Reference information supports our quest to Save D'Andrea


City of Sparks Municipal Code
Title 20 ZONING AND LAND USE CONTROLS.

Chapter 20.32 RESOURCE-EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING.
Section 20.32.130 Discretionary authority.
  1. The administrator may vary the requirements of this ordinance by ten percent. This administrative discretion may be applied to the required site area, the number of trees, or any other numerically quantifiable provision such as (but not limited to) the amount of turf or non-living materials allowed within the required landscape area.
  2. The City Council may vary the requirements of this ordinance by twenty percent under the same conditions as in paragraph A, above, if it finds that the strict application of the ordinance would work an undue hardship on the property owner or would be contrary to the public interest.(Ord. 1730, 1992.)

Section 20.32.120 Maintenance.
  1. Each owner, operator or other person in control of a development project, shall be required at all times to keep all landscaping materials in good health, repair and maintenance. The City may require the immediate replacement of any and all dead or damaged plant materials.
  2. If any portion of the landscaping material or irrigation equipment is damaged,destroyed or otherwise injured, the owner, operator or other person in control of the development project shall replace or repair the damage or injury within thirty days following notification from the administrator of the damage. If the season of the year makes this repair or replacement infeasible within the thirty-day period, the person responsible for the landscaping shall schedule an appropriate time for the accomplishment of this work with the administrator.
  3. If the repair or replacement is not accomplished in a timely fashion as described in subsection B, the administrator may initiate proceedings to revoke the special use permit or business license for the subject use.(Ord. 1730, 1992: Ord. 1447 § 8, 1984:Ord. 1288 § 1 (part), 1980.)


City of Mesquite Effluent Proposal for Golf Courses
Background of Proposal
The City of Mesquite and the Golf Course Community of Mesquite seek and desire to come together and form a long term solution for the use of effluent water for each 18 Hole Championship golf course that currently exists in Mesquite. Recently, the VVWD district reached an agreement in February with the Golf Courses to guarantee an on-going supply of River water and provided a stable rate for a period of 8 years with the understanding that eventually all of the golf courses will be using effluent/reuse water provided by the City of Mesquite. The Golf Courses wish to request a long term agreement with the City of Mesquite for effluent/re-use water.
The detailed proposal of terms is listed on the following page, but in summary involves three basic elements which are:
  1. Long-Term Reliability: In order to secure the stability of an identified long-term source of water for the golf courses in the community, and to secure an identified market and revenue source for the City of Mesquite, as this water has very limited uses.
  2. Rate Structure: To provide for periodic reviews and potential increases in the rate for the City of Mesquite, and also to provide some basis of reliable projections on operations for the golf industry through the implementation of proposed caps.
  3. Safeguards: To provide a trigger point which can protect the City of Mesquite against extra-ordinary increases in the costs to treat the effluent water, and also to provide reasonability on how much the rates can be increased in this event.

The benefits to this proposal are multi-dimensional, encompassed in the following:
  1. A healthy golf industry in Mesquite is arguably one of the City's greatest economic development tools via; tourism, residential relocations, and secondary income generation through supporting service businesses, as well as being a support to city-wide property values.
  2. Additionally this proposal gives the City of Mesquite long-term certainty of supplemental revenue for the sewer-fund through the sale of this by-product to an end-user that can utilize this restricted resource-and the ability to make more accurate projections on long-term supplemental revenue streams for planning purposes.
Proposal of Terms
  1. Participating Championship Courses: Oasis Golf Club (the Palmer and the Canyons), Falcon Ridge Golf Club, Wolf Creek Golf Club, and Conestoga Golf Club
  2. Length of agreement to supply effluent water: The term would be an on-going supply structure through a Memo of Understanding, for as long as the City is able to supply the effluent water.
  3. Rate: The base rate for the first period will be .22 cents per thousand gallons and will be the effective rate for the first 8 year period. Then at the option of the City exclusively, the City may by vote of council only elect to increase the fees on all the golf courses by and up to a maximum increase of no more than 8% of the base rate in the previous 8 year period. If the city elects to raise the fee after the initial base rate then the new base rate will take effect for the next 5 year period, and then review the rate every 5 years, subject to the 8% cap per review period. The City will provide at least 6 months notice prior to the expiration of each term that it intends to change the rate.
  4. Safeguards: In an effort to provide a safeguard to the City of Mesquite, it is proposed that should the Price of the chemicals used to treat the City of Mesquite effluent in the treatment plant increase by more than 20% from the 2011 prices during the first 8 year period, then council shall have the option of reviewing the rate an potentially increasing it by no more than 5% of the .22 cent rate.
  5. Grandfather Clause: Each agreement between each Golf Course and the City of Mesquite for effluent use will remain in effect until each golf course agreement expires. When this event does occur that golf course will be eligible to start at the Initial Base Rate presented above, with a provision to allow Wolf Creek to help the City by taking re-use draws in the winter, without the penalty of triggering their agreement. Additionally, the order in which each golf course can receive effluent from the City of Mesquite will remain the same .That order per current agreement with the City of Mesquite is: Oasis Golf Club, Falcon Ridge Golf Club, the City of Mesquite and then Wolf Creek Golf Club. Conestoga does not currently have an effluent agreement with the City of Mesquite.
  6. Performance/ability by the City of Mesquite to Provide Effluent water to the Golf Courses: It is understood and agreed that the City can only supply the amount of effluent water it is able to produce and will be under no such obligation to perform or supply a golf course or golf courses effluent water unless it has the capability to produce enough effluent to do so.

