Column: 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 No. 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 No. 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 No. 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.

Please forward this to family, friends and neighbors.

— Jim Shirk is a Carson City Supervisor for Ward 4. He can be reached at (775) 720-5761 or by email, ILoveCarsonCity@yahoo.com.