City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, let's call to order the Spark City Council meeting of February 23rd with a roll call. Mayor Lawson here. Council members Abbott here. Vanderwill here. Anderson here. Byebye here. Rodriguez here. City attorney Duncan here. City manager Len here. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Okay. And uh we have our invocation speaker, pastoring. You're gonna have to tell us your name.

Good afternoon, uh community members of Sparks. Good afternoon, Sparks City Council. Thanks for for being here. Uh my name is Taylor. I'm a pastor in the area. And yeah, I get the honor just to open us with a few minutes to really kick off this time to put it in God's hands, to take a moment to give him this moment. And even if you don't believe in God to any level, just to take a moment of reflection and wisdom, especially for leadership. That's kind of the focus of today. We have all kinds of leaders in this room. We have obviously our political leaders of our city. We have leaders in law enforcement. We have leaders of nonprofits. We have business leaders. We have people who are leading our community forward. And leadership and the definition, how we define leadership is really important. Is that just having followers? Is that just telling people what to do? What is leadership and what makes a great leader? I was just struck by this text in the Bible yesterday. My church and I were reading the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet. That is a leader of 12 men who gets down on his knees. His last day on earth, mind you. He decides with his last day, his last moment to lead them before they are leaderless. What does he do? What decision does he make? What would you do? Well, Jesus decides to get up from the table, take off his coat, wrap a towel around his waist, grab a basin of water, and wash 24 dirty feet. He even washed the feet of the man who would betray him a moment later. He didn't send Judas out until

after he had washed his feet. It's radical. Jesus says after he has done this, it says in verse 12 of John 13, when he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you?" That's not, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" That's a different question. That's a great question. What has Jesus done for us? But what has he just done to his disciples? He's changed the rules. If the leader, the teacher, the master gets on his knees to do the work of what was reserved for servants and slaves, what has he done to you? He has redefined what it means to be a leader. That to be great in this world is actually to go low. To be a leader is to be a servant of others. And in this room we have what we call public servants. But how often we actually think of ourselves as public bosses, public the those in charge of the public. But if we are public servants, then we are true leaders in the community. So whatever your faith, whatever your belief about God, let's take this wise teaching from Jesus and this outstanding example because this is what the world needs. the whole world. And this is what our our community is no different. We need people in leadership who aren't in it for themselves, but who are in it to lay their lives down and serve others, to consider others as more important than themselves. Amen. Let me pray for us. God, thank you for this teaching and this example set forth by Jesus for us.

We confess that we are eager to serve ourselves. We are quick to think about our needs and we are slow and often hesitant to really consider others and to sacrifice ourselves for them. The world needs those who would sacrifice themselves for others. Please make us these kinds of people and in a small way perform that very thing today here. just help us serve and be a blessing to other people in Sparks who aren't even in this room, those we represent. Amen. Okay, Miss Vanderville, will you lead us in the pledge?

Please join me in the pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the forible and justice for all. All right, we'll move on to public comment. We'll start with uh Katherine RiyS followed by see Gerald Senzel.

Good afternoon everyone. Katherine Riyos. For the record, for the last year, the city of Sparks residents in Spanish Springs and Wingfield Springs has had to fight to protect our public lands, communities, neighborhoods, property values, and to have access to emergency services. I am in strong opposition of the Northeast Connector. It will destroy the Pra Mountain Range, wildlife habitat, access to public lands, dumb traffic in our neighborhoods, and have a huge negative impact on our property values. I am in strong opposition of destroying the Red Hawk community. Building 764 homes will take away the beauty and value of the Red Hawk area. It will destroy wildlife habitat, take away needed water sources from wildlife and community along with causing additional traffic and other infrastructure problems. That's right. The water sources in and around the Red Hawk area have been beneficial for firefighters fighting wildfires on the power range in the surrounding areas. I am in strong opposition of partially closing the Vista Fire Station. The fire station is needed by our community, by every single one of us. I continually hear Nevada has plenty of water for all of the commercial and residential growth taking place across the entire state. Why are water wells being drilled deeper to reach water? Why has water been hauled out to wildlife on public lands? Why were there emergency wild horse and burrow roundups? What is happening to our groundwater? What is happening to the water on our public lands? Are the mines and data centers draining the water sources? Since 2023, the state of Nevada has written off 106 million in bad debt. The list is long. Individuals and businesses appear on the list multiple times with various amounts of debt listed. Why is Nevada writing off debt if cities are

experiencing budget shortfalls? 106 million is a lot of taxpayer dollars. All of these concerns need to be researched and investigated. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Uh [clears throat] Cheryl Senzel, followed by Walt Rosenberg.

