October 8, 2014 Reno City Council Highlights
Reno, Nevada — In our ongoing commitment to keep citizens and media informed, we’ve summarized the outcomes of a few key Agenda items from today’s Reno City Council Meeting. For in-depth review of all of today’s Agenda items, visit the City of Reno meetings portal.
Proclamations
C.1 – Declaring the week of October 5-11, 2014 as Fire Prevention Week. Received by Reno Fire Chief Michael Hernandez, along with representatives of the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada and Living With Fire, from Councilmember Neoma Jardon.
C.2 – Declaring the month of October 2014 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Received by Reno City Attorney John Kadlic from Councilmember Oscar Delgado.
D.2 – Reno Historical app
Writer and historian Alicia Barber, Ph.D., presented the Reno Historical app. Barber, who serves on the City of Reno Historical Resources Commission, is co-creator of the app that “puts Reno history at your fingertips,” according to renohistorical.org. Barber said there will likely be an app update this fall.
E.2-E.8 – Grant Awards
Council unanimously approved the following grant awards:
E.2 – $8,050 from the Nevada State Emergency Response Commission to purchase one Massimo Rad 57 Pulse Oximeter for use by the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team. The equipment will improve response capability by helping to more accurately identify firefighters’ exposure to carbon monoxide. The Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team is a multi-agency group comprised of members from the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District.
E.3 – $8,532 from the Nevada State Emergency Response Commission to purchase miscellaneous equipment for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) response for use by the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team.
E.4 – $384,000 from the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Reno Fire Department for extrication equipment.
E.5 – $52,000 from the Department of Public Safety to the Reno Police Department for the 2015 Joining Forces Grant Program to support participation in statewide, multi-jurisdictional traffic-enforcement events.
E.6 – $34,012 from the Department of Public Safety to the Reno Police Department to support enforcement of laws related to pedestrian safety in and around school zones.
E.7 – $1,000 from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treaty Agency via Join Together Northern Nevada to support the Reno Police Department’s disposal of prescription drugs.
E.8 – $20,000 from the Nevada State Juvenile Justice Commission via Join Together Northern Nevada for the Reno Police Department’s enforcement of underage drinking laws.
I.1 – Medical Marijuana
Council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance to revise sections of the Reno Municipal Code relating to marijuana and paraphernalia possession. One of the proposed amendments would prohibit public ingestion or consumption of medical marijuana. Another proposed amendment would prohibit loitering outside Medical Marijuana Establishments (MMEs).
The other amendments align existing laws with Nevada Revised Statutes; an exemption is included for private use for individuals who possess a Medical Marijuana (or MMJ) card. The adoption of the ordinance will occur at a future Council meeting. Council previously authorized the operation of MMEs within the City of Reno and directed staff to prepare necessary zoning, business license, and other regulatory ordinances. View the Staff Report for more information.
J.1 – Virginia Lake Water Quality Improvement Project
There was an update and discussion regarding the Virginia Lake Water Quality Improvement Project. The City of Reno hosted a public meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2014 regarding plans to improve the lake’s water quality. Based on public input received, staff recommends a follow-up public meeting within the next four to six weeks to address citizens’ concerns and questions. The item is projected to come back to Council on November 24.
