Regular Meeting

City of Elko ) County of Elko ) State of Nevada ) SS November 25, 2025 The City Council of the City of Elko, State of Nevada met for a regular meeting beginning at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The meeting was held in the council chambers, 1751 College Ave., Elko. This meeting was called to order by Mayor Reece Keener. The public can watch the meeting by phone, tablet, laptop, or computer by going to the link provided on the agenda. Questions can be sent to cityclerk@elkocitynv.gov. I. CALL TO ORDER The Agenda for this meeting of the City of Elko City Council has been properly posted for this date and time in accordance with NRS requirements. II. ROLL CALL III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC Pursuant to N.R.S. 241, this time is devoted to comments by the public, if any, and discussion of those comments. No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item on the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on a successive agenda and identified as an item for possible action. ACTION WILL NOT BE TAKEN Mayor Reece Keener called for public comment. Police Chief Kyle Ward stated they would be hosting their First Tuesday the following week. He announced Detective Barainca was present with her new K9 ESD (Electronic Storage Detection), and they were very excited about the new addition to the team and their partnership working out of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC). Detective Cassie Barainca introduced herself and her K9 Trigger and said she was currently stationed at the Great Basin Children’s Advocacy Center. She said her primary job was unfortunately to investigate child sex crimes, adding pedophiles and child predators like to collect what is know is child sex abuse material (CSAM) that is stored on digital devices. When they serve warrants on these individuals, it is hard to hit every location they may be hiding the devices and Trigger is trained to locate any digital device that is capable of storing digital data, including thumb drives or SD cards the size of a pinky. She said he is a huge asset not only to their department, but to the CAC as well. She added Trigger is also a trained therapy dog and is trained in deep pressure therapy. At the CAC, Trigger is able to be in the room during forensic interviews, where children are disclosing the horrific things that have happened to them to help calm their nerves and calm them down. She said he will be with November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 1 of 12 the Elko Police Department and the CAC for a minimum of five years, and longer if he decides to keep working. Mayor Keener commented this was the first such asset they’ve ever had like that in the city. Detective Barainca added there was only one other ESD canine in the State of Nevada and it is in Sparks, and there were currently 250 ESD canines worldwide. She said Our Rescue, the sponsor for Trigger, has sponsored 160 of the 250 ESD canines that are in service and they are all trained out of Jordan Detection located in Indianapolis. District Attorney Tyler Ingram said the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is located across from the pool on land the city generously donated to the county. He said they had to do a lot of fundraising to construct the facility, and one of the most common questions he received was “do we really need a five-million-dollar facility, is this really happening in Elko?” He said since January of this year, CAC has done 145 forensic interviews of children or families, 15 forensic medical examinations and 289 sessions of in-house mental health trauma focused therapy to 52 children. He noted the CAC provides services not only to Elko County but also White Pine, Lander and Eureka, and to have an asset like Trigger is tremendous. He added they are the only CAC that he knows of in Nevada that provides mental health services in house, and certainly the first to have electronic search. He said he is proud of what the team has been able to do, and they want to continue doing new things for the victims. Mayor Keener said the Child’s Advocacy Center is there because of Mr. Ingram and the terrific job he did getting people and major donors on board to make it happen, and we are so thankful to have that here. He called for final public comment and did not receive a response. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes for the November 4, 2025, Special Session. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION B. Approval of Minutes for the November 12, 2025, Regular Session. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Puccinelli to approve the consent agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) VI. PERSONNEL A. Employee Introductions: 1. Aaron Brown, Street Maintenance Technician I 2. Benjamin Reid, Street Maintenance Technician I 3. Owen Rodriguez, Street Maintenance Technician I November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 2 of 12 Aaron Brown said he was born and raised in Carson City and moved to Elko about three and a half years ago. He was trying to find an easy-going life and decided to apply for the Street Department. Benjamin Reid said he just moved to Elko in March of this year and is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He added he hoped his travels through the world can bring safety and promise to the community of Elko. Owen Rodriguez said he is 18 years old and has lived here since he was four or five, and he was very excited to have this opportunity to work for the city. VII. APPROPRIATION A. Review and possible approval and/or ratification of warrants, hand cut checks and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Morris to approve regular warrants in the amount of $560,624.42, hand cut checks in the amount of $456,668.33, and utility refunds in the amount of $826.60. