Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission Meeting - January 28, 2026
Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission Meeting - January 28, 2026
The Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission met on January 28, 2026, at 9:45 AM. The commission addressed several items including the election of officers, approval of updated policies, a special event agreement, and staff recognition. All votes were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The draft minutes from the November 19, 2025 meeting were approved as submitted.
Public Comments
- No public comments were made in chambers or via Zoom.
Discussion Items
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Election of Chair and Vice Chair: Commissioner Dake nominated incumbent Chair Jones to serve another term. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. For vice chair, Commissioner Dake nominated Commissioner Sean Hill, who accepted. The motion was seconded and passed. The term runs from January 28, 2026, through January 26, 2027.
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Staff Recognition: Superintendent Stephanie DRC recognized Brian Harwer and Joanna Schultz for 20 years of service to Washoe County Parks. Both were commended for their dedication and contributions.
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Special Event Policy Update: Staff presented an updated policy to replace the 2004 original. Key changes include a 75-decibel limit for amplified sound (consistent with the City of Reno), neighbor notification 30 days prior, pre- and post-event meetings, and clarified insurance requirements. Discussion covered insurance for small events, fee waivers, and enforcement. The policy was approved unanimously.
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Special Event Subsidy Framework: Superintendent DRC presented a non-action framework for evaluating fee waiver requests for special events. The framework includes criteria: community impact, economic impact, financial need, and operational impact. Commissioners discussed transparency and potential thresholds for staff-level approvals.
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Food Truck Thursday Agreement: Reno Street Food owner Steve Schroeder presented a three-year agreement for Food Truck Thursdays at North Valleys Regional Park, June 11 through August 6, 2026, and corresponding dates in 2027 and 2028, at an annual cost of $6,600. The event featured 14 food trucks weekly and attracted over 100,000 attendees across all locations in 2025. The agreement was approved unanimously.
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Athletic Field Use Policy: Recreation Coordinator Jason Alberry presented an updated policy addressing priorities, deposit withholding, weather cancellations, and maintenance. The priority list ranks county programs first, then established user groups, youth sports, leagues, and teams. The policy was approved unanimously.
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Park District Feasibility Update: Director Crump reported that a statistically valid survey with over 700 responses is nearing completion. A joint landing page with the cities of Reno and Sparks will go live on February 7, 2026, along with a public survey. PROS Consulting will meet with the Reno Youth Sports Association on February 12.
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Park Reports: Superintendent DRC highlighted 8,996 volunteer hours (valued at $312,000), the Lazy Five Regional Park Master Plan kickoff, 7.7 miles of new Sierra Front Trail phase one design, the Christmas tree distribution event (50 trees to families), Dragon Lights attendance of 85,142 (up 4% over 2024), and the Davis Creek Regional Park restoration project (90% design, awaiting insurance settlement).
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Director's Report: Eric Crump summarized recent Board of County Commissioners actions including cash donations, the Or Ditch maintenance agreement, reappointment of Commissioner Hill, and easement approvals.
Key Outcomes
- Chair Jones and Vice Chair Hill elected for the 2026-2027 term.
- Special events policy approved and in effect January 28, 2026.
- Three-year food truck agreement with Reno Street Food LLC approved.
- Athletic field use policy approved, effective for play beginning March 1, 2026.
- All votes were unanimous.
Meeting Transcript
I have no public comment in Chambers. I have no hands raised on Zoom. Thank you. Moving on to item four election of the open space and regional parks commission chair and vice chair for the term of January 28th, 2026 through January 20, January 26, 2027. This is for uh a possible action. Any discussion. This is Commissioner Dake. I I would uh I would like to uh nominate Chair Jones to serve as another uh another year as uh as chairman of the park commission. Are we I don't think is that agendized? I think we're just talking about are we talking about the draft minutes right now? No uh sorry for item four. Oh sorry, my bad. I apologize. Sorry. No problem. Uh very well. Uh motion has been made um to retain the uh status quo in the chair position. Any more questions, comments? We do need a vice chair. Or I Commissioner Joel, are are you willing to accept the nomination? Yes, I am. Okay. I will second I will second the nomination. Very well. Uh motion has been made and seconded to retain uh me as chair. Uh do we have any public comment? No public comment in chambers. No hands raised on Zoom. Very well. Um those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Oppose. Motion carries. Now we need a vice chair. Any questions, comments? Nominations. Again, this is Commissioner Dake. I've served. Uh two years as vice chair. I think it's time to move on to somebody else and and uh rotate that responsibility just a little bit. So uh with that said, uh Sean Hill. Uh would you be willing to serve as vice chair? I I knew there would be consequences for zooming in today. Uh sure, I I'd I'd gladly uh take over as vice chair, or yes, I'd I accept. With with that, I uh I I make a nomination for uh Sean Hill to serve as uh vice chair of the commission for January 28th, 2026 uh through January 26th. That's because the meetings the next the meetings the next day of the 27th for the next year. Uh this is Commissioner Jewel.
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