  • [5:03 PM] Minutes: Mayor Holecheck read this item by short title and asked Mr. Tanner to read the proclamation.Council member Bennett made a motion to approve the proclamation. Council member Ence seconded the motion.Passed For: 5; Against: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 018.Consideration of a Proposal for Effluent Water Use for long-term alternative solutions within the City of Mesquite.
  • Discussion
  • [7:36 PM] Minutes: Mayor Holecheck read this item by short title and Council member Gustaveson provided an introduction.
  • [7:37 PM] Minutes: Council member Gustaveson mentioned the letter that was sent by the Oasis Golf course requesting an agenda item regarding reuse water. He stated that a representative may wish to come forward to speak on this item.
  • [7:41 PM] Minutes: Robert Fuller, CFO of Wolf Creek Golf Course, elaborated on the following: 1) long term reliability of the water supply for the golf courses. It also secures a long-term revenue source for the City; 2) rate structure from the City and safeguards for the City and the golf course against extraordinary expenses. Golf is one of Mesquite's tools for economic development. The agreement gives the City a long term supplemental income from the golf industry. He encourages the Council to reach a decision that is beneficial to the community as well as the survival of the golf courses in the City. He appreciates anything from the Council to help keep our community healthy.
  • [7:42 PM] Minutes: Mayor Holecheck recommended changes in the agreement referencing operating costs, not just chemical costs.
  • [5:03 PM] Minutes: Council member Ence commented about the letter from Randy Tichnor sent in April of this year and the Council extended the .22 cents to 2014. He stated because of the extension the City does not need to renegotiate this agreement. Personally, he believes that the golf courses have this arrangement until 2014, and the new Council can review this in 2013 if they so choose.
  • [7:45 PM] Minutes: Mr. Fuller stated that arrangement only applies to two of the golf courses. The golf courses are looking to incentives for the local business community; he feels the local businesses are fighting for their survival. He spoke of the long-term nature of water and paying the City for this reuse water source. He is not sure where they are going in the future and is looking for long-term solutions. He noted that not all golf courses own water rights.
  • [7:50 PM] Minutes: Council member Bennett stated that there are two water resources for the golf community, irrigation water and reuse water. He noted the agreements that have been made with the Water District regarding irrigation water shares and this is a second tier of that with the City reuse (gray) water. The City has individual agreements with specific golf courses. He believes that Mr. Fuller is looking for a long-term solution for each of the golf courses. Council member Bennett stated his issue over the last two to three years is this: the City has gone through a process with staff to treat the water, and it is a commodity in the desert. It was determined that the City would raise the .22 rate. Due to the recession, the City did not raise the rate and he would not be comfortable in committing to this agreement for another eight years. He stated that the new Council may have to make this decision at some point. He agrees with the Mayor regarding cost. They should look at the operating cost and not just the chemical cost. He cannot agree to hold the rate at .22 for another eight years.
  • [7:50 PM] Minutes: Mayor Holecheck stated that the golf industry is looking at safeguards to be in place for review by the Council in the event that operating cost rise above a set level.
  • [7:56 PM] Minutes: Council member Gustaveson stated that the rate increase of .22 has been there for some time, at least since 2005 or 2006, so there is a universal rate in place at this time. He noted that the purpose of the Virgin Valley Water District is different from what the City has put into place. He stated that one reason the Water District was able to agree to a lower rate was due to the fact that there is no processing required on their water. The irrigation water comes from the river. He noted that in April of this year the Council extended this rate based on a recommendation from Mr. Tanner. He noted that Mr. Tanner thought that the City has lost some ground because a new rate study was proposed four years ago to look at the cost affecting the City to keep the City even the City should have increased its rates to at least .32 by now. He believes the City should not make the decision for long-term without having an idea of the future. He said that Virgin Valley Water District was able to do this because something is better than nothing. The Water District irrigation water can be used by other organizations besides the golf courses, such as agriculture. He noted that long term use of irrigation water is not the intent, it is only a supplement. This agreement is asking for more than the City is in a position to provide. He feels that the City needs to go with the current agreement until 2014, and then let the new Council re-evaluate it. Mr. Tanner has a good handle on this regarding the economics.
  • [8:01 PM] Minutes: Bill Tanner, Public Works Director, stated that this is an accounting system, and he can accommodate the desire of the Council. He explained that the City entered into an agreement with the Oasis in 1996, and then in 1999 another agreement was brokered with the Oasis, Paradise Canyon and Falcon Ridge golf courses. He stated that they only discussed the fees for the water. They did not speak of the extras such as power and chemical costs. At the time, it wasn't in the best interest of the City to look at those costs. The water needed to be used and the golf course use was the best solution. The City worked with the Oasis and entered into an agreement that was beneficial for everyone. It had a 10 year lifespan and then had to be re-negotiated. He stated that he feels comfortable with a 10 year contract with an option for another ten years.
  • [8:12 PM] Minutes: Mr. Tanner provided his insight regarding the agreement. He is comfortable with waiting until 2014.
  • [8:12 PM] Minutes: Council member Smith stated that he believes this resource should be used in a beneficial way. The taxpayer pays for the treatment of this water and it needs to be put to good use. He also asked that the City find ways to be more flexible in the way we bill for and deliver the water to the golf courses.
  • [8:17 PM] Minutes: Mr. Tanner explained that the City could spend $15 million building a reservoir to hold reuse water or get the golf courses to take the water. He doesn't hold the golf courses to their agreements when they don't need or can't use the water. He explained that the water treatment processes used today make the water quality far higher than the quality was in 1999. He believes it could be used for more than just watering grass and landscaping. He doesn't want to see it tied up in long term agreements. The water could be used for recharging ground water in the future.
  • [8:23 PM] Minutes: Council member Withelder stated that he is a fan of the golf industry. He noted that we are talking about 2014, and asked for a happy compromise and look for a five year break instead of a 10 year plan. Let the new Mayor and Council look at the agreements; it would make for a level playing field.
  • [8:24 PM] Minutes: Mayor Holecheck noted that the Mesquite Amateur Golf Tournament was just in town and brought over 500 golfers who used every golf course in town. She also noted that the Long Driver Association is in town several times a year. She asked that this item be brought back for the next Council to consider.
  • [8:25 PM] Minutes: Mr. Fuller stated that he appreciates the conversation regarding this item. He noted there are different scenarios for the golf industry. And he asked the City to remember the golf industry in Mesquite.
  • [8:26 PM] Minutes: David Ballweg stated that the golf courses are very important to the town, but the residents and business are not receiving a break for the utilities that they use. He asked that the Council balance the needs of the community as well as the golf community.