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. Review, consideration, and possible ratification of the acceptance of a grant from the 501(C)(3) Friends of the Great Basin Children’s Advocacy Center (FoGBCAC) in the amount of $50,000.00 to offset costs associated with the Electronic Storage Detection K9 Program that are not covered by the donation received from Our Rescue, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION At the October 14, 2025 City Council Meeting, City Council approved the city entering into an MOU with Our Rescue and the acceptance of a donation from Our Rescue for the Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 acquisition. FoGBCAC donated an additional $50,000 to the City of Elko to assist in covering costs associated with the K9 program that are not covered by the Our Rescue donation. This donation will assist in covering nearly four years of costs. Detective Barainca and District Attorney Tyler Ingram will be present to discuss the benefits of the ESD K9 program. KW Chief Ward said as mentioned earlier, there are many benefits of the new ESD within the community and they are seeking approval for this. Mayor Keener commented they don’t like to say no to grant funding like this, and this was just a formality. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Morris, seconded by Councilmember Stone to ratify the acceptance of a grant from the 501(C)(3) Friends of the Great Basin Children’s November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 3 of 12 Advocacy Center (FoGBCAC) in the amount of $50,000.00 to offset costs associated with the Electronic Storage Detection K9 Program that are not covered by the donation received from Our Rescue. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) B. Review, consideration, and possible acceptance of a vehicle donated by Elko County, estimated value of $66,400.75, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION The Elko County has generously donated a 2025 Ford Expedition to be used by an Elko Police Department Detective who is assigned at the Great Basin Children's Advocacy Center. Estimated value includes $50,752.25 in vehicle cost and an estimated/anticipated $15,648.50 in outfitting costs. KW Chief Ward said District Attorney Tyler Ingram was present to discuss where the funding derived from. District Attorney Tyler Ingram said he wanted to make sure it was clear that the funds used to purchase the vehicle were leftover from the Pennington Foundation funds and he sought permission to purchase the two vehicles, noting that an additional vehicle was purchased for the county; the funding was from private donations and not Elko County taxpayer money. Mayor Keener thanked DA Ingram for the clarification, and he was grateful for all the work the William Pennington Foundation has done in the city and county. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Lostra to accept the donation of the Ford Expedition from Elko County. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) C. Review, consideration and possible approval of a Hangar (B5) Lease Agreement between the CITY OF ELKO and JEFFERY CHARLES DALLING, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION Mr. Dalling is the current tenant at this location and the previous lease agreement has expired. Staff is asking for the new agreement to be approved. Additionally, airport ground leases of less than one-half an acre are no longer subject to appraisal/auction process for cities whose population is less than 25,000 (NRS 496.80) JF Jim Foster, Airport Manager, said these were some housekeeping items that they are taking care of at the airport which included getting some of their expired hangar leases up to current standards. This item and the next one were for Jeff Dalling and were located next to each other. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 4 of 12 ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Lostra to approve the approval of the Hangar B5 lease agreement between the City of Elko and Jeffery Charles Dalling. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) D. Review, consideration and possible approval of a Hangar (B6) Lease Agreement between the CITY OF ELKO and JEFFERY CHARLES DALLING, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION Mr. Dalling is the current tenant at this location and the previous lease agreement has expired. Staff is asking for the new agreement to be approved. Additionally, airport ground leases of less than one-half an acre are no longer subject to appraisal/auction process for cities whose population is less than 25,000 (NRS 496.80) JF Mr. Foster stated this was just like the item before. He added that once they do a rates and charges survey, new rates and charges will be applied to all of their leases out at the airport. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Morris, seconded by Councilmember Lostra to approve the Hangar B6 lease agreement between the City and Jeffery Charles Dalling. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) E. Review, consideration, and possible approval of a request to waive the requirement to extend sanitary sewer across the frontage of 729 Douglas St. (APN 001-3588-006), and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION Elko City Code 9-5-33: Extension of Sewer Main Facilities states: Every sewer main extension must be extended across the full frontage of the developer’s or property owner’s property and not only to the closest corner of their property, provided, however that the city council may modify or waive the foregoing requirements contained in this sentence if one or more of the following conditions can be met. The requirements are: 1) not economically feasible, 2) will discourage future development, or 3) will not serve the best interest of the public. We believe that Condition number 3 is met in this circumstance, because this property as well as the adjacent properties already have sanitary sewer, therefore an extension of the sewer has no benefit to be met. JK Mayor Keener stated he was friends with the applicant. He said this was a housekeeping item and he did not think it was controversial at all. He would abstain from voting but would still preside over the hearing. November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 5 of 12 Jim Kerr, Utilities Director, reiterated this was a housekeeping item, as the property is already being served and it would really serve no benefit to have them tear up the street and put a sewer main in front. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Morris to approve the waiver request. Councilmember Marissa Lostra disclosed her significant other Mike Lostra is a representative of Lostra Engineering and part of the design professional team working on this project and due to her pecuniary interest, she would abstain from voting. The motion Passed. (3-0) Mayor Keener and Councilmember Lostra abstained from voting. X. PETITION, APPEAL, AND COMMUNICATION A. Ratification of the Police Chief issuing a 168-day Temporary Retail Liquor License and issue a regular Retail Liquor License, to Crystal Carlos, Saul Limon, Cristian Limon, and Julia Limon-Godoy, DBA Hacienda Mexican Grill LLC, located at 743 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION Chief Ward reported the background and fingerprinting had come back and there were no issues. They had been working with the business and have not have had issues with them. Mayor Keener addressed Ms. Crystal Carlos about how big of a responsibility a liquor license is and told her to make sure she was familiar with the regulations associated with that. He asked Chief Ward if they were required to have a bar card at a restaurant. Chief Ward responded yes, and they did have them put in some other changes to make sure they are carding everyone and that they’re aware that there is no underage drinking. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Lostra to ratify the Police Chief issuing a 168-day temporary retail liquor license and issue a regular retail liquor license to Crystal Carlos, Saul Limon, Cristian Limon and Julie Limon Godoy DBA Hacienda Mexican Grill LLC, located at 743 Idaho Street, Elko, Nevada, 89801. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) XII. REPORTS A. Mayor and City Council November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 6 of 12 Mayor Keener reported he attended the Wrecked and Rescued reception held at the museum, and Councilmember Stone was also there. He added they were complimentary of the community, the police department and the fire department. He said if the program gets picked up, there was a possibility of them coming back. Councilmember Stone reported the Christmas Tree Festival was starting on the 3rd of December at the E Center next door and was going to be huge this year. He added the Snowflake Festival would be held Saturday, December 13th in the downtown corridor. He reported he was able to go to the National League of Cities in Utah last week and remarked it was huge. He learned about the Just Serve app, which focuses on doing things to help people and organizations within the community without expecting anything in return and is used in 18 countries across the world. He added it was already here in the town, but he planned to work with April Howard on incorporating it into the schools and clubs and do a proclamation to become a Just Serve City. B. City Manager Ms. Baum reported that the audit will be extended due to the government shutdown, as they are having difficulty finishing the single audit about government funding and it won’t be presented in December. She added they were looking at January 14th for the next strategic planning meeting and requested everyone email Ms. Jodi Notestine if the date works for them. C. Assistant City Manager No report. D. Utilities Director Mr. Kerr reported the 298 Lift Station is about 90% completed and they were working on electrical. He was hopeful they would be up and running or ready to run by middle of January. E. Public Works Mr. Algerio reported they had wrapped up the leaf bag collection for the year last Friday, but there are always stragglers, so they were still out this week. They collected a little over 6,000 bags and approximately 55 tons of leaves. F. Airport Manager Mr. Foster reported they completed the concrete hard stand out at the airport for the jet bridge and are in the process of letting that cure, and the blankets would probably be pulled off next week. He added SkyWest is currently using their stairs instead of the jet bridge. The airport is on their holiday schedule, which added a Tuesday and Wednesday midday flight, and dropped to one flight on Thursday. He reported they had their kickoff meeting with Coffman and Associates for their focused planning study phase two last week and it was a good meeting. He said they typically go to St. George for their meetings with SkyWest, but SkyWest has indicated they would like to come to Elko for the first time in many years. November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 7 of 12  G. City Attorney No report. H. Fire Chief No report. I. Police Chief Chief Ward reported they were having a promotion ceremony on December 9th, with two corporal