Phil Speight, Chair, City of Henderson
Doug Selby, alternate, City of Las Vegas
Dale Askew, Clark County
John Sullard, Boulder City
Kurt Fritsch, Alternate, City of North Las Vegas
The Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition Technical Committee meeting was called to order by Phil Speight, Chair, at 4:20 p.m., on Thursday, November 9, 2000, in the Mead Conference Room #1, at the Las Vegas Valley Water District, 1001 South Valley View, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89153.
The Agenda for the November 9, 2000, meeting was duly posted in compliance with the Open Meeting Law.
A motion was made to approve the November 9, 2000, agenda. This motion was approved unanimously.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2000, meeting. This motion was approved unanimously.
Mr. Speight gave an update on the items received and discussed at the October 26, 2000, SNRPC Board meeting. He stated that the Coalition accepted the elements of the regional policy plan, received a report on the SB432 subcommittee activities, created a Air Quality Subcommittee to over see the Transition Management Committee, and received a report on the Federal Lands Subcommittee's September 26, 2000 meeting. All other issues that were discussed are on today's agenda.
Each member received a draft schedule created by Clarion Associates (Exhibit A) prior to the meeting, which shows activities through March 2001. Bristol Ellington, City of Henderson, stated that in January 2001, the Technical Committee and the Coalition Board would receive a polished version of the Regional Plan to review and comment on. Mr. Ellington showed samples of proposed formats for the regional policy plan. The Planning Directors have not narrowed down the selection; however, they are looking for something that will be graphically attractive with the use of several colors. They are considering using a poster as opposed to an executive summary that could be pulled out. Each member also received the SNRPC Plan Element Prioritization List (Exhibit B). The consultants identified each element that they would like to work on first, which is consistent with the guiding principles that indicate the SNRPC identify and focus on a discrete number of key issues. However, all elements will be addressed. Each member also received a copy of the legislative update letter (Exhibit C) prior to the meeting. Mr. Ellignton stated that the letter is the second update, which is done on quarterly bases, that outlines the activities of the Coalition. The next update will be distributed in early January 2001.
Bonnie Rinaldi, City of Henderson, gave an update on the activities of the Southern Nevada Air Transition Management Committee. Ms. Rinaldi stated that the Coalition Board created the Air Quality Subcommittee to focus on the creation of the new Air Quality agency at their last meeting on October 26. Several meetings have been scheduled, the first meeting will be held on November 20, 2000. A copy of the SNRPC Board, Technical Committee, and Air Quality Subcommittee meeting schedule for November and December 2000, and January 2001 (Exhibit D) was distributed to each member present. Regarding the request for proposals that were mailed out to various consultant groups, a signed agreement has been made with Hobbs Ong Associates who will work with other consultants on the cost analysis for the new Air Quality agency. In addition, a group of managers and a subcommittee of the Clark County Health District (CCHD) have reviewed the CCHD Management study. On November 16, 2000, the subcommittee of the CCHD will recommend to the Health District to negotiate a contract with Ralph Anderson and Associates to complete the study. Both consulting activities are expected to be complete by January 2001.
Each member received a copy of the Fair Housing Law, "Group Homes," and Local Land Use background paper (Exhibit E) prior to the meeting. Jon Wardlaw, Clark County, the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 set up criteria that prohibits discrimination in the sale or rental of housing on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, or sex. In 1988 the Act was amended to included people with disabilities and families with children. Mr. Wardlaw stated single family uses with people in these protected categories are preempted from local government regulations. He stated that staff recommends that local entities be extremely careful in enacting any regulations that would specifically treat group homes or any single family uses any different than regular single family units. Fire codes and HUD housing codes are the best resources to rely on for particular occupancy guidelines. Mr. Wardlaw requested that this item be forwarded to the Coalition for reporting purposes only.
