CITY OF RENO NEWS RELEASE
Yesterday the Reno City Council held its regularly scheduled meeting. Below are some highlights from the meeting.
• Proclamation Parks and Recreation Month
July is celebrated nationally as Parks and Recreation Month. The Reno City Council has a continued commitment to the community’s livability, public safety, economic vitality, and personal wellbeing that is achieved through accessible programs in parks, recreation, arts and culture programs and community events. With the proclamation, Mayor Cashell encourages all citizens to celebrate this occasion by attending the Community Open House at the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center on Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for free food, swimming, family activities, and musical entertainment.
• Proclamation declaring June 19, 2013 as Krys Bart Day
Mayor Cashell proclaims Wednesday, June 19, 2013 as Krys Bart Day and encourages all citizens to appreciate and congratulate her on her fine contributions to aviation and travel along with her loyalty and devotion to family, friends, community and state. Bart has been President/CEO of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority for the last fourteen and a half years and is one of the most respected airport CEO’s in the nation. Her leadership skills were displayed through her guidance of the airport during the challenging events of 9/11 and the economic downturn. Bart dramatically improved the airport facilities so they make the all-important first and last impression on travelers in our region while making residents proud of the Gateway to their community.
• Proclamation declaring June 28, 2013 as Katy Simon Day
Highlighting her leadership and dedication in serving all Washoe County residents, Mayor Cashell proclaims Wednesday, June 28, 2013 as Katy Simon Day. Simon has served as the highest ranking administrative official in Washoe County for the last 15 years. She has strived for excellence and innovation in all aspects of public service and public policy and implemented countless programs and processes that have ultimately impacted the quality of life for all County residents. The City of Reno congratulates Katy Simon and wishes her a healthy and exciting retirement.
• Agenda Item D.1
The City Council recognized Tutto Ferro for donating their team’s talent and passion to make Reno a better place. Tutto Ferro donated more than $3,000 in supplies and five days of dedicated labor ($6,000) to create the stairway which is located in the downtown corridor near the East 2nd Street bridges by the Aces Stadium and the Truckee River. Tutto Ferro’s sense of community and commitment to giving back via their custom work is greatly appreciated. Their work will carry on for years to come.
• Agenda Item G.1
The City Council approved amending the Reno Municipal Code (Title 5, Chapter 5.17) to provide for the licensing of pedicabs. The ordinance includes several new sections that provide licensing requirements, minimum operating requirements and safety regulations for the operation of pedicabs in the City of Reno. Pursuant to City Council direction on June 5, 2013, the ordinance includes language that provides the option for the pedicab owner or operator to maintain the required liability insurance. Prior to this amendment, the City did not regulate pedicabs. Key provisions include, but are not limited to, possession of a valid work card by the operator or owner, restricting operation on a roadway with a posted speed limit of more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour, signage recommending the maximum number of riders, rate cards showing the cost to ride, liability insurance, and penalties for not displaying a valid business license.
• Agenda Item H.1
The City Council approved a resolution allowing the Finance Director to manage the cash flow in a more efficient manner and allows requests for advances to be made as needed. The resolution authorizes the Finance Director to request advance distributions of property taxes apportioned to the City of Reno in an amount allowed by Nevada Administrative Code as necessary. Property tax revenues account for approximately one-third of the revenue in the City’s General Fund. The majority of property tax revenues are from real property assessments, which are collected by the County in four installments and distributed to the City after the installment due date. Typically, the first installment is the largest distribution of the year. Distributions are made to the City, annually, in September, October, January and March. Historically, July through September are months in which the City has the highest likelihood of having cash flow challenges. This resolution provides a tool, should it be needed, that would be used to most effectively manage the General Fund cash balance to avoid violation of Nevada Revised Statutes.
• Agenda Item J.4
On February 5, 2013 at the annual Reno City Council Strategic Planning Session, Council adopted a mission, vision and set of priorities for Fiscal Year 2013/2014. From that session, staff has created a strategic plan. The #ThinkReno Strategic Plan is a simple and straightforward document with attainable goals and objectives built from Council’s four priorities: Provide Safe and Livable Neighborhoods; Provide Efficient and Responsive City Services; Promote a Sustainable and Vibrant Economy; and Enhance Communication and Community Engagement.
“Lean economic times require a new way of thinking and local government operation so that essential services are still provided in a manner that keeps our community moving forward in a fiscally-sound manner,” advises Reno City Manager Andrew Clinger. “The #ThinkReno Strategic Plan is a new process designed to stimulate a collaborative and cultural change for the City of Reno. This represents a significant leadership shift in order to make Reno the type of community the residents and visitors desire.
”City of Reno residents are encouraged to participate in the process by sharing their ideas on how to improve the City at ThinkReno.org or #ThinkReno via any social network channels (i.e. Facebook, Twitter).
Residents are encouraged to attend the State of the City Address which will be held on July 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Reno City Council Chambers to hear more about the City of Reno and the Strategic Plan. The State of City Address will also air live on channel 213 (Charter Communications) and online at Reno.gov.
• Agenda Item M.2
With a vote of 5 to 1 (Council Member Brekhus opposing), the City Council upheld the recommendation of the Planning Commission to re-establish a truck stop in the Boomtown Casino/Travel Plaza zone. The previous truck stop was removed to make way for the Cabela’s development.
The re-established truck stop, on approximately 14 acres, will be located on the west side of the existing Cabela’s store between Boomtown Garson Road to the north and Interstate 80 to the south. The project consists of commercial building containing a general retail store, a drive through fast food restaurant, a casino with no hotel rooms (no more than 165 slot machines, 5 table games, and one Keno operation), and accessory uses associated with the truck stop such as; drivers lounge, showers, ATM and laundry facilities. Truck parking, fueling islands with a canopy, and a truck scale would also be located on the site. Additionally, buffering and mitigations (i.e. security, moving a school bus stop, landscaping, directional signs, fencing, and an electronic access gate) would be implemented to help address the impacts of the truck stop on the two nearby residences.
