Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board met for approximately 8+ hours on October 27, 2021, approving 20+ items including a major downtown development agreement, fire services expansion, flood control funding, and city manager contract increases.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Neon Line Development Agreement (Jacobs project): 7-0 vote; allows $1.2 billion mixed-use downtown development on multiple parcels with sewer credits, fee deferrals, and private $1.5 million housing authority contribution
APPROVED — $1.8 million Flood Control Project Phase 1: unanimously; FEMA-funded stormwater infrastructure expansion in Ward 2 to prepare for Phase 2 home relocations
APPROVED — City Manager contract amendment increasing compensation to $350,000-$365,000: 6-1 vote; salary, longevity bonus, and deferred compensation structure to be negotiated
APPROVED — Catalytic Converter Possession Ordinance: unanimously; makes possession of catalytic converters a misdemeanor unless origin documented, targeting theft epidemic
APPROVED — Two conditional cannabis retail licenses: unanimously; allows state-approved applicants to proceed with city review
APPROVED — 37 position changes including 20 SAFER grant firefighter positions: approved; adds capacity to development services and public works
APPROVED — Arttown Pizza Cabaret License and Midtown Cabaret License: 7-0 each; new live entertainment venues approved
APPROVED — Sky Tavern maintenance shed rebuild with High Fives Foundation partnership: 7-0; enables year-round adaptive sports programming
APPROVED — Two Nevada Center rezoning ordinances: 7-0 each; converts 7.95 acres from mixed-use suburban to industrial commercial north of Virginia/Stead Boulevard
APPROVED — Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement with City of Sparks fire services: 7-0; establishes cooperative fire protection with reimbursement tracking
Debated But Not Resolved
Cannabis consumption lounges — Council split on whether to allow; some concerned about DUI increases, others argued lounges prevent impaired driving; awaiting state Cannabis Compliance Board regulations expected February-March before deciding
Cannabis drive-throughs — Disagreement over traffic safety at South Virginia locations; council directed staff to evaluate locations individually but resolution pending
City Plaza public process — Council member objected that whale sculptures ($625,000 and $75,000) and skateboard park ($15,000) approved through manager discretion without full council deliberation; majority supported project but process concerns remain unresolved
Neon Line signage authority — Dispute over whether council can assign public right-of-way management to private developer; council attorney argued yes, but legal questions persist
Title 18 code update priorities — Council member argued short-term rental ordinance (overdue 8 years) should be completed before adding cannabis regulations; staff capacity concerns raised but no resolution
What to Watch
$1.8 million — Flood Control Project Phase 1 stormwater expansion — FEMA grant
$625,000 — City Plaza whale sculpture contract 1 — FY22 budget augmentation (ending fund balance)
$75,000 — City Plaza whale sculpture contract 2 — FY22 budget augmentation (ending fund balance)
$115,000 — Skateboard park with recycled steel elements — Parks and Recreation budget
Public workshop on Jacobs development — Developer agreed to city-hosted town hall before submitting permits for specific project details (unit count, affordability levels, amenities, restaurant/bar operations, signage). Community submitted 120+ opposition letters; this meeting will be critical for addressing concerns.
Cannabis consumption lounges regulatory framework — State guidance arriving February-March 2022. Council will then decide whether to allow lounges locally and what distance/concentration limits to impose. DUI impacts and lounge location rules still contested.
City Manager contract finalization — Compensation range approved ($350,000-$365,000) but specific breakdown between salary, longevity, and deferred compensation still being negotiated. One council member's concerns about contract free-speech clause and automatic renewal provisions flagged for future amendment.
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