[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6272514,"mediaKeyId","3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9","parentId",3027709,"title","Sparks council actions: budget, contracts, housing, codes and labor agreements — April 14","audioSeconds",2362,"startMs",2920000,"endMs",5282000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9&start=2920&end=5282","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9/thumbnail_2920000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272514/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-council-actions-budget-contracts-housing-codes-and-labor-agreements-April-14","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272514-a0bfa9f4151ce04b2758d5abb9e1ce16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163443&Signature=T2j6g6xALMhi9zhCUgNbhgX6CdVESpeEExmo3nQC4rfSorW4WTEjYnw9HbX2Ae3uRNKP1CfiFnjLiclrs9jWE57sIyewf6wmtTdvay7A1YLqeJfImxPKmh9~bI9q1KXWeOc5jBH~shfYVxbJv7x0GHD1kw8mqtgzm94qCtLweb-05Cxfhqa6jCu~NqVV15IreZudJBrr9doCw9kt5lD3hrxnpK3AWz2HSrhRgN4LjEm-rE6hBfE-a66Pog3ETjOQodmKTdfqw8psKoXdBBTOhw8oz6EY1jZDeuk-EnOZOvdiW5WZr88VsD2N0PZ5VBkmthE4K8GC2O3G0Jtl2BkTwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sparks, NV","date","2025-04-17T00:11:58.05Z","article","The Sparks City Council took a series of formal actions on April 14. Below is a concise list of votes, outcomes and key details recorded on the council floor.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 3461 (Item 9.1): Amend appointment process for Citizens Advisory Committee and dissolve Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Board, and Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. Motion by Councilmember Anderson, second by Councilmember Vanderwell. Vote: 4-1 (Rodriguez opposed). Outcome: Approved.

- Resolution No. 3458 (Item 9.2): Augment FY 2025 budget by $21,617,293 to provide appropriations for capital projects approved but not completed in prior years. Motion to adopt by Councilmember Abbott; second by (not specified on record). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Approved.

- Item 9.3: Select conceptual development proposal from the Reno Housing Authority to develop 12 affordable units at 2026 I Street (APN 031-184-08). Motion (mover not specified), second by Councilmember Vanderwell. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Selected; development agreement and transfer to return to council.

- Item 9.4 (Agreement AC6100): Forensic services agreement with Washoe County Sheriff's Office for July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025 in the amount of $1,000,000. Motion by Councilmember Anderson; second Councilmember Rodriguez. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Approved.

- Item 9.5 (Agreement AC6101): Forensic services agreement with Washoe County Sheriff's Office for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 in the amount of $1,000,000. Motion by Councilmember Rodriguez; second by Councilmember Anderson. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Approved.

- Item 9.6 (Contract AC6103): Construction contract with Peak Brothers Construction Inc. for G Street sewer improvement and Tumwa water main relocation — low bid $1,508,317.30. Motion to approve by Councilmember Abbott; second by Councilmember Vanderwell. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Awarded to Peak Brothers Construction.

- Item 9.7 (Contract AC6106): Construction contract with Resource Development Company LLC for Springland Sewer Improvement — low bid $472,155. Motion by Councilmember Bybee; second by Councilmember Rodriguez. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Awarded to Resource Development Company LLC.

- Item 10.1 (Resolution No. 3459): TEFRA public hearing and approval to allow issuance of up to $23,000,000 of tax-exempt revenue obligations for benefit of Afton at Sparks Marina LLC (senior affordable housing). Motion to approve by Councilmember Anderson; second (not specified). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Council held TEFRA hearing and approved the resolution (note: bonds are not city obligations).

- Item 10.2 (MOU AC-6102 / Collective Bargaining AC-6087): Memorandum of understanding with IAFF Local 731 regarding medic units and special assignment pay (retroactive to July 1, 2024). Estimated FY25 cost increase: $42,182, offset by ambulance transport revenue. Motion to approve by Councilmember Rodriguez; second by Councilmember Rabbit. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Approved.

- Item 10.3 (Bill No. 2831 — Second Reading): Adopt amendments updating Sparks Municipal Code Title 15 to adopt the 2024 International/Uniform Codes, the 2023 National Electrical Code, and 2024 Northern Nevada amendments (effective Jan. 1, 2026). Motion by Councilmember Vanderwell; second by Councilmember Rodriguez. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: Adopted on second reading.

Consent and other routine business

- Consent items 8.1–8.4: Approved unanimously.

Notes and next steps

Several items approved require follow-up administrative steps: executing development and grant-assignment agreements for the 2026 I Street affordable housing selection; contract notices and scheduling for awarded public-works projects; and processing the forensic services contracts and labor MOU. The budget augmentation will reestablish prior-year capital project appropriations across multiple funds as listed in staff materials.

