NID approves lease for restaurant at Rollins Reservoir

 A new restaurant is expected to open this spring at the Orchard Springs Campground at Rollins Reservoir under action taken on Wednesday, March 10, by directors of the Nevada Irrigation District.

 Board members expressed enthusiastic support for a proposal and business plan from Colfax restaurant operator Jason McKinney to re-establish The Lure Restaurant at the resort.  The restaurant has not operated since 2006.

  Director Nick Wilcox said that having an operating restaurant at the site is in NID’s best interests.

  “Whatever enhances the experience for the campers out there, will bring more people back and be a benefit for the area,” he said.

  McKinney, who has operated the Colfax Max restaurant for the past two years, said he plans to serve steak, seafood and sandwich fare and expects to obtain a liquor license for beer and wine service.

  The lease arrangement calls for McKinney’s rent to be 7.5 percent of gross receipts or the costs of utility services, whichever is greater.  The board approved the lease on a one-year trial basis.

  “It’s a good lease,” said Director John Drew.  “It’s good for the district and it’s sensitive to the needs of the lessee.”

  In other business, directors:

•  clarified the hiring freeze that is now in effect at the district.  Board President Scott Miller said 13.5 vacant positions would remain unfilled through 2010 but that other positions vacated by retirements or other means may be filled. Miller said deeper work force reductions are not planned because of concerns over the safety and reliability of the public water system.

• welcomed two new employees to the district’s Maintenance Department, which remains five employees below last year’s level. Gene Presley is a Utility Worker I with the Grass Valley maintenance crew and Joe Robinson is a Utility Worker I with the Placer County crew.

• recognized the public service of C. Richard Anderson of Grass Valley, who retires March 12 after 25 years with the district. Anderson spent 12 years as NID’s mountain laketender at 5,600-foot Bowman Reservoir, where during the winter he was often isolated and traveled by snowmobile for his water and power operational duties.

 The next regular meeting of the NID Board of Directors will be held at 9 a.m. on Mar. 24 at the NID Business Center in Grass Valley.  NID board meetings are open to the public.