MINUTES OF THE

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

 

      Sixty-seventh Session

      February 15, 1993

 

 

 

The Senate Committee on Government Affairs was called to order by Vice Chairman Sue Lowden, at 1:50 p.m., on Monday, February 15, 1993, in Room 207 of Cashman Field Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.  Exhibit A is the Meeting Agenda.  Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman

Senator Sue Lowden, Vice Chairman

Senator Dean A. Rhoads

Senator Thomas J. Hickey

Senator Leonard V. Nevin

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

 

Senator William J. Raggio  (Excused)

Senator Matthew Q. Callister  (Excused)

 

GUEST LEGISLATORS PRESENT:

 

Senator R. Hal Smith

 

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Caren Jenkins, Senior Research Analyst

Diane Gamble, Committee Secretary

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

 

Lois Perkins, Chairman, Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board

Calvert Lyon, President, Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce, and

  Member of the Moapa Valley Incorporation Feasibility Study

  Committee

Bryant Robison, Logandale, Nevada

Bud LaDuke, Overton, Nevada

Frank Zubricky, Member of the Moapa Valley Incorporation

  Feasibility Study Committee

Richard A. Mayne, Logandale, Nevada

Jeanne E. Crayton, Member, Moapa Town Advisory Board

John Hudrlik, Logandale, Nevada

Richard Bush, Line Foreman, Moapa Valley Water District

Kirby Burgess, Lobbyist, representing Clark County

A.C. Robison, Member, Moapa Town Advisory Board

 

SENATE BILL 51:   Provides for incorporation of City of Moapa Valley by charter upon approval of qualified electors.

 

Senator Smith spoke first to outline the origination of Senate Bill (S.B.) 51.  He explained his district encompasses the Moapa Valley/

Logandale area.  After being approached by citizens interested in incorporating the City of Moapa Valley and attending several of the initial meetings, he requested that S.B. 51 be drafted.  Referencing the many revisions since the bill draft stage, Senator Smith noted the language in S.B. 51 is not as originally requested.

 

Lois Perkins, Chairman, Moapa Valley Town Advisory Board, spoke in opposition to S.B. 51.  Ms. Perkins stated the five member board

addresses concerns of both Logandale and Overton.  According to

Ms. Perkins the majority of people in the Moapa Valley do not have enough specific details to support incorporation.  She reasoned the lack of a feasibility or financial study by the proponents has caused a large number of residents to speak out in disagreement.  Ms. Perkins stated the majority of testimony received at town meetings opposed incorporation, and evidenced petitions against the measure, signed by approximately 700 people.

 

At this time, Chairman O'Connell arrived and chaired the remainder of the meeting.  She requested proponents of S.B. 51 to give their testimony.

 

Calvert Lyon, President, Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce, stated he is also a member of the Moapa Valley Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee.  Mr. Lyon stated the incorporation charter has been revised several times since the initial bill draft and the revised charter has been published in the local newspaper.  Continuing Mr. Lyon indicated the charter was discussed at several open public meetings.  He said the revisions included the election of the municipal judge, and the setting of salaries of the city council members and the municipal judge.

 

Chairman O'Connell asked Mr. Lyon to present to the committee the tax structure of the incorporation plan.  Mr. Lyon stated that information was not complete at the present time.  He indicated data was requested from Clark County regarding building permit fees and business licenses, however, the county could not provide this information.  The Feasibility Study Committee had developed a proposed city structure and their intent was to hire a professional firm to assist them in setting dollar amounts in the necessary areas. 

 

According to Mr. Lyon, the people of the Moapa Valley should have the opportunity to decide for themselves on incorporation and

S.B. 51 would only allow the charter to be placed on the ballot for approval.  In response to a question from the chairman, he stated the tax base of the City of Moapa Valley, if incorporated, would be approximately $1.2 million.  Mr. Lyon testified Clark County is negligent in providing services to residents of the Moapa Valley and hardships are created when residents are required to make several trips to Las Vegas to conduct business with the county.

 

Senator Hickey questioned Mr. Lyon how the funding of a sewer sys-tem, sanitation district, fire department, water district and police officers were to be set out.  Mr. Lyon said since the original bill was drafted the plan has changed to a city council/city manager type government.

 

Bryant Robison, Logandale, also spoke in favor of S.B. 51, and reiterated the comments made by Mr. Lyon.  Mr. Robison stated Clark County has become a large entity and in his opinion, the needs of Moapa Valley residents are oftentimes lost in the shuffle.

 

Bud LaDuke, a resident of Overton, opposed the passage of S.B. 51.  Mr. LaDuke stated an atmosphere of distrust developed throughout the community when the proponents began the bill draft process without the complete understanding and awareness of the entire community.  He continued that many opponents of S.B. 51 are under the impression the small group of proponents are attempting to rush through legislation without their knowledge.

 

According to Mr. LaDuke, the business community of the Logandale/

Overton area is not prepared to incorporate now, or in the near future.

 

Frank Zubricky, identified himself as a member of the Moapa Valley Incorporation Feasibility Study Committee.  Mr. Zubricky used his recent experience of building his own home in Logandale to illustrate the problems dealing with Clark County.  He commented further, these situations propelled his interest to incorporate.  He cited several of the same problems experienced by Mr. Lyon in doing business with the county offices associated with building departments.  Mr. Zubricky said the Feasibility Study Committee strived to furnish all requested information at the town meetings.  He also commented on the frustrations of traveling into Las Vegas to handle any business regarding property owned in the Moapa Valley.

 

A.C. Robison, Member, Town Advisory Board, neither supported nor opposed S.B. 51, however, he did indicate the need for more solid financial information.

 

Richard A. Mayne, of Logandale, testified from prepared text (Exhibit C) voicing his opposition to S.B. 51.

 

Jeanne E. Crayton, Member of Moapa Town Advisory Board, reiterated previous testimony pertaining to lack of information being furnished to the residents of the valley.

 

Senator Nevin indicated all (persons) involved may not realize the

high cost of establishing a city.  He suggested establishing a liaison between the Moapa Valley residents and commissioners serving the county, to better the services and improve communication.

 

John Hudrlik, resident of Logandale, stated the largest group of citizens in the Moapa Valley were undecided the issue, and in need of accurate information to make a decision.

 

Richard Bush, Line Foreman, Moapa Valley Water District, addressed Senator Hickey's earlier questions pertaining to water.  Mr. Bush stated the water source is located a considerable distance outside the incorporated area.  He informed the committee, there is a very large aquifer, two springs and two wells.  It is his belief the valley has sufficient water to handle the growth expected and he did not anticipate his agency to be affected by incorporation.

 

Chairman O'Connell beseeched Kirby Burgess, the lobbyist present  representing Clark County, to assist in any way possible to expedite data and figures needed by the Feasibility Study Committee, enabling them to better inform the residents of Moapa Valley. 

 

Mr. Robison stated those present opposing S.B. 51 were not the majority of the residents, and it is his belief most residents favor incorporation.

 

Chairman O'Connell requested that Mr. Robison make every effort to inform the public by posting and publishing the final draft of the charter.  Further, she invited any and all comments, either for or against incorporation, to be directed to her office.  Also, she recommended the budget figures be submitted at the earliest possible date.

 

There being no further testimony on S.B. 51, the chairman adjourned the meeting.

 

 

 

                        RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

 

 

 

                                                

                        Ricka Benum,

                        Committee Secretary

 

 

 

APPROVED BY:

 

 

 

 

                                

Senator Ann O'Connell, Chairman

 

 

DATE:                           

 

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Senate Committee on Government Affairs

February 15, 1993

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