CITY OF RENO NEWS
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.
E.2 – Grant Award to Reno Police Department
Council unanimously approved the continuation of the 2013 Violence Against Women STOP (Services-Training-Officers-
E.3 – Reno/Tahoe Winter Senior Games Sponsorship
Council unanimously approved a $10,000 donation from Renown Health (Senior Care Plus) to sponsor the 2015 Reno/Tahoe Winter Senior Games. Visit Reno.gov/SeniorGames for more information about the event, which runs from February 2 to February 14 and is for athletes 50 and older. The deadline to register is Friday, January 23.
E.4 – Northwest Pool
Council unanimously approved an amendment to the agreement with H + K Architects for architectural design services associated with the ADA upgrades to the locker rooms at Northwest Pool in an amount not to exceed $20,400 from the General Fund. Staff will come back to Council at a later date for approval of a construction contract for these ADA upgrades that will be part of a larger project including ADA parking.
F.2.1 & F.2.2 – Property at 1880 Mill Street
Council unanimously approved the public auction of and accepted the highest bid for the sale of City-owned property at 1880 Mill Street in Reno, which is a vacant lot on the south side of Mill Street midway between Kietzke Lane and Redwood Place. The property was sold to Reno Dodge owner Don Weir, who bid $91,000. Auto sales will only be allowed on the Mill Street property if the Planning Commission approves a special use permit.
Council then unanimously approved a Resolution accepting to sell the 1880 Mill Street property.
H.1 – Donations to Area Nonprofits
Council unanimously approved a Resolution granting a total amount of $16,575 to the following 501(c)3 non-profit organizations:
$3,000 to Honor Flight Nevada
$5,500 to Center for Healthy Aging
$3,000 to Senior Outreach Services
$500 to People First Foundation
$1,000 to State Health Insurance Assistance Program
$1,500 to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
$2,000 to Compassion Community Clinic
$75 to Senior Coalition of Washoe County
These entities provide senior adult outreach programs and services to promote the health and wellness of seniors in our community.
H.2 – Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
Council unanimously approved sponsorship to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in the amount of $50,900 from the Room Tax Fund. The Pioneer Center plans to use the funds for utilities, building maintenance/upkeep, and technical support of the facility.
H.3 – Artown
Council unanimously approved sponsorship to Artown to support its 2015 festival in the amount of $125,000 from the Room Tax Fund.
H.5 – Moratorium on Flashing Signs
Council unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on the acceptance of any applications for flashing/animated signs until the City finishes its process of code review. The motion was amended to delete the exclusion of nonresidential uses contained in a single structure or a combination of two or more structures located within one project with a total of 50,000 square feet or more. Staff is in the process of reviewing the City’s comprehensive sign ordinance (including non-flashing signs).
J.2 – Poet Laureate
Council unanimously approved the appointment of Gailmarie Pahmeier as the first Poet Laureate for the City of Reno. Reno is the first jurisdiction in the State of Nevada to have a Poet Laureate. View the Staff Report for more information.
J.3.1 & J.3.2 – Smarter Region Project
Council unanimously approved the top themes (outlined in this presentation) that resulted from the Smarter Region community engagement process to determine a new regional economic development brand vision. Community input aligned around the themes of quality of life, land of opportunity, technology and innovation, advanced manufacturing, and the educational systems that support those sectors. The participants expressed a desire to have a future identity built on Nevada’s individuality and independent spirit which incorporates Reno and the state’s developing expertise in entrepreneurialism and high-tech fields. View the Staff Report for more information.
Council also unanimously approved the establishment of a short-term Smarter Region Economic Development Vision Subcommittee comprised of elected officials and City of Reno staff to finalize the formulation of the new brand vision. Additionally, Councilmember David Bobzien was appointed to participate on the subcommittee, with Councilmember Naomi Duerr serving as an alternate.
J.4 – Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Fatalities
There was a presentation by the Reno Police Department and discussion regarding vehicle versus pedestrian fatalities. RPD reported that from 2004 to 2014, there have been a total of 62 fatal pedestrian accidents in the City of Reno. RPD cited three “E”s that are keys to the issue: Enforcement, Engineering, and Education. Council directed staff to bring recommendations, in the form of an outline that prioritizes plan initiatives, back to Council at a later date.
Additionally, it’s anticipated that there will be further discussion of the topic at the January 16, 2015 Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Board Meeting, which begins at 9 a.m.
J.5 – Preparation for 2015 Nevada Legislature
There was discussion regarding preparation for the 78th (2015) Session of the Nevada Legislature, which begins on Monday, February 2. Council unanimously approved to meet as a committee of the whole every Friday at 3 p.m. during the duration of the 2015 Legislative Session to discuss legislative items. Those meetings will be public and agendized.
K.1 – Citizen Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Council unanimously approved the following:
Appointment of Sara Almo and Nicole Weitzman to the Access Advisory Committee.
Appointment of William Kolton to the Reno Arts and Culture Commission.
Reno Housing Authority appointment – item continued.
Reappointment of Mac Rossi to the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee.
Appointment of Michael Brown to the Washoe County District Board of Health.
L.4.1 & L.4.2 – Appointment of City Clerk
Council unanimously approved to interview seven candidates for City Clerk at the February 11, 2015 Reno City Council meeting. The seven candidates are Michael Chaump, Ashley Turney, Buffy Jo Brown, Nicole Lamboley, Caren Cafferata-Jenkins, Cherry Lawson, and Louie Valdez. On January 9, 2015, Council Members each submitted their individual top five recommendations to the Human Resources Department. Two of the top recommendations (Megan Salcido and Scott Gilles) withdrew their applications.