Hello. I'm [clears throat] very nervous, so I hope I can get through this. [laughter] I'm not here today to talk to you about a golf course, but I'm here to talk about an important community that you were elected to represent. Some of the policies and strategies entrusted to you as council members include land use. In January, the Red Hawk Land Company submitted plans to make extraordinary changes to the Wingfield Springs community. There are many, many reasons this is a very, very bad plan for Wingfield and for Sparks. But I'm here to focus on the environment that should be your concern. The article that I brought today, and I think that'll be part of your packet, described what was once. It was an Ottabon um article, uh what was once and on some internet sites still is used to attract golfers and people hoping to buy homes in this very special place. It was a clearly a source of pride at one time. Trust me, there are many environmentalists and organizations that are still prepared today to stand up to any destruction of Wingfield Springs and Red Hawk. Before one bulldozer is allowed to start its destruction in this community, I want you to know that you must pause for many reasons. The least of which may be the moral responsibility to protect our land, but also because the plan submitted to you is in violation of state and federal law. You see, according to the Nevada Division of Natural Heritage, Northern Nevada and specifically Wingfield Springs is filled with wet meadows, lakes, ponds, and perennial springs. According to Endow, these are critical habitat for 75% of species and over 31 that may be endangered or threatened. Wingfield Springs is home to many protected aquatic species, but particularly birds, as described in part in the article that I uh gave for you. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which is federal law, and the Nevada Department of Wildlife Regula

Regulations, Nevada Law NAC503, require that both the natural and created habitat at Wingfield Springs are protected. To disturb nesting sites or harm or harass the many protected birds violates the trust given to you and the law. We have many of these protected birds in our community. The white pelican, revered by our native tribes and the icon of the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance. Egret, a eagle, owl, swans, the great blue heron, the Nevada state bird, the mountain bluebird. These are just a few of the migratory birds that are protected and are found at Wingfield for both feeding and nesting. And that's just for starters. There are other animals, including aquatic and plant species, that are covered as well. So, we are just getting started to discover what's out there that you're going to need to protect. You have [snorts] an obligation to take enough time and to use your resources to explore the plan that you accepted from Red Hawk Land Company and ensure that it does not break both state and federal laws. And you have a moral obligation to protect the interests of your constituents, not to mention the amazing habitat and irreplaceable ecosystems at Wingfield Springs. Please do your duty.

Thank you. Walt Rosenberg, followed by Patrick Christensen.

Good afternoon, council members, staff, and our attorney. When I was in college, I was taught that you opened a complaint with a compliment. So, I'd like to compliment the city of Sparks on the handicap parking places out here. However, when I pulled in, the very first handicap parking place was filled with leaves and snow, making it difficult for a handicapped person to park there. I find that abhorent by the city of Sparks. If you really truly respect handicapped people, that would have been cleaned. That's my piece. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Patrick Christensen, followed by Cindy Martinez. There you go. I appreciate it. [clears throat]

Mr. Mayor, members of the city council, uh my name is Patrick Christensen. I am a homeowner in Wingfield Springs and currently serve as the vice president of the Wingfield Springs Community Association. I am here to speak in strong opposition to the proposed closure of the Red Hawks late Redhawk Lakes Golf Course and its replacement with over 700 highdensity residential units. For 32 years, Winkled Springs has been a master plan community built around a clear and deliberate vision. Open space, outdoor recreation, protected wetlands, thriving wildlife habitat. Families invested their life savings here based on that vision. This proposals proposal, excuse me, does not refine that vision. It dismantles it. The impacts would be immediate and severe. Traffic congestion. Adding roughly 2,000 or more vehicles onto Vista Boulevard, Sparks Boulevard, and Pyramid Highway will overwhelm corridors that are already struggle during peak hours. I know cuz I sit in it every afternoon. Residents sit through backed up intersections. Now without substantial infrastructure expansion, this development will compound an existing problem and reduce quality of life for thousands of people. Strain public services. Over 700 highdensity homes will place additional pressure on police, fire, EMS, schools, utilities, and other essential services. Growth without adequate capacity planning does not serve current residents or future ones responsibly. Impacts on property values. Homeowners are facing the very real possibility of a 10 to 25% decline in home values. Some residents have already listed their homes in anticipation of this project. That is not speculation. That is market reaction driven by uncertainty and fear. Preservation conflicts. This proposal violates long-standing commitments to open space and wetland protection and would eliminate significant wildlife habitat that defines the character of

Wingfield Springs. Once that open space is gone, it is gone permanently. This is not simply a zoning matter. It is a question of trust. Trust in the master plan framework that guided this community for more than three decades. And trust that long-term residents will not be sidelined for short-term density. I respectfully urge you to reject this proposal when it comes before you. Protect the vision that built Wingfield Springs. Protect the homeowners who relied upon it. And protect the open spaces that cannot be replaced. Thank you for your time. Thank you. All right. Cindy Martinez, followed by JJ Phoenix.

