City Of Reno: September 22, 2021 Reno City Council Meeting Highlights

Press release from the City of Reno:

09/22/2021 4:28 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:

B.12 - VOA Contract for CARES Campus Operations 

Council approved a contract between the City of Reno and Volunteers of America (VOA) of Greater Sacramento and Northern Nevada for Nevada CARES Campus Emergency Shelter Operations for the period of July 1 - August 31, 2021, in an amount not to exceed $750,000. The dollar amount was based on a calculation using their annual operating budget. This is an extension of VOA's current contract for only the first two months of the fiscal year prior to shelter operations being transferred to Washoe County. A request for a quote (RFQ) was released in early 2020 for the contract, and VOA was the only respondent. 

C.1 - Lear Theater Purchase

Council approved a Purchase Agreement for the Lear Theater located at 501 Riverside Drive (APN 011-106-01) and the adjacent parking lot located at 0 West First Street (APN 011-106-04). As consideration, the City agreed to make seven annual payments of $125,000 to Artown from the Room Tax Fund. 

D.1 - Emergency Rental Assistance 2 Grant Funds

In response to concerns about the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on renters and their landlords, Congress created a $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA 1) program. A second round of ERA funding (ERA 2)—$21.55 billion—was included in the American Rescue Plan Act.

Today, Council accepted an allocation of $6,148,959.40 in ERA 2 funding. A minimum of 85 percent of these funds must be spent on “direct financial assistance” to pay rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs and arrears, and other expenses related to housing stability. The funds are subject to the rules and spending categories outlined in the federal legislation and by the United States Department of Treasury. 

Staff identified immediate needs in the existing rental assistance program that is currently funded with the City’s ERA 1 award. Council approved ERA 2 funding to be used to extend the City’s rental, deposit and utility assistance program. Individuals looking for housing assistance are encouraged to visit this website to see if they are eligible to receive funding: portal.neighborlysoftware.com/ERAP-RENONV/Participant.

E.1 - Unlawful Use of a Whip Ordinance 

Council approved the first reading of the ordinance for the Reno Municipal Code titled 8.18.035 Unlawful use of a whip. The ordinance is scheduled for a second reading and adoption on October 13, 2021. 

Background: On August 25, 2021, Council heard from both the public and the Reno Police Department (RPD) over the growing concern of whips being used. RPD reported that they have seen a 61 percent increase in calls for service involving whips. The service call sometimes is reported as shots fired due to the fact that when someone cracks a whip, the sound it produces is similar to that of a firearm. Whips are also being used in public areas for fights, intimidation and practicing “cracking” the whip. Council directed staff to return with an ordinance introduction, specifically a law that would allow the City to address the use of whips in public areas. 

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.