Two private partnership agreements OK'd by supervisors

Two partnership agreements with private interests were approved today by Carson City supervisors.

"I hope this would be a trend," said Mayor Marv Teixeira after the meeting. "These are two tremendous deals for our community."

First was approval of an agreement for a parking lot to be built on the Carson City Fairgrounds and Fuji Park site and shared primarily with a neighboring commercial property owner.

Supervisors also approved a preliminary layout of the park and fairgrounds future design, and allowed use of $1 million in Question 18 funds to finance the improvements that were slated for JohnD Winters Centennial Park in east Carson City.

Michael Pegram, who is slated to take ownership soon of the former Bodine's restaurant site once escrow on the property is complete, has offered the city a $1 million donation for upgrades to the Carson City Fairgrounds - including a paved parking lot with 250 spaces. Pegram intends to build a casino on the property and wants overflow parking available should his patrons need it. Money left over from the construction of the parking lot will be given to the city for use on the fairgrounds project.

Pegram's plans for his own land will include 255 parking spaces, but a business "can never have enough," he said.

"A year from now, when you drive by the fairgrounds, you'll have a smile on your face," Pegram told supervisors.

Supervisor Richard Staub received assurance the parking lot wouldn't be used as a way to fulfill city parking requirements that would come with the development. And Tom Keeton, a Parks and Recreation commissioner, then talked about his reservations regarding the plans for the fairgrounds. He voted against it last month when the commission heard the concept.

He's said it's "giving away a parking lot," and is worried it would take "10 to 15 years to raise that amount of money again to do the work on Centennial Park," he said.

Improvements to the fairgrounds are expected to cost at least $3 million.

The supervisors also approved an agreement with Vidler Water Co., to examine the city's water system and current resources. Vidler will provide an assessment to the city for free. If Vidler finds any viable ways to improve the city's water system - and can potentially capitalize on the solutions - the city and company could form a partnership to create these projects and share in any resulting profits.

The main focus of the agreement is the city's 5,800 feet of annually accumulated effluent - most likely by selling it, according to the city.

"It's a hunting license for Vidler to develop a project," said Andrew Burnham, the city's development services director. And whatever the company recommends "we're under no obligation to accept it."

Secondary emphasis will be on water rights. The city has adequate right to handle future needs, but could use more actual water and ways to better deliver what it already has, said City Manager Linda Ritter.

In other business, the supervisors:

• Named vendors for utility relocation projects required for the state to build the next phase of the Carson City Freeway, which will extend from Highway 50 to Fairview Drive. RaPid Construction Inc. in Reno will be paid more than $1.5 million for the work necessary on Colorado Street, South Saliman Road and Fairview Drive at Linear Ditch. This work was originally estimated to cost $2.2 million. The city also hired Stantec Construction also in Reno to do related inspection and management work for $275,000. Work is expected to begin in January.

• Approved extension of four city positions until ideas for reducing operations costs can be created and presented to the board early next year. The city expects to need $1.6 million more to meet general fund expenses during this fiscal year.

• Chose attorney Caren Jenkins to fill a seat on the Library Board of Trustees. The five-member panel is once again filled.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.