Published in the High desert Advocate 6/28/18
Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth. “
Ely City Council Meeting June 14, 2018
Public Comment
Richard Lee Wade – “What is the speed limit on Campton. It is marked 20 miles an hour on one end and there is no posting on the other end.
On item 9, why are we not collecting these liens you do know it’s on the taxpayer.”
A letter was read from Harry Frankie concerning the speed on Campton from the courthouse West. He named some of the violators and ask that the sheriff’s pay more attention to the speed limit on Campton.
George Chaches stated that he felt it was time to wash the windows with the murals on them. Another concern George has is the weeds that are growing and could become a fire hazard as well as the noxious weeds such as white top.
Fire Chief
Medical Transport 24
Medical Assist 1
Non Transport 2
Jail Check Welfare 8
Canceled in Route 1
Motor Vehicle Accident 4 ( County 1 )
Hazmat Smell Hazmat – Smell of Propane 1
Fire False alarm 1
Total calls 42
Chief Rivera – “We will be putting out a notice that we need driver only volunteers. The volunteers will be driving the ambulance with an EMT on board.
We have received applications for an open position and we will be doing position testing and interviews on Monday”
DeFelice commented about the weed on the hillside next to the City Stables that could be a fire hazard when people are watch the fireworks from that Hillside. This is a concern that was brought to him by the stable committee.
Rivera “We have the sheriff station patrolling that area. The problem is people throwing fireworks and it is very hard to stop”
Animal Control
Ely County
Calls 40 19
Cats 14 0
Dogs 7 8
Fees $290.00 $215.00
Liens Report
103 liens filed amounting to $275,060.18
17 liens released
Odgers “We will be having litigation next week regarding the S&S Railroad.”
Public Hearings
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval of Second Reading of Ordinance 714, Bill Mo. 2018 – 07, an Ordinance creating Title 6, Chapter 12 entitled Off Highway Vehicles, establishing rules for operating within the incorporated City of Ely, routs authorized for use as ingress and egress from the City of Ely to the public and private lands were off highway vehicle is authorized and setting a penalty for violations of this ordinance.
Hansen was concerned about the noise level. He was informed that there’s no way to control or measure the noise level and there is no noise ordinance at this time.
A resident of High Street also was very afraid of the noise level and of the times of day they were allowed to travel on High Street. She also wanted to know if they would be registered and insured as cars. The attorney replied that no not all of these vehicles would be required to be insured or registered. This all depended on the size and type of the off Highway vehicle.
Ross Rivera stated that he felt it was awfully confusing and that he was not in favor of this ordinance. He was informed that there is a map that would be provided to everyone and that it would be a safe way to get these vehicles in and out of the City.
Flangas voiced his concern on someone being injured on private property and if landowners needed to carry insurance. He was advised that he could post a no trespassing sign or fence the property off.
4/1 approval of the second reading.(Flangas no)
Discussion/For Possible Action – Discussion pertaining to KELY, holdover lessee on Georgetown Ranch, regarding renewing lease and bringing non-payment from 2012 to present current, plus landfill leans, or authorization to bring eviction processes for failing to pay rent and authorization to sue in small claims court for uncollected landfill fees, or another guidance from the board.
Carson “At the Utility Board meeting this morning, I advised that they do not try to collect the full amount but to set monthly payments.”
Odgers “I spoke to the new owners this morning and he has agreed to a $250 a month payment. This payment will go over 2 years but we will have selected the $6,000 owed.”
5/0 Approved
Discussion / for possible action – approval to write off previous balance owed by a prior owner of $1,549.70, including penalties in the amount of $626.90 47607 Clark Street, Ely Nevada, the current owner is CWS Management Limited and Steve Stork is the registered agent.
Steve Stork “ Late last summer we purchased two properties. We paid to have both properties torn down and paid to have everything hauled the land fill. We were notified that we needed to go into the City and pay past-due bills. The fact that there was no lien filed, and to be asked now to pay for something that was not disclosed when I purchased the property. I’m asking that you waive the $1,549.70.”
Switzer “The City could wave the amount of penalties and keep the lien, or the council could wave everything. The Utility bpBoard has recommended that we waive all fees.”
3/1 Carson abstained, Flanges voted no with an explanation that we are doing this way too often. We should just put all liens up and vote no on them.
