Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Approval given for construction on walking/jogging track

Approval has been given to begin construction of the walking/jogging trail by the Nevada County Health Unit.

Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, told the Nevada County Quorum Court, at its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 9, work will begin on the trail soon.

Materials for the project have been ordered, and, weather permitting, the construction can be finished by the end of September. The trail will be lighted so people can walk at night, and there will be benches at various points where walkers can sit and rest.

Chadwell wrote a grant to try and get money to buy exercise equipment for the trail, but the application was denied. However, he can submit an application again next year to try and get funds for the equipment. If approved, the equipment would be placed in a central area for use by the public.

He updated the Court on the city's street project. The bids, he said, came in better than expected and more can be done than was first thought. The city will be able to pave all 30 miles of streets, and the area will look better when it's done.

Construction on the street project could begin by the end of the month, he said, and possibly earlier. Plans include widening both Martin and Moore streets and putting a sidewalk in so students can walk to school safely.

Chadwell brought up an idea other areas have done to help their communities. He said some cities and counties have purchased old properties, advertised for proposals and given those who had good ideas for the buildings a good deal on the sale or rental of the property.

Ads are placed in newspapers letting prospects know of the availability of the property. All in all, he said, this has proven to be a benefit to all involved where it's been done. The buildings, he added, can be used for almost any type of business or industry.

Chadwell said his office has received a few calls about building availability already.

The company handling the housing renovations are continuing to work and get people approved for the grant money available. Chadwell said the good news is the state has changed some of the rules and Nevada County can get up to $400,000 worth of work done on homes in the county.

Another rule change involves houses that can't be renovated, but must be torn down. According to Chadwell, the old deal was the homeowner got the $25,000 grant, but had to finance $40,000 as a low interest loan. Now, though, it's a 50-50 deal, where the grant is $32,500, as is the loan.

The county, he said, had 18 viable properties, though more applied. However, not all who applied met the guidelines.

One of the negative changes, he said, is the company can only do five applications a year. But, Chadwell added, this will allow more such companies to come into existence to handle this kind of work.

Updating Prescott Rubber, Inc., Chadwell said, equipment has been purchased, but a few pieces haven't been installed as yet.

The company, he said, got an unexpected contract, and could get two more contracts for its products when it begins operation. "They'll do well when they get up and going."

Curtis Lee Johnson asked about an incident where the 9-1-1 emergency number was called, but not answered.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown said he looked into the situation and a check of the log showed the phone rang 14 times. However, he said, the dispatcher had checked out temporarily and wasn't available to answer the phone.

The other phone number was called and answered. Brown said Dale Booker, 9-1-1 coordinator, looked into the situation and said it should be corrected.

Brown suggested the Court let Booker handle the situation and report to the Court in September about how it was handled.

Joyce Gibson, librarian, appeared before the Court seeking an appropriation of funds from the state for the library. The original amount was $7,500, with the county receiving $1,380 recently.

Gibson said the money was needed for maintenance and cleaning at the library.

Volunteers, she said, do what they can, but the library needs a full-time person doing the janitorial and cleaning work.

The Court approved her request.

Nick Hibbs, owner of the Nevada County Ambulance Service, was on hand to answer questions. He said financial statements would be provided to the Court showing how the funds are being used.