Madame Clerk. Yeah. If we can go ahead and call this meeting to order for the
Reno City Council on February 25th, 2026.
We'll go ahead and start with the pledge of allegiance. I think I see the
Downtown Reno Partnership Executive Director uh in the crowd. If Yeah. Uh N
Jordan can lead us in the pledge, please.
» To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all.
» Thank you so much for leading us. We'll go ahead and start uh and move on to the
roll call. Madam clerk, >> thank you, Vice Mayor Martinez. Calling
roll for Wednesday, February 26th, 25th, 2026 for the Reno City Council. Council
member Taylor absent at this time. Council member Dor
» here. >> Vice Mayor Martinez
» here. >> Council member Eert
» here. >> Council member Reese
» here. >> Council member Anderson.
» Mayor Shei absent at this time. Uh Mr. Vice Mayor, you do have a quorum of the
Reno City Council. >> Thank you so much. We'll go ahead and uh
start with public comment today and then move into
um some special public comments and proclamations after our general public
comment for today. So, if we can open up item A3, please, Madam Clerk.
» Awesome. Opening item A3, Vice Mayor Martinez. Our first item today is public
comment. It should be noted for those in attendance that comments are to be
addressed to the mayor and council as a whole. Comments heard under this item
will be limited to three minutes per person and may pertain to matters both
on and off the council's agenda. Council may not take action upon any matter not
agendaized on today's agenda. When you're called on for public comment,
please state your name for the record and begin speaking. The timer will begin
when you've stated your name and you will be afforded 3 minutes. For those
participating in chambers in accordance with council rules 6.3.11 while in this
room, please be respectful. Disruptive behavior from audience members like
clapping, yelling, whistling, etc. which impede the meeting may result in a
warning issued by the presiding officer. If this behavior continues, you may be
removed from chambers. If you're an attendee in the Zoom meeting and would
like to make public comment, please raise your hand at this time. And Mr.
Vice Mayor, just for the record, Council Member Taylor did join us at 10:02.
» Thank you.
» Our first public commenter today is Terry Brooks, followed by Christina
Matakus.
Good morning. It's me, Terry Brooks, again, and today I'd like to share with
you my thoughts on the results of depression and what seniors go through.
Last time I was here, I talked about the causes of depression. So today, I'd like
to talk about the results of depression. When someone grows older and goes
through various stages of depression, it can then lead to going through stages of
agitation that can then lead to unusual delusions
which can then lead to unusual hallucinations.
All of these problems can then lead to unusual suspicions which can then lead
to unusual kinds of confusions. All of these problems of such depression join
into various stages of a long progression.
When someone goes through such periods of depression, it can then lead to them
finding themselves in isolation. And being in isolation can then worsen the
problems causing angry outbursts and many other problems. It can lead to
perceptual problems of formulating what is seen or heard like problems of
understanding simple messages or directions seen or heard and that can
lead to even more problems of doing many things like remembering other people's
names or identifying places or things. You might be watching television on
which people are having a conversation and later on you think you remember
being in on that conversation. Depression can lead to neglect of health
and distress and even suicide or it can lead to the embarrassment of just having
tried. Depression has become even more common in recent years which has also
led to many a painful tears. I would like to thank you all for listening to
me today especially when I speak in such of a depressing way. Thank you.
Thank you. >> Christina McTudis followed by Steven
White.
This
Hello, my name is Christina McTudis and I live in Northwest Reno. I first spoke
in front of the city council on November 12th, 2025 because an offduty City of
Reno firefighter in uniform had been in a head-on collision in my neighborhood.
And it appeared that he was being given preferential treatment. That's where he
went through the wall. That's the car that he hit. Um it appeared that he was
being given preferential treatment to avoid a DUI charge. After my public
comment, Mary Mayor Shivi asked if a city of Reno employee could contact me
regarding my concerns. I said absolutely. I was contacted by Mavis AO,
employee relations manager on Thursday, December 4th, 2025. We spoke for
approximately 15 minutes, and when we ended the call, Miss Ao asked if I would
be willing to speak with the fire chief at a later date to have my additional
concerns addressed. I received a call on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 from Miss
Afo asking if I would be available to speak with her and fire Chief Cochran
the following day. I did receive that call at 1:11 p.m. on Thursday, February
19th, and we spoke for approximately 24 minutes. Here is a summary of what we
discussed. And I'm going to put this up for when I get to that. Why is that?
Um, I asked why was Price hired with two prior DUIs. Chief Cochran said operator
Price was hired before he became chief. It's possible he was hired and then
promoted to operator. Um, I have some disagreements with that, but Mavis Ao
said many factors go into the hiring process. I asked why wasn't Price placed
on administrative leave after the accident. Uh, Miss AO said, "The city of
Reno has not concluded their investigation, so he has not been placed
on administrative leave or fired." Chief Cochran responded, "He's not currently
operating a firetruck." I asked what more do they need to investigate as he
plead guilty to re f felony reckless driving causing substantial bodily harm
on December 9th 2025. Messo answered that he is not quote convicted her words
and won't be considered convicted until sentencing. I questioned why doesn't
pleading guilty count as convicted and she stated again that his guilty plea
doesn't count. I then asked if after sentencing will operator Price lose his
job. Chief Cochran said he could not speak to HR matters.
Miss Ao said that after being sentenced the city will evaluate the next step,
but being sentenced does not necessarily mean he will lose his job. I'm going to
cut out some of what they said and wrap it up. Um, the latest data available
from Transparent Nevada shows that Mr. Price's regular pay in 2021 was
$103,26421.
I bring up his pay to show that he is a government employee, which I believe
makes him accountable and his actions accountable to you, the city council.
May I finish my closing remarks? >> Yes, go ahead and wrap us up.
» I came and spoke to you in November because my confidence was shaken due to
what I was hearing in the news. I appreciated that after my public
comment, I did feel heard, but I am now back because if you look at the swift
uh consequences for the state fire marshal who was recently arrested on
suspicion of DUI versus the seemingly lack of consequences for the city of
Reno employee, it again shakes my confidence that our city of Reno public
servants are going to be held to the same standards as anyone who would have
caused my accident caused that accident. In my opinion, due to his position in
the fire department, I believe he should actually be held to higher standards.
So, thank you for >> Thank you, Miss Mus.
» Steven >> is scheduled for March 5th.
» Steven White followed by David Shakar.
Good morning, folks. You know, I you probably all think I'm a
young guy and all, but last Friday, I turned 79 years old. I don't know how
the hell that ever happened, but I made it this far. The day before on Thursday,
uh the mayor gave me one of the best birthday presents I think I've ever had
when she committed $2,000. >> Good morning. Thank you, mayor. You gave
me the one of the best presents I've ever had for my birthday, which is
Friday. She committed $2,000 for building more of our mushroom displays
to place in the parks for artists to be able to display and sell their artwork
in the parks this summer. You know, this is a wonderful opportunity for Reno to
really be at the forefront of restoring the arts in America. You know, no other
city's ever done this before. Now, um Nathan and I, we worked out the protocol
for all this. Uh we're going to be printing up these flyers and we're going
to be handing them out. I'm going to go around to every high school in your
city. I'm going to physically do that. I'm going to go to the the veterans
organizations. I'm going to go to the artist lofts over here. I'm going to go
to the generator. I'm going to hand these things out wherever I can find
artists. We got to do this. This is an incredible opportunity for your senior
citizen. You know that art group that was here last month, there were 36
members. They were all seniors. They'd all love to be able to sell their
artwork. Maybe you didn't know, but all the artwork that was on the walls out
here during last month, it was all for sale. If you went look through their
little album over on the pedestal there, there was a page dedicated to each one
of them with photographs, their work, and price tags. But there are no venues
for any of these artists to be able to sell their artwork or display it. Think
about this. You know, this was all done in violation of constitutional law. And
it's gone on for over 40 years. You realize that? And to have that state
assembly bill get passed that requires art to be part of the recreational
experience of the parks. It's an amazing accomplishment. It's just incredible
that we're doing that. It places you at the forefront of of the arts in America.
