Reno City Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
What Happened
Reno City Council held a regular meeting on May 20, 2026, with approximately 20 agenda items and more than 100 written public comments focused heavily on data center regulation.
Key Decisions
APPROVED — Sewer rate increase effective July 1, 2026 — 4-1 (Ebert opposed) — Residential and commercial sewer bills will rise; exact rates not specified in available data.
APPROVED — Text amendment to zoning code to review and regulate data center development — 7-0 — Council directed staff to explore new rules; possible moratorium to be placed on future agenda.
APPROVED — Text amendment allowing indoor live entertainment in entertainment core with modified permits — 6-0 — Simplifies permitting for venues in downtown core.
APPROVED — Trego Grid Annexation of 53.49 acres northeast of Rio Wrangler Parkway — 6-1 (Schieve opposed) — Mayor Schieve withheld support citing unresolved fire safety concerns about lithium battery fires; item moves to second reading despite her vote against.
APPROVED — Clear Acre Commons zoning changes from single-family to mixed-use suburban on Scottsdale Road — 4-0 — Rezones 10.47 acres in Ward 4 for mixed-use development.
Debated But Not Resolved
Data center regulation strategy — Council members disagreed on whether Reno should impose a local moratorium while developing new rules, or defer to Regional Planning Agency decisions. Council Member Taylor opposed local moratorium; Council Members Duerr, Ebert, and Reese supported exploring one. Next step: City Manager will place moratorium consideration on a future agenda; Regional Planning Agency to provide recommendations by August.
Trego Grid safety concerns — Mayor Schieve raised concerns about lithium battery fire mitigation; Council Member Ebert flagged PFAS soil contamination from firefighting foam. Next step: Mayor stated she will not support project until Fire Chief provides clarity on battery fire safety measures.
Regional planning representation — Council Member Ebert expressed frustration that her ward lacks representation at regional planning board table that approves projects affecting her district. Next step: Mayor committed to having City Manager work with Ebert to secure needed support.
What to Watch
$266,080,969 — OneWater Nevada Advanced Purified Water Facility total construction — Sewer Fund.
$224,659,785 — OneWater facility guaranteed maximum price contract to Record Steel and Construction — Sewer Fund.
$1,500,000 per year — Crime lab services from Washoe County Sheriff's Office through June 2026 — General Fund.
$574,791 — Design services for Rivermount Phase II street and sewer project — Street Fund ($459,833) and Sewer Fund ($114,958).
$602,623 — Roofing installation contract to D&D Roofing for City Hall, Fire Stations #7 and #8, and two community centers — Facilities Capital Maintenance Fund.
$466,576.45 — Roofing materials from Garland/DBS Inc. for same facilities — Facilities Capital Maintenance Fund.
Data center moratorium decision — Council will vote on whether to pause new data center approvals while rewriting zoning rules. Decision affects future development in Reno and water/power resource management.
Trego Grid second reading and Fire Chief report — Bill returns to council after Fire Chief provides lithium battery fire safety analysis. Mayor's support hinges on this answer.
Regional Planning Agency August report on data centers — Recommendations from regional partners may influence council's local regulation approach.
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