Reno City Council
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
What Happened
The Reno City Council met for a full session approving 30+ items ranging from baseball stadium financing to zoning changes to board appointments.
Key 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.
Debated But Not Resolved
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.
What to Watch
$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
Baseball Stadium Agreement Annual Review — Council built in annual appropriation requirement. If city fails to appropriate future year funding, agreement terminates and older RDA agreements reactivate, creating potential developer liability claims. Watch how council handles years 6-10 payments starting in 2018.
Affordable Housing Project — Returns for adoption vote in two weeks. Neighborhood equity concerns raised about losing commercial zoning in minority area.
McCaron Crossing — Development decision deferred pending neighborhood planning process completion. Council to review remaster plan March 13, 2013.
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