promotions and two sergeant promotions. He added they were doing well already, did well on the testing process and are very motivated. He added they are hosting their third First Tuesday and their second one went very well. Detective Barnaica was going to be there with her ESD dog to do some demonstrations and give some background. He asked that anyone able attend bring canned goods or other food items to donate to families in need and to help support the community during the holidays. J. City Clerk No report. K. City Planner Cathy Laughlin, City Planner, reported the contractor is wrapping up a punch list from the City of Elko for the Downtown Sidewalk Project, with the exception of anything to do with the landscaping in the 500 block. Once the punch list was completed, they would bring back the substantial completion to the City Council so the warranty period could begin. They would finish the landscaping in the 500 block in the spring. L. Development Manager No report. M. Financial Services Director No report. N. Parks and Recreation Director James Wiley, Parks and Recreation Director, reported they really need some snow if they are going to ski this year. He added they have a lift evacuation training at 9:00 am on the 13th of December and were looking for volunteers for that. He said they have wrapped up most of their winterization and would be moving to pulling all the picnic tables to repaint and spruce up for springtime, and the golf course was busy tearing apart equipment and doing preventative maintenance and repairs. O. Civil Engineer No report. P. Building Official November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 8 of 12  Jeff Ford, Building Official, reported they got the apartments back on Sage, but he hasn’t seen them yet. He is hopeful they can get the code adoption wrapped up pretty quickly so he can get back into that. He noted they have already had some builders call asking why they can’t submit their new plans and that was a surprise. Recessed at 4:56 pm. XI. 5:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING A. Review and consideration of submitted data and/or arguments and determination as to whether the proposed Ordinance No. 902, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 6, CHAPTER 1 OF THE ELKO CITY CODE ENTITLED “FIRE CODE” AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO” will impose a direct and significant burden upon a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION At the October 14, 2025, Council meeting, City Council directed Staff to complete a Business Impact Statement on the proposed ordinance. Pursuant to NRS 237.080 the City of Elko notified the chamber of commerce, trade associations, and owners/officers of businesses which may be affected by the ordinance. Pursuant to NRS 237.090, staff have prepared a Business Impact Statement for Ordinance No. 902 and must be considered by City Council prior to the public hearing and adoption of the ordinance. AR Annette Robinson, City Clerk, said she had prepared a Business Impact Statement and read the findings to the Council, a copy of which was included in the agenda packet. She noted the public had 30 days to object to it but based on everything she had received she did not feel it would impose a direct or significant burden upon businesses or restrict their formation. Mayor Keener confirmed there was no one online and called for public comment. He did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Morris to approve the Business Impact Statement pursuant to NRS 237 for Ordinance 902, that does not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) B. Review and consideration of submitted data and/or arguments and determination as to whether the proposed Ordinance No. 907, “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 2, CHAPTERS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 AND 12 OF THE ELKO CITY CODE ENTITLED “BUILDING REGULATIONS” BY ADOPTING REVISED INTERNATIONAL AND STANDARDIZED, MAKING CORRESPONDING AMENDMENTS, AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO” will impose a direct and significant burden upon a business or directly restrict the formation, operation or expansion of a business, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 9 of 12  At the October 14, 2025, Council meeting, City Council directed Staff to complete a Business Impact Statement on the proposed ordinance. Pursuant to NRS 237.080 the City of Elko notified the chamber of commerce, trade associations, and owners/officers of businesses which may be affected by the ordinance. Pursuant to NRS 237.090, staff have prepared a Business Impact Statement for Ordinance No. 907 and must be considered by City Council prior to the public hearing and adoption of the ordinance. AR Ms. Robinson said she had prepared a Business Impact Statement and read the findings to the Council, a copy of which was included in the agenda packet. She noted the public had 30 days to object to it but based on everything she had received she did not feel it would impose a direct or significant burden upon businesses or restrict their formation. Mayor Keener confirmed there was no one online and called for public comment. He did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Morris to approve the Business Impact Statement pursuant to NRS 237 for Ordinance 907, that does not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) C. Review and consideration of submitted data and/or arguments and determination as to whether the proposed Resolution No. 18-25, “A RESOLUTION AMENDING BUILDING VALUATION FEES AND BUILDING FEES PURSUANT TO ELKO CITY CODE TITLE 2, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 7 “FEES” AND MATTERS RELATED