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Sparks council approves multiple regional agreements, a phlebotomy contract and design amendment in unanimous votes
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Summary
Council approved an RTC interlocal cooperative agreement (AC6180) for FY27 programs, agreed to sponsor an NV Energy regional plan amendment for a Lazy 5 substation, authorized a three‑year phlebotomy services contract (AC6181) with a Sparks share of $210,772.56, allocated tourism grants, and adopted Sparks Crossing design changes.
On March 9 the Sparks City Council approved a slate of administrative and project items that city staff said will advance regional transportation work, utilities planning and public‑safety support services.
RTC interlocal cooperative agreement (AC6180): Dale Keller of the RTC summarized the FY27 street/highway and active transportation programs and asked council to authorize RTC to design and deliver listed projects on the city’s behalf. Keller said the regional five‑year program includes payment preservation, traffic operations/ITS and an active transportation program with proposed FY27 spending roughly $22.5 million on pavement preservation, $10 million on traffic operations and $5 million on active transportation. Council moved and unanimously approved the interlocal agreement.
Lazy 5 / NV Energy regional plan amendment sponsorship: Scott Carey, development services manager, presented a sponsorship request for a Truckee Meadows Regional Plan amendment to add a regional utility site and corridor for NV Energy’s Lazy 5 project — a new electrical substation near Pyramid Way and Highland Ranch Parkway and roughly 30‑foot, 120 kV transmission lines. The planning commission had unanimously recommended approval; council voted to sponsor the amendment unanimously.
Phlebotomy services contract (AC6181): Deputy Chief Tara Edmondson recommended renewing a three‑year joint agreement with the City of Reno and Technical Medical LLC to provide evidentiary blood phlebotomy and courtroom testimony services. The total contract is $782,699.51 with Sparks’ share listed as $210,772.56; staff said moving to a usage‑based split will save Sparks nearly $60,000 in year one. Council approved the agreement unanimously.
Tourism and marketing grant allocations: Parks and Recreation staff recommended awarding up to $210,000 in event funding across FY26–FY27; council member disclosed volunteer ties to a nonprofit and, after city‑attorney counsel, cast a vote. Council approved the recommended allocations unanimously.
Sparks Crossing handbook amendment (bill 2848): Planner Kobe Guano presented a proposal to expand permitted exterior colors and materials for two pad sites within the Sparks Crossing commercial center to improve tenantability. Staff and the planning commission recommended approval and council adopted the amendment unanimously. Applicants from LandOcean were present and said they expected to proceed quickly pending approval.
All motions in this item set passed on unanimous votes; each approval directs staff to implement the agreements or proceed with next procurement or design steps.
