Elko County Board of Commissioners
Commissioners
Sheri Eklund-Brown
John Ellison
Charlie Myers
Mike Nannini
Warren Russell Elko County Manager Robert K. Stokes
STATE OF NEVADA, )
COUNTY OF ELKO. ) ss. JANUARY 2, 2008
The Board of Elko County Commissioners met on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 1:30 p.m., in Room 105 of the Elko County Courthouse at 571 Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada.
There were present: County Commissioners Mike Nannini, Chair
John Ellison
Charlie Myers
Sheri Eklund-Brown
Warren Russell
Elko Co. Manager Robert Stokes
CFO/Asst. Manager Cash Minor
Deputy District Attorney Kristin McQueary
Deputy County Clerk Marilyn Tipton
Library Director Jeanette Hammons
Public Works Director Lynn Forsberg
Juvenile Probation Dept. Michael Pedersen
Planning & Zoning Dept. Randy Brown
Sheriff Dale Lotspeich
Road Supervisor Otis Tipton
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The proceedings were as follows:
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Ellison called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner Myers led the meeting participants in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I. COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
No comments from the general public.
II. ORGANIZATION OF BOARDS:
A. Commission Chair and Vice-Chair
B. Highway Board Chair and Clerk
C. Liquor Board Chair (Normally Commission Chair)
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to appoint Commissioner Nannini as Chairman of the Board and Commissioner Eklund-Brown as Vice-Chairman. Commissioner Russell seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
Commissioner Nannini assumed control of the meeting as Chairman.
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to re-appoint Commissioner Myers as Highway Chairman of the Highway Board and Commissioner Russell as the clerk. Commissioner Eklund-Brown seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to appoint the Commissioner Chairman (Mike Nannini) as Chairman of the Liquor Board. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
III. COMMISSION BOARD ORGANIZATION ASSIGNMENTS:
A. Hospital Board member – Currently Mike Nannini
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to reappoint Commissioner Nannini as the Hospital Board liaison. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
B. Recreation Board member – Currently Sheri Eklund-Brown
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to reappoint Commissioner Eklund-Brown as the Recreation Board liaison. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion.
Commissioner Eklund-Brown questioned the legality of their agendas. She had not received notification of their meetings. Commissioner Ellison volunteered to be her alternate.
The motion was passed unanimously.
C. Elko Convention and Visitors Authority Board (ECVA) member
Currently – Charlie Myers
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to re-appoint Commissioner Russell. The Motion died due to lack of a second.
MOTION: Commissioner Russell moved to reappoint Commissioner Myers to the ECVA Board. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
D. Museum Board member – Currently Warren Russell
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to re-appoint Commissioner Russell as the Museum Board liaison. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
E. NACO Board of Directors member – Currently John Ellison & Warren Russell
There was a discussion on the retention of the two seats because John Ellison was a past officer.
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to re-appoint Commissioners Ellison and Russell to the NACO Board of Directors. Commissioner Eklund-Brown seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
F. Adjustment to other Board Assignments as listed in Item XIX of this agenda.
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved that the rest of the Board Assignments remain in place; those assignments that are currently assigned to each of the Commissioners. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
IV. “ELKO COUNTY READS DAY”:
Discussion and consideration of Proclamation 2008-A designating Wednesday, January 23, 2008 as “Elko County READS Day” including a request for financial assistance as requested by the Elko County School District encouraging Elko County citizens to support a County-wide effort that engages our schools, libraries, cities, businesses, and citizens to promote the joy and ability to read to each of our children and families.
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to adopt Proclamation 2008-A, designating Wednesday, January 23, 2008, as “ELKO COUNTY READS DAY”. Commissioner Eklund-Brown seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
There was a discussion held upon the request of financial assistance. Commissioner Russell noted that it was not previously addressed within their budget process. Commissioner Ellison commented upon the state reductions toward the educational system. Commissioner Russell encouraged the School District to submit their request during the County budget process. Commissioner Eklund-Brown spoke upon the merit of the program and noted it was countywide.
