Reno City Council
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What Happened
The Reno City Council held a regular meeting with 27 agenda items, lasting several hours, approving most routine business and a bowling center renovation while deferring a major street abandonment decision that drew 152+ residents in opposition.
Key Decisions
[CONTINUED] — Lander Street abandonment for Our Lady of Snows School — Unanimous motion — Street will close during school hours (7:30 AM–4:30 PM weekdays) without full abandonment. Decision on permanent abandonment deferred pending parking improvements and drop-off zone design by Public Works.
[APPROVED] — Bowling Center Phase One renovation — Unanimous vote — $69,500 contract to United Construction Company for first-floor renovation including offices and conference rooms. Part of multi-phase facility upgrade funded through capital assessment revenue.
[APPROVED] — Great Basin Youth Soccer League donation — 7-0 vote — $5,000 from donation funds for Moana Stadium soccer field renovation as part of Miracle on Turf project.
[APPROVED] — South NAB parks funding — Unanimous vote — $8,200 for parks maintenance, supplies, and graffiti removal.
[APPROVED] — Secondhand dealer licensing amendments — Unanimous vote — Ordinance 6223 updates regulations on antiques, collectibles, and secondhand dealer licenses.
[APPROVED] — Sewer billing appeals process — Unanimous vote — Bill 6787 changes how residents appeal sewer service charges to administrative hearing officers.
[APPROVED] — Charter Review Committee creation — Unanimous vote — Nine-member committee established to review city governance document. Members must be Reno residents. Committee tasked with clarifying two specific charter sections: officer employment restrictions and mayoral succession procedures.
[APPROVED] — Board appointments — Unanimous vote — Kelly Langley to Financial Advisory Board; David Kitchen to Ward Two South Neighborhood Advisory Board.
[APPROVED] — Safe and Sober Foundation donation — Unanimous vote — $500 for Safe and Sober Grad Night youth program.
[CONTINUED] — Digital billboard ordinance appeal — Unanimous vote — Deferred to workshop within 30 days. Council cited need for more time to review complex spacing requirements, conformance standards, and land use questions.
[APPROVED] — Moana Stadium property disposal — Vote count not recorded — City authorized to sell or donate personal property from decommissioned stadium, with sale proceeds offsetting demolition costs.
Debated But Not Resolved
Lander Street abandonment — Opponents (152+ residents) argued permanent closure eliminates 25 parking spaces, sets precedent for private religious institution control of public property, and harms neighborhood. Supporters cited child safety hazards during drop-off/pick-up. Compromise: Street closes 7:30 AM–4:30 PM school days; full abandonment decision deferred pending parking plan.
Digital billboard regulations — Scenic Nevada opposed digital signs as distracting and economically harmful to small businesses. Outdoor advertising and nonprofits supported them for fundraising. Council needs workshop time to review spacing ratios, safety data, and compare to other cities.
Fire services deconsolidation — City expressed frustration that Washo County refuses to discuss long-term lease on Station 14 or employee transfers. Wage disparity noted: county offers $14–$17/hour versus city's $40/hour firefighter starting wage.
Mobile food vending hours — Vendors requested six-month extension or longer than four-hour operating limit. Staff argued four hours is adequate based on Las Vegas comparison and available commercial properties.
What to Watch
$69,500 — United Construction Company bowling center phase one renovation — Capital assessment revenue
Lander Street final decision (March–April): Council will vote on permanent abandonment only after Public Works designs parking drop-off zones and school completes restriping. Staff must also secure Parks and Recreation Commission approval of long-term park use agreement. Multiple future council hearings required.
Digital billboard workshop (within 30 days): Council will review Federal Highway Administration safety reports, economic impact studies, and spacing requirements before deciding whether to allow digital billboards and at what trade-off ratio to conventional signs.
Charter Review Committee recommendations (Spring 2012): Committee must clarify vague charter language on whether elected officials can hold other government jobs and resolve conflicting sections on mayoral succession.
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