Oops. [clears throat] Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, Council members, Mr. City Attorney, Mr. City Manager, Madame Clerk, and Staff. For the record, Cindy Martinez. I'm a resident of W 3. I'm speaking in opposition to agenda item 9.1, the proposed renewal of the sounding contract, and I urge you to pause before turning a temporary pilot into a permanent taxpayer obligation. This program was approved November 2022 as a short-term experiment funded with 850,000 one-time federal ARPA dollars. It was approved on consent and framed as a pilot. In December 2024, coverage was expanded again using a temporary DOG DOJ COP's $520,000 public safety grant. In both cases, outside funding made these decisions easier. These were experiments, not permanent commitments, funded by Sparks residents. Today, this proposal is a three-year contract totaling about $1.19 million or roughly $397,000 per year from the general fund. That is no longer grant funded. These were experiments. I already said that. That that is no longer grant funded. You are proposing recurring local spending. To put that in practical terms, that amount is roughly equal to two to three full-time sworn police officers, including salary and benefits. So, the real choice is not technology versus nothing. It is officers versus sensors. Two or three additional officers mean proactive patrol, visible deterrence, faster response, and stronger community relationships. They respond to a wide range of calls that actually affect residents daily lives. Spark Skynet sensors generate alerts processed by vendor centralized incident review centers related to Sparks Police Department, but they do not replace the presence, discretion, and trust that officers pro provide. I also reviewed the dashboard data included in your proposal materials, and I'm familiar

with these types of dashboards from my work during the 2020 and 2022 pandemic response. Dashboards res present selective information. They're polished visuals, but they do not show a full picture. They do not clearly tell us cost perverified incident, false alert rates, prosecutable cases, or whether outcomes would be stronger if these same dollars were invested in personnel. At the April 7th uh budget workshop, Sparks Police Chief Crawford outlined that there were budget cuts that were going to extend in 2026 and 2027. Temporary federal grants allowed experimentation and permanent sparks taxpayer refunding requires demonstrator results. I urge you to vote no or reconsider. Thank you.

Thank you JJ Phoenix followed by Christian Brown.

Good afternoon members of the Spark City Council staff and the general public. Uh, for the record, my name is James Phoenix. Most people know me as JJ. Thank you for the opportunity to make public comment today. I'm here today to speak briefly on two items. My role as with the Nevada Department of Veteran Services and my candidacy as the incumbent for the Washo County School District District C, that seat there that's uh going to be taken by me. Uh, a little bit about me. I'm a member of the Pyramid Pay tribe. I grew up in the Reno Sparks Wo County area, specifically here in Sparks. I raised my family here and finished pitched my law enforcement career here. I served the Marine Corps and retired from the Reno Police Department and I later retired from the Nevada Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel. I also served had the honor of serving as a chairman of the permanent pirate tribe and served on council and I was appointed to the uh county school district uh in 2000 January of 2025. So that's where I'm currently at right now at the Nevada at the Nevada Department of Veteran Services. We are a state veteran agency. We are not the VA, but we work closely with them. NDBS provides veteran service officers, operates two state veteran nursing homes, two state veteran cemeteries, and manages outreach and volunteer programs to supports veterans and their families statewide. I had some information. If I could have a business card, maybe we can get those out. Uh, regarding the Washup County School District C, I am running as the incumbent for again district C, which is Wingfield, Spanish Springs, all the north valleys up to Cold Springs. [snorts] I want to continue serving the community. Uh, I support the district strategic plan and guiding principles and I have a strong focus on strengthening special education services specifically increasing certified teachers, instructional aids and classroom resources for students, staff and their teachers so that they can be uh good servants to the community for the rest of their life. Over the past year, I visited all schools twice in district C. I met with

the principles, listened closely to their successes and all their challenges. This last year my focus has been uh going to be on reach out doing outreach including all the specialty schools here in Wo County. I already started going to all of them learning more about what all their needs are so I can continue to advocate for them and stay engaged with the public by attending community advisory boards, neighbor advisory boards, and Spark City Advisory Committee meetings. [snorts] If you'd like to learn more about NDVS, uh please visit veterans.nv.gov. If you'd like to learn a little bit more about me and my priorities, please visit jjf phoenixenv.com. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today and thank you for your service here, Spark City uh council. And just one last thing, Wingfield, Spanish Springs, District C, Wingfield, all of Wingfield, all over the Spanish Springs, over the hill, it's a little bit of Sun Valley, but all the valleys, Analopee, uh you name it, all those rule little Wo County areas there. And I live in the rules, so I get it. All right. Thank you very much for your time.

