The Nevada Commission for the Construct Reconstruction of the V&T Railway met on May 27, 2026, at 9:03 AM. The meeting was called to order by Chair Mitchell with a quorum present (Mitchell, Peterson, Cruz, Hicks). All votes were unanimous. The commission approved routine financial items, adopted the final budget for FY2027, authorized multiple art installations at the Eastgate Depot, launched two RFPs for Polar Express services, and received operational and marketing updates.
No public comments were offered during either the opening or closing public comment periods.
Sherry Bailey presented the final budget, noting three adjustments from the tentative version: a $5,500 increase for security (to align with actual spending), a $10,000 increase for building maintenance at the Eastgate Depot, and a carryover of capital outlay for a van (not purchased by June 30). These brought the budget to a negative $75,800, which is covered by capital funds. The budget was approved unanimously.
Eric Brooks (Visit Carson City Arts & Culture Program Manager and President of the Dust and Wonder Trail) presented three proposals:
12-Foot Interpretive Railroad Spike: Part of a larger Dust and Wonder Trail project, with similar spikes planned for Virginia City and Minden. The spike would be placed at Eastgate Depot, with installation costs of $300–$500 for the foundation. The spike is already fabricated and would be installed around August 2026. Commissioners expressed strong support, noting the tourism and educational value.
Murals for the Fourth Annual Carson City Murals & Music Festival (Sept. 14–19, 2026): A three-wall mural by artist Joe C. Rock, designed to surround the spike. The commission would spend up to $1,000, with a cash match from Visit Carson City. The mural would wrap around multiple walls of the depot shed.
Additional Mural (South-Facing Wall of Depot): A second mural opportunity arose from unspent America 250 grant funds ($7,000). This mural would be grant-funded with no cost to the commission and must be completed by June 30, 2026. The commission agreed to proceed with all three elements.
The commission voted unanimously to: (a) approve placement of the 12-foot spike, (b) authorize expenditure up to $1,000 for the festival mural (multiple walls), (c) authorize a second mural on the south-facing wall at no cost to the commission, and (d) designate Chair Mitchell and Vice Chair Peterson as liaisons to finalize details with the artist and grant.
Sherry Bailey proposed issuing an RFP for decorating the Eastgate Depot for Polar Express (inside and outside) for a four-year term (through the 2029 season). Annual budget: $10,000–$12,000. The contract would run from August 1, 2026 to January 2030. The RFP was approved, and Commissioners Stephanie Hicks and David Peterson were designated to review responses and provide a recommendation at the July commission meeting.
A second RFP was approved for a vendor to provide Santa and photography services for Polar Express. The vendor would receive a 35% revenue share of gross sales and be restricted to serving only Polar Express ticket holders (no walk-in public). The contract matches the decorating RFP term. Commissioners Leah Cruz and Stephanie Hicks were designated to review proposals and report back in July.
I don't think we're going to do that. I don't think we're going to go to the page. Thanks for being here. We're going to call to order this meeting of the Nevada Commission for the Construct Reconstruction of the V and T Railway. It is sharp, the crack of nine oh three. What can I say? We're just administrators. We don't have to make the trains run on time, right? Um we'll go ahead and uh call we call this meeting in order. We'll move to item number two, which is a roll call and determination of quorum, if you would please. Chair Mitchell. I'm here. Vice Chair Peterson present. Treasurer Cruz present. Secretary Hicks. Here. A quorum is present. Thank you, Brianna. I will move on to item number three, which is a pledge of allegiance. If you'd like to join me with that. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. Under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. Alright, at this time we will move on to item number four, which is public comment. The public is invited at this time to comment on and discuss any topic that is relevant to or within the authority of this body. Um I know there's lots of other stuff that I normally read, but I will just open it up for public comment at this time. Is there any public comment here in the room? All right, seeing none, um we'll take public comment online, but it doesn't look like we have anyone tuned in online at this time. But I'll just pause a moment in case there is someone there that I'm not seeing. Alright, with that, we'll move on to item number five, which is for possible action. That's approval of the minutes from our April 15th, 2026 meeting. Any comments or questions from the commission on those minutes? Uh hearing none. Is there any public comment on the minutes? All right. Uh hearing no public comment, I'll be happy to entertain a motion. I move to approve the minutes of the April 15th, 2026 meeting. We have a motion. Do we have a second? I second. Motion and a second. Any final comments? Hearing none, all those in favor, please indicate by saying aye. Aye. Uh passes unanimously. Thank you. Move on to item number six, which is uh for possible action. This is discussion of possible action regarding the VNT Commission statement of accounts, payable checks paid March 1st through 31st, 2026. Treasurer Cruz, do you have anything to add to here? I do not unless anybody has questions. Very good questions or comments from the commission.