Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board met on June 3, 2020, with 15+ agenda items. Council approved property sales, appointments, and development projects while deferring major decisions on police reform and emergency curfew policies.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Sale of Zero West Street parking lot property for $131,110 to adjacent property owner — 6-1 vote (Councilmember Doer opposed) — City gains revenue; buyer gains land at $35 per square foot.
APPROVED — Mountain View mixed-use development with modified conditions — unanimous vote — Developer agreed to move pedestrian access to south side and restrict rock-crushing to eastern property side, 1,200 feet from homes, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays only.
APPROVED — Special use permit for Mountain View project — 7-0 vote — Allows development to proceed with slope and fill reviews.
APPROVED — Melanie Rudnick to Reno Arts and Culture Commission — unanimous vote — Fills vacancy to support arts recovery and grants for unemployed artists.
Debated But Not Resolved
Curfew policy — Public comment criticized 7 p.m.–5 a.m. curfew as suppressing free speech; Acting City Manager defended it as targeting criminal acts and gatherings of 50+ people. Mayor promised clarification at 1 p.m. same day. Curfew was lifted but emergency regulations remain.
Police reform — Multiple speakers and councilmembers demanded action on use-of-force policy, body cameras, implicit bias training, and officer intervention requirements. Acting City Manager directed police chief to develop intervention policy. Status check on 2016 Gwinn Report recommendations recommended for next meeting.
Police defunding — Public commenter demanded police budget cuts and reallocation to community programs. Council focused response on reform and community engagement rather than defunding. Deferred to budget work timeline.
Board appointments during budget crisis — Councilmember Brekhus sought pause on appointments to grant-making boards due to uncertain funding post-July/August. Motion approved despite concerns. Staff directed to recommend six-month funding plan for boards.
What to Watch
$131,110 — Zero West Street property sale proceeds to city — Purchaser payment.
Police reform agenda item — Multiple speakers requested this return to council next meeting with specific proposals on use-of-force policies, body cameras, and officer intervention requirements. This directly follows George Floyd protests and community demands for change.
Community forum on police reform — Acting City Manager announced one is being developed. Details coming later. Watch for timing and whether it includes meaningful civilian input.
RGJ building financing — Council considering funding $8.5 million project with available cash on hand rather than debt. Decision expected by January 2021 on whether this approach is viable.
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