Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
What Happened
City Council held a regular meeting lasting several hours, voting on 20+ items including housing code changes, park improvements, gaming licenses, and city manager recruitment direction.
Key Decisions
[APPROVED — $75,000 city manager recruitment contract with executive search firm — vote count not recorded — Council authorized hiring a professional recruiter to find a new city manager by January 7, 2025 deadline per city charter]
[APPROVED — $112,000 for 48 animal-proof trash cans on Riverside Drive — funding source not specified — Square-style enclosed containers will replace open cans to reduce trash overflow and discourage wildlife and people from pulling trash out]
[APPROVED — $75,000 minimum for FY2025 hazardous waste and e-waste cleanup events — contingency fund — Council committed to consistent cleanup services across all five wards after identifying unequal service levels]
[APPROVED — Non-restricted gaming license change of ownership for Four Street location (Jacob's Entertainment) — vote count not recorded — 23 gaming machines authorized at grandfathered non-conforming use with 44-year history]
[APPROVED — Downtown SafeScape alcohol license compliance reviews for 16 businesses — all passed — Licenses renewed; all businesses met requirements for fresh food availability and alcohol sales restrictions]
[APPROVED — Decorative lighting fixtures for downtown poles — vote unanimous — Sternberg lights approved for downtown area]
[APPROVED — Traffic signal safety devices from Carson City — vote unanimous — Donated surplus devices will prevent simultaneous signal phases]
[CONTINUED — Housing code amendments (AB 213 compliance) — vote not taken — Council asked staff to return with revised proposals addressing concerns about bypassing public review, density bonus caps, and monitoring mechanisms for affordable units without federal subsidy]
Debated But Not Resolved
Housing densification and zoning — Public commenters and council members disagreed on how aggressively to allow duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in single-family neighborhoods. Concerns: CC&R enforceability, neighborhood character, parking impacts, and lack of public input. Council directed staff to remove 100-unit multifamily recommendation and conduct further planning — Next step: staff returns June with revised code sections
Wild horse access to water at Sunny Hills development — Advocates argued 12-foot fence gate opening insufficient for 2,000-foot fence line and won't allow safe horse water access. Council acknowledged prior commitments to wildlife corridors unmet — Next step: May 22 hearing to determine stricter fencing requirements
Sarah Sage Golf Course water rates — Golf course operator and residents argued $166 per thousand gallons is inequitable compared to private courses. City explained rates recover sewer infrastructure costs per 1999 county agreement — Next step: Mayor directing staff to invite Washo County to future council meeting for cost-sharing discussion
What to Watch
$112,000 — Riverside Drive trash cans (48 units) — funding source not stated
$75,000 — FY2025 hazardous waste/e-waste cleanup consistency — contingency fund
$75,000 — City manager recruitment firm contract — funding source not stated
Housing code amendments return in June — Council is reworking proposals on density bonuses, affordability monitoring, and which projects bypass public review. Outcome affects how fast affordable housing gets built and whether neighbors have input.
Wild horse fencing hearing May 22 — Council wants stricter requirements for horse water access at Sunny Hills development. This tests whether city will enforce wildlife corridor commitments in development agreements.
Washo County golf course cost discussion — City-county negotiation on whether county golf courses should pay for water like city courses do. Affects course affordability and North Valley recreation access.
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