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Agenda Item
13. Recommendation, in accordance with NRS 244.1505, to approve allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) in the total amount of [$2,255,000], approve associated resolutions, and authorize the County Manager to sign necessary award documents, for the following seven projects awarded to government entities or nonprofit organizations created for charitable, religious, or educational purposes:
1. Nation's Finest - Veterans Services to support the enhancement of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) residential program by integrating Veteran Service Officer (VSO) positions and expanding the Clinical Coordinator's behavioral health support; provide essential services to homeless veterans, focusing on securing veterans' benefits and addressing substance use and behavioral health issues in the amount of $150,000 and approve Resolution R23-193
2. Sun Valley General Improvement District to support projects consist of sealing and striping of the parking lot, walking paths, and basketball court at Highland Ranch Park. This will also support purchase and installation of security cameras at Gepford Park, and picnic benches, in the amount of $60,000 and approve Resolution R23-194
3. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Gerlach Fire Services to support cost coverage of the hourly cost of firefighting employees of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe through provision of two firefighters (EMT-A or Paramedic) 24 hours per day, 365 days per year located in Gerlach to perform initial fire and emergency medical services, in the amount of $200,000 and approve Resolution R23-195
4. Public Defenders Paralegal Program to support Washoe County Public Defender and the Alternate Public Defender's offices to hire temporary paralegals, in the amount of $80,000.
5. Community Spay & Neuter Project, to support the operation of a public high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter program at the Nevada Humane Society (NHS). This funding will support a program aiming to perform 5,000 surgeries within the first 12 months of operation and grow to 7,000 surgeries the following year. This volume of low-cost surgeries will effectively reduce the number of unwanted animal births annually in our community in the amount of $750,000 and approve Resolution R23-196
6. Rancho San Rafael Community Events Space Phase I, engineering, design, and site prep only for an open-air multi-purpose stage and community events space for performances, and educational programs, in the amount of $1,000,000
7. Recruitment Incentive, to amend the existing award by $15,000 for a total amount of $165,000. The Washoe County Recruitment & Retention Incentive Program is used to assist with the recruitment and retention of employees in difficult to fill positions in the County that are impacted by a shortage of qualified labor in the region. This additional funding is to cover the additional employee incentives that were not initially included in this program.
And, if approved, direct the Comptroller's Office to make necessary net zero cross-fund and/or cross-functional budget appropriation transfers. Manager's Office. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION
I’m a volunteer for Community Cats who partners with WCRAS providing education and assistance for TNR Trap-Neuter-Return of FRC free-roaming (community) cats. https://www.washoecounty.gov/animal/Services%20and%20Resources/TNR.php
We also cover clinic fees, provide transportation, etc for members of the community who participate in the TNR program when they find free-roaming cats and kittens in their neighborhood.
TNR is a 3-day process. Trap the cat and hold overnight. Transport cat to the clinic the following morning and pick up that afternoon, hold overnight and release the next morning. Education and planning are critical for best use of resources and success. Kittens are surrendered to our foster/adoption coalition partners NHS, Northern NV SPCA and Feral at Heart.
‘Targeted high volume TNR’ needs serious consideration in an overall low cost comprehensive spay/neuter program as our ‘first line of defense’ in controlling our cat population. Our current limiting factor is a shortage of veterinarians.
“Community cats produce around 80% of the kittens born in the U.S. each year. Without adequate spay/neuter programs (including TNR) more cats will enter animal shelters, feline euthanasia rates will increase (including for adoptable cats when cage space runs out or because the cats get sick due to overcrowding) and donor and taxpayer dollars will be squandered on ineffective solutions.”
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/outdoor-cats-faq#live
I’m requesting agenda item 13.5 Community Spay/Neuter Program be pulled from September 17th meeting agenda to allow coalition partners to create a more inclusive and representative community plan that addresses all moving parts required for successful long-term implementation. It’s especially urgent regarding cats as TNR is Not mentioned or referenced as part of the program funding.
Based on my experience, I have serious concerns only funding a single private entity. As ‘high volume’ spay/neuter is a veterinary specialty, it’s preferable to incorporate multiple low cost partners and expertise in the community including WCRAS surgical suite and required staff and equipment, other local veterinarians and possible mobile units for rural access and high volume TNR.
I’m a volunteer for Community Cats who partners with WCRAS providing education and assistance for TNR Trap-Neuter-Return of FRC free-roaming (community) cats. https://www.washoecounty.gov/animal/Services%20and%20Resources/TNR.php
We also cover clinic fees, provide transportation, etc for members of the community who participate in the TNR program when they find free-roaming cats and kittens in their neighborhood.
TNR is a 3-day process. Trap the cat and hold overnight. Transport cat to the clinic the following morning and pick up that afternoon, hold overnight and release the next morning. Education and planning are critical for best use of resources and success. Kittens are surrendered to our foster/adoption coalition partners NHS, Northern NV SPCA and Feral at Heart.
‘Targeted high volume TNR’ needs serious consideration in an overall low cost comprehensive spay/neuter program as our ‘first line of defense’ in controlling our cat population. Our current limiting factor is a shortage of veterinarians.
“Community cats produce around 80% of the kittens born in the U.S. each year. Without adequate spay/neuter programs (including TNR) more cats will enter animal shelters, feline euthanasia rates will increase (including for adoptable cats when cage space runs out or because the cats get sick due to overcrowding) and donor and taxpayer dollars will be squandered on ineffective solutions.”
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/outdoor-cats-faq#live
I’m requesting agenda item 13.5 Community Spay/Neuter Program be pulled from September 17th meeting agenda to allow coalition partners to create a more inclusive and representative community plan that addresses all moving parts required for successful long-term implementation. It’s especially urgent regarding cats as TNR is Not mentioned or referenced as part of the program funding.
Based on my experience, I have serious concerns only funding a single private entity. As ‘high volume’ spay/neuter is a veterinary specialty, it’s preferable to incorporate multiple low cost partners and expertise in the community including WCRAS surgical suite and required staff and equipment, other local veterinarians and possible mobile units for rural access and high volume TNR.