Author: Kristie Wells
The IVGID Board of Trustees took action Wednesday night on several issues affecting Incline Village and Crystal Bay, including new security measures at Burnt Cedar Beach, a 10-year solid waste agreement, environmental remediation efforts, and upgrades to District technology and infrastructure.
Public comment also brought renewed concerns about IVGID’s response to the recent tree poisonings at Burnt Cedar, including questions about security, environmental remediation, public communication and the District’s preparedness for similar incidents.
3 Things That Stood Out From the Meeting
1. IVGID is adding cameras, nighttime security and potentially a $25,000 reward at Burnt Cedar.
Following another deliberate poisoning of mature trees at Burnt Cedar Beach [LINK], trustees directed staff to purchase a monitored camera system estimated at $40,000 to $45,000. Nighttime security will remain in place until the system is operational. The Board also supported offering up to a $25,000 reward for information leading to prosecution, pending legal review.
2. A new 10-year waste agreement is moving forward.
The Board approved a new solid waste collection and disposal agreement with Reno Disposal and selected Option A for yard debris (current program continues AS IS). The discussion included concerns about winter collection at higher elevations, wildlife-resistant containers and the need for better accountability at the Incline Village transfer station.
3. IVGID says an internally developed technology solution could save more than $500,000.
IT Manager Mike Gove rebuilt custom software needed for the District’s Capstone project using AI-assisted coding tools rather than outside consultants. Previous consultant estimates had put portions of the work at more than $700,000.
Burnt Cedar: Focus Shifts to Saving the Trees and Preventing Another Attack
The most extensive discussion of the evening centered on the deliberate poisoning of mature trees at Burnt Cedar Beach and what IVGID is doing to save them, protect the surrounding environment and prevent another incident.
Staff reported that contaminated soil has been removed from around the affected trees, including soil approximately 12 inches deep in some areas. A vacuum truck was brought in on August 3rd to remove additional contaminated material at a cost of approximately $8,400.
IVGID has also consulted with an expert arborist to develop short- and long-term treatment recommendations. Options under consideration include air spading, which would allow crews to expose and evaluate portions of the root systems, along with treatments intended to support feeder roots and improve the trees’ chances of recovery.
For now, one of the biggest questions remains unanswered: Will the trees survive?
Staff indicated that it is simply too early to know. IVGID’s insurance may cover removal if the trees ultimately die, but it does not cover the District’s efforts to save them or the cost of replacement trees.
IVGID is also continuing to test nearby water for volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, to determine whether contamination is moving beyond the affected area. Testing is currently expected to occur approximately monthly, with additional sampling following significant rainfall when appropriate.
Several residents used public comment to press the District for a stronger response.
Questions centered on why security cameras had not been installed following previous incidents, whether the contaminated area was adequately secured when the latest poisoning was discovered, what health and environmental assessments were conducted, and whether IVGID has adequate emergency procedures in place for an incident involving potential chemical contamination.
Residents also asked for more frequent public updates as remediation continues.
Those concerns were followed by several specific Board actions.
Trustees directed staff to move forward with a monitored camera system at Burnt Cedar Beach, estimated to cost approximately $40,000 to $45,000. The proposed system would include motion detection and monitoring capabilities without requiring floodlights or other extensive lighting around the property.
Staff estimated the cameras could be operational in approximately three to four weeks. Until then, IVGID will continue providing nighttime security during hours when the beach is not staffed.
Trustees also supported offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to prosecution of those responsible. Before that can move forward, legal counsel will determine whether IVGID can legally use public funds for a reward.
If investigators ultimately identify the person or people responsible, the District also plans to explore civil remedies available under Nevada law to recover damages.
The Board directed staff to prepare an after-action report once the detailed review of the incident is complete. The report is expected to identify lessons learned and recommend potential changes to IVGID’s health, safety and emergency response procedures.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office investigation remains active.
Board Approves New 10-Year Waste Agreement
The Board also approved a new 10-year solid waste collection and disposal agreement with Reno Disposal.
Trustees selected Option A for the yard debris program, an approach staff said more closely aligns with the way residents currently manage yard waste while providing additional accountability under the new contract.
The agreement prompted discussion about some of the challenges of trash collection in a mountain community.
Residents raised concerns about homes at higher elevations, where snow accumulation can make early-morning winter collection difficult, and questioned how wildlife-resistant containers will work on properties where heavy snow limits access and storage.
IVGID plans to hold an educational open house on August 25th at the Chateau, where residents can learn more about the new waste program. Staff plans to have wildlife-resistant containers and examples of compostable materials available so residents can better understand what will change under the new agreement.
The Board also discussed the need for a certified scale at the Incline Village transfer station, which would provide better measurement and accountability for material moving through the facility.
Staff will provide quarterly progress updates on installation of the scale through the General Manager’s report, allowing trustees and the public to track the project as it moves forward.
An In-House Technology Project Could Save More Than $500,000
One of the evening’s more unexpected updates came from IVGID’s technology department.
There has been significant progress on the District’s Capstone project, which is intended to improve how transactions at IVGID facilities connect with the District’s financial and enterprise systems.
Rather than proceeding with an outside consultant, IT Director Mike Gove developed new custom software internally with the assistance of AI coding tools. Previous consultant estimates for the work had reached approximately $745,000.
IVGID estimates the in-house approach has avoided more than $500,000 in outside costs.
The project is designed to update the point-of-sale systems used across District venues, including golf, ski and recreation facilities, while improving how those transactions communicate with IVGID’s Tyler enterprise system. The goal is to reduce manual data entry, consolidate payment processing and improve the flow of financial information between systems.
Trustees raised questions about documentation, data security and ensuring the District does not become dependent on the knowledge of a single employee. Staff said the development process and code are being documented to provide continuity and allow the system to be maintained in the future.
The District is also implementing an Enterprise Asset Management module within Tyler for fleet and equipment tracking, replacing some manual reporting processes currently used by staff.
Additional technology improvements underway include new financial reporting tools and automation of annual resident punch-card renewals, eliminating the need for residents to manually renew their cards each year.
Water and Sewer Hearings Set for September
The Board also moved several utility and infrastructure items forward.
Public hearings on proposed amendments to IVGID’s water and sewer rules, rates and regulations are scheduled for September 9th at 4 pm.
The hearings will address proposed changes to Ordinance Two, which governs sewer services, and Ordinance Four, which governs water services.
Trustees also authorized a change order of up to $65,000 to decommission an existing underground storage tank associated with the CEDAR emergency generator project.
In another infrastructure action, staff was directed to pursue the abandonment and release of an existing Nevada Department of Transportation occupancy permit associated with a dormant effluent export pipeline. The pipeline may be used as a conduit by a telecommunications company, and transferring responsibility to the telecommunications provider is intended to reduce IVGID’s long-term liability.
The Board also approved an agreement related to relocating IVGID utilities within the NDOT right-of-way, with reimbursement for the associated work.
If you wish to watch the board meeting and/or read the detailed meeting materials, visit IVGID’s website here [LINK].
Stay Informed and Get Involved
The next IVGID Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th at 4 pm, when trustees are expected to hold public hearings on proposed changes to the District’s water and sewer ordinances.
Residents do not have to wait for a major issue to arise to follow the decisions being made on their behalf. Board meetings are open to the public, and IVGID posts meeting agendas, supporting materials and video recordings on its website for anyone who wants to take a closer look at the issues before the Board.
If something in this meeting matters to you, follow it. Read the materials. Watch the discussion. Attend the next meeting and make your voice heard. You can find that information here [LINK].
An informed and engaged community starts with knowing what is being decided, who is making those decisions and how to participate.