City Of Reno: July 28, 2021 Reno City Council Meeting Highlights

Press release from the City of Reno:

07/28/2021 6:20 PM

In our ongoing commitment to keep citizens and media informed, we’ve summarized the outcomes of a few key agenda items from today’s Regular Meeting of the Reno City Council. Staff Reports with more information are linked to below:

C.4 & L.5.1 - *0 West Second Street

C.5 & L.5.2 - *290 Keystone Avenue

*These four items (Public Hearings) were opened and heard together. For both properties, 0 West Second Street and 290 Keystone Avenue, the City Council/Redevelopment Agency directed staff to finalize the terms and conditions in order to execute the agreements and close on the sale of the properties.

Jacobs Entertainment has agreed to pay the City of Reno more than $3 million by November 2021. According to Jacobs, this public-private partnership will contribute to the development and success of Reno’s Neon Line District and the redevelopment of downtown Reno.

D.1 - Opioid Litigation

Council approved the Nevada Agreement on Allocation of Opioid Recoveries relating to the resolution of existing opioid related litigation, and the allocation and use of recovery proceeds to remediate the harms, impact, and risks caused by the opioid epidemic to the City and its residents. Today’s decision by the Council was to enter into an agreement with the State of Nevada and other local governments to allocate and program monies recovered from any potential global settlement of Nevada lawsuits related to the opioid crisis.

D.3 - Tree Standards

Council heard a presentation regarding initiation of an ordinance change to update tree protection, installation and maintenance standards throughout the city. Council agreed to initiate the ordinance update, and directed staff to follow the next steps outlined in the presentation, which includes outreach to the public and stakeholders. The motion included direction to engage the Urban Forestry Commission throughout the process. The City has taken several steps since 2015 to improve tree protection, and this ordinance update will enhance those efforts.

D.8 - Redistricting of Ward Boundaries

Council heard a presentation related to the process for redistricting of the City of Reno ward boundaries following the 2020 Census. Council adopted the principles to guide the redistricting process, which are outlined in the presentation. The ordinance adoption process, expected to conclude at the end of the year, will include community outreach later in the summer or fall. Those who want to be involved in the input process are encouraged to email Redistricting@Reno.Gov or visit the webpage, Reno.gov/Redistricting.

B.6 - Seismic Retrofit of City Hall

Council accepted a Predisaster Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the seismic retrofit of City Hall in the amount of $4 million, which requires the city to match funding with an estimated $2,558,677.61.

B.20 - Affordable Housing

Council adopted a Resolution to be provided to the Director of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, transferring the City's allocation of more than $14 million in Private Activity Bonds, referred to as Volume Cap, supporting:

• the construction of a new affordable housing complex identified as "Washington Station Senior Apartments" (a new 205-unit affordable housing development at 260 Winter Street, 291 Washington Street, and 265 Washington Street);

• and rehabilitation of an existing affordable housing complex identified as Centennial Park (40-unit affordable housing development at 1652 Wedekind Road and 2090 Centennial Way).

The Nevada Department of Business and Industry will issue the bonds, and repayment will be made by the developer through project operating income.

C.1 - Local 731 Collective Bargaining Agreement

Following a presentation, Council approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Reno and the Reno Firefighters Local 731 International Association of Firefighters for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for FY 21/22 in the amount of $1,293,407.

C.2 - Master Plan Text Amendment – Zoning Districts

Council adopted a Resolution to amend the Master Plan, subject to conformance review by the Regional Planning Agency. This Master Plan text amendment is part of the next phase of work following the adoption of the new zoning code in January 2021.

The amendment: 

• updates zoning district names and application types to match what was adopted in the City’s new zoning code; 

• expands certain categories to allow for less intense residential and employment zoning;

• limits new requests for industrial-type zoning to properties with an Industrial master plan category; 

Later in the meeting, staff provided an update to the current Comprehensive Planning Work Program, related to the new zoning code and how to address nonconforming parcels. Council reviewed the report and directed staff to follow the recommendations outlined in the presentation.

C.3 - Logisticenter I-80 West Phase 2 Zoning Map Amendment

Council opened the Public Hearing on this item, then moved to accept the applicant’s request to continue this item to August 11, 2021. The applicant requested a continuance in order to keep working with the neighborhood in the Boomtown-Garson Road and Cabela Drive area.

I.2 - Logisticenter I80 Phase 2

Council opened the Public Hearing on this item, listened to community feedback, then moved to accept the applicant’s request to continue this item to August 11, 2021 at 6 p.m. 

D.4 - Sphere of Influence (SOI) Boundary

Council approved a request to sponsor an amendment to the Truckee Meadows Regional Plan to remove two parcels totaling ±27.9 acres from the City of Reno’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) boundary. The parcels are located on the south side of Interstate 80 off Exit 7 and north of Mogul Road. S3 Development Company announced that they are pursuing a light industrial/warehouse development on the parcels.

D.5 - Sky Tavern Annual Report

Council heard the Sky Tavern Annual Report and update on current projects and programs. The family recreation area offers skiing, pond hockey, and sledding. Key updates include the recent installation of two new beginner lifts and the 2021 National Ski Areas Association Conversion Cup award, honoring the process of turning beginner skiers and riders into repeat customers, and ultimately lifelong enthusiasts of the sport.

I.1 - Building Permit for Riverside Apartments

Council heard an appeal of the Hearing Officer’s decision to approve a building permit for Riverside Apartments located north of Riverside Drive, south of Jones Street and east of Winter Street. Based on Council’s review of the staff report, the record on appeal, and information presented at the public hearing, Council moved to affirm the Hearing Officer’s decision.

Reno City Council meetings are streamed live at Reno.Gov/Meetings and televised live on Charter Spectrum - Channel 194. Past public meetings can be viewed on YouTube.

This press release was produced by the City of Reno. The views expressed here are the author’s own.