Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
What Happened
Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board met April 27, 2022, for a regular meeting covering 20+ agenda items including infrastructure spending, development approvals, and strategic planning.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Road preventative maintenance project — [vote count not recorded] — $3 million investment to extend life of existing road infrastructure and reduce future repairs.
APPROVED — PrimeGov agenda management system — 7-0 — Replaces 10-year-old system for city council and boards/commissions agendas to improve service reliability and transparency.
APPROVED — Daybreak development sewer agreement with Washoe County — [vote count not recorded] — Establishes that Daybreak residents will receive sewer services from Washoe County instead of the City of Reno; clarifies maintenance responsibilities for infrastructure in city streets.
APPROVED — Tahoe Airport Industrial Development warehouse and railroad crossing project — [vote recorded as motion carried] — Project approved despite council opposition to remote location and truck traffic impacts on 395 corridor.
APPROVED — Bee City USA affiliation — [vote count not recorded] — City joins network of 153 communities to develop pollinator habitat plans and sustainability initiatives; $500 annual membership fee covered by Help Save the Bees Foundation.
APPROVED — General obligation bond public hearing — [motion carries] — Moves forward bond issuance for public safety center, aquatic center at Moana Springs, and fire department headquarters preliminary design; first reading May 11, adoption May 25.
APPROVED — American Flat Advanced Purified Water project delivery method — [vote count not recorded] — Establishes CMAR project delivery structure for water treatment facility expected to generate approximately $80 million in future water right sales.
APPROVED — Portal Academy rezoning — [vote count not recorded] — Zoning map amendment for 2.95-acre site from neighborhood commercial to specific plan district at Reno View Drive and Sky Mountain Drive.
CONTINUED — Midtown alley naming — Incomplete application scope (partial alley only), lack of Historic Resources Commission consultation; staff directed to extend naming to full alley, coordinate with Historic Resources Commission, and allow applicant to propose alternative name before resubmission.
Debated But Not Resolved
Daybreak sewer equity — Councilwoman opposed arrangement citing: residents won't contribute to Reno stormwater program like other city residents; residents lose recourse to city council if problems arise (Washoe County only); connection fees go to county not city. Staff acknowledged residents will be Washoe County customers for sewer services; council member's concerns not formally addressed.
Bond financing vs. ARPA funds — Staff requested council explore using unallocated federal ARPA funds to pay outright for projects rather than issuing 30-year general obligation debt at rising interest rates (5% vs. 2% initial estimates). Councilwoman Doerr countered that city secured $25 million in grants and matching funds, making bonds appropriate for long-term financing with 10-year prepay option. No formal decision made on alternative financing analysis.
Strategic Plan refresh — Councilmember Dewer opposed adoption citing lack of workshop format, inadequate work program detail on infill development, and insufficient connection to annual council agendas and budgets. Council requested staff clarification on implementation methodology; item approved despite concerns.
Sewer rate structure and TMWA oversight — Councilman Brekhus requested detailed financial spreadsheets on rate impacts, connection fee calculations, and whether expansion accommodates 30,000 new residents. Requested TMWA master plan presentation to clarify funding obligations before proceeding — not scheduled.
What to Watch
$3,000,000 — Road preventative maintenance — [funding source not recorded]
$9,000,000 — Moana Springs aquatic center grant portion — Pennington Foundation grant
$5,000,000 — Public safety center grant portion — Pennington Foundation grant
$500,000 — Customer Relationship Management software tool — General fund opportunity
Bond ordinance first reading (May 11) — Watch what final bond amounts are proposed for public safety center, aquatic center, and fire department. Staff member's alternative ARPA funding proposal not formally adopted; monitor whether council revisits this before official vote.
Sewer rate and connection fee updates — Director of Public Works promised to share connection fee calculations with development community. Council requested TMWA master plan presentation and rate blending policy clarification before accepting rate structure changes.
Strategic Plan implementation — Council requested staff return with clarification on how strategic plan connects to annual work programs and council agendas. June workshop potentially scheduled.
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