Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
What Happened
The Reno City Council met for a full agenda including water treatment upgrades, park master plans, cannabis retail regulations, and multiple zoning changes.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Wingfield Park and Whitewater Park master plan consultant agreement — 7-0 — $139,100 to Stantec for design work including amphitheater upgrades, sound system, dressing rooms, security, and lighting while Arlington Avenue bridge construction diverts river water in 2025-2026.
APPROVED — Tumworth water facility disinfection and filtration evaluation — Vote count not recorded — $855,656 (Reno's share of $1.2 million joint project with Sparks) to study UV disinfection system that could save $2 million annually in chemical costs.
APPROVED — Landscape Maintenance District contract with Reliance Home Services — Unanimous — $350,664 for two-year landscaping maintenance term funded by LMD assessments.
APPROVED — Behavioral health facility zoning amendment — 7-0 — Allows 66-bed mental health facility near I-80.
APPROVED — Outdoor dining fee waiver for fiscal year 2023 — Unanimous — Allows downtown and midtown restaurants to use public right-of-way for outdoor dining without fees.
APPROVED — Security gates at Taglia Park — Vote count not recorded — Three gates to prevent overnight camping in parking areas.
APPROVED — Mountain View Estates Unit 5 rezoning — Vote count not recorded — 33.33 acres rezoned from single-family (11 units per acre) to multi-family (14 units per acre) west of Ferrari McLeod Boulevard roundabout.
APPROVED — Claim Jumper Way area zoning change — Vote count not recorded — 8.05 acres rezoned for single-family development near Hilarious Mine Drive in Ward 2.
CONTINUED — Landscape maintenance district contract B17 — Staff update requested due to public concerns about RFP errors (incorrect square footage: 70,000 vs. 107,000 sq ft) and cost increases of 180-622% without documented justification.
Debated But Not Resolved
Cannabis consumption lounges — Should council prioritize regulating new consumption lounges versus short-term rentals and housing issues? Staff directed to conduct public outreach before returning with ordinance options.
Cannabis retail hours and services — Should existing cannabis stores get 24-hour operation and drive-through services? Council split; concerns raised about police capacity and traffic impacts versus competitive necessity against tribal facilities.
Park master plan consultant selection — Why was Stantec chosen directly instead of from rotating list? Council approved but Councilmember Brekhus flagged potential conflicts of interest with Arlington Bridge project.
Meeting minutes compliance — Are current minutes legally sufficient under Nevada Revised Statute? Councilmember Ruckus claims they lack substantive detail required by state law; City Attorney to meet with him.
Claim Jumper Way development traffic impacts — Will 94-95 new homes overwhelm Rio Wrangler and De Monte Ranch High School areas? Concerns mirrored 2012 Doral Academy traffic requiring $1 million in mitigation; staff committed to follow-up coordination with RTC.
Cannabis lounge spacing and distance rules — Should lounges be restricted near drug rehabilitation facilities and residential areas? Council seeks precedent from bar and liquor distribution rules; outcome pending outreach phase.
What to Watch
$855,656 — Water disinfection study (Reno portion) — Sewer fund cost-share agreement with Sparks
$350,664 — Landscape maintenance district contract — LMD assessments
Landscape maintenance contract B17 returns with staff clarification on RFP errors and cost justification after public challenged 180-622% increases and inaccurate square footage calculations.
Cannabis regulation framework will come back after staff completes public outreach on consumption lounges, hours, drive-throughs, and proximity rules to sensitive facilities like drug rehab centers.
Claim Jumper Way development traffic impact — Staff to coordinate with RTC on whether road network can handle cumulative effects of 94-95 new homes on Rio Wrangler and school area without additional $1 million-style mitigation.
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