Microsoft Office InfoPath - November 2009-verdi_wtm cab.xml

							Verdi/West Truckee Meadow CAB
November, 2009
From: Lorrie Adams
HOT NEWS:
Change Smoke Alarm Batteries When You Change Your Clock for Daylight Savings: According to a
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report on Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires, four of every 10
home fires deaths in 2003-2006 resulted from fires with no smoke alarms. NFPA statistics show that about
3,000 people a year die in home fires. Citizens should use batteries recommended by the manufacturer and
make sure they are firmly connected to the smoke alarm contacts. However, when a smoke alarm starts
making a “chirping” noise, that’s a signal battery levels are low and they need to be replaced right away.
Dusting smoke alarm surfaces and vacuuming the air vents regularly will keep dust and spider webs from
fouling detection elements or causing false alarms. It is recommended that smoke alarms be tested once a
month to make sure they are in working order in the event of a fire. For more information on smoke alarms
and fire safety, visit www.usfa.fema.gov



Regional Parks and Open Space

November 2-8, 2009: Wild Women Artists host their annual Reno exhibit and sale at Wilbur D. May
Museum. Cost: free for the exhibit. Hours: Friday, November 6 from Noon to 8pm; Saturday, November 7
from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, November 8 from 11am to 5pm. For more information, visit:
www.wildwomenartists.com or call 785-5961.

Regional Parks Commission Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2009: Recommendation to the
Board of County Commissioners to approve and execute a Grant of Easement for Utility Facilities between
Washoe County and Sierra Pacific Power Company (dba NY Energy) at Sierra Sage Golf Course (APN 554-
010-01) for a 58,576 sq. ft. corridor for installation of a 12" gas line to expand service to Stead and the
surrounding areas and accept land value proceeds of$5,025.00 for the permanent easement. For more
information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/28/PC%20Agenda%202009%2011-03-09.pdf

Regional Parks Commission Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2009: Recommendation to the
Board of County Commissioners to approve the preferred design option for the Ballardini Ranch Trailhead by
Design Workshop and authorize Washoe County Regional Parks & Open Space Department to solicit written
bid proposals for trailhead construction. For more information, visit:
www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/28/PC%20Agenda%202009%2011-03-09.pdf

Michael D. Thompson Trailhead at Hunter: An opening celebration for the Michael D. Thompson Trailhead
at Hunter Creek is planned for noon on Thursday, November 5, 2009. The new trailhead is located on
Woodchuck Circle, ¾ of a mile west of Plateau Road in Juniper Ridge.


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Regional Parks and Open Space

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Regional Trails Guide: A regional trails guide focusing on the Truckee Meadows vicinity are been created.
Parks staff at Washoe County, Reno and Sparks worked together to create the guide in response to a
significant public need. Major funding for the 64-page, 4 color guide came from a Federal Highway
Administration Recreational Trails Program Grant, along with support from the Reno-Sparks Convention &
Visitors Authority, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Scheels. The guide is free and is available
through all park offices, the County Manager’s offices, libraries and other locations with public information
counters. For more information, call 823-6519. A “pdf” format of the guide is available online at:
www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/28/TrailsGuideFinal.pdf

Water Resources

Underwater Inspection of Water Storage Tanks: Scuba divers completed their inspection of a number of
Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Southwest Truckee Meadows General Improvement District
(STMGID) water storage tanks. Divers noted there were no significant deficiencies found; the interior
coatings of the tanks are in good condition and little, if any, sediments were detected on the floors of the
tanks.

Weed Abatement and Fall Clean-up: DWR has have been conducting fall weed abatement activities at well
and tank sites to maintain a defensible space and eliminate small animal habitat and around the well heads,
helping to ensure the safety of our municipal water supply.

Sanitary Survey: Having completed this year’s scheduled sanitary survey of approximately one-third of
DWR’s water systems, the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) found only one minor deficiency
concerning the tank overflow pipe at the Sunrise water tank. To remedy this, DWR will be installing an
overflow flap on the Sunrise water tank’s overflow vent within 60 days. Otherwise, all of the other systems
surveyed, including St. James, Mt. Rose, Lemmon Valley, Hidden Valley, Lightning W, Old Washoe Estates
water systems, checked out without any deficiencies.

Metering Wastewater Output: DWR is working with a utility control specialist to install a magnetic flow
meter in a sewer force main from the Longley Lane Water Treatment Plant, which will more accurately
measure the amount of wastewater being discharged into the sewer system. The new magnet flow meter
(mag meter) is a volumetric flow meter which does not have any moving parts and is ideal for wastewater
applications. This method replaces the previous measurement tool that was based upon calculated flows
from wastewater pump run times.

