Reno City Council
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting on October 12, 2016, with approximately 15 agenda items, some pulled for separate discussion. The meeting included public comment on a vehicle incident from October 10 and ongoing billboard regulation disputes.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Contract with Ralph Anderson and Associates to recruit new city manager — Unanimous — City will conduct nationwide search over 90 days with community engagement built in; market salary analysis will be provided to council.
APPROVED — Park Lane Mall redevelopment staff authorization — Unanimous — City staff directed to negotiate public infrastructure assistance options up to $3.5 million for utility relocation, roads, and streetscape work; term sheet to return to council within two weeks.
APPROVED — Washington County Land Bill planning principles approach — Approved — Staff will apply seven planning principles to federal land transfer maps and return with recommendations on which lands should transfer, remain federal, or defer pending Reno Imagine plan completion.
APPROVED — Business licenses (Items J2, E1 A6, J3, E1 A4) — Unanimous — Approved in conjunction with related agenda items per Nevada liquor license requirements.
APPROVED — Remaining consent agenda items (excluding E10, E1 A4, E1 A6) — Unanimously — Routine items processed.
Debated But Not Resolved
Digital billboard ordinance 2:1 conversion ratio — Saunders Outdoor Advertising argues the ratio unfairly disadvantages small operators compared to large competitors; citizens' groups oppose digital billboards citing legal precedent ($4.3 million Clear Channel judgment in Minneapolis, $24.5 million driver distraction verdict in Dallas) and 2000 voter ban interpretation — Council to receive legal briefing in November/December on banking provisions, anti-competitive claims, and Reed v. Gilbert Supreme Court precedent before February 2017 moratorium expiration.
Billboard banking and city liability exposure — Councilmember asked whether eliminating banking provisions constitutes a taking; City Attorney said potential liability is high but difficult to quantify without case-by-case analysis — Staff directed to provide full economic modeling and fiscal exposure assessment before action taken.
Park Lane Mall affordable housing commitment — Council discussed whether to require low-income housing (NRS 27968 statutory provision) versus workforce housing; developer committed to 26% affordable units in Summit Club project and willingness to use $63 million redevelopment increment — Staff to include affordable housing term options in conceptual term sheet.
What to Watch
$500 — Senior advisory committee donation to caregiver recognition luncheon — General fund.
$11,000,000 — Park Lane Phase 1 infrastructure (utility relocation, roads, streetscape improvements on Plum and Virginia Streets) — To be structured through development agreement; potential sewer fund use ($14 million available in sewer capital improvements).
Billboard moratorium decision (February 2017) — Council must decide whether to extend moratorium, modify ordinance, or repeal before February deadline. Legal briefing on banking, anti-competitive claims, and Supreme Court precedent due November/December.
Park Lane Mall infrastructure term sheet — Staff returning within two weeks with options on how to structure up to $3.5 million in public assistance for utility and road work, and affordable housing commitments.
City manager recruitment timeline — Firm to present 3-6 candidates; council must manage open meeting law transparency issues for employed candidates and address PERS recruitment disadvantage versus California competitors.
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