OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Joint Meeting of Clark County Board of Commissioners and UMC Board of Hospital Trustees - August 18, 2026

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, August 18, 2026
BodyClark County, Nevada
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, August 18, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:33:26
Transcript — Verbatim
3:10

Good morning.

3:11

Our August eighteenth, twenty twenty-six Board of County Commission meeting will come to order.

3:16

Please stand for the invocation by Pastor Adrian Dahl, followed by the Pledge Allegiance.

3:36

God of all grace, as we begin this day, we pause to give thanks.

3:53

Give us wisdom and creativity to respond to the challenges and possibilities of our time.

5:08

Thank you.

5:08

Manager Schiller.

5:10

Good morning, Commissioner McCurdy and Commissioners.

5:12

Your first item is to present a proclamation recognizing August 31st, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Clark County and highlighting the importance of addiction prevention and awareness.

5:23

Commissioner Kirkpatrick.

5:30

Good morning.

5:32

This item is uh very passionate and important to me because as you all know that uh I've been through this myself.

5:39

So this is something that doesn't discriminate, but is something that requires education.

5:45

And so this is our seventh year of recognizing uh overdose awareness day, and this is an international day um that happens across the country.

5:56

So Commissioner Naft and myself have been working tirelessly to make sure we get it out.

6:01

But on behalf of the entire board, we really want to um bring some awareness, get the community involved, and really remind people you have to talk to your kids, you have to talk to your family members to know what's going on.

6:14

Um, first we're gonna start with the short video because I think the video is very uh sobering uh so that people understand why this is so important.

6:26

Every day families across Nevada are affected by overdose.

6:30

Behind every statistic is a family member or friend whose life has been forever changed through prevention, treatment, recovery, and compassion, we can save lives and strengthen our community.

6:42

On August 31st, communities around the world come together for International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember those we've lost, honor the families and friends whose lives have been touched by overdose, and we know our commitment to prevention, recovery, and hope.

7:01

Here in Clark County, we know that preventing overdose takes all of us working together for better.

7:07

Recovery is possible, help is available, and no one has to face these challenges alone.

7:13

Every conversation can reduce stigma, every act of compassion can encourage someone to seek help.

7:20

Every connection can make a difference.

7:23

Together, we can strengthen our community.

7:26

Together, we can inspire hope and support recovery, and together we can save lives.

7:34

Thank you for that video.

7:36

Um, so International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, raise awareness about prevention, reduce the stigma.

7:46

And I would say reducing the stigma is probably one of the most important things because this is something that does not discriminate.

7:53

Doesn't matter what your social economic um household is, doesn't matter your race, it doesn't matter where you've been in life, what kind of upbringing that you've had, it's just a real thing that that happens to so many.

8:06

And we've worked very hard over the years to ensure that employers um recognize that that we have programs in place so that a part of recovery is relapse.

8:17

And I know a lot of people don't want to hear that, but that's the truth of uh what it is, and we have to allow those people to get back on their feet.

8:25

Um so today uh we've invited the Southern Nevada Health District, the Foundation for Recovery to join us.

8:31

They'll be out in the hallways.

8:33

If it's not you, you have a family member, you have a neighbor that you didn't know.

8:39

It's just good to know where those resources are uh so that you can direct them.

8:44

We're very fortunate uh in southern Nevada to have a lot of resources to help people get back on track.

8:50

And you know, that is why Clark County is investing over 200 million dollars in our um opiate recovery center that will be opening probably after I'm gone, but we'll be opening it because we know that people need that assistance, and we know that we can't shut them off just because their insurance cut them off, right?

9:12

So we have to be able to have process and help them get back on track.

9:16

And you know, I probably talk a little bit too much about it, so I'm gonna try to stick to my talking points.

9:23

But what people don't realize is once you get off, whether you've started with uh marijuana, opiates, and then it went to heroin, then it went to fentanyl, is now what we're seeing today.

