July 6, 2023

Ms. Duncan

asked the Commissioners to send a notice immediately to BLM Director Jon Raby asking them to perform their due diligence by having an environmental impact study completed as well as a public comment opportunity before the Rover Metals drilling project was able to move forward. Ms. Duncan asked that her statement be included in the minutes [see Attachment 2]. Priscilla Lane advised the next meeting of the Friends of the Wild Horses and Burros would be on July 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Desert Green clubhouse off of Wilson. She encouraged everyone to come and get involved because she feared the horses and burros would be lost if everyone did not come together. Ammie Nelson mentioned the passings of Ray the Flagman and Andrew Michael John, two people who had done a lot for the community. Eva Heater said she lived in Crystal and was against the lithium mine. She wanted to know who decided that BLM could sell them out and felt it was treason. Rick Heater, also from Crystal, said he also wanted to know who signed the legal document to allow the lithium drilling to compare it to the laws regarding mining. Additionally, he asked that the white markers on Highway 160 heading from Pahrump be replaced as the taxpayers paid for them. Maryan Hollis asked that item 7 be tabled as Contracts and Grants Manager Stephani Elliott was not in Pahrump for the presentation. In Ms. Hollis’ opinion, only Ms. Elliott had the experience to present the item.

Commissioner Strickland

advised Ms. Hollis that Ms. Elliott was in Tonopah with the Commissioners. Herman Lewis thanked the Commissioner for the solar farm moratorium and hoped they would do the same type of moratorium for lithium mining. Mason Voehl, Executive Director of the Amargosa Conservancy, said they were a non profit organization with almost two decades of experience working with the communities of the Amargosa River watershed on a wide range of conservation issues. He expressed his concerns about the exploratory drilling on public lands directly adjacent to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. A Canadian company called Rover Metals had notified the BLM Pahrump Field Office of its intent to drill up to 30 bore holes to a depth of 250 to 300 feet in order to sample the lands for lithium, which could lead to the July 6, 2023 2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT (up to three-minute time limit per person.) Action will not be taken on the matters considered during this period until specifically included on an agenda as an action item (FIRST)-Cont’d. eventual creation of an open pit mine next to one of the most biodiverse landscapes on earth. Rover Metals acknowledged that every bore hole intersected the groundwater, much of which flowed into Ash Meadows. Additionally, several of the bore holes came within roughly 1,500 feet of Fairbanks Spring, an historic spring in Ash Meadows that was home to multiple endangered species. The Amargosa Conservancy created a public petition that would be sent to the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the BLM urging them to intercede and require Rover Metals to submit a plan of operation for the project to give the public a chance to provide comments and express their concerns.

Mr. Voehl

urged the Commissioners to consider submitting their own letter calling on the BLM to delay this project to give their constituents the chance to have a say in this matter. Wade Hinden said he just found out about the lithium drilling yesterday, which was very concerning for everybody as it would contaminate the water and everyone would get lithium poisoning. Brian Kunzi was present. Ryan Muccio said he and Stacey Smith were able to attend a bill signing with Governor Lombardo for AB12O, which was sponsored by Assemblyman Greg Hafen to remove certain restrictions related to voluntary healthcare providers, which was a huge deal for the Remote Area Medical clinics. Mr. Muccio said he was also the Director of Marketing and Sales at Inspiration Senior Living. He commended Fire Chief Scott Lewis and his staff for their constant professionalism and expertise. They recently had a small microwave fire and their crew was incredible. Lastly, Mr. Muccio mentioned the 23% raise for Nevada Highway Patrol that was approved also.

Commissioner Cox

said the County gave BLM permission to manage its property, not sell it, and she would love to see whose idea that was. She thought a decision needed to be made as to who was entitled to the money. As to the ordinance regarding the wild horses, she believed it would be on the July 18, 2023, meeting agenda.

Commissioner Boskovich

said there was an awesome turnout for the parade. He believed the wind turbine issue would potentially be brought back for more explanation because he was not interested in that being in the community either. He congratulated NV Energy for snatching up 8,000 acres for $105 million to blanket the County with more solar while stating it either did not use water or did not use much water. He felt the same way about the lithium thing and thought what they wanted to do out there was absurd because there were other areas for it. July 6, 2023 3. CommissionerlManager Comments (This item limited to announcements or topiclissues proposed for future workshopslagendas)-Cont’d.