MOTION: Commissioner Eklund-Brown moved to give $1,000 towards the Elko County READS Day from contingency. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion for discussion.
Commissioner Ellison voiced support of program. Commissioner Russell encouraged that it be addressed during the budget process. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted that the state had budget cuts. Commissioner Russell questioned whether it was an emergency crisis.
MOTION: Commissioner Eklund-Brown withdrew her motion.
Commissioner Myers suggested that they send a letter with a copy of the Proclamation encouraging the School District to bring it to their budget session.
Commissioner Ellison withdrew his second.
Commissioner Ellison noted that 35 businesses have supported this program financially.
Beth Kern, representing the Elko School Board on this matter, noted that they were asking for the Proclamation and decided to ask for funding too. She commented upon the generosity of the local businesses. She noted that the Rotary had been very supportive. She stated they could reapply in February and March during the County’s budget process. Beth Kern explained this was a privately funded program and the businesses were funding this project other than $500.00 from the School District. Beth Kern stated they would reapply next year.
MOTION: Commissioner Russell moved that they Proclaim Wednesday, January 23, 2008, as Elko County READS Day for the Elko County School District.
Commissioner Ellison noted they had made a previous motion on the Proclamation.
The motion died due to the lack of a second.
MOTION: Commissioner Russell moved to deny the request for financial assistance in FY 2007-08 and request that the School District seek support during the budget process for FY 2008-09. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
Beth Kerns reviewed the program and its fund raising efforts. She noted that Barrick and Newmont had donated $10,000 each, over the last two years.
V. ELKO COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES/LAW LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Report and review of Board of Trustees activities and minutes including issues related to the continuing operation of the County Library.
Jeanette Hammons, Library Director, stated they would need a new law library clerk. The past clerk was moving to Arizona. She reported upon the amount of food donations given to Ruby Mountain Resource Center in lieu of the library patrons paying back library fines. She stated the toys were given to agencies for disbursement. She stated 101 individuals were on the Sugar Plum Tree and thanked the community for their support of the library programs.
VI. MEDICAL SERVICES FACILITY (OLD ELKO CLINIC):
Discussion and consideration of issues related to the lease of this facility from Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital including a request for funding for professional building assessment services and the potential impacts to the existing medical, dental and VA clinics and future clinics slated to be housed in this facility and all other matters related, thereto.
Robert Stokes stated after the December 12th decision to take over the lease; staff and the Great Basin College have discussed maintenance of the facility, transfer of services, changing of locks, and transferring the utilities under the County’s name. He commented that himself, Buildings and Grounds, Public Works, together with Commissioners Myers and Nannini have been involved with this project. Robert Stokes noted they were dealing with the CDBG grant. He felt that they would need to get a good report on the condition of the building. He suggested professional assistance in the amount of $25,000 for a professional firm to give them a cost estimate. Commissioner Russell commented they just got out of the hospital business and now they were going into the Clinic. He understood the shortfall of the physicians not taking on more Medicaid or Medicare patients. He inquired if there had been a cost benefit analysis of providing vouchers to those people needing those services instead of remodeling an old facility. Commissioner Russell felt that they could do further research on the cost benefit of taking over the building.
Robert Stokes stated the reason for the assessment was to review the building and decide whether to remodel or move the staff to a new location. Robert Stokes hoped to have a facility that could provide the Medicare/Medicaid dental and medical services and also provide a community based out patient clinic for the Veterans’ Administration. He commented that Nevada Health Centers received more federal funding for those Medicare services provided than the local doctors received. Robert Stokes encouraged that they continue working with the Nevada Health Center. Commissioner Ellison commented he would support the people who have paid into the system and felt they were entitled to the medial services. Commissioner Eklund-Brown questioned the viability of remaining in that building versus moving those services to another building. Robert Stokes stated the estimate was $20,000 to $25,000 for a study. Commissioner Nannini asked that a non competitive person or contractor perform the assessment of that building. Commissioner Myers explained that doctors dropped off the Medicare/Medicaid clients when it took a longer time for reimbursement and that was why the County became involved. Commissioner Nannini reviewed the viability of the County Hospital before they sold the facility.
