Boulder City briefs for Oct. 29, 2003

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

Council approves deal on waterfall

The Boulder City Council put an end to a dispute Tuesday with a resident whose 80-foot waterfall encroached on city land.

The City Council voted 4-0 to allow Craig Tillotson to keep his waterfall with the condition that he pay $10,000 to a local charity of his choice and remove two gazebos that also lie partially on city land. Council member Roger Tobler abstained because of Tillotson's longstanding account with his family's hardware store.

City Attorney Dave Olsen said Tillotson had already agreed to the conditions, which also stipulates that construction on the multimillion-dollar hillside property end by July 1.

Council members said the disruption caused by ongoing construction had aggravated neighbors more than the waterfall.

"I see a real light at the end of the tunnel, and that light is the end of construction," Mayor Bob Ferraro said.

One resident, Kenton Bentley, speaking on behalf of neighbors who were on vacation, asked the council to postpone voting on the resolution until they could attend the meeting in person.

The City Council declined, fearing it would reopen negotiations and prolong the dispute.

"Every effort was made to consider every concern brought by members of this community to this council," Councilwoman Karla Burton said.

Proposed solar plant's plan OK'd

Boulder City unanimously approved development and water service agreements with Solargenix that will allow the company to soon begin construction on a $100 million-plus solar power plant.

The agreements are substantially similar to the agreements Boulder City has with Eldorado Energy, City Attorney Dave Olsen said. The company will pay market value for the water in addition to the $550,000-a-year lease once the plant is up and running.

Solargenix, which already has contracts with Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific Power, is now seeking financing. Gary Bailey, Solargenix's Western area manager, said they hope to begin construction in the beginning of next year.

City will help with race

Boulder City again agreed to help host Henderson's annual off-road race, but with the condition that Boulder City reap more of the $6 million tourism boost brought in by the event.

The City Council approved Tuesday the third annual SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 Desert Race with the condition that at least two events surrounding the April 17 race take place in Boulder City. Council members also requested that the Chamber of Commerce work closer with the the Henderson Convention Center and Visitors Bureau to better promote Boulder City hotels.

Bud Pico, manager of tourism and sales with the Henderson Convention Center, said the race was moved back from July to April to draw more spectators and avoid the "120 degree heat" experienced during the previous races.

The lower temperatures in April will also cut down on the amount of water needed to dampen the race track to mitigate dust kick-up, Pico said.

Race planners have also cut the race track in half, reducing the course from 86 to 45 miles. The track runs through Eldorado Valley land between U.S. 95 and the McCullough Mountain area, south of Henderson.

Council members also suggested the financially ailing Boulder Creek Golf Course as a location for one of the pre-race events.