MLN-Counciloct30-14It was a simple night at the Mesquite City Council meeting Tuesday, which began with three songs performed by the Half Notes Choir, part of the Desert Dames, a local women’s organization with approximately 500 members. In celebration of Nevada Day tomorrow, the Dames performed their theme song, the National Anthem and Nevada’s State Song, Home Means Nevada.

During public comment, Roberta Franco, Directory of the Salvation Army Mesquite, notified the council and community that her office will be closed the remainder of this week, but would reopen on Monday, November 3 with new hours of 8 a.m. to noon, as they make some changes.

After a few other public comments, the Council flew through the rest of the agenda, including the approval for a cooperative agreement between Mesquite and NDOT for the installation of lights across the bridge on Riverside Road that leads to and from Bunkerville. In the agreement, NDOT will pay for the installation of light and the City will be responsible for the maintenance and operational needs, which according to Aaron Baker, the City Liaison Officer, should only cost about $2,000 per year for the electricity going to the lights.  Council approved the motion but also directed staff to talk with Clark County about subsidizing the costs of the yearly maintenance, as the Mesquite City Limits end at about the middle of the bridge.

In other news for the meeting, council approved the purchase of an antenna system that would allow multiple agencies to communicate with each other in any situation. Chief Troy Tanner and his staff had already raised funds through grants and other programs to cover 85% of the needed amount, leaving the requested $198,217 from the City to move forward. “There has to be communication,” said Councilman Kraig Hafen.

Finally, the council approved a bid award for the Pioneer Trail Project to Mesquite General Contracting with the low bid of $339,543.10, subject to a formal plan approval from NDOT. The city won’t be paying this lump sum, however, as NDOT is reported to be covering 95%, leaving the City with approximately $33,000 towards the project.

The next City Council Meeting will have a change next month. With Veteran’s Day falling on a Tuesday, the Council will instead meet on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 10 W. Mesquite Boulevard at 5 p.m.