Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
What Happened
The Reno City Council held a regular meeting spanning multiple hours, voting on approximately 20 items including service funding, housing partnerships, parking lot construction, and board appointments.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — $200,000 Senior Transportation Program providing $80/month Uber and Lyft vouchers to Reno seniors for medical appointments and activities — 7-0 vote — helps seniors access rides without owning cars.
APPROVED — $1,000,000 operating costs for Village on State Street affordable housing ($650,000 for fiscal year 22, $350,000 for fiscal year 23) — 7-0 vote — keeps existing senior and family housing units operating.
APPROVED — $1,088,700 Grant Drive parking lot reconstruction contract to Sierra Nevada Construction — unanimous vote — rebuilds lot serving Moana soccer fields with improved drainage and pedestrian access before solar carports are installed.
APPROVED — City Manager Doug Thornley compensation modifications: 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment, $10,000 one-time performance bonus, and expanded severance from 5 months to 12 months — 7-0 vote — increases job security for city's top executive.
APPROVED — Green Street affordable housing project partnership continuation — unanimous vote — advances senior and family affordable housing development.
APPROVED — Five new Reno Arts and Culture Commission members (Marie Rodriguez, Jahan Hazarigo, Constance Hightower, Ruby Bar, and one unnamed) — strengthens arts community representation.
Debated But Not Resolved
Service animal accessibility in senior transportation — Council member Martinez flagged concerns that Uber/Lyft rides may not adequately accommodate visually impaired riders and service animals — staff will add this as training program requirement.
Dandini Spectrum development roundabout adequacy — Council member Reese said the roundabout is too tight for a 25-acre mixed-use development with hotel; Martinez acknowledged the concern; staff said NDOT approved traffic study focused on 395 off-ramps, not roundabout — staff will review roundabout when project progresses further, but Reese insisted improvements must happen before building permits issued.
Senior affordable housing affordability and rent increases — Council member Duer worried rents tied to Area Median Income (AMI) climb as citywide AMI rises (30% increase over 3 years) and seniors cannot afford units designed for them — urged developers to self-impose 5% annual rent cap; developer noted tight cash flow and full occupancy with waiting lists.
FPI property management performance — Council member raised monthly resident complaints about property management company, particularly internet/TV service transitions requiring 150 individual contracts — developer acknowledged challenges and committed to improvements.
Village on State Street pet policy status — Council member Doer asked about 25% pet-friendly rooms policy previously approved — staff will provide memo with status update.
What to Watch
$1,000,000 — Village on State Street operating costs — general funds
$1,088,700 — Grant Drive parking lot reconstruction — capital project funds
$200,000 — Senior transportation voucher program — from previously approved senior services funding
$1,032,000 — Vintage at Redfield affordable housing sewer fee waiver — enterprise fund subsidy
Roundabout improvements for Dandini Spectrum — Staff must report back on whether roundabout needs signal or other upgrades before building permits issued. Council member Reese made clear this cannot be deferred.
Village on State Street pet policy — Staff memo needed on how many units are actually pet-friendly as previously approved.
Senior affordable housing rent increases — Ongoing discussion about whether rents will become unaffordable for seniors they serve; council pushing developers toward 5% annual cap.
Get Reno government news every week
Every vote. Every debate. Zero jargon.