THERETO” will impose a direct and significant burden upon a business or directly restrict the formation, operation or expansion of a business, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION At the October 14, 2025, Council meeting, City Council directed Staff to complete a Business Impact Statement on the proposed resolution. Pursuant to NRS 237.080 the City of Elko notified the chamber of commerce, trade associations, and owners/officers of businesses which may be affected by the ordinance. Pursuant to NRS 237.090, staff have prepared a Business Impact Statement for Resolution No. 18-25 and must be considered by City Council prior to the adoption of the resolution. AR Ms. Robinson said she had prepared a Business Impact Statement and read the findings to the Council, a copy of which was included in the agenda packet. She noted they had received one less comment on this one and the public had 30 days to object to it but based on everything she had received she did not feel it would impose a direct or significant burden upon businesses or restrict their formation. Mayor Keener asked Mr. Ford if he had done a survey to see what others were charging. Mr. Ford responded they were changing a few fees, mainly processing fees, for example they have been charging $47 for roofing and have been losing money before it even gets across the counter. The November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 10 of 12 valuation table is also being modernized and set to update every six months when it’s published so they don’t get 15 years behind again. He added they are not supposed to be making a big profit, but they should be self sufficient enough to offer their services, and this got them a lot closer. Mayor Keener confirmed there was no one online and called for public comment. He did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Morris, seconded by Councilmember Stone to approve the Business Impact Statement pursuant to NRS 237 for Resolution 18-25, that does not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) IX. RESOLUTION AND ORDINANCE A. First Reading of Ordinance No. 902 an Ordinance amending Title 6, Chapter 1 of the Elko City Code Entitled “Fire Code” and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION At the October 14, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council directed Staff to complete a Business Impact Statement on the proposed ordinance. City Council held a public meeting today, November 25, 2025, regarding the Business Impact Statement and the City Council determined that the rule does not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business; that a Business Impact Statement has been accepted and is on file with the governing body; and that the requirements of Chapter 237 of NRS have been met. JJ Fire Chief James Johnston said they fully support the updated code and this will help protect the public moving forward, especially concerning life safety. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Morris to conduct theFirst Reading of Ordinance No. 902 and set the matter for Public Hearing and Second Reading. . The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 907 an Ordinance amending Title 2, Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 of the Elko City Code Entitled “Building Regulations” by adopting revised International and Standardized Codes, making corresponding amendments, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION At the October 14, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council directed Staff to complete a Business Impact Statement on the proposed ordinance. City Council held a public meeting today, November 25, 2025, regarding the Business Impact Statement and the City Council November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 11 of 12  determined that the rule does not impose a direct and significant economic burden on a business or directly restrict the formation, operation, or expansion of a business; that a Business Impact Statement has been accepted and is on file with the governing body; and that the requirements of NRS 237 have been met. JF Mr. Ford gave a brief overview of the changes and said it is our purpose to provide a safe built barrier- free environment for the people of Elko and anyone visiting Elko. Mayor Keener said he valued Mr. Ford’s opinion on this. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Morris to conduct the First Reading of Ordinance No. 907 and set the matter for Public Hearing and Second Reading. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) XIII. COMMENTS BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC Pursuant to N.R.S. 241, this time is devoted to comments by the public, if any, and discussion of those comments. No action may be taken upon a matter raised under this item on the agenda until the matter itself has been specifically included on a successive agenda and identified as an item for possible action. ACTION WILL NOT BE TAKEN Ms. Baum said she wanted to recognize Mr. Ford and his entire staff, as this was a huge undertaking, not only with the code but all of their fees as well. She added Mr. Ford really led the way the past two years with all of the public meetings, and was also on the state board to help determine the codes, adding he did a great job. Mayor Keener added they were very fortunate to have such great department heads all across the city and he was proud to be involved with this organization. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. There being no further business, Mayor Reece Keener adjourned the meeting at 6:03 pm. Mayor Reece Keener Annette Robinson, City Clerk November 25, 2025 City Council | Minutes Page 12 of 12