Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth. “
Ely City Council Meeting November 8, 2018
County Commission Meeting November 14, 2018
Public Comment
Lloyd Phillips “ I would like to speak today about the Ely Air Races.” Lloyd spoke about the beginning of the Experimental Aircraft Association. This group was created by three gentlemen who served in the United States Army in World War II, they’re all from Wisconsin, the Milwaukee area. They all wanted to continue flying but could not afford it, so they came up with the idea of building their own. Over the period of 7 years they acquired 20 other individuals who were like-minded. In 1953 they decided to hold a fly in at Milwaukee. They brought in 22 home-built aircraft. The flying was held for 2 days and they had a hundred fifty two visitors, who paid $0.25 a visitor. This fly in is held every year, it continued to grow and continued until 2018. In 1969 is outgrew the available space in the Milwaukee Airport, then move to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This airport was described as the cow pasture, something left over from World War II. At the time Oshkosh had a population of 49,000 people. The most recent Air Adventure took place the last week of July 2018. 10000 aircraft divided into three categories. 4,000 volunteers assisted. Just under 5,500 visitors came. Oshkosh has the population now of 66,000 people. This Air Adventure this year brought in to the town of Oshkosh and the state just over 10 million dollars.
“In my opinion this Ely Air Races has the opportunity to do the same. To start small with the niche air racing and because of things that are taking place at other places in our community, we have an opportunity to capitalize. Oshkosh does not have the room to put up all these people, so some camp out under their wings. I would ask the Commission to seriously consider the finances that were at least anticipated by your movement to approve this for 3 years. You are like it or not the deepest pocket in town and digging into that pocket is not without short and long-term benefits.”
Richard Howe ask to have items C #2 under the Airport Manager to be tabled. The Liaison and the Finance Director are not present.
Passed unanimous
Fire Commission
Chief Bill Ward
For the month of September we had 93 incidence.
1 Brush Fire
4 medical rescues emergency
83 medical runs , this includes vehicle accidents life flights, etc.
2 rescue calls, one animal rescue
1 public service
1 cancelled call
Our average response time was 2 minutes 28 seconds
The month of October 72 calls
42 of those were life flights
10 emergency
5 vehicle accidents
3 vehicle injuries.
1 pedestrian
1 gasoline liquid
2 public exist
2 public service
2 cancellation in route
Response time average 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
The flu shot pod was a success at Station 1, we participated in a mock earthquake drill and received great reviews from the hospital, there was a mock drill at McGill Grade School and we have another drill planned for the State Prison.
Discussion/ For Possible Action: Approval of compensation for District Fire Chief based upon qualifications and experience required to fulfill this position.
The new Fire Chief, Tim Regan, salary will be set at $66,067.00. This payment will come half from EMS and half from fire. It was recommended to tape a list item until they knew what the separate payment for EMS director is. There needs to be more discussion, because the EMS director does get paid a different salary than the fire chief. Combining these two should combine the salaries as well. It was suggested that this be put on the next agenda, because there seems to be some confusion.
4/0 Tabled
Discussion / For Possible Action: Approval to assign the remainder of Shain Manuel’s Public Defender Contract to Kristy Pickering beginning January 19th through June 30th 2019.
Shain Manuel has a two year contract with the county for Public Defender Services. I was not looking for other employment but was asked by the State Bar and offered a position with them. I accepted that position. There is 6 months left on my contract and I would like that to be assigned to Kristy Pickering.
Perea asked if there would be any conflicts of interest with any of Shain’s clients.
Shain stated that there should not be any conflict but they would look into that.
4/0 Approved
Discussion / Public Hearing / Action: The White Pine County Board of Commissioners will take public comment regarding proposed Ordinance 495, Bill NO. 10. 1O. 2018, amending Title 4 of the White Pine County Code to Grant an exemption from the County Business license scheme if the businesses is exempt under State law.
Bybee “ I think this is all foolishness, I think you license them all or you license none.”
Perea “ I agree with Shane.”
Wheable “ I know many county businesses believe they’re exempt, but I’m not sure that they really are.”
A motion was called for and no motion was made. The changes do not go into effect.
Discussion / First Reading of proposed Ordinance 496, Bill No. 11.14. 2018, an Ordinance amending Title 6 of The White Pine County Code to regulate burning within White Pine County.
Mackenzie asked if part of the new ordinance would be reporting when you plan to have a controlled burn.
The first thing is you need to get a permit. You must call into the fire district each day you plan on burning. The fire station could deny you a burning if there was strong winds in the area at that time. This also allows the fire station to come in to put the fire out on private property.
You will be able to get your burn permit app Fire Station 1.
Every time someone burns, they need to notify the fire station. It takes up resources when the fire department has to come out because of a call.
