Boulder City Council briefs for Nov. 27, 2002

Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2002 | 9:16 a.m.

Funds approved for loop trail

The Boulder City Council on Tuesday approved $136,000 to develop a section of trail along a planned loop that would connect Boulder City, the Las Vegas Valley and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The state Department of Transportation will match the city funding for the 4.5-mile section of trail with another $351,000 in federal grant money.

The city plans to bid the project at the earliest by March and break ground sometime in mid-2003, Gary Zupanic, a city engineering technician, said.

Storefronts will be renovated

Four Boulder City downtown businesses agreed Tuesday to renovate storefronts and otherwise improve their properties with the help of city money.

Nevada Drug, Bob's Restaurant, Chiarelli's Deli and the American Legion applied for redevelopment funds to go toward improvement projects.

The four businesses plan to spend a total of $223,000 of their own money. In return, the Boulder City Council agreed to provide another $63,363 in redevelopment funds to help the projects.

The council also approved $20,000 to build a trash bin facility in a downtown alley.

Scheppmann gets Hardy's post

A 23-year resident of Boulder City on Tuesday assumed the seat of former Councilman Joe Hardy, who resigned earlier this month after being elected to the state Assembly.

Doug Scheppmann, 53, an insurance agency owner and former chairman of the city parks and recreation commission, was appointed unanimously by the Boulder City Council. City Clerk Vicki Mayes planned to swear Scheppmann in today.

Scheppmann said he will not run for Hardy's seat in the municipal election this spring, but wanted to serve the community as he has in several other volunteer capacities.

City Council members lauded Hardy for his calming influence, his sense of humor and his community service.

"Joe packs a lot of wisdom," Councilman Bryan Nix said.

Hardy, who attended the meeting, spoke during public comments. He urged the city to pursue funds from Bureau of Land Management land sales to help fund a proposed multimillion-dollar public swimming pool.