Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
What Happened
Reno City Council and its Redevelopment Agency Board met for a combined 4+ hour session covering agenda changes, 30+ items including property sales, zoning amendments, water project feasibility studies, drainage repairs, procurement policies, and encampment management operations.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Sale of two RDA-owned riverfront parcels to developer for $430,656 (market-rate residential infill) — 6-1 vote — Removes 20+ year vacant property from city ownership; enables riverfront development but raises affordability and public access questions
APPROVED — $1.6 million feasibility study for Palomino Farms water storage and recycled water project split four ways (TUMWA, Reno, Sparks, Washoe County) — Vote count not recorded — Tests large-scale aquifer storage and recovery as alternative water supply for 50,000 acre-feet capacity on 1,500 private acres
APPROVED — Marijuana dispensary ownership transfer at 7300 South Virginia Street (Thrive Marketplace) — 6-2 vote — Councilman Delgado and one other voted no citing proximity to rehabilitation facility; staff noted facility relocating and all state requirements met
APPROVED — Lakeside zoning amendment rezoning 3.07 acres from single-family (SF3) to multi-family (MF30) on east side of Lakeside Drive — Vote count not recorded — Allows higher-density residential development in Ward 2 despite one councilmember's concerns about density
APPROVED — Raven's Flight subdivision final map and street acceptance — Vote count not recorded — City accepted stub street in West Meadows planned unit development; councilmember raised unresolved concerns about lack of master roadway planning
APPROVED — Chalk Creek drainage repair project ($250,000) funded by NDEP 319 grant (50% match), sewer fund, and $10,000 Truckee River grant — Vote count not recorded — Addresses erosion control in Sapphire Ridge neighborhood but underlying failure cause analysis remains incomplete
APPROVED — Sole source procurement policy clarification requiring finance department approval — Vote count not recorded — One councilmember voted no over procurement control concerns
APPROVED — Workers compensation one-year contract extension — Unanimous — Extends current contract with commitment to full RFP process; addresses ongoing claims denial issues
Debated But Not Resolved
Drainage system failure root cause and liability — Council members questioned whether developer or city bears repair costs for Chalk Creek failure and series of similar drainage failures citywide; requested comprehensive records review of Sapphire Ridge from design through installation to identify what failed — Staff committed to investigation by consultant CDM Smith; liability determination referred to city attorneys
Parking and site constraints for pool project — Councilmember raised concerns about parking lot capacity during soccer events and site layout impacts for 35-meter versus 50-meter pool options, including space for future geothermal spa — Deferred to schematic design phase for both options
Public river access and pathway specifications — Councilmember emphasized need to ensure public river access and prevent gating like Renaissance precedent; questioned pathway width requirements (6 feet versus 10 feet) and flood project elements affecting setbacks — Developer agreed to return with detailed access and engineering plans after partner coordination
Purchasing authority increase from $50,000 to $100,000 — Councilwoman opposed citing insufficient inflation justification (16.5% since 2012) and history of procurement audit findings — Vote not taken; discussion ongoing
Palomino Farms project transparency and scope — Councilman expressed concerns about investor group land acquisition, $17 million TUMWA option to purchase, and lack of prior exploratory drilling; worried about water makeup obligations under TROA and potential tribal litigation — No vote taken; meeting scheduled with Tribe representatives for following Tuesday
What to Watch
$460,000 — Architectural firm sole source contract for pool schematic design — City funds
$250,000 — Chalk Creek drainage system repairs — NDEP 319 grant match, sewer fund, Truckee River grant
$300,000 — Homeless sweeps operations (Karma Box) — Funding source not specified
$255,000 — Engineering contract for site layout and master plan — City funds
Palomino Farms water project option agreement — 10-month feasibility study will inform whether city, TMWA, Sparks, and Washoe County move forward with $27 million land and water rights acquisition; Tribal water obligations and return flow requirements still being clarified.
Riverfront development public access details — Developer must return with pedestrian pathway design, easement specifications, and flood project coordination; ensures public river access and 100-year floodplain compliance before construction.
Pool project design decision timeline — City proceeding with parallel 35-meter and 50-meter designs to comply with $9 million Pennington Foundation pledge while pursuing larger facility; construction manager selection follows schematic phase and returns to council.
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