Deep Thoughts, Cheap Shots
and Bonbons
With the New Year upon us let me begin this
document by wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. May the year 2016 bring
peace and happiness to each and every one of you.
This New Year will be a busy one for Carson
City. Foremost on our minds, perhaps, is the Downtown Street Narrowing Project
due to begin early February/March depending on weather conditions. One of the
goals stated by Carson City staff is to have this project complete in time for
the Nevada Day parade. We should, however, keep our chief consideration
foremost: “Let's do it Right.”
We have all been told the intent of this street
makeover is to improve commerce, which will increase sales tax revenue and
commercial property values. This sounds great, doesn't it? To my understanding
there is no periodic report on revenues generated by the downtown area at this
time, so I ask, “How will we measure the impact of success after completion of
the project?”
When the Downtown Street Narrowing Project is
complete, this area will be the focal point of visitors and tourists as well as
locals. Therefore, the city should enforce strict compliance with
ordinances along this corridor block by block such as: signage codes,
cleanliness, awnings, outside furnishings and the condition of buildings. Also,
the condition of bike lanes, sidewalks, and areas with outside dining
facilities must be monitored to preserve the aesthetics of this area.
Tending to flower baskets on the relocated light
poles where diners enjoy street-side meals and bikers glide along new pathways
sounds heartwarming. But there must be more than just good feelings come from
this project. Our Downtown area should attract core businesses – businesses
that sell staple products or feature a variety of entertainment – so that
consumers will visit the area again and again. This revitalization should
motivate commercial property owners to favor leases to restaurants, places of
entertainment and/or retail enterprises. Hopefully, this area will not be a hub
for non-revenue generating businesses providing professional services.
You may have heard that the previously proposed
downtown three story parking garage unexpectedly has been placed on hold. This
would have assured local residents and visitors adequate parking spaces for the
increased foot traffic that is expected.
Plans for the Downtown project include areas
that are dedicated solely for the Arts and Cultural community and hopefully our
local artists will be providing these renderings.
Carson is the Capitol City and should set an
example for other municipalities. I am of the opinion that our new
downtown area should display recycle containers as well as the planned trash
receptacles. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.
Recognizing a deficiency in recycling efforts
here in Carson City, I introduced the subject at a Board of Supervisors
meeting. A contract exists between Waste Management and Carson City; sadly it
does not include any provisions to increase recycling. Hopefully, my
insistence will resulted in an effort by staff to schedule a meeting with Waste
Management sometime in the near future to review and upgrade our contract.
Reno and Sparks both have revised their contract
with Waste Management that will expand their recycling program. Revisions to
similar contracts across this country are being renegotiated as more and more
people are made aware of the urgency of environmental impacts. We must do
better at managing our waste and recyclables. What we do or do not do today
with regard to the environment will impact all of us for many generations to
come.
Board of Supervisors January 7, 2016, Meeting
Agenda item #19A
An Ordinance for creating a Neighborhood Improvement
District (NID). With a four to one vote it passed – I voted no. Why? Because
the NID will make assessments upon property owners within the NID area, and
only those along Carson Street will be provided city services such as: snow removal,
trash pick, sweeping of sidewalks, etc. However, property owners within the NID
but NOT located along Carson Street can/will
actually
pay more and receive NO services from the city. This isn’t right and it isn’t
fair.
After passage of the NID, a new project/business
was announced and will open along the new Carson Street corridor; it’s called The
Harvest Hub, which will provide a year round farmer’s market with
produce and other similar products to families who receive food from local
nonprofits such as: Food for Thought, Ron Wood Family Resource Center,
Salvation Army, The Greenhouse Project, FISH and Circles Initiative. While the
details are still being worked out, this facility is planned for the (closed) Horseshoe
Club located at 402 North Carson Street. I do hope this business
will generate new revenue, increase property values and enhance job
opportunities in the area.
Agenda item #20B
Dealt with the Community Support Service Grants
(CSSG). Basically, the Moss Adams report spelled out how CSSG could better
perform and operate within their capacity. The improvements made are
noteworthy and will allow better funding to various community
organizations. Two Board members participated in these meetings and
I find no fault with that; however, I personally contacted staff numerous times
in an attempt to participate in these meetings – to no avail. To
avoid an opening meeting violation staff simply has to conduct separate
meetings and this is done on a regular basis.
Agenda item # 30A
For appointing members of the Board of
Supervisors to various Boards, Committees and Commissions. Before any Board
member can be appointed – it requires
a vote. The following is probably the most baffling scenario: a
Board member position to the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA), did
not require a vote of the Board. How and why it didn’t
remains a mystery.
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