Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth. “
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