Each member received a copy of three bill draft requests BDRs, two from the SNRPC (Exhibits F, G) and one from the Clark County Regional Flood Control District (Exhibit H) prior to the meeting. Richard Wilkie, City of Henderson, stated that at the Technical Committee's last meeting, staff was directed to bring forth the BDRs received to today's meeting. Three BDRs were presented for the Technical Committee to review; however, only one is to be selected for SNRPC sponsorship.
After discussion, a motion was made to select the Regional Flood Control District's request. This motion was approved unanimously.
Betsy Fretwell, City of Las Vegas, stated that, since the Coalition Board gave direction to staff to focus on the two primary issues related to the emergency room divert problem, staff recommend focus be placed on the chronic inebriate and facilities and the assessment and facilities for the mental health population. These were the two primary issues that were presented by the task force at the last Coalition meeting. Ms. Fretwell requested that the Technical Committee endorses the City of Las Vegas to take the lead on the issue and that each entity designates a staff person to work with the City of Las Vegas on the issue. Reports will be presented to the Technical Committee at future meetings.
The members agreed to accept staff's recommendation.
Bill Arent, City of Las Vegas, stated that there is a tremendous need in the Las Vegas valley for services for the homeless. Currently the services that are provided are primarily in the "downtown" area. Mayor Goodman will show a video at the next Coalition meeting that gives a visual description of the extent of the need. The City of Las Vegas believes that Southern Nevada Partners is considered as the decentralization of services for the homeless. Although there is no formal plan to locate all services in one area, decentralization of services has evolved, due to the prevalence of service provider in one area, located along Main Street. The City appreciates the support of Southern Nevada Partners to committing resources for homeless services. An independent study that was supported by all of the municipalities indicated that the City of Las Vegas is bearing an economic social burden for the regional issue of homelessness; therefore, it is recommended that a regional homeless coordination task force be created. The task force would serve to foster Valley wide discussion on homeless needs and strategies. A map was shown that depicted where the preponderance of homeless services is located. Mr. Arent stated that this is a complicated issue and one that the City feels would be best addressed by the combined efforts of the SNRPC entities. He stated that the regional task force would study the issue and address the need, to include how services are provided and how individuals that are in need of services are able to access services. Answering a question posed by Kurt Fritsch, Mr. Arent stated that there are two consolidated plans in the Valley, one is for the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, and the City of North Las Vegas. Due to funding considerations the City of Henderson chooses to participate in their own consolidated plan. However, while the current plans generally agree with each other, there is a need for planning at a regional level and the need for support from elected officials toward a regional strategy.
A motion was made to place this item on the Coalition's agenda with a recommendation to create a regional task force to address the homeless issue. The motion was approved unanimously.
The agenda items for the November 20, 2000, SNRPC meeting will be as follows:
- Update on the Planning Consultant activity (standing item).
- Update on the Air Quality Subcommittee.
- Update on the Air Quality Transition Management Committee.
- Recommendation on the group home issue.
- Recommendation on the homeless task force.
- Recommendation for the BDR selection.
The next meeting of the SNRPC Technical Committee is scheduled for December 7, 2000, at Clark County at 4:00 p.m.
No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item of the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on an agenda as an item upon which action may be taken.
Knight Allan, a private citizen, addressed the Technical Committee with questions regarding the minutes of the August 31, 2000, Coalition Board meeting. His question regarded one of the proposed bill draft request for the Nevada Association of Counties, which would change the amount of compensation granted to certain elected officials.
Dale Askew explained that traditionally every four years the Nevada Legislature grants a salary increase; however, during the last legislative session not all of the Counties were prepared financially. It was decided that the State employees would not receive a raise and neither did the Counties. Nevertheless, it turned out that State did receive a raise, but the County officials did not. For the coming legislative session it will be a total of six years that County officials have not received an increase. The rationalization behind the amount is essentially an accumulation of six years without a raise. Mr. Knight was given Bob Hadfield's telephone number in Carson City, who would be able to give Mr. Knight any further detailed information.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.