Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
County Commission and Special Fire Commission, April 27, 2016
Presentation by Sidwell Company on development of a GIS data base system for roads.
Tony Pellettiere talked about driving all the roads in White Pine with a GIS and locating all signs, buildings, cattle guards, etc so the county would have easy accessible record of all their belongings and locations.
Bill Miller “There are roads that need to have changes on them. Our maps are out of date. This would be a time consuming project.”
(No cost was discuss, but I am sure it would be high. How often would this need to be done to keep everything up to date? The conditions and additions of property does change.)
First reading of (revised) Proposed Ordinance 461, Bill No. 03-23-2016: An Ordinance to implement the provisions of NRS 490 pertaining to the operation of off highway vehicles on White Pine County public roads.
This includes all county highways and roads in Ruth,Lund and McGill (Cherry Creek, Baker and Preston are not included), the purpose is to travel from private property to public areas open for use of OHVs. Does not authorized operation in the city of Ely.
Motor Vehicle insurance and financial responsibility required, must be carried in vehicle.
Comply with all traffic laws, and be subject to fines and penalties.
Registration is to be attached to vehicle a special plate.
Wear a helmet.
Front and rear lights or display a mounted flag four feet above bike.
Must be a licensed operator issued by any state.
Coster “Some Commissioners feel this should apply to licensed drivers, I personally think that is overly restrictive . I purposely put in – a person not holding a motor operators license, under this ordinance – their operation is personally supervised by a licensed motor vehicle operator traveling with them”
Perea “I have reservations on a non-licensed driver under supervision.”
Coster “This will have a public review, and public hearing.”
Watts “When we get noise complaints, we can not site the bike, only the driver. If you complain, you need to identify the driver. If a fifteen year old gets a ticket for driving with out a license ( fine of $900.00), his driver license will be delayed for 90 days when he turns 16, bike towed and put into in the, inpound.” (I get the impression that the sheriffs office is not in favor of this ordinance.)
No action taken.
(I have a ATV used mainly around my property, however it is used to maintain a county road and snow removal for myself and elderly neighbors. My question – do I have to be insured it to do work on the road? My vehicle insurance will not cover ATVs. Another use I use my ATV for is clearing the weeds for the lackawanna fire station.)
Burton Hilton, Assessor
Refund taxpayer money in amount of $379.61 for over assessment. This is due to a well that was not on the property being taxed.
Unanimous yes vote to refund the tax money.
Bill Calderwood, Maixtenance Superintendent
Calderwood “Rotary donation was used to purchase greens topping sand at the golf course.”
No one has bid on the concession stand at Marich Field. The County will re-advertise. (This could be an opportunity for someone to make some money this summer.)
Steve Stork – Discussion to spend up to $2500 as WPC’s contribution along with Elko, Reno and North Las Vegas Airports, to hire a consultant to prepare a Small Community Air Development Grant. The grant will be used to secure scheduled air taxi service (Pat 135) to provide twice daily flights between all of the communities. The total estimated cost of the consultant is $10,000.
Stork “I was approached by Mark Gibbs, the Elko airport manager. They are working on plan to provide air service north, south, east and west out of Elko. They want to provide a 135, which is a charter from North Las Vegas to Ely, Elko and Reno with a return flight. Will WPC cover $2,500 towards this?”
Coster “As you know it will have to be a 135 charter. Two years ago this was talked about. This is a long shot.”
(The reason this must be a 135 charter is we gave up our FFA Certificate.)
Perea “If we go ahead and approve this with conditions, let them know we are interested.
Bunny Hill “I say go ahead, if someone breaks down in this town, there is no way out.”
Stork “I intend to tell them, White Pine County is interested. We want to see something on paper as to how it will work.”
This was approved with no money comment.
(Long shot or not, it is worth looking in to)
Brad Christiansen Building inspector
Christianson “We are finding inspections cards are not being signed off. We have had to go back and look at photographs to sign off on projects such as Midway Gold. There needs to be a posted sign with permits on all permitted construction sites. Citations are given to people without permits.”
Carson “The building permits and sign off cards needs to stay on the construction site, not in the glove compartment of the contractor.”
Coster “There needs to be a permit number or address of site on the card.”
Coster “Is there a mileage issue ?”
Christiansen “The County needs to split the mileage costs with the City. The City of Ely is paying 100% of the mileage.”
Regional Transportation Commission
April 23, 2016
Up dates from NDOT
Randy – The 2018 date is still the start date for redoing Aultman. This will reduce Aultman from 4 lanes to two lanes, turning lanes, widen parking and new sidewalks. Great Basin will also be redone with side walks.
City updates
Work that was planned on Murry St. will be delayed until next year, due to contractor backing out.
BJ said he is working with NDOT to complete the work on pipes under the road simultaneously with the NDOT road work. This will save the city money.
