Officials approve goals for Parks and Rec

The top priority of the Parks and Recreation Commission for 2011 will be to promote the city's network of trails, Steve Lasco told the Carson City Board of Supervisors on Thursday.

Lasco, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, said the goal is "to promote, develop, fund, construct and market trails and associated facilities that provide running, biking, walking, equestrian and aquatic opportunities and events."

Mayor Bob Crowell praised the commission's work in contributing to the quality of life in Carson City.

He said he recently met with the head of an Internet company looking at coming to Carson City and explained why someone would want to move their company here.

"I told him you could be in the urban political heart of the city one minute and on the top of a hill a few minutes later and hear absolutely nothing. He said, 'I know exactly what you mean,'" Crowell said. "That hit a home run with him. We should never overlook our quality of life."

A secondary goal of the commission is to promote healthy-lifestyle programs by collaborating with other organizations and agencies. That likely will include looking into first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" program, Lasco said.

The commission also intends to review and prioritize Quality of Life capital projects and make recommendations to the board of supervisors, and members also plan to support a volunteer coordinator position within the department which will have little or no financial impact on the city. This goal will include looking into a college work-study or intern program or to advertise for experienced volunteers.

The final goal adopted will be to continue to encourage neighborhood volunteer programs and projects as well as the adopt-a-park program.

"We've got good momentum right now in drawing tourists and putting heads in beds," Lasco said.

In other action Thursday, the board:

• Presented a proclamation for National Public Works Week of May 15-21.

• Approved a resolution for the financing of water and sewer projects providing for the reimbursement of expenditures from the proceeds of bonds.

• Denied an operating covenant and agreement between Carson City Redevelopment Authority and Carson City and Tamlin Investments for Carson Quail Park.

• Approved operating covenants and agreements between Carson City Redevelopment Authority and Carson City and The Carrington Company for the Carson Mall, Jiangson-Duke Inc. for the Capital City Events Center in the former K-Mart building, and South Carson LLC for Carson Tahoe Quail Park.

• Heard a revised strategy map for the 2011-12 Carson City Strategic Plan.

• Heard a presentation that updates the progress and plans of the Carson City Storm Water Management Program.