River Oaks Water System Pump Test: In anticipation of a possible acceptance of the Verdi Meadows
Utility Company’s (VMUC) River Oaks water system DWR staff has completed an evaluation of the system’s
sources of supply, including a pump test, water quality analysis and inspection of supply wells and related
facilities. DWR accepted VMUC’s River Oaks failed sewer system in May 2007 and has been working to
identify funding that would help pay for moving the sewer system facilities from under the homes into the
public right of way. DWR has located a possible source of money to assist in moving the sewer system and
has been discussing the potential for accepting the VMUC water system so that the water system, which is
also under the homes, can be replaced and moved to the public right of way at the same time as the sewer
system is moved. The evaluation confirmed that the system’s three wells are adequate to meet demand and
that there are no “show stopping” water quality issues or system deficiencies that would require major
investment in the near term.




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Water Resources

Lemmon Valley Comminutor: DWR installed a new comminutor at the Lemmon Valley wastewater
treatment plant, maintaining sewer bypass during construction, so the work could be completed without
outages to customers. The new comminutor processes incoming raw sewage and improves the wastewater
treatment process. It replaces a 37-year old comminutor that was installed when the plant was originally
constructed and has been inoperable for 3 years. The new comminutor will allow the plant to operate as
designed and will help with maintaining wastewater treatment plant standards set by the State of Nevada.
The Lemmon Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant provides sewer service to more than 1,100 customers in
the North Valleys area.

Animal Services

Several years after consolidating and moving into the newly constructed Regional Animal Services Center,
Washoe County has gained national attention for having one of the lowest animal euthanasia rates in the
country. Our community’s success is the combined result of our partnership with Nevada Humane Society
(NHS), a collaborative relationship with other local animal rescue organizations, increased utilization of
technology and implementation of innovative policies. However, none of this success would be possible
without the tremendous community-wide support. To read the full report,
visit: www.washoecounty.us/animal and click on the link “See How We Are Doing.”

Public Works

SAD 32: The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) held a public hearing for Special Assessment District
No. 32 (SAD 32) on Tuesday October 13, 2009. The Public Works Engineering Division staff report
summarized the protests received. Of the 506 parcels, owners of 159 parcels submitted protests equaling
29.8% of the total assessment dollars. The BCC voted unanimously to dispose of all protests and granted
one hardship. By this action, the project will move forward to final design pending the expiration of a 30-day
appeal period and after any resolution of a threatened court action.

Incline Village Pedestrian Path: Public Works has submitted a request to construct a pedestrian path on
Incline Way on the east side of Village Blvd.

Roads Division: Because air quality in Washoe County has not met EPA Standards, Washoe County Health
Department has mandated new regulations to improve air quality. These mandates effect how our snow and
ice control program is conducted.

The goal of this program is:
      Reduce the amount of sand spread on County streets for snow and ice control
      Reduce the time required to sweep up this sand after a storm event
      Change the type of sand used to a harder material. The effect of this rule will be to reduce the
      amount of particulate matter (PM) entrained in the ambient air as a result of blowing winds, the roads
      drying out, and vehicles traveling over the sand.

Priority 1 Roads will be plowed first: Roads which are identified as major arterial and collectors, major
structures, overpasses, bridges, steep grades, school bus routes at or above 6,000 feet, emergency vehicle
routes, fire station sites, schools and freeway feeder streets.

Link to Regional Emergency Snow Plow Routes: www.washoecounty.us/gis/regional_snowplow.htm

Link to Unincorporated Washoe County Snow Plow Routes:
www.washoecountuy.us/gis/county_snowplow.htm

Link to Washoe County Snow and Ice Control Plan: www.washoecounty.us/pubworks/sno_ice_control.htm

NOTE: Please see the enclosed reminder at the end of the County Update for Snow Plow Safety Tips.
Libraries


A Disney Princess visits Sparks Library: On Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:15am a Disney On Ice
Princess will visit the Sparks Library located at 1125 12th Street, Sparks (phone #: 352-3200). This free
program is designed to encourage children to get into a reading habit; it will be fun as well as educational,
featuring reading, writing and royalty.

For more information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-5#schedule

Food for fines at the library: From November 9-30, 2009, library patrons can bring cans of food to the
library in lieu of fines to help feed the hungry. Food barrels will be placed at 11 library locations and the food
will be delivered to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

For more information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-30#schedule

Workshop: Answers to Today’s Homeownership Challenges: On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 5pm a
free workshop, “Answer’s to Today’s Homeownership Challenges,” will be held at the Spanish Springs
Library located 7100A Pyramid Highway, Sparks, (phone #: 424-1800).
For more information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-10#schedule

Workshop: Don’t Be a Victim! Learn to Protect Yourself from Fraud: On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 a
free workshop, “Don’t Be a Victim! Learn to Protect Yourself from Fraud,” will be held at two library locations.
The workshop will be presented the Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce.

