Reno City Council approved $16 million in infrastructure projects including solar installation and wastewater upgrades funded partly by a $1.5 million EPA grant.

THIS WEEK IN RENO CITY COUNCIL

Reno City Council approved over $16 million in infrastructure, fleet, and facility projects on Wednesday, including a major solar installation and federal grant award for wastewater improvements.

THE BIG DECISIONS

• APPROVED — City Fleet Buy Program for FY27 (vehicles and equipment) — Vote not recorded — $11.3 million investment keeps city services running with updated municipal vehicles and gear.
• APPROVED — Solar photovoltaic system at Moana Springs Community Aquatics Center — Vote not recorded — $1.6 million system reduces long-term energy costs at a heavily-used recreation facility.
• APPROVED — EPA Grant for Booth Street Siphon Project — Vote not recorded — $1.5 million federal grant plus $375,000 city match upgrades critical wastewater infrastructure.
• APPROVED — Vacant Storefront Activation Program (Redevelopment Agency) — 6-0 — Staff will fill empty downtown storefronts faster to revive commercial areas in Redevelopment Zone #1.

MONEY MOVES

• $11,318,304 — City fleet vehicles and equipment for FY27 — Fleet Management Fund
• $1,598,322 — Solar panels at Moana Springs Aquatics Center — Green Energy Fund and community grants
• $1,500,000 — Booth Street Siphon wastewater project — EPA Grant (with $375,000 city match from Sewer Fund)

STILL IN PROGRESS

• Parking Gallery at 135 N. Sierra Street — Planning phase authorized; detailed design timeline pending — Next update expected at future Redevelopment Agency meeting.
• Buck Sewer Lift Stations Upgrade — Professional engineering design underway — $417,558 contract approved; construction timeline to be determined.
• Comprehensive User Fee Study — Consultant hired to review all city service fees — Results expected within 6–9 months; may affect resident utility and recreation costs.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Meetings held: 13
• Items voted on: 31
• Total spending approved: $20,827,669.16
• Unanimous votes: 7
• Contested votes: 1

PULSE QUESTION

QUESTION: Should Reno prioritize filling vacant downtown storefronts or invest those resources elsewhere?

OPTIONS: ["Fill storefronts to boost downtown", "Invest in other neighborhoods first", "Split effort between downtown and other areas"]

TAGS

Budget, Infrastructure, Parks, Environment, Governance, Public Safety

Meetings This Week