This summary records formal motions and vote tallies as stated during the April 14 council meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sparks City Council | April 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 14 meeting the Sparks City Council approved a series of budget augmentations, construction contracts, service agreements, labor memorandum and code updates; one resolution consolidating advisory boards passed 4-1.","taxTitle","Sparks, Washoe County, Nevada","taxId",3873,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272518,"Sparks seeks $29,000 dumpster grant and FEMA grant for goat grazing to reduce wildfire fuel",253,1337000,1590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9&start=1337&end=1590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9/thumbnail_1337000.jpg","/articles/6272518/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-seeks-29000-dumpster-grant-and-FEMA-grant-for-goat-grazing-to-reduce-wildfire-fuel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272518-d10a94aba6b1ce512244afe85b1b532f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163443&Signature=Msydd2vzj9fKp6i0N2ZSYtqSt5qjz6aYUqKwhmW5b1IsR1gUwvKMW~ZXwAwAOC6ZOtZtBBu7aA0IiNLWrOCmaUVo4Naov9sC60a13WIFOMRSWOk24jYAweoDe4~w5d0bGkkWXK0Y8KFGlmx4bQJdbOn~EnQlv2l3H5yqsvWfe4GM7WOiUS4S5aIQM-v~eRs2CWh3Cn5QhLO3MMU0ujothhKrxlLLgx-uaMgkOWvXIEVIM7IxnuZdhIJwrlVrxDIz7aNYFrQ6FrxBe3kRaeqMe2IQqnTUbocyos7OaI-IlUgetL93POuH02c12gLZak5MH~ikKlXW8HnpoK3B7dKS7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City grant staff told the Sparks City Council on April 14 about two pending wildfire fuel-reduction grants that would fund green-waste dumpsters and targeted goat grazing to lower wildfire risk in Sparks.

Mel Evans, the city’s grants administrator, said the first application requests $29,000 with no federal match requirement; the city would contribute about $4,000 in labor. The plan would place eight dumpsters per cycle at strategic locations across the city with two spare dumpsters available for overfill; staff proposed repeating placements in fall 2025 and spring 2026. Evans said city staff expect to know within about a month whether the dumpster grant is awarded.

The second proposed project is a fuels-reduction grazing program on a roughly 65-acre parcel near the Tom Wharf property, intended to control invasive cheatgrass and other fine fuels. That project is a FEMA grant administered through the Nevada Division of Emergency Management with a total cost of $397,215 and a required 25 percent local match of $99,303. Under the proposed cost split negotiated with Reno, Sparks would cover 38.16 percent of the match — $37,894 — and Reno would cover 61.84 percent — $61,409. Evans said the city expects an award decision this summer and plans three grazing cycles; he told the council goats would graze for short periods (about nine days per cycle) and that repeating grazing over cycles helps reduce seed viability.

Evans said staff previously applied to a Department of Natural Resources grant and were not funded for one cycle; the city experienced a small brush fire on the parcel after that earlier application was denied and staff emphasized the ongoing wildfire risk. Councilmember Bybee asked about schedule and duration; Evans said staff and contractors expect to mobilize quickly once an award is received and that the grazing contractor has indicated it can execute the proposed cycles promptly.

The council received the update; no formal action was required at the meeting.","Staff briefed the council on two pending grants: a $29,000 no-match dumpster grant to host community green-waste disposal cycles and a FEMA grant request of $397,215 (25% match) to fund targeted goat grazing on a 65-acre parcel to reduce invasive weeds and wildfire risk.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272523,"Sparks selects Reno Housing Authority plan for 12-unit affordable project at 2026 I Street",484,3102000,3586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9&start=3102&end=3586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9/thumbnail_3102000.jpg","/articles/6272523/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-selects-Reno-Housing-Authority-plan-for-12-unit-affordable-project-at-2026-I-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272523-f2cd46b6a0ca09faf5f28e1b3c977a40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163443&Signature=TAZ~jxOzWQTvbvS305ZHZeFHasxEhie8R6900~YsFpAZZ6XFS59vkqzIsy88QhkumkJX75hWsyke8uf8dmA0aQ2ctb5X9TBtvK18jys0l~b7RHO2GUHb7zfV3PrPm7qiweP1VKRP8mbSP7OA26lONZB0qMHjcUjCOXCW00G8sO-mKynhsShOR6Wq8Buu4IM2XprMAkHXmKpnL5Q91K~Yl5sTIDK8w09QGaN7if1QFbVIW2jFhI5lmV7xqhPGKvENE~U22jQFOpI3gzuKCPCGzJwgLA-QNUgCnj72~IISO-vwt18u82zUZcBgCWwSuLb3Lle4xIsWnyLu8dEC7a9G3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sparks City Council unanimously selected the Reno Housing Authority’s conceptual proposal to develop 12 affordable housing units at 2026 I Street (APN 031-184-08), the city-owned parcel the council purchased in February 2024.

Amy Jones, the city’s housing specialist, told the council the site is 0.207 acres in a mixed single-family and multifamily neighborhood near Sullivan Lane and Prater Way and within walking distance of transit and services. Under terms tied to the Home Means Nevada initiative (HMNI) grant that funded the parcel purchase, the project must serve households at or below specified income levels and maintain affordability periods tied to the grant.

