Supervisors fill committees, end Brown Street plan

The Carson City Board of Supervisors on Thursday appointed a new person to what Mayor Lori Bagwell described as a challenging committee.

“The Audit Committee is probably one of our most difficult to fill, so we really appreciate all the applicants that come forward,” said Bagwell.

Carson resident Roylen Stack was appointed to a two-year term by a unanimous vote. Supervisor Maurice White expressed concern Stack’s application was not detailed enough, indicating he would vote against the appointment.

“This job has to rely on somebody, a group of people, that are detail-oriented,” he said.

However, after Bagwell made the case for Stack stepping up to the position, White voted in the affirmative.

“I think Ms. Stack certainly has experience, but, as stated, this particular committee is reviewing the work of an auditor, so it’s at a much different level,” said Bagwell.

Bagwell later told Stack: “I do think in the end, you’re going to do a good job on the committee because I think your wealth of knowledge will propel you. You’ll know what the auditor is talking about. You won’t have to come up to speed on what any of those items are, but I encourage you to prepare and not just come to the first meeting.”

Resident Bonnie Duke was reappointed to the Audit Committee in the same motion, and supervisors hoped the other candidate interviewed, Christopher Wahle, would apply to another committee. A third applicant, Curtis Lannen, withdrew his application, according to the city.

Supervisor Stacey Giomi believed Stack would adapt to the role.

“I think Roylen is in a better position to be able to adapt to the way our Audit Committee is run because we use it more as a performance audit — as much as a performance audit group as a numbers audit group,” he said. “I think her experience in government will serve better in that role.”

In her application, Stack said she retired from Contra Costa County in California after 32 years as an accountant in the health services department.

“I’m hoping what I can bring to it is if we’re going in speaking to people and looking at stuff, kind of to bring my knowledge of what it’s like to be them,” Stack said Thursday. “Because at first, it can be intimidating … Audits are not meant to be vicious, mean, awful.”

Stack described audits as learning experiences and tools to improve an organization. She said on the committee, she would prioritize both big and small projects.

“Everything is important. It’s people’s tax dollars,” she said.

In other action:

• Supervisors unanimously reappointed resident Denise Bauer to the city’s 911 Surcharge Advisory Committee for a two-year term. A new candidate for the committee did not show up for the board’s interview, so supervisors just focused on the reappointment.

• Supervisors unanimously named Bagwell as an alternate to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Former Supervisor Shelly Aldean was previously appointed by the board for the role but will not be able to attend the Dec. 13 TRPA meeting, according to the city.

“(Aldean) has represented this community at the TRPA for 12 years and has never missed a meeting,” said Giomi. “Just kudos to her. That’s an incredible record. And knowing former Supervisor Aldean, I know it’s killing her to not make this meeting.”

• Supervisors approved a Master Plan amendment eliminating the Brown Street Specific Plan Area, roughly 14 acres located along Brown Street and North Edmonds Drive, between Gordon and Reeves streets.

In October, planning commissioners voted to eliminate the plan, which was adopted in 2005.

“It’s a very small area, and so the elimination of this specific plan will mean the properties within the boundaries of the specific plan are treated like every other property in the city,” said Community Development Director Hope Sullivan.

“Just wanted to — as one of the property owners in the area — give our support for this elimination,” Kelley Radow of Millard Realty and Construction said during public comment.

The vote for elimination was unanimous.