Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
What Happened
City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board held a joint meeting lasting over 12 hours, approving major federal pandemic relief spending, multiple zoning changes, and infrastructure agreements while debating fire safety, pedestrian access, and a whip-use ordinance.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Accept $51.5 million in federal COVID relief funds (American Rescue Plan Act) and approve Phase 1 spending plan — 7-0 — Money goes toward COVID coordinator, hybrid meeting technology, nonprofit staff retention (including domestic violence shelter VOA), and council member community allocations ($70,000 per member).
APPROVED — Wastewater treatment plant improvements — $5 million grant — Funds north valley facility upgrades, preventing cost increases to residents' utility bills.
APPROVED — Warren Way zoning change from single-family (3 units/acre) to multi-family (21 units/acre) — Unanimous — Allows increased density on one acre near preschool and swim school; parking concerns deferred to development stage.
APPROVED — Whip ordinance restricting public use — Unanimous — Bans whip possession in public spaces (parks, sidewalks, riverfront) with permit exceptions for artistic events; enforcement left to officer discretion with warning option.
APPROVED — Ventana Ridge tentative map for 67 single-family homes on 166.8 foothill acres — 5-1 vote — Project required to include fire suppression, wildlife mitigation, open space preservation, and additional geotechnical fault study.
APPROVED — Military Eight subdivision appeal for 60 homes in North Valley — 6-1 vote — Requires traffic restriction device at secondary road to prevent left turns onto Military Road.
APPROVED — Moyal Boulevard rezoning from single-family residential to industrial — Allows warehouse and commercial uses across from residential subdivision; concerns noted about flood zone impacts and incompatible uses.
APPROVED — Downtown redevelopment plan extension to 2043 — Extends tax increment financing tools to generate $127 million for downtown improvements.
CONTINUED — Lear Theater purchase agreement to September 8 — Requires Department of Taxation approval for installment contract structure.
Debated But Not Resolved
UNR Parking Garage Pedestrian Access — Council members split on eliminating Lake Street crossing to campus. Some said it reduces walkability; others noted disabled access benefits. Staff directed to revisit condition with university.
Mount Roseville Water Tank Expansion — Councilmember concerned city invested $800,000 in improvements that may create development windfalls for private property owners. Requested information on future development potential before final approval.
Fire Department Regional Strategy — Council requested joint meetings with Sparks and Washoe County to discuss consolidation and mutual aid gaps, particularly for developments in growing areas with uncertain fire response times.
SLFRF Allocation Plan — Final spending plan for remaining $51.5 million due to council by December 2021; requires community listening tours and federal guidance clarification.
What to Watch
$51,500,000 — Federal pandemic relief funds, Phase 1 spending — American Rescue Plan Act
$5,000,000 — Wastewater plant improvements — Economic Development grant
$127,000,000 — Tax increment revenue (extended period) — Downtown redevelopment area
SLFRF Final Allocation Plan (December) — Council must decide how to spend remaining $51.5 million on five Treasury-approved categories. Community input period closes mid-October. Separate decision needed on whether $8.1 million CARES Campus Phase 2 funding comes from these federal dollars or general fund.
Regional Fire Service Consolidation Discussions — Joint city-county-Sparks meetings scheduled to address mutual aid gaps and potential re-merger of fire services. Current system relies on automatic aid; council concerned about actual response times versus code calculations.
Redevelopment Plan Amendment Ordinance Second Reading — Item continues to next council meeting; legal debate unresolved over whether extension qualifies as amendment or requires new plan with full public participation.
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