Board moves forward with connecting trails

A seemingly obscure connection between two of Carson City's trails soon could make walking and mountain biking on the east side of town more enjoyable and, for some, a lot easier.

The city's Open Space Division will seek a $250,000 grant from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act for Parks, Trails and Natural Areas to develop a connector trail across Eagle Valley Creek into the Hells Bells Ranch open space property between Empire Ranch Trail and Riverview Park.

The proposed trail, made of decomposed granite, will be 10 feet wide and 220 feet long with a 60-foot bridge across the creek and a second bridge or culvert across an irrigation ditch.

Erick Studenicka, an avid outdoorsman who likes to ride his mountain bike on local trails, said he will be "real ecstatic" when the trails are connected.

"I tried to go between the two trails once because it looked real short and easy, but it ends up getting all wet and marshy pretty fast. I had to climb over a couple of fences and carry my bike. It's a real hassle; I ended up wet and muddy up to my knees," Studenicka said.

"I think if they can connect those two trails, it will be very helpful for runners, walkers and mountain bikers," he said.

The Hells Bells Ranch property was donated to Carson City by Vidler Water Co., and the engineering design for the project was donated by Lumos and Associates.

This link will connect the Morgan Mill Road River Access Area trailhead on Morgan Mill Road at the north with Silver Saddle Ranch to the south through off-road multi-use non-motorized trails at Riverview Park and the Mexican Ditch Trail.

The Board of Supervisors gave Open Space Manager Juan Guzman the go-ahead Thursday to pursue the grant.

"There's a catch, though," Guzman said. Although a match is not required, the city can ensure that its application won't be placed at the bottom of the pile by providing a match.

The supervisors also approved a matching amount not to exceed $100,000, which will come from the Quality of Life Open Space account.

In other action Thursday, supervisors:

• Approved an amended agreement between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada and the city to buy property along Russell Way to build a Multi-purpose Athletic Center.

• Approved a facility rental agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada for the MAC.

• Approved a contract with Valentiner Crane Architects to provide design services for the MAC.

• Adopted on a second reading an ordinance amending rates for water, sewer and drainage, solid waste management and landfills.

• Rejected a bid from Herback General Engineering for construction of Carson River Park Phase 2A, Carson River Road.

• Accepted a bid from Horizon Construction for construction of Carson River Park Phase 2A, Carson River Road.

• Selected the skills and competency categories to be used in a competency survey that could be used to evaluate City Manager Larry Werner and any future city managers.

• Presented a proclamation designating October as Colonial Heritage Month.