CITY OF RENO NEWS RELEASE
Today the Reno City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting. Below are some highlights from the meeting.
• Agenda Item E.6
The City Council approved the certification of the Wells Avenue Neighborhood Conservation District Master Plan Amendment. The area is bound by Ryland Street, Vassar Street, Holcomb Avenue, and Locust Street. The Regional Planning Commission approved the amendment on January 9, 2013. This is the second designated conservation district located in the City of Reno. Establishing the Wells Avenue Neighborhood Conservation District within the Historic Plan Element of the Master Plan recognizes the importance of the historical background associated with Wells Avenue.
• Agenda Items H.3 – H.6
The City Council approved the following four requests from Neighborhood Advisory Boards (NAB) to allocate Community Pride Grant (CPG) funds:
1. From Ward 4 North Valleys in the amount of $10,500 to the Desert Heights Elementary School Parent Teacher Association to purchase outdoor fitness equipment for their playground to improve the health and fitness of their students. The playground area will be available to families during non-school hours, providing a safe, fun way for parents, children, and community to recreate.
2. From Ward Three in the amount of $1,900 to Good Luck Macbeth to assist with construction costs at the new facility in the Midtown District. The move provides greater accessibility to the arts for all residents and a new partner for the growing business, arts, and residential partnerships in the Midtown District.
3. From Ward Three in the amount of $1,500 to the Nevada Humane Society to provide an all day event on Sunday, August 25, 2013 in the Wingfield Park to raise awareness for homeless animals in the Truckee Meadows. The event will include entertainment, carnival, vendors, and pet adoptions in addition to the rubber duck race in the Truckee River.
4. From Ward Three in the amount of $5,000 to the Smithridge Elementary School Boosters to provide funds for a 2,500 square foot community/school garden on school property. Students and families will be able to use the space to raise vegetables and fruits for education and personal use. Teachers will be able to use the garden for educational activities as part of the Project Based Learning School curriculum.
NAB Community Pride Grand Funds are designed to be used for neighborhood-specific projects. These funds are allocated to projects that the City may not have budgeted for that the NAB would like to expedite. Funds are generally intended for projects that are short term in nature and quick to implement. While funding is recommended by the boards, its use and expenditure are guided by established city procurement, expenditure procedures, and ground rules.
• Agenda Item K.1
The Reno City Council approved several appointments for Boards and Commissions. Here is a list of some of the appointments:
o Youth City Council: Aspen Neahusan
o Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Stanley Ann Dowdy and Mac Rossi (reappointment)
o Urban Forestry Commission: Suzanne Adams (reappointment)
o Ward Five (Old Northwest) Neighborhood Advisory Board: Katherine Hoffman
The City of Reno continues to look for enthusiastic citizens to gain leadership experience and volunteer for Reno by serving on Boards and Commissions. For more information about the latest opportunities to serve or for a complete list of a complete list of all Boards and Commissions and appointments contact the City Clerk’s Office at 334-2030.
• Agenda Item L.4
The City Council approved the allocation of $1,000 from Council Member Hillary Schieve’s donation funds for fiscal year 2012-2013 to the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC), a non-profit organization. These funds will be used to offset the costs associated with the February 22-24 Start Up event hosted at the Southside Administration Building to promote local entrepreneurship and innovation efforts. Council donation funds can only be used for nonprofit organizations that provide substantial benefits within our community.
• Agenda Item L.5
The City Council approved the allocation of $500 from Council Member Jenny Brekhus’ donation funds for fiscal year 2012-2013 to the Truckee River Foundation, a non-profit organization, for their 2013 Stay Afloat Safety Fair. These funds will be used to offset the costs associated with providing free instruction and safety equipment to children participating in the event. The Stay Afloat Safety Fair is a free event what will be held on July 20, 2013 at Wingfield and Barbara Bennett Parks in downtown Reno. Council donation funds can only be used for nonprofit organizations that provide substantial benefits within our community.
• Agenda Item L.6
The City Council approved the allocation of $5,000 from Council Member Neoma Jardon’s donation funds for fiscal year 2012-2013 to Fun Camp, Inc., a non-profit organization. These funds will be used to offset the costs associated with their youth camp program which provides supervised camp experiences for underprivileged children. Council donation funds can only be used for nonprofit organizations that provide substantial benefits within our community.