Tuesday, November 17 at 2:30 pm                          Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30 pm
Sparks Library                                           North Valleys Library
1125 12th Street, Sparks                                 1075 North Hills Blvd. #340, Reno
Phone: 352-3200                                           Phone: 972-0281

For more information about the workshop, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-
17#schedule

For more information about the Nevada Fight Fraud Taskforce, visit: http://fightfraud.nv.gov/TaskForce.htm

Special appearances by teen author Ellen Hopkins: The local author of popular young adult books Tricks,
Identical, Glass, Impulse, Burned and Crank will visit several Washoe County libraries. Award-winning author
and poet Ellen Hopkins will discuss the writing process and autograph copies of her sometimes-controversial
books. Her latest novel, Tricks, is about five teens from very different walks of life. They fall into dangerous
lifestyles and must ultimately make heart-wrenching choices.

For more information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-5#schedule

Damonte Ranch High School Presents: “Chicken Bones for the Teenage Soup:” Damonte Ranch High
School Thespian Troupe #6748 is proud to present two free performances of the hilarious one-act
play “Chicken Bones for the Teenage Soup” by Alan Haehnel, at two Washoe County libraries.“ In a series of
short scenes, diverse characters illustrate various sentimental moments from everyday life, only to be
repeatedly crushed by sardonic twists of cruel fate.

Wednesday, November 18 at 4pm                            Thursday, November 19 at 4pm
Sparks Library                                           Spanish Springs Library
1125 12th Street, Sparks                                 7100A Pyramid Highway, Sparks
Phone: 352-3200                                          Phone: 424-1800

For more information, visit: www.washoecounty.us/library/events.html~date=2009-11-18#schedule
Board of County Commissioners

On Tuesday, October 27, 2009, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the following on-going
agreements with other local government entities to enhance our community’s quality of life, specifically in the
area of public safety:

Regional Gang Unit Interlocal Agreement between the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, the Reno Police
Department, the Sparks Police Department, Washoe County School District, and the Washoe County District
Attorney’s Office. The purpose of the Regional Gang Unit is to promote coordinated multi-jurisdictional
investigations of gang crimes by all law enforcement agencies in the region.

Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit Interlocal Agreement between the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office,
the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department and the Washoe County District Attorney’s
Office. The purpose of the Regional Sex Offender Notification Unit is to allow the local law enforcement
agencies to work together in the tracking, monitoring, investigation, public notification and prosecution of sex
offenders.

Integrated Child Welfare Interlocal Agreement between Washoe County’s Department of Social Services and
the State of Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child and Family Services for
the County to continue providing adoptions, foster home licensing, long-term foster care and certain mental
health program for children in Washoe County. These services were previously provided by the State of
Nevada, and transferred to Washoe County as directed by state legislation, and has resulted in children
spending less time in temporary as well as increased the number of adoptions. Today’s approved agreement
continues that arrangement which was implemented as a pilot project in 2002 and mandated in 2004.

Washoe County Commissioners directed planning staff to make specific revisions to a proposed nuisance
ordinance and return on December 8th for a first reading of said ordinance with a second reading and
possible adoption on January 12, 2010. Both readings would occur during the public hearing portion of the
County Commission meeting, scheduled to begin no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on both days.



Community Development

Planning Commission Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2009: Special Use Permit Case
#:SW09-001 (Tracy Aggregate Project). The project is located approximately 15 miles east of Sparks, north
of I-80 at Exit 32, USA Parkway. Applicant is requesting to expand an existing aggregate mining operation to
allow the additional extraction of approximately 83 million tons of aggregate material from 424 acres of a 640-
acre federally owned property. The two parcels totaling ±1,043 acres are designated Industrial (I), General
Rural (GR) and Open Space (OS) in the Truckee Canyon Area Plan. The properties are located in the East
Truckee Canyon Citizen Advisory Board boundary. For more information, contact Trevor Lloyd, Senior
Planner, 775.328.3620. For more information, visit:
www.washoecounty.us/comdev_files/bc/bc_pc_2009_agendas/110309agw_sr.pdf



Planning Commission Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 3, 2009: Development Code Amendment
Case#: DCA08-004 (Storm Drainage Standards). The applicant is requesting to amend Washoe County
Code, Chapter 110, Development Code, Article 420, Storm Drainage Standards in order to encourage low
impact development (LID) options and revise the storm drainage provisions to be consistent with updated
standard manuals, including the Truckee Meadows Regional Drainage Manual. For more information,
contact Kimble Corbridge, Assistant Public Works Director, 328.2054. For more information, visit:
www.washoecounty.us/comdev_files/bc/bc_pc_2009_agendas/110309agw_sr.pdf
City of Reno

