Reno City Council
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
What Happened
Reno City Council met for one evening session, approving zoning changes, bond financing, housing incentives, and multiple development projects while deferring major decisions on e-scooters, sewer rates, and school zone traffic safety.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $55 million sewer bonds (General Obligation Limited Tax Series 2020) for sewage projects — vote count not recorded — finances wastewater infrastructure with closing expected March 23; second reading scheduled Feb. 26.
APPROVED — Majestic Liberty zone change (35 acres) from Mixed Use to Industrial Commercial near North Virginia and Seneca — 7-0 — allows industrial development; applicant must conduct community meetings with neighbors about site plan.
APPROVED — Bill 7121: LIFE Plus rezone (7.04 acres near Wells Avenue/Winston Drive) from mixed-use to multifamily residential at 30 units per acre — 7-0 — enables residential development on land previously designated for university expansion.
APPROVED — Reno Tahoe Airport Authority solvent cleanup monitoring — $23,000 (city's 12% share) — continues environmental remediation; approximately $435,000 remains in insurance settlement fund.
APPROVED — Construction Management Services for pump station switchgear project — $300,000 — represents 30% of $1 million capital project; approved after council questioned high percentage.
APPROVED — Massage establishment background check ordinances (Bills 7124 and 7125) — unanimously — requires background checks for operators; 6-month compliance period to combat human trafficking.
APPROVED — Special Assessment District for four street projects — $461,000 in assessments; $1.22 million total investment — funds sidewalk and driveway improvements in four neighborhoods.
APPROVED — RV and Boat Storage special use permit (Verdi area) — vote count not recorded — reverses Planning Commission denial; conditions imposed on trash receptacles, restroom facilities, operating hours (6 a.m.–11 p.m.), and easement clarifications.
CONTINUED — Electric scooter share program — council requested staff return in three months with vendor presentations, helmet requirement clarification, and adoption data before decision.
CONTINUED — Speed hump program for school zones — staff agreed to analyze road classifications and develop prioritized implementation list; unresolved whether to prioritize child safety or emergency vehicle access on school routes.
Debated But Not Resolved
Sewer rates — Councilwoman Breuss wanted complete cost analysis before committing to 4 MGD expansion; total project costs unknown ($90M reservoir estimate only). Staff to present rate options before final approval.
School zone traffic safety vs. emergency response — Conflict between installing speed humps in all school zones to protect children versus maintaining fast emergency vehicle access on collector roads. No comprehensive policy adopted.
1,000 Homes fee deferral statutory authority — Councilwoman Breuss questioned SB27 applicability and prevailing wage triggers. Staff to provide confidential statutory analysis memo.
Industrial zoning in North Valley — Whether 34-acre parcels should be zoned industrial per staff recommendations or held for 50+ acre sites per regional planning study. Unresolved policy alignment.
Warehouse development near residential areas — Multiple concerns raised about traffic, drainage, fire safety, and environmental impact near Horizon Hills/Grand View Terrace. Councilman Weber requested post-vote community meetings to address outstanding resident concerns.
What to Watch
$55,000,000 — Sewer system expansion — General obligation bonds
$461,000 — Street rehabilitation assessments — Special assessment district
$300,000 — Construction management services — Sewer fund
$1,220,000 — Four-neighborhood street projects total investment — Unspecified sources
Sewer bond second reading (Feb. 26) — Council will decide final approval pending state environmental review; rate structure remains undetermined and will affect ratepayers.
E-scooter program (three months) — Staff returning with vendor presentations and community feedback; helmet mandate compliance and infrastructure readiness (protected bike lanes) still unresolved.
School zone speed safety policy — Staff conducting road classification analysis; outstanding question whether city will prioritize child pedestrian safety or emergency vehicle response times in final speed hump program design.
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