Reno City Council
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting on July 2, 2014, covering roughly 20 agenda items including zoning changes, labor negotiations, park services, and personnel decisions.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Agreement with Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation to provide services at Idolwild Park and house AmeriCorps program with 4-5 young individuals — Unanimous — Establishes public-nonprofit partnership for park management
APPROVED — City Manager contract extension to June 30, 2016 — 7-0 — Extends current manager's employment one additional year; severance increase request withdrawn before vote
APPROVED — Zoning change for 3 parcels (7.3 acres) north of Dammon Ranch High School from Single Family Residential to allow future church/house of worship development — Unanimous — Opens land for religious facility use
APPROVED — Rezoning 565 Reactor Way from Neighborhood Commercial to Public Facility for Harding School — Vote count not recorded — Changes private school property designation to public facility
APPROVED — Police bargaining agreement FactFinder decision — Unanimous — City's proposals to reduce longevity pay and share PURS contributions for future police employees were upheld
APPROVED — Policy on financial contributions in exchange for business licenses — 7-0 — City will not provide financial contributions to county in exchange for business licenses; policy unchanged
APPROVED — Deborah Enos appointment to Recreation Parks Commission — 7-0 — Fills commission vacancy
APPROVED — $500 donation to Transforming Youth Recovery for Story to Recovery Public Art Project — Unanimous — Funds youth recovery public art initiative
REFERRED — Life Church zone change (7.3 acres from Large Lot Residential to Single Family Residential) — Resident concerns from George and Leslie Kilbride to be addressed at future Special Use Permit hearing
CONTINUED — Arts and Culture board appointment — Advertising will continue for downtown Police District appointment
Debated But Not Resolved
Police and fire union campaign contributions — Public comment noted Councilmember Hillary Chevy accepted maximum contributions from police and fire unions without prior disclosure before voting on law firm contract; Chevy responded donations appear on public campaign expense reports — No action taken
Medical marijuana dispensary allocation — Councilmember argued for 50% allocation to Reno based on population rather than current 25%; raised concerns about lottery system allowing wealthy individuals to obtain dispensaries — Awaiting Washo County Board decision by August 12-18, 2014
Kitsy Lane restriping and funding — Councilmember noted federal safety funding ($21 million annually statewide) is uncertain and advocated for reliable local funding sources; Nevada DOT seeking cost-sharing approach — Restriping and signage work to proceed after district discussions; timeline unspecified
Lifetime health care benefits for police and fire retirees — Public comment called unfunded liability a "Ponzi scheme"; city proceeding with binding arbitration process — City proceeding with current approach
What to Watch
No single items over $50,000 approved at this meeting. City has unfunded liabilities: $210 million in retiree medical benefits (police portion: $110 million); $38 million in police and fire workers compensation liability.
Public Safety Forum — Council approved holding a public forum but staff must return with timeline, rules, guidelines, and participation format. Clarification needed on whether forum covers only police/fire or broader infrastructure issues.
Medical marijuana dispensary allocation — County decision expected by August 18, 2014 deadline. Reno could gain access to more certificates if 50% population-based allocation is approved instead of current 25%.
RMC 1808.502 zoning ordinance amendment — Deferred to July 16 meeting. Will address whether city council (not just administrators) must approve zoning nonconformities.
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