Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
What Happened
City Council and Redevelopment Agency approved 25+ items in a single session lasting several hours, including a major zone change for affordable housing, emergency COVID-19 relief programs, and a new city manager contract.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — Aspire Clear Acres Zone Change (Bill 7154) — Unanimous — 6-acre site rezoned from 14 to 30 units per acre, allowing 180-unit affordable housing project to proceed. This change aligns the property with surrounding zoning and advances a major housing development.
[APPROVED] — City Manager Contract for Doug Thornley — Vote count unavailable — Starting salary $230,000 annually with 5-month severance and 160-hour leave bank. Thornley begins October 12. Multiple council members expressed concerns but approved the contract.
[APPROVED] — Excess Loss Insurance Renewal — 7-0 — $305,349 annual premium (2% increase from prior year). Coverage includes terrorism component; crisis management coverage dropped per insurance company constraints.
[APPROVED] — Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion (4 MGD capacity) — Unanimous — Authorizes 24-month construction with Fall 2022 completion target. Plant serves growing region; staff assured effluent infrastructure will be ready on time.
[APPROVED] — Silver Dollar Estates Zone Change (Bill 7153) — Unanimous — 17.13 acres rezoned from Community Commercial to Single Family with 4,000-foot minimum lot size.
[APPROVED] — Parks & Recreation Ballot Initiative — Vote count unavailable — Directs staff to prepare ballot language for parks, open space preservation, and Truckee River protection funding. Revenue source (bond issuance) deferred; council divided on timing during COVID-19 economic crisis.
[APPROVED] — Reno Residential Economic Relief Grant Program — Unanimous — Emergency assistance for residents facing housing crises via gift cards or vouchers. Coordinates with existing rental assistance programs.
[APPROVED] — Tenant-Landlord Mediation Program — Vote count unavailable — $50,000 from CARES Act. Staff will conduct RFQ process for vendor selection.
Debated But Not Resolved
Ballot Initiative Scope — Council disagreed whether to fund parks alone or bundle parks, homelessness, and public safety in one measure. Concerns raised about tax increases during economic downturn. Next step: Staff to submit final BDR concepts by September 1.
Second Ballot Initiative (Government Services Tax) — Proposal to request Washoe County exercise $15 million GST for human services; if county declines, city would submit change by September 1. Next step: Council to meet with county partners before proceeding.
City Manager Contract Language — Council members opposed contract provisions restricting council-staff communication and requiring ICMA certification. Disagreement over manager's unilateral authority to reorganize departments. Next step: Contract approved despite concerns; implementation will test disputed language.
Lodgers Tax Reallocation — Council member Breuss advocated retooling lodgers tax to fund public safety, citing nexus between tourism and first responder demand. Next step: Staff to explore "friendly sponsor" for legislation.
Storm Water Utility Public Outreach — Council member questioned whether $45,000 outreach budget and desktop calculation methodology sufficed. Recommended livestreamed town halls and broader community notification. Next step: Staff to return with detailed public participation plan.
What to Watch
$1,500,000 — RHA residential assistance program — CARES Act
$450,000 — Weekly Motel Tenant Assistance Program — CARES Act
$305,349 — Excess Loss Insurance annual premium — (source not specified)
$200,000 — City Attorney's Office Eviction Prevention Program — CARES Act
$50,000 — Tenant-Landlord Mediation Program — CARES Act
City Manager Implementation — How will council navigate disputed contract language restricting staff communication and manager reorganization authority? Watch for first organizational changes.
Ballot Initiative Language — Staff submits final BDR by September 1. Council must decide: one broad measure (parks + homelessness + safety) or separate measures? Will public safety funding be included or deferred?
County Coordination on Taxes — Joint meeting with Washoe County needed to align on government services tax strategy before city submits change by September 1 deadline.
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