Redevelopment Agency Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Note: This summary is based on the meeting transcript (minutes were unavailable or not used).
What Happened
The Reno City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board held a combined meeting with 12 major votes and substantial debate on police funding, live entertainment regulations, and voting access — roughly 4.5 hours covering spending, zoning, board appointments, and unresolved policy questions.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Washoe County Sheriff's Office contract for acting police leadership — Unanimous — City pays $2 million to place Sheriff personnel, including acting chief, inside Reno Police Department during an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct by department staff. This fills a command gap but raised questions about why the city must pay for county resources already funded by county taxpayers.
APPROVED — University East Phase 2 street rehabilitation — Unanimous — $6 million to repave streets in the University East neighborhood.
APPROVED — River Mount septic-to-sewer conversion program — Unanimous — Connects 100+ homes to sewer with $3+ million from state grants and $1.3 million federal funding requested, offsetting costs to residents.
APPROVED — Ordinance 6736: Rezone 595 Crystal Park Road from public facility to general commercial — Unanimous — Small 0.23-acre parcel in Ward 5.
APPROVED — Brett Jenkins and Nicholas Oliver appointed to regular board positions — Filled 2 of 4 open vacancies.
APPROVED — Councilmember Doerr reappointed to Western Regional Water Commission — 6-1 vote — Ensures continuity on regional sewer project work through November when her term ends. Councilwoman Ebert voted no.
APPROVED — Help Save the Bees Foundation contribution — $1,000 for pollinator habitat restoration and World Bee Day event on May 20.
Debated But Not Resolved
Police funding through Redevelopment Agency — Council members want to use RDA money for targeted enforcement at blighted downtown properties like the Sundowner. City Attorney cited Nevada law limits and a 30-year-old Attorney General opinion restricting such use. Next step: Staff will request new legal opinion from Nevada Department of Tax with specific details before proceeding.
Live entertainment regulations and conditional use permits — Businesses say the $5,000 CUP fee and three-month approval process create barriers. Council members proposed eliminating or reducing the fee and temporarily halting CUP requirements to speed approvals. One councilmember opposed fee elimination due to budget deficit. Next step: Staff drafts resolution language for a pilot program; council votes in April.
Neighborhood Advisory Board meeting flexibility — Residents requested longer meetings (extending past 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), consulting NABs on infrastructure projects, and choosing collaborative meeting venues instead of formal City Hall chambers. Council acknowledged value but noted conflicting NAB preferences. Next step: Staff will clarify which project types have timeline flexibility under state law.
Voting location accessibility — Councilwoman Ebert raised concerns about insufficient voting facilities in her ward (only one primary location, two general election locations), causing long lines. Ward has geographic constraints with just two access roads. Elections official said they exceed state requirements but will work offline with Ebert to identify additional vote centers.
What to Watch
$6,000,000 — University East Phase 2 street rehabilitation — General fund/City of Reno.
$2,000,000 — Washoe County Sheriff contract for Reno Police Department leadership — City of Reno budget.
$4,100,000+ — River Mount septic-to-sewer conversion (combined state grant over $3 million + pending federal $1.3 million) — Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, Board for Financing Water Projects, and federal delegation.
Police funding legal opinion — Staff will request Nevada Department of Tax review whether RDA can legally fund targeted police enforcement at blighted properties. This determines whether council can use a major funding pool for public safety without expanding budget.
Live entertainment pilot program — Council directed staff to return with a formal resolution creating a temporary stay on conditional use permits for live entertainment. Parameters, timeline, and community notification plan still being drafted. Vote expected in April.
Voting center expansion — Elections official will meet with Councilwoman Ebert to identify additional early voting locations in Ward areas to reduce long lines on election day.
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