Bill Ward stated that they’re looking into applying for a permit online.
We were presented with the rather large bill from NDF, because one control burned got out of control. We would like to prevented in the future.
Bill Ward stated that he agreed this County is very vast and wide, we need to have the service online.
Another part of this organization is that there will be no Barrel Burns, this means trash or yard waste.
Discussion Only regarding a request to purchase County – on parcel number 0 0 3 – 0 1 4 – 0 2 located at 2 Mahogany Street in Ruth. Chris Dunn, owner of parcel 0 0 3 – 0 1 6 – 12 and 13, across the street from 15th and 17 Mahogany Street.
Chris Dunn was not present. The property in question is about 1/3 of an acre.
It was pointed out that there is a process of obtaining the property and that we may have to put it out for bid.
Discussion / For Possible Action: Approval to engage Basin Engineering to parcel out County-owned property 0-0 2-0 7101 located at 18th Street East behind Bath Lumber in Ely, as outlined in backup.
Hilton “ This has to do with the new housing projects that were discussed in previous Commission meetings.”
Howe “ I have brought this up in meetings about our critical housing shortage. This is the parcel out this land so we can move forward to build up to 15 new houses. I’ve met with a contractor and I’ve had two other phone calls interest with interest. In order for us to even move forward we need to have the property surveyed and any zoning requirements of that will be needed done. This is not the complete 62 acres. This is only the land on 17th Street. This is necessary. We as the County are going to have to put some teeth in here, we need to help offset the cost of the interest structure, so we can get contractors to build homes. Land to build a house is going for about $30,000 here and if we don’t put money into the interest structure it would cost a contractor close to $300,000 to build a minimum income house. Working with the City and Mount Wheeler we can reduce the cost for a contractor. I feel we have to move forward with this as a County, so we can get new homes that are conducive to our community.”
These would all be single family dwelling. We do need to work with the City and plan together. They would be all R1 zoning.
Perea was worried that if there were other places for sale there, County would be in competition with private property owners.
Wheable stated that there was no action going on there and maybe if the County started to divide up these Lots that are owned by the County, maybe the other landowners would start to act.
Howe “We cannot grow as a County or a City if we do not have housing. This is a necessity.”
Wheable “ I want to remind you that we are making the land more desirable for a developer to come in, we are not building homes.”
The cost of doing this for the County and the City would be approximately $4,000. The street already has sewers and water.
Howe “There are approximately 90 properties available for sale in April, now there is approximately 40 available and most of them are inhabitable.”
4/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action: Ratification of newly created job description for Drug Court Treatment Provider (DCTP).
4/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action: Approval to set the compensation for County Emergency Management Director based upon qualifications and experience.
This job will start on December 15th and is mostly paid by Emergency Management Grant funds, about $20,000 would be paid by the county.
4/0 Approved to start the pay scale at step 3
Airport Manager Lance Gale –
Gale “The BLM modular units have arrived and are being installed. BLM is bringing their whole dispatch unit over to the airport. All of their vehicles and firefighters will be at the airport. Eventually the BLM would like to use the old balloon building.”
Update on the airport A I P project for Runway and taxiway. Can you believe it it’s done! This project was supposed to be completed next June, and it’s done. The roads in public works gave back to the county and did a lot of extra work. The lighting is being put in at the moment. This project cost 13 million dollars and remember we got an extra 5 million to complete it. As the County we only had to come up with a little over $300,000. Because we save so much money we were able to put in a new generator in the crash building.
It has been requested by the Department of Transportation that we have a ribbon-cutting. We are the only project in the whole western region to get this money. When the date is set we will notify you and have all the Commissioners and officials come out for the ribbon-cutting.
Our airport Can accommodate a large aircraft and when we are ready to go in and request a service, we are ready.
Approval for the event budget for Ely airport race events latest for June 13th – 15 has been tabled until the next meeting
There are lots of boards that need new members. If you have a feel that you’re interested in please contact the County Clerk and she couldn’t invite as you as to what board you need to apply for. Participating in your community is accessibility.
If you have any concerns or inquiries about this agenda please contact one of our commissioners or make a comment on White Pine Talking.
Richard Howe 287 – 2851
Steve Stork 397-3550
Shane Bybee 289 – 6200
Carol McKenzie 238 – 5384
Gary Perea 234 – 7356
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Ely City Council Meeting November 8, 2018
Public Comment
Former employee, speaking as a private citizen. When I was County Clerk, the state purchased for the county the election equipment. In the time that I was County Clerk, we did what Nicole does. We offered to do the elections for the City and they declined. So I did the math and I read that Nicole said that this would save the City about $20,000. So if you had signed up, so, if the estimates are correct in 23 years ago you would have saved a half a million dollars. I understand about the politics, but somewhere down the line someone is going to have to make a decision and the decision may be made by the Secretary of State. This decision will be made because of the technicalities of how the elections are done now. It’s a pretty simple process you would need a split ballot. I hope at somepoint the City and the County can look at services, that are alike and do what’s right for the community.
