Elko County Board of Commissioners

Commissioners

Sheri Eklund-Brown

John Ellison

Charlie Myers

Mike Nannini

Warren Russell Elko County Manager Robert K. Stokes

STATE OF NEVADA, )

COUNTY OF ELKO. ) ss. FEBRUARY 21, 2008

The Board of Elko County Commissioners met in an emergency session on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 10:30 p.m., in the Elko County Manager’s Office at 569 Court Street, Elko, Nevada.

There were present: County Commissioners Mike Nannini, Chair

John Ellison

Charlie Myers

ABSENT Sheri Eklund-Brown

Warren Russell

Elko Co. Manager Robert Stokes

CFO/Asst. Manager Cash Minor

Deputy District Attorney Kristin McQueary

Deputy County Clerk Marilyn Tipton

Emergency Management William Webb

Assessor Joe Aguirre

Rich Harvey NDF Incident Commander

Dale Lotspeich Sheriff

Rusty Tybo Wells City Mayor

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The proceedings were as follows:

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Nannini called the emergency meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.

Chairman Nannini telephonically reported that he was in Wells and asked those present at the table in Elko to introduce themselves for the record: Commissioner Russell, Commissioner Ellison, and Commissioner Myers. He asked those at the table in Wells to introduce themselves for the record: Richard Harvey, NDF Incident Commander for the Wells Earthquake; Sheriff, Dale Lotspeich; Wells City Mayor, Rusty Tybo; Robert Stokes, Elko County Manager; and Commissioner Nannini. Chairman Nannini asked that the remaining staff present in the Elko County Manager’s Office introduce themselves for the record: Cash Minor, Assistant County Manager; Kristin McQueary, Deputy District Attorney; Marilyn Tipton, Deputy Clerk; and Bill Webb, Emergency Management.

I. WELLS CITY EARTHQUAKE REPORT:

Richard Harvey reported that about 6:16 a.m. this morning an earthquake hit the City of Wells. He stated that they activated an emergency response for Elko County and sent an alert to all emergency responders in State and locally. He stated Dale Lotspeich and he implemented a unified command system. Richard Harvey stated he assumed the role of Incident Commander about 9:00 a.m.

Richard Harvey reported that the main destruction from the quake was in the historical section of the City on Front Street between 6th and 7th Streets. He stated that there were twenty to twenty-three buildings damaged in that area. He noted half were occupied. He commented that there were only three significant injuries: a broken arm, a head injury that required stitches and one elderly person that had difficulty with breathing and required treatment. He stated there were a lot of people that were shaken from the incident and there were lots of cuts and bruises. Richard Harvey reported that there were a lot of chimneys down all over town. He stated the fire crews responded to the calls and found that most of them were due to the smoke when the chimneys went down. He stated there had not been any fires so far. Richard Harvey stated that there three major breaks in the water line. He noted at one time they were losing 2,300 gallons per minute. Rusty Tybo stated that his Public Works Director had just reported they believed they had those leaks contained. Richard Harvey noted there were a lot of propane leaks in the district. He stated that the firefighters were assessing those propane leaks and if necessary evacuating the citizens. He commented that U.S. Highway 93 and Interstate 80 were open for traffic. However, the public was being notified that Wells was closed to tourism. Richard Harvey stated that there were evacuation centers established at the Fire Station and LDS Church. They have asked that the people of Wells check in at the Fire Station so they can be accounted for. He commented that there were some engineering staff coming from the City of Elko, Wells City and Elko County to evaluate the structural damages in the buildings. Richard Harvey noted there was a crack in the beam of the LDS Church and they would have that evaluated before they evacuated people to that center. Sheriff Lotspeich stated there were responders traveling to Montello to report on the damage in that area. He stated there were reports that some buildings had collapsed. Sheriff Lotspeich commented that their goal was to assess the damage and document it.

Mayor Tybo thanked everyone for the support they were receiving and encouraged continued cooperative assistance. He asked what the County’s plans were at this time.

Robert Stokes reported that there were County personnel in the area. The County Building Inspectors were assessing the structural damage to the buildings. He reported that the County Public Works Department was working in cooperation with the Wells Public Works Department to help with the water leaks. He stated there was Administration staff on their way to help. He stated the County Road Department personnel were in Wells also. Robert Stokes noted that the other County Departments were also assisting in this emergency situation.

Commissioner Ellison voiced concern for the residents in Clover Valley, Starr Valley, etc. Sheriff Lotspeich stated that NDF had called all their Volunteer Fire Departments in the surrounding communities and requested that they do an initial assessment of damages in their areas. He had not received any significant reports from the outlying communities at this time.

Commissioner Myers voiced concern with using the LDS Church if there was a crack in a support beam. Richard Harvey stated that it was reported there were several bricks loose but the Church had stated it was okay. He would not put people in there until the engineering inspectors had assessed the structure.