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved that they authorize not to exceed $25,000 from the contingency for the professional building assessment service based upon the conversations of the members of the board, using an independent firm. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.
Robert Stokes noted they had worked with the state to provide some of the public health services in this facility through Nevada Health Centers Inc.
Marie Bingham, the Regional Coordinator for Nevada Health Centers Inc., commented upon their travel to the schools through their programs. She introduced Melissa with the Miles for Smiles Program who traveled to the schools for their outreach programs. Marie Bingham stated in addition to Medicare Services they provide Medicaid services and a sliding fee schedule. She noted there was a pharmacy in their Carlin facility. She noted that they were sharing some of the supplies with the other agencies so that the Medicare and VA clinic can be helped. She commented upon the community services provided by the Nevada Health Centers Inc. Marie Bingham stated at Southside they had immunized 50 students free of costs last month. She stated they do provide services to undocumented people who cannot get any health insurance and Medicaid. She noted they put them on their sliding fee program. Commissioner Ellison noted that Elko County had prescription cards available. Marie Bingham reviewed their voucher system for their patients. Commissioner Nannini voiced appreciation to Marie and her organization for their services provided to the community.
VII. 2008 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG):
Discussion and consideration of a request to change the funding request amount for the grant application for the 2008 Community Development Block Grant Program and all other matters related, thereto. This is a grant application for remodeling activities at the Medical Services Facility (Old Elko Clinic). Lynn Forsberg stated they originally estimated $350,000 but now believed it would be approximately $440,000 needed for the remodeling.
MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to change the funding request amount for the 2008 CDBG grant application in the amount of $440,000. Commissioner Ellison seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously
VIII. TOWN OF JACKPOT:
Chairman Nannini called the Jackpot Town Board to order at 2:10 p.m.
NDOT Grant Application:
Discussion and consideration of authorization to submit a grant application to NDOT for highway right of way drainage improvements on Highway 93 in Jackpot and all other matters related, thereto.
The Jackpot Town Board was adjourned at 2:16 p.m.
XV. ELKO COUNTY WATER RESOURCE ISSUES:
Discussion and consideration of water resource management and water rights issues that may impact Elko County including possible discussion related to the Southern Nevada Water Authority pipeline project and the Central Nevada Regional Water Authority activities and issues.
Commissioner Eklund-Brown commented that the Nevada Water Law Conference was coming up January 14th and 15th in Reno. She suggested that she and Lynn Forsberg split the attendance and tuition. Lynn Forsberg stated he and Dale Johnson would be in Las Vegas from January 13th through January 17, 2008, at a traffic signal school.
IX. ELKO COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT:
A. Nevada Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Interlocal Agreement:
Discussion and consideration of approval of a DoIT Interlocal Agreement with the Sheriff’s Office for Radio System Rack Space and Microwave Channel Rents and all other matters related, thereto.
Dale Lotspeich stated this was a renewal and update of the previous agreement. He reported there was a legal review and the costs were consistent. Commissioner Nannini noted he was involved in previous discussions and in the past DoIT would double or triple the costs once the County was in their buildings. Dale Lotspeich stated this Agreement would be in writing and for a two year term. He explained that DoIT was an enterprise fund and in order for NDOT to put up and maintain the mountain tops they have to recoup the maintenance costs. Commissioner Eklund-Brown noted this was an annual renewable contract. Commissioner Nannini asked if Sheriff Lotspeich was confident that DoIT would not raise their costs. Commissioner Ellison inquired if the Sheriff knew the exact amount was $15,366.15 for rack space this year and $26,676.00 for the microwave links. Sheriff Lotspeich commented that there was an added mountain top this past year. The Commissioners discussed the past costs for the services.
MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to approve a DoIT Interlocal Agreement in the amount of $42,042.15 with any changes or alterations beyond that amount to be brought back to the Board for approval. Commissioner Eklund-Brown seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.