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Votes at a glance: Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission, Jan. 22, 2025
Summary
The commission approved leadership elections, two resolutions of appreciation, draft-minute approval, the Rancho San Rafael master-plan revisions and agreements for two large events (ArtTown sponsorship recommendation and the Palau CityFest special-event agreement). Full roll calls or tallies are noted where available.
This summary lists formal actions taken by the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission on Jan. 22, 2025. The commission took votes on leadership positions, resolutions of appreciation, minutes and multiple action items related to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and large community events.
Votes and outcomes
- Election of commission chair (Agenda item 4): Motion: Nominate Neil Jones as commission chair (term Jan. 22, 2025'30 Jan. 28, 2026). Mover: Neil Jones (self-nomination). Second: Commissioner Kevin Joel. Vote: roll call recorded affirmative votes from Timothy Dake, Sean Hill, Kevin Joel, Neil Jones, Nick Kearney, Mark Newman and Lisa Rohde; vote recorded as unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Election of commission vice chair (Agenda item 4): Motion: Nominate Timothy Dake as vice chair. Mover: Mark Newman. Second: Commissioner Jones (recorded). Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution of appreciation for Colleen Wallace Barnum (Agenda item 7): Motion to adopt resolution of appreciation honoring Colleen Wallace Barnum for 26.5 years of service. Mover: Mark Newman. Second: Commissioner Jones. Public comment and brief remarks were offered. Vote: aye (unanimous). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution of appreciation for Christy Lyd/Liddy (Agenda item 8): Motion to adopt resolution of appreciation honoring Christy Lyd for 39+ years of service. Mover: Mark Newman (moved earlier); second: Commissioner Jones (recorded). Public comment included remarks from museum staff and colleagues. Vote: aye (unanimous). Outcome: approved.
- Approval of draft minutes (Agenda item 6): Motion: Approve draft minutes of Nov. 20, 2024 meeting. Mover: Mark Newman; second: Commissioner Hill. Vote: aye (unanimous). Outcome: approved.
- Adoption of revised Rancho San Rafael Regional Park master plan (Agenda item 10): Motion: Adopt the revised 2024 Rancho San Rafael Regional Park master plan with two revisions: expansion of 400 non-paved flex parking stalls in the north parking zone and language requiring consultation with Great Reno Balloon Race on tree placement/species in the pasture and disc-golf areas. Mover: Commissioner Timothy Dake; second: not specified on the record. Vote: approved (commission vote recorded as affirmative across commissioners present). Outcome: approved.
- Recommendation to Board of County Commissioners: sponsorship of ArtTown 2025 (Agenda item 11): Motion: Recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve sponsorship of the 2025 ArtTown Festival and waive Wave Park facility rental and use fees (approx. $87,400) in exchange for county recognition as sponsor; approve an agreement with ArtTown for events at Rancho San Rafael, July 1'31, 2025. Mover: Commissioner Hill; second: Commissioner Newman. Vote: aye (unanimous). Outcome: recommendation approved and will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.
- Approval of special-event agreement: Great Reno Tahoe CityFest / Luis Palau Association (Agenda item 12): Motion: Approve a special-event agreement with the Luis Palau Association for the Great Reno Tahoe CityFest to be held at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park Aug. 23'4, 2025 (setup/tear-down days included). Mover: Commissioner Dake; second: Commissioner Newman. Vote: aye (unanimous). Outcome: agreement approved pending standard insurance, indemnity and permit conditions.
Notes and process
Several votes were unanimous or recorded as such. The Rancho San Rafael master-plan revisions prompted extended public comment and stakeholder exchanges, including objections and later compromise language from the Great Reno Balloon Race. Park staff said the changes were "minor" in scope but important for event safety and parking; some commissioners criticized outreach and communication lapses that led to post-adoption negotiations.
Ending: All approved motions will be implemented through staff action or, where noted, forwarded to the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners for further authorization.