Sparks Tribune - Sparks City Council breezes through Election Night

SPARKS -- The City of Sparks was completely absent from Tuesday’s election ballots as five re-elected city leaders had already assumed their roles after running unopposed in the primary election in June.

Sparks City Council members Julia Ratti (Ward 1), Ron Smith (Ward 3), Ron Schmitt (Ward 5) and City Attorney Chet Adams were appointed to four more years in office while Municipal Court Judge Jim Spoo was elected to six more years.

Because the offices of the City of Sparks are Nonpartisan, the candidates did not appear on the General Election ballot due to lack of opponents. According to Councilman Schmitt, it saved the city more than $60,000 by not participating with the county election and “one opposition would have changed all that.” “I think (running unopposed) is an affirmation, not just for myself but also for the big picture, the City of Sparks has done very appropriate things over the last four years,” Schmitt said. “We have done very positive things and we have maintained a positive budget and taken all the necessary steps no matter how difficult they have been. They have been controversial and not everybody is happy, but the bottom line is the city is in very good shape right now.” Schmitt said he enjoyed his summer after winning in June and was glad to not be out campaigning for the general election. Councilman Smith said he gladly accepted the unopposed road rather than having to “run the race scared.”“I really enjoy what I do and I think the city works very well together, and all of us running unopposed is an indication of that,” Smith said. “We are involved in everything and we are involved in the city with our families. I think the people know that we answer our emails. We get back to them and we want to hear from them.”

As Ward 3 councilman since 2006, Smith serves as chairman of the Regional Transportation Commission, Sparks Redevelopment Agency and the city’s Flood Control Project. He is the vice chair of the city’s Tourism and Marketing Committee and has served on the Vistas Homeowners Association, the D'Andrea Homeowners Association and the High Sierra Industries board of directors.

