Washoe News

Sparks, NV – The following are highlights from the February 27, 2023, Sparks City Council Meeting.

Announcements, Presentations, Recognition Items, and Items of Special Interest:

• Mayor Lawson proclaimed:
  • March as Social Work Month. Social Workers improve human well-being and enhance the basic needs of all people, positively touching the lives of millions of Americans every day.
  • March 5 - 11, 2023, as Women In Construction Week to recognize the skill and expertise of women throughout northern Nevada who help ensure economic growth and stability through their many contributions to the construction industry.
  • March 8, 2023, as International Women’s Day, to celebrate the collective power of women, pay tribute to their achievements, and recognize the remaining challenges to further efforts for women’s rights and gender equality.
• City Manager Neil Krutz announced the following board, commission, and committee vacancies:
  • Two vacancies on the Sparks Citizens Advisory Committee, one Ward 4 and one Ward 4 Alternate member, each serving a term that is coterminous with the appointing City Council member’s term. Committee members are required to be residents of Sparks. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 3, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
  • Four vacancies on the Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, one alternate each for Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4, each serving a term coterminous with the appointing City Council member’s term. Committee members must be Sparks residents, preferably over the age of 55. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 3, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
  • Two vacancies on the Sparks Building Code Board of Appeals, each for two-year terms. The first vacancy is for a registered architect and the second is for a builder/superintendent of building. Each must have at least ten years of experience, five years being responsible charge of work. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 17, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
  • Two vacancies on the Sparks Police Advisory Committee, one for a business representative and one at-large representative, each for a partial term ending September 30, 2023. Members must either be residents or business owners in Sparks. If selected, members must participate in a Sparks Police Department Citizens Academy and undergo a background check. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 3, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by going to: cityofsparks.us/getinvolved.

General Business:

Council approved the employment agreement with Walter White as Sparks Fire Chief, effective March 27, 2023, with an annual salary of $224,280.00 plus benefits. Chief White gave the following statement:

“First, I genuinely appreciate your vote of approval and I would like to thank City Manager Neil Krutz and his team for putting together this agreement. I am actively in the process of diligently transferring responsibilities from my current position and commitment in Amador, and I’m looking forward to giving the residents and Fire Department members of Sparks my full focus and attention. I am extremely humbled and honored by this opportunity and I am very anxious to get started." Chief White also thanked Sparks Fire command staff and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 731 leadership.

Council also approved:

• The Mayor’s appointment of Marilyn Kramer to serve on the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Commission for a partial term ending June 30, 2025.
• The employment agreement with Michael Drinkwater as Community Services Director, effective March 13, 2023, with an annual salary of $190,250.00 plus benefits.
• The funding allocation of $37,500.00 for FY23 and $186,300.00 for FY24 as recommended by the Tourism and Marketing Committee for 2023 special events.
• A $2,446,007.00 construction contract with Sierra Nevada Construction, Inc. for the 2023 Street Rehabilitation – Unit 1 – Express Way Neighborhood Project.
• A $543,007.00 construction contract with Sierra Nevada Construction Inc. for the 2023 Street Cut Permanent Patch Project.
• A $1,703,269.60 construction contract with FW Carson Company for the Glen Meadow Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project.
• A $284,000.00 construction contract with Q & D Construction LLC for the Sanitary Sewer Manhole Rehabilitation Project.
• The Tentative Map for an 88-lot single-family residential subdivision on a site approximately 15.4 acres in size located at 6622 Rolling Meadow Drive in the Planned Development – Pioneer Meadows zoning district.

Public Hearing and Action Items Unrelated to Planning and Zoning:

Council held a public hearing and approved the memorandum of understanding amending the current collective bargaining agreement between the City of Sparks and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 731, with anticipated cost increases of $194,233 in the general fund and $3,865 in all other funds in the remainder of FY23, and $542,793 in the general fund and $12,249 in all other funds in FY24.

Original source can be found here.