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Former fire chief reappointed: Kightlinger rescinds resignation after replacement abruptly retires

By ALI HELGOTH - Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:52 PM PDT

Kightlinger

ELKO - City councilmen Tuesday night allowed Alan Kightlinger to rescind his letter of retirement, effectively reappointing him fire chief.

Kightlinger submitted his letter of retirement Jun e 6 and recommended Deputy Fire Chief Dan Landa to be his successor. After Landa announced his retirement, Kightlinger requested to be reappointed to the position.

“This is a dynamic, changing time within the City of Elko Fire Department and City of Elko public safety services and, if possible, I would like to demonstrate the responsibility to help manage the changes and development of potential future deputy chief and chief candidates,” Kightlinger said in a letter to city councilmen.

Landa announced his retirement last month after city councilmen denied his request for a monthly stipend from the time he retires until he becomes eligible for Medicare. By retiring, the city will be required to pay a $564 monthly stipend to the Public Employees Benefit Program for health insurance until Landa dies.

In addition to Landa, firefighters Robert Aguirre, Mike Ostler, Shane Wiggins, David Bixler and Jeff Bain recently announced their retirements.

In other action, councilmen:

- Took no action on a request by city staff members for direction on how to address a proposed Bureau of Land Management building at Idaho Street and Manzanita Lane. The federal agency told the city it is prohibited from spending money to make improvements on city roadways, a usual development requirement. The agency told the city it was included in the process of planning for the building as a courtesy and does not need city approval for the project;

- Approved a request to close 13th Street from Fairgrounds Road to Elm Street during the Elko County Fair, Aug. 22-Sept. 1;

- Took no action on a request to establish a $3 service fee for Visa, MasterCard or debit card transaction conducted over the telephone, but supported an administrative decision to no longer accept most telephone transactions. An exception will be made for companies seeking bid documents and potentially could be made for other transactions;

- Tabled a request by Dennis Cook of Elko Auto Wrecking to initiate the sale of about nine acres of city-owned land in the vicinity of Hot Spring Road for use as an auto wrecking yard. Because the land is within the newly created redevelopment district, councilmen wanted to discuss the sale at the next redevelopment agency meeting, scheduled for Tuesday;

- Authorized staff members to solicit bids for a concrete co-op project at the corner of Fourth and Court streets. The city is working with Gerber Law Offices and Robert Rustigian to enhance Americans with Disabilities Act access and drainage in the area. A number of similar projects are planned as funding becomes available;

- Accepted a proposal from the Griffin Crowley Group to provide consulting services during the 2009 Legislative session for $25,000;

- Awarded an engineering contract to SRK Consulting for the reuse site land expansion project at a cost not to exceed $104,235;

- Awarded the bid to construct the aircraft rescue fire fighting building at the Elko Regional Airport to Pine Crest Construction. The base bid was $608,429;

- Authorized staff members to solicit bids for installation of approximately 6,300 feet of reuse pipeline along Bullion Road;

- Awarded a bid for the effluent line replacement project to HD Supply Waterworks for $390,753;

- Approved final acceptance of the airport water main relocation project. The project was completed by Ruby Dome for $29,475;

- Awarded a contract for the wastewater reclamation facility west primary clarifier project to Rema Tip Top for $44,462;

- Created a new position, senior computer technician, and reclassified Benjamin Mangeng to the position;

- Created a new position, police records supervisor, and reclassified Shelby Smith to the position;

- Updated the fleet maintenance superintendent job description;

- Tabled discussion regarding an update to the city's pre-placement drug and alcohol testing policy;

- Approved a lease with C-A-L Ranch Stores for approximately .5 acres of city property at 2953 Manzanita Lane for $6,100 per year;

- Tabled discussion of the Elko City Disaster Plan;

- Reappointed Jeff Thompson and Reece Keener to the planning commission;

- Authorized staff members to solicit statements of interest and qualification for engineering services at the Elko Regional Airport;

- Approved a revocable permit to allow a rock designed to designate Ruby View Estates in the middle of Masters Lane;

- Remanded back to staff members a request by Andrew and Shannon Knudsen that development requirements be waived if they develop their property upon annexation into the city. In a letter, they said they were concerned about city requirements including required installation of utilities, public improvements and how requirements would limit development of their acreage;

- Accepted public improvements for the Point at Ruby View Patio Homes subdivision;

- Gave final acceptance for the public works 2008 slurry seal project;

- Transferred the supplemental allocation of the 2008 private activity bond cap, $343,006, to the Nevada Rural Housing Authority.

- Modified the Gallery Bar's existing liquor license, removing Barbara Errecart and adding Joan Anderson;

- Ratified a 30-day temporary liquor license for Divine Expressions.

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