Commissioner Strickland

said Railroad Valley wanted the lithium project so the companies should go there. She wondered at what point the County got a voice when it had said no. She then said she had an amazing Independence Day celebration in Pah rump.

Commissioner Jabbour

said he went to the annual 4th of July event in Round Mountain and watched the fireworks in Tonopah.

Commissioner Boskovich

said it seemed like a lot of these bills were directed right at Nye County and he was trying figure out how Nye ended up with a bullseye on its back for so many of them. He asked Mr. Fiorentino if he could explain that.

Mr. Fiorentino

said with certain issues, in particular election-related issues, he thought that was a fair assessment and there was no secret of why that was the case. The Legislature was controlled by folks who had a different opinion of how to handle elections for the most part than the County’s team. The good news was either they did not pass or the Governor vetoed them.

Commissioner Cox

said a couple of years ago there was discussion about employee unions and Mr. Fiorentino said it would take a BDR to do away with those. She knew July 6, 2023 6. 10:00 a.m. Presentation by Mark Fiorentino on the 2023 Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature as it relates to Nye County. (10-minute time limit)-Cont’d. there was support from the employees to get rid of them, but the Commission’s hands were tied to a certain extent by those unions to the point that a lot of people were getting overpaid and others were getting underpaid. Commissioner Cox said she like to see that come up next session and asked Mr. Fiorentino to call her to talk about it.

Commissioner Jabbour

pointed out the “Last Action” column in the back-up contained different statements. The one he was concerned about was “no further action allowed” and he wondered if there was a timeline on that.

Mr. Fiorentino

explained both houses had rules and procedures that governed each individual house as well as joint rules governing both houses, which included standing deadlines for each bill introduced. If a bill missed a deadline, unless they waived the rules no further action was allowed.

Commissioner Boskovich

made a motion to appoint Joni Eastley to the unexpired term ending January, 2025; seconded by Commissioner Strickland.

Commissioner Cox

asked that the Northern Nye County Hospital District Board of Trustees be added to the motion.

Commissioner Boskovich

amended his motion to appoint Joni Eastley to the Northern Nye County Hospital District Board of Trustees to the unexpired term ending January, 2025; Commissioner Strickland amended her second; 5 yeas.

Mrs. Eastley

said she and Mr. Carlyle agreed on many things so she would rely on his knowledge of some of the issues. TIMED ITEMS 8. 10:00 a.m. For Possible Action Presentation, discussion and deliberation on — — the administration of the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) allocation from the United States Treasury. (10-minute time limit) Stephani Elliott said Nye County received $6 million in December, 2022, half of the funding expected, with the other $6 million expected in December, 2023. The funding could be used for any governmental purpose except any indirect or direct lobbying activity, and there was no expiration date for the use of the funds. All that was required was an annual report. Some of the activities that fulfilled a government purpose were things like general health services, public safety, capital, community development, road improvements, technology, utilities, affordable housing, and government operations. Ms. Elliott hoped the Board could direct Finance on how to choose which funding measures to enter into. She suggested doing something very similar to a bid process where items were ranked on importance to the County, did they help the community or staff, or was there an urgent critical need where something had to be done and the County could not function as a government without it. Some of the ideas for use of the funding included an affordable housing program; a new accounting system for Finance; setting some funds aside for an emergency or contingency; a facilities study; a compensation study; government building renovations; information technology upgrades; records retention upgrades; roads; and water infrastructure. Pat Minshall requested $150,000.00 for a community slash pad in Amargosa Valley as it did not have a swimming pool and did not have the resources to maintain one. She also thought some of the grant money should go to raising wages for fire and sheriff as well as a splash pad for Pahrump because she knew all the people who spoke really wanted one. July 6, 2023 8. 10:00 am. For Possible Action Presentation, discussion and deliberation on — — the administration of the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) allocation from the United States Treasury. (10-minute time limit)-Cont’d. Ammie Nelson thought the roads in the County should be a priority. Caroline Logue asked Ms. Elliott to expand a little bit on the Tribal Consistency Fund, how it was utilized, and what money had been spent on that.

Ms. Elliott

explained the grant funding was called Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Funding. The local assistance was specifically Nye County local government and the tribal consistency portion was specifically separate funding that was allocated for tribes. In Nye there was the Duckwater Tribe and they may have been awarded, but she was not certain because that would be a totally separate funding allocation. The local funding in Nye had not been spent at all.