Kerri Pintar addressing item number 7 under New Business. This item first appeared on the March 22nd agenda, after some discussion the item was tabled seeking an opinion from the Attorney General. Was that opinion to change and what was the results of the opinion? Where can it be obtained for public viewing? In your “Mayor’s Moment, “ you explained all the reasons why we should run our elections concurrently with White Pine County. I beg to differ. What I found at the Convention Center was mayhem and why we want to participate in that I don’t know. Why should the County Clerk be responsible for our City elections. I’m not in favor of any of you extending your terms. You’re having a second reading at a special meeting on November 15th, what’s going on and what’s the rush?
( I do have an opinion on changing the voting to coincide with the County’s on voting. I do realize that some of the Council members may have an extra year or so, but I also do realize that it is a savings for the City and it is the job of the City to spend money wisely. So I do not object to the combining of the voting. You voted for the City Council members.)
Department Reports
Fire Chief
Fire Department Calls Report – October 5 through November 1st 2018
Medical transports 25
Non transport 3
Jail check 1
EMS stand by 1
Smell of propane 1
Semi versus fire hydrants 1
Lift assist 1
Total calls 32 ( reports 18 – 0 4 3 2 through 18 – 0 4 6 4)
Animal Control
City County
Cats impounded 2 3
Dogs impounded 17 11
Dogs euthanized 1
Dog bite 1 1
Fees collected $475.00 $470.00
City Animal Control Officer Hayes – Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval to establish of Trap-Neuter-Release program for feral cats and a feral cat colony at the City of Ely former Animal Control facilities.
Andrew Hayes “ I would like to established the Trap and Release program for feral cats and I would like to do this to cut down the amount of feral cats. This will reduce the diseases that are brought into our community by feral cats. This will mostly be spearheaded by local donations and grants. The cost of the City would be very minimal. A good thing about this program is we can do as much or as little as the money is available.”
Odgers “Until we can have the proper ordinances, the cats will be held for a short period of time for healing. And then released as close to where they were captured as possible. If we remove a cat from an area, another cat will come to replace it. So we prefer to return the cat to its previous location.”
3/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval for City Animal Control Officer Hayes to accept donated cat traps on behalf of the City of Ely from the Community Cat Coalition of Clark County in Las Vegas, where he will attend a one-day Trap – Neuter – Return / Cat Colony Management clinic in November.
Hayes “I attended the conference in Reno. I ran into somebody who is willing to donate 10 traps. I can pick them up at this class on the 18th of November. I would like to go down there, spend a day to find out about this project and to bring back information and The Traps.”
Odgers “The Advisory Board would like the City to provide a vehicle that would hold all the traps for officer Hayes to take to Las Vegas.”
3/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval to establish a volunteer program for the City of Ely Animal Control facilities.
Removed from the agenda
Discussion / For Possible Action; Approval for the City of Ely Animal Control facility to participate in Maddie’s Pet Adoption Days, a two-day adoption event for Nevada based animal groups, November 16th – 17th, 2018 ; all adoption fees waived and $300 will be given to City of Ely Animal Control for every adoption of a dog / cat, to offset adoption costs and other control needs.
3/0 Approved
Discussion Only – Review of City of Ely dog licensing requirements in connection with City Code 5–3B–5 (F) term of license, the 9–27–18 City Council recommendation to increase the license fee of unneutered dogs to $100 annually and a possible exemption for unaltered working dogs from the higher licensing fees.
Removed from the agenda
Public Hearings
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval of Second Reading of Ordinance 716, Bill No. 2018 – 09, an Ordinance amending City Code Title 4, Chapter 2, Section 13 and 14 changing time frame to abate nuisances before further action may be taken by the City of Ely.
This ordinance is so the City can get property cleaned up in a shorter amount of time. This will allow someone to come before the City Council and get an extension, have the City clean it up and charge the owner of the property.
3/0 Approved (This action is necessary because many of the citizens in the City of Ely do not take care of their property and it has become more than a nuisance, it has become a fire hazard. I would like to see people take pride in their property.)
New Business
Discussion / For Possible Action – Review of Title Search in regards to the ownership of the real property known as Avenue A and possible approval to accept the transfer of Avenue A from the Ely Security Company to the City of Ely, including the City of Ely paying necessary appraisal cost, survey fees and transfer fees.