[clears throat] you and uh Christian Brown. Thank you. [clears throat]

All right. Uh good afternoon, council members. Uh my name is Christian D. Brown, and uh before I talk about what I came to talk about, I uh wanted to voice my solidarity with what Katherine said at first, um with her opposition. Um but anyways, I'm here to voice my opposition into uh Shot Spotter. um especially if we're going to be spending 1.9 million for it. Um well, I want our communities more safer and our neighborhoods to be safe. Um this also kind of seems like a waste of taxpayer money and of police officers time. Uh there are multiple studies in major cities showing that Shot Spotter um leads to a lot of false positives and even a few false arrests. Um there's a website that you know if you might if you're more interested, it's called Cancel Spotshot or Stop Spotshot. Um, that kind of goes a little more into this stuff. But, um, I mean, personally, I just, uh, I don't want us to keep adding more and more mass surveillance to everything around here, you know, with Flock, with with grain cameras, with all this stuff that just keeps adding on. So, the last thing I really want to do is be throwing up more junk just to listen and watch us more. Um, simply uh, simply put, I would rather have that money spent on better things that actually help the community. And yeah, that's kind of about all I had to say today. So, thanks for your guys' time.

Thank you. Anyone else in the public wishing to speak at this time? Okay, we'll close public comment and move on to approval of the agenda. Let me see. Mr. Anderson, I move to approve the agenda as submitted. Uh, Mr. Abbott. Second. I got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? See none, please vote. I thank you. Motion carries unanimously. Uh looking for approval of the minutes. Any additions, subtractions, corrections for that? If not, looking for a motion. [clears throat] Miss Vanderwell.

I move to approve the minutes of the Spark City Council meeting for February 9th, 2026. Mr. Anderson. Second. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, please vote. I motion carries unanimously. All right. Uh 7.1 boards and commission vacancy announcements Sparks Charter Committee. Madame Clerk. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. There is one vacancy or multiple vacancies on the Sparks Charter Committee. Members must be Sparks residents and registered to vote and applications will be accepted until March 11th, 2026 at 5:00 p. p.m.

Okay. And for Sparks Building Code Board [clears throat] of Appeals, there is one vacancy on the Sparks Building Code Board of Appeals for a two-year term. The vacancy is for an electrical engineer or an electrical contractor representative. Applicants must have at least 10 years of experience, 5 years being responsible charge of work. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, February 25th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. [clears throat] Now, we have a proclamation, Women's History Month. There's someone here for that. Come on up. Have a seat. Say a few words first. Are we gonna

No, you're gonna We're'll explain. We're gonna have Miss Vanderwell read your proclamation. Then we'll give you a moment to say something and then we're going to take a picture for our millions of YouTube viewers to see. [laughter]

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Whereas Women's History Month is observed each March to recognize and celebrate the vital role women have played in shaping our nation's history, culture, economy, and civic life. And whereas women of all backgrounds have contributed to the strength and success of our communities through leadership, innovation, service, and advocacy, often overcoming barriers of equality and opportunity. And whereas the achievements of women in government, education, business, science, healthcare, the arts, and public service continue to inspire future generations. and strengthen our democracy. And whereas recognizing women's history encourages reflection on progress made towards gender equity and renews our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all. Now therefore, I Ed Lawson, mayor of the city of Sparks, Nevada, do hereby proclaim March 2026 as Women's History Month in the city of Sparks and encourage all residents to observe this month by honoring the achievements and contributions of women past, present, and future. Okay, give us your name for the record.

Oh, now you want me to speak. Now you can talk. I'm sorry. I don't know all the rules. That's okay.