9:36

Um once you get off track, then you gotta start all over.

9:41

That means you have no credit to rent an apartment, that means you have no job stability, and that means that your family is likely had to say enough already, right?

9:52

It's the tough love piece of it, and that is probably the hardest piece that any family goes through, right?

10:00

Whether you're raising grandchildren, whether you're trying to make sure they're safe at night.

10:04

But it's really a hard path to go down.

10:07

And um, if we don't educate people and people, you know, I I like to tell the story that my daughter used to say to me, I'm gonna out your mom because uh you're an elected official, you'll have all this negative around you.

10:21

And I said, you know what?

10:22

I'm gonna out you.

10:24

How about that?

10:25

And so it was when I outed her, and there was no leverage because as a mom, that's the last thing you want to do is um have hard uh a hard conversation with your child that she got clean, and I am thankful and grateful to say that we are going on three years of her being clean, and she has her granddaughter back.

10:49

So I'm really probably the worst person to do this because I've lived it and I know what families go through, but it's a thing, and we need to really get rid of that stigma, talk about it.

10:59

At fifth grade, I am telling my granddaughters now.

11:03

Here's the things you got to think about.

11:05

I don't care if somebody wants you to try that vape in the bathroom, don't do it, right?

11:09

Because that's where it starts.

11:11

So it is very passionate to me, so I'm sorry about that, but let's recognize the people that are doing yeoman's work every single day.

11:19

But I really just want people to know that it does not discriminate, and we have to do our part as a community to step up and um protect our community.

11:30

So the first one that we're going to bring up is uh moms against drugs.

11:34

So Brett Nedler was Debbie's son.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Short Term Lodging██████████████████████████26%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Technology and Innovation█████████9%
Public Health████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Economic Development████4%
Environmental Protection████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Joint Meeting of the Clark County Board of Commissioners and the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada Board of Hospital Trustees - August 18, 2026

This joint meeting began at 9:00 AM on August 18, 2026, at the Government Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The agenda included opening ceremonies with proclamations, a public forum, consent agenda approval, a public hearing on short-term rental platform regulations, and several business items including updates on broadband, foster care recruitment, and a resolution to issue $45.77 million in hospital improvement bonds for UMC. The meeting recessed at approximately 4:00 PM and was scheduled to resume at 9:00 AM on August 19, 2026.

Opening Ceremonies & Recognitions

  • Presented a proclamation recognizing August 31, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day. Commissioner Kirkpatrick shared a personal story and emphasized stigma reduction. Representatives from Moms Against Drugs and the No Hero Foundation spoke. The county is investing over $200 million in an opiate recovery center.
  • Recognized Roger Unger for 26 years of service on the Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas Board of Directors.
  • Recognized Clark County Value Champions: Will Covington (service), Sherry (excellence in health benefits), Peggy McLean (mentorship), Marilyn (knowledge sharing).

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the July 21, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Approved the agenda with no emergency items or deletions.
  • Approved Consent Agenda items 7 through 33 in one motion, including:
    • Amendments to contracts with Curam Innovations, Faciliteq Nevada, Bitfocus, Oracle America.
    • Task order for Mountain's Edge Regional Park Phase II.
    • Competitive bidding exception with Hughes Fire Equipment Inc.
    • Franchise application for Level 3 Communications, LLC.
    • Interlocal agreements with Clark County School District for Safekey snack services and with City of Henderson for Sunridge Heights Parkway.
    • Allocation of $999,678 for Sunrise Park Multi-Purpose Facility.
    • Allocation of $22,900,000 from Room Tax for Hollywood Regional Park Multiuse Ballfield Complex and Sunset Regional Park Little League Ballfield Renovation.
    • UMC-related items: Commitment agreements with Cardinal Health, third amendment to lease with Novat Hill, LLC.
    • Various other administrative items.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Public Forum (before public hearing):