County updates
Bill Miller – With savings from budgeted items the county road department is able to purchase a brush mower.
(I am impressed with a county department going under budget and spending the money to improve its equipment.)
Tourism and Recreation Board Meeting
April 21, 2016
Public comment –
Bryane Goeringer (Jailhouse Motel & Casino) – I am against tax increase. I feel passing a 2% tax to cover everyone’s short falls isn’t the best solution. There will be other increases to cover the next group of people. As a Hotel/Motel owner I am asking you and I represent the 75% of the owners who don’t like this. Passing everyone’s shortfalls on to a fledgling tourist Industry trying to build in Ely, this is not the best bet.
Approval of Aid to Organizations Grants
Richard Howe “We have a $40,000 shortfall and I think it is better to discuss this in the open. We should go through this and cut 50% off each and go from there.”
Bruce Setterstrom “If we go over the $48,000, can we cover it?”
Jackie “We can go over a little.”
Lorraine “I don’t see this getting any better, so why don’t we cut each request by 30 to 40% and go from there. Next year will be a bigger problem.”
Awarded
White Pine Men’s Golf Association – $4,000
White Pine Ladies Golf Association – $1,150
Silver State Classic Challenge – $3,300
White Pine Rodders – $2,000
Bristelcone Bowmen – $2,600
White Pine Horse Races – $4,200
Great Basin National Park Foundation – $1,500
Take it to the Lake – $1,600
Neon lights – $2,000
White Pine Gymkhana – $1,500
Great Basin Service Club – $6,500
White Pine Public Museum – $12,500
Great Basin Heritage Area Partnership – $3,100
National Speleological Society – $1,720
White Pine County Ranch Rodeo – $1,200
White Pine High School Rodeo – $2,900
Schellbourne Re-ride – $2,050
Eastern Nevada Paint Horse show – $1,030
Total $52,750.
(We live in White Pine County where budgets mean nothing.)
Discussion and Possible Action
Increase Room Tax by Two Percent: one Percent (1%) Effective July 1, 2016 and an Additional One (1%) Effective July 1, 2017.
Drew Skeen (Gaughn Properties ) “There is decreasing room reservations and I have to have a occupancy of 20 rooms a day to break even. We have been averaging 20 rooms. Your on a slippery slop and I don’t know if this will help the city. Last year the hotel was booked for events, not so this year.”
Richard Howe “I disagree with this. Room tax is for tourism and recreation. Would you ask citizens to pay extra tax to repair streets. Why hit only business.”
Setterstrom “This is not for the city intra-structure, this is to replace the money the city took.”
“The county is at max property tax.”
Jackie “I don’t think this is legal, but I am not a lawyer. The city took 38% of our budget.”
Ed “This will make the tax to 13 1/2 in year 2017.”
Lorraine “The city is forcing us to do this”
Scott Husbands “I say to table this until we get an legal opinion .”
(I Googled, made calls and looked at out of town motel bills, the highest room tax I found was 16% in West Wendover is the highest , Clark, Douglas counties and Las Vegas is 13%. Carson is the lowest at 10 1/2. A tax of 13 1/2 on a $50. room will be $6.75.)
Lorraine “I make the motion we ask the city to increase the room tax by 1% this year and 1% next year, on the condition it is legal.”
Passed – Bruce voted no
I know people are talking about the trip to Germany last year by Tour & Rec. Facts about the trip – the only money paid by Tour & Rec was the wage of the person attending, this would have been paid if they did not go. A state grant paid all other expenses. There was no cost to Tour and Rec. It seems the more local trips (Salt Lake, Las Vegas, etc.) cost the Tour and Rec more because they have grants with a match that has to be paid.
There is a ghost town in California (Bodie). The last time I ventured there, it was full of people from out of the country. I asked about how they know about the town. The tour director told me, they had learned about Bodie while at tourism convention. The first time I went to Bodie, it overrun with cattle. When we have an opportunity to promote White Pine County, we should take advantage of that.
Once again I encourage you to call the commissioners and give them your thoughts, they need it.
Laurie Carson 293-3134
Mike Coster 293-2933
Richard Howe 287-2851
Carol McKenzie 238-5384
Gary Perea. 293-7356
Coming Events:
Monday’s-Celebrate Recovery, 16 Shoshone Circle-7pm (775-410-1341)
May 11 – Chamber & National Cavers Society Mixer- Art Bank 5-7 pm
May 13 – NORC 1/2 & 1 Mile Shootouts SR 490
May 13 – Nevada Open Road Parade of cars
May 14 – NORC Car Show Broadbent Park
May 14 – Little League Pancake Breakfast. 7-11 am Broadbent Park
May 14 – Art Bank Outdoor Art Sales
May 14 – 15 – Ely Amateur Golf Tourney Golf Course 8am 289-4095
May 15 – NORC Race Day!!
May 23 – USDA Food Distribution.
Geri Wop