The Reno Housing Authority (RHA) proposal calls for 12 studio and one‑bedroom units targeted to households earning 50 percent of area median income and below. Jones said all 12 units would carry project-based vouchers so residents would generally pay about 30 percent of income toward rent while the housing authority covers the remaining subsidy. RHA estimates total project cost at $5,430,520, or roughly $452,543 per unit. The RHA proposed a 50‑year affordability period for the site.

If the council’s selection proceeds, the city will enter a development agreement with RHA; the agreement would include compliance with the HMNI grant, a declaration of restrictive covenants running with the land, and a timeline. The city would transfer the property to RHA via a quitclaim deed, with a reversion clause if RHA does not develop the site as required within the agreed timeframe. Jones said the next steps — development agreement, grant assignment/assumption, and property transfer — would return to the council for formal approval.

RHA’s tentative schedule presented to council estimated design, permitting and planning work in 2025, site preparation and contractor selection in 2026, with a 12‑month construction period starting in the third quarter of 2026 and occupancy and lease-up in 2027. Jones said RHA has prior experience using HMNI funds and listed several projects the authority has developed and opened recently in the region.

The council voted to select the RHA conceptual design on a motion with a second by Councilmember Vanderwell; the motion carried unanimously.","The council approved selecting the Reno Housing Authority’s conceptual design for a 12-unit affordable development on a 0.207-acre city-owned parcel; units will serve households at or below 50% of area median income with 50-year affordability and project-based vouchers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6272527,"Sparks council consolidates four advisory panels into single Citizens Advisory Committee, 4-1",1178,1736000,2914000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9&start=1736&end=2914","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027709-d85dd1140647609b26ed74d665be9bb9/thumbnail_1736000.jpg","/articles/6272527/Sparks/Washoe-County/Nevada/Sparks-council-consolidates-four-advisory-panels-into-single-Citizens-Advisory-Committee-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272527-9cd5cfd76d07edc4e0a3c233c475d021/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163443&Signature=ktJOkD6O0yLpwFJctRaP93T4aKx0aj5Klejtw37VsFzopDb~Murn6Z9GO1SwvCmIrzmOYhhu4Q38KoCMY38AWNl3dz87OBqStiZuTD14ZVudrRPGeBd~-sCYbZNqtwSTzq00d2ugNFzsj5zO5ZllSSRL1eFnYOlFYr4rkZfWp0Kd2ejdhJ7ThyyrE6~cq5sgRYAaG71tSpSLPmqoxqiQ4fCo3z06K8eKHkDObSTvR7v-BaCwhfLp7D-VqmjikWIDuEoIWx6ROJ0gAJlVALd8gcakHhkLBlXmbq0Krck2N~lxQG29vKVSzAL3Xakvx1QMMKqgwfmgN1PgtL5SOp286g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sparks City Council voted 4-1 on April 14 to approve Resolution No. 3461, dissolving the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and the Sparks Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and creating a consolidated seven-member Citizens Advisory Committee.

City Attorney Lehi Duncan told the council the change was prompted by low participation and staff time: “staff was actually struggling to get meaningful input and was really spending, an inordinate amount of time, trying to prepare meetings, get citizen engagement,” he said, summarizing why the administration brought the resolution forward.

Under the resolution, each councilmember will appoint one member to the new committee and the mayor will have two appointments. Appointees must be Sparks residents and will serve terms concurrent with the appointing official’s term; members serve at the pleasure of the appointing official. The City Manager’s Office will act as the committee liaison, and the committee may form subcommittees to address specific topics. The resolution allows chairs and staff flexibility to schedule meetings as needed rather than maintaining a fixed cadence.

Council members said they supported consolidation to improve the quality of citizen engagement but raised concerns about preserving subject-matter representation. Councilmember Vanderwell urged colleagues to ensure the committee includes voices from arts, senior and equity constituencies so those perspectives are not lost. Councilmember Anderson and others said they had heard longstanding frustration among volunteers who felt their committees were not producing meaningful work.

Councilmember Rodriguez cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he had concerns about elements of the new policy; he told colleagues he would vote no though he acknowledged staff time pressures.

Staff told the council that members of the dissolved committees had been notified of the agenda item and were encouraged to reapply for the new committee. The council approved the resolution on a motion by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Vanderwell; the motion carried 4 to 1 with Rodriguez in opposition.

The resolution also sets an automatic-termination trigger for members with three unexcused absences; staff indicated appointing councilmembers would be notified before any termination was finalized so they could follow up with their appointees.

Councilmembers said the City Manager’s Office will work with each councilmember to seek balanced appointments so the consolidated committee reflects arts, senior and equity perspectives among other priorities. The new committee will replace the dissolved bodies once appointments are made and administrative steps are completed.","The Sparks City Council voted 4-1 to dissolve three advisory bodies and create a seven-member Citizens Advisory Committee with appointments made by council members and the mayor, aiming to streamline citizen input and reduce staff burden.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sparks council actions: budget, contracts, housing, codes and labor agreements — April 14

Sparks seeks $29,000 dumpster grant and FEMA grant for goat grazing to reduce wildfire fuel

Sparks selects Reno Housing Authority plan for 12-unit affordable project at 2026 I Street

Sparks council consolidates four advisory panels into single Citizens Advisory Committee, 4-1