  • Randy Gao (STR owner): Described how short-term rentals (STRs) provided a financial parachute and created jobs; urged the county to wait for court rulings and create a functional licensing system.
  • Gina Lynn Ram (farm owner with attached casita): Requested separate category for owner-occupied STRs attached to primary residence; asked for compliance pathway.
  • Edie Dalton (mental wellness initiative): Requested allocation of economic development funds for a wellness ecosystem; redirected to Commissioner Naft's office.
  • Adrian Brassi (resident): Supported strong enforcement of STR regulations; argued illegal STRs worsen housing crisis; cited 22,000 active STRs vs. housing inventory.
  • Jacqueline Flores (Greater Las Vegas STR Association): Opposed the ordinance; claimed county broke the law with unconstitutional regulations; argued ordinance protects hotel monopoly.
  • Crystal Abbott (veteran and homeowner): Asked for a fair path to compliance; noted mortgage nearly $3,000/month; supported regulation but not a closed system.
  • Jimmy Johnson (retired firefighter): Asked for licensing pathway; applied years ago with no response.
  • Pay Sego (STR association): Questioned arbitrary rules (29 vs. 32 days); cited federal injunction; called fines cruel and unusual.
  • Cassandra Martinez (trans woman, STR host): Shared how STR helped her transition and complete school; wants fair licensing.
  • Shirley Amaduri (STR host): Described how STR helped her recover from medical crisis; argued property rights.
  • John Wong (STR association): Stated county cannot require platforms to verify licenses when licensing system is closed; called policies backdoor elimination of STRs.
  • Madeline Durbin (first-time homeowner): Explained catch-22 - license needed but no way to get one; asked for freedom to operate.
  • Riley Krebs (resident): Asked for a path to legality; noted STRs provide economic benefit.
  • Lance Gonzalez (senior, STR host): Relying on STR income in retirement; no negative impact on neighbors.
  • John Marshall (vendor): Emphasized STRs support local jobs.
  • Sid Marie Quintaliano (family host): Used STR to help pay for children's college; applied for license but required $1M insurance.
  • Shirley Woods (senior, host): STR supplements reduced work hours; supports families.
  • Juan Salazar (host): Asked to be allowed to rent extra bedrooms; money goes back into community.
  • Pete Amby (HOA board president): Opposed STRs in his condo community; documented ongoing violations.
  • Eric King (resident): Spoke on items 9,15,16,23,24,33; advocated for tree planting and forest bathing to combat heat island effect.

Second Public Forum (after business items):

  • Eric King (continued): Advocated for planting a million trees to address urban heat.
  • Saturn Starshooter (harm reductionist): Asked to restore funding for shower trucks for unhoused; cited health risks from lack of sanitation.
  • Tim Ross (hangar owner at North Las Vegas): Complained about changes to lease terms and consultant hired by Aviation Director Jim Chrisley; alleged open meeting violations.
  • Kevin King (hangar owner): Accused Clark County Department of Aviation of bullying owners and planning to seize hangars; requested meeting rescheduled.
  • Ashley Carr (advocate): Asked to restore shower truck funding; Commissioner Kirkpatrick clarified the county did not defund it - the contractor failed to meet contract terms.
  • Shoshana (resident): Requested ending invocations at meetings, arguing clergy can legally conceal child abuse under Nevada law.
  • Curtis Alexander (former Mt. Charleston TAB member): Questioned motivation for seizing hangars; asked for item on next agenda.
  • Catherine Dadron (mother of aviation enthusiast): Supported small hangar owners; EAA club provides youth aviation experiences.
  • David Barber (hangar buyer): Refused to buy hangar due to uncertainty; pointed to Albuquerque model.
  • William Rohde (EAA chapter president): Asked to fire consultant and direct Chrisley to negotiate; proposed civilian oversight board.
  • Jess Myers (resident): Urged commissioners to protect small airport and monitor Aviation Director.