You want to turn Reno into an art capital of this country? By God, let's
create art in the park and get people out there. Another thing I want you to
re remember this is very specific to the fine arts. This doesn't include
functional or useful craft items. This is purely fine art, painting, drawing,
sculpture, photography, printed, self-expression, music,
theater, dance. I'd like to start seeing you consider putting up some gazeos in
the parks where artists can come down and play music for people. You know,
this is an incredible thing. One last thing. I'm asking each one of the
council members, please donate $1,000. I mean, commit $1,000 a piece to build
more of these sculptures to put in the parks so that artists have venues to
hang their artwork on. And we're going to move these these different sculptures
around to different parks to find out the best areas. And each one of you
represents a certain ward. And each one of you could request these to be placed
in your particular ward. Just ask Nathan. We'll move them to that so we
can try it and everybody's warden and affect everybody. God bless you all and
thank you for your time. >> Happy birthday.
» Thank you, mayor. >> Thank you for your service. Thank
[clears throat] you. >> You know, one last thing. I I have
carpal tunnel in both hands. I'm going to the VA today to get a shot. And I
have arthritis. This is what you get when you paint over 12,000 paintings in
your lifetime. And I personally won't be actually participating in this. I just
can't do it anymore. Last time I painted was two years ago. So, uh, I just
thought I'd throw that at you. This is being done.
» Well, you have a voice, so just >> this is being done for your artist, you
know, for all of your kids and everybody.
» Thank you, Mr. Thank you. Thank you so much for that that commitment.
» David Shakar, followed by George Eddie Lorton.
» Good morning, Madame Mayor, council members. My name is David Shakar. I'm an
independent artist. Uh usually when I get up in front of any public uh venue
to make a speech, it takes me like one or two hours at home to figure out a
threeminut speech and I did not do that to this day. Uh, but I think what's
important is I wanted to mention something basically about what Steve
White said. And remember Steve White is the winning plainif in the landmark
civil rights of artist case, White versus City of Sparks, where you do not
need a license or a permit to exhibit and sell your own self-created artwork
in the public forum like a sidewalk or a uh a public park. Um, lately I've been
going over to U Reno Public Market. They've been really great about allowing
me to be inside and draw fast sketch portraits of the patrons there. Uh, so
last Saturday I was getting my gear, my art gear out of my car and I ran into
this homeless guy uh in the parking lot called himself Wishbone. And y'all may
have seen him. He this guy is an artist and he walks around with an armload of
paintings. They're these long flower paintings. They're they're actually
pretty good. He asked people for donations. And
» I got to thinking about that uh artistic pavilion that uh Steve White made. He
calls it the mushroom of the butterfly effect. I go, "What does that mean?
Mushroom of the butterfly effect." And the butterfly effect is that when a
butterfly beats his wings u thousand miles ago in Patagonia or somewhere that
has an effect on a tornado or something like that. But imagine the city of Reno.
We are uniquely situated more so than probably any other city. Uh more so than
any other art town that we have the beautiful Truckucky River
running through it. And along the river walk is a sidewalk that goes for over a
mile. Great places for artists to exhibit and sell their work. And I got
to be thinking if this uh art pavilion, this thing called the uh mushroom of the
butterfly effect that uh Stephen Bennett and uh provided
the funds to build and he built it himself. If the city could make more of
those, could you imagine how this city would be well situated to be an artist
community that would be very enviable of any other art town, especially since
we've got the the beautiful Truckucky River. We're right in the shadow of the
Sierra. And people like that homeless gentleman that call himself wishbone
that was hawking his hand painted flower paintings, he would have a better venue
and have more dignity. [snorts] Uh his income would probably increase
and that would mean he'd have a better life. And there's a lot of art clubs
here in Reno with uh seniors and youth and uh disabled people that could also
benefit from that. So just consider that city of Reno is uniquely uh satisfied to
be the most awesome art town in the city of Reno. Thank you.
» Thank you so much. >> George Eddie Lorton followed by Paul
Klene.
Perfect. And what >> for the record, my name is George Eddie
Lorton, running for Reno mayor, but I once again want to ask for your help to
do a 250th year anniversary of our country. So, we're trying to do a Fourth
of July parade. So, I'd like a solution to it. If not, do this parade. I could
come up with a 25 grand for the permit. I want to have the most inclusive parade
we've ever had. I want to have Republicans, Democrats, police, fire,
the elks, the Shriners, the Seikhs, the Hindus, the Pyutes, the Hispanics,
veterans, the LGBTQ community. I want everybody to be there. So, this will be
a wonderful thing for our downtown core to bring families to our city because we
haven't had one in two years. It's about 25 grand. So, if council members didn't
want to end up uh trying to foot the bill for the 25, then I'll pay for it.
So, I'm just hoping we can get this on and do this parade, bring people
downtown so they can see it's familyfriendly and public safety all
across the board. It's our one chance to do it the 250th anniversary for our
country. So, I hope to get a phone call this week or so with a solution or try
to put together this parade. We can't do it without the city. It's just short
term to where we need to organize this thing. So, let's see if I had anything
else. Nope. And there's a lot of things on the agenda today and I have to leave
now so I can't hang around. But I hope you can consider this. It'll be good for
our town, good for our country. Let's include everybody. It'll be the best
parade of all. So, I thank you for your time today. I appreciate it. Thank you.
I know you reached out to um connect with Jackie Bryant
» and she is out of town but when she gets back she will connect with you.
» Thank you. All right. >> I appreciate it.
» Okay. Thank you. >> Bye.
» Bye. >> Paul Klene followed by George Combmes.
» Mr. Klene. Good morning. [clears throat]
» Paul Klein for the record. I'm just here to give a quick update. I I know you
guys have a full agenda and then when you get into the RDA stuff, I'm on the
agenda and so just sneaking in real quick to share some some feedback um
from the redevelopment agency advisory board. It's good to see you, Kelse. Um
in early January, we reviewed the Reno Aces baseball agreement. We thought it
was great and of course you all unanimously approved it later in
January. Um, we felt like the deal strengthened downtown redevelopment by
securing a long-term economic activity, attracting major private investment, and
ensuring ensuring sustainable vibrancy. We also reviewed the RDA public
engagement processes to just make sure that we're getting a lot of feedback in
from the public um in different ways, calls, surveys, and everything that so
that our advisory is in uh, you know, reflective of the of the the
constituency. Um, we also advise staff to continue to
experiment with programs like district activation pilots. This stuff is
innovative, creative. We're we're all about pursuing new things that haven't
been tried before. And then um lastly, I wanted to say that for today, you're
going to consider the rebranding of the RDA um to re-up um RAB agreed with staff
that the rebranding creates a fresh distinct identity reflecting modern
redevelopment in placemaking and boosting awareness and engagement. We
you will see a few color palettes and I know you've provided feedback. We liked
the uh ponderosa pine color palette when you see that. Um, lastly, when we get
into our March meeting, we got a big meeting. We're going to go over code
enforcement overview, um, how to use RDA funds, uh, the the the ability to use
RDA funds for Reno police and if that's something that we can advise to you all,
um, capital improvement projects, prioritizing those projects, budgeting,
and then, of course, um, reviewing peer city advisory structures and best
practices for RDA. So, that's what we have for you. I'll take any comments
from you all before I have to run out of here. But it's great to see you all.
» It's great to see you. Any questions for Mr. Klein? Go right ahead.
» Thank you so much, Mr. Klein. Um I I don't have a question, but we do try to
follow what you're doing. Thank you so much for your public service. I I know
that you are busy. You have a full professional life and and of course home
life. Um but the service that you have given to the community really means
something. the relaunch of the redevelopment agency um is something
that was a long time coming and until it had the sort of funds to be able to do
the kinds of things it was going to go out and do there really wasn't a a a
purpose for such a body but I know that u madame mayor uh felt very strongly
about reenergizing this community through the RDA board and so we've been
very um very happy with your efforts and I know that there are still growing
pains and we're trying to find our footing but know that we value your
input. We're looking for your really deep dive into these projects. We aren't
asking you to be a rubber stamp for anything. If if these projects are not
passing muster, you'll tell us. Uh and so I'm very grateful to all of you for
serving, but you in particular just because I know uh we've known each other
a long time and and sometimes it's very thankless work and it takes time out of
your otherwise very busy schedule. So, thank you so much.
