Reno City Council
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
What Happened
City Council held a regular meeting lasting multiple hours, passing 40+ agenda items including bond refinancings, zoning changes, community grants, and approving a restructured community engagement program.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Fire Protection Bond Series 2013b for $900,000 toward south Reno fire station construction — 6-1 vote — City will issue bonds at estimated 3-4% interest ($100,000 total interest over 10 years) to cover portion of $3.1 million facility; project also includes $925,000 in development impact fees and $3.5 million in donated land and construction
APPROVED — Bond Refinancings (three separate ordinances) with $4 million to $5 million in estimated interest savings — unanimous/6-1 votes — Refinances $39 million Downtown Event Center bonds, $31 million Medium Street bonds, and 2004 building bonds at lower rates; no new debt
APPROVED — Rezone 14.03 acres on East McCarran Boulevard for McCarran Crossing mixed-use development — 4-3 vote — Allows mini storage, commercial and office uses in cooperative planning area
APPROVED — Community Pride Grants totaling $10,500 to arts programs and youth services — 7-0 votes — Funds include $6,500 to International Church Fellowship youth program for at-risk students
APPROVED — Bill 6861 amending floodplain management ordinance — unanimous — Updates city code to address FEMA audit findings on flood hazard areas and definitions
APPROVED — Temporary gaming license for Boomtown with 16 slot machines in temporary trailer — unanimous — Allows operation to maintain gaming license status
Debated But Not Resolved
Medical marijuana dispensaries (SB 374) — Council member wants proactive local regulation to keep tax revenue in Reno rather than losing businesses to Sparks or unincorporated county; others concerned about spacing requirements and local control — staff continuing dialogue with bill sponsors; council member requested joint meeting with county officials before final position
Graffiti enforcement and prevention — Council member questioned whether fines should be stricter; chief explained state law dictates fine amounts — council member requested future agenda item on forming citizens committee for education and cultural awareness
Flood plain development liability — Councilwoman raised concerns whether inverse condemnation liability from continued development would be covered under insurance — city attorney stated coverage determination requires separate legal review
Community engagement program restructuring — Disagreement over whether to keep neighborhood-based NAB meetings at fixed venues versus downtown town halls; concerns about online tool requiring identity verification creating barriers to participation — staff to continue refining approach over six months; council approved continuing current NAB meetings through December before final decision
What to Watch
$925,000 — Fire station project funding — development impact fees
$50,000 — Community engagement program advertising (senior publications, AdWords, media partnerships) — city allocation
Medical marijuana regulation decision — Council scheduled joint meeting with county officials to discuss SB 374 policy before determining Reno's final position on spacing requirements and dispensary regulation. This affects local tax revenue and business licensing.
Community engagement restructuring — Council will receive December 2013 staff report on effectiveness of consolidated NAB pilot program before deciding whether to fully replace neighborhood meetings with town halls and online engagement tool. Current decision: continue both through December.
Planning Commission appointment procedures — Council member flagged question about whether City Manager (not Council) should appoint Planning Commission members. This is scheduled for next agenda operations item.
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