New Business
Discussion
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval to close High Street between 1st Street and 3rd Street, July 2022, 2018 in conjunction with a motor vehicle show at Broadband Park sponsored by the Stardust Ranch.
Switzer “I talk to the proprietor of the Stardust Ranch to make sure he had liability insurance. There will be alcohol served on the premises and there’s a good possibility that patrons will be crossing Aultman Street going over to Broadbent Park. He did sure me that he will have insurance to cover that. Could you modify the motion to make it to include a Certificate of Insurance?”
5/0 Approved ( the Stardust is on High Street.)
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval of lease agreement between the City of Ely Fire Department and the City of Ely for the use of the Volunteer Fire Hall for City meetings, with a term of July 1st 2018 through June 30th, 2021.
5/0 Approval to rent the Volunteer Fire Hall for Cities meetings at $500 a month for 3 year and special meetings could be held anywhere.
Mayoral Appointment of five Animal Control Advisory Board Members, with the consent of Ely City Council, from the following applicants Teena Dobrescu, Montie Lyn Liebsack, KayLynn Roberts McMurray, Patricia Robison and Geri Wopschall. Two members will receive appointments through December 31,2020 and 3 members will receive appointments through December 31, 2022.
The Mayor had this item removed from the agenda, because she had calls from people after the agenda was out, stating that they had no idea these positions had been advertised. She would like to give more people the opportunity to apply.
(This item being removed from the agenda did not make everyone happy. Most people felt that if you missed the deadline you should not be get it given a second chance when people who met the agenda would have filled all the positions. Some of the application may drop off.)
The Council decided to lump the next four items together. These four items were concerning different designations and titles for people in the City Office, and the decision whether to continue to look for a new Treasurer or not.
5/0 approval to continue to advertise for a new treasurer. The salary would be determined upon the abilities of the new treasurer.
Public Comment
Kaylynn McMurray “ I’m a little concerned that you took the item off the agenda for the Animal Control Advisory Board. We had several people here who have applied and worked behind the scenes. You may have chased them off, I hope that they are still interested . You could have kept the ones and the ones you didn’t want you could have kept those seats open. It has a very bad look to it already and I don’t want it starting off on the wrong foot.
Pat Robison “I understand that one of these people cancelled a medical appointment, a very important one and she can’t reschedule that until November, in order to be here tonight. There was a deadline set and it was in the newspaper. You should stick to that Madam Mayor. You advertise it and set up the deadline and everyone who applied complied to that. This was very disappointing and you may lose some very good people. Where were these people, why didn’t they apply at the right time? This is something that is very important and I’m concerned. “
Mayor “On the last day I called people and it will be on the next agenda.”
( I share Kaylyn’s and Pat’s concerns, being one on the list and making the deadline. I feel there was enough notification given and anyone could have applied.)
If you have questions on any items in an agenda, or would like to make a remark you may call any of the council members or City staff.
Mayor Van Camp – 775-296-1524
Ernie Flangas – 775-289-9053
Kurt Carson – 775-289-3718
Tony DeFelice – 702-686-9282
Jolene Gardner – 775-289-6245
Sam Hanson – 775-289-2638
Ely City Hall – 775-289-2430
Robert Switzer – 775-289-2430
Charles Odgers – 775-289-2430
Geri Wop
White Pine County Tourism and Recreation Board
June 21, 2018
Public Comment
Mayor VanCamp “A lot of people stop and moan and groan and bitched about something that’s going on, but I had a lady who almost broke the door down to give me a compliment on Tears, Fears, and Beers. I’m was in the booth at the Ely Air Races and was able to talk to people from out of our area. They were quite excited about other recreational things we had here. I do believe this promoted are area.”
( I tend to agree with the mayor, I do believe there is too much negativity, but we have to look at the negative part of everything as well as the good part that’s how we improve. It does not hurt to say something good and honest about things. I am quite sure the Mayor hears everything bad possible, take your time to find something good about the City and tell her.)
Goeringer “ My comments are on the Capital Improvement Grants. Is there a way we can find out what the return on our investment is? Some of this is a lot of money. I am a hotel owner and pay taxes, I would like to know what the return on our investment is.”
New Business
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – Nevada Public Agency Insurance Preparation.
