Reno City Council
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
What Happened
City Council held a regular meeting lasting several hours, voting on 13 major items including redevelopment plan extensions, cycling infrastructure, and a wildlife killing contest ban.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — Wildlife killing contests ban resolution and letter to Nevada Wildlife Commission — 6-1 vote — Council formally opposed wildlife killing contests and directed staff to send the position to the Nevada Wildlife Commission, which is conducting rulemaking on the issue in the coming weeks.
[APPROVED] — Six-month cycling infrastructure visioning study — Unanimous — Council authorized a study to develop a comprehensive plan for bike infrastructure across Reno, with required monthly progress reports and community stakeholder involvement.
[APPROVED] — Downtown Project Area (RDA1) redevelopment plan extension to 2043 — Bill 7182 introduced for first reading — Extends the plan 15 years to allow the area to pay existing bond debt and avoid default.
[APPROVED] — Inter-fund loan authorization between redevelopment project areas — Bills 7182 and 7183 — Allows Downtown Project Area to receive a loan from Project Area Two to pay bond obligations.
[APPROVED] — Grant applications for sidewalk and circulation improvements — Unanimous — Authorizes staff to seek federal funding for Urban/Plumas sidewalk project ($600,000 estimated cost) and Sixth Street improvements.
[APPROVED] — Industrial zoning for property south of Resource Drive (Ward 4) — Ordinance 6602.
[APPROVED] — Zoning map amendment for 3690 Warren Way — Ordinance 6603 — Changes zoning from single-family (3 units per acre) to multi-family (21 units per acre).
Debated But Not Resolved
Center Street cycle track vs. Virginia Street study — Council split on whether to prioritize implementing the previously-approved Center Street project or conduct the broader Virginia Street corridor visioning study first. Opponents say the study delays needed bike infrastructure; supporters say it ensures better planning given recent downtown development.
Redevelopment plan extension scope — Council member raised concerns that the stated purpose (debt payment only) conflicts with the city simultaneously using redevelopment powers for other projects like the Jacobs Entertainment deal. Unclear whether extension enables broader redevelopment beyond debt service.
Property owner notification requirements — Dispute over whether property owners in the redevelopment area whose tax increment is diverted should have been formally noticed, given NRS requirements.
Virginia Street project design issues — Council member Jardin requested a full discussion of identified problems (80 parking spaces lost, loading zones eliminated, traffic impacts) before proceeding.
What to Watch
$805,000 — Federal funding for Transportation Alternatives program (fiscal years 2021-2022) — Federal Highway Administration
$600,000 — Urban/Plumas sidewalk project (estimated; city may need to cover 5% if federal grant is less than 100%) — Federal Transportation Alternatives funding
$250,000 — East Sixth Street safety flashing beacon project — Federal Transportation Alternatives program
$150,000 — Downtown Virginia Street urban place-making study — Funded from Center Street project allocation and taxpayer money
Nevada Wildlife Commission rulemaking — Commission meets September 24 (informational only), with potential votes on wildlife killing contests in following weeks. Reno's letter will be part of public comment.
Redevelopment plan approval — RDA1 extension (Bill 7182) and inter-fund loan authorization return for second reading. Watch for concerns about property owner notification and scope clarification.
Virginia Street vs. Center Street — Council will need to clarify which project gets priority and funding as cycling infrastructure moves forward.
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