Ignite Sparks

Get to know our new Sparks City Manager Dion Louthan! He's been with the City of Sparks since June. Find out how he's settling in, his favorite things about Sparks so far, and everything from his leadership style, previous experience that prepared him for this job, initiatives he'd like to see implemented, and so much more! #SparksProud #IgniteSparks

In this episode, we talk to City of Sparks Housing Specialist Amy Jones and Katie Coleman, Nevada Rural Housing Communications Director about all things housing. The City of Sparks has some great programs including our Housing Rehabilitation, Emergency Repair Grant, and Deferred Payment Loan programs.  We also discuss utilizing Home Means Nevada funds to purchase two parcels for affordable housing.  Sparks is considered rural as we have less than $150,000 residents, so Katie talks about some great programs available through Nevada Rural Housing including Down Payment Assistance, Mortgage Credit Certificate, and homebuyer education programs. So much to talk about and so much great information! Take a listen!#IgniteSparks

Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth was recently appointed as Interim City Manager by Mayor Lawson and the Sparks City Council. Listen as he talks about some great new technology at the Sparks Police Department and how he plans to rebuild trust and bring stability as he steps into managing the City for the next six to nine months while we search for a new City Manager. Lots of great stuff  #happeninghere! #sparksproud#IgniteSparks

Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) recently held its 40th Anniversary Celebration. What started as Sparks Family Medicine, a small hospital on the hill below the S in Sparks, has now expanded to two hospitals, free-standing ERs and so much more.  In this episode of Ignite Sparks, Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel talks with NNMC's CEO Helen Lidholm and Chief of Staff Dr. Travis Keickbusch. #IgniteSparks

We are excited to introduce you to our new Fire Chief Walt White. In this episode of the Ignite Sparks podcast, Chief White will talk about some of his new initiatives, some new things coming to the department -- including two ambulances--and the building of Fire Station 6. Take a listen!#IgniteSparks

In this episode of the Ignite Sparks podcast, Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel talks with outgoing Parks and Recreation Director Tony Pehle. Listen as he talks about his career path, his favorite moments, and what he'll miss most. All of us at the City will greatly miss him! #SparksProud#IgniteSparks

In this episode of the Ignite Sparks Podcast we talk with our new Community Services Director Michael Drinkwater. He talks about his great staff and all the amazing things they do each day. Check it out!#IgniteSparks

Community Services Director Armando Ornelas has been with the City of Sparks for 23 years and retire later this month.In this episode of the Ignite Sparks Podcast, we look back as he discusses the history of such projects as Victorian Square and the Sparks Marina. Join us for a trip down memory lane and help us wish Armando the best of luck in his retirement. We thank Armando for all he has done for the City of Sparks!#IgniteSparks

Mayor Ed Lawson talks about being elected and ready to serve the citizens of Sparks. He also talks about city staff, recent storms, new initiatives and so much more! Check out this informative and fun episode of the #IgniteSparks podcast.#IgniteSparks

In this episode, I talk with Christine Johnson, Executive Director of the Sparks Heritage Museum. This museum has everything from excellent exhibits, to a brand-new research center, a fun shop, and a meeting space. If you love history, listen to this fun podcast and plan a visit soon to the Sparks Heritage Museum on Pyramid and Victorian in Sparks. 

In this episode Amy Jones, City of Sparks Housing Specialist and Kate Zook, Executive Director of the Silver State Fair Housing Council provide some great information about fair housing. Why is fair housing important? What part does the City of Sparks play in fair housing? What services does Silver State Fair Housing Council provide? Take a listen to this informative episode. 

Sit back, grab a cup of joe and listen to our latest podcast with Assistant City Manager Alyson  McCormick.  She talks about the latest Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives here at the City of Sparks and how they are playing a big role with our current and future employees. These important initiatives are much more than you think! Check it out!

It's Happening Here in Sparks! In this episode, I talked with our Special Events Supervisor Francine Burge about all the great events in Sparks that we are so #SparksProud of! From planning and safety to all of the fun--take a listen to this fun podcast!

We're excited to introduce our newly appointed Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan. Take a listen as Wes talks about the importance of community, safety and some of the great initiatives he's championing. #SparksProud #ItsHappeningHere 

Have you heard about the #SparksProud Community Event on April 30? Sparks Police Chief Chris Crawforth talks about this and so much more! From our H.O.P.E. and M.O.S.T. teams to other initiatives to engage our great community, Chief Crawforth has lots of great things to talk about. Check out this great episode of our #IgniteSparks podcast.