City Attorney Chuck Odgers –
Ely Security Company is a defunct company that was owned by Mike Lemich. Mr. Lemich would like to receive some compensation for this property, this is a very long process. We are going to have to find the value of the property. At this present time I do not have enough information to recommend that we purchase this property. Until we know what Mr. Lemich wants for the ground, we do not have enough information to move forward.
Bassett stated that the property has no road access from the railroad and the only reason they need access is for a sewer line, which would be dug across this property.
Odgers “We have to follow the law closely on this one, there could be future lawsuits if we do not follow the letter of the law.”
3/0 Approved to have the City Attorney and the City Manager move forward and looking into this property.
Discussion/For Possible Action – Acceptance of Kent Lynskey’s proposal to work in the capacity of a contracted service provider as the Corral Boss/ Caretaker of the Ely City Corral on a 5-year contract for $1,000 per month.
Lynskey “ I felt that this could be a good solution to the problem at the Corral, being is there is no Corral Association at this time.”
Sam Hansen “ I have one question, do we have the funds to pay for this?”
Switzer “ No we don’t.”
Odgers “The Corrals bring in about $16,000 a year and this would cost us $12,000 a year. Plus you have to consider the City has to maintain the roads at the Corral. We need to develop some type of ordinance for the Corrals. This would be necessary because we have no Authority down there anyway.”
The president of the Corral Association spoke about being sick for about a year and the whole association fell apart. There are no members in the association to perform the duties that need to be done. We are unable to use the arena, the City workers are quite willing to take care and drag the arena, but the City does not have the equipment to do so. Until that article came out, the City has not been down to maintain the roads. I had to park outside and walk in to feed horses. The City hasn’t even come into remove snow. Kent is the first person who has come up with a solution instead of pointing fingers. I hope you consider his offer.
Kent had an alternative plan. He felt that if each stable owner was charged a maintenance fee it would cover the cost of maintaining the corral. They could raise the fees and would only have the City paying $6,000 a year.
Odgers “That would have to be done with an ordinance because we do not have an ordinance that covers the corrals.”
Switzer “The County Corrals charge $75 and up. The stable owners there have taken it upon themselves to police and take care of the area. This was the same with the City Corrals until lately. The City had pretty much hands off.”
There are 62 Corrals with 10 vacancies.
3/0 to have the City Attorney look into an ordinance and to find money in the budget for next year.
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval of the White Pine County Sheriff’s Office to place a radio repeater on City of Ely property located in the Courthouse Canyon area next to the City of Ely water tanks. All work performed and expenses of installation will be the responsibility of the White Pine County and Sahara Electronics, work to include ; foundation for repeater, power hookup, installation of radio repeater and a scheduled maintenance.
In the past there has been problems with the radios because there was no repeater in the area.
3/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval to issue payment in the amount of $8,700.37 to Outwest Excavation for overpayment on the 2014 and 2016 recycled metal payment received by the City of Ely; repayment will be issued with no interest from the City’s portion of the proceeds earned from the April 2018 shipment of metal from the metal file.
Carson still had some concerns about documentation.
Switzer stated that he did have an invoice, but it was handwritten and you would like a more formal statement that was clear to everyone. He stated that he would work with Paul so there was a more clear idea as to what he is requesting.
3/0 approved to let Switzer look into it deeper.
Decision / For Possible Action – Approval of first reading of Ordinance 708, Bill No. 201-8901, an ordinance amending City Code Title 1, Chapter 8 Elections by replacing the current version of Title 1, Chapter 8 based upon the Inter-Local Agreement for Elections with White Pine County, with a completely new version of Title 1, Chapter 8 Elections and to provide for a the removal of the new version and establishment of the original version upon termination of the international Inter-Local Agreement.
2/1 Approved Kurt Carson was the nay
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval of the first reading of Ordinance No. 719, Bill No. 2018 –12, and Ordnance amending City Code Title 1, Chapter 5, section 5 C to allow the City Council the ability to compel the presence of a council member, including by telephonic means, in order to form a quorum of the City Council.
Sam Hanson was under the impression that the mayor already had the authorization to compel a council member to attend. He was informed that she did not, it was up to the council members to make an ordinance so they could. The main problem is that there may be four people present at the council, but two of them cannot vote because of conflict of interest.
3/0 Approved
Discussion / For Possible Action – Approval to hire a full-time employee with job duties to be split between the Recycling Center and the Park/ Cemetery departments.
3/0 Approved
Discussion /For Possible Action – Approval to hire a full-time employee to work in the Water and Sewage Departments.
3/0 Approved
If you have any comments or suggestions on agenda item you may contact one of the City Council members or make a comment on White Pine Talking.
Ernie Flangas 289 – 9053
Kurt Carson 289 – 3718
Tony DeFelice 702 – 686 – 9282
Jolene Gardner 289 – 6245
Sam Hanson 289 – 2638
Geri Wop.