» Thank you for saying that. It's really an honor.
» Council, >> yeah, just really briefly, um again,
thank you for your service. I the board is doing a really important job and to
that end, I'm not sure if I heard this in what council member Ree said, but um
I I went over the projects uh or some of the projects that you're going to be
considering at your meeting on Monday, and it turns out there's something like
35 even just for RDA1 or maybe that's combined, but we're really looking for
your thoughtful advice on those projects. We've heard we're we've heard
from our staff, but we really need to hear from you
» um with a fresh set of eyes and then we'll have our opinion too. But thank
you. >> Yeah, absolutely. It's great to see you
all. >> Is any any further questions? Okay. I
just want to put on your radar. I understand Monday you guys are going to
be looking at capital projects, correct? And I think um there uh will be possibly
the opinion um from an outside attorney. Um, I would just ask you have a very
talented attorney on that board, Mr. Mike Ponyie, and I would ask him to
review her opinion because, as you know, it's something that's been really
important for me to have more public safety downtown, more police officers.
Um, I I I've been saying this, I've been really vocal about it. So, would you
please ask Mr. Pony to look at that because um I highly disagree with the
analysis. >> Absolutely. I'll call him right now.
» Thank you so much. I know they're not going to like that. I'm sure I'm going
to get a lot of emails now. Um, but I I feel strongly um reading through the
NRS. Um, I believe that, you know, there's a connection there. So,
» absolutely. >> Anyway, thank you so much. I really
appreciate these updates, >> guys. It really is an honor. [snorts]
» Thank you. So, no, >> thank you.
» Thank you very much, Paul. >> Okay.
» All right, Madame Mayor. With that, we have no additional opening public
comment. For the record, we did receive six comments which were general in
nature and not directly associated with an agenda item prior to 4 p.m.
yesterday, Tuesday, February 24th. These comments were written correspondents
received via our reno.gov online public comment form or by emails to our office.
Copies of these have been distributed to the Reno City Council and are available
to the public on reno.govme.
There were six letters. Um, and at this time we're going to move into our
proclamations. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Um, actually
before we do that, would you like um our city manager, current city manager um to
do any updates? Do you have any updates for us?
» Uh, I will on a >> Okay. All right. I just want to make
sure I'm not skipping over you. Okay, Madame Clerk.
» Okay. Our first um proclamation today is the uh downtown Reno Partnership
Ambassador Day proclamation. >> Okay. This is um Ambassador Day. I see
all of you. Why don't you stand up? I want to say thank you from the bottom of
my heart for what you guys do day in and day out. I interact with many of you and
um it's impressive the work that you do. I know it's not easy and so we really
felt it was important and especially of a great leader Naomi Jordan and she
wanted to make sure that you were recognized. The city wanted to make sure
that you were recognized and so I'm going to have um council member Reese
read the proclamation in your honor. I'd love you guys to come up. Don't be shy.
Come on. >> Come on, you guys. [laughter]
» You stand here for a minute. >> Where are you?
» Come on down. >> She's being shy and sitting in the back
is what she's doing. >> Fill in. We're all friends.
» Then we have Kristen here. They're incredible team. I see some board
members back there. Am I correct?
Madame Mayor, um thank you so much and and I'm going to be brief because uh we
have uh one of our former colleagues, former vice mayor here with us this
morning and so I thought it'd be fitting that she read the proclamation since
she's well trained and and does that well. I'm going to let her read the
proclamation. >> I know. I was going to say Councilwoman
Jordan, nice to see you. >> I know. Forever my vice mayor. So I'm
going to let her come on up and do some reading.
» Okay, take it away. Thank you very much. Um, and while I get the good pleasure of
reading this proclamation, this day is about all of you. So, I will begin.
Whereas the Downtown Reno Partnership, the DRP ambassadors are the first point
of contact for businesses, residents, and visitors and act as the eyes and
ears of all things downtown. From greeting visitors with a friendly hello,
offering directions or recommendations on things to do, eat, and drink, to
helping to keep the district clean and safe. Whereas at full staffing, the DRP
has approximately 40 ambassadors and 10 security guards that work 247 patrolling
110 blocks of downtown Reno to assist in making our urban core safer, cleaner,
more friendly, and welcoming. And whereas in 2025, the ambassadors
responded to over 3600 calls for service, removed over 458,000
pounds of trash from the district, recovered 1,177
shopping carts, provided 955 rides to those in need to shelters and
services, and removed over 950 graffiti tags. And whereas the downtown Reno uh
represents 1,500 property owners and the city council is proud of the dedication
and work the ambassadors do. So am I uh every day [laughter] and night in tough
conditions to enhance the welcoming feel of downtown Reno. Now I therefore Noma
Jordan with Mayor Shivi uh mayor of the city of
Reno do hereby proclaim February 25th 2026 as downtown Reno partnership
ambassador. >> Oh congratulations. [applause]
» Get to speed today. You get to do whatever you want. [laughter]
He's all shaking his head. No, no, no. But you guys do remarkable work. You did
it collectively. all of that, those stats are impressive. Um, you need to
know that people sing your praises all the time. I know it's not an easy job,
but you are the front facing um the first point of contact with visitors and
community members. And so remember that it's it's really when you're out there,
you're representing the city. You're representing community members. That's
what they see when they interact with you. Many of you stopped me on the
street. We have great conversations. I know you. I know you. I know you. And I
just want to say um it's remarkable what you do. I do want to point out um I
think this is important that people know this and I hope um that I don't make
this individual blush but there is a young man here. His name is Xavier
House. Do I have Do I have permission to call you out my friend? I do. Are you
are you shy or do you want to speak? Because this is a remarkable story. Let
me tell you why. Councilwoman Jordan, when she was here, she started an
incredible program and it's called Reno Works. And we have opportunities for
individuals that are homeless living in the shelter through Reno Works. And what
that program does is it gives you um weeks of training and you go through job
training and all these different skills and you get your driver's license, all
these things that are necessary and you get housing and so it really it has had
ma a massive impact. And this young man, everyone graduated from Reno Works and
now he is an ambassador in our city. And um I just think it it's a testament to
how well Reno works and you young man for being so dedicated pulling yourself
up um that I know it's not an easy program but it's really beneficial and
anyone that wants to you know work or have a roof over their their head is a
great opportunity to be able to make that happen. I want to say thank you to
Councilwoman Jordan. had it not been for her, um that never ever would have
happened. And I've just been grateful to be able to support it. By the way, the
Conference of Mayors um through Wells Fargo donated money, you know. So, I
just want to stress to individuals out there, if there's anyone that wants to
be a part of Reno Works right now more than ever, those donations can really
matter and help people like Xavier. And I just I I'm I'm so um touched by you
and what you've accomplished. So you guys should all be proud because all of
this is your day. All of this collectively together. We cannot do
anything without one another. So I want to just say thank you from the bottom of
my heart. And I want you to speak. Speech. Speech.
» Come on Xavier. Come on, future mayor. Come on. Let's talk. Let's talk about
it. Okay. Tell tell us a little bit about your journey if you're if you're
not too shy. Um, yes, I was homeless and
couple of the motivations was I was helping take care of my mom too. So,
Reno Works going through that program really helped me a lot. I met a lot of
good people, had a lot of good connections. Um, they connected me with
Reno or with the ambassadors and I've been here for about four years now. Four
years. He has been working for four years. Wow. That is remarkable. Look at
you. He's shy. I can tell. I can tell. How are you feeling now?
» Great. >> You're feeling great.
