Top headlines from the Board of County Commissioners meeting

Artist announced for Washoe ArTrail

Reno, Nev. July 24, 2018. The following report highlights several important agenda items from the Washoe County Board of Commissioners meeting:

1. Washoe County announces Washoe ArTrail artist selected for two new art pieces. The Washoe ArTrail, a public participatory experience highlighting the cultural, historic and artistic landmarks along a 200-mile trail, has selected ROAM Collective, a team of four artists who will create two new pieces of art for the project.

After international, national and local submissions from 24 artists, the panel for the Washoe ArTrail selected local Reno artist ROAM Collective, spearheaded by lead artist Davey Hawkins, due to the proposed art’s unique and iconic representation of this community.

“Our selection of the artist and caliber of expertise required through the process wouldn’t have been possible without the close collaboration of Burning Man leading the selection,” says Gabrielle Enfield, Washoe County Grants Administrator. “ROAM Collective, led by Davey Hawkins, was ultimately selected due to the creation of art that exemplifies our community, while providing the participatory, interactive experience we hope to engage the community in.” 

The new public art will be commissioned for two pieces along the ArTrail, one located at Crystal Peak Park and the other located in the Gerlach area. The art will be created on-site at each location with participation from community volunteers. The first art piece to be created will be at the Crystal Peak Park location fall of 2018, with the art at the Gerlach location to be created in spring of 2019.

In addition, ROAM Collective lead artist Davey Hawkins, will be sharing more information on the new art at the upcoming “Walk with Washoe” event this Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at Crystal Peak Park.  

(Pictured from left to right: Civic Arts Coordinator for Burning Man Joe Meschede, Washoe County Grants Administrator Gabrielle Enfield, County Manager John Slaughter, lead artist Davey Hawkins and Director of Planning & Building Mojra Hauenstein)

Background on the Washoe ArTrail Project. After receiving a $75,000 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Washoe County, in partnership with Burning Man and numerous local nonprofit and municipal partners, will establish the ArTrail with the purpose of connecting the community to the arts, history and culture of our northern Nevada region. The ArTrail will route along the Truckee River through the cities of Reno and Sparks, turn north to historic Lake Pyramid on Paiute Tribal land, and continue to Gerlach in the far northern region of Washoe County, over 200 miles.

For continual updates about the project, please visit www.washoecounty.us/artrail as well as Washoe County’s social media channels.

2. Commissioners issue a proclamation for soon to retire Public Defender, Jeremy Bosler. After officially appointing the new Washoe County Public Defender, Mr. 

John Arrascada on July 10, today Commissioners honored the outgoing Public Defender, Mr. Jeremy Bosler, with a proclamation of gratitude.

“I hope my tenure is looked at as bettering the community, thank you for the honor” remarked Mr. Bosler as he accepted the proclamation.

During Mr. Bosler’s 25-year legal career, he has served as the Washoe County Public Defender since 2005, becoming the youngest attorney to serve in that capacity. Today he becomes the longest-serving Public Defender in Washoe County’s history. Mr. Bosler has strived to bring impactful and innovative services to indigent persons in Washoe County and is a well-respected member of the legal community. He will retire effective August 31, 2018 and will begin a new endeavor as a student of the University of Nevada’s Applied Jazz Music Program. 

(Pictured from left to right: County Manager John Slaughter, Commissioner Herman, Chair Berkbigler, Public Defender Mr. Jeremy Bosler, Mr. Greg Bosler (Jeremy Bosler’s father), Vice-Chair Jung and Commissioner Lucey)

3. Medical Examiner’s Office receive new full body x-ray scanner. Commissioners approved the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office request to purchase a new digital radiography (x-ray) system, which will replace the current aging system.

The new system can perform a full body scan in about 15 seconds utilizing one employee. The current system takes about one hour, utilizing the time of two employees. With the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner serving 13 surrounding counties in Nevada and 5 counties in California, the new system will improve efficiency and employee safety with their growing cases.

The new system will cost between $275,000 and $289,900 with the State of Nevada providing a reimbursement of $135,000 for this purchase.

4. Washoe County receives multiple NACo Awards. Commissioners acknowledged the receipt of multiple awards to Washoe County by NACo, the National Association of Counties. Awards were bestowed to Washoe County for the Washoe Leadership Program, a program initiated by County Manager, John Slaughter, to engage employees to improve service delivery and simplify workflows. An Award was also presented to Washoe County for the Washoe Impact Awards, a new event that re-booted the traditional “State of the County” event into an evening that honored the work of the county’s 2,700 employees.

In addition, NACo in partnership with the Center for Digital Government Survey, also recognized Washoe County as a 2018 leader in technology, efficiency, collaboration and disaster response.

“I was very happy to attend the recent NACo conference where Washoe County received several achievement awards. I am extremely proud of our employees for the work of these programs” said Washoe County Manager, John Slaughter.

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