Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
What Happened
The Reno City Council met to approve licenses, contracts, and board appointments. Most items passed unanimously, but council members pulled several items from routine approval to debate oversight, employee hiring practices, and board effectiveness.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Cabaret privilege license for 300 block of Basa Street — Unanimous — Business can now operate at that location.
APPROVED — City contract to use temporary staffing agencies — Vote count not recorded — City can hire temp workers to cover employee absences and temporary projects, but only if departments have budget savings available.
APPROVED — Religious Meadows Water Recreation Facility agreement — Unanimous — City of Reno and City of Sparks will continue joint ownership and operation.
APPROVED — Gabriel Maya and Tracy Kimmins to Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board — Unanimously — Both will represent Ward 3 residents on community development issues.
CONTINUED — Property sale for unpaid special assessments (B27) — Pulled from routine approval — 19 property owners owe approximately $6,200 total in delinquent charges. Councilwoman Brekhus requested full deliberation instead of automatic approval because it involves property foreclosure.
Debated But Not Resolved
Alcohol licensing standards — Council members disagreed about how strict requirements should be for new alcohol outlets. One member wanted to review performance history before approving new licenses. Decision: Council will discuss at next meeting what privilege licenses mean and whether to require stricter approval processes.
Board and commissions effectiveness — Council members raised concerns that some boards don't meet regularly (Special Events Committee didn't convene all year) and questioned whether city employees should serve on neighborhood advisory boards. Decision: Staff will review which internal boards are still needed and update bylaws before finalizing new appointments.
RTC (Regional Transportation Commission) appointments — Councilwoman Brekhus stated she will not support any candidate for Reno's two seats on the RTC unless they commit to her 10-year reform agenda, claiming the RTC is "the most powerful and ill-serving body in this region." Decision: Pending.
City employee eligibility for neighborhood board — Marie Rodriguez, a police department community services officer, applied to Ward 3 Neighborhood Advisory Board. One council member questioned whether city employees can serve due to conflict of interest rules. Decision: City Attorney Carl Hall will research bylaws and report back.
What to Watch
No items over $50,000 were approved.
Property foreclosure approval (B27) — Council will hold separate hearing on selling 19 properties with unpaid special assessments totaling $6,200. Brekhus wants full discussion before proceeding.
Alcohol licensing rules — New standards for privilege licenses coming back to next meeting. Could affect future bar and restaurant approvals.
Board restructuring — Staff reviewing which boards serve a purpose and whether city employees should serve on neighborhood advisory boards. Affects how residents participate in city decisions.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.