Deep Thoughts, Cheap Shots and Bonbons

Deep Thoughts, Cheap Shots and Bonbons

“To get along, one must go along.”  All too often I have heard this in the last two years. For me, the epiphany of understanding this phrase came in my second year when I realized nothing is going to change, not even this phrase. Puzzling to me is why some think there is a need to build a political consensus; yet, they build a political Berlin Wall and stand behind it saying, “it ain’t me causing this.”

Board Appointments

Agenda item 23A on January 5^th had been for appointments to City Commissions, Committees and Boards. Prior to the meeting, I presented to all Board members a fair and amicable approach for the appointments of Board members to these positions.

It is a very simple format and it provided the utmost impartiality to allow all elected officials the same opportunity to serve on these Commissions, Committees and Boards. However, this agenda item became one of most hotly contested agenda items that has come before this Board. The other one is Agenda item #23B which I will discuss next.

The first appointment had been Mayor pro-tem. Mayor Crowell, nominated  and endorsed Karen Abowd for another two year term. I voiced that this position should be equally shared among all Board members on a rotating basis, allowing each to serve our community for one year before passing along this unique position to another Board member. The Board rejected this often used procedure that other municipalities routinely use.

Next were the appointments of Board members to numerous positions.  After the fourth appointment was approved, it became obvious that I would not receive any nomination from the Board, so I nominated myself but failed to receive a Board majority vote to any one position.

There is another phrase that I have learned to live by, which is: “when all things are done, one must accept and move on.”

 

Agenda Item #23B

This item dealt with a resolution that will basically allow the City Manager or a Board member to testify before the Legislature stating the Board position was a majority regardless of the vote. It further states that no elected Board member may on his/her own testify as a representative of the Board during the same Legislative Session.

I alone voted against this for two reasons:  The first is, whoever might testify could falsely report the vote of elected Board members, by saying it was a majority when in fact it may only have been a simple majority (4 to 1 or 3 to 2). The second, I believe no resolution should take away my right to have a voice as an elected official.     

 

Carson City Mall Project   

A drill rig has taken soil samples from the area behind the Nugget, which  is just one  step of many needed before proceeding forward with this project as shown on this website: www.maccompanys.com. The project consists of: two office building; two parking structures with retail business in both, one on Musser (564 spaces) the other on Carson Street (320 spaces); and a “Select Service Hotel 150 Keys” which was previously named “Hyatt 150 Keys.”  There’s always some resistance to change, but, if this project were to come to fruition, I fully support and embrace it, as it is privately funded. It will be interesting, however, to see what company hangs their lease signs on these buildings.  

This proposed project will have a huge impact on our entire Community, more so than will any corridor improvement or narrowing of streets.  The prior signing of a confidentiality document by Board members not to discuss this project now seems immaterial and illogical. Will this project come before the Board prior to narrowing of Carson Street? The odds seem to be against this.

 

Carson City Municipal Golf Corporation

Following a lengthy discussion about  how many rounds of golf are played, and what rate structures are used, it was reported the City received roughly $106,000.00 (6%+/-) of the 1.7 million dollar overall budget, per the lease agreement.

At the close of the meeting I stated:  “The City should have say in fee structures for a round of golf and memberships since this is a City owned facility.”

 

Another MossAdams $50,000.00 Request

This request had been introduced as the “Lean Management Training and Green Belt Certification.” I alone voted against this due to the fact that other similar programs have not been completed and those that have been completed never achieved the goals that were obligated to fulfill.

 

Agenda Preconceived Selected Motions and Concepts In Practice Today

Presently Supervisor Brad Bonkowski, has the unique ability to ask for an agenda item or simply make a suggestion and his wish is granted.  This has happened without the required second motion or even a discussion. If this is the new normal then all Board members should be granted this very same privilege.  Will we (Board members) be granted courtesy? The odds are highly against it, but time will tell.

 

My Future Agenda Items

1.         Increasing the hookup fees for water and sewer for all new construction not yet submitted to the City. This increase would be in the amount of 10% (+/-) then every year a 3% (+/-) increase. We have increased rates on our citizens and have not increased in similar fashion on new construction.

2. Fuji Park – There is need for a 5 year (+/-) study to evaluate the potential for growth in event use besides the State Fair.

3. Carson City Visitors Bureau, (CCVB) regarding how they schedule sporting events at Fuji Park, and how the new Multi-Athletic Center (MAC) scheduling will be coordinated between the Parks &Recreation / Boys &Girls Club / and the CCVB. Quite possibly there is a need for a scheduling position between the various City entities for usage times of any City facilities.

 4. That any and all meetings of commissions or committees such as:  V&T; Debt Management; the City Library and so forth must be held in the Sierra Room where they can be televised. Additionally, agenda’s with all back up material for these meetings should be posted on the City’s Website.

5. Waste management contract, specify the section that requires a private citizen must use ONLY Waste Management’s container to haul trash and debris.

6. Brewery Arts Center (BAC), should give a presentation to the Board regarding their new direction they will take with the deduction of their operational staff. 

 

For General Discussion

•           Is it appropriate for an elected Board member to serve as the Chairperson on citizens Commissions, Committees and Boards that they were appointed to? No, I don’t think it is. Because, as the Chairperson, this elected official now controls the agenda. That very same agenda could come before the Board of Supervisors for a vote, by that same official and allows for a possible conflict of interest.

•           As many citizens have noticed our streets are not in the best condition and apparently nothing will be changing (improving) in the next few years. City staff personnel with the Regional Transportation Commission, have reported, there is a shortage of funding to maintain our community streets.  This will continue until the Legislative imposes new gas taxes on you the citizen, which will for all intended purposes fund more dollars into the Regional Transportation Commission. Will streets be improved and if so, when? My guess is it will take many years before any noticeable improvements are made to our streets.

•           Citizens Commissions, Committees and Boards serve a purpose, however, we need to review the purpose and the need for each of these groups, as City staff must attend each of these meetings, at the tax payer’s expense.  

•           When will effluent water distribution be discussed? Hopefully, very soon.

•           Do you think the City should consider purchasing Empire Golf Course?  

As leaders, one of our responsibilities is to listen to our constituents; I encourage you to forward your thoughts, concerns and suggestions.  

JShirk@carson.org

720.5761

Please forward this to family, friends and neighbors.