$11,930.92 is the cost of insurance per year. There was an increase this year of $840. This increase was a general increase for insurance as well as the increase value of the property owned.
5/0 Approval to accept new policy.
Discussion/Possible Action- approval of capital Improvement Grants – Ely Renaissance Society, Ely Renaissance Society, White Pine AG District 13, White Pine Chamber of Commerce Electric Upgrades, White Pine tree Chamber of Commerce Christmas lights, Simplistic Solutions, Great Basin Heritage Area Partnership, Steptoe Valley Trap, Skeet and Target, White Pine Horse Races, White Pine Chamber of Commerce EOC train timing, Northern Nevada Railway Foundation, Northern Nevada Railroad Foundation decking, Northern Nevada Railway Foundation loco 81, White Pine County Golf Course signage, White Pine County Golf Course – control box, White Pine County Golf Course – aeration, White Pine Chamber of Commerce EBC signs, White Pine Chamber of Commerce EBC cleanup.
Macintosh “I am uncertain the total amount we have available for these grants. After our visit from Roger Brooks, it was very telling as to where we need our clean up. I pulled the agenda from last year and the amount was $35,000. Although there are fewer applicants, it has been pointed out that we need to invest more in our community. So I’ve been a little confused how much do we really have on this budget. So maybe Joel can help us.”
Joel “ Going going back to the fiscal year 19 budget the capital outlay there was $330,000 set aside. And the two projects that we had decided to do where is it forms needed for the phone network $18,000 and the bathrooms going to be about $20,000. We’re looking at roughly $40,000 coming off the top of our budget. And you have request that are exceeding $200,000. My recollection of the funding is there is $330,000 in capital and $50,000 that has not been earmarked.”
Macintosh “I think $35,000 is just a drop in the bucket of what we need out there for intra structure. We need to look at these applications and see what the return for our dollar is in addressing quality of life, getting tourists here and keeping them coming coming here, but not just tourists but our employees. I feel we should consider far more than $35,000.”
Lori “So what are you suggesting?”
Macintosh “If we did a $140,000 and that would leave $140,000 still available do you get the parking lot upgrades and other things.”
Stork “We sure have more request then we have money available.”
Ely Renaissance Society – two mural upgrades – $5,000.00 on the west end of town and $9,860.00 east end of town.
Approved
Virginia Terry “ We didn’t own the Richfield building, but fortunately bath Lumber has purchased the whole block and given it to the Renaissance. I feel it’s critical to have something at the West end of town to welcome people. The Lions Club would be helping and in return they would receive the interior of the building for their storage.”
White Pine Ag District #13 – $35,000.00 – for fencing and other projects around the fairgrounds.
Moved to Outdoor Recteation
Gale Bartlett “We have a SNPLA grant but $50,000 was taken off the top for administration. I don’t understand that but it made us short on finishing the project.”
Stork “I feel this should be under outdoor recreation.”
White Pine Chamber – $2,851.00 installing 7 new electrical outlets in Sculpture Park and $887 for the purchase of new Christmas lights and decorations.
Approved
McIntosh “We need more discussion on the electric outlets for the park. We may be increasing the usage with new activities and there needs to be discussion on who pays the electric bill and maintenance. We can stipulate that they come back with another analysis of the electric.”
Simplistic Solutions – $4,800 for a new roof on the Ruth Club
Grant denied
Macintosh “ This project does not seem to fit our role for Capital Improvement. It does not apply for tourism and the return on our money.”
Stork “We are asked to provide improvements on the fairly dilapidated building.”
Great Basin Heritage – $4,350 to remove pigeons from the eaves of the Centennial Fine Arts building
Approved
Macintosh “You have used the facility in the past for conventions.”
Carol “Reply no I am not aware of that.”
Steptoe Valley Trap and Skeet – $78,255.11 To be used for cement work, water drilling, concrete, rebar and miscellaneous supplies in electrical.
Move to Outdoor recreation Fund
Bill Ricci “ Our goal is to make it a Shooting Complex.”
Stork “I want to compliment you guys, you have done a tremendous amount of work out there. I notice what you’re asking is just a fraction of the actual cost.”
Macintosh “ I feel this should be under outdoor recreation and not Capital Improvement.”
White Pine Horse Races – $2,021.90 to increase the height between the stalls in The Paddock area.
