Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency met for nearly 8 hours on Aug. 22, 2018, voting on 7 items while debating major North Valley warehouse development projects that raised questions about sewer capacity, traffic impacts, and infrastructure adequacy.
Key Decisions
CONTINUED — North Valley warehouse project special use permit — Remanded to Planning Commission to clearly define infrastructure adequacy findings before council votes. Councilmember cited concerns that sewer treatment plant operates at 90% capacity and North Virginia Street improvements exist only in planning stages with no secured funding.
APPROVED — e-911 and fire district funding exploration — Unanimous. Council directed staff to investigate e-911 surcharge and fire protection district revenue options as fiscal solutions while deferring decision on $2 surcharge for baseball stadium.
APPROVED — Design Manual for Public Works Infrastructure Standards — Unanimous. Standardizes construction and design for public rights-of-way.
APPROVED — Ice rink operational agreements (two separate agreements with Aces) — Unanimous.
APPROVED — $1,500 donation to No Opportunity Wasted youth program — Unanimous, from general fund.
Debated But Not Resolved
Sewer capacity limits — Councilmember Mackenzie argued treatment plant should halt new discharge approvals until effluent disposal solution exists; others countered developers have met existing criteria and changing rules retroactively invites litigation. Staff will return with sewer infrastructure master plan.
North Virginia Street adequacy — Council split on whether rural two-lane road can safely serve industrial truck traffic. Traffic engineer testified road functions at "level of service A or B" without widening; council members expressed concern about pedestrian safety and rural character. Remains unresolved.
Impact fee allocation — Councilmember questioned why impact fees collected for industrial projects weren't dedicated to road improvements in affected corridors. Planning manager said impact fee report is being prepared.
Baseball stadium $2 surcharge restriction — Council directed staff to research whether removing state law restriction on stadium use would unlock $800,000-$1 million annually. Concern raised that removing restriction could jeopardize entire surcharge.
What to Watch
No single items exceeded $50,000 in this meeting.
North Valley warehouse project decision — Planning Commission must return with clear findings on sewer capacity and infrastructure adequacy. Council vote determines whether $4.5 million project proceeds.
Fire district legislation — Council exploring whether fire protection district could generate revenue for police and parks. Requires 2019 legislative session bill.
Baseball stadium surcharge change — Decision pending on whether to seek legislative relief from $2 surcharge state law restriction. Could affect $30 million, 29-year stadium support obligation.
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