FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Adam Mayberry, (775) 353-7894

 

Sparks, NV - The following are highlights of today's Sparks City Council meeting:

 

Sparks Elected Official Salaries – The Sparks City Council unanimously approved an item to consider reducing their respective city compensation by 7.5 percent or more for fiscal year 2010-11.  This measure includes consideration from the Mayor, Council Members, Municipal Judges, and City Attorney.  Total savings of an across-the-board 7.5 percent pay reduction equates to $66,754.  It is up to each elected official to request an individual pay reduction.

 

Ordinance addressing renewable energy - The Sparks City Council voted to approve a new ordinance allowing for the permitting and regulations of energy production.  Chapter 20, Section 103 addresses structures which include renewable energy production facilities including fencing.  Facilities and structures covering solar energy, wind energy conversion systems, geothermal resources, and other resources are addressed in this ordinance. (NOTE: This item was noted in error on the March 8 Council Highlights - The item was not voted on March 8 as it was the first reading. A proposed ordinance is heard twice before being adopted in Sparks.)

 

Hymer Storm Drainage - The Sparks City Council approved a contract with Reno Tahoe Construction, Inc. in the amount of $289,960.25 to reconstruct the storm drain system along Hymer Avenue, east of Rock Boulevard prior to the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) re-paving Hymer Avenue later this year.  The storm drain is more than 100 years old and is badly in need of repair.  The City and RTC are benefitting by sharing the common design costs and by dividing the construction costs to complete both projects in succession.

 

Traffic Safety Grant - The Sparks City Council accepted a Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $14,200 from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety.  Included in the funding is the purchase of two hand-held computers used by officers in the field to take traffic crash reports and issue traffic citations.

 

Proclamations - Mayor Martini presented the following proclamations.

 

Child Abuse Prevention Month, (April, 2010) – Calls upon all citizens and organizations to help prevent child abuse by making sure families have the support they need to raise children in a healthy environment.

 

Fair Housing Month, (April, 2010) – Marking the 42nd Anniversary of Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the Federal Fair Housing Act, providing equal opportunity for all Americans in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.

 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month, (April, 2010) – Urges all residents to join the Men's March to Stop Rape on April 24 to help communicate the message that "there is something every man can do to help prevent rape, sexual assault & gender violence."

 

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