Reno City Council
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
What Happened
Reno City Council held a 10-hour meeting (10 AM to 8:30 PM) covering 14+ major items including litigation strategy, bridge design, flood zone development, rental assistance funding, and public art.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $7.7 million federal rental and utility assistance for pandemic relief — Unanimous — Funds go to renters behind on rent and utilities, with $1.5 million to city housing division and $5.5 million to Reno Housing Authority.
APPROVED — City appeal of Lman Valley district court judgment to Nevada Supreme Court — 5-4 vote — City will pursue appeal despite $750,000 damages and up to $1.9 million in plaintiff attorney fees; some council members wanted settlement instead to avoid costs.
APPROVED — Arlington Street pedestrian bridges to proceed into federal environmental review — Motion carries — Project will evaluate two bridge designs and eight aesthetic options; design details (lighting, materials, park connections) remain unresolved.
APPROVED — Mass grading permit for The Park at McCarron mixed-use development — Motion carries (with Breuss and Duerr opposed) — 104-acre project in critical flood zone approved; uses outdated 1994 flood mapping; conditions on fill limits and pond design to be submitted in writing.
APPROVED — Public Works street maintenance contract — 6-0 — $2,189,889 low bid; below engineer estimate of $2,613,510.
APPROVED — Sky Tavern water rights lease for snowmaking — Unanimous — $1 annual fee for 4.6 acre-feet of water; enables youth ski education.
APPROVED — Greater Nevada Field annual report — 7-0 — Ballpark recovered from 94% pandemic revenue loss; new 10-year affiliation with Arizona Diamondbacks.
APPROVED — City financial audit report — 6-0 — Unqualified audit opinion; city found budget violations in three funds ($170,000 overexpenditure in risk fund, rental assistance overages, property sale payment delays).
Debated But Not Resolved
Bridge design aesthetics — Council split between historic arch designs (Virginia Street Bridge style) versus modern designs with Art Deco elements. Some members want lighting upgrades, art integration, and better Wingfield Park connection. Next step: Final design recommendation after March public presentation and agency review.
Park redesign scope — Whether to include $2-5 million park improvements in bridge project's federal environmental review or handle separately. Delaying park work could jeopardize 2024 federal funding deadline. Staff to return cost-benefit analysis.
Flood modeling standards — Whether project should use current draft FEMA flood models or outdated 1994 maps currently in code. Developer committed to using draft model for future permits, but underlying disagreement about standards remains.
Utility reconnection fees — Whether Tuma should eliminate $500 water reconnection fees for low-income customers unable to pay small bills. Referred to council members Jordan and Breus (board representatives) to address.
Lear Theater preservation — Arttown may lack resources to maintain historic building. Council directed manager to bring full proposal back for discussion; may require special meeting.
What to Watch
$7,700,000 — Rental and utility assistance — Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program
$2,189,889 — Street maintenance contract — Public Works budget
$5,000,000 — Reclaimed water infrastructure (One Water Project) — Western Nevada Development District grant
Bridge design decision (March meeting) — Council will vote on final bridge type and aesthetic details after public presentation. Cost difference between options reaches $7-10 million; park impact still contested.
Flood modeling update — New FEMA flood maps for Reno area expected within two years. Will this trigger permit review or condition changes for recent approvals?
Lear Theater agenda item — Manager to propose city action on historic downtown building; decision on ownership, funding, and timeline pending.
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