REVISED Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
What Happened
City Council held a revised meeting with roughly 50 agenda items, including special use permit appeals, bond refinancing, downtown revitalization plans, and legislative positions on state bills. Meeting ran long with significant debates over downtown design, floodplain development, and special events funding.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Refinance 2013 General Obligation Bonds — Unanimous — Saves approximately $200,000 annually in interest costs without extending maturity beyond June 2032.
APPROVED — Downtown Virginia Street bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure plan with phased implementation — Unanimous — Commits $2.5 million (ARPA funds) to placemaking improvements including potential cycle tracks on multiple streets.
APPROVED — Bureau Veritas contract extension for building plan review — Unspecified vote — $1,000,000 over six years to maintain 10-day permit review timelines; council debated whether city should build in-house capacity instead.
APPROVED — Public art project for Moana Springs facility — Unanimous — $700,000 (2% of project costs) with national call for artists and community input sessions during finalist selection.
APPROVED — One Studio DNA contract amendment for Public Safety Center — Unspecified vote — $300,000 additional for final 14 months of construction administration.
APPROVED — Special Events Sponsorship Committee resolution — Unspecified vote — Establishes new streamlined committee structure for event funding approvals effective July 1; replaces outdated 2014 process.
REJECTED — Appeal City's Conrad v. City of Reno court loss — Unspecified vote — Council voted not to appeal the court order requiring police records release to Mr. Conrad/Mr. Busby; avoids additional legal costs.
CONTINUED to May 12 — Special use permit appeal (floodplain development) — 3-3 deadlock then 4-3 approval — Applicant must provide flood study showing no buildings in Zone A floodplain before proceeding; council deadlocked on whether stricter "no build no disturbance" condition needed.
REJECTED — Motion to change legislative positions on SB 226 and SB 433 to neutral — Failed for lack of second — Councilwoman Dewer could not secure support to reverse city's stance on housing bills.
Debated But Not Resolved
Rent stabilization bills (SB 371, SB 426, AB 362) — Councilman Breakfast pushed for supporting bills; others wanted detailed analysis of each bill individually; motion to support pending second, not yet voted. Next: Council to analyze bills before taking positions.
Bicycle lanes on Virginia Street versus Center Street — Parking loss, traffic impacts, and safety concerns over Virginia Street placement; Councilwoman Ruckus argued one-way couplets incompatible with pedestrian downtown; City Engineer recommends network approach. Next: Staff to explore Center/Sierra Street designs in parallel without requiring Virginia Street approval.
Downtown BID budget allocation — Councilmembers questioned whether assessment revenue should fund parking app and marketing versus clean/safe services only; breakdown of how $600,000 increase distributed among property categories unclear. Next: Detailed budget breakdown at May 10 public hearing.
Building plan review outsourcing — Councilman Breakfast argued city should develop in-house structural engineer capacity rather than extend outsourcing contract; staff stated 18-month hiring timeline and demand doesn't justify full-time position. Next: Item proceeded to approval despite concerns.
Special events funding process — Disagreement over whether Special Events Subcommittee should review applications before full council, or if council should function as committee directly; timing concerns about new committee implementation delaying current fiscal year distributions. Next: City attorney to clarify legal options; separate agenda item requested for May.
Virginia Street tree coverage versus awnings — Councilwoman Doer concerned city removing south-side City Hall trees due to irrigation issues, arguing this undermines Virginia Street planting plans; others questioned whether awnings adequate for shade. Next: Unresolved; staff to address tree planting logistics.
What to Watch
$2,500,000 — Downtown Virginia Street and placemaking improvements phased implementation — ARPA funds
$1,000,000 — Bureau Veritas building plan review contract extension — General fund
$700,000 — Public art project (Moana Springs facility) — 2% public art requirement from project budget
$300,000 — Public Safety Center construction administration contract amendment — Project budget
$28,000,000 — Refinance 2013 General Obligation Bonds — Bond market issuance (saves $200,000/year in interest)
May 12 special use permit appeal hearing — Floodplain development case with 3-3 deadlock and 4-3 approval currently stands, but motion to add stricter "no build no disturbance" condition failed 3-3. Applicant must submit flood study before proceeding. Full council membership expected present at rescheduled hearing.
Virginia Street cycle track design decision — Staff directed to explore Center Street and Sierra Street options in parallel with Virginia Street. Council remains divided on parking loss, traffic impacts, and whether high-speed one-way couplets compatible with downtown revitalization.
Bond refinancing ordinance — Resolution approved today; detailed ordinance with specific terms to return before November 2023 issuance date. Must include council approval step.
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