» Yes. >> And you're such an inspiration. Please
keep telling your story. It's a story of hope and I want people to know the
number one predictor of suicide is hopelessness. When we give people hope,
anything can happen. So, I just want to say thank you and each and every one of
you. You guys, I just knew that um Xavier might be here and so I could
corner him and embarrass him a little bit, but it's this today is all about
you guys collectively as a group. I want to say thank you to Kristen and and your
wonderful team and Councilwoman Jordan. You'll always be councilwoman to me. Um
any questions for our ambassadors? I'd love for Councilwoman. It's uh right in
your board. So, take it away. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Mayor. a member
of the DRP board and the only person that lives downtown. I just want to say
thank you so much for all of your work. I know you guys probably know my number
by heart. I called this morning and you're out there and um it is a very
difficult job, but you definitely are making a difference in our city, in our
downtown, and in our communities. So, you are very much appreciated. Thank you
for the work you do. And it's very difficult. Thank you,
» Council or Vice Mayor Martinez. Go ahead.
» Thank you so much, Madame Mayor. I'd just like to add to the kudos and thank
you all for all the work that you do. Um whether I'm downtown or driving to city
hall, it's raining or it's snowing. uh you all are picking up trash, making
sure that the sidewalks are shoveled, that their carts are getting to where
they need to be, that you're directing people to the right places and answering
question for all of our visitors. So, I just like to add to those kudos and
thank you all for all the great work that you do to make sure our downtown
remains clean and a welcoming space for all of our families and visitors. So,
thank you so much, >> Councilwoman Dur.
» Yeah, thank you. Um, I was here at the beginning with Council Member Jordan in
the beginning of Reno Works and to have a representative of that program in your
very special program of being downtown ambassadors and everything the mayor
said about being the front face. We we could not be that kind of welcoming city
without you. Um, and I'm wondering how many of you have helped people find
their way through downtown, you know, something they were looking for your
Could you raise your hand? Yeah. And I know you I've been out with council
member Jordan picking up trash herself. Um and I also am very grateful that of
the place you occupy which is at city center. And um council member Jordan
said a very important thing to me. She said she didn't used to believe that
trees made a difference to the degree that they do. But your the area where
you are housed is the only uh park in downtown Reno that actually has trees. I
mean, now we're bringing them into the the lids and everywhere else because we
found out how important that is. And she said, "I'm sure glad we didn't cut down
these trees. Isn't that right?" So, thank you for being there and thank you
all for what you do. And it's completely true. You wear a special outfit, you
know, the blue and people recognize that as one of the city's colors and they
know that you are there to help them and that's just incredibly important. So,
thank you. >> Okay, we would love to take a picture.
Before we do that, I want to call on each one of you and I want you to tell
me your names because sometimes when I'm out there, I mix them up. But I want
every one of you to be recognized. He's walking away. He's walking away.
[laughter] All right, we'll start with you, sir. Go
ahead. What's your name? >> Evo.
» Eva, nice to meet you. Go ahead. >> Shane.
» Shane. >> Jason.
» Jason. >> Eddie.
» Eddie. I know Eddie. Eddie's got the cool taste in music. Go. Go ahead.
» Ruben. >> Ruben.
» Juan. >> Juan.
» Mark. >> Jonah.
» John. >> Jonah.
» Jonah. Oh, I love that name.
» We don't know who you are. [laughter] Go ahead.
» Alexandria. >> Alexandria. Beautiful.
» D. I've heard a lot of good things about you. D.
» Mhm. Esther.
» Esther. We all know Esther. >> Dne.
» Dne. I know Dne very well. Great work. >> Rachel. Well, I want to say thank you to
each and every one of you. We're very, very grateful. So, let's take a picture.
Can we? Okay, come on up.
They got they got to scooch. They got to scooch.
» You want him to hold their thing? >> Oh, here.
» Maybe Eddie or Jon or somebody.
» Ready? One, two, three.
Got it. >> Yeah.
[laughter]
Um yeah, hold on to those. >> Okay, madam.
» All right, Madame Mayor, we're moving into our next um special guest public
comment. We have a group of students here with We the People. So, they have
um a couple of comments that are prepared and then we can go into kind of
taking some photos and recognizing them. if you're okay with that.
» Okay. These are our leaders of tomorrow. You guys are the future of our city. I
had the pleasure to visit your class, We the People. Impressive. I know Council
Member Ree has done a ton of work with We the People. I didn't know that. You
guys didn't tell me whenever I was there. Um but, uh we're so excited to
have you here because um you have something very special to tell us. And
so, come on up, all of you. All
right, Madame Mayor, and our first two speakers today are Amaya Roer and Gabe
Castronova. Hello, council members. My name is Amaya
Roer, and I'm a senior at Reno High School. I'm here today with my
classmates to talk about our We the People program and how you can help us
represent Nevada at the national level. We the People is a civic education
program from the Center for Civic Education that teaches students about
American constitutional democracy. The We the People program takes a village.
Our teacher, Mr. Brian Carlin, our unit coaches, parents, and many alumni have
helped us throughout the year. Nevada's We the People is continuously growing
and impacting more and more young adults. It started as a competition for
high school students. However, last year, Wo County's very own Dural Academy
was the first middle school team to advance to state in Nevada. The program
is designed to develop the skills necessary for active, informed
citizenship. It encourages students to understand the foundations of American
democracy and to tie them into modern context. To me, we the people is a
family, not just a class. The competition has built my confidence and
public speaking skills and deepened my constitutional knowledge. Beyond that,
the class collabor collaboration encourages me to challenge myself every
day to understand our democracy. Now, I'd like to pass the mic to my colleague
Gabe, who will dive deeper into the structure of the class.
» Fantastic job. Good job. >> Thank you, Amaya Roer, for the
introduction. Hello. My name is Gabe Castanova, representative for unit one
at Ren uh Reno High School. The we the people class is officially an AP
government class. However, the true brilliance of the program comes from its
competition which celebrates our constitution and the history and culture
of the United States of America. Divided into six units which range from the
philosophical background of the founders to landmark Supreme Court decisions to
what America ought to do to preserve the long enduring American vision. Students
across the country compete in mock congressional hearings. Units, usually
composed of three to five students, dive into various aspects of our democratic
republic with a fourminute pre-written testimony as an introduction, followed
by 10 minutes of cross-examination where competitors are challenged to use
history, common law, and constitutional provisions to support their arguments.
Since the competition's creation, some 30 million students and over 75,000
educators have participated in the We the People uh program nationally. With
this program being especially significant to the legacy of Reno High
School, since our adoption of the program 19 years ago, we have become
district champions 11 times, state champions eight times, and national
qualifiers 13 times. Recently, the Reno High School team has qualified for the
national tournament on wild card after losing the state tournament by only four
points. Now, I'd like to introduce my esteemed colleague, Devon Lester, who
will further go into our natural qualifications for this year.
» Fantastic. A+.
» Our next two speakers are Devon Lester and Braden Hurley.
» All right, Devin, take it away. >> Good morning, council. Thank you for
having us today. U my name is Devon Lester. I'm representing uh Reno High,
We the People's Unit 3. Um and I'll just be talking about how our class earned
the honor of uh going to the national championship. Um, so at the we the
people state tournament following our win at the district tournament in
December, it was the culmination of six months of constant studying, revising,
and practicing that extended far beyond our class time. If there's one thing I
can say about my classmates and we the people, it's that they are the hardest
workers I've ever met. Our units meet on weekends, early in the morning, late at
night, and everything in between. I've honestly probably shared more meals with
my unit than I have with my family this school year. Uh, [laughter] as a young
adult on my way to being able to make important decisions for our country, it
uh this class is not just um an exciting competition, but um it it has uh made me
more prepared um than most people I know to be civically engaged um and a
knowledgeable citizen. Despite a hard-fought battle for the state title
and four out of six first place um wins, uh we lost by four points.
As my colleague colleague Gabe explained, we gained our seat to
nationals through a wild card invitation.
» Um uh sorry. >> No, you're doing great. Uh, wild cards
are are um performance-based and they're given to teams uh that earn second place
at state championships um and that are most likely that display the most
ability to uh represent their state on the national level. As a team, we have
we have taken the second place not as a loss but as the heartbreak and
motivation we need to take first in the nation. We are now preparing harder than
ever to represent our school, our district, and our state on the national
level in Washington DC in April. I would now like to introduce my classmate and
colleague Braden Hurley to elaborate on our trip to nationals.
