Courtesy photo
Organization leaders hold up checks donated by Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts at the recent Caliente City Council meeting.
At the June 21 Caliente City Council meeting, City Attorney Dylan Frehner shared that a referendum petition has been received and some residents in the city want to repeal the Marijuana Ordinance. The process involves 20 days to verify that all the signatures put on the ballot in November are accurate. It can also be brought back to the council for repeal.
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) has a contract with the city and county for communication towers. Ten to 15 years ago, a contract was signed to pay the city $125 a month, rising to $150 a month after five years. This didn’t happen and the contract has been overlooked by past city attorneys. NDOT notified the city that the contract has expired and needs to be renegotiated.
A highlight of the evening was when Regen Gubler presented checks from Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE) and a wall plaque to the city. This year, the checks went to the Boxcar Museum, Caliente Elementary’s PTO, Caliente 4H, the Beautification Committee, VFW Post 7114, Olson Senior Center, Caliente Volunteer Fire Department, Lincoln County High School Rodeo, the Fair and Rodeo Board, and two local rodeo groups.
Gubler told the council that SNORE is very appreciative of the city, BLM, businesses, and residents who allow the races to come here. It’s a great opportunity to show off the city and get people from out of town to visit and spend money.
The council approved sending Amanda Anderson to the 2018 CDBG Grant Administration Workshop in Las Vegas on June 26-27, including hotel, per diem, and use of a city car.
City Hall’s new hours will be Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The council tabled discussion of the job and salary range for city clerk, deputy city clerk, and utility clerk until the councilmen can go over the details.
The council approved writing a letter in support of the proposed 2018 Round 7 disposal of 160 acres of BLM-managed land located within the city of Caliente and Lincoln County, per Lincoln County’s Conservation, Recreation, and Development Act.
The council voted to approve an increase in the city water base rate from $30 to $30.84.
Councilman John Ahlstrom noted that, “There were some in the budget meeting who said ‘make it an even $31,’ but the .84 is what was needed. We didn’t want to go beyond that. We want the residents to know we are not trying to gouge them; we’re trying to be careful.”
Creations of different funds were approved for the stabilization special revenue fund, special license revenue fund, parks capital project, street capital fund, electrical surcharge debt service, water capital projects, and solid waste capital projects.
The resolution for the creation of a utility standby fee was tabled as some on the council thought that $10 per utility was too high. This will be on the next meeting’s agenda.
The city presented an application packet to operate a marijuana establishment within city limits. Frehner explained that this is so the three applicants already approved by the State of Nevada will provide the city with the same papers that they have to provide the state. These applicants will pay $5,000 for an application fee and another $20,000 for the permit itself. That will provide $75,000 in revenue for the city.
During public comments, Franklin Katschke declared his interest to apply for the job of city attorney. Katschke has been working in the DA’s office.
The next meeting will be July 4.