Commissioner Jabbour

said there was also the Yomba Tribe in the northern part of the County and he was interested to know if they applied and what they received.

Commissioner Strickland

asked the other Commissioners how they felt about using a ranking priority and having a team put together or if they preferred the Commissioners do it. Elizabeth Jordan reminded the Board these were one-time funds. She also did not want to utilize the entire funding and suggested setting aside some funds for emergency planning in the future.

Commissioner Jabbour

said he wanted the Commission to force rank through discussion as it worked and made sense, but he would like to bring this back instead of figuring it out right now to capture some of the ideas.

Commissioner Boskovich

said he would like to have Finance’s input.

Commissioner Jabbour

asked if the team would be a newly developed one or the current team.

Ms. Elliott

said the initial thought was they would take a couple of people throughout the County along with possibly a Commissioner and a department head. There had also been thoughts of inviting someone from the public so the public could have input also.

Commissioner Jabbour

asked about the timeline.

Ms. Elliott

responded four to six weeks, but the sooner the better. She felt it was going to be a six month process to rank the projects. July 6, 2023 8. 10:00 a.m. For Possible Action Presentation, discussion and deliberation on — — the administration of the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) allocation from the United States Treasury. (10-minute time limit)-Cont’d. Brian Kunzi reminded the Commissioners if there was going to be a committee that made recommendations to them it would have to follow the Open Meeting Law.

Ms. Jordan

said she had discussed with Samantha Tackett having a workshop so that other department heads and even members of the public could comment.

Commissioner Strickland

liked the idea of an independent meeting just for this item.

Commissioner Boskovich

thought the workshop would result in a wonderful list. 9. 10:00 a.m. Presentation by DJ Mills with NyE Communities Coalition, regarding program status, outcome results, a budget status report, and future goals pursuant to the Nye County ARPA Recovery Plan and Policy: Public Health Assistance-Mental Health and Homeless Programs. (10-minute time limit) D.J. Mills from Nye Communities Coalition gave a presentation on their use of the ARPA funds granted to them to improve connections to services, the success of those transitioning from the local detention centers, the exploration of partnerships and resources to create an assertive community treatment team to stabilize those with behavioral health needs, and to help individuals access their benefits from the Social Security Administration 10. 10:00 a.m. Presentation by Ryan Muccio with NyE Communities Coalition, regarding program status, outcome results, a budget status report, and future goals pursuant to the Nye County ARPA Recovery Plan and Policy: Public Health Assistance-Mental Health. (10-minute time limit) Ryan Muccio from Nye Community Coalition gave a presentation on their use of the ARPA funds granted to them for the Tonopah Remote Area Medical Clinic and purchase of automatic external defibrillators. 11. 10:00 a.m. For Possible Action Public Hearing, discussion and deliberation — — to adopt, amend and adopt, or relect Nye County Bill No. 2023-09: A Bill proposing to amend Nye County Code Title 17, titled Comprehensive Land Use Planning and Zoning, Chapter 17.04, titled Pahrump Regional Planning District, Article VIII, titled Administration And Procedure, Section 17.04.930. titled Master Plan Amendment Procedures, amending the NRS Reference in section 17.04.930(J)(3)(c); and providing for the severability, constitutionality and effective date thereof; and other matters properly relating thereto. Brett Waggoner explained this was a simple amendment and was really just a correction. In doing some research with the District Attorney’s Office on some other questions staff July 6, 2023 11. 10:00 a.m. For Possible Action Public Hearing, discussion and deliberation — — to adopt, amend and adopt, or reject Nye County Bill No. 2023-09-Cont’d. had it was learned the incorrect subparagraph in the NRS was referenced. A typographical error was also found in that same section. The word an’ had to be replaced with “any.” The only other changes were in subparagraph C as shown in the back-up.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to adopt Bill No. 2023-09; seconded by

Commissioner Strickland

. Samantha Tackett said typically the effective date did not need to be addressed when adopting a bill, but the effective date in the draft needed to be changed due to advertising requirements. She asked that the effective date be identified as July 26, 2023.