Isa, president and CEO at Nevada Women's Fund. I want to acknowledge Marge Malar. Morgan Gratiier also with Nevada Women's Fund. And you may not believe it, but we did not plan our outfits together today. Purple might be the color of Nevada Women's Fund, but we didn't go this far. Um, I just want to take a minute to thank each one of you, especially uh, Council Member Vanderwell and Council Member Bbeby for supporting Nevada Women's Fund and bringing um, women's history month to life at the city of Sparks Marina on March 21st for the um, Inspire Progress Walk or Run. Last year we had our inaugural event and it was well attended. We believe this year it will be even bigger and better. Uh really quickly, I will just say Nevada Women's Fund has been here in our community for 42 years. One of the first women's funds founded in the entire country. We've awarded over 11 million to the education and career advancement of women. But what Women's History Month provides is a step beyond what Nevada Women's Fund is doing and for our community to embrace this month to celebrate and recognize the contributions of women exactly as you just did with this proclamation. So, thank you very much.

Thank you. Okay, we'll take a picture. We would love a picture. Yes. For our millions of YouTube viewers,

it sure does look like you guys coordinated. [laughter] I appreciate you guys. Thank you. You're welcome. All right. 7.4 employee appreciation day. Miss Bbeby.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Whereas the city of Sparks is dedicated to providing outstanding services that support the safety, vitality, and quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. And whereas the city of Sparks recognizes that its employees are the heart of the organization and the reason the city can serve the community with excellence, pride, and integrity. And whereas city employees bring not only skill and professionalism to their work, but also compassion, creativity, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to helping others. And whereas from maintaining safe streets and beautiful parks to responding in times of emergency to supporting programs, projects and daily operations that keep the city running smoothly, Sparks employees consistently go above and beyond in service to their community. And whereas the city of Sparks deeply values the dedication, resilience, and positive spirit demonstrated by its employees who often work behind the scenes and in all conditions to ensure that Sparks remains a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and visit. And whereas employee appreciation day provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and express sincere gratitude for the many contributions and achievements of the city of Sparks workforce. And whereas the city of Sparks encourages residents, community partners, and fellow employees to join in recognizing and thanking city employees for their service, commitment, and care for the community they proudly serve. Therefore, on behalf of Mayor Ed Lawson, Mayor of the City of Sparks, we hereby proclaim Friday, March 6th as Employee Appreciation Day in the city of Sparks and encourage all residents to join in recognizing and celebrating the

remarkable contributions of our city employees.

Shauna, give us your name for the record. Good afternoon. Shauna Halterman, HR director, human resources director for the city of Sparks and have anything you want to add?

Absolutely. Our employees, as you all all know, are our biggest asset and the hard work that each and every single one of them do. It couldn't be accomplished without your leadership, Dion's leadership, um their love for our community, their love for their job. Uh it's a fantastic place to work with some really unique and special people that make Sparks also a unique and special place. So on behalf of all of them, thank you. We do appreciate them. We're glad that they're here. And um thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Abbott. Yeah. Um definitely I I will second all those things. There's some amazing amazing co-workers for all of us here at the city. Uh I do want to give a shout out not to pick on uh you know pick on a few of them but big shout out to our public works team for the recent uh you know all the plows operations the mechanics keeping them them running. I know Julia's team was very working very busy keeping all that information out to the media. And then also I want to give a shout out to our IT team just because today they sent out a really unique fishing email that I thought was really kind of clever for all of us to practice. So not trying I I appreciate everyone just want to recognize those two that I thought were uh unique uh in the recent times. So

absolutely go ahead others.

Thank you Mr. Mayor. Um I I would like to echo just uh the things for all of our employees and so many are behind the scenes, you know, that we don't even see or meet uh unless they're coming before council. And so an organization can't run without everyone being part of that. And I think the pride that we all take working for this city and and really having the attitude of finding a way to yes has been our mantra in everything we do. How do we not just tell people no? How do we find a way to Yes. How do we listen to our our residents? And how do we um still feel like a small town? Because I think most of us value that small town feeling as big as we get. Uh and part of that is the team that we all work together and are compassionate and caring for each other and for the taking pride in the job that we do. So can't thank all of the employees and we depend I depend on staff for so much all the knowledge that I don't have I depend on getting that from staff. So thank you.

Anyone else? So I I just I always say that we are we don't we're not a manufacturing company. We are service industry. That's all we do. We serve the public and everybody in our team that does that does a great job. You know, we all have bad days, but I think all of our people come to work to do a good job every single day, and it shows in in the results that we get. So, thank you. And happy appreciation day. Yes.

Thank you. You can hang that on your wall, Shauna. After you guys gave me writer's cramp for all the longevity certificates I just signed. Okay, let's move on to consent items. Anyone wishing to pull a consent item? If not, I'm looking for a motion.