» Okay, great job. Four points out. >> Thank you. So, I'm going to focus on the
trip and I represent unit 4 which focuses on the principles of the
principles on how the principles of the constitution have shaped the
institutions of our government. And there is no better place to learn about
the institutions than in the nation's capital. During our trip, we will have
the opportunity to participate in the competition where we will engage in the
most pressing debates surrounding the Constitution today, such as the debates
surrounding executive power, federalism, and the balance of powers. As my
colleagues have previously discussed, we have put countless hours of thought and
study into these questions, and we will now have the opportunity to demonstrate
this knowledge to experts in DC. Not only will we engage in questions
surrounding the government, but we will also see what we have been studying uh
for in person. We will get the opportunity to meet our senators, Jackie
Rosen and Katherine Cortez Masto, as well as Representative Mark Ammedday.
Okay. >> We also have the opportunity to visit
the archives, the Capitol building, the Supreme Court, and the Library of
Congress, the Smithsonian, and many other important locations, including a
Nationals baseball game for some team bonding.
» Wow. Looks like Devin didn't know that his jaw just dropped. Are you giving us
some tea? Is that what's happening here? [laughter]
» Yeah, a little bit. >> I love it.
» Okay, then I'll introduce John Williamson. And Charlotte,
» Charlotte OD and John Williamson. >> Hi. Um, [clears throat] my name is John
Williamson and I'm a representative of Unit 6. And I really wish we could end
this discussion with uh the inspiring words and personal testimony of my
colleagues. Uh unfortunately we run into the harsh realities of finances. Um as
you know values and beneficial programs are all well and good but what cannot be
forgotten is the necessary foundations and backings that programs like we the
people live or die on. To get our entire class to the nation's capital to compete
along with the travel lodging fees and any more expenses we we have calculated
that we need over $100,000. Wow. And we realize this is a big number. Uh we have
been working tirelessly to reach this goal through fundraising. We've done
raffles, community outreach, and through uh many generous donations.
We have [clears throat] already reached about uh 30,000 of that goal. And while
we will continue these fundraising efforts, working harder and harder to
reach that goal, we uh ask for your help to accomplish this so you can allow us
to represent Reno on the national stage of civic participation. for some final
thoughts. Here is my colleague in Charlotte.
» Fantastic job. You're you're selling me for sure. But there's 30 of you that
want to go, right? Oh, yeah. And that's why it's so expensive.
» Yes, ma'am. >> Okay, go right ahead.
» Good morning, council. I am Charlotte OD and I am our representative from Reno
High School's unit 5. While it may be true that we appear before you all today
asking you to support this year's we the people team, what we really hope to see
is continued community support for programs like ours, which are essential
to a healthy democracy. Participation in We the People has inspired countless
students to make the decision to pursue politics and law, ensuring that the next
generation will be educated and excited to maintain functions of government such
as city council. In fact, if it weren't for our teacher, Brian Carlin, I would
not have spent my year interning with our city clerk's office.
» Ah, we know this. [clears throat] >> Mama over there.
» It is only by the fiery passion in each of one of our minds and hearts regarding
American government that we are able to prepare for the competition facing us.
What we are asking council today is simply to add flame to our collective
fire. Thank you very much for your time. >> Wow. Incredible, you guys. is well done.
Give them a round of applause. [applause]
Okay. I get extra credit for coming here. No.
» Okay. Well, tell them you got to change that. But the reason why, let me tell
you that they felt so passionate about coming here. I know they talked a lot
about the program. However, for a lot of these kids, because I had some private
time with um some of your your other students or your friends, and a lot of
them said that it has really been their safe haven, that at home is not always
the best and it was a place where they felt welcomed and that they had
camaraderie amongst um each of you and it provided something that they never
ever thought possible. And the reality too is
I think there's a perception that certain schools um have more access um
to funding than others and that is not true and you have some students that
will not be able to get to go to Washington DC and it might be that the
only trip that they ever have outside of the city of Reno. And so I just want
everyone to know they are here um actually the voice of these students who
want to desperately go that and how many of you have been to Washington DC. It
changes your life. You learn about the history of our country. It is probably
one of the most patriotic things you can do. It it is so moving and inspiring. I
know your your kids are there, aren't they? There right now.
» Well, they live there. >> No, my youngest my oldest did an
internship with Cortez Masto. And did it change her life?
» Yes. [laughter] Now she wants to go into politics. So
mom's in trouble. Is that what she No. But um I I think you know when you hear
these stories and give these opportunities, it's really really
remarkable. But I just think this is the one trip if you're going to ever see
anything if if someone said you you get one opportunity to go someplace, this is
the place to go because it really is the heart and soul of our country. And um so
I would just say we want to help you in that journey and I'm going to hand it
over to Councilman Ree um for some words. Go ahead.
» Thank you so much, Madame Mayor. First of all, thank you all for being here
today. It's always encouraging. I've had the privilege to work with your program
for the last several years, and I wanted to give a shout out to, of course,
you've already mentioned uh Mr. Carlin, but also your co- coaches, I suppose,
Haley Row, Colonel Scott Marriott, Matt Oaks, Kathy Morris, Atley Williams,
Graden Gil, uh Lauren Ponyie, Mike Ponyie, and Scott Daniel. Um I will uh
tell you and date myself a little bit. In 1990, I was one of the first uh
classes of students to participate in We the People in the State. And at the
time, we just had McQueen, Reed, and Incline in the program. So, you all are
carrying on a tradition that's a very long and proud one for our region. Uh,
but I don't know that any program has been as successful as yours over the
years. I think last year you finished fifth in the nation. So, you've got a
lot of big shoes to fill. And I know that that uh weighs heavy on you. But
the truth is is that this preparation that you're going through even today is
part of that preparation. Being able to see the wheels of government work is not
always uh something that uh civic education has prioritized. And so I meet
uh your colleagues and and graduates of your program uh years later and they're
in law school. They're running for office. They are the change makers in
our community. So I'm very grateful for you. Um I will be with you in DC in
April and we'll have dinner together. So it'll be a privilege to spend time with
each of you. Thank you so much. I can't wait to work with you. Uh let's do some
practice rounds, get into some of those units. It'll be great. Unit six is my
jam. So, I'm ready. >> Okay. But we got to get them there
first. We got to raise some money. >> And so, um, I'm going to help on the
financial piece by helping pay for food while you're there. And so, we'll let
see what the mayor might have in mind for some other help and support.
» Any other council members? >> I I just wondered um so have you al um
aggregated how much it's going to cost and and how far are you long on your
fundraising? >> Yes.
» Currently, we have a $120,000 estimate. Um, we've raised 30 of that 120.
» Okay. It's very expensive because you have to have buses. Cuz I broke it down.
I was like, "Wow." But for 30 people, if you think about it, it's airfare, it's
buses, it's lodging, it's food, it's a lot. It's there. A lot goes into it.
» Is it 30 that you're trying to bring, including your coaches and everyone?
» The estimated cost for each student is 3,600. And the way that we have
Yes. >> The estimated cost for each student is
3,600. And the way that our program attempts to gather funding from the
students itself is by having parents help with half of each students. But if
that's not possible, then of course the school will take on the funds for any
student who is not able to pay for their half. And that is just um the estimated
cost for the students. We also bring our unit coaches as he mentioned and um the
teachers and parents who come along with us to help support.
» Okay. So of the 120,000 the would would you say half of that is going to be
provided by the students themselves? >> Roughly.
» Roughly >> half. Yeah. So you're trying to raise
60,000. >> Yeah.
» Is that right? And you've raised 30,000. So you're looking for another 30,000.
Okay. So, I would love to see a joint fundraiser with all of us because we all
have some of our supporters and and people that have been very gracious to
us um whether it's mentorship or financially. And so, I'd like to ask the
entire council that we have a joint fundraiser. Obviously, we got to run it
by Carl because it's could be an open meeting law which but anyway that's my
my ask of the council is that we invite our friends and supporters and some way
do a fundraiser for them before they so they they can all participate
» and then you're going in April right this April. So that's
» so we have a little bit of time but it's not around the corner.