Commissioner Carbone

amended his to motion adopt Bill No. 2023-09 with an effective date of July 26, 2023; Commissioner Strickland amended her second; 5 yeas. SITTING AS THE NYE COUNTY BOARD OF HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Carbone

assumed the Chair of the Board of Highway Commissioners. 12. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding the General Road Report by the Public Works Director on General Road Maintenance, Gravel Road Maintenance, Asphalt Patching, Weed Mowing, and direction regarding public works projects. Public Works Director Tom BoIling provided updates on the activities of the crews and the projects in the County.

Commissioner Cox

said a bunch of stop signs around town were getting so faded they were hard to see, especially at night, and she asked Mr. BoIling to send someone to look at them. There was a tree growing up to the top of the stop sign on Falcon and Seneca that needed to be removed by the roots. All corners entering Unicorn were going to pieces. They had been filled in numerous times, but they needed more attention than what they had been getting. Commissioner Cox then asked Mr. BoIling to explain why there was a new big patch on Deacon and Homestead. She knew there were sinkholes over there and wondered if there was a bigger issue with the soil. She also asked where the durapatchers were right now.

Mr. Boiling

believed one of the durapatchers was brought up to Tonopah and the other one was in Pahrump. He explained the people who ran the durapatcher were working on Basin and other areas so there had not been time to fire it up this year. It would probably be used again at the end of July, 2023, when the Basin improvements were done. July 6, 2023 12. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation regarding the General Road Report by the Public Works Director on General Road Maintenance, Gravel Road Maintenance, Asphalt Patching, Weed Mowing, and direction regarding public works prolects-Cont’d.

Commissioner Boskovich

advised there was gravel on Unicorn, which Public Works cleaned up, but they left all the crates which he assumed would be addressed. He had a constituent at Mount Charleston and Sycamore who complained the weeds were really high on Sycamore. Another constituent contacted him regarding the big mounds of dirt on Pahrump Valley Boulevard and Carberry and Public Works told him it was for flood mitigation.

Mr. Boiling

stated that was leftover dirt from the Pahrump Valley Boulevard project which would be taken to the OHV park. Pat Minshall said in Amargosa there was a little patch that lasted only a few weeks. She asked if the durapatcher needed special personnel to run it because it was needed in Amargosa and in Commissioner Cox’s district. Horace Carlyle said a prior Road Department manager had attended several Tonopah Town Board meetings in 2016 to advise them how to get road repairs done in Tonopah, but the town board never recognized the fact that they hade to follow procedure and put in work orders. His street had not been repaired in over seven years Caroline Logue asked for clarification on who was responsible for Caas Road, the County or a private individual, as there were holes popping up all over it. If it was Public Works, she asked if it was on their schedule and if not, how would an easement be enforced for a private road. Ammie Nelson said the potholes on Prospector were really big now and asked to have someone look at that area.

Mr. Boiling

told Mr. Carlyle he could put in an on-line work request. As to Caas Road, he said he believed it was one of their maintenance areas and if there were potholes they had not received a work request for them, but he would check to see that they got fixed. To Ms. Minshall, Mr. Boiling thanked her for telling him about that situation.

Commissioner Carbone

said the RTC meeting would be on July 12, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. SITTING AS THE NYE COUNTY LICENSING AND LIQUOR BOARD

Sheriff McGill

assumed the Chair of the Licensing and Liquor Board. July 6, 2023 LIQUOR 13. For Possible Action Presentation, discussion and deliberation regarding Liquor License fees collected for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and discussion and deliberation to consider the renewal of licenses for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 pursuant to Nye County Code 5.04.190(B)(1). Samantha Tackett said pages 2 through 4 of the back-up were all of the current liquor licenses that paid for FY23 as well as FY24. Page 5 of the back-up showed the unpaid or closed licenses. The license she wanted to focus on was for The Bounty Hunter. Staff tried to call and e-mail them and received no response. Mrs. Tackett stated that was the only license she would recommend not be renewed for the new fiscal year.

Commissioner Strickland

said this was not the only time there had been trouble with The Bounty Hunter and whatever the Board recommended she would imagine that license needed to be pulled off the wall.

Commissioner Jabbour

said in the past there was a business in Beatty that was very difficult to get in contact with for various reasons. The Board requested additional time as a courtesy for that establishment and Commissioner Jabbour believed a deputy made a visit. Based on that he would like to give The Bounty Hunter one last shot, have a deputy visit it, and then make a determination.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to accept the renewals and the fees for FY2022- 23 including pages 2-4, and to not accept the items on page 5 which were The Bounty Hunter, Good Spirits Distributing, El Cancun, O’Happy Bread, and Nevada Wine Cellars; seconded by Commissioner Jabbour; 6 yeas.