Commissioner Myers stated the Elko County Convention and Visitor’s Authority was available to anyone in Wells that needs it. Sheriff Lotspeich stated the original evacuation center designated for Wells was the High School but there was significant damage to that facility.

Commissioner Nannini reported that most of the businesses were shut down at this time. He stated no services were being offered and there was no fuel being pumped.

Commissioner Nannini inquired if the City of Wells could join in the County’s Declaration of Emergency or did they have to do their own. William Webb would research that but felt they could join the County’s Declaration. He had made a call and arranged for food for this evening for the evacuees. William Webb reported that Carson City had activated their EOC Center so everything would be worked through that within the next thirty minutes.

II. DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY:

The Board considered adoption of a DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY 2008 EARTHQUAKE, entitled: a RESOLUTION OF THE ELKO COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DECLARING A DISASTER DUE TO AN EARTHQUAKE IN ELKO COUNTY, STATE OF NEVADA AND THREATS TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF ITS CITIZENS.

MOTION: Commissioner Ellison moved to adopt Resolution No. 02-2008, entitled: DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY 2008 EARTHQUAKE. Commissioner Myers seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously.

Chairman Nannini commented that Wells City Mayor would also like to make the same motion. He noted that the Wells City Council was not in quorum at this time.

Wells City Mayor, Rusty Tybo, made a declaration of emergency services request on behalf of the City of Wells.

Chairman Nannini inquired if that would be sufficient for the City of Wells. William Webb would call and confirm that would be sufficient for a joined Declaration and if not the Wells City Council would have to hold an Emergency Meeting for the Declaration. Chairman Nannini felt that the County Commission’s Declaration would cover the whole county.

Commissioner Ellison voiced concern about low temperatures in the area and most of the chimneys being down. He inquired if blankets and food would be supplied. Commissioner Nannini stated the command post was established and the responders were coming in from all over the State of Nevada. He complimented the responder’s upon their planning and response. He stressed that there was a real situation in Wells and reviewed the incidents that occurred at his work during the quake. He believed that every home in Wells had some sort of damage whether structural or to their personal property. Commissioner Russell stated that he had experienced the quake in his home at Lamoille.

Cash Minor reported that Congressman Heller and Senator Ensign’s Office had called and offered assistance. He noted that Lander County had also called and offered to send over personnel. Commissioner Ellison stated once the Department of Management assessed the damage would the Governor declare a State of Emergency? Commissioner Nannini understood that was the correct procedure.

Commissioner Russell inquired when the NDOT engineers would finish with their evaluation of the overpasses on U.S. 93 and I-80. Robert Stokes stated they were in the process when he drove to Wells this morning. Commissioner Myers reported that they were still in the process. He stated there would be a federal team to look at the bridges and overpasses. Commissioner Myers stated that NDOT knew the overpass on I-80 north of Wells had some structure cracks in its abutments but not enough to close the overpass down. He had spoken to Kevin Lee and informed him the County was declaring a state of emergency.

Mayor Rusty Tybo thanked everyone for attending the meeting, the Sheriff and the first responders to this situation.

Joe Aguirre, County Assessor, volunteered to put together a team to evaluate the damage.

Richard Harvey stated that there was a central information report at the Elko Interagency Dispatch Center. He reported that the contact number was 748-4000 and they could get updates at that telephone number. He commented upon the amount of calls received.

Robert Stokes voiced his condolence to Commissioner Ellison on the loss of his father.

Jeff Savadel, National Weather Service, reminded them that they could disseminate any local emergency message they wished to go to the public. He stated it would activate the emergency alert system and have highlights on their web page. Commissioner Nannini noted that there had been 6 aftershocks and inquired if there would be more. He inquired if they could predict that. Jeff Savadel stated that was more of a USGS matter. Commissioner Nannini commented that the fifth aftershock was really strong.

Cash Minor stated that Wayne Carlson would be contacting a group at the UNR that studies the earthquakes. He stated if there was further information on future expectations he would relay that information to them.

Commissioner Ellison inquired if Robert Stokes or Cash Minor should contact the radio station and ask that the public not travel to Wells at this time. Commissioner Nannini stated that Lori Gilbert had already put that across the media for the tourists. He stated that all exits were covered and the officers were moving the traffic through Wells. Commissioner Ellison commented upon Mayor Tybo’s interview on the news. Sheriff Lotspeich stated that there were requests for volunteers. He stated the engineers would evaluate the structures for public safety. He hoped to have enough resources to provide potable water to everyone.

XXI. ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION: Commissioner Myers moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Russell seconded the motion. The motion was passed by majority vote.

There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.

APPROVED

MIKE NANNINI, Chairman

ATTEST:

MARILYN TIPTON, Deputy Clerk

ELKO COUNTY COMMISSION

EMERGENCY SESSION

FEBRUARY 21, 2008

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