Discussion Items

Short-Term Rental Platform Ordinance (Item 34):

  • Director of Business License Vince Keanu presented the ordinance to amend Chapter 7.110, focusing on platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) not individual hosts. Key provisions: remove obligations for platforms to police listings; instead, platforms must verify license before processing booking. Modeled after New York City law which reduced active listings from 38,000 to 3,000. Staff will later address host licensing.
  • Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rogan clarified the ordinance only addresses platforms; separate host regulations will follow.
  • Commissioner Kirkpatrick noted need for infrastructure; supported the fix.
  • Public hearing speakers (some previously stated) reiterated positions. Several stressed property rights and lack of licensing path; some supported strong enforcement to protect affordable housing.
  • Motion to approve by Commissioner Kirkpatrick; carried.

Business Items (Items 35-41):

  • Item 35 - Emerging Issues:
    • Commissioner Kirkpatrick proposed a letter of support for City of Hope cancer research application; board agreed to direct staff.
    • Announced PJ Pajama Run on November 15, 2026 to benefit foster kids.
    • Suggested commission-led employee morale activities (chili cook-off, pie day).
    • Commissioner Segerblom added support for paid maternity leave and childcare.
    • Commissioner Becker (with RTC hat) noted Maryland Parkway BRT launch.
  • Items 36-37 - UMC Hospital Improvement Bonds ($45.77M):
    • CEO Mason Van Houweling presented two projects: (1) Convert 4th and 5th floors of 800 Hope Place into 29 inpatient acute rehab rooms; (2) Build a 5-story, 808-spot parking garage for employees and convert existing garage to patient/visitor parking.
    • Approved separately: Item 36 (resolution to issue bonds) and Item 37 (direction to Debt Management Commission) both passed.
  • Item 38 - CCSD Air Quality Penalty Fund:
    • Director Marcy Hansen reported $637,000 in penalties collected; $280,000 rollover. Proposed FY2027 spending plan includes pollen monitoring, STEM teacher support, HVAC pilot.
    • Approved by motion.
  • Item 39 - Foster Care Recruitment:
    • Director Stacey DashTrap presented data: 132 new licensed homes (380 beds) in 3.5 years; 22 families completed expedited training in August. New strategies include paid marketing (grant-funded), partnerships with churches, pop-ups at county buildings, and working with Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Kirkpatrick suggested using PJ Run for outreach.
  • Item 40 - Broadband Programs Update:
    • CIO Bob Leek presented five-year progress and next phase. 96% of homes have internet access but only 71% have one reliable high-speed option. New program aims for 100 Mbps at $50/month or less in 18 project areas (unincorporated county focus). Will use RFQ to partner with ISPs for last-mile infrastructure. Also: Base program includes toolkit for caseworkers, CSN fiber technician training. Commissioner Kirkpatrick expressed frustration with ISPs' lack of action in older neighborhoods; requested 90-day plan and seat at negotiation table.
  • Item 41 - NACO Update:
    • New NACO CEO Amy Heinz Sutherland presented NACO's roles. Highlighted legislative priorities: emergency management funding, Medicaid county match cost containment (pharmacy rebates), continuum of care reform, erroneous billing reimbursement, and removal of sunset on open space preservation sales tax. Commissioner Kirkpatrick emphasized value of 100% membership.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved minutes of July 21, 2026 and agenda.
  • Approved Consent Agenda (items 7-33) in one vote.
  • Approved Ordinance amending Title 7, Chapter 7.110 (short-term rental platform regulations) via motion by Commissioner Kirkpatrick (vote not individually tallied, but adopted).
  • Approved Resolution for UMC General Obligation Hospital Improvement Bonds up to $45,770,000 (Item 36) and companion resolution to notify Debt Management Commission (Item 37). Both motions carried.
  • Approved CCSD FY2027 air quality penalty fund spending plan (Item 38).
  • Received update on Broadband Programs (Item 40); no vote required; staff directed to provide shorter-term plan and involve commissioners in ISP negotiations.
  • Received NACO update (Item 41); no vote.
  • Recessed at approximately 4:00 PM to continue on August 19, 2026 at 9:00 AM for zoning and subdivision agenda.