Sheriff McGill

asked if a separate motion was needed for The Bounty Hunter to continue it.

Mrs. Tackett

said she would work with he and his staff to have someone go out and check.

Sheriff McGill

asked if the deadline would be the next Commission meeting.

Mrs. Tackett

said depending on the response of the licensee it would have to come back on the July 18, 2023, meeting to consider suspension or if they wanted to respond directly to the Board. Brett Waggoner asked that Code Compliance also be included if there was going to be a site visit because there were some other issues.

Commissioner Boskovich

thought it was a mistake to go down the path of providing these businesses with the knowledge that were going to get second chances. He July 6, 2023 13. For Possible Action Presentation, discussion and deliberation regarding Liquor License fees collected for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and discussion and deliberation to consider the renewal of licenses for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 pursuant to Nye County Code 5.04.190(B)(1)-Cont’d. understood the reasoning, but he said the Board needed to be really careful on that because it could spread over into other industries too. SITTING AS THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Jabbour

assumed the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS These are items that Staff recommend for approval. The Board reserves the right to move any consent agenda item to the regular segment of the agenda should issues arise that need to be addressed. Discussion of any item from the Consent Agenda Items that needs review before a decision is made. 14. For Possible Action Approval to: 1) Accept the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Grant Award in the amount of $617,591.00 with a required County match of $41,173.00 for the installation of an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) at the Beatty Airport; and 2) Fund $617,591.00 to 10340 Grants and fund $41,173.00 to 10209 Airport.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve items 14-15; seconded by

Commissioner Carbone

; 5 yeas. 15. For Possible Action Approval to: 1) Accept the State of Nevada Department of Public Safety Fiscal Year 2024 Nevada State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), Operations, Planning, Training and Equipment (OPTE) grant award in the amount of $28,901.00 to provide for training and equipment purchases. There is no match required; 2) Allow a one-time exception for Director of Emergency Management Scott Lewis to execute the grant award; and 3) Fund $28,901.00 to 10340 Grants.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to approve items 14-15; seconded by

Commissioner Carbone

; 5 yeas. The Board was in recess until 2:21 p.m.

Commissioner Cox

was not present. July 6, 2023 TREASURER

Commissioner Cox

was present. Ammie Nelson said the government was getting too big and that was why there was not enough money for the departments. She felt Nye was becoming a little mini-California where everything was supported by more taxes. She suggested cutting down on the growth of government to conserve on expenses.

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to adopt; seconded by Commissioner Boskovich; 5 yeas. CLERK 17. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Appoint two members to the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission due to expiring terms from the following list of applicants: Robert (Doug) BlackStock, Leah-Ann DeAnda, Tina L. Bond-Kuglin, Scott Shepston, Pamela Tyler, and Paul Zimmerman; andlor 2) Readvertise for the appointment. Helene Williams said Robert Blackstock seemed to want to dive into a lot of information and learn. She thought he had the ability to serve well. She had not spoken to the other applicants.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to appoint Pamela Tyler and Paul Zimmerman. July 6, 2023 17. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Appoint two members to the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission due to expiring terms from the following list of applicants: Robert (Doug) BlackStock, Leah-Ann DeAnda, Tina L. Bond-Kuglin, Scott Shepston, Pamela Tyler, and Paul Zimmerman; andlor 2) Readvertise for the appointment-Cont’d.

Commissioner Strickland

advised she talked to Mr. Zimmerman. He had been a member of the community for two years and she told him she did not think she could support the motion.

Commissioner Cox

made a motion to appoint Leah-Ann DeAnda and Pamela Tyler; seconded by Commissioner Boskovich. Samantha Tackett asked that the term be included in the motion.

Commissioner Cox

amended her motion to appoint Leah-Ann DeAnda and Pamela Tyler to terms ending June, 2027; Commissioner Boskovich amended his second; 3 yeas, Commissioners Carbone and Jabbour voted nay. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to ratify and fund $119,987.54 from Grants 10340; seconded by Commissioner Boskovich; 5 yeas. FINANCE

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to approve as written; seconded by

Commissioner Strickland

; 5 yeas.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to approve the Interlocal Contract between Nye County and the Division of Public and Behavioral Health in the amount of $134,000.00, execute the agreement, and fund from 10285 Health Clinics; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. PUBLIC WORKS

Commissioner Cox

asked Mr. Boiling if he had considered billing the insurance company of the person who hits a light.