» So we got to we got to get working. Well, thanks you guys. We're so grateful
that you came today and I'm really proud of each each of you. I mean, you got up
there and you spoke like pros. And did you have a great time in in your
internship? >> Oh, yeah.
» Oh, yeah. She's coming back. >> I love my internship. I'm coming back
this summer. >> Oh, see, she's coming back. Anyway, um,
thank you guys. We really appreciate it. Okay. I'm going to I'm going to tell
your teacher what you did. He's going to be so proud.
» And Madame Mayor, can we take a photo? >> Yeah, let's do it really quick. You have
to tell them you only get a photo if you get credit. I want to see you guys get
credit. We're trying.
» Okay. Ready? >> One, two, three.
All right. >> All right, Madame Mayor. With that, we
have no additional public comment. Moving into item A4, approval of the
agenda. >> Okay. I'm going to um make a motion to
approve. Do I get a second? >> Second. I have a motion, a second. All
those in favor say I. Before we go, do we do we have any changes from
» There are no changes. You will recognize we have some members of the Reno Rodeo
Foundation in the audience. They're here for item B1,
» which I was going to pull off the agenda. It's in my work.
» No, let's get the agenda approved first. >> So, we have no changes and we have no uh
no attorney client today. >> Move to approve.
» I have a motion. I have a second. All those in favor say I. All those opposed
motion carries unanimously. Madame clerk,
» moving into item A5, approval of the or acceptance of the minutes.
» May get a motion. I have a motion. >> Second.
» I have a second. All those in favor say I.
» I. >> All those opposed.
» Motion carries unanimously. Madame clerk.
» Thank you. Moving into the consent agenda. We'll start with pulled items.
» All right. I'm going to ask council members please uh be ready to pull your
items. Councilwoman Anderson. >> All right. Councilwoman Taylor.
Counciloman Martinez. >> Okay. I'm pulling B1. I'm sure you guys
want >> I was already pulling. Nothing else.
Madam >> nothing else. Councilwoman, I was
pulling a B11. Okay. Uh, Councilwoman Eert, is she on the phone?
» Yes, I'm I have no items to pull today. Thank you.
» Approve all remaining items. >> Thank you so much. I have a motion. I
have a second. All those in favor say I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries
unanimously. Item B11. This is super super exciting. I mean, this is big.
This is really really big. Um, okay. We are going to have the one and only come
up and >> and Madame Mayor, we can start too. We
do have public comment from George Combmes.
» All right, we're going to take George's public comment.
» Well, wait. Actually, let's have um you all you guys come up
» and then we will have >> our Landon
» Landon, our very own Landon Miller come [laughter] up and and tell us
» and introduce everyone here why they're here, what this about, how exciting this
is. This is huge. >> Yeah. and I want to I want to give them
the opportunity to speak on it. But for the record, my name is Landon Miller,
fund development manager for parks and wreck uh for the city of Reno. And today
you've pulled item B11, which is the acceptance of a $120,000 grant from the
Reno Rodeo Association to make some improvements at um Idaho Wild Park. So
with that, uh we have some guests here, including George. He is the
» the one and only George. >> We know George from
» of the Reno Rodeo Association, and he can take it away and um they'll be able
to answer any questions that you may have. someone. Yeah, I'm very very fond
of everyone. If you don't know George, then you don't know Reno. He's amazing.
Okay. >> Thank you, Mayor. Thanks for having us
today. Thanks, city council. >> Um, on behalf of the Reno Rodeo
Association, I have the president, current president, Mark Sutton.
» Hi, Mark. >> Our second vice president, Justin
Thompson, and our treasure, Andy Moreny. >> Hi. Fabulous shirt. Can I have that? I
want it. you know, given given a little past history, Reno Rodeo has been around
for 100 plus years. Um, oldest, longest running legacy event in the city of
Reno. And uh, we're very community-minded and very willing to
help out in the community. And what we've done uh, this year is is is kind
of a we gather funds from from tips at the rodeo. when people come to the rodeo
and they leave tips, all them tips go into a fund and it's for the special
kids fund uh to support and we've helped build playgrounds and gymnasiums and all
kinds of things. So, we we let that build up and then we go out and look for
cause to to give to spend that money. And uh we had a little over $200,000
this year that we decided it's time to get this money to work in the community.
And so we put out feelers to try to find projects that we wanted to be involved
with and uh got in touch with Brandon, talked about the Idle Wild Park and red
redoing the splash pads and and taking some ADA handicap uh accessibilities and
stuff and we felt it was a great cause and we wanted to do it. So we are here
to present you with $120,000 to that project.
» Wow. >> As long as you'll accept it.
» Wow. No, definitely not. We've Oh my gosh, George, that's amazing. Everyone,
give him a huge round of applause. [applause]
» And you have you have the press here, so I want to make sure that they highlight
you guys. This is fantastic. Come come on out. Before we do that, Madame Mayor,
I also pulled this item and I just wanted to um give you the opportunity
along possibly with Landon to talk about what it's going to be used for because I
think it's very special. Um do you want to come up Landon?
» Yeah, absolutely. and Landon Miller, uh, fund development manager for the city of
Reno's parks and recck department. What we're going to do is we're going to
allocate this money, uh, and design and build improvements to the splash pad
specifically at Idol Wild Park. Um, we're going to probably start this
project, at least the design phase now over the next several months leading up
until September, and then hopefully start the construction itself after
September, shut it down, and then have everything um, back open for uh, spring
of next year. uh the $120,000 will fit the scope of the project entirely and uh
we'll we'll build to that. So, >> and and my understanding is that the ADA
aspects of it will allow people that aren't normally either walking or
motivating um onto the splash pad and reconfigure the splash pad so that they
can share the water. I mean, they could enter in wheelchairs or other type of
mobility equipment. Is that correct? >> Yeah, that is that is 100% correct. Um
to your point, we have Karina in our parks planning uh uh area. She's already
looking at some of the elements right now that include uh accessibility. We're
also going to include April Wolf and the access advisory committee as well. So,
everyone has a little bit of a stake in this in this project. It's also cool,
too. Uh I don't know if anyone's aware here, but uh 100 years for ID Wild Park
is next year. So, there's going to be a lot of uh momentum moving into that that
celebration for sure. >> Perfect. I just wanted to give a
heartfelt thanks to the rodeo association because um without this this
would never happen. This [clears throat] this is
» unfortunately sadly not the top priority. You know, usually the top
priority is just getting police, fire, our basic services, our most basic
services. Even we just heard about Reno Works. They're on the chopping block um
for our next budget season. In fact, they're done. Um, so those kind of
programs that actually help people, lift people up, uh, make their life more
enjoyable are very hard to get funded. So, but for what you are doing, this
would not be happening. And, uh, as the W 2 representative where ID Wild Park
is, I'm just incredibly grateful. But not just for W 2, but for everyone in
the city that will be able to enjoy this.
» Thank you. And we're honored to be able to do it. It's, you know, it's uh we're
a thousand volunteers strong in this organization and we have a staff of six
people and it's it's just amazing of what we can do and the passion that the
our thousand people have for what we do and be able to help in the community
» and it's their tips. I mean, it's their >> this is just tip money.
» I know this is >> I don't think people really realize
rodeo, by the way, is my most favorite time of year. I absolutely love it.
George knows I like um especially all the bad food. [laughter]
I love to go there and eat, but um you know, my favorite is all the roping and
the bulls. Everything is amazing. It's um so I just want you to know I don't
think people realize when they go there, they're also supporting the community in
a way that makes a huge difference. I know a lot of people go there because
they're such fans and it's our history and our heritage. It is one of the most
remarkable events that we have. But again, it it really is a testament to
your mission and how you give back to the community because like I said, I
don't know if people really realize the magnitude of how much you give back.
It's impressive and it's commendable. Um so, George, I just want to say thank you
from the bottom of my heart, my friend. You guys are really um top-notch
organization and please let us know how we can also support you.