Tony Pehle is the acting Parks and Recreation Manager for the City of Sparks. In this episode of the #IgniteSparks Podcast, Tony talks about his long career with the City--29 years! And he gives great information about all the wonderful things done through our Parks and Recreation Department. From Community Sports Programs, Kidz programs (including Kidz Konnection, Kidz Kamp and Small Wonders Learning Center),  to our amazing parks and facilities, all abilities programs, senior services and special events...WHEW! Let's jump right in! 

I'm very excited to talk about our the great things our Public Works Maintenance crews do for the City of Sparks. From clearing snow and sweeping our streets, to cleaning out stormdrains, and maintaining our beautiful parks, and SO MUCH more! These great employees are truly the heartbeat of the city. 

In 2016 the City of Sparks began receiving many calls for service and reports of hundreds of camps and yards of trash and debris along the Truckee River path.  The City responded by cleaning up the trash and offering services to those camping illegally. The City continued this part-time outreach approach but found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the demand.  In 2020 a dedicated HOPE team was formed with 3 full-time Officers.  Their primary objective is to offer services and assist those experiencing homelessness through a boots on the ground approach.  During HOPE outreach and engagement with an individual, needs are assessed and then aligned with a number of field based services and local Medicaid resource partnerships. In this edition of the Ignite Sparks Podcast, you'll meet two of the amazing team members from our Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement (HOPE) Team. 

In episode 6, I have  a candid conversation with  Sparks City Manager Neil Krutz. We talk about about the past and future of the city. From his favorite memories over his tenure with the city (25 years!) to important changes the city made during COVID. We chat how the city made it a priority to help residents with CARES Act funding, how our H.O.P.E. Team is helping the homeless in our community and the importance of our new Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board and Sparks Police Advisory Board. Providing the best services possible to the residents in Sparks is City Manager Krutz's priority. Check out this great conversation! #SparksProud 

Listen in to how the latest in technology and research in monitoring daily wastewater is helping to predict and track COVID-19 and variants that may be present in Washoe County. In fact, since June 2021, sampling through sewer systems can determine a rise or decline in the virus and variants before testing takes place at clinics and those spikes or dips are recorded. Guest Dr. Krishna Pagilla, an environmental engineering professor at the University and leader of the study, talks with us about this innovative research, the science behind it and how this effort is serving as a model for others.

Do you every wonder what happens to all the "stuff" when you flush your toilet or drain your tub? Or when you run your dishwasher, garbage disposal or take a shower? Well, it travels through sewer pipes and heads out to the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) where it is put through a rigorous filtration process and returned to the Truckee River or reused to water, irrigate--and many other uses.  Did you know that before we had sewer plants, adults and many many children were dying of diseases such as cholera? Take a listen to this informative podcast about the high standards at TMWRF and why when we talk about water in the Truckee Meadows it's important to know where all this "influent" and "effluent" water is going!My guests are Plant Manager Michael Drinkwater and Plant Engineer Casey Mentzer. 

I get a lot of questions about how development works in the City of Sparks so I'm excited to share my conversation with City Planner Jim Rundle. We chat about development in north Sparks and redevelopment in downtown Victorian Square. Thanks for listening!

Today, my guest is Andy Gebhart with the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. I get lots of questions about development in Sparks. Do we have enough water? How can we build when we are in a drought? Well, let's get some answers. Mr. Gebhart and I chat about development, drought and misconceptions about the amount of water we have in our community.  Check out TMWA's water resource plan here: www.tmwa.com.

Welcome to our new Ignite Sparks podcast!  We're so excited to tell you about all the great things "happening here" in Sparks. For my first episode, I interviewed Mayor Ed Lawson,  asking some important questions such as what was it like becoming mayor during a pandemic and what initiatives is he championing. We talked about the Landsbill, City Centers, homes along the river and tax structures.  We talked about Cares Act Funding and how the city was able to give rental and business assistance to so many in our community. We also talked about our Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement (H.O.P.E) Team that is making great strides in  helping and getting services to the unsheltered. It was so nice visiting with such a humble, smart man that we are fortunate to call our mayor! Take a listen and give me some feedback at communityrelations@cityofsparks.us. I'd love to hear your thoughts!