Carson City Open Space Advisory Committee Meeting - April 20, 2026

This meeting of the Carson City Open Space Advisory Committee (OSAC) was held on April 20, 2026, at 1:30 PM. The committee welcomed a new member, discussed and approved the 2025 annual report, the FY2027 work plan and budget, received monitoring reports, and heard staff updates. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and included extensive public comment.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the draft meeting minutes from the previous meeting (which was a joint meeting) with a correction to add a missing committee member's name. The motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously with one abstention.
• Election of Chair and Vice Chair: After discussion, the committee elected Jay as Chair and Mary Bird as Vice Chair for the 2026 calendar year. The motion passed unanimously. Jay declined to chair the remainder of the meeting, and Mark continued as acting chair.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denny French (Carson City resident): Appreciated the comprehensive report and staff's work. Expressed concerns about fuel consumption in the budget, the need to live within means, and the importance of responsible spending of rainy-day funds. Also asked about the budget line item for fuel and noted that rising gas prices could affect operations.
• Danny (public commenter): Voiced support for the e-bike working group and recommended including a younger perspective. Also suggested that tinker bells be required on bicycles for safety on trails.
• Public comment (unidentified speaker): Raised concerns about overgrazing and drainage at Horse Creek Ranch, and asked for clarity on landowner responsibilities under the conservation easement. Also recommended that monitoring visits be conducted at varying times of year.

Discussion Items

• 2025 Annual Report of Activities: Lindsay Boyer, Open Space Manager, presented a detailed report covering land acquisitions, capital improvements, trail projects, natural resource management, maintenance, volunteer programs, and events. Highlights included: managing over 7,000 acres with 7 full-time and 2 part-time staff; completion of the Prison Hill West Trailhead and accessible trail; acquisition of water rights for Buzzy's Ranch; ongoing sheep grazing project (2,500 sheep on 19th year); nearly $7 million in grant funding received; 400 participants in the Trails Challenge; and over $143,000 in volunteer labor value. The report was approved unanimously.
• FY2027 Work Plan: Lindsay Boyer outlined the work plan for the upcoming fiscal year (July 2026 – June 2027). Key projects included: continued water rights acquisition for Buzzy's Ranch (69% complete), potential purchase of an 80-acre parcel in Ash Canyon (grant application pending), Riverview Trailhead renovation, completion of the Carson River Master Plan update, development of an open space master plan, and implementation of the Programmatic Agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office. The committee discussed the need for an updated opportunities map with scoring priorities. The work plan was approved.
• FY2027 Open Space Budget: Lindsay Boyer presented the budget, funded entirely by the Quality of Life initiative (40% of sales tax revenue, approximately $1.7 million annually). Proposed changes included reclassification of the volunteer coordinator to Community Outreach Coordinator (79% funded by open space), purchase of a masticator attachment, and adjustments to seasonal staff budgets. The committee noted that the board had already received initial budget information due to the snowstorm-caused meeting delay. The committee voted to recommend the budget to the Board of Supervisors.
• Horse Creek Ranch Conservation Easement Annual Monitoring Report: Marina Lovejoy, Senior Natural Resource Specialist, reported that the landowner is in compliance with the easement. Natural resource concerns include forest health and pasture grazing impacts. The landowner has pivoted from building new homes to improving existing historic cabins. A stewardship account of $50,000 is available for potential improvements. The report was approved.
• Staff Updates:
  • Water Rights Acquisitions: Lindsay Boyer reported the completion of two acquisitions (915.8 acre-feet from Vidler Water Company for $2.3 million, and 363 acre-feet from the Anderson family for $730,000). A remaining $1.8 million grant from SNPLMA will fund the last portion.
  • Cottonwood Surveys: Intern Travis Navarro surveyed over 2,000 cottonwoods, finding that beavers target trees under 10 inches diameter, but also large trees near the river. Results inform tree wrapping management.
  • Sheep Program: 2,400 sheep are currently grazing on the west side. A $90,000 grant from Nevada Division of Forestry over five years funds fire department watering and fencing.
  • E-Bike Working Group: Greg Bergren, Trails Coordinator, announced the formation of a working group to study e-bike use, impacts, and policies in Carson City. The group will include OSAC, PRC, and transportation representatives, and aims to report back by the December joint meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Approval of minutes (unanimous with one abstention).
  • Election of Jay (Chair) and Mary Bird (Vice Chair) (unanimous).
  • Approval of 2025 Annual Report (unanimous).
  • Approval of FY2027 Work Plan (unanimous).
  • Recommendation to Board of Supervisors for FY2027 Budget (unanimous).
  • Approval of Horse Creek Ranch Monitoring Report (unanimous).
• Directives: Staff to update the open space opportunities map with scoring criteria; to include the conservation easement document as an exhibit in future annual reports; to invite a younger community member to the e-bike working group.
• Next Steps: The annual report will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on May 7, 2026. The final budget will be considered by the Board at a second meeting in May. The e-bike working group will convene and report by December 2026.