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 meetings. For in-depth review of all of today’s agenda items, visit the City of Reno meetings portal. The agenda numbers, at left, provide convenient links to corresponding City of Reno Staff Reports.
Regular Meeting
A.7 – Appointment of City Clerk
Ashley D. Turney was appointed to the City Clerk position. There was an Oath of Office and Swearing In ceremony conducted by Judge Kenneth Howard. Council approved Turney’s appointment on February 25, 2015.
C – Proclamations
C.1 – Declared March 2015 as Brain Injury Awareness Month. The proclamation was read by Councilmember Neoma Jardon and presented to Teresa Morros, B.R.A.I.N. Executive Director. Morros reminded the community that the Push, Pull or Drag 5K for Brain Injury Awareness event will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 in south Reno starting at noon.
C.2 – Declared April 2015 as Nevada Hispanic Safety Month. The proclamation was read by Councilmember David Bobzien and presented to Martiza McLaughlin-Galleron of Nevada OSHA and Andy Giddings of SCATS.
E.1 – Privileged Business Licenses
E.1.h.1: Council unanimously approved a third Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility in the City of Reno: Cannavative Farms, LLC. On February 11, 2015, Council approved business license applications for two other Cultivation Facilities (growers): MMG Agriculture and Sierra Wellness Connection.
E.1.i.1: Council unanimously approved the first of three possible Medical Marijuana Dispensary business licenses in the City of Reno: Sierra Wellness Connection. The City of Reno has not received applications for the other two at this time. The Sierra Wellness dispensary could open as soon as August, contingent upon the remainder of the approval process. Sierra Wellness Connection is the first Medical Marijuana Establishment (MME) to receive final approval from the State of Nevada.
E.3 – Police Motorcycles
Council unanimously approved the purchase of six 2015 BMW police motorcycles in an amount not to exceed $162,000 from the Fleet Management Fund. Each of the six current motorcycles identified for replacement have exceeded their scheduled five-year service life.
E.7 – National Bowling Stadium
Council unanimously approved to authorize the sale of 78 surplus bowling lanes at the National Bowling Stadium at $1,000 per lane to The Back Alley (10 lanes), High Sierra Lanes (24 lanes), & Cloverleaf Family Bowl (44 lanes) for a total of $78,000. The lanes will be removed (and recycled) by Brunswick Bowling and Billiards as part of an ongoing lane-replacement project at the bowling stadium.
E.12 – Summit Sierra Master Signage Plan
Council unanimously approved vacation of the order denying the static monument signs in the Summit Sierra Master Signage Plan. Scenic Nevada, the appellant in the case, appealed the special use permit on the I-580 digital sign, but did not appeal the Planning Commission’s decision on the monument sign. Council did not have subject matter jurisdiction to consider and vote on the special use permit for the monument sign. Thus, the vote to reverse the Planning Commission’s decision on the monument sign is legally void. The denial of the special use permit on the I-580 digital sign, however, remains intact.
H.1– Donation to Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada
Council unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution donating $2,500 of Reno Access Advisory Committee funds to the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada to defray expenses associated with bringing the iCanShine recreation-training program to Reno. The program teaches people with disabilities how to ride a bicycle.
H.2 – City of Reno Budget
In a 5-to-1 vote, Council approved to adopt a Resolution to augment the budget of the City of Reno for Fiscal Year 2015; and approved budget revisions for the period of November 11, 2014 through February 11, 2015. The augmentations and revisions are in response to the rapid economic development changes that are occurring in the Reno region. The Resolution will be forwarded to the Nevada Department of Taxation for approval.
The Resolution will add needed positions in the Community Development and Public Works departments, and make augmentations to several other departments. Items of note include Fire Strike Team reimbursements; grants and reimbursements for services related to Police, Fire, and Parks, Recreation, and Community Services; reinstatement of Reno City Council memberships; payoff of the Community Assistance Center (CAC) sewer loan; comprehensively funding the Fire budget from the shortfall of the July 15, 2014 budget workshop; and implementation costs for Accela (regional business licensing and permit software). View the Staff Report for more information.
J.1 – Business First Program
Council unanimously approved the Community Development department’s new Business First Program, designed to help citizens start or expand a business in the City of Reno. The Business License Division program will allow prospective or active business owners to interact with staff and gain access to essential resources to help facilitate the business licensing process. A “business first” phone line has been established at 775-334-4636.
J.2 – City of Reno Master Plan
Council unanimously approved a consultant agreement with Clarion and Associates, LLC (in association with Stockham Consulting, Economic and Planning Systems and Robert Sabbatini) pursuant to phase one of the City of Reno Master Plan Update. The consultant will assist with analyzing and evaluating the City’s existing Master Plan and recommending updates.
J.3 – City of Reno Properties
There was discussion regarding City of Reno-owned real estate, such as:
A current list of City-owned property including current use, improvements, or restrictions.
Current policy on sale of City-owned property.
Properties which may have potential for disposal.
Council unanimously approved to form a subcommittee that will work with staff on a classification system and evaluation of disposal. Selection of the subcommittee, and parameters of its purpose, will be determined at a future Council meeting.
J.4 – Reno City Council Meeting Dates
Council unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution establishing the 2015 and January 2016 Reno City Council meeting dates. Council chose Option B, which will retain the current Wednesday schedule, but change the meeting start time from noon to 10 a.m.
Joint Special Meeting – Reno City Council & Redevelopment Agency Board
E.1 – Reno Redevelopment Agency Budget
Council unanimously approved to adopt a Resolution to augment and revise the Reno Redevelopment Agency budget from July 1, 2014 through March 25, 2015. The Resolution will be forwarded to the Nevada Department of Taxation for approval.
E.2 – Fourth Street and Keystone Avenue Land Sale
There was discussion regarding the potential sale of approximately 1.39 acres of land located at the southwest corner of Fourth Street and Keystone Avenue. Council unanimously approved to direct staff to order one appraisal on the property, which will allow Council to set the fair market value and consider any restrictions. The City of Reno would then proceed with the auction/bid system. Before the land goes out to auction, the City will inform other local government agencies of the plan to dispose of the property as it relates to regional coordination of projects.
E.3 – Lease/Sale of ReTRAC Parcels
There was discussion regarding Letters of Interest and possible alternatives for leasing and sale of seven vacant downtown parcels acquired by the City of Reno as part of the ReTRAC project in 2006. Fair Market Value for the parcels was set at the January 28, 2015 Council meeting.
Council unanimously approved to direct staff to:
Determine a sale price for the three remnant parcels (010-031-08, 09 and 10) that are of interest to the group purchasing the Chism properties and bring the item back to Council with appropriate deed restrictions.
Advertise the remaining four parcels (010-610-01, 02, 05 and 06) via an open bid process, whereby potential developers will submit development plans and a detailed project timeline.
Work with arts entity The Generator, Inc. on a lease option for three other parcels near the Wells Avenue overpass and bring the item back to Council for discussion.
Reno City Council meetings can be streamed at Reno.gov/Meetings or viewed on Charter Channel 194.
SOURCE: City of Reno.