Miss Vanderwell, I move to approve agenda items 8.1 through 8.3 is submitted. Mr. Rabbit. Second. I got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, please vote. [snorts] I. Motion carries unanimously. General business 9.1. Madame clerk, do you want to read that one for me? Did I catch you off guard? I'm always ready, Mr. Mayor. This is consideration, discussion, and possible approve approval of amendment number two to contract AC5894 with Sound Thinking Inc., formerly Shot Spotter, for gunshot detection services for a three-year term in the amount of 1,193,969.

Chief,

good afternoon, mayor, members of council. For the record, I'm Chris Crawford, fourth, your police chief. Before you today is an amendment to our contract with Sound Thinking, also known as Shot Spotter, to provide gunshot detection services for an additional three years through June 30th of 2029 and the current 5.25 square miles within our city. The cost for each full year starting July 1st of this year, 2026, is 387,750 and is budgeted within the police department budget. There is an additional PR-rated amount of 30,719 that is funded with the current police department budget that will add one month to the current contract to time the contract with our fiscal years. As you can see the dashboard that's listed above. Um I would like to share some of the statistics related to Shot Spotter during the past 32 months of having this service. Shot Spotters identified 577 activations resulting in 520 calls for service and 124 cases. 456 of those would have been unreporting. Unreported meaning we had no 911 call. No one called. 542 cartridge casings have been recovered from those activations resulting in 23 arrests and 17 recovered firearms. Sparks Police has partnered with the Reno Police Department and alcohol alcohol tobacco and firearms known as ATF better more than a year ago to create a crime gun intelligence center to investigate firearms related crimes of which Sparks has a dedicated detective. This has resulted in 273 additional investigations conducted by the CJICK, resulting in 31 additional cases and 75 additional cartridge casings that were located. Um, Shot Spotter has produced the results that it stated when we originally purchased it. And lastly, I'll provide four Shot Spotter

activations that led to cases that would have not been reported or likely not solved without those notifications. May of 2024 at approximately 11:30 p.m. Sparks Police Department received a shot spotter notification of four gunshots on East Greenberry Drive with no 911 calls. Sparks patrol officers arrived on scene within one minute of the notice and located a victim of a homicide. Of note, Shot Spotter verifies gunshots within one minute of activation and verified alerts are sent to dispatch and the computers in our patrol vehicles. The rapid response allowed patrol to identify six witnesses in the area that provided suspect vehicle description and direction of travel. A suspect has been identified and the case is active as the suspect has fled the state. January 2025 spotter alerted to a single gunshot on El Rancho Drive with no 911 calls. Officers arrived on scene within three minutes and officers were able to stop multiple vehicles leaving the area. One vehicle crashed attempting to evade officers and a single person fled on foot. A subject threw a firearm over a fence while being chased by officers on foot. One of our canines later located the firearm and the suspect confessed to the shooting. In addition to never being reported without Shot Spotter, the suspect and the gun would have never been located as well. September 2025, Shot Spotter alerted to a single gunshot on Lena Street, which allowed patrol officers to start responding to the scene within one minute prior to the first 911 call. Arrival occurred and two victims of gunshot wounds were located. Life saves saving measures were provided to both and they were both transported to the hospital where unfortunately one victim did not survive. The suspect has been identified and the case is remains active at this time. October 2025, Reno police responded to Bishop Street in Reno on 911 calls of

shots fired and located no evidence. Regional CIC detectives identified five shots through Sparks' shot spotter system and located three cartridge casings. Laboratory results of the casings linked two other Reno cases which led to the identification of a suspect. A search warrant was obtained for the suspect's residence. During the search warrant, a handgun was located and the suspect was arrested for three different shooting cases in the city of Reno. While our system is not employed in Reno in Reno, it is working to aid our partners with Reno to make the entire valley a safer place. Question I get and you've heard today is namely, can the money be better spent on officers? Uh the number was pretty close. the 387,000 year a year would give us two officers and the vehicle that they need to go out there. That gives us coverage for not quite a full 247 of four days a week. That would not give us the proactive things that we're getting right now. Um we get on scene with this service quicker, which helps in several ways. It helps us get to victims sooner, to clear the area, make it safer for our partners in the fire and EMS to come in. We locate evidence with extreme accuracy. It shortens our investigations, which then makes our investigations for our other cases have more attention by our detectives sooner. It removes crime guns from the streets and reduces the number of offenses committed by the same criminals. Um, and I think with that I will uh wrap it up and be available for any questions.

Questions from the council, buddy? No, I personally love the love the thing. It's I I I know we solved the drive by shooting on Pyramid Way for that same reason we were able to recover casings. And with today's technology working backward from casings to gun, I think it's pretty smart policing and policemen always get more expensive. Yes, sir.

