Council to seek changes for sentencing programs

Draft bill requests for 2009 legislative session approved

The Henderson City Council approved two bill draft requests for the 2009 Nevada Legislative session.

The first bill draft would allow for alternative sentencing in misdemeanor cases, which provides for formalized probation and supervision programs. This would alleviate overcrowding in the city's detention facilities. The bill also stated that the city would like to amend Chapter 211A of the Nevada Revised Statutes to provide local government entities the authority to create departments of alternative sentencing.

The second bill concerns legislation clarifying ownership and maintenance responsibility of common area perimeter block walls.

There was no public comment about the bills, which were unanimously approved by Ward 1 Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, Ward 2 Councilman Andy Hafen, Ward 3 Councilman Jack Clark and Ward 4 Councilman Steve Kirk. Mayor Jim Gibson was absent from the meeting.

CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENT

Clark served as mayor pro tem for the last time at the Aug. 19 meeting. The councilman has held the one-year position since September 2007. The mayor pro tem serves in the absence of the mayor. Schroder was appointed mayor pro tem of the City Council and vice chairman of the Redevelopment Agency. Her term will expire in September 2009.

HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT

The council unanimously approved a project budget of $75,000 for the purchase and construction of a prefabricated equestrian barn for the Henderson Police Department. The stables and tack room would be able to house up to five horses. The police department will purchase two horses under separate funding for crowd control during public events, rural patrol and public relations.

WATER CONSERVATION

The council accepted the 2008 Department of Utility Services Community Advisory Committee recommendations regarding strategies to achieve increased water conservation in the city.

Lee Farris, a committee member, told the council that the committee toured numerous city buildings to get a better understanding of how the city conducts business.

"We got to see what conservation efforts were already in effect," Farris said.

The committee would like to see the water restrictions that are in place in the city become permanent. Farris said water use could go from today's 265 gallons of water per capita per day to 200 gallons per capita per day in 2035.

"We need to make conservation easier and more attractive," Farris said.

The committee also would like to see a focus on public education and outreach with special attention paid to homeowners associations, schoolchildren, landscapers, owners of less energy-efficient homes and the development community.

"It's amazing what we can accomplish when we all get together and communicate," Kirk said. "And I think this is a great example of that."

FULL AGENDA

For the full agenda, visit the city's Web site at www.cityofhenderson.com. Click on "government," then "public meetings," then "agendas, backup and minutes" and select "city council" from a drop-down menu.

Attend a Meeting

Don't miss the Henderson Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 240 Water St. The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.