Mr. Boiling

said yes, if they caught them, but most of the time in the case of the poles that got hit they did not know who hit them. Ammie Nelson asked since NDOT said they did not have money in their budget how they would reimburse the County. Helene Williams said in her experience driving Highway 372 at the roundabouts, when travelling southeast or west the center piece was so high there was no visibility coming around any of the corners. The pedestrian walkway was right there on the edge of the roundabout, which was also not visible, and she was concerned about the liability to the County if they were the County’s responsibility.

Commissioner Carbone

commented the County was currently paying for this stuff anyway.

Commissioner Strickland

said the County’s bills would be budgeted for in the State’s next fiscal year.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to approve and enter into an interlocal agreement with N DOT; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 5 yeas. July 6, 2023

Commissioner Strickland

made a motion to award Bid No. 2023-07 to Las Vegas Paving in the amount of $607,000.00, approve the contract, and fund from 10205 Roads; seconded by Commissioner Boskovich.

Commissioner Cox

pointed out there was a $140,000.00 difference between the bids. She asked if CG&B had included the items Ms. Strozzi mentioned if that would have changed their bid amount or would they have come back for a change order.

Mr. Boiling

said there was no way to determine that because they planned on subcontracting 90% of the work to someone else who they did not list. in his opinion if they wanted to do the paving themselves they should have bid it in that fashion. He understood there was a huge difference, but there were too many variables.

Commissioner Cox

said she was not comfortable with the way it was. Brian Kunzi advised since the Board was not choosing the lowest bid the non-compliant one needed to be rejected.

Commissioner Cox

said she would be more comfortable if the person who bid came and explained themselves since there was nothing in writing.

Ms. Strozzi

advised she had in writing a response from CG&B regarding the missing paperwork. He understood and was looking forward to complying with future bids. July 6, 2023 23. For Possible Action Discussion and deliberation to: 1) Discuss the bid proposals received for Bid No. 2023-07 Basin Phase 2 Mainline; 2) Award Bid 2023-07 Basin Phase 2 Mainline to CG&B Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $479,715.00 or to Las Vegas Paving in the amount of $607,000.00; 3) Approve, amend and approve or reiect the contract with selected bidder; 4) Fund from 10205 Roads; or 5) Reject bids and provide direction to staff on how to proceed with the proiect-Cont’d.

Mr. Kunzi

added a bid could not be supplemented after it was submitted.

Commissioner Strickland

amended her motion to award Bid No. 2023-07 to Las Vegas Paving in the amount of $607,000.00, approve the contract, fund from 10205 Roads, and reject the bid from CG&B Enterprises for lack of qualification; Commissioner Boskovich amended his second; 4 yeas. Commissioner Cox voted nay.

Commissioner Carbone

made a motion to award Bid No. 2023-08 to Las Vegas Paving in the amount of $289,000.00, reject the bid from CG&B, approve the contract, and fund from 10205; seconded by Commissioner Strickland; 4 yeas. Commissioner Cox voted nay. PUBLIC PETITIONER

Commissioner Jabbour

stated roads were important to the community and he expected the roads to be put back in the same condition as they were found. July 6, 2023 25. Presentation by Megan Phillips from Best in the Desert Racing Association regarding the Method Race Wheels “Casey Folks” Vegas to Reno on August 18th, 2023. (10-minute time limit)-Cont’d.

Ms. Phillips

said absolutely. They knew if they wanted to continue to race within Nevada they had to make an impact on the roads. They planned on starting to grade the Monday right after the event beginning from the start line and would do all 534 miles.

