Week of January 28, 2013

THIS WEEK IN RENO CITY COUNCIL

The Reno City Council met for a full session approving 30+ items ranging from baseball stadium financing to zoning changes to board appointments.

THE BIG DECISIONS

• APPROVED — Baseball Stadium Refinancing Agreement (ORD E22 and related resolutions) — 5-2 vote — City commits to $850,000 annually for years 1-5, then $1.1 million for years 6-10, then $1.15 million for years 11-30. Total 30-year obligation: approximately $30 million from general fund. Avoids $60 million potential lawsuit liability with county over tax increment diversion.
• APPROVED — Fire Department Battalion Chief Staffing Side Letter — Unanimous — Saves $28,000 through April 13, 2013 by assigning acting Battalion Chief to Training Division Chief position instead of using overtime. Allows mentoring of captain into full battalion chief role.
• APPROVED — City Property Sale at Guyer Grade and Veterans Parkway — Unanimous — Sells 3-acre parcel to Pioneer Parkway Holding Company for $325,000 (appraised value was $288,000).
• APPROVED — Digital Billboard Moratorium (Bill 6841) — Unanimous — One-year moratorium on converting static billboards to digital while lawsuits challenging existing ordinance are resolved.
• APPROVED — Multiple Zoning Changes — Unanimous — Includes Sharyland PUD signage expansion, South Meadows PUD 1-acre addition, Mayberry Salon rezoning to neighborhood commercial, and McQueen area rezoning to community commercial.
• APPROVED — Sky Vista Senior Housing Project Zone Change and Tentative Map — 5-1 vote each — Allows 338-unit senior housing development on 32-acre property. Developer investing $40 million.
• CONTINUED — McCaron Crossing Development (10.24 acres) — Pending completion of neighborhood planning process. Council to review March 13, 2013.
• REFERRED — Affordable Housing Project Rezoning — Two-week deferral before adoption vote. Staff to continue community dialogue on changing zoning from neighborhood commercial to single-family detached.

MONEY MOVES

• $325,000 — Property sale at Guyer Grade and Veterans Parkway — Real estate sale revenue
• $850,000 annually (first 5 years) — Baseball stadium subsidy — General fund and RDA funds

STILL IN PROGRESS

• Baseball Stadium Funding — Council members concerned about $30 million from general fund impact on police, fire, and senior services; debate over whether 30-year commitment was too risky given sports industry volatility and uncertainty about future council budget priorities.
• Oliver Montell Properties Use — Community members argued city promised community facility (childcare, internet access) for youth, not residential duplexes. City said neighborhood should have been consulted on final use decision.
• Flood Plain Development (LDBC 13-000025) — Concerns raised about development at Penbrook and McCaron in flood plain with shallow groundwater (4-6 feet) and inadequate storm water management.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Meetings held: 1
• Items voted on: 8
• Total spending approved: $1,175,000
• Unanimous votes: 4
• Contested votes: 2

PULSE QUESTION

QUESTION: How do you feel about Baseball Stadium Refinancing Agreement (ORD E22 and related resolutions) — 5-2 vote — City commits?

OPTIONS: ["Support the direction", "Oppose the direction", "Need more information"]

TAGS

Housing | Budget | Zoning | Governance

Meetings This Week