WASHOE COUNTY NEWS RELEASE
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners held its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, April 9, and took action on items including: appointed Luanne Cutler the next Registrar of Voters effective upon the June 21, 2013 retirement of Dan Burk; directed staff to provide an implementation plan for a new advisory board program; introduced an ordinance amending the Washoe County Code to align with the new Nevada State legislation regarding off-highway vehicles; authorized the Community Services Department to solicit bids for the construction of the Lois Allen School Sidewalk Project in Sun Valley; accepted a $32,000 schools and roads grant from the U.S. Forest Service for the Galena Creek/Joy Lake Bridge project; and proclaimed April, 2013 as National County Government Month, April 14-20 as National Library Week and April 17 as Pathways to Aviation Day.
Cutler appointed as Registrar of Voters: Item 10. Luanne Cutler, a 23-year employee of Washoe County, was unanimously appointed by the BCC to become the Registrar of Voters upon the retirement of Dan Burk June 21, 2013. Cutler acted as the Deputy Registrar of Voters during the 2012 general election while Burk was on emergency medical leave. “I don’t think that we could ever test Luanne more than she was already tested in the last Presidential election,” said Commissioner Vaughn Hartung, District 4. “It will be a seamless transition for Washoe County.” Commissioners praised Burk for his outstanding career as Registrar and congratulated him on his upcoming retirement.
New Advisory Board Program: Item 22. The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) directed staff to create an implementation plan for a new advisory board program that reports to the County Commission. Staff will return to the BCC with the implementation plan and initial resolutions necessary to carry out the Board direction April 23.
Amending Washoe County Code regarding Off Highway Vehicles: Item 13. The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office introduced the first reading of an ordinance amending the Washoe County Code to align with the new Nevada State legislation regarding the use, operation, ownership, and registration of Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs). The State of Nevada’s new program to register and title OHVs went into effect on July l, 2012 and now most OHVs made starting in 1976 or after must be registered and display a registration decal to be operated legally anywhere in Nevada. The legislation prohibits operating an OHV on a paved County highway that has not been designated by the County for use by OHVs. The ordinance will have its second reading before the BCC April 23.
Constructing the Lois Allen School Sidewalk Project in Sun Valley: Item 8.C.2. The BCC authorized the Community Services Department to advertise and solicit bid proposals for construction of the Lois Allen School Sidewalk Project in District 3, which consists of design and construction of 400 lineal feet of sidewalk along First Avenue in the sections that are missing sidewalk between McGuffey Road and Sun Valley Boulevard. This project is designed to provide a continuous, safe pedestrian sidewalk on First Avenue from Lois Allen Elementary School and Sun Valley Blvd. The estimated cost of the construction portion of the project is $58,075 and will be paid using grant and donation funds.
Accepted a $32,000 schools and roads grant from the U.S. Forest Service for the Galena Creek/Joy Lake Bridge project: Item 8.C.4. Washoe County receives an annual allocation of funds through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The funding is restricted to uses that benefit public schools and roads. The Community Services Department plans to use this year’s allocation of $31,967.24 for embankment work related to the Galena Creek/Joy Lake Bridge project, which is scheduled to be completed this summer.
Proclamations for April, 2013: Items 5-7. The BCC proclaimed April, 2013 as National County Government Month. The National Association of Counties (NACO) 2012-13 “Smart Justice” initiative highlights successful justice policies and practices among the nation’s counties and the Board encourages all county officials, employees, schools and residents to commit to helping to create safer communities for all. View the NACO video online. The BCC also proclaimed April 14-20 National Library Week and April 17 as Pathways to Aviation Day.
