Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Board talks library money, hears city police report

Funding for the Prescott-Nevada County Library and a report from Prescott Chief of Police Brian Russell were among the top items on the agenda for the boards May meeting.

The library funding has been at issue for several months. The library board met recently and voted to accept a $37,000 appropriation from the city for operating costs associated with the library in 2005. The city board apparently didnt make a payment to the library at all during 2005, despite the fact that the appropriation had been made and Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said the money has been available during that time.

We didnt make any payments last year, Taylor said. Its an oversight really on the citys part. We had $37,000 budgeted and the (library) board asked that we go ahead and make that payment.

During the library boards meeting, Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said the agreement when the library was built was that the county would contribute only what was collected through a county millage thats set aside for the library. He said that in addition to the millage, the library needed $43,000 to cover the operating expenses for 2005. The $37,000 payment approved by the city board in their May meeting leaves the library with a shortfall of about $5,000.

Theres no word as to where that money will come from. Brown said it cant come from the county because of the way that original agreement was written.

During the meeting of the city board, Taylor acknowledged that the only contribution the county makes is in the form of the millage collection.

I would like to see the county step up and do more, Taylor said.

The board unanimously passed the mayors request to make the payment to the county on behalf of the library.

During the library boards meeting, Taylor said the city has appropriated $40,000 for the library for this year. He said he expects the city to make half of that payment during the summer and the other half before the end of the year.

The board also heard a report from Russell regarding recent police activity. Russell said police officers have recently been responding to complaints regarding several specific areas of the city, including the area near the citys park. Russell said the officers have handed out numerous warnings for various offenses, including drinking alcohol. Russell said theres a city ordinance prohibiting drinking anywhere in the city. This doesnt include an individuals residence but does include all public places such as the park.

Russell said the first step on most evenings is for the officers to do a walk through of the park.

We say, Youre welcome to stay but the police are going to be here.

He said officers then address any problems, such as open containers of alcohol, though the officers generally offer the offenders a chance to leave, according to Russell.

Were not arresting folks, he said. Were giving them an option. If they comply, thats fine.

Russell said local police officers are also working with other agencies, including the K-9 unit from Hope.

We made a drug arrest on that, Russell said.

He said these walk-throughs are making a difference, and that hes had several calls from citizens who say theyre able to enjoy the park again.

In addition to the park patrols, Russell said the night officers have made a practice recently of walking the citys streets and checking doors.

Not just driving by, Russell said.

Russell said he invites residents to comment or call with questions about the newly implemented practices.

And if theres anything you need from us, give us a call, he said to the board members.

On the subject of vehicles, Russell said the departments fleet is aged. He said both cars are 2001 models and are near the 100,000-mile mark. There was some discussion as to how the city might address that issue, though no decisions were made.

In other business, the board heard reports regarding the chambers activities and those of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, and an update on the status of the citys electric situation. As of May 1, the city is using power provided by AECC.