Carson City supervisors to tackle water rate hike, pot dispensary hours and Halloween calendar change

The next meeting of the Carson City Board of Supervisors will take place on Thursday, March 5, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Sierra Room of the Community Center located at 851 East William Street.

Items on the docket for the meeting include an increase in water rates, proposed marijuana dispensary changes in allowed operating hours, trick-or-treating a day before Halloween, and more.

— Discussion and possible action will be held regarding initiation of the process to change after and wastewater rates for the water and wastewater utilities, including increasing water rates by 3 percent per year, and increasing wastewater rates by approximately 3.5 percent per year beginning in Fiscal Year 2021 and continuing through 2025.

According to the agenda, the Board of Supervisors approved a contract with Farr West Engineering to prepare a water and wastewater rate refresh study of the water and wastewater rates.

The objective of the study was to review the financial position of the respective funds; incorporate current and projected operating, maintenance and capital improvement plan costs; and to determine revenue requirements to meet the projected expense requirements.

Farr West Engineering will present the results and recommendation of the study. Upon approval from the Board, staff would initiate the process to change water and wastewater rates, which includes the preparation of a business impact statement and revisions to the Carson City Municipal Code to effectuate the rates.

— A discussion regarding the extension of hours for marijuana dispensaries will be held, which would require an amendment to Title 18 ordinances related to marijuana.

The applicant is proposing to amend Division 1.20.2.b of the Development Standards to allow marijuana dispensaries to expand the permitted hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily to 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The applicant is proposing to amend the development standards to allow for marijuana dispensaries to increase the allowable signage for medical marijuana dispensaries and retail marijuana stores.

— The City Manager’s office will be discussing a proposed resolution declaring Halloween to be held on Friday, October 30 instead of Saturday, October 31.

This year, Nevada Day’s parade will happen to fall on the actual Nevada Day, October 31, which is also the national day Halloween is observed. So, this year Halloween will be held the day before the parade, on October 30, to avoid conflicts between the two events.

— A discussion and possible action will be held regarding an increase in purchase authority for Fire Personal Protective Equipment-Turnouts and Fire Rescue Tools and Equipment, which will utilize Curtis joinder contract No. 00000170 through June 19 2020 for an additional $37,000. The new total amount would not exceed $148,000.

The Carson City Fire Department recently acquired a new Tractor Drawn Aerial Apparatus (aka, a ladder truck) for the fleet, and new tools and equipment are needed to fully outfit the new truck. The quote for the tools and equipment is just shy of $52,000, of which the Fire Department proposes to use $14,863.64 from the previously approved annual purchase authority, and an additional purchase authority of $37,000 to be funded with $28,864 designated from the Vehicle Replacement Program, and $8,136 from the Fire Department’s Small Tools and Equipment account.

— There will be three special presentations during the meeting. The first of which will be a presentation of a proclamation honoring Clarence and Martha “Betty” Berger for their generous donation to Western Nevada College.

The second presentation will be on a proclamation to recognize March 18, 2020 as “Nevada Moves Day.”

The third presentation will be on a proclamation to recognize March 2020 as the “18th Annual March for Meals Month.”

— A discussion and possible action regarding an increase in purchase authority for bleach will be held.

The Carson City Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments are currently utilizing the joinder contract through National IPA to purchase bleach used at the wastewater treatment plant, quill treatment plant and the aquatic center for pool disinfection.

The price for the bleach has increased from $0.997 per gallon to $1.1466 per gallon.

An additional $80,000 is being requested for a new total not to exceed the amount of $300,000 through June 30, 2020.

— A discussion and possible action is on the docket regarding the Cooperative Agreement between the city and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for the upgrade of the stormwater system from Oregon Street to the Linear Ditch in an amount not to exceed $200,000.

As part of the future Oregon Street to Linear Ditch Storm Drain Extension Project, the drainage system through the NDOT maintenance yard between Oregon Street and the Linear Ditch will be up-sized to increase the system capacity and improve stormwater conveyance in the area.

These project improvements will complement other stormwater system upgrades occurring in the area as part of the South Carson Complete Streets Project, according to the report.