Reno City Council
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting on June 19, 2013, lasting approximately 10+ hours and covering roughly 50 items including budget approvals, zoning decisions, strategic planning, and public hearings on a controversial truck stop project.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — M1 Gaming truck stop and casino project with conditions (5-1 vote) — allows expansion near residential property with required tree/fence screening, bus stop relocation, and security plan
APPROVED — Fire station bond financing at ~2% interest rate (unanimous) — enables capital improvements with July 9 settlement date
APPROVED — City strategic priorities and 39 supporting objectives (unanimous) — guides municipal operations and resource allocation for next planning period
APPROVED — $2,465 Community Pride Grant to Project Solutions (7-0) — funds safety lighting and water fountain repairs at youth facility on Brsson Avenue
APPROVED — Cannabis facilities regulatory framework development (unanimous) — directs staff to return by September with licensing criteria, zoning restrictions, and fee structure for medical marijuana dispensaries
APPROVED — New pedicab licensing ordinances (unanimous) — establishes permitting requirements and criminal penalties for illegal operations
CONTINUED — Medical marijuana dispensary regulation options (deferred to September) — council wants analysis of other states' models, federal liability assessment, and cultivation limits before ordinance
Debated But Not Resolved
Cannabis zoning — Whether facilities can be restricted to industrial zones only; city attorney confirmed local authority but state law limits zone restrictions — staff to present detailed options in September
Shelter relocation — Council member raised concerns about service concentration on East 4th Street harming downtown businesses; staff defended co-location model for accessibility — deferred for future agenda item exploring alternatives
Parking enforcement gap — Only 1-2 officers available daily due to leave; council proposed using reserve officers or volunteers to write citations — staff to research legal authority and return with recommendations
Fire station staffing guarantee — Public commenter questioned whether bond approval guarantees adequate staffing and pushed for automatic aid agreement with county — council did not directly address
Non-conforming use expansion standards — Council member raised concern that code allows unlimited re-establishment of old uses with no time limits — city attorney acknowledged vague standard and willing to examine
What to Watch
$600,000 — 6th Street and sidewalk projects for 28 city street segments — 2013 special assessment district
$50,000 — Community engagement priority and external communications/marketing — FY2014 city budget
Cannabis ordinance draft (September deadline) — Council needs staff presentation on cultivation limits, home grow provisions, licensing allocation methods, and federal enforcement risk before moving forward. This will determine if Reno allows dispensaries and under what conditions.
Parking program overhaul (ongoing) — Council approved parking coordinator position in concept, but DMV hold implementation, fee increases ($15 to $20), and staffing solutions still pending. Staff must bring back interim enforcement plan before Curb contract ends July 12.
Boomtown truck stop M2 appeal — Public hearing continued; council vote pending on whether expansion violates neighborhood character despite applicant meeting most truck stop standards except 1,320-foot residential setback requirement.
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