» All right. Thank you. >> Do you want No. Okay. All right. Um what
else? Let's Let's get a picture >> cuz you have a check. You have a big
check. >> Madam Mayor, can we take a motion to
approve? >> Yes. Oh, I guess we better do that.
George, we we joked about not approving it and I guess we better approve that.
So, may I get a Mad Mayor? I'd like to make a motion to approve acceptance of
these funds from the Reno [laughter] Rodeo Foundation.
» All right. Counciloman Dur has made a motion. Second is Councilman Reese. All
those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed, motion carries
unanimously. Can you imagine if opposed? Anyway, come on up.
» Yeah, we should probably go off. This is a big deal.
» Oh, they're coming down on the bottom. Okay, I didn't realize we're all coming
down.
Thank you. >> I was going to do the same thing.
» I love that.
» Right here.
You want to cuddle up? Ready?
» Here we go.
All right, Mr. Vice Mayor, we're moving on to item C1, Charlie 1.
» Great. Thank you so much. And I think this is for Director Van Purion. Do we
have any public comment on this item? >> We do not have any public comment
registered and have not received any correspondence on this item.
» Mr. Vice Mayor, is there a way for us to move Charlie for out of order? We've got
folks from RTC here today and I'd like to get them back to their RTC stuffs.
» Not that I don't want to hear Miss Van Beern, of course. Yeah, that's a great
point. Director Van Beiran, if you don't mind waiting until the next item. So,
we'll take these items out of order. We'll start with C4 and then move back
to item C1. Is there any public comment on agenda item C4, the RTC and our local
agreement? >> Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. We do not
have any public comment registered on item C4. Additionally, we have not
received any correspondence on this item.
» Perfect. Mr. Wilson, I think this is all you.
» Okay. So, uh, good morning, uh, madame man, council members. Uh, for the
record, uh, Cleo Wilson, assistant director of public works. Uh, joining me
here today is Mr. Dale Killer, the uh, director of engineering for the regional
transportation commission. Uh, we're here to present the RTC fiscal year 2027
interlocal cooperative agreement, which will bring the council what we bring to
council annually to authorize projects to move forward into design and
construction.
First, I'd like to briefly walk through how RTC project planning planning
implementation process takes place. This graphic shows how the projects move from
long range planning into programming and ultimately into design and construction.
All projects begin at the reg at the regional transportation plan or RTP.
That's the 20-year plan that establishes the region's priorities for maintaining
and improving our transportation system. The current RTP was adopted by the RTC
board in February of last year. From there, projects move into the regional
transportation improvement program or RTIP. That's the 5-year program that
identifies funding for scheduled projects for project delivery. The RTIP
is updated every two years and projects must be included in the RTP to move
forward. That brings us to why we're here today.
This is the annual agreement which allows these program projects to advance
to design and construction.
This slide summarizes what the interlocal agreement does. Because RTC
does not own any roadways, this agreement formally authorizes RTC to act
as the city's agent to move program projects into design and construction.
It clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities for project delivery in
in Reno's jurisdiction. And if rightaway acquisition becomes necessary, it
provides RTC with the authorization to pro proceed with the acquisition.
would like to provide more detail what's included in this year's interlocal
cooperative agreement. The projects are organized into four categories. Starting
on the left is pavement preservation projects. These f projects focus on
keeping our regional roadways in good condition through preventative
maintenance things like surface treatments and rehabilitation helping us
extend the life of our of our of our infrastructure. Next, our traffic
signals and intelligent transportation systems or ITS.
This pro project includes intersection improvements, new new signal
installations and fiber optic connections to improve coordination and
traffic flow. The third category is active transportation program which
focuses on improvements for people walking and biking connectivity and
access through the mobility networks. And finally, we have roadway projects.
This year's ICA has three major roadway project investments. the O'Brien Pass
safety project, the Keystone Avenue safety improvements, and the South
Virginia reconstruction and Virginia line BRT improvements. Each of these
categories play an important role in maintaining and improving our
transportation system. In the next few slides, I'll highlight the active ch
transportation program projects and the roadway projects that are included in
the agreement.
In the last slide, I mentioned the active transportation program. This is
the overarching re uh regional vision for active mobility. You probably also
heard the term neighborhood network planning. To put that vision of active
transportation into action, the local at the local level, neighborhood network
planning areas were developed. These plans identify specific streets and
connections based on data and community input. With that framework, the region
is divided into 12 planning areas. They're ranked based on factors like
crash history, bike connections, proximity to schools, and where they
where their areas of strong potential for walking and biking. The goal is to
make improvements where they'll have the biggest impact. These plans emphasize
quick build, cost-effective treatments that target safety improvements,
particularly in high pedestrian activity areas. So under this agreement, the
areas moving forward are Sun Valley and Panta area 2 and Meadowwood and Hidden
Valley area 10. they'll move into design and implementation. Those are shown on
the exhibit there on the left on the right hand side highlighted in yellow.
Next, we have our roadway projects. The first roadway project is the O'Brien
Pass safety project. This project will improve safety along North Valleys along
Golden Valley Road, which transitions into West 7th Street between Estates
Road and Sun Valley Boulevard. While the majority of this project is located
within Wo County jurisdiction, there is a portion within the city of Reno. Total
est estimated investment is approximately $20 million with
construction anticipated in 2029.
Next is the Keystone Avenue safety project. This will improve intersection
operations and pedestrian facilities along Keystone Avenue from First Street
to I80. The project is estimated at 5.3 million and construction anticipated to
begin in 2029.
And finally, the the South Virginia Street rehabilitation will reconstruct
Virginia Street from Meadowwood Mall, which is the southern end of the RTC BRT
line all the way north to Moana Lane. This this will enhance transit
connectivity and performance along the corridor and include ADA upgrades to
improve accessibility for all users. Pimary design is set for 2027 and
construction is anticipated for 2029. And the total investment for this
project is $20 million.
This concludes my presentation. There is the motion and myself and Mr. Keller are
here to answer any questions you may have.
» Okay. Thank you. Good job. Okay. Councilman Ree, go ahead.
» Ever so briefly, I wanted to ask about a couple of things. First is a very
specific program. I have the privilege of representing this body at the RTC. So
perhaps we know a little bit more because of that. But there is a program
that we have prioritized at the RTC which I think may be helpful to address
one of my colleagues concerns. So in the Smithridge area there is um a bus um
route that really needs some improvement. It it is um hard for people
with mobility impairments to get to bus stops and also has some fencing that
blows down with some frequency. And for my part, I want to make sure that we are
um making that known at this body that that's a priority for us through the bus
stop rehabilitation program, which RTC is committed to doing, but it has to
really address those access points along those roadways. So, that's one example.
Is that something that you are tracking or can help us to close the door on?
» Yes, I will have I'll pass that question off to Mr. Mr. Keller.
» Good morning. Dale Keller, deputy executive director for the record for
the RTC. Uh, council member Ree. Uh, yes. So, we have this bus stop
improvement program that we focus on every year with uh what you'll see
later, construction this summer, different various connections to help
the sidewalk connections to our bus stops. We're looking forward to continue
that program moving on. Right now, we don't have a project at this time at the
Smith area, but I know this is going to be discussion with the RTC board coming
up next month. Well, I guess I'm I'm telling you I I when I hear my
colleagues at this dis raise significant issues, we want to address them. So
that's then what we are tasked with doing. Obviously, it fits a broader
regional goal, which is we are trying to make sure that our bus system is not
just a random sign on the side of a roadway. We we actually need shelter for
people to sit under or stand under when they're waiting for the bus in in
inclement weather. We need to make sure that people with mobility impairments
can get there. So that often involves sidewalk changes, configurations,
repairs, and in this case in Mr. Martinez's ward, um I feel like we have
not figured out that it it seems a small issue, right, when the a sto a fence
blows down, but it becomes a huge life-saving and life-changing issue when
someone who needs to access that route, needs a bus to get there, cannot do it.
So please understand that I'll be pushing you to expansively view that as
an opportunity for us to make those improvements. Okay. Thank you, Council
Member Ree. And uh to that point, you what we hear uh anecdotally, we're also
seeing from the data driven from those neighborhood network plans that Mr.
