Washoe County Board of County Commissioners Meeting - January 13, 2026

This meeting of the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners convened at 10:00 a.m. and adjourned at 2:38 p.m. on January 13, 2026. Key actions included unanimous approval of an appeal and hazardous materials permit for the Iveson Ranch drone research and explosives testing facility, adoption of a Sun Valley master plan and zoning amendment (4-1), and the election of new leadership with Commissioner Clara Andriola as Chair and Commissioner Mariluz Garcia as Vice Chair. The board also approved staff time to address abandoned parcels in Sun Valley and passed ordinances for permanent employee housing in the High Desert and for small lot/infill development standards.

Consent Calendar

• Approved an Easement Deed to TMWA for a water main at Lazy 5 Regional Park (District 4).
• Accepted a Grant of Trail Easement from TMWA for the Canepa Ranch Trailhead (District 1).
• Approved a lease agreement with Gerlach General Improvement District for warehouse space (District 5).
• Accepted the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada Truckee River Fund Grant ($250,000) for Mayberry Park Watershed Protection and Public Restroom Project (District 1).
• Acknowledged the Washoe County Law Library Annual Report for FY2025.
• Reappointed Patricia Halstead (attorney) and Cortney Young (non-attorney) to the Law Library Board of Trustees.
• Approved multiple job reclassifications with a net fiscal savings of $160,286.
• Accepted various grants: FFY26 Title XX ($165,951), Infant Toddler Court Program ($50,000), Child Abuse and Neglect ($29,900), and Community Foundation of Northern Nevada ($162,766) for behavioral health crisis response.
• Approved Commission District Special Fund disbursements: $5,000 to Reno Elks Charitable Fund (cooking classes for seniors) and $2,500 to Green Vibe World (Truckee River corridor clean-ups).
• Acknowledged the Federal Legislative Activity Report for Q1–Q3 2025.
• Approved agreement with Nevada Donor Network for tissue donation revenue ($247,464).
• Accepted multiple grants for Northern Nevada Public Health and the Sheriff's Office (FBI, Redfield Foundation, US Marshals, Child Exploitation Task Force).
• Acknowledged the Commissary Fund Status Report for FY26 Q1.
• Approved waiver of six-month cooling-off period for Sparks Justice Court Judge Kevin Higgins (retirement recall).
• Acknowledged Report of Sale for delinquent special assessments (no proceeds).
• Approved Interlocal Agreement with City of Reno for 2026 election services (estimated $50,000).
• Item 8.E.4 (Special Improvement District Policy) was pulled from consent due to an incorrect attachment and will be heard on January 20, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment:
  • Janis Galassini (County Clerk) presented the Silver Sleigh Award for employee holiday donations, noting 25 departments collected over $12,000 for the food bank.
  • Tammy Holtstell (District 5) criticized the apparent passing over of Vice Chair Herman for chair, calling it disrespectful and ageist.
  • Terry Brooks discussed economic and gender discrimination, urging cooperation between genders.
  • Heidi Soper (Sun Valley) opposed the proposed master plan and zoning changes (Item 15), citing insufficient infrastructure for increased density (492 dwellings, estimated 984 more cars).
  • Nicholas St. John demanded removal of sign restrictions and metal detectors, alleging constitutional rights violations; called for required town halls for commissioners.
  • Cliff Nellis echoed similar demands regarding metal detectors, agenda item denial, and threatened legal action.
  • Jane Swartley (Cold Springs) thanked Commissioner Clark for donations and highlighted the success of the senior food box program.
  • Jill O'Leary requested oversight of the Recorder's policy on legibility notices, alleging elder exploitation and fraudulent filings.
  • Cynthia Perrine (District 5) requested consideration of her prior requests.
  • Janet Butcher expressed strong support for ICE enforcement against criminal illegal aliens, criticizing Democratic open border policies.
• Item 8 Donation: Andrew Soles (Green Vibe World) thanked Commissioner Garcia for the proposed $2,500 donation. Sarah Bates (Washoe County Law Library) highlighted the Lawyer in the Library program serving 1,699 participants in 2025.
• Item 8.I.1 (Judge Higgins): No public comment.
• Items 13 & 14 (Iveson Ranch):
  • Elizabeth Gambrell (Gerlach) spoke in full support, noting the company's engagement with the community, jobs, and need for housing.
  • Catherine Yarte supported the project, emphasizing the need for housing in Gerlach.
  • Elizabeth Gambrell reiterated support, praising the collaborative process.
• Item 12 (Abandoned Parcels):
  • Heidi Soper requested approval of staff time to address illegal dumping and campfires on unowned parcels, citing fire risks.
  • Catherine Yarte added a specific parcel (APN 017-072-19) on Pinion Drive with a deceased owner, impassable road.
  • Veronica Cortez (District 5, Sun Valley business owner) expressed frustration over lack of enforcement and funding from gas tax, urged more community involvement.
• Item 16 (High Desert Housing): Elizabeth Gambrell spoke in favor, emphasizing critical need for workforce housing in Gerlach.
• Item 17 (Small Lot/Infill Development): Pat Davison (District 5) gave thumbs-up support; Dave Snellgrove (former Planning Commissioner) supported as step toward affordable housing.
• Items 18 & 19 (Election of Chair/Vice Chair): No public comment.

