WARD 4: Being money smart

Councilwoman Shari Buck discusses state of the economy in relation to North Las Vegas at town hall meeting

David Becker/ViewNorth Las Vegas City Councilwoman Shari Buck, middle, greets her constituents before her town hall meeting at Johnston Middle School at 5855 Lawrence St. David Becker/ViewThe Johnston Middle School theater was almost filled for Shari Buck?s Ward 4 town hall meeting. Advertisement

The state of the economy was one of the issues at the forefront of North Las Vegas Councilwoman Shari Buck's Oct. 28 town hall meeting.

Approximately 70 North Las Vegas area residents turned out to Carroll Johnston Middle School, 5855 Lawrence St., for the event that Buck called "very informal," even as she described the financial state of the city.

"We have a very wise city manager who, a few years ago, at the first signs of a downturn, advised that we take proactive measures as a city," Buck said.

In 2004, according to Buck, council members adopted several financial policies that they believed would lead to greater stability and sustainability in the city's coffers.

"This proactive adoption built in an 18 percent reserve for our general fund, resulting in $6.9 million set aside for those challenging times," she said. "It is because of that foresight that our city is not in the dire financial straits that so many other places are dealing with."

According to Buck, the surplus ending fund balance requirement wasn't just good planning on the part of city officials. It also will allow residents to continue enjoying parks and cultural events funded by the city.

"These things are important to our citizens, and we will continue to operate as we have been," she said. "Even in the financially strained atmosphere, we are not in a position of needing to close parks or stop events such as BalloonaPallooza."

Buck said the North Las Vegas City Council has even managed to lower taxes by 4 cents per person in the past few years.

"That may not seem like a lot," Buck said. "But collectively, it has saved businesses and taxpayers $10.4 million."

Buck told Ward 4 residents that lowering taxes is one of her paramount concerns, one she hopes to focus on more when the economy bounces back.

Public works director Qiong Liu talked about plans for new traffic signals, flood control channels, parks and the Alexander Library and Park.

Liu said the city installed 15 new traffic signals in the Ward 4 region throughout 2008, and residents can expect to see additional signals in the coming year at locations such as Colton Avenue and Losee Road, Commerce Street and Centennial Parkway, and Tropical Parkway and Losee Road.

"I think that the city has made major headway in providing those additional structures," Liu said. "What we're looking ahead to now are those signals for 2009, all of which will be constructed by in-house crews."

The library, to be located at 1755 W. Alexander Road, is a 16,400-square-foot facility projected to be complete in early 2009.

The library and adjacent park project are costing the city $7.8 million.

"This is an exciting time to be your public works director," Liu said. "There are a number of very exciting projects on the way. We're looking forward as these projects come to fruition."

Liu also spoke about the renovation and construction of several area facilities, including Monte Vista Park and the Centennial Parkway Channel East.

"This will be a regional storm drainage facility more than 1.9 miles in length," she said.

The project, which began in June, will be completed in summer 2009.

Also making an appearance was Assistant Police Chief Joe Chronister, who spoke about the department's forthcoming Crime View technology that will allow residents to log onto the police department's Web site, www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com, and view detailed crime statistics for specified geographic areas.

"When this program goes online, and we expect that to happen sometime in the next few months, you will be able to type in an address and access data about all criminal activity in that area," Chronister said. "You will be able to go as far back as 30 days or check up on what's happened in the last 24 hours."

Chronister said the program won't show exact addresses but will display 100-block information about where incidents occur in real time.

"This allows you to be aware of what's happening in your neighborhoods," Chronister said. "It allows us to target specific problem areas and know what we need to do to address those problems."

North Las Vegas Park Planning and Development Services manager Jon Jainga updated residents on the status of the Craig Ranch Park, 628 W. Craig Road, and Sky View Multi-Generational Center, planned for Centennial Parkway and Statz Street.

"The park really will be one of nicest facilities I think you've ever seen," he said.

The 135-acre one-time golf course was purchased with federal funds and will feature an indoor aquatic center, large children's playground, open space meadow trail, golf course, plaza, water feature and native garden.

Jainga said that phase one of the project will begin early next year, beginning with the construction and installation of 375 parking spaces, underground utilities, an internal access road, improvements along Craig Road, a large destination playground with ranch-style design, off-leash dog park, picnic area, walking paths and a water feature that will simulate a creek.

"Kids will be able to go down and play in the water feature as though it were an actual creek," he said. "It will be quite remarkable."

According to Jainga, funding for the Sky View project already has been secured and construction is expected to begin in winter 2009.

"We already have funding for the center, landscaping and parking stalls," he said. "Funding for phase two still needs to be secured."

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.