Regional Transportation Commission Meeting – May 13, 2026

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Carson City met on May 13, 2026, to discuss road project prioritization, approve FY27 capital projects for Performance District 4, award a contract for signage, and adopt a five-year transit development plan. Commissioners also heard public comments on regional bus service and future preservation costs.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (April 8, 2026): Unanimously approved as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opening Public Comment: Jordan, representing Dayton residents, requested a bus connection between Lyon County and Carson City. A commissioner responded that a shuttle from the Dayton Senior Center to the JAC hub is being pursued, with bus acquisition underway but funding for a driver still needed.
• Final Public Comment: Rebecca Boostos, Carson City resident, urged that when major projects like South Carson Street are planned, future preservation costs be included in the initial project budget rather than drawing from district allocations later.

Discussion Items

• 5A – Road Project Prioritization (Discussion Only): Chris Martinovich presented a data-driven process for prioritizing road projects. Key statistics: citywide PCI of 58; regional roads PCI 76; local roads lower. Fuel tax revenue increased 19% over 20 years (to $4.1M in FY2025), while construction costs rose 190% in the same period. Reconstruction costs average $2.4M per mile; preservation $380,000 per mile. Innovative techniques such as mastic and fiber-reinforced asphalt were discussed, with mastic showing promise for wide cracks. No action taken.
• 5B – FY27 Transportation Infrastructure Projects for Performance District 4: Staff presented recommended projects based on scoring. The $7.6M budget (plus $380K CDBG) funds South Carson Street preservation (Appian to Fifth, $2.8M), Curry Street, and local roads (Fifth, 10th, Division; Jackson, Hat Lane, Grant; Fifth/Terrace/Patton). Total project cost: $7,741,600. Discussion highlighted that 75% of regional funds go to South Carson Street, last repaved in 2021, while many local roads have not been touched in 30+ years. Concerns about transparency and the five‑year district rotation were raised. Motion to approve as presented passed unanimously.
• 5C – Contract Award – Nevada Barricade & Sign Company: Staff reported that the original bid advertisement received no bidders; a second advertisement yielded one bidder. A contract for JAX signs and lighting was awarded for $335,950 with a 5% contingency. Unanimously approved.
• 5D – Transit Development & Coordinated Human Services Plan (Action): Marcus Myers presented the five-year plan. Options include route network modifications (minor adjustments or a full refresh) and service level changes (current hours, reduced weekday, peak-only, or on-demand during off-peak). Cost estimates for interlocal agreements with Lyon County ($75,000/year + one‑time startup of $905,000, with ~60% attributable to Lyon) and Douglas County were noted. Commissioners requested corrections: fix ambiguous wording on three‑quarter‑mile fare (page 272), remove the sentence stating “approximately 60% of the cost would be attributable to Lyon County,” correct a bar chart misalignment (six bars for seven years), and add a study option for robotic EV transit. The plan was approved unanimously with those corrections.
• 6A – Transportation Manager’s Report: Updates included: electric vehicle registrations – 4% statewide, 6.5% in Washoe County; Safe Routes to School bike rodeos at multiple schools; North Carson Street survey nearing 500 responses; signal maintenance agreements being renegotiated with Lyon, Douglas, and NDOT; RTC Washoe to present on the regional connector in August; and joint procurement opportunities with RTC Washoe.
• 6B – Street Operations Report: Brief discussion; a commissioner asked about the distinction between “concrete board” and “sidewalk and flat work.” Staff promised to follow up.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Minutes approved unanimously.
  • FY27 Performance District 4 projects approved unanimously.
  • Contract for Nevada Barricade & Sign awarded unanimously.
  • Transit Development Plan approved unanimously, with four corrections noted.
• Directives: Staff to correct the transit plan as specified; to report back on the concrete classification question; and to continue coordination with Lyon and Douglas counties on potential interlocal transit agreements.
• Next Steps: Design of district 4 projects begins fall 2026; preservation construction summer 2027; rehabilitation construction summer 2028. North Carson Street survey open until May 22, 2026. RTC Washoe regional connector presentation anticipated in August.