Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
What Happened
The Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board met for a regular session with 30+ agenda items covering zoning amendments, a $60 million bond measure, a controversial housing density debate, and several development approvals.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED] — $60 million general obligation bonds for public safety center, aquatic center, and fire department headquarters design — vote count not recorded — funds design and construction work on three major public facilities.
[APPROVED] — $23 million general fund budget augmentation from third-quarter revenue increases — vote count not recorded — includes higher-than-expected sales tax, property tax, business licenses, and franchise fees.
[APPROVED] — Meridian 120 South open space rezoning (8.3 acres from industrial to parks/greenways) — unanimous — fulfills condition of 2020 development approval.
[APPROVED] — Skybridge connecting downtown office building to parking garage (City Center project) — 6-1 vote — allows pedestrian walkway for approximately 500 employees; only Councilman Breus opposed.
[APPROVED] — Gateway at Galena annexation (residential development) — vote count not recorded — brings property into city limits; concerns raised that Redfield campus may remain as county island.
[APPROVED] — Tom Warf dewatering pre-design services agreement — vote count not recorded — $787,000 from Reno (Sparks pays $359,000) for wastewater treatment facility centrifuge replacement design; full general master plan cost presentation deferred.
[REJECTED] — Motion to delete Conditions 4 and 31 from Meridian 120 South project (allowing 285 additional triplex units) — 4-3 vote — first motion failed; unresolved whether 3,000-unit cap applies to all zoning or only residential zones.
Debated But Not Resolved
3,000-unit cap interpretation — Applicant argues cap applies only to residentially zoned areas; City Council split on whether cap applies citywide across all zoning. Next step: Second motion introduced; decision pending.
Secondary emergency access road safety — Councilwoman concerned about at-grade railroad crossing and country lane routing; applicant says alternative route under construction. Next step: Further discussion on road approval conditions.
Tom Warf total project costs — Councilwoman Breea demanded full general master plan and 10-year cost projections before approving design work; city manager said project necessary due to centrifuge failure risk. Next step: Full plan presentation "in due time."
City manager delegated authority — Amendment to Stonate PUD agreement grants manager unilateral waiver power; Councilwoman questioned whether this reduces council's policy role. Next step: Vote proceeded; debate cut off mid-discussion.
What to Watch
$60,000,000 — General obligation bonds for public safety center, aquatic center, and fire department headquarters — bond proceeds
$23,000,000 — General fund budget augmentation — sales tax, property tax, business licenses, franchise fees
$1,470,000 — Tom Warf dewatering pre-design services — joint city/Sparks cost-share ($787,000 Reno)
$1,000,000 — Reno Rodeo Association matching grant for Nevada Western Heritage Center — state match funding
Meridian 120 South housing units decision — Second motion to delete conditions and allow 285 triplex units is pending City Council vote. The outcome determines whether the project exceeds the 3,000-unit regional cap and how fire station funding is allocated. Verdi residents oppose the increase; housing advocates support it.
Tom Warf full master plan presentation — Council requested comprehensive plan showing all regional sewer improvements, 10-year costs, and rate equity analysis before approving additional design phases. Timing unclear.
Secondary access road safety conditions — Councilwoman plans to "drill in" on emergency evacuation route safety during continued debate on Meridian project.
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