Regular Meeting

City of Elko ) County of Elko ) State of Nevada ) SS January 27, 2026 The City Council of the City of Elko, State of Nevada met for a regular meeting beginning at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 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 Present: Reece Keener, Mayor Chip Stone, Councilman Clair Morris, Councilman Giovanni Puccinelli, Councilman Marissa Lostra, Councilwoman City Staff Present: Jan Baum, City Manager Dave Stanton, City Attorney Jim Kerr, Utilities Director Andrew Storla, Water/Sewer Superintendent Paul Algerio, Public Works Jim Foster, Airport Manager James Johnston, Fire Chief Kyle Ward, Police Chief Annette Robinson, City Clerk Ralph Negron, Development Manager Julie Davis, Financial Services Director James Wiley, Parks and Recreation Director Susie Shurtz, Human Resources Manager Jeff Ford, Building Official Nichole Stephens, City Clerk Technician II Sarah Khouangrasvongsay, City Clerk Technician I III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 1 of 7  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 Keener called for public comment. Scott Gavorsky, on behalf of the Elko County Republican Party, announced they had put out the official call for their County Party Convention to be held on Saturday, February 21st at 9:00 am at the Convention Center. He added their Lincoln Day Dinner will be March 14th at 5:00 pm at the E Center, and Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony was hosting a meet and greet at the Mudd Hut out in Spring Creek Saturday morning at 9:00 am. V. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of Minutes for the January 13, 2026, Regular Session. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Stone to approve the consent agenda as written. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) VI. PRESENTATION A. Presentation of the Elko Police Department's Annual Report and matters related thereto. INFORMATION ONLY, NON-ACTION ITEM Chief Ward gave an annual report on the Elko Police Department. A copy of the presentation can be found in the agenda packet. They are currently staffed for 52 positions, and they have multiple people in the background process with a goal to have all of the positions filled by June. He gave statistics compared to last year, noting 402 traffic collisions and how they really wanted to focus on traffic safety. They have been utilizing their first Tuesdays and some other community events and are really trying to focus on how they can do better. A lot of their severe crime numbers were down for the year, but they did see an increase in kidnappings and child abductions, with most of those being parental kidnappings. They have also seen a rise in shoplifting, and he believed that would continue to increase because they are doing more operations with loss prevention programs from various businesses to help reduce that crime. Mayor Keener asked Chief Ward how Elko compares with similar sized places. Chief Ward responded it was about the average based on the size of the store and the volume. He reported there were 477 severe crimes in 2025, down 28% from 2024. He noted they did see an increase in the last quarter, but it was stabilizing. He highlighted some changes in leadership, notably his new role as Police Chief and the retirement of Chief Trouten and Lieutenant Pepper, and several promotions January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 2 of 7  that happened within the department over the year. He said their annual awards ceremony would be March 5th, noting there weren’t many awards this past year, but they were looking to change that. They processed 118 various licenses and generated almost $34,000 in revenue. He noted they purchased some additional equipment last year, including some new tasers that will aid in deescalating situations and preventing the use of deadly force. He said their top priority was wellness, to make sure the officers can do their jobs professionally and adequately. Some team goals included building stronger internal and outside relationships and partnerships. They were also looking at expanding their vehicle fleet, so they have enough vehicles on the road when they reach full staffing. He added they were looking into more community engagement and they started their 1st Tuesday, and they were also looking at a business connection too to help support them and provide consistency. He added that he was going to continue to personally get out there and meet people to figure out how they can better serve the community. Mayor Keener asked if he anticipated a decrease in property crimes once they get to full staffing. Chief Ward responded that was the goal. He added they were also collaborating with the county, their partner agencies and state police so they can all help support each other. Mayor Keener asked if he anticipated drug seizures going down with the closure of the border and the war on narcoterrorism. Chief Ward responded it was hard to say and right now it was still consistent; they have not seen an increase or decrease. Councilmember Morris said he was looking forward to the time they were fully staffed and it would help to get a lot more people on the street and be more visible. VII. PERSONNEL A. Review, consideration, and possible approval of an Agreement between the City of Elko, and the Elko Police Officers Protective Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION The City of Elko and Elko Police Officers Protective Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers, have concluded negotiations for FY 2025/2026. A redlined copy of the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement has been included in the agenda packet for review. SS Note: This portion of the meeting may be closed pursuant to NRS 288; therefore the Council may move to adjourn the meeting prior to consideration of this item. Susie Shurtz, Human Resources Manager, said they were pleased to bring them the redline version of the patrol agreement for their review. She added it was a collaborative effort between the members of the negotiating team on both sides, and they thought it was fair to both sides and looked forward to any questions they may have. Mayor Keener said he was happy to see an agreement that both sides agree to. January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 3 of 7  Councilmember Morris said he thought it was a good agreement and would support approving the contract with the PD. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Morris, seconded by Councilmember Stone to approve the contract with the Elko Police Officers Protecting Nevada Association of Public Safety Officer for the 25-26 contract. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) VIII. 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 $979,574.93. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Morris to approve hand cut checks in the amount of $95,198.29. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) B. Review, consideration, and possible ratification of an Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Artwork between the City of Elko, a municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Nevada, and Angie Smith, and matters related thereto. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION On January 7, 2026, the Arts and Culture Advisory Board awarded a second Semiquincentennial Art Project to artist Angie Smith to provide a metal sculpture to be permanently displayed at the 6th Street art exhibit area in the downtown corridor. The project's cost is $9,500. Due to time constraints on the project timeline, the staff approved the agreement to allow the artist to get started on the project. Funds for the project are being provided by the Chamber of Commerce. DJ Jan Baum, City Manager, said this was pretty self-explanatory but she did want to give a shout out to the Chamber of Commerce who was funding the project so they could have two projects installed downtown. Mayor Keener said it was great any time they could fill up those empty spaces with art, and he felt the price was quite reasonable. He called for public comment and did not receive a response. January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 4 of 7  ** A motion was made by Councilmember Stone, seconded by Councilmember Lostra to ratify the signing of an Agreement for the Purchase and Sale of Artwork between the City of Elko and Angie Smith. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) IX. NEW BUSINESS A. Review, consideration, and possible approval of City of Elko ad valorem tax rates for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. FOR POSSIBLE ACTION City of Elko ad valorem tax rates are approved in the budget process and reported to the Nevada Department of Taxation and Elko County with the preparation of final budget due by June 1, 2026. However, local governments must report proposed ad valorem tax rate changes (or report that there are no changes) to the Nevada Department of Taxation by February 21, 2026. Provided are the current rates and allocations, for review. This agenda item notifies the state of any tax rate change in total. Allocations of rates can still be made during the budget process. JD Julie Davis, Financial Services Director, said she thought this was a good introduction to get the budget season kicked off with an overview of their current ad valorem rates. She added as they move through the budget process they can still reallocate, but the Department of Taxation needs to know next month if they plan on changing the overall rate. Mayor Keener asked if they were currently maxed out and asked if her recommendation was no. Ms. Davis responded that she believed so, and confirmed she recommended no change. Mayor Keener called for public comment and did not receive a response. ** A motion was made by Councilmember Puccinelli, seconded by Councilmember Stone to approve city, and the rates will remain unchanged. The motion passed unanimously. (5-0) X. REPORTS A. Mayor and City Council Mayor Keener reported the Boys and Girls Club opening was Thursday at 5:15 pm for the ribbon cutting and he hoped all members of the board would be able to be in attendance for that. He added there was a Rec Board meeting on Thursday morning at 10:00 am. He asked Ms. Baum if the strategic planning workshop was still on the board for February 12th. January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 5 of 7  Ms. Baum confirmed it was February 12th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Mayor Keener added they would have a proclamation for Hope Week for the Elko High School, and cowboy poetry was currently ongoing. He added he attended a community concert on Saturday night and it was a great show. Councilmember Lostra reported they were doing a networking mixer at the warehouse located at 225 6th Street, February 17th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm for the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals. There were free booths available for anyone who has a veteran service, and the event is free and open to the public. Councilmember Stone reported he was asked to being on the LASSO Board and he accepted. B. City Manager Ms. Baum reported they were awarded a two-million-dollar grant with the federal spending bill for a water tank on the south side and it was a great surprise. C. Assistant City Manager No report. D. Utilities Director Jim Kerr, Utilities Director, reported they were currently trying to focus on some of their problem child pits that were holding them up right now. E. Public Works No report. F. Airport Manager No report. G. City Attorney No report. H. Fire Chief No report. I. Police Chief No report. J. City Clerk Annette Robinson, City Clerk, reported they had sent a notice to Shilo Inn yesterday for business license suspension and they have 30 days to comply. She said their attorneys were also filing a tax lien for $35,311.82 for failure to pay October, November or December’s transient lodging tax. She noted January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 6 of 7  Elkotel was unfortunately in the same boat and have not paid October, November and December’s transient lodging tax, so they sent them a notice and will file a tax lien on them as well for $37,311.24. She added Baymont Inn was sold on November 12th and the new owners have not contacted them to get a business license and have not been paying their transient lodging tax. K. City Planner No report. L. Development Manager Ralph Negron, Development Manager, reported they did some architectural interviews for the animal shelter. They had invited five and four showed up, but he thought they had it narrowed down to two. He was planning to set up a meeting towards the end of the week and get that finalized. M. Financial Services Director No report. N. Parks and Recreation Director No report. O. Civil Engineer No report. P. Building Official No report. XI. 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 Keener called for final public comment and did not receive a response. There being no further business, Mayor Reece Keener adjourned the meeting at 4:58 pm. Mayor Reece Keener Annette Robinson, City Clerk January 27, 2026 City Council | Minutes Page 7 of 7