Approval expected for anti-City Center ordinance

Supervisors this week vote on the ordinance that would implement the wishes of petitioners seeking to bar the use of public funds on the City Center/Nugget project.

If the board fails to approve the proposed ordinance, the question would go on the November ballot for voters to decide.

The board is expected to approve the ordinance, which would eliminate the need for a public vote. City Manager Larry Werner said it would make sense to approve the ordinance because of the sales tax question that is already going on the ballot. He pointed out the vote up or down on the sales tax hike to pay for the city's portion of the project will effectively answer the question whether voters support using public funds for that purpose.

In addition, the board is expected to sign off on a Nevada Association of Counties letter to Gov. Brian Sandoval requesting that the state not dump any more financial burdens on local governments. The governor and 2011 Legislature balanced the state budget in part by dumping on county governments. That included cost shifting of responsibilities from the state to counties ? especially in services to juveniles and the needy. It also swept certain pots of revenue to the state and imposed unfunded mandates on locals.

According to the letter, decisions from the last two regular sessions and the 25th special session have had an estimated $325 million

The board will also establish the maximum number of residential building permits Carson City will issue during the 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 as well as developments for other categories.

Under the city's growth management ordinance, the board also sets the maximum average daily water usage for commercial and industrial building permits ? which historically has been 7,500 gallons a day. Usage above that limit requires Growth Management Commission approval.

In addition, the board will vote on a package of policies and procedures for the city's advisory boards and commissions.

Werner said the plan "sets up ground rules for the committees to operate under." It includes term limits for members, rotation of chairmen for the different boards and mandates open meeting law and ethics training for all members.

He said it sets the purpose and scope for the different boards as well as clearly identifying that those panels are advisory in nature.

The list includes such things as the charter review committee, audit committee, cultural commission and Carson River advisory committee.

It specifically does not apply to legislative bodies such as the supervisors, liquor and entertainment board and Carson water subconservancy district.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

Other meetings:

• The Convention and Visitors Bureau will meet Monday at 4 p.m. at Plaza Conference Center on 211 E. 9th St. On the agenda are updates on the Events and Sports Advisory Committee and V&T. Members will hear an advertising and public relations report, a board discussion, and action on the Executive Director's Report.

• The Carson River Advisory Committee will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the Sierra Room at Carson City Community Center at 851 E. William St. Members will hear public testimony on the Bureau of Land Management Carson Resource Management Plan. There will be discussions about a North American Wetlands Conservation grant with Ducks Unlimited for wetland improvements at Buzzy's Ranch, located at Carson River Road.