Moved to Outdoor Recreation Fund
Henry “Our concern is for the safety of our jockeys and horses.”
White Pine Chamber of Commerce – $6,395.00 for Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts
Moved for discussion in July.
Joel “This should go under outdoor recreation.”
Macintosh “I feel that we need to buy the piece of equipment (this item is a timing device for races) and hold it for all events. We should regenda this for July.”
Nevada Northern Railway – $35,000 for a consultant on locomotive 81, $20,000 to concrete the viewing area for the Star Train and $16,000 for redecking, side rails and benches on a flat car.
Approved
Mark Bassett “We need the cement viewing area because it is a safety hazard to have people walking through the sagebrush, where the snakes, Etc. may hang out.”
Mark Bassett “We need the decking, side railing and benches on a second Trail card to give us more viewing area.”
Mark Bassett “Our number one project is to get locomotive 81 back into service.”
Gardner “If we give you money to re-do a flat car, why can’t you use that flat guard for the telescopes?”
Mark Bassett “ I’m afraid of crowding and again they are moving around in the dark.”
White Pine Golf Course – $5,000 for 11 new rain birds, $3,000 for Turf Solutions and $5,000 for signage.
Approved
Randy Long “I do believe that these items could fall under outdoor recreation. So I am going to push the signage to you. We have a couple of signs that were built through NDOT, but we need more signage so people know that the golf course is there. We have a $5,000 Grant but we need matching funds.”
Stork “Our new director will be on board shortly and I would like to get with him to talk about standardized signage.”
Chamber of Commerce EBC signage and EBC clean up.
Approved
Brad Simpson “This is something that Roger Brooks mentioned and that is to remove signs that advertise businesses that have moved out of the area. The other grant is for uniformity of signs. We’re going to request an ordinance that will require businesses to remove their signs that are not applicable. “
Macintosh “I believe there are 47 signs that are out a date and needs to be removed. We need a common theme, we are trying to clean up and make things easier for tourist.”
Joel “I’ve been going over what we’ve discussed and the items we have removed for another time . The amount we are considering right now out of capital Improvement project funds is $133,948.00. We were talking about $140,000 to $145,000 so right now we are in the ballpark. And going down into Outdoor Recreation Fund there is a $120,803.32. $155,000 dollars is what is in the Outdoor Recreation fund. I think after eliminating those that do not fit the qualifications you do have enough to fund all of the applicants that do qualify under Capital Improvement funds.”
5/0 Approved items that have not been removed or move to a new funding account.
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – approval of Outdoor Recreation Facilities Grants – White Pine County Golf Course.
The request is for $65,000, this amount would be something the Golf Course could count on for maintenance except etc as needed.
Items that have been move to this Fund from the Capital Improvement Fund are the Horse Racing, the Golf Course, this Steptoe Valley Trap and Shoot and Ag District 13.
Ag District 13 is tabled at this time, but not denied. Will be on the July meeting.
The request for these grants excluding the $65,000 quested by the golf course is $120,803.32. We have funding under this fund of $155,000.
The Golf Course needs to do an operational assessment. There are several avenues to help with this.
Steptoe Valley Trap and Shoot for $13,871.42, White Pine Horse Races for $2,021.90, White Pine Golf Course for $3,000, $5,000, and $32,196.68.
5/0 Approved
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – Approval of Aid to Organizations Grant – White Pine Copper Days Rodeo.
This will come out of contingency funds.
The dates for this event would be July 21 & 22. This Rodeo will not go along as a Ranch Rodeo it will be more of a rodeo that you would see on TV. This is not a 501 3 C yet, but this is their goal.
McIntosh “This is a concern because we cannot give money to an organization other than a non-profit 501 3 C.”
Tabled until nexted meeting or special meeting. This could be awarded with the contingency that AG13 what allows them to use their 501 3 C.
5/0 approved for the contingency
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – July 4th Community Breakfast
The amount spent last year was $1,066.
5/0 Approved
Discussion and/ or For Possible Action – Approval of Debt Management Plan.
Item removed from the agenda
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – Approval of Wage and Salary Increases for Staff.
Item removed from the agenda
Discussion and/or For Possible Action – Approval to renew an Agreement with the White Pine Chamber of Commerce.
5/0 Approved
Geri Wop
