Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
What Happened
Reno City Council met for a regular session on March 26, 2025, voting on approximately 20 items including housing assistance updates, flood mapping work, street maintenance, and river erosion fixes.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Amendment to HDR Engineering contract for FEMA flood mapping updates in South Reno (hydraulic modeling, topography collection) — Unanimous — $197,533 from city sewer fund (71% city/29% county split); ensures accurate flood zone boundaries for residents
APPROVED — Contract with JUB Engineering for Truckee River bank stabilization design and environmental permits between Keystone and Booth streets — Unanimous — $288,500; addresses erosion threatening apartment complex and city park pathway
APPROVED — Sewer connection fee credit ordinance removing 5-year expiration dates — Vote count not specified — Removes time limits on credits to incentivize housing development
APPROVED — Extend current strategic plan priorities for one year — 7-0 — Delays comprehensive plan revision to allow time for budget process and federal decisions
APPROVED — Zoning map amendment on Harvard Way from neighborhood commercial to general commercial — Unanimous — Allows higher-intensity commercial uses
INTRODUCED — Ordinance 7296 rezoning 0.99-acre NDI office property on Vasser Street from neighborhood commercial to general commercial — No vote yet; allows higher-intensity commercial and limited indoor light industrial uses
APPROVED — Interlocal agreement with Washoe County for cost-sharing on FEMA flood mapping work — Unspecified vote — Establishes 71/29 cost split based on work distribution
APPROVED — Jacob Williams appointed to Planning Commission — Vote count not specified
Debated But Not Resolved
Eviction prevention program funding after July 1, 2025 — Council expressed concern about funding gap when current appropriation ends; two bills pending before Nevada legislature; outcome depends on legislative session results
Sewer credit policy refinement — Councilwoman Der requested staff rework proposal to be more targeted (possibly with 2020 effective date or shorter extension period) rather than blanket removal of expiration; staff to develop holding fee proposal for vacant properties
Flood zone mapping in Silver Lake area — Councilwoman Ebert concerned that raised development is shifting flood waters to residential neighborhoods; staff stated water surface elevation unchanged and mapping reflects better topography data, not development impacts; disagreement unresolved
Strategic plan measurement and reporting frequency — Council members want more specific metrics tied to spending and quarterly updates instead of less frequent comprehensive reports; staff to develop implementation strategy
Virginia Lake bank stabilization priority — Council member noted Virginia Lake project (on 10-year capital improvement list) has similar erosion problems as approved Truckee River project; no decision on prioritization made
What to Watch
$288,500 — Truckee River bank stabilization design and environmental permitting — City of Reno capital funds
$197,533 — FEMA flood mapping updates (South Reno) — City sewer fund (71% city share)
$13,000,000 — Annual street rehabilitation and maintenance (including $3.2M preventive maintenance project) — City general budget
Nevada legislature bills on rental assistance — Two pending bills could restore funding for eviction prevention program after July 1; council indicated support but outcome uncertain
Sewer credit ordinance refinement — Councilwoman Der requested reworked proposal with conditions (effective date, shorter extension, or holding fees); staff to return with revised options
Strategic plan implementation strategy — Council seeking quarterly progress reports and specific measurable objectives tied to budget; staff developing detailed approach
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