Reno City Council
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
What Happened
Reno City Council met for a full agenda of 20+ items, approving two four-year union contracts worth $138 million combined, rezoning 21.72 acres for industrial use, and debating fire hydrant repairs, public comment rules, and sphere of influence boundaries.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Local 39 Operating Engineers Non-Supervisory Unit four-year contract covering ~300 employees — Unanimous — $123,264,711 total; includes 5% lower entry-level salaries, elimination of retiree medical benefits for new hires, and increased employee healthcare cost-sharing.
APPROVED — Local 39 Operating Engineers Supervisory Unit four-year contract covering ~25 employees — Unanimous — $14,657,928 total; identical terms to non-supervisory agreement.
APPROVED — Panther Valley Industrial Park master plan amendment and rezoning (Resolution 7884 and Bills 6865) — 7-0 — Changes 21.72 acres from residential to industrial zoning at eastern terminus of western road.
APPROVED — Zoning code amendment reinstating translation table for sphere of influence annexation (Bill 6866) — 7-0 — Clarifies mapping for zoning classifications with eight-step hierarchy and seven footnotes.
APPROVED — Sphere of Influence Map 1 excluding unincorporated subdivision of 50-60 homes from annexation — Unanimous — Removes isolated area from future city annexation.
APPROVED — City staff to monitor Washoe County and Story County meetings on large land development projects — 6-1 — Council will receive updates on county decisions that may affect city services.
APPROVED — Dagny Stapleton appointed to Regional Planning Commission; Craig Charleston appointed to Recreation Parks Commission — Unanimous.
Debated But Not Resolved
Fire hydrant repairs — Staff reported 31-32 of 9,380 hydrants out of service; councilmember urged emergency declaration to fund replacement at $5,000 each, suggesting deferral of $150,000 computer replacement. No funding decision made.
Bill 6866 complexity — Councilmember questioned whether eight-step zoning translation table with expired county references is too cumbersome. Staff will provide usage report between first and second readings.
Grand View Terrace sphere of influence — Councilmember raised concerns about rolling back this historic African-American community established by WWII veterans. Item continued pending further discussion.
Public comment restrictions — Councilmember argued new language limiting public comment to council-scope matters violates free speech. City attorney stated problematic language will be removed following July 1st open meeting law changes.
Economic development CDBG use — Councilmember questioned whether prior micro-enterprise initiatives produced results and requested best practices discussion before approving business development officer position.
What to Watch
$123,264,711 — Operating Engineers non-supervisory union contract (4 years) — General fund
$14,657,928 — Operating Engineers supervisory union contract (4 years) — General fund
Fire hydrant funding decision — Fire Chief committed to memo detailing system status and repair prioritization. Watch for emergency declaration or budget amendment in coming weeks.
Bill 6866 zoning complexity review — Staff will analyze translation table usage during annexation process and present findings before second reading. Council questioned if simpler approach exists.
Grand View Terrace sphere of influence — Historic preservation and service capacity concerns raised. Council deferred decision pending further discussion on this African-American community.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.