Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
What Happened
City Council met and approved major spending on affordable housing, public pools, and employee contracts while deferring a contentious decision about developing a historic riverfront property.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center construction ($45.7 million total: $9.7 million cash, $27 million bonds, $9 million from William N. Pennington Foundation) — Unanimous — Reno's first public pool investment in 30 years will include geothermal and solar systems to reduce operating costs by 80%.
APPROVED — Emergency rental and deposit assistance grant ($100,000 additional) — Unanimous — Brings total emergency solutions grant funding to $1.277 million for households earning at or below 30% of area median income.
APPROVED — Three collective bargaining agreements for city employees — Unanimous/unspecified — Year one costs of $2.4 million (Fire Administrators get 8% raise plus 5% instructor incentive; 400 front-line workers get 7% raise; supervisory unit extended through June 2024).
APPROVED — Cost-of-living adjustments for non-represented employees ($1.8 million) — Unanimous — About 160 unrepresented employees, including 4 municipal court judges, receive 7% raise effective July 1.
APPROVED — Urban Sustainability Directors Network grant ($60,000) — Unanimous — Funds electric heat pump and duct work improvements for low-income homes through Rebuilding Together Northern Nevada.
APPROVED — Zoning changes for Portal Academy district and Allen Glenn Drive multifamily housing — Unanimous — Allen Glenn rezoning allows 14 units per acre on 2-acre site in northwest Reno (previously 1 unit per acre); one resident opposed citing traffic and parking concerns.
CONTINUED — 0 Riverside Drive property disposition — Unspecified — Council will hold formal proposals and likely use a Request for Information process instead of auction. Includes 104-year-old historic Sinai Mansion with April 4, 2023 demolition deadline.
CONTINUED — Fire staffing obligation tied to future station expansion — Unspecified — Council split on whether to embed requirement for one battalion chief per five new fire stations into contract; Councilwoman Brekhus opposed as limiting future council budget authority; motion passed despite her opposition.
Debated But Not Resolved
Micromobility pilot project study — Councilwoman Brekhus questioned success metrics and methodology; staff presented LIDAR sensors and conflict analysis plans but follow-up needed on data collection specifics.
Pool disinfection method — Councilwoman Weber asked about using saline instead of chlorine like other regional pools; staff said county health requires chlorine but agreed to explore saline options.
Rec leader compensation — Councilman Breckis noted rec leaders moving to $15/hour but questioned why excluded from bargaining group benefits and whether increase adequate for at-need child care populations.
Paul Revere Williams building security — Building excluded from fire detection system contract due to lack of power/infrastructure; Councilman Breckis flagged its national historic significance and said issue may return.
Construction project management — Concerns about inadequate contractor supervision, unsecured barriers damaging vehicles, staffing gaps, and homeowner sewer lateral damage claims remain unresolved.
What to Watch
$45.7 million — Moana Springs Community Aquatics Center construction — $9.7M cash, $27M bonds, $9M foundation pledge
$1.8 million — Cost-of-living raises for 160 non-represented employees — FY2023 budget
$1.277 million total — Emergency rental/deposit assistance grant (includes $100K approved this meeting) — Nevada CARES emergency solutions grant
$100,000 — Back taxes owed to Washoe County on 0 Riverside Drive property — General fund (approved but property disposition still unresolved)
$60,000 — Sustainability grant for heat pumps and duct work — Urban Sustainability Directors Network
0 Riverside Drive development decision — Council will evaluate formal proposals and establish RFI scoring criteria. Historic Sinai Mansion has April 4, 2023 demolition deadline. Competing interests: historic preservation, density, open space, and affordable housing.
Moana Springs groundbreaking — William N. Pennington Foundation pledge acceptance scheduled for August 10 meeting. GMP Number 2 (next construction phase cost) expected winter 2022.
Comprehensive compensation study results — Due January-February 2023. Will determine if the 7% raises approved this month align with regional wage competitiveness for city employees.
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