Nevada Commission for Reconstruction of VT Railway Meeting - 2026-02-25
Nevada Commission for Reconstruction of the VT Railway Meeting - 2026-02-25
The Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the VT Railway met on February 25, 2026 at 9:02 AM Pacific (12:02 PM Eastern). Chair Mitchell attended remotely from Washington, D.C. All four commissioners were present, establishing a quorum. The meeting included approval of minutes, financial reports, adoption of the 2026-2027 train schedule with amendments, and authorization to open an interest-bearing investment account.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes (January 28, 2026): A correction was noted regarding the attribution of a comment about email and PR campaigns. The minutes were approved as corrected unanimously.
- Accounts Payable (Dec 1-31, 2025): Treasurer Cruz presented checks totaling $427,230.55. Discussion confirmed payments covered Polar Express expenses, with a remaining rail events payment settled in January 2026. Approved unanimously.
- Budget Report (FY2526, Dec 2025): A minor accounting correction for credit card fees was noted. Treasurer Cruz confirmed the correction did not affect totals. Budget report approved unanimously.
- 2026-2027 Train Schedule: Extensive discussion led to several changes:
- Switch from steam to diesel for Hot August Nights (Aug 1-2) and Camel Races (Sep 12-13).
- Mother's Day train will remain steam-powered.
- Father's Day weekend (June 20-21, 2027) will feature special events on both Saturday and Sunday.
- Toast of the Canyon pricing reduced from $75 to $65, with plans to increase capacity by 25-30 passengers.
- Mark Twain train reimagined as a Friday afternoon toast event, pending Tom's approval, to align with other Carson City literary events.
- America 250 celebration train set for August 15, 2026, featuring a barbecue and other festivities.
- The 10% Sunday discount applies to regular trains only, not special events (Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.).
- The schedule was approved unanimously with the above changes. Staff were authorized to fine-tune details.
- Interest-Bearing Account with Moreton Asset Management: The commission authorized opening an investment account with an initial deposit not to exceed $800,000. Signatories include the commission chair, treasurer, and Story County Comptroller and Treasurer. Moreton will provide an investment strategy at a later meeting, and an annual review process will be established. Expected yield is 4–4.5% with fees around 0.3% annually. Approved unanimously.
Non-Action Updates
- Executive Assistant Update (Sherry Bailey): Reported wrapping up Polar Express bills and planning outreach to assisted living centers for group sales.
- Operations Report (Candy Duncan): Announced improvements to the booking system to show all trains by date. Proposed a contest for Polar Express families to win summer train tickets, with a discount code for non-winners. Schedule launch targeted for March 15, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes of Jan 28, 2026 approved as corrected (unanimous).
- Accounts payable for Dec 2025 approved (unanimous).
- FY2526 budget report for Dec 2025 approved (unanimous).
- 2026-2027 train schedule approved with modifications (unanimous); staff authorized for fine-tuning.
- Authorized opening interest-bearing account with Moreton Asset Management, initial deposit up to $800,000, with signatories and strategy development to follow.
- Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 9 AM Pacific.
Public Comments
- No public comments were made at either opportunity during the meeting.
Adjournment
- The meeting adjourned at 10:20 AM Pacific (1:20 PM Eastern).
Meeting Transcript
Fortunately, it's already nine oh two, so I'm doubly delinquent, apparently. All right. Uh interrupt me if there's something that I need to know, but we'll go ahead and get the meeting started. Ladies and gentlemen, it is nine oh two, and we will call to order this meeting of the Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the VT Railway. I appreciate uh everyone being there. I apologize for my absence. I'm in Washington, DC, pretending to do important things. Uh, we'll go ahead and get started with a roll call and determination of quorum. Brianna, do you want to take us through that? Yeah, no problem. Chair Mitchell. I'm here. Vice Chair Peterson. Present. Treasurer Cruz. Present. Secretary Hicks, here. A quorum is present. Very good. Thank you so much. Uh, with that, we'll move on to the Pledge of Allegiance. Um, since since I'm on this weird, I will join you, but Dave, do you mind believing us in that? Certainly. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Thank you kindly. Uh, we'll move on to item number four, which is public comment. Uh, the public is invited at this time to comment on and discuss any topic that is relevant to or within the authority of this public body. I will note that no action may be taken on a matter raised under public comment unless the item has been specifically included in the agenda as an item maybe taken action on comment may be limited to three minutes per person or topic at uh at this the discretion of the chair in order to facilitate the meeting. Do we have any public comment at the beginning of the meeting today? There's none in the room, Chair. Very good. Seeing and hearing none, we will go ahead and move on to item number five, which is the approval of the minutes of our January twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-sixth meeting. Commission, any comments or questions about the minutes. It says Secretary Hicks noted email in PR campaigns that reinforce social media efforts to purchase tickets. And while that makes me sound really smart, I believe that it was Treasurer Cruz who actually said that. Thank you. Any other uh corrections, comments, questions? All right, hearing none from the commission. Is there any public comment on this item? There's no public comment, Mr. Chair. Thank you kindly. Hearing none, uh, we'll go ahead and entertain a motion for approval with the noted change. I move to approve the minutes of January 28th, 2026 with the changes noted on the record. Thank you kindly. Do we have a second? I second. Fantastic. Any final uh conversation on this item? All right, hearing none, we'll call for a vote.
openpublica.com