The Washoe Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday approved more funding for a toy run that came under fire in July. Funding for the Reno Toy Run, an event organized by local motorcycle clubs, drew controversy because a motorcycle club member was in attendance at a July commission meeting wearing what most said was a swastika.  

Club members denied it was a swastika and said they condemn racism, but Commissioners Mariluz Garcia and Alexis Hill previously rescinded their approval of toy run funds. The funding was affirmed in July despite their objections, however.

Troy Regas, representing the organizers, defended the charitable event again on Tuesday and said the symbol was not a swastika. 

“Never, ever in the 30 years of the [toy run] have we had a hate group or would allow it,” he said, adding that the group in question had decided to change their logo after the controversy erupted.  The bike club, the Branded Few, will change their patches to read “BF.” Regas also claimed the news media defamed the club.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the funding, with Chair Alexis Hill dissenting. Based on the club agreeing to change their patches, Garcia voted to approve an additional $20,000 proposed by Commissioners Mike Clark and Jeanne Herman.

Hill said she still would not vote for the funding, citing the club’s “symbol of hate.” 

Temporary judges funded

A list of pro tem justices of the peace—or temporary judges—drew questions from Commissioner Mike Clark, who said there were potential conflicts of interest in a list of possible judges comprising local attorneys.

“I have a beef with the process of this and the lack of transparency with personal relationships with people on the list,” he said, pointing out several on the list who are connected to other commissioners or local officials. 

Some attorneys on the list included the wife of Reno City Attorney Karl Hall, who Clark said defended County Manager Eric Brown’s wife in a DUI case. Another attorney was a personal supporter of Commissioner Clara Andriola’s campaign for election. Andriola acknowledged the relationship but said it would not influence her either way. 

District Attorney Mary Kandaras said if a conflict exists, Nevada’s ethics laws require commissioners to abstain from voting. “You must abstain from voting on the matter if it is clear that the gift, loan, interest or commitment would materially affect your independence of judgment,” she said. 

The board voted 3-2 to approve the justice appointments, with Herman joining Clark in opposing the approval.

Seven Magic Mountains move funded

Commissioners also approved allocations of remaining federal COVID relief funds to various projects. Among the list of projects was $500,000 for relocating the “Seven Magic Mountains” art installation to Washoe County.

The Nevada Museum of Art’s representative advocated for the land art to be moved from southern Nevada to Washoe County, citing a time limit on the art piece’s location outside of Las Vegas. 

Some public commenters questioned the funding. Valerie Fiannaca said she was concerned the county was paying for art over addiction treatment services. “We don’t have one inpatient facility for an adult with addiction and alcoholism that doesn’t have insurance,” she said.

The following projects, provided by Washoe County, were also approved.

• Tenancy Support Program ($790,000) to provide case management for tenancy support and a shallow rental assistance subsidy to move people into independent housing and keep them stably house.  
• Sheriff Office Staffing Study ($89,900) to determine the recommended commissioned and civilian staffing levels needed to create a safe facility for both the staff manning the proposed new 240 bed medical facility and the inmate population. 
• Community Art and Washoe Artrail ($200,000) in support of a Washoe ArTrail digital application to include an interactive augmented experience and the Gerlach trailhead art. The funds will be used to commission and install art pieces in the Washoe County region including but not limited to, the Washoe Artrail, murals, and arts at Washoe County parks  
• Communities in Schools ($238,000) in support of the expansion of the CIS program into four middle schools. CIS operates in 13 schools across Washoe County to provide an evidence-based, success-proven methodology for providing students with the services and resources they need to remove both academic and nonacademic barriers to their success. 
• Notables Accessibility ($305,000) to improve accessibility by supporting window coverings, solar panels, ADA compliant doors and furniture to enhance therapeutic experience for all participants. Notables bridges the gaps between disability services, education, mental health, and the arts by providing innovative music therapy and inclusive music opportunities to the community.  
• Courage House ($250,000) to bring a Courage House to northern Nevada supporting victims of sex trafficking and offering the most vulnerable children a refuge with trauma and survivor informed residential therapy. 
• Truckee River Rangers ($200,000) to expand the consistency of patrols, programming, and citizen engagement along the Truckee River Corridor. 
• Northern Nevada Literacy Council ($100,000) to provide literacy programs and career pathways for 40 adult learners ages 16-24 leading to career pathways with sustainable living wages.  
• Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada ($75,000) to support 20 households to be pre-qualified with home repairs and a site feasibility project in Gerlach. 
• Family Respite Care of Nevada ($50,000) supporting children residing in Washoe County who are in foster or post-adoption care. 
• Tahoe Area Regional Transportation ($400,000) to continue improving alternative transportation options compared to personal vehicles and reducing congestion and improve traffic flow by reducing vehicles on the road.