Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
What Happened
Reno City Council met on November 20 and approved 12 items in roughly 2 hours, including two gunshot detection systems, a $26.1 million water infrastructure bond, and river path lighting.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — ShotSpotter gunshot detection system for downtown (one square mile coverage, three-year contract) — Unanimously — $450,000 from reappropriated ARPA funds; helps police detect and respond to shootings within 60 seconds.
APPROVED — Flock Safety surveillance system with 40+ cameras (31 downtown, 10 on major streets) and gunshot detection — Vote count not recorded — Expands real-time crime response capability citywide.
APPROVED — Special Assessment District Number One Kosey Ranch bond issuance — Unanimously — $26,110,000 to finance water infrastructure for Toll Brothers development; residents pay approximately $1,400 annual assessment.
APPROVED — Chucky River path lighting project contract to Titan Electrical Contracting — 7-0 — $1,212,100 from ARPA funds; installs dark sky-compliant bell-shaped fixtures.
APPROVED — Market Street Abandonment Development Agreement one-year update — Vote count not recorded — Confirms abandonment tied to RTC's Mill Street project; construction to begin March 2025, finish mid-2026.
APPROVED — Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board bylaw amendments — Vote count not recorded — Establishes governance structure for board that will review development projects and capital improvement priorities.
Debated But Not Resolved
RAB bylaws appointment authority — Council member Doer wants explicit language stating council can initiate bylaw amendments, not just review RAB proposals; staff said council has implied authority — Staff to clarify language in "round two" review.
RAB quorum definition — "Majority entitled to vote" is ambiguous and has confused multiple boards for 10 years; should explicitly state "majority of appointed members" — Staff to review with attorney.
RAB absence rules — Should distinguish between excused absences (illness) and unexcused absences; currently three of either triggers removal — Staff to evaluate as part of broader boards and commissions review.
RAB timeline — Questions raised whether January formation date allows time to fairly evaluate projects already submitted — Not answered; timeline question remains.
What to Watch
$450,000 — ShotSpotter system (three-year contract with maintenance/setup) — Reappropriated ARPA funds.
$1,212,100 — Chucky River path lighting installation — ARPA state and local fiscal recovery funds.
$26,110,000 — Water infrastructure bond for Kosey Ranch development — Special Assessment District bonds (residents assessed approximately $1,400/year).
Redevelopment Advisory Board bylaws — Council member Doer promised additional recommendations in "round two"; formal vote has not happened. Watch for clarifications on appointment authority, quorum language, and whether general public members can serve without specialty expertise.
Boards and commissions review — Mayor requested comprehensive policy review of all city boards addressing absenteeism, quorum rules, and appointment processes; expect this as separate agenda item combining fixes for multiple boards.
Police performance metrics — Chief Nance deferred detailed presentation on year-over-year arrests, violent crime prevention, and staffing to next council meeting.
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