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Bonanza Photo - Emma Garrard The view from the 5-acre parcel of land on Incline Lake property looks over both Incline lake and Lake Tahoe. The parcel was approved for purchase by IVGID Wednesday night at the board of trustees meeting.
It took one of Incline's original purchasers to convince Incline Village General Improvement District trustees and a diverse group of Incline residents to stop bickering and sign off on the purchase of a 5-acre parcel near Incline Lake.
Trustees voted three to two to purchase the property for $1 million to be paid for over the next three years.
"This isn't a decision about business plans and fee increases," said 75-year-old Manny Sylvester, involved in the original purchase of the land that is now Incline Village. "It's about the future. If we had had a business plan 47 years ago we wouldn't have bought 9,000 acres and we probably wouldn't be here."
A diverse demographic spoke at Wednesday's meeting, including home and business owners, parents and one Incline teen.
"This area near Incline Lake would not only allow local scouts to do our outdoor activities in centralized area it would benefit numerous community programs and all the kids in Incline schools," said 16-year-old Boy Scout Kyle Richter.
Trustees voted three to two to purchase the property for $1 million to be paid for over the next three years.
"This isn't a decision about business plans and fee increases," said 75-year-old Manny Sylvester, involved in the original purchase of the land that is now Incline Village. "It's about the future. If we had had a business plan 47 years ago we wouldn't have bought 9,000 acres and we probably wouldn't be here."
A diverse demographic spoke at Wednesday's meeting, including home and business owners, parents and one Incline teen.
"This area near Incline Lake would not only allow local scouts to do our outdoor activities in centralized area it would benefit numerous community programs and all the kids in Incline schools," said 16-year-old Boy Scout Kyle Richter.
Although the board signed a letter of intent to acquire the parcel in November, vice chairman Gene Brockman and treasurer Beverly Mapps were the dissenting voters. They said they still didn't have enough information about how the property will be used or how the district could finance the purchase to move forward.
Brockman also questioned the parcel's boundaries, as well as what role Washoe County and the Nevada Department of Transportation will play in a joint collaboration to manage activity on the property.
The Incline Lake property acquisition is also contingent on the forest service's acquisition of the 770-acre parcel from the 19 private shareholders of the Incline Lake Corp. Last August, Sen. John Ensign announced on the shores of Incline Lake that the land would be acquired by the federal government.
Initially, IVGID was asked to "partner" in the land's management, but later specific parcel was carved out for their acquisition by Minden-based consultants Terra Firma Associates.
Because the forest service does not traditionally build, maintain or operate structures on its land, and that IVGID would like to eventually build a "gateway" multi-use facility on the five acres, the district was offered a "piece of the lake" in the fall.
Board Chairman John Bohn, trustee Bea Epstein and secretary Bob Wolf, who all voted in favor of the purchase, said the land acquisition was an opportunity that the district couldn't pass up.
Brockman also questioned the parcel's boundaries, as well as what role Washoe County and the Nevada Department of Transportation will play in a joint collaboration to manage activity on the property.
The Incline Lake property acquisition is also contingent on the forest service's acquisition of the 770-acre parcel from the 19 private shareholders of the Incline Lake Corp. Last August, Sen. John Ensign announced on the shores of Incline Lake that the land would be acquired by the federal government.
Initially, IVGID was asked to "partner" in the land's management, but later specific parcel was carved out for their acquisition by Minden-based consultants Terra Firma Associates.
Because the forest service does not traditionally build, maintain or operate structures on its land, and that IVGID would like to eventually build a "gateway" multi-use facility on the five acres, the district was offered a "piece of the lake" in the fall.
Board Chairman John Bohn, trustee Bea Epstein and secretary Bob Wolf, who all voted in favor of the purchase, said the land acquisition was an opportunity that the district couldn't pass up.
"Right now we need to make up our mind and move forward," Wolf told the board during deliberation. "I move to accept staff's recommendation to move forward with the purchase and then explore all alternative funding means other than raising the recreation fee."
With the addition of a $1 million purchase to its budget, IVGID Director of Finance Ramona Cruz said next month will be spent setting spending priorities.
"The board has said that purchasing the Incline Lake parcel is a community priority, so it's our job to make it happen," Cruz said. "There are several funding options and once we determine what they all are we'll come back to the board for a decision."
Before making the final decision Wednesday night, trustees discussed numerous options to pay for the 5-acre parcel.
"I would like to see the money from our land sales (currently $702,000) be the first preference to pay for this," Wolf said.
With the addition of a $1 million purchase to its budget, IVGID Director of Finance Ramona Cruz said next month will be spent setting spending priorities.
"The board has said that purchasing the Incline Lake parcel is a community priority, so it's our job to make it happen," Cruz said. "There are several funding options and once we determine what they all are we'll come back to the board for a decision."
Before making the final decision Wednesday night, trustees discussed numerous options to pay for the 5-acre parcel.
"I would like to see the money from our land sales (currently $702,000) be the first preference to pay for this," Wolf said.
IVGID district manager Bill Horn informed trustees of two alternative funding sources. The state attorney general is reviewing a motion which would allow the use of Washoe County open space and parks funds (nearly $450,000) to help pay for the parcel, Horn said.
The Arthur B. Schutlz Foundation, which provides grants to preserve wildlands and conserve recreational opportunities, has also committed $150,000 to the district's purchase.
On the notion of raising the recreation fee to pay for the parcel, board chairman John Bohn said the board will have to determine who much, if any, it will barrow from community reserves.
Cruz said the most important thing is for the board to decide how much cash it wants to hold in reserves before raising fees.
Representatives from Minden-based Terra Firma Associates, the land brokers who represent the 19 shareholders who currently own the Incline Lake property, were on hand to explain the transaction.
"With this decision we'll be able to finalize our purchase agreement with IVGID and complete the rest of the documentation in the forest service transaction," Glen Williams said. "We're really glad the board choose to move forward and the shareholders will be extremely pleased that the board had the courage to make this a reality and a benefit for this community."
The Arthur B. Schutlz Foundation, which provides grants to preserve wildlands and conserve recreational opportunities, has also committed $150,000 to the district's purchase.
On the notion of raising the recreation fee to pay for the parcel, board chairman John Bohn said the board will have to determine who much, if any, it will barrow from community reserves.
Cruz said the most important thing is for the board to decide how much cash it wants to hold in reserves before raising fees.
Representatives from Minden-based Terra Firma Associates, the land brokers who represent the 19 shareholders who currently own the Incline Lake property, were on hand to explain the transaction.
"With this decision we'll be able to finalize our purchase agreement with IVGID and complete the rest of the documentation in the forest service transaction," Glen Williams said. "We're really glad the board choose to move forward and the shareholders will be extremely pleased that the board had the courage to make this a reality and a benefit for this community."