Commissioner Cox

explained to Ammie Nelson that the ICE contract was a federal contract and the inmates had to be housed within 75 miles of the nearest courthouse they had to go to so there was no way to take them to Tonopah because it would be breaking that agreement. She did not think a dime was being made off of the contract and thought the District Attorney should look into it. Commissioner Cox then referred to comments she made at the last meeting regarding the Sheriffs Department and what the upper echelon got paid versus the deputies. She received a pretty scathing e-mail from Sergeant McRae who said he was the head of one of the union organizations and spoke of a study they had, which was where they got their figures from. Commissioner Cox wanted Sergeant McRae to know that since they paid so good in Metro and they paid so good in North Las Vegas, if people did not like their jobs here because they did not make enough money according to them they could go to work for one of those agencies because there were people who would be glad to work for the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. ____________day July 6, 2023

Commissioner Jabbour

adjourned the meeting. APPROVED this ATTEST: Of L-)-- 2023. Chair unty Clerk I Deputy County Commissioners Meeting 7/06/2023 BLM Auctions and Non-Benefit of Nye County On June 27th, 2023, while we were sitting here at the last CC meeting, the BLM was hastily auctioning off several parcels in Amargosa River Valley. By 3pm that day, the BLM had earned over 104 million dollars in revenue, from our rural lands here, in Nye County. (NC) Currently, NC is receiving NO monies from the BLM auctions and few, if any benefits, from the current Solar projects. Think how much more productive NC could be with just 10% of that 104 million. That could have been a minimum of $10 million dollars or more, for our County, from just that one day auction alone. Our Sheriff, Joe McGill, spoke at the last CC meeting, pleading for financial assistance for our hard working deputies and his struggling department. Those millions of dollars would be so helpful in supporting NC’s special projects, the NC coalition, our schools, police & fire departments, our roads dept, indigent health services, and parks and recreations, among many other areas, that we as a County, could certainly benefit from. As of right now, we have several large solar projects operating in and benefiting immensely from NC lands, with many other applications waiting in queue, and yet our VEA power bill went up 20%. How is this fair to the residents and businesses of NC? The answer is simple; It’s not. All of these projects and corporations are producing millions of dollars in green energy revenues for themselves while providing us, as a County, with nothing or very little. So, before the BLM auctions off anymore of our precious lands to the next highest bidder, for these so called “Green Energy” projects, NC needs to ask them, how we, as a County, are going to be compensated for the use of our rural lands? ATTACHMENT I ATTACHMENT 2 CC Meeting 7/06/2023 CC BLM approved exploratory Drilling The BLM is contradicting it’s message & mission statement of wildlife conservation and protection of critical rural lands, by approving permits, to a foreign interests Canadian drilling company named: Rover Metals, who are set to punch 25-30 deep exploratory drilling holes, on July 17th, into Water Basin 230’s aquifer. This is the same pristine aquifer that supplies life to the critical home to Ash Meadows, the federally protected Devil’s Hole Pupfish, the Speckled Dace, plus 25 other endemic species, known only to that area. The Amargosa River Valley aquifer is extremely valuable & important because it also sustains it’s residents, businesses, farming and agricultural interests, with precious life saving water. The BLM secretly approved this drilling project in search of lithium deposits, without notifying the determining bodies here in NC, without conducting any Environmental Impact Study (EIS) or even for a Public Comment opportunity, to provide residents and businesses, a platform to ask questions & voice their concerns. In the past, these agencies, picked on a Christian church camp in Ash Meadows and rerouted their minimal use water, which was only a small part of the Carson slough run off, ALL under the guise of needing to protect the survival of the endangered Devil’s Hole Pupfish. That venture was also done without an ElS and that action, had an immediate and devastating effect on the church camp. So, with that in mind, we need to ask about the legalities of the BLM approved drilling permits for underground exploratory holes, in this critical area, with no environmental impact study performed.. because unlike the church camp, this Lithium project is going to be on much, much bigger scale with far reaching and devastating effects. This is new and unchartered territory for that particular part of the Amargosa River Valleys aquifer and once those numerous holes are being punched, it could have severe, life threatening effects, with no way to stop it. Consider this, what happens when you punch holes in a zip lock bag filled wfwater? That’s right, it squirts out when it’s under pressure. So, think about the pressures that lie under Basin 230’s aquifer where billions of gallons of water are pressing up on that carbonates top shelf. This easily has the potential to be a catastrophic environmental disaster and could drain Basin 230’s aquifer, in its entirety and with no EIS having been performed prior to drilling, and no regulatory safety plan filed with the County, no one can be certain, until it’s too late. I am asking that a notice be sent immediately, if not already done so, from the NC commissioners to the NV BLM Director, Mr. Jon Raby, asking them to perform their due diligence by having an Environmental Impact Study completed and a Public Comment opportunity, before the Rover Metals drilling project is able to move forward. July 17th.. is soon approaching, so this is an extremely urgent and time sensitive matter, so I urge you to please act quickly. Thank you.