So, Mr. Vanderwell. Yes, I'd like to say um thank you and I support it also since it's also used in W 2 which I realize that we do have a lot of activity. Um I like the fact that it it's a safety and technology for our officers to get there quicker and obviously it's proven that um our officers can get there quicker and provide life savings. So, thank you. Can So, I was just curious with the real time crime center and and the drones and everything that's that's operating there. How does Shot Spotter work in coordination with that?

That allows us to I know people at times are frustrated with it. They think we're always watching. We're watching through our different resources when there's activation. So how that would work, Shot Spotter goes off and our uh employees that are in the real-time center which is right next door to the CIC center. Uh all those people would start working together and bring up the cameras for that location, start seeing what they can identify and start providing our officers, you know, vehicles leaving and making stops and start identifying people of interest, witnesses, things of that nature. So it's really helped us get into scene sooner. And as that one homicide I talked to, yes, we would have got the homicide reported to us likely the next morning. Um, but we would not have had six six witnesses.

All right. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Okay. With that, then I'm looking for a motion, Mr. Anderson. I move to approve amendment number two of contract AC5894 with Sound Thinking Incorporated, formerly Shot Spotter for Gunshot Detection Services for a three-year term in the amount of 1,193,969. Miss Vanderwell. Second. Got a motion and a [clears throat] second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, please vote. I. Motion carries unanimously. Thanks, sir. Thanks, Chief. Madam clerk 9.2.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is consideration, discussion, and possible approval of a consulting agreement AC 6179 with Corollo Engineers Incorporated and the city of Reno for engineering services for the Chucky Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Master Plan Project in the amount of 2,253,926 with Sparks share being $77,2522. going to read reread that number for me. Madam clerk, you said 926, not 8826.

We just make that correction. It's a 9 for the 2,2,253,826. Thank you. Apologize. No sense. No sense. Okay, Casey. Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Mayor Lawson and members of council. Um, this item is looking to hire an engineering consultant to do an update of the uh, sorry, Casey Mens, treatment plant director of the Treky Meadows Water Reclamation Facility. For the record, uh, this item is looking to hire an engineering consultant to do an update to the uh, Tomwarf, the Trekky Meadows Water Reclamation Facility 2020 facility master plan. Um, treatment plants benefit from periodic master planning efforts to holistically evaluate the state of the facility's infrastructure, the effectiveness of treatment processes, forecast capital improvements, and assess progress towards long-term treatment goals for continued compliance. Uh, there are several really important reasons why this update is being sought. Postcoid, there have been huge changes in the market conditions and construction costs have increased dramatically. Uh this effort will update the capital improvement program and cost estimates to reflect a more accurate roadmap for tumborf. Uh there have also there's also been a tremendous amount of work over the past 5 years pursuing the recommendations identified in the 2020 facility plan. Uh that includes a number of things like uh completed projects uh additional studies, pilots, uh vetting changes in treatment technologies. And so between you know then and now we have identified the things that need further investigation. we have uh moved forward with adopting certain types of uh you know treatment processes or technologies. We've done additional studies to know what's on the table or what needs to be um pursued further. Uh the previous plan also had an inside the fence approach. Uh whereas this plan will look to evaluate other regional opportunities including some that were not uh viable uh during the the previous planning effort. Uh the plan will also look at other important aspects such as asset management, seismic considerations as well as physical and cyber security. A formal request for qualifications was conducted um and it involves staff from Sparks, Reno, and Wo County. Corolla was selected as a result of that process. Uh this is a budgeted item in our current fiscal year's capital improvement program. And with that, I'd be happy to

answer any and all questions.

Questions from the council, Mr. Anderson? Hey Casey, I just first off want to say thank you and your team for uh being incredible employees in an area that most of us would not want to be in every day. So thank you for what you all do at the treatment facility. So I was looking at this and under task 3.4 the regulatory assessment portion of it. Um, I was just wondering as far as some clarity, it it looks like it's going to be looking at current and future regulations and trying to anticipate where things are going to go. Um, I was just wondering specifically like we're hearing more about PAS um, as well as nutrients and and and then even the discussion of tertiary treatment. Is that all going to be a part of the process as far as that regulatory portion that they're going to be reviewing?

That is correct. They're going to uh effectively do um what you could consider to be a sensitivity analysis, right? We're looking at the road map for Telmorf under our existing conditions and then looking at what might uh have been adopted by other states. What other things like PAS uh whereas there's not a current uh wastewater standard. There's a drinking water standard but looking at what other states might have adopted things like bioolids disposal. So um that will be incorporated into the planning effort. It'll it'll identify what types of additional improvements could be needed and the type of investment that uh might be warranted there in those uh potential future planning conditions.

