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. The agenda numbers, at left, provide convenient links to corresponding City of Reno Staff Reports.
C – Proclamations
C.1: Declared April 2015 as National Donor Month. Amanda Sanchez, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve’s sister, presented the proclamation. Sanchez, an anchor at KOLO 8 News Now in Reno, donated one of her kidneys to Schieve in 1994.
C.2: Recognized the achievements of Step 1, Inc. in the community. The Step 1 program, in its 21st year, provides shelter and support for adult men in need of substance abuse and re-entry services. Councilmember Oscar Delgado presented the proclamation to Dani Doehring, Executive Director, and Bryan Drakulich, Board Chairman.
E.1 – Privileged Business Licenses
E.1.c: Council unanimously approved the City of Reno’s first Medical Marijuana Production Facility: Cannavative Extracts, LLC.
E.2 – Truckee River Cleanup Program
Council unanimously approved a grant from the Community Foundation of Western Nevada’s Truckee River Fund to fund a cleanup crew along the Truckee River in the amount of $104,235. The terms of the agreement are for May 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. A four-person crew will work 30 hours per week during that timeframe. This marks the beginning of a coordinated effort between the City of Reno and Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) to develop an overall management plan for the Truckee River corridor.
E.7 & E.8 – Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Council unanimously approved a contract with Sierra Nevada Construction (SNC) for construction of the College Drive and 15th Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project in an amount not to exceed $3,014,007 from the Sewer Enterprise Fund. The 60 to 80-year-old sewer and water pipes have deteriorated to the point that replacement is being recommended by City and Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) staff. The majority of the construction is scheduled to occur from May through August 2015 so the project is complete prior to the start of UNR’s fall semester.
Additionally, Council unanimously approved a Reimbursement Agreement with TMWA for expenses associated with the College Drive/15th Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project in an amount not to exceed $581,540.
E.9 – University of Nevada Master Plan
Council unanimously approved certification of the University of Nevada Regional Center and Downtown Reno Regional Center Master Plan Amendment. This provides for the expansion of university-supported development on 66 acres located south of Interstate-80.
H.1 – Artown
Council unanimously approved a Resolution granting sponsorship for opening and closing night performances of the 2015 Artown Festival by the Reno Arts and Culture Commission in the amount of $15,000 from the Room Tax Fund.
H.4 – Southeast Connector Project
In a 4-to-3 vote, Council approved a Resolution requesting that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers direct the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Phase II of the Southeast Connector Project.
It was announced during discussion of the item that the Army Corps has finalized the 404 permit related to the Southeast Connector Project. RTC Executive Director Lee Gibson signed the document, which will be delivered to the Army Corps for final approval.
Based on the above information, Council’s motion included striking F (“WHEREAS, the Reno City Council is concerned that the Corps has not reached the same conclusion despite a significant period of review”) in the Resolution. Council also requested a 60-day review period to allow for the creation of the EIS.
J.1 – Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Council unanimously approved the allocation of $444,878 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to two sidewalk projects as part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. On February 18, 2015, the Planning Commission met and heard recommendations from Public Works staff on potential Neighborhood Revitalization projects that could use these CDBG funds. The Planning Commission selected two sidewalk improvement projects in the Montello Street and Valley Road areas for recommendation to City Council for funding.
J.2 – Animal Control Ordinance
Council unanimously approved staff recommendations to the Washoe County Animal Services Department regarding changes to the County Animal Control Ordinance pertaining to feral cat code, dangerous dogs, and the duties of Animal Control Officers. View the Staff Report for summary/highlights of the proposed ordinance changes.
J.4 – Virginia Street Bridge Project
Council unanimously approved the contract in the amount of $18.3 million with Q&D Construction, Inc. for construction of the Virginia Street Bridge Project. The motion included periodic progress reports from staff, including the status of design details. The project will replace the current structure, which is more than 110 years old, improving flood capacity and ensuring that this vital connection to downtown is secure.
Q&D Construction is a local contractor that has engineered projects in northern Nevada for more than 50 years. Citizens can visit Reno.gov/VSB to sign up for email updates on the project. More information is also available by reading the project FAQs.
Additionally, staff announced that the City will host a Virginia Street Bridge Construction Open House on Thursday, April 30, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. at City Hall. View the Staff Report for bid and project details, including funding sources and a project timeline.
J.6 – Biggest Little City Brand
Council unanimously approved to direct staff to proceed with an implementation plan, timeline, and budget for the City of Reno to adopt the Biggest Little City group’s campaign in the City of Reno’s communications efforts.
K.3 – Citizen Appointment
Council unanimously approved the appointment of Mark Tadder to the Access Advisory Committee.
L – Mayor and Council
Council unanimously approved Donation Funds to the following entities:
L.4: $1,000 to Mariachi Lobos De Plata, to provide mariachi band instruction, supplies, and performance opportunities for University of Nevada, Reno students [Delgado].
L.5: $500 to the Eddy House, to provide programs and services for Northern Nevada at-risk youth [Delgado].
L.6: $1,590 to the Northern Nevada Literacy Council, for adult literacy services [McKenzie].
L.7: $1,590 to Step 1, Inc., to provide counseling and transitional housing for adult men who are dealing with substance abuse and addiction issues [Schieve].
SOURCE: City of Reno.