Presentations

• Job Corps Update: Leslie Mix and two students (Samuel Taylor, Nicholas Duncan) discussed the program's impact. Samuel Taylor completed high school and a trade in one year, became student body president. Nicholas Duncan graduated high school and advanced to electrical training. Both emphasized the need for continued federal funding (budget currently at ~50% in House, near 100% in Senate). The program serves entire state, brings 20 students per week, has 82-93% certification rate.
• TMWA Water Resource Plan (2025-2045): Kara Steeland and Danny Roder (TMWA) presented the plan. Key points: TMWA has sufficient water rights to meet 20-year demand (projected 107,000 acre-feet, currently ~90,000). 80-85% surface water from Truckee River, 15-20% groundwater. Conservation programs reduced per capita demand. Climate modeling shows resilience through 2098 with some future resource projects (e.g., aquifer storage and recovery). Plan updated every five years.
• Proclamation: January declared National Radon Action Month in Nevada. Abby Pike (UNR Cooperative Extension) accepted. One in four Nevada homes has elevated radon levels.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (Board Appointments): Commissioners largely kept existing board assignments. Chair Hill changed her alternate for TRPA to a layperson (deferred to next meeting for appointment) and recommended Commissioner Andriola for RSCBA board. Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 (Staff Time for Abandoned Parcels): Commissioner Garcia requested more than four hours of staff time to address illegal dumping and camping on parcels with no accountable owner (often deceased owners or roadway parcels). Staff presented examples from Sun Valley (Fifth Avenue, Slope, Court Lane). Three prior cleanups collected over 4,000 tires, 75,000 lbs general waste, etc. Commissioner Clark suggested first step is identifying ownership via title companies and tax records. Motion to allocate staff time passed unanimously.
• Items 13 & 14 (Iveson Ranch Appeal and Hazardous Materials SUP): The appellant (Burning Man) and applicant (BRDR Properties) reached agreement on two modified conditions: Condition 1Y limiting energetic testing to 12 lbs per test, max 375 tests per year with specific limits on detonators, charges, rocket motors; Condition 1V limiting Sunday flights to five per year (excluding medical evac). Staff recommended approval with these conditions. The project will bring 8-12 high-paying jobs ($80-100k/yr) to Gerlach, involve drone research/testing, a private airstrip, and small-scale explosives testing (blasting caps, solid rocket motors). Applicant noted 75% access by air, and BLM approval required for airstrip. Commissioner Clark and Andriola praised collaboration. Approved unanimously.
• Item 15 (Sun Valley Master Plan & Zoning Amendment): Proposed change of 18.4 acres from Suburban Residential (3 du/acre) to Urban Residential (10-14 du/acre) and Open Space. Project is not a specific development; future development would require special use permit. Applicant argued surrounding area has been rezoned to higher densities, making the 48-lot single-family approval no longer viable. Commissioner Garcia opposed, citing inadequate infrastructure (narrow roads, no sidewalks, traffic congestion) and unsafe conditions for pedestrians. She noted three findings she could not make (compatible land use, changed conditions pattern growth). Chair Hill, Vice Chair Herman, Commissioner Clark, and Commissioner Andriola supported, arguing the density is needed for affordable housing, public transit, and federal grants. Motion passed 4-1.
• Item 16 (High Desert Housing Ordinance - 2nd Reading): Ordinance 1752 establishes standards for permanent employee housing in the High Desert Planning Area, allowing up to 1 dwelling per 40 acres (allowed use) or 1 per 5 acres with special use permit. Approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (Small Lot/Infill Development Ordinance - 2nd Reading): Ordinance 1753 modifies standards for cottage courts, accessory dwelling units (size increased from 50% to 80% of main dwelling), and common open space developments. Approved unanimously.
• Items 18 & 19 (Election of Chair and Vice Chair): Commissioner Hill nominated Commissioner Andriola for Chair and Commissioner Garcia for Vice Chair. Vice Chair Herman seconded. Commissioner Clark requested future review of the two-year chair term (established in 2021) citing preference for one-year term to allow more commissioners opportunity. Motion passed unanimously. Andriola and Garcia assumed roles effective after the meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Donation approved: 3 ModPod units from LIT Workshop ($58,425) for Safe Camp.
• Proclamation adopted: January 2026 as National Radon Action Month.
• Iveson Ranch Appeal and Hazardous Materials SUP approved unanimously with agreed conditions (test limits, Sunday flight cap).
• Sun Valley Master Plan/Zoning Amendment approved 4-1 (Garcia opposed), subject to regional planning conformance.
• High Desert Housing Ordinance adopted unanimously (Ordinance 1752).
• Small Lot/Infill Development Ordinance adopted unanimously (Ordinance 1753).
• New chair and vice chair elected: Clara Andriola (Chair), Mariluz Garcia (Vice Chair), effective immediately.
• Staff directed to use more than four hours on abandoned parcel issues (Item 12) and to bring back rules of procedure review regarding chair term length.