Reno City Council
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
What Happened
The Reno City Council met for a regular session and voted on 35+ items, including pandemic emergency measures, capital project approvals, and a contentious interim city manager selection process. The meeting lasted several hours and covered spending, business relief, zoning changes, and staffing decisions.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Regional COVID-19 response cost-sharing agreement with Sparks, Washoe County, and health district — 7-0 — Reno pays 35% of local costs after federal (75%) and state (12%) reimbursement; establishes coordinated pandemic response.
APPROVED — Business license fee deferral program allowing 90-day payment delays for closed/affected businesses — 7-0 — Estimated $285,000 in deferred revenue; staff to report budgetary impact within 90 days.
APPROVED — Special Assessment District Number One for sidewalk and street improvements across 182 properties — unanimous — $490,315 in assessments; hardship waiver option added for property owners.
APPROVED — Extension of moratorium on new alcoholic beverage packaged license applications through end of 2020 — 6-1 (Breis opposed) — Cites pandemic constraints on public hearings and community outreach; one dissenting vote.
APPROVED — Three capital sewer improvement projects: Golden Valley Lift Station ($4.5M), dam project ($2.8M), forest main project ($3.3M) — unanimous — Total $10.6M from collection system budget; Island 18 sewer extension remains unfunded despite $6.35M remaining in CIP.
CONTINUED — Interim city manager appointment process — Council divided on public selection versus internal appointment; legal clarification ordered on charter requirements and open meeting law compliance; Mayor to bring forward candidate name(s) at next meeting.
APPROVED — Zoning code amendment eliminating special advisory committee requirement for skyway projects — 6-1 (Derer opposed) — Allows faster approval for pedestrian walkway projects; council member raised concerns about community input and design review removal.
Debated But Not Resolved
CIP Budget Priorities — Council Member Breus repeatedly questioned why growth areas (Golden Valley, dam, forest main totaling ~$10.6M) are prioritized while Island 18 sewer extension sought for 8 years remains unfunded; staff cited Street reconstruction coordination requirements but no resolution reached.
Interim City Manager Selection Authority — Disagreement over whether mayor/city manager or full council should select interim appointment; concerns raised about transparency, open meeting law compliance, and charter interpretation of 6-month deadline; legal guidance requested.
Skyway Design Review Committee Removal — Council Member Derer opposed eliminating the committee, citing community input value and urban design concerns; Council Member Jordan argued existing planning and council review sufficient; motion passed 6-1 without additional public input period.
Storm Water Utility and Sewer Rate Relief — Council Member Breus advocated for separate storm drainage fund to reduce sewer customer burden; staff committed to future workshop but timing uncertain due to pandemic.
What to Watch
$4,500,000 — Golden Valley Lift Station replacement — CIP collection system budget
$2,800,000 — Dam project (design 100% grant-funded) — CIP storm drain; 35% local construction match required FY24
$3,300,000 — Forest main project — CIP collection system budget
$2,300,000 — Workers compensation settlement — Internal service fund augmentation
$1,800,000 — Washoe County regional EOC costs (Reno's 35% share) — County cost allocation
$8,500,000 — Public Safety Center construction — Available funds on hand (no new debt)
Interim City Manager Selection — Next meeting will include specific candidate name(s) from mayor and city manager for council vote. Legal clarification needed on whether temporary appointment tolls the 6-month permanent hiring deadline under city charter.
Business Relief Package 2.0 — Staff developing broader tiered program addressing small business support, fee waivers, and percentage-based reductions within 30 days. Current 90-day deferral policy is interim only.
Island 18 Sewer Extension Funding — Pattern of growth area prioritization continues; older neighborhood project remains unfunded despite documented need and available CIP balance. Council member promised continued advocacy.
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