Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency met July 24, 2019, for approximately 8 hours, approving roughly 20 routine items and debating three major projects: a new police headquarters building, fire equipment replacement funding, and a cannabis dispensary moratorium.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Police headquarters building purchase for $7 million (7-0 vote) — City will buy building downtown, fund renovations through $5-10 million bank loan, and use Pennington Foundation $5 million pledge plus property sales to cover costs. Current police station built in 1947 is structurally unsound.
APPROVED — Fire apparatus replacement program funded by $6.342 million medium-term debt over 10 years (6-1 vote) — Addresses aging firefighting equipment (some rigs from 1982). Ambulance purchases excluded per council direction.
APPROVED — Cannabis dispensary moratorium for one year (6-1 vote) — Pauses new licenses while council reviews pending litigation. Can be lifted early if court cases resolve sooner.
APPROVED — Dry Creek restoration engineering contract (7-0 vote) — Approximately $1 million from annual capital budget to address flood damage threatening airport maintenance road.
APPROVED — RFDAA firefighters contract 2019-2022 (vote count not recorded) — Includes health plan reimbursement for retiree medical expenses and wage reopener if recession occurs.
Debated But Not Resolved
Cannabis license transfers — Council discovered at least two marijuana licenses were sold/transferred without council approval, unlike alcohol licenses. Disagreement over whether transfers should require council review or be handled administratively. Staff to provide list of transferred licenses.
Police facility design standards — Council discussed sustainability features (LED lighting, stormwater management, green space preservation) and whether to include gym in remodel. Final design not yet determined.
Fire ambulance purchasing — Disagreement between fire department wanting ambulance/rescue units included in replacement program versus council prioritizing only firefighting apparatus. Manager committed to consulting with fire union and REMSA before presenting ambulance purchases separately.
North Valley moratorium timing — Councilwoman Breckis requested July 31 hearing; Mayor scheduled for August 5 special meeting instead. Details unresolved.
What to Watch
$7,000,000 — Police headquarters building purchase — General fund cash on hand
$6,342,000 — Fire apparatus replacement (engines, ladder trucks) — Medium-term debt issuance
$2,000,000 — Computer systems annual contract — Approved on consent agenda (funding source not specified)
$1,000,000 — Dry Creek restoration engineering and permitting — Annual capital improvement budget
Police facility final purchase agreement (due diligence expires July 28) — Council must decide whether to extend 30-day negotiation window. Final P&S agreement terms pending, and grant proposal to Pennington Foundation not yet formally submitted.
Police facility full funding plan — Staff must identify which city properties to sell to generate $4-7 million needed (beyond $7 million cash, $2.5 million expected recovery, and $5 million pledge) for $26 million total project cost.
Fire department ambulance plan — Manager must reach agreement with fire union and REMSA on whether rescue units are needed before bringing purchases back for council approval.
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