North Las Vegas Council briefs for December 6, 2001

Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001 | 9:07 a.m.

Work to be done on jail

North Las Vegas City Council members on Wednesday unanimously approved payment of an additional $150,470 to a Reno-based architecture firm to deal with fungal contamination in the city's jail and provide architectural services for other building renovations throughout the city.

Since 1999, council members have paid $279,882 to Ganthner Melby LLC for environmental testing and design services at the jail dormitories.

Plumbing and roof leaks cause water to seep through wallboard and other building materials, creating an environment for fungal growth. City officials say the fungal growth is in areas apart from the inmates and does not present a health threat.

The design work should be completed within five months and money for the construction work will be set aside in the budget for fiscal year 2002-'03.

$35 million bond issue OK'd

The City Council approved a plan to issue up to $35 million in bonds for another police station and courthouse.

The Clark County Debt Management Commission still has to approve the proposal and is scheduled to hear the matter at a meeting in January.

City officials plan to repay the bonds with jail revenues, court fees and general fund dollars. Annual payments would be $2.8 million over the next 20 years.

The $29.9 million courthouse is proposed for a 8.25-acre site at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Civic Center Drive.

A place for the police station, which is estimated to cost about $5.1 million, has not been determined. A possible location is a site on Alexander Road near Martin Luther King Boulevard that's set aside for a new library. If the debt management commission approves the plan, the city will issue them in July at the earliest, according to city officials.

Automatic locks to be installed

The City Council Wednesday unanimously voted to buy automatic locks for restrooms at city parks.

City officials will pay $29,800 to ADT Security Systems Inc. to install the locks at restrooms around the city.

The new devices will allow city officials to program the locking and unlocking of restroom doors at predetermined times. Company officials will also monitor the doors for unauthorized access and notify city officials in case someone tries to break into a facility.

The company already monitors several city buildings, including the recreation center on Bruce Street, the golf course clubhouse and the parks maintenance administration building.

One-year contract is approved

The City Council unanimously approved a one-year, $100,000 contract with a Washington-based law firm to serve as the city's federal lobbyist and government relations consultant in the capital.

Patton Boggs LLP will receive $10,000 per month and up to $5,000 in expenses for long distance phone calls, express mail, travel and lodging.

City officials have asked Patton Boggs to help them come up with funding for several projects. They will receive a monthly status report on the company's activities.

According to the agreement, lobbyists will look for money to pay for flood control, public roadways, buildings, parks, water and sewer systems. They will also seek funding for the demolition of homes in the Windsor Park neighborhood as well as relocation money for people who live there.

Apart from monitoring legislation regarding a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, lobbyists will keep city officials informed about funds for crime prevention, economic development and redevelopment.