FEMA Flood Map Changes in Double Diamond Ranch: November 3, 2009 from 7-8:30pm at Depaoli
Middle School located 9300 Wilbur May (Just South of Intersection of Wilbur May Parkway and South
Meadows Parkway). Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reexamined and remapped some
flood zones effective March 16, 2009. In the Double Diamond Area, 247 properties were remapped into a
Special Flood Hazard Area known as “Zone A,” which is subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood.
The City invited the effected 247 property owners to public outreach meetings in November of 2008. The
public is invited to the November 3, 2009 public meeting to receive an update on possible engineering
solutions and potential costs to construct improvements and revise the flood maps back to how they were
just prior to March 16, 2009. For general information about flood maps visit FEMA’s website at:
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm For more information on flood insurance, visit the National
Flood Insurance Program’s website: www.floodsmart.gov For updated background information on the flood
map changes in Double Diamond visit: http://www.cityofreno.com/Index.aspx?page=1621 For questions
relating to what flood zone you are in, or elevation certificates, contact Jackie Schalberg of the City of Reno
Community Development Department at 334-3858.

Chalk Creek Watershed: Truckee River Fund will hold a workshop on Tuesday, November 17 at 5:30 pm at
the Northwest Reno Library to discuss why it is concerned about the creek, gather information and provide
information on the current status of the watershed that runs directly to the Truckee River. For more
information or to RSVP, please contact Rebecca at 829-2810.

Rink on the River: The Rink on the River is currently under construction in City Plaza, located at the corner
of Virginia and First Streets in Downtown Reno. It will take only a couple of days to finish erecting the rink
before city staff can assemble support facilities. Making the ice is scheduled to begin November 19th. The
Holiday Tree Lighting and opening of the Rink on the River is being moved from its previously published date
of Wednesday, 11/25 to Tuesday, 11/24. Mayor Cashell is expected to attend the tree lighting at 5 p.m., and
the Rink will open afterwards (ice conditions and weather permitting). The Rink will be closed on
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 and open as regularly scheduled on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2009.

Sheriff's Office

Data Driven Deployment in Spanish Springs: From October 26, 2009 through November 1 in accordance
with the Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety (DDACTS) initiative, Washoe County Sheriff
will increase its presence in the Spanish Springs Area. Data analysis has shown a three-year historical rise
in reported crimes in the Spanish Springs area for the early winter months, beginning with an increase in
reported residential burglaries in October. Our goal is general deterrence of traffic violations and criminal
activity by having high visibility of law enforcement for a sustained period in a concerted effort to better serve
the residents in the Spanish Springs. For more information on DDACTS:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/law-enforcement/traffic-safety/ddacts.htm

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): CERT trains our local citizens in basic disaster
preparedness, fire safety, emergency medical, light search and rescue, incident command structure, disaster
psychology and terrorism.

Dates and times: November 9, 10, and 11, 2009 from 8am to 5pm each day

Once this course is completed, the student has skills and information that can be utilized in their daily lives
and activities as well as during an emergency or community wide disaster. You do not have to commit to any
volunteer service to attend this training. We encourage everyone to attend in order to be better prepared.
The training is 24 hours long and will be taught in three full days of training. Students must attend all
sessions to obtain a certificate.

For more information, contact Kaydie Paschall at 32-6828 or email: kpaschall@washoecounty.us or visit:
http://wc-ccp.blogspot.com/2009/10/cert-training-at-sierra-nevada-job.html
City of Sparks

Sparks Heritage Museum: The Sparks City Council approved a lease agreement between the City of
Sparks and the Sparks Heritage Foundation to operate the historic museum located at 814 Victorian
Avenue. The lease will run through 2039, with two 10-year optional extensions; no rent will be collected.
The City will provide the required utilities for the first five years of the lease after which the Museum will be
responsible for the utilities.

Voluntary Separation Plan: In order to meet the current economic challenges, the Sparks City Council
unanimously approved a voluntary separation plan for current employees. The program is designed to
incent employees to voluntarily leave city employment by January 15, 2010. These employees would
receive 75 percent of their current salary. There would be up to a $2.7 million cost savings under the best
case scenario.

Legends Improvements Purchase: The Sparks City Council by a vote of 3 to 2 (Ratti & Carrigan opposed)
approved the Sparks Redevelopment Agency entering into a sales agreement to purchase art and property
improvements within public areas, as well as signage, at the Legends at Sparks Marina. RED Development,
the developer of Legends, will maintain the improvements in exchange for the right of access to and use of
the improvements. By acquiring these improvements, the Redevelopment Agency will provide the developer
with funds needed to leverage private financing for constructing the next phase of The Legends center to
include an IMAX theatre, ultimately increasing traffic and sales revenue.


c:
Betsy Mellinger, Dan St. John, Kimble Corbridge, Mitch Schneider, Bonnie Saviers