County Manager hiring decision 9/30/19

The Washoe County Commission interviewed the top three candidates for the County Manager position on Monday, 9/30/19 and selected Eric Brown to succeed John Slaughter and taking over from the acting County Manager; David Solaro.  The two other top candidates were Kate Thomas, the Assistant County Manager and Jon Hagar who was employed the the Silver State Health Exchange.  Thomas drew the ire of some south county residents for her desire to incorporate the Truckee Meadows Fire Department into the Reno Fire Department.

RGJ Article 9/30/19

Meeting Video

Washoe Planning Commission denies Pleasant Valley Estates development 10/1/19

The Washoe County Planning Commission unanimously denied the Pleasant Valley Estates development at their meeting Tuesday, 10/1/19.  There was little discussion, but the principal concern was that it was not compatible with the area or in compliance with the South Valleys Area Plan.  Look for a detailed piece on this outcome here in the next few days.  Also, be on the lookout for an appeal by the developer who can expect favorable consideration by the county commissioners.

Coming up …

Reno Planning Commission considers Meridian 120 development, TOMORROW, 10/3

Come support the embattled Verdi neighbors as they fight this high density development in their small community.  The Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) voted to deny this project in September.  The Reno Planning Commission will meet at the chambers in City Hall at 6:00 PM.  Contact the planning commissioners through this page.

Wildfire Hazard and implications for Development Meeting Thursday, 10/17/19

Come hear former Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott discuss strategies for “smart growth” that limit the wildfire hazard that accompanies development.  The meeting is hosted by neighbors in Silver Knolls and will be at the TMCC campus at 7000 Dandini Way at 7:00 PM in Room 108 of the Sierra Building.

Washoe-Reno Smart Growth Alliance Community Meeting Flyer_100219

Aside …

Washoe District Court

Wolgast requested a copy of the complaint that the speculators filed with the court in the Daybreak case.  This is the filing in which the speculators claim damages because Reno did not grant them a special exception from the master plan.  The court website listed the complaint complete with dates and legal steps in the case, but not the complaint itself.  Wolgast wrote a letter to the Clerk of the Court requesting a copy of the complaint since there is no way to request records online or to contact the Clerk by e-mail or phone.  The Deputy Clerk sent a form with a box checked that a fee of $93.00 must be paid before a paper copy will be made.  The payment must be by money order or cashier’s check.  WRAP will pay the fee.  The complete scanned document will be available on the WRAP site once the copy is received.

It appears that the court is deliberately making it both difficult and expensive to access public records.  There is a chronic problem across the nation denying legal access to citizens.  It looks like the Washoe District Court is part of the problem.

Washoe-Court_Fee_092319