Councilman Schmitt was elected to Ward 5 in 2001 and is a past president of the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities. Currently, Schmitt sits on boards for the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, the Washoe County Human Services Consortium, the Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Information Technology Steering Committee. “My whole issue is looking at the future. I want to look 10 years down the road and what we do with our budget today is going to affect 10 years from now,” Schmitt said. “I am going to continue that. It has been my position from Day One. I am always looking at the budget and doing advanced planning and, no matter how hard it hurts today, I want to do those types of things.”

Councilwoman Julia Ratti was elected to Ward 1 in 2008 and is the President and CEO of Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada. Ratti has worked with several non-profit organizations in the area and holds a Master’s Degree from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. She currently sits on the Ready for Life Advisory Committee, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Sparks Tourism Facilities and Revitalization Steering Committee and the Washoe County District Board of Health.

As the re-elected council members begin another four years on the Sparks City Council, Schmitt and Smith agreed that not every decision made by the council is supported by all members. Even in disagreement, both council members said the focus will always be for the good of the city.

“Even when we disagree with each other, we have been able to move the city in the appropriate direction. We have been able to stay out of the negative aspects and only stick with the positive,” Schmitt said. “When I came to office in 2001 we had an ending fund balance of $300,000. Today that number is in the $7 million range. We have cash to do so many things and we can operate as a business.”

Smith agreed saying disagreeing leads to discussion ultimately benefitting the public when policy decisions are made.

“We have spirited conversations and that is always going to lead to disagreements,” Smith said. “I think disagreeing is healthy for us and at the end of the road you have a better project because of it. As a board, we have an understanding that you may disagree on many things, but once the votes have been cast we support each other for the betterment of the city.” <

http://dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/20733395/article-Sparks-City-Council-breezes-through-Election-Night


Council members make individual salary cuts

by Sarah Cooper Sparks Tribune

SPARKS – Sparks City Council members have filled out their forms and agreed to salary cuts aimed at helping the city weather its current economic storm.

Sparks must find about $4.9 million to cut in the 2010 and 2011 budget years after tax revenues came in significantly lower than expected. According to city staff reports, the council must cut more than $27,500 from its members' paychecks. The council's cuts must be at least 7.5 percent of their allowable, uncut salary. Currently, council members are making less than they are statutorily entitled to. The lower salaries are a result of previous voluntary salary reductions. The increased amount that council members are statutorily entitled to is a result of annual 4 percent cost of living increase. Council members have agreed to put off the 4 percent annual raises for several years. A city council member is entitled to $46,938 per year in fiscal year 2010, according to Nevada Revised Statute. Most council members are making a reduced salary of about $41,728 per year. Councilman Mike Carrigan is earning $45,133 per year, according to a spreadsheet provided by city spokesman Adam Mayberry. This increased salary is because Carrigan gave up many of his city medical benefits, which totaled the amount the other council members cut from their checks. Mayor Geno Martini is entitled to make $58,672 per year according to Nevada statute. However, he is currently earning $52,160 per year, according to Mayberry. Each city staff member, both full and part time, have been asked to cut 7.5 percent from their 2010-2011 salary. The cuts would continue through the 2011-2012 fiscal year when employees will be asked to cut an additional 7.5 percent from their paychecks. This would mean that city employees will be making 15 percent less in 2012 than they were making when they were hired.

Under the worst case scenario, if no employees whatsoever agree to the cuts, up to 50 people would lose their jobs, according to Mayberry.

A final snapshot of the budget numbers is due to the City Council Monday at an 8:30 a.m. budget workshop.

What Each Council Member Will Be Making in Fiscal Year 2010-2011

Mayor Geno Martini will be taking his scheduled gross salary for 2010-2011, which is $58,889. From that, he will carve out 15 percent through a combination of salary reductions and by paying a portion of his own medical coverage. Martini will take home a total of $47,851 in fiscal year 2010-2011. Julia Ratti will reduce her scheduled gross salary of $47,119 by 14.8 percent. To arrive at 14.8 percent, Ratti waived her cost of living increases for fiscal year 2010 and 2011. Then, she subtracted 7.5 percent from her 2009 salary. Her fiscal year 2011 salary level will be $40,145. Ratti also declined to accept an executive physical valued at $2,000. Phil Salerno gave up 7.5 percent of his wages, as well as the years of cost of living increases he had coming his way. Salerno will make about $38,598, plus medical benefits. Ron Smith did not return calls or an e-mail for comment as of press time. Mike Carrigan waived all his medical benefits, which equal $12,480 per year or about 30 percent of his yearly salary. Carrigan will be earning less than $46,938 per year, which is his entitled full amount before the reduction of health benefits. Ron Schmitt waived his previous two years of cost of living increases. This means he will be making about $43,396, which could or could not include health benefits. All numbers are accounts from city council members and have not been verified with the Sparks human resources department.

http://www.dailysparkstribune.com/view/full_story/6891437/article-Council-members-make-individual-salary-cuts