Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Thursday, November 12, 2020
What Happened
Reno City Council approved a firefighter labor contract, $436,000 pump design work, and arts funding while deferring votes on homeless services and a university dormitory rate change over unresolved policy questions. The meeting covered about 14 substantive items.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Firefighter contract with 2.5% retroactive wage increase and higher uniform allowance ($750 to $1,500 annually) — 6-1 vote — Ends 18-month labor dispute but one council member opposed lack of automatic aid provision for emergency response
APPROVED — Tomworth Reuse Pump design consultant agreement — 7-0 — $436,000 for first phase of pump rehabilitation serving Reno and Sparks irrigation; full capital project planned for next fiscal year
APPROVED — $50,000 arts funding allocation to support local artists through distributed grants
APPROVED — CARES Act child care funding for licensed facilities struggling with operational costs during pandemic
APPROVED — Ordinance change allowing dormitories to use commercial water/sewer rates (Bill 7161) — unanimously — removes barrier to university housing development but council wants city building permit compliance first
CONTINUED — Resolution requesting Washo County enact additional sales tax for homeless services — deferred pending November 18 regional meeting with county and Sparks to assess county receptiveness before voting
Debated But Not Resolved
Automatic aid for firefighters — One council member wanted emergency response coordination built into contract; others said it belongs in separate inter-agency agreements, not bargaining contracts. Will be addressed in next contract negotiation starting February.
UNR building code compliance — Council members want University of Nevada Reno to undergo city permit review and follow local codes for life safety reasons before the dormitory rate change takes full effect. Vice Mayor reported productive meeting with new university president; quarterly check-ins planned.
Homeless services funding — Disagreement over whether to demand county action via resolution or pursue collaborative approach. Council asked for five-year cost data on super shelter before deciding. Joint meeting scheduled November 18.
COVID restrictions — Council members requested clarity on what local restrictions might be contemplated and asked for better data on transmission sources. Health department to provide additional contact tracing and risk assessment information.
What to Watch
$436,000 — Tomworth Reuse Pump design consultant — Tomworth Capital Improvements Plan
$50,000 — Arts funding to artists — funding source not specified
November 18 homeless services meeting — City will meet with Washo County and Sparks to coordinate funding for unsheltered services. Decision pending on whether to formally request county sales tax increase.
UNR dormitory code compliance — Council wants written agreement from university on city building permits and code compliance before the rate change takes effect.
Firefighter contract reopening — Automatic aid provision and drug/alcohol policy clarification will be negotiated when contract opens in February.
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