NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA  
WASHOE COUNTY GERLACH/EMPIRE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD  
March 12, 2026  
6:00 p.m.  
Members  
Gerlach Community Center  
Russell Bierle, Chair  
Kristin Evans, Vice-Chair  
Elisabeth Gambrell  
Brandy Wilbur  
410 Cottonwood  
Gerlach, NV 89412  
Carl Copek  
Elizabeth Shoemaker (Alternate)  
NOTE:  
Items on this agenda may be taken out of order, combined with other items, discussed or voted on as a block,  
removed from the agenda, or moved to another agenda of another later meeting at the discretion of the Chair.  
Accessibility  
The meeting location is accessible to the disabled. If you require special arrangements for the meeting, call the  
Commission Support Team, (775) 328-2003, two working days prior to the meeting.  
Zoom teleconference at the link below. NOTE: This option will require a computer with audio and video  
capabilities and downloading the ZOOM application  
https://washoecounty-gov.zoom.us/j/96953286090  
Public Comment  
Members of the public may submit comments by mail, email listed below, or via voice message at: (775) 328-2003.  
Staff will make reasonable efforts to include all comments received by 4:00pm the day prior to the meeting by  
email and voicemail into the record. Comments are limited to 3 minutes per person and will be entered into the  
record only.  
CAB@washoecounty.gov  
Time Limits  
Public comments are welcomed during the Public Comment period for all matters, whether listed on or off the  
agenda, and are limited to three (3) minutes per person or as designated by the Citizens Advisory Board Chair at  
the beginning of the meeting. Additionally, public comment of three (3) minutes per person will be heard during  
individually numbered items designated as "for possible action" on the agenda. No action may be taken on a  
matter raised under general public comment until the matter is included on an agenda as an item on which action  
may be taken. Persons may not allocate unused time to other speakers.  
Forum Restrictions and Orderly Conduct of Business  
The Citizens Advisory Board is an advisory body providing community comments and recommendations to Washoe  
County governing boards. The presiding officer may order the removal of any person whose statement or other  
conduct disrupts the orderly, efficient or safe conduct of the meeting. Warning against disruptive conduct may or  
may not be given prior to removal. The viewpoint of a speaker will not be restricted, but reasonable restrictions  
may be imposed upon the time, place and manner of speech. Irrelevant and unduly repetitious statements and  
personal attacks which antagonize or incite others are examples of speech that may be reasonably limited.  
Responses to Public Comment  
The Citizens Advisory Board can deliberate or take action only if a matter has been listed on an agenda properly  
posted prior to the meeting. During the public comment period, speakers may address matters listed or not listed  
on the published agenda. The Open Meeting Law does not expressly prohibit responses to public comments by the  
CAB members. However, responses from CAB members to unlisted public comment topics could become  
deliberation on a matter without notice to the public. On the advice of legal counsel and to ensure the public has  
notice of all matters the Citizens Advisory Board will consider, CAB members may choose not to respond to public  
comments, except to correct factual inaccuracies, ask for County staff clarification, or to ask that a matter be  
addressed on a future agenda. CAB members may do this either during the public comment item or during the  
following item "CHAIRMAN/BOARD MEMBER ITEMS"  
Posting Locations  
Pursuant to NRS 241.020(4)(a), this notice has been posted online at the following websites:  
https://www.washoecounty.gov/cabs  
https://notice.nv.gov  
Support Documentation  
Support documentation for the items on the agenda, provided to the CAB is available to members of the public by  
emailing the Commission Support Team at the email listed below.  
CAB@washoecounty.gov  
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1.  
2.  
3.  
CALL TO ORDER/ DETERMINATION OF QUORUM  
[Non-action item]  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
[Non-action item]  
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT  
Comment heard under this item will be limited to three (3) minutes per person and may pertain to  
matters both on and off the agenda. The Citizens Advisory Board will also hear public comment during  
individual action items, with comments limited to three minutes per person. Comments are to be made  
to the CAB as a whole. [Non-Action Item]  
4.  
5.  
APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
February 12, 2026. For Possible Action]  
Attachments:  
GE_CAB_Minutes_February_Draft  
PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATES  
A Washoe County Sheriff’s Deputy and/or member from Royal Ambulance and/or Gerlach  
Volunteer Fire Department may be available to provide a general community update on public  
safety [Non Action Item]  
6.  
WASHOE ARTRAIL – GERLACH TRAILHEAD – COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER -  
Gabrielle Enfield, Community Reinvestment Manager for Washoe County, will provide information  
about the Washoe ArTrail - Gerlach Trailhead - Community Advisory Committee, and the desire to  
place a Gerlach/Empire CAB member onto this committee. A nomination and vote may occur. [For  
Possible Action]  
7.  
8.  
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –  
CAB members will discuss the inclusion of the Pledge of Allegiance at CAB meetings and receive  
public comment regarding its placement or continuation on the meeting agenda. [For Possible  
Action]  
NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT HUB & OTHER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES –  
Staff to announce any upcoming neighborhood development meetings, as provided on the online  
HUB, and any board & commission vacancies with application details, as provided on the openings  
page. The input portal will be introduced and shared. Specific questions and feedback will be  
brought back to the appropriate staff for potential announcement at the next CAB meeting.  
[Non-Action Item]  
https://neighborhood-washoe.hub.arcgis.com/  
https://www.washoecounty.gov/citizens/board_opportunities.php  
9.  
REPORT ON REQUESTS FOR SERVICE FROM PREVIOUS CAB MEETINGS –  
CAB Chair will provide a report to the community outlining requests that were made of the County  
during the previous CAB meeting, and their resolution. [Non-Action Item]  
Attachments:  
Chair-Report-Mar-Previous-Requests-Their-Resolutions  
10.  
CAB MEMBER/COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS/REQUESTS  
This item is limited to announcements and/or requests for future agenda items by CAB members  
and potential general announcements from the county commissioner and county manager. [Non  
Action Item]  
11.  
12.  
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT  
Comment heard under this item will be limited to three (3) minutes per person and may pertain to  
matters both on and off the agenda. The Citizens Advisory Board will also hear public comment during  
individual action items, with comments limited to three minutes per person. Comments are to be made  
to the CAB as a whole. [Non-Action Item]  
ADJOURNMENT  
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Comments? Ideas?  
Washoe County wants to hear from Gerlach/Empire residents on relevant matters important to them. Let's work  
together to identify topics, ideas, and questions to help make the quality of life in Gerlach/Empire the best it can  
be. Community engagement is important, and the feedback you provide will help your County Commissioner and  
Washoe County share information at upcoming CAB meetings and through other communications channels to  
keep you better informed. Visit this website to learn more:  
https://washoe-county-nv.civilspace.io/en/c/citizen-advisory-boards-cabs