Carson City Regional Transportation Commission Meeting - March 11, 2026

The Carson City Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) met on March 11, 2026, at 1:15 PM. The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, multiple contract and grant actions, and the transportation manager’s report. Key decisions included awarding a construction contract for the Carmine Street project, approving a traffic safety education grant, supporting senior and disabled bus pass programs, and contracting for a Safe Routes to School plan for Fernley.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of February 11, 2026 Minutes: Unanimously approved without changes.

Discussion Items & Actions

5A – Carmine Street Construction Contract

• Contract Award: Sierra Nevada Construction Inc. was awarded a contract for $1,159,907, with a 10% contingency of $115,991, for a total not-to-exceed $1,275,898. The project is funded partly with stormwater funds and CDBG grants that must be spent by June 30, 2026. Staff reported that the project was advertised twice without receiving bids; the contractor was reached out to directly and agreed to bid. The project is a foundational step for the Carmine Street corridor. Vote: Unanimous approval.

5B – Traffic Safety Grant Application

• Grant Request: $28,000 ($21,000 grant + $7,000 local match) for a comprehensive safety and education campaign focusing on bicycle and pedestrian laws. Staff noted this would be the third year of such grant funding, expanding to additional marketing outlets and priority populations. Commissioners discussed metrics – social media engagement, crash data trends – and the need to link campaigns to measurable outcomes. Commissioner Maloney opposed, preferring to use the $7,000 match for infrastructure improvements. Commissioner Costa also voted no. Vote: Approved 3–2, with Commissioners Maloney and Costa in opposition.

5C – Senior Bus Pass Grant Application

• Grant Request: $132,000 ($19,800 local match) for the Jack senior bus pass program. Currently, 518 passes have been distributed in FY26, exceeding the 403 funded by the current $96,750 award. The program provides free passes to seniors (age 60+), but ridership is not tracked per pass. Staff requested guidance on whether to cap passes if funding falls short. Commissioners raised concerns about accountability and unused passes, but noted the program is popular and reduces the general fund match for transit. Commissioner Costa voted no; Commissioner Maloney voted reluctantly in favor. Vote: Approved 3–1, with Commissioner Costa opposing.

5D – Disabled Bus Pass Grant Application

• Grant Request: $5,000 ($750 local match) to offer monthly fixed-route bus passes for $3 (instead of the current $20) to eligible individuals with disabilities. This is a new program; 129 reduced-fare passes have been sold in FY26. Staff anticipate distributing up to 250 passes at the subsidized rate. Commissioners praised the program’s targeting and accountability. Vote: Unanimous approval.

5E – Fernley Safe Routes to School Master Plan Contract

• Contract Award: $115,495 (includes 5% local match) with Parametrics to assist the City of Fernley in developing a Safe Routes to School Master Plan, part of the Western Nevada Safe Routes program. Fernley has verbally agreed to cover the additional local match. Vote: Unanimous approval.

Reports

Transportation Manager’s Report (6A)

• March 18 is National Transit Employee Appreciation Day; events will be held at the transit facility. The safety campaign kicked off, including a poster contest with schools. Scoping of District 4 regional road projects is underway; selection at RTC is targeted for May. The Transit Development Coordinated Human Services Plan is being updated. The Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop a process for developer-paid road maintenance. Budgets for several transportation funds will be presented in April. An update on the North Carson Street Complete Streets Corridor Project is planned for next month.

Street Operations & Control Report (6B)

• No highlights. Noted that Christmas decorations were removed successfully, with no losses.

Reports by Commissioners (6C)

• No additional reports.

Public Comment

• No public comments were made during the opening or closing periods.

Key Outcomes

• Contracts awarded: Carmine Street ($1,275,898) and Fernley Safe Routes ($115,495).
• Grant applications approved: Traffic safety ($28,000), senior bus pass ($132,000), disabled bus pass ($5,000).
• Vote tallies: Items 5A, 5D, 5E were unanimous; 5B passed 3–2; 5C passed 3–1.
• Next steps: Staff will finalize grant submissions, begin the Carmine Street project, and bring budgets and the North Carson Street plan to the April meeting.