Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
White Pine County Commission Meeting February 8, 2017
Public Comment –
Brad Simpson – Expressed his concern on the lack of Internet available in White Pine County.
Steve Bishop – Is concerned about the city and county setting specific times for court trials. Bishop feels that the judges can work together to schedule cases and there need not be a certain block of time for each judge.
(I am in full agreement with Bishop. From what I have seen the judges work very well together. They seem to communicate well with each other and can determine when they need the court room.)
Public Hearing: of Ordinance 468, Bill number 11-30-16, an Ordinanc amending chapter 6.03 of the White Pine County Code to allow for other enforcement officers to issue notice to abate a nuisance and creating two chapters of the White Pine County Code, 6.29 and 6.30, to further define nuisance and to provide for civil actions for their abatement, enjoinment and restraining and providing for the criminal prosecution a violation of the nuisance code through criminal or citation complaint.
Changes to the Nuisance Code were approved 5/0
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Appointment of a liaison to the Ely City Council, Shane Bybee.
Vote 5/0
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Possible acceptance of the City of Ely’s Resolution declaring their intention to transfer their ownership interest in 1785 Great Basin Blvd. ,Ely. There was discussion on the possibility of adding another small court room to the facility. This will be taken up at a later date. Also comments were made to increase the hours from 12 to 15 hours a week provided for the Municipal Court of Ely. As Judge Bishop stated, he and Judge Coster are quite willing to work with each other on scheduling.
Wheable “Cases seem to have been going up about 10% every year. We need to be flexible on the hours and use of the court.”
(I am quite pleased to hear the county being agreeable and willing to provide for the cities needs.)
The vote was 5/0 to send a letter to the City for amendment to their letter of intent to include 15 hours a week with adjustable times.
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Lindsey Harmon, Executive Director of Connect Nevada spoke about White pine county getting broadband from Westnet. One of the problems is the people of White Pine County, especially the business interests, need to show a need and want for this service. You can contact Leslsey Harmon at Iharmon@connectnv.org or 775-220-0685. There will be a survey form on the Internet and possibly some paper forms at the county. I will be giving further information on this as it comes soon.
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Howe was appointed to be a representative to report on the Jail House Expansion/Courthouse project to the local radio station. Vote 5/0
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Approval to create an appoint a committee to compile a needs assessment for the Jail Expansion/Courthouse project was tabled, with they vote 5/0.
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Discussion to IT and maintenance to work with JCG technologies do install audio video recording equipment previously purchased in the library conference room for the purpose of recording commission meetings. Bybee said sell it, it is to expensive to install. This would cost the county $4 to $5,000. a year and the county citizens do not use the site.
This item could not get a second so it is a dead issue.
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Discussion/update/History on the Jail Expansion/Courthouse project.
In the discussion was mainly on the necessity to build both facilities simultaneously. This is not only for the safety of the prisoners and the public, but also for the employees that work at the jail and courthouse.
Francis did state that the county is planning to eliminate or rent the administration building on 11th St. All employees currently at the administration building will have offices in the courthouse.
Judge Dobrescu stated that the cost for one prisoner from the prison would be $500-$900 instead of the $5000 and added security.
Henriod stated when a illegal immigrant is picked up it will take ICE up to two weeks to pick the person up. Juveniles cannot be held in our jail and the deputy must drive them to Elko and then back the next day for a court hearing. The most prisoners held at one time is 64 and the jail was built for 32 males and 8 females. The longest day in the jail is 20 days.
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Discussion/Action/Possible Approval of the recommendation to support a proposed plan and use the property within white pine county industrial park.
Algae AquaCulture Technologies is a company out of Whitefish, Montana, it’s super smart bioprocessors who convert waste byproducts into organic soil amendment and electrical power. Their plan includes gathering Pinyan and Juniper pine from BLM from property, reducing it to bio char. Growing saltwater shrimp and combining the bio char and shrimp byproduct to produce a new soil reducing carbon dioxide. They plan to start with 16 people, four crews of four people each. Then they will add 29 indoor employees and five supervisory employees which will total 50 employees in all. They are in the progress of getting property and getting financial aid. For more information go to www.algaeaqua.com.
Vote 5/0 I support
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Chris Ricci is to be rehired as Program Supervisor at the Senior Center. I am sure this will be greatly liked by every senior.
New appointments to White Pine Advisory Boards –
Tom Bath – Debt Management Commission
Conrad Schaff – McGill-Ruth Water & Sewer GID
Timothy Filson – Economic Diversification Council
Marietta Henry – Golf Advisory Board
Candice Campeau – Debt Management Board
City of Ely Council Meeting
February 9, 2017
Carson and Hansen absent
Fire Chief Rivera – White Pine County had questions about the charges for assisting them. I told them my charges are set by ordinance. I believe we should have a inlocal agreement. Also the citizens of the Ely pay a portion of their property taxes for EMS, but all the taxes go to the County EMS. We aren’t you getting any of these taxes.
Setterstrom – Ask the city attorney if a letter had been sent to the county concerning this matter.
Reply – Yes it has.
Setterstrom – Maybe we should send them an email. Cost or do you have the email address that gets to all the commissioners?
Reply -Yes commissioners@whitepinecountynv.gov.
Rivera – We could use this money for the EMS training. Training will be in April.
(It’s good to have communications between the county and the city.)
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Approval to transfer 4H Clubs lease to the Steptoe Trap Club.
Approved 3/0
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Discussion on money received for road repair from the gas tax. The county gets 92% of the tax and the city gets 8% of the tax. The city has 37 miles of road and the county 987.33 miles this tax covers. (The county has a total of 2,326.33 miles of road.)
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Adoption of the Nevada Department of transportation designation of the entrance to White Pine County aquatic center as a driveway not a street.
Approved 3/0
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Authority to submit petition to employees management relationship board withdrawing recognition of operating engineers local number three as a union representative of the employees of the city of Ely.
The city has 32 employees 11 of which are members of the union. The union needs 50% plus one person to support the union.
Tabled 3/0
Geri Wop
White Pine Events:
MARCH
3rd: Northern Nevada Fresh Food, 3PM – Baptist Church – corner of Great Basin and Ave N
18th: Turkey Vulture Stretch 5K
APRIL
1st: RMEF Banquet
7th: Northern Nevada Fresh Food, 3PM – Baptist Church – corner of Great Basin and Ave N
8th: NNRY Trains Begin Running