The Spanish Springs Citizen Advisory Board announced it is looking for a new member at Wednesday’s meeting.

Chairman Vaughn Hartung, who returned to the board after being gone for two months, started the meeting at 7 p.m. in the community center at the Lazy 5 Regional Park.

In addition to hearing a presentation about a proposed land use amendment north of Calle de la Plata, the board received updates about the Spanish Springs community.

John Bradbury, Washoe County Parks commissioner, addressed the board during public comment about a possible traffic signal installation at the entrance to the Lazy 5 Regional Park.

Bradbury urged the community to contact its commissioners in order to get the project moving. He explained that currently people traveling south on Pyramid Highway cannot access the park by making a left hand turn because of the median that was installed.

People must drive south to the intersection of Pyramid Highway and Sparks Boulevard before being able to turn around and drive north about one mile back to the park. At that intersection, “No U-turn” signs have been installed, now making it illegal to turn around to gain access to the park. Bradbury said this is ridiculous and a signal needs to be installed to access Lazy 5.

Hartung said that he would look into the issue.

In addition, Bradbury updated the CAB on parks and recreation issues. He said that because of budget cuts he believes the summer concert series, free movie nights, Bark at the Water Park and teen dances that have all been held at Lazy 5 will likely be canceled.

Bradbury also talked about the Adopt a Park Program, which allows people to help maintain parks in their neighborhoods. For more information on the Adopt a Park program, contact Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space at 823-6500.

“There is no reason why we who live out here can’t help and adopt a park,” Bradbury said. “Let’s keep our parks going in these tough times.”

The board also heard a presentation from Regional Transportation Commission project manager Doug Maloy. Maloy addressed the board regarding three roadwork projects that will affect the area in the upcoming months.

First, Maloy said that construction to widen southbound Pyramid Highway at Emerson Way to create a right-hand turn lane at the McCarran Boulevard intersection could start in June and be completed as soon as August. He said that construction would be done at night in hopes of minimizing disruption to daily traffic.

“Anything you do at that intersection will be interesting due to the large amounts of traffic,” Maloy said.

In addition to Pyramid Highway road work, RTC plans to begin widening Vista Boulevard beginning at Los Altos Parkway north to Wingfield Springs. Construction could start as soon as August and be completed in the summer of 2010. Maloy also said that RTC plans to repair parts of Los Altos and construction could begin in May.

Hartung asked Maloy if widening Vista Boulevard was more important than possibly doing road work on Pyramid. Maloy said that at peak travel hours, traffic backs up at the intersection of Vista Boulevard and Los Altos Parkway creating the need to alleviate the traffic congestion by widening the two northbound and two southbound lanes.

The board also heard presentations from the Medical Reserve Corps, which is seeking new volunteers, as well as a presentation on behalf of Hawco Properties about a proposed land use amendment.

The next Spanish Springs CAB meeting will be April 8 at 7 p.m. at the community center at the Lazy 5 Regional Park.