The Carson City Board of Supervisors met on August 6, 2026, at 8:30 AM in the Community Center, Robert 'Bob' Crowell Board Room. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including special presentations, consent agenda items, a bill draft request to amend the city charter, repeal of the Cultural Commission, introduction of a short-term rental ordinance, and several property-related actions. Key votes included approval of a short-term rental ordinance on first reading with a November 1 effective date, and approval of a charter amendment with one opposed vote on a particular section.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously. The mayor then requested reconsideration of item 8.a after learning Cherie Mathis could not serve; the board voted unanimously to reopen the position.
Opening Public Comment:
Comment on Item 14.a (Charter Amendment):
Comment on Item 16.a (Short-Term Rental Ordinance):
Final Public Comment:
14.a: Bill Draft Request to Amend Carson City Charter Deputy City Manager Stephanie Hicks presented the BDR incorporating recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. Supervisor White expressed concern about the lack of a definition for "animal" in Section 2.180, noting the term appears in multiple contexts without clarity. Legal counsel (Mr. Yu) explained that a broad term allows future ordinance flexibility. The board split the vote: the BDR excluding Section 2.180 was approved unanimously; Section 2.180 was approved 4-1, with Supervisor White opposed.
15.a: Ordinance No. 2026-10 (Second Reading) - Repeal of Cultural Commission Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Budge confirmed no public comments. The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance on second reading.
16.a: Short-Term Rental Ordinance (First Reading) and Business Impact Statement Community Development Director Hope Sullivan presented extensive background, noting the board has been discussing STRs for 18 months. The proposed ordinance defines STRs as residential units rented as transient lodging (excluding home-based rentals of spare bedrooms). Key provisions include: one STR per property; permit application requirements; code of conduct; safety inspections; sanitation logs; bear-proof trash containers (required); and a two-year lookback for violations. The business impact statement concluded no direct and significant economic burden. The board discussed effective date, utility connection language, and enforcement. On a motion by Supervisor Giomi, the board voted unanimously to:
16.b: Extension of Time for Easement Abandonment at 899 N. Lompa Lane Heather Manzo explained the extension to December 10, 2026, to align with parcel map expirations. Supervisor White noted he could not make findings 1, 4, and 7 and voted no. The motion passed 4-1.
16.c: Abandonment of 10-Foot Alley (West of N. Curry Street) Heather Ferris presented the request to abandon a 1,683 sq ft alley to accommodate development at 1114 N. Curry Street. The Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions including utility easements. The board voted unanimously to approve.
16.d: Final Subdivision Map - Blackstone Ranch Phase 2A-1 Heather Manzo presented the map creating 44 single-family lots and common area. Staff recommended approval. Supervisor White voted no; motion passed 4-1.
16.e: Final Subdivision Map - Blackstone Ranch Phase 2A-2 Similar to 16.d, creating 41 single-family lots. Staff recommended approval. Motion passed 4-1 with Supervisor White opposed.
The meeting adjourned at approximately [unknown time based on transcript], followed by a closed session to confer with legal counsel.
Quickly see the status of service outages or other occurrences. This site was brought to you by Carson City through the cooperation of the public works, fire, and information technology departments. Hi, I'm Craig from Full Circle Compost, and this is my watershed moment. I've spent much of my life fostering healthy soil. Healthy soil not only grows nutritious food, it absorbs, stores, and filters water, which reduces erosion, decreases drought impacts, and improves water quality. We can all help soil maintain these superpowers in our yards, gardens, and agricultural lands by number one, minimizing ground disturbance and maintaining long and strong living roots. Number two, covering the soil with natural compost, plants and mulch. And number three, by encouraging a diversity of plants, animals, and insects to help support the ecosystem that makes up healthy soil. We're only scratching the surface here. Taking these actions limits soil erosion and stormwater runoff. I am Carson River Watershed, and you are too.com or in the Jump Around Carson app. This new feature allows riders to look up bus stop locations, view bus schedules, fares and arrival times, and locate a bus along route in real time. Jack is constantly looking for ways to improve service, which is evident through the addition of its WNC Taxi Voucher program, implementation of solar lighting at select bus shelters, brand new dual-door buses, and the previously mentioned app. So whether you are a sightseeing tourist or a resident with a daily routine, Jack is a convenient and economical way to get around Carson City. Have you noticed the agricultural land beside the Carson River? This privately owned land supplies local food and maintains the scenic character of our community. Often overlooked, this open agricultural land does another vital job. It's the river's floodplain and it protects us from potential flood devastation. For over 150 years, ranchers and farmers have cultivated these fertile lands, resulting in the open land along the Carson River we enjoy today. The floodplain is the low-lying area along rivers and streams that regularly floods, especially during a rain-on-snow event or in years with a heavy Sierra snowpack. Maintaining agriculture in the floodplain keeps people safe and minimizes flood damage and cost. If these areas are developed, upstream flood waters are restricted by levees, roads, and structures, and cannot move freely onto the floodplain. This narrowing of the natural water course causes the river to flow faster and deeper, increasing the risk of catastrophic flood damage. Agricultural lands by their nature are minimally developed, allowing flood waters to spread out, slow down, and sink in. Residents and businesses are kept out of harm's way and save money that would otherwise be spent on repairing flood damage. For example, due to the abundance of agricultural lands along the Carson River, 1997 flood damages were limited to 29 million dollars for all counties. In contrast, $686 million was spent in Washoe County alone to repair the much more developed Truckee River corridor. In addition to flood control, safety, and savings, these open fields provide many environmental benefits. They recharge groundwater, improve water quality, and provide wildlife habitat. Conserving floodplain lands is supported by the public in Carson River watershed communities. Land use tools such as conservation easements, acquisitions, and ordinances can be used to maintain the floodplain and be compatible with agricultural lands. For decades, conservation easements have allowed agricultural producers to sustain operations, keeping agricultural lands along the Carson River open and productive. Based on a 2015 floodplain inventory, these land use tools have permanently set aside 12,300 acres of floodplain within Douglas County, Carson City, and Lyon County. However, two-thirds of the Carson River's floodplain remains vulnerable to increased development, which will increase the risk of flooding. So floodplains are very important, not only agriculturally, but also environmentally, aesthetically, and to the community as a whole. Support of open ranch land along the Carson River not only enables us to maintain our way of life, it provides local food into our communities, and it also enables Holly family farms to continue providing organic products that feed our neighbors. Having agricultural lands in the floodplain provides local food, contributes to our economy, improves our environment, and maintains our quality of life, all while keeping our communities safe. Let's work together to protect the Carson River floodplain. It's a beautiful place to play, enjoy nature, and grow our food. But open land also does an important job. It's the river's floodplain and it protects us from potentially devastating floods. Keeping these low-lying areas free of development, floodwaters spread out, slow down, and sink in. The open floodplain is a community asset that keeps us safe, produces our food, and offers great places to recreate. Let's work together to protect the Carson River floodplain. Hi, my name is Felicia Patterson, and I'm the owner and operator of Sierra Canine Academy, and this is my watershed moment. Dog waste isn't just a hazard on the bottom of your shoes, yuck. It's one of the many seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for our water quality and even human health. Animal waste contains two main types of pollutants that harm local waters, nutrients, and pathogens. These pollutants make local waters unswimmable and unfishable and can cause severe illness in people and pets. The Carson River watersheds nearly 16,000 dogs, creates almost 12,000 pounds of pood daily.