Meeting Transcript

Good morning. Our August eighteenth, twenty twenty-six Board of County Commission meeting will come to order. Please stand for the invocation by Pastor Adrian Dahl, followed by the Pledge Allegiance. God of all grace, as we begin this day, we pause to give thanks. Give us wisdom and creativity to respond to the challenges and possibilities of our time. Thank you. Manager Schiller. Good morning, Commissioner McCurdy and Commissioners. Your first item is to present a proclamation recognizing August 31st, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day in Clark County and highlighting the importance of addiction prevention and awareness. Commissioner Kirkpatrick. Good morning. This item is uh very passionate and important to me because as you all know that uh I've been through this myself. So this is something that doesn't discriminate, but is something that requires education. And so this is our seventh year of recognizing uh overdose awareness day, and this is an international day um that happens across the country. So Commissioner Naft and myself have been working tirelessly to make sure we get it out. But on behalf of the entire board, we really want to um bring some awareness, get the community involved, and really remind people you have to talk to your kids, you have to talk to your family members to know what's going on. Um, first we're gonna start with the short video because I think the video is very uh sobering uh so that people understand why this is so important. Every day families across Nevada are affected by overdose. Behind every statistic is a family member or friend whose life has been forever changed through prevention, treatment, recovery, and compassion, we can save lives and strengthen our community. On August 31st, communities around the world come together for International Overdose Awareness Day, a time to remember those we've lost, honor the families and friends whose lives have been touched by overdose, and we know our commitment to prevention, recovery, and hope. Here in Clark County, we know that preventing overdose takes all of us working together for better. Recovery is possible, help is available, and no one has to face these challenges alone. Every conversation can reduce stigma, every act of compassion can encourage someone to seek help. Every connection can make a difference. Together, we can strengthen our community. Together, we can inspire hope and support recovery, and together we can save lives. Thank you for that video. Um, so International Overdose Awareness Day is the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, raise awareness about prevention, reduce the stigma. And I would say reducing the stigma is probably one of the most important things because this is something that does not discriminate. Doesn't matter what your social economic um household is, doesn't matter your race, it doesn't matter where you've been in life, what kind of upbringing that you've had, it's just a real thing that that happens to so many. And we've worked very hard over the years to ensure that employers um recognize that that we have programs in place so that a part of recovery is relapse. And I know a lot of people don't want to hear that, but that's the truth of uh what it is, and we have to allow those people to get back on their feet. Um so today uh we've invited the Southern Nevada Health District, the Foundation for Recovery to join us. They'll be out in the hallways. If it's not you, you have a family member, you have a neighbor that you didn't know. It's just good to know where those resources are uh so that you can direct them. We're very fortunate uh in southern Nevada to have a lot of resources to help people get back on track. And you know, that is why Clark County is investing over 200 million dollars in our um opiate recovery center that will be opening probably after I'm gone, but we'll be opening it because we know that people need that assistance, and we know that we can't shut them off just because their insurance cut them off, right? So we have to be able to have process and help them get back on track. And you know, I probably talk a little bit too much about it, so I'm gonna try to stick to my talking points. But what people don't realize is once you get off, whether you've started with uh marijuana, opiates, and then it went to heroin, then it went to fentanyl, is now what we're seeing today. Um once you get off track, then you gotta start all over. That means you have no credit to rent an apartment, that means you have no job stability, and that means that your family is likely had to say enough already, right? It's the tough love piece of it, and that is probably the hardest piece that any family goes through, right? Whether you're raising grandchildren, whether you're trying to make sure they're safe at night. But it's really a hard path to go down. And um, if we don't educate people and people, you know, I I like to tell the story that my daughter used to say to me, I'm gonna out your mom because uh you're an elected official, you'll have all this negative around you. And I said, you know what? I'm gonna out you. How about that?

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