At Tuesday’s city council meeting, the city voted to postpone the marijuana ordinance proposal public hearings. The following items were also discussed and/or action was taken:
• Council members unanimously approved a variance application request to increase the allowed fence height in the front yard from 3 feet to 6 feet at 120 W. Minor Street in Winnemucca. The fence will be on the Melarkey Street side of the property six feet back from the street.
• Council members unanimously approved a request to use city streets and city hall lawn Friday, September 27, 2019 from 5 — 6:30 p.m. for the Winnemucca Domestic Violence Service annual ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ event.
• Council members unanimously approved a request by the Pleasant Senior Center to renew the current 40-year lease on the property expiring in 2022 for another 40 years to allow grant funding to be received from the William N. Pennington Foundation to help with costs for phase III of the center’s remodel and construction. The lease was renewed at the previous rate of $1.00 per year. Winnemucca City Mayor Rich Stone pointed out that the Pleasant Senior Center is operated by their own governing board and expansion projects over the years have provided many new services to the community.
• Council members voted four to one, with councilman Jim Billingsley in opposition, that the two agenda items for public hearing concerning the cannabis facility ordinances be tabled until the subcommittee can review the proposal received by the Winnemucca Indian Colony with consultation by Tribal Cannabis Consulting. The public hearing has been tentatively set for September 17 at 2:15 p.m. (See full story for more information)
• Council members unanimously approved combining the city clerk and city treasurer positions. (See full story for more information)
• Council members voted unanimously to award a contract for the 2019 mill and overlay project to Hunewill Construction with a total project amount of $801,270 as an RTC project.
• City Manager Alicia Heiser reported that staff is currently working on the request for proposals (RFP) for the pool feasibility study.
• Council members Theresa Mavity and Paige Brooks inquired about pool staffing issues; they have heard from citizens that the pool had been closed multiple days in the past week due to lack of staffing. Brooks said the pool hadn’t been opened since the previous Thursday and had been closed for six days, including public swim and classes. Heiser said she would seek information regarding the progress in recruitment of a pool manager and additional lifeguards .
• Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. the Winnemucca Police Department will be swearing in a Chaplain at city hall to provide counseling for officers at no cost to the city.