Okay, awesome. Thanks. Yeah, I you just look at the amount, it's like, wow, that's that's a lot of money, but the how in depth it's going to be, I I think it's going to be great for this region as a whole. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions from the council? Okay, not looking for a motion. Mr. Rabbit, I move to approve the consulting agreement AC-6179 with Corolla Engineers, Inc. in the city of Raino for engineering services for the Treky Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Master Plan Project in the amount of 2,253,826 with Sparks of Share being $77,252.

222. Mr. Vanderell second. And a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, please vote. I. Motion carries unanimously. Thank you. Thanks, Casey. Madame clerk, first reading 9.3.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is first reading of bill number 2848 to amend the Sparks Crossing final development standards handbook to modify permitted colors and materials for two pad sites, APN's 51008252 and 51008253. generally located east of Pyramid Way, north of Shoppers Way, and south of Los Altos Parkway, Sparks, Nevada, in the NUD New urban district, Sparks Crossing Zoning District. A public hearing will be held and bill 2848 will be acted upon at the regular meeting of the Spark City Council on Monday, March 9th, 2026. Thank you. 9.4, first reading, Madam Clerk.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is first reading of bill number 2849, an ordinance amending Sparks Municipal Code sections 5.65.0 020 policy declaration 5.65.050 applications investigation and license issuance 5.65.10 inspections and 5.65.110 operating requirements which is to become effective upon passage by the Spark City Council. A public hearing will be held in bill 2849 will be acted upon at the regular meeting of the Spark City Council on Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 2 p.m. Okay. We have no public hearing and action items unrelated to planning and zoning. We have none or zoning public hearings and action items. So we'll move to the last public comment 12.1. Anyone in the public wishing to comment at this time? Not we'll close public comment. Bring it back. Announcements from the mayor, city council, miss and manager. Mr. Manager, you have anything? I

I just like to say thanks Mr. Mayor to you and all of the council for recognizing our staff. as has been mentioned, we've got a terrific team. Um, some are very uh front and center that you see all the time and some are behind the scenes as was mentioned, but I think the the most common thread that I see is the effort and the pride that they have in what they do and we cannot replicate that. That's a reflection on great leadership here, but at the same time a lot of committed individuals who care about the result and uh I thank you for recognizing them and I thank them for all their efforts. Thank you. Anyone on on the dis have anything? Oh, okay. Well, then we are adjourned. We got another meeting.

Redevelopment. We do have You got a a mallet there. We'll call today the Sparks Development Agency meeting um to order with a roll call.

Chairperson Abbott here. Agency members Lawson here. Bybeby here. Vanderell here. Anderson here. Rodriguez here. Chief legal officer Duncan here. Chief administrative officer Lson here. We do have a quorum. Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh we'll go to item 3.1 public comment. Anyone in the public want to make a comment? I don't see any. We'll close public comment and go to 4.1. Approval of the agenda. Agency member Vanderwwell. I move to approve the agenda as submitted. Awesome. Uh we Agency Member Anderson. Second. We have a motion, a second. Please vote.

Uh Mr. Rodriguez. Oh, thank you. Um passes unanimously. Item 5.1, consideration, discussion, possible approval of the minutes of the Sparks Development Agency meeting for January 26, 2026. Looking for a motion. Agency member by I move to approve the minutes of the Sparks Redevelopment Agency meeting for January 26, 2026. Thank you. Agency member Vanderwall. Second. We have a motion and a second. Please vote. I

thank you. Passes unanimously. Item 6.1, consideration of possible acceptance of the report of the claims and bills approved for payment and appropriation transfers for the period January 13, 2026 through February 9th, 2026. Looking for a motion. Agency member Anderson. I move to accept the report of claims and bills the appropriation transfers for the period of January 13, 2026 through February 9th, 2026. Thank you, sir. Agency member by I will second that motion. Awesome. We have a motion and a second. Please vote. I

thank you. Passes unanimously. I uh we have no business items. Uh, comments from the public. Any comments from the public? Any public? Any public? Yeah, I don't see any. We'll close that item. A Oh. Oh, you got excited. I was We don't get much public comment on this. [laughter] At least be a first. 8.2 announcements from the agency and chief administrative officer. Anyone? I'll just say happy early birthday, Mrs. Clerk. Uh, we'll go to item nine. We'll adjourn. Have a good one at 253. Thank you.