February 11, 2015 Reno City Council Highlights
In the city’s ongoing commitment to keep citizens and media informed, they have summarized the outcomes of a few Agenda items from yesterday’s Reno City Council Meeting. For an in-depth review of all of the items, visit the City of Reno meetings portal.
D.1 – Virginia Lake Dog Park
Nathan Daniel, Executive Director of the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, discussed the Virginia Lake Dog Park fundraising effort. He stated that the City of Reno-owned dog park is highly used, but is in a state of disrepair. Proposed improvements to the park include resurfacing, ADA concrete walkways, improved drainage, and the installation of a large shade structure.
Fundraising efforts and ideas, including a potential $49,000 in-kind contribution from Silverwing Development, should come back to Council at a later date. A fundraising event called “The Puppy Love Raffle” will be held at Swill Coffee & Wine on February 14, 2015 from 3 to 5 p.m.
E.1.d – Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facilities
Council unanimously approved Privileged Business License applications for two Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facilities (growers):
1. MMG Agriculture, Job Hall, 7754 Security Circle
2. Sierra Wellness Connection, Deane A. Albright, 7720 Security Circle
To be sure that the public and Council was thoroughly informed and updated, there was a review of the Medical Marijuana Establishment (MME) business application process. It was reconfirmed that the State of Nevada is primarily in charge of regulating the MME program. However, local jurisdictions have to approve the individual licenses, which includes conforming to building and zoning codes, fire safety measures, and health department and environmental regulations.
E.4 & E.5 – Virginia Street Bridge Replacement Project
Council unanimously approved a Consultant Agreement with Jacobs Engineering for construction management services for the Virginia Street Bridge Replacement Project in an amount not to exceed $2,689,100. Jacobs Engineering is a global company with a local office in south Reno. Construction management services include surveying, materials testing, inspection, design support, treatment, and documentation of existing (historic buildings) and discovered (artifacts) cultural resources. For more information about the project, including overall cost, view the Staff Report.
Council also unanimously approved a Tribal Monitoring Agreement between the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) and the City of Reno for the bridge project. This agreement is required to authorize the City of Reno to reimburse the RSIC for monitoring the construction site. The RSIC wants to protect any Native American cultural resources which may be unearthed during the construction of the project.
J.1 – Rosewood Lakes Golf Course
Council unanimously approved a Financing Plan and Schedule of Construction proposed by The First Tee of Northern Nevada (TFT) pertaining to Rosewood Lakes Golf Course. View the Staff Report for details.
The golf course is owned by the City of Reno. On April 16, 2014, the City of Reno entered into a short-term lease, with the option to enter into a long-term lease, with TFT to manage, operate, and redevelop the course. TFT has exercised the option agreement, which is an initial five-year term, plus three additional five-year terms. A possible long-term plan for Rosewood Lakes is to make it a permanent nine-hole course geared exclusively to beginners, children, and seniors.
J.4 – Start Time of Regular City Council Meetings
Council directed staff to bring back different meeting options that could potentially change the start time of regular City Council meetings or split regular meetings into two days (instead of a continuous one-day meeting).
L.4 – City Clerk Interviews
Council interviewed five finalists for the City Clerk position at the City of Reno. Later in the meeting, Council unanimously approved to continue the appointment portion of this item until February 25, 2015 at 10 a.m. The five finalists interviewed were Buffy Jo Brown, Caren Cafferata-Jenkins, Michael Chaump, Ashley D. Turney, and Louie Valdez. View the Staff Report to review applicant resumes and for more information on the hiring process.
M.1 – Summit Sierra Master Signage Plan
Council unanimously approved to deny Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve G & V VII Operating’s request for a special use permit to modify certain standards of the Summit Sierra Master Signage Plan in south Reno. The project was appealed by Scenic Nevada.
Based on noncompliance with the applicable findings, Council denied a proposed 25-foot, 5-inch-tall freestanding sign with a maximum 180 square feet of display area and a proposed 71-foot-tall, 950-square-foot internally illuminated sign which includes a 646-square-foot electronic reader board sign and three tenant panels.
