Duncan S.T.E.M. Academy, through a partnership with the Education Alliance.

“As a Title I school, this grant truly impacts our students, their educational experience as well as helps our staff team,” says David Keller, Principal of Glenn Duncan S.T.E.M. Academy. The grant award in the amount of $7,313 includes support for sponsorship opportunities for children in community activities including Girls on the Run, class projects, funding for field trip transportation, physical education equipment, reading books, and educational games.

5. Commissioners approve sponsorship of the Reno 150th Birthday Celebration. Commissioners approved a sponsorship agreement requested by the City of Reno through the Reno Aces to co-sponsor the Reno 150th Birthday Celebration, a special event open to the community on May 9, 2018 at the Greater Nevada Field in the amount of $5,000.

As with Hot August Nights and the Great Reno Balloon Races, Washoe County sponsors key events throughout the year that provide high visibility for our region and drive economic development. In line with our strategic objective of Stewardship to our Community, Washoe County will proudly celebrate the birth of the City of Reno at this sesquicentennial event.

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