Reno City Council
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting on April 17, 2013, with roughly 30 agenda items including development approvals, grant awards, bond refinancing, and several deferred matters.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Resolution 7840: General obligation limited tax Capital Improvement refunding bonds — unanimous vote — refinances outstanding city bonds without extending maturity dates, generating savings for the general fund.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6287: Reclaimed water service regulations — unanimous vote — establishes new rules for city reclaimed water infrastructure.
APPROVED — Resolution 7839: Community Pride Grant to Solace Tree — unanimous vote — $6,900 total (from three neighborhood advisory boards) funds peer support programs and grief education for children and families.
APPROVED — Development plans for 50 South Virginia Street (former post office building) — vote count not recorded — approves historic redevelopment plan required by purchase agreement with state historic preservation office.
APPROVED — Bungalow project certification — 5-1 vote — one council member opposed citing Nevada Revised Statute 278a compliance concerns.
APPROVED — Midtown parking project funding reallocation — unanimous vote — $115,000 moved from council donation accounts to Public Works; project expected complete by July 15th.
CONTINUED — University Farms (UNR Farms) project second reading — moved to May 8th — Council Member Shivi disclosed conflict of interest and abstained; hearing deferred to allow all five voting members to participate within 45-day ordinance window.
CONTINUED — Maney Family Trust project public hearing — moved to May 8th — project engineer unavailable; staff to address flood zone concerns.
APPROVED — Margaret Chico appointed to Historical Resources Commission — unanimous vote — holds Master's degree in archaeological studies.
APPROVED — Mark Sullivan appointed to Housing Authority board — unanimous vote — after initial motion withdrawn to allow broader community outreach.
CONTINUED — David Dedrickson Housing Authority appointment — council requested discussion on Housing Authority composition requirements.
Debated But Not Resolved
Climate measurement scope — Council member questioned whether city should expand greenhouse gas tracking beyond municipal operations to include entire city (land use, transportation, businesses). Staff indicated policies will be brought back over next couple years.
Waste Management green waste options — Southwest residents concerned about yard waste disposal; council will evaluate one-year lookback with annual report.
Special Assessment Districts expansion — Questions raised about appropriate boundaries, stakeholder inclusion, and whether St. Mary's Hospital should be included; staff directed to form committee within four weeks.
Taxi cab driver drug/alcohol testing bill (SB32) — Council member raised privacy and employment blacklisting concerns; staff directed to research bill sponsor concerns and report back before assembly vote.
Agenda item removal and Open Meeting Law — Public commenter argued items on printed agenda must allow public comment even if council wants to postpone; remains unresolved.
What to Watch
$115,000 — Midtown parking project — reallocated from council donation accounts.
$6,900 — Community Pride Grants to Solace Tree — neighborhood advisory board funds.
$4,000 — TEDx conference sponsorship — city donation to Entrepreneurship Nevada for background display.
$2,400 — Community Promotion Grant — Ward 3 NAB funds to Local Food Network for Lost City Farm.
University Farms hearing (May 8th): Council will vote on second reading of UNR Farms development project. All five voting members will participate after Council Member Shivi's conflict resolution.
Downtown Special Assessment District committee (May): Staff will present analysis of stakeholder composition and boundary expansion before committee forms. Decision pending on scope and whether district should expand to include more properties like St. Mary's Hospital.
Neighborhood Advisory Board effectiveness review (May 8th): Council will discuss NAB participation rates and advertising methods for board vacancies. Direction needed on whether to maintain or modify current NAB structure.
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