After years of negotiations, Carson City will soon own the scenic 368-acre Jarrard Ranch on Carson River Road.
The Board of Supervisors approved an agreement Thursday to buy the ranch for $3.72 million.
Carson City Open Space Manager Juan Guzman said the purchase will be a complement to the previous acquisition of the adjoining Anderson Ranch in 2007. The two properties are known as Buzzy's Ranch, named for previous owner Buzz Anderson.
Although the present owner will continue to use the property until he sells the water rights, the public will have access all along the river from Mexican Dam to Morgan Mill, and trails will be developed, said Bruce Scott of the city's Open Space Committee.
Guzman said that in addition to the recreational value of the land, the acquisition is key to the aquatic trail, and it will keep houses from being built in a flood zone.
The city's open space acquisition account has a balance of $3.3 million. The state has agreed to advance the funding, which means it will be available to close escrow with the Jarrard Trust.
Twenty-five percent of the funding for the open space purchase comes from Question 18 money and 75 percent from Question 1, both designated for quality of life enhancements.
Supervisor Robin Williamson called the action "a wonderful day for Carson City."
In other action Thursday, supervisors:
• Introduced an ordinance amendment adding the definition for a "criminal gang" and authorizing the district attorney to take action against gang members in certain situations.
District Attorney Neil Rombardo was the prime supporter and advocate for Assembly Bill 335 introduced by Bonnie Parnell and passed during the 2009 legislative session. The ordinance, if approved on a final reading next month, will allow the district attorney to ask a judge to declare as nuisances any buildings or neighborhoods where criminal gangs are known to gather.
Rombardo told the board that Carson City would be the first jurisdiction in the state to incorporate the law which would make it illegal for known gang members to congregate in an area deemed a nuisance.
"We are looking for areas where gangs are known to congregate" and pose a threat to the community, Rombardo said. "With this we can forbid gang members from going into those areas and if they do go in, that just their mere presence alone is contempt of court."
Rombardo said gang members could also be arrested on suspicion of being a public nuisance.
• Directed Health and Human Services staff to pursue legislation enabling the city to establish a health district if it should choose to do so at some future date.
• Unanimously approved the First Judicial District Court's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 for reimbursement from the state's Child Support Enforcement Program in the amount of $20,790.
• Approved an ordinance amendment allowing manufactured homes or mobile homes more than 15 years old to be placed in mobile home parks in certain circumstances.