Wilson discussed in that area by Mewood Mall. We actually saw a lot of um input
and comments about how we improved that connectivity around that Mewood Mall
area and that Smith area as well. So, the data help supports that.
» Well, and I I don't have much time and I'll just try to get this out quickly,
but it's still a question for you, Mr. Keller. were here a couple of weeks ago
when we had a project that it was a very important project for our region, a very
um difficult vote. It was the Lacage um or I'm sorry, the Lacage golf course
project and at that time there was a lot of discussion about improvements to
Lakeside McCarron. I I want to make sure you are hearing from this body and I you
were here so I assume you are hearing that that is a priority for us and so I
want to make sure that we're really directing our effort at looking at that
intersection at Lakeside and McCarron and and the area just there because it
is very important to our region and a lot of people are impacted by it.
» Understood. Thank you. >> Thank you so much.
» Yeah, thank you. And uh if I could have Dale still Yeah. Um Dale, um I could
just say ditto, but the main focus I have are two projects. One is the
lakeside of McCarron. Um I know that you've designed it is what I've heard.
» Councilman, we are at a 30% design. >> Oh, 30%.
» Okay. So, you haven't fully designed it. So, and I've heard you have budget
challenges and I've heard you've asked for money from NDOT and that they have
not come forward with that yet. And I guess what I'm saying is sometimes and I
I know it's important to get the cost share because it's an end dot built and
managed road. Um but that said, you know, it's almost like a jurisdictional
dispute because at the end of the day, our people are suffering. Our people
that are driving or even walking along that area are suffering. they I myself
have gotten, you know, stopped trying to enter McCarron from any which way during
any number of hours where while I have the green light, I can't turn there.
It's a parking lot. Um, so I want to make sure that we do prioritize
finishing the design and constructing the thing. And as I understand it, in
comparison to some other projects, it's not that level expensive. I mean, some
of the projects you mentioned 20 million, etc. I know it's not on that
order of magnitude. The a second thing I wanted to ask is we've I wanted to
follow up on the intersection of um Rio Wrangler and um what do you call um
» Steamboat >> Steamboat? Uh no, it's uh by um the high
school, Deonte Ranch High School. There's supposed to be [clears throat] a
roundabout being constructed, >> correct?
» Could you speak to that? >> Uh yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. I do. So last
ICA we approved moving forward with those roundabout improvements that
steamboat and Rio Wrangler as that intersection. There's also Macau.
» Oh, you're doing that's what I I thought you were doing Macaulay.
» Now McCauley was also we're looking to because there's also a future project
about widening that uh stretch of Rio Wrangler
in front of the high school. >> Correct. To see how they all connect
together. So what we're moving forward is with that roundabout as we have in
the ICA then also study the first in front of the roundabout for that future
widening of Rio Wrangler. So, we have money and we have dedicated resources
and the ICA to move forward with that roundabout at Steamboat and Railing.
» Okay. I didn't realize I know that I mean it's a tight intersection in terms
of there's a whole development there with a fence or a wall. Are are you
planning to do everything I guess to the west of that or
» so? Yes, ma'am. We are and we're starting to look at the whole corridor
itself and Rio Wrangler, see how the traffic flows all together, making sure
whatever we build for that roundabout of Rio Wrangler is also compatible for
future development. The only thing I would ask when you do these roundabouts
is that you make them as big as possible because when you go with those tight
ones like they have at Somerset and other places, it's just very hard to
navigate, you know, and there's a tremendous amount of traffic coming
through already. But in the future, to your point, there's business to the
north, there's development to the north, and so a lot of people are going to be
going through that roundabout. And I I'm I'm really hoping you can get a handle
on it and get it built. So, thank you. >> All right. Go ahead.
» Yeah. Um I have um just some questions on the projects in W 4 just to get a
little more information. Um can you tell me more about what this project will
include in Panther Valley? >> The the O'Brien pass one.
» Uh yes. >> So that that's the O'Brien pass. So
we're get that's what we're getting for we're getting ready to put this into
design preliminary design to identify the improvements that need to take
place. So things like things like adding sidewalk you know um crossings you know
put that evaluation. >> Okay. I think I'm having like a little
bit of a disconnect because Panther Valley to me is is south
like a south area of the 395 like off Virginia
like >> Yeah. That that's so this this area is
actually Golden Valley Road. Yeah, that's what I up there up off off of um
by North North Valley's high school and down the Sun Valley.
» There is something on here that says Panther Valley. So what is the Panther
Valley project? >> Is there you is referring to the next
item that is the ILA maybe? >> I'm sorry.
» Is that there's I do have another item on the council agenda that's for the
ILA. >> Okay. Um
let me look. I believe it was on your map here. Yeah. Or it says um following
extensive public engagement process of priority areas were identified in
advance for design, the city of Reno selected areas for the FY27 ICA to
include Sun Valley and Panther Valley area.
» Got I'm I apologize. So So this is the active transportation um uh program. So
this is where we take the active transportation planning and narrow it
down into into neighborhood planning areas. Okay. where weident we identify
some con connections for for um mobility networks.
» Okay. >> So so we did some we did public uh RTC
worked on public engagement to develop uh specific streets that they would in
that put um uh uh neighbor um uh uh mobility um plans on mobility network.
» Okay. So what is a mobility plan? >> So it's essentially active
transportation. So things like bikes, you know, walking, you know, scooters,
things like that. >> Okay. And would those be uh divided?
would there be some type of barrier like a curb for those areas? And I ask
because we've had pedestrian fatalities along North Virginia at the Panther
Valley area. So, I'm I'm very concerned about pedestrian pedestrian safety,
people on bikes because we don't have a lot of um public transportation. There
is a lot of foot traffic or people on bicycles. So, I just want to know what
what exactly um what safety precautions will be included.
» Thanks for that question. So essentially depending on the speed and volume of the
of the roadway is how you put the treatment in place of whether or not uh
it it's high speed and high volume then you separate. You know we'll we all
we'll look at also neighborhood areas where we can do this where the where the
speeds are actually slower to make sure that we're putting people in a safe
area. >> Okay. Is it possible, you know, if it's
an area where maybe you couldn't justify a curb, maybe you could put like
plastic, you know, those things that stick up just as a a a more visible
reminder to people to stay out of those areas. I think sometimes people drive a
little too fast and and don't don't pay attention to um sharing the road with
other people. So, I just want to say that. Um I have other things, but I'll
I'll come back. Thank you for that.
Yeah. Yeah. Um, so I don't know if my time starts over then. Um, so another
point of concern I get from the Panther Valley community a lot is access in and
out of the valley. So, I don't know if there's anything in the plan to um look
into more ways to get in and out of that area, especially with the increasing
development and there's been a lot of industrial and and different types of
things going in there. I've had a lot of concern from the residents in that area
that it is difficult to get in and out and also the business owners have
expressed a lot of frustration especially during the time that um Endot
is doing construction on the freeway that there is really um limited access
uh to get in and out. It's been an extreme detriment to a lot of the
businesses in that area. So, I don't know if that's part of the plan, but I
would recommend looking for ways to um have, you know, access points in and out
of Panther Valley. Um the other part I wanted to talk about, the Golden Valley
part, um I I know that there's a small portion of Golden Valley
in Reno. The majority of it is in the county. So, um I'm just wondering, you
know, if there's going to be more focus on
um infrastructure within the city of Reno, like the the huge bulk of that
project is not going to be within the city of Reno boundaries.
» So, I I Khalil Wilson, assistant director public works for the record. Um
what's what's not what's benefit to the citizens that RTC leads this effort is
that they can make it on a on a regional collaboration. So we would collaborate
on the on areas that are washup county and in the city of Reno to make sure
that we have a seamless connection between the two. So because our citizens
are blind to jurisdiction, right? We want to make sure we have consistency
through the corridor. >> Okay. So with that area, do you know
now? Have you done traffic studies? Do you know if there would be a divided
bike lane in that area? >> That's what the size is all about. So we
can get going with those. >> Okay. So, it's to be determined. Okay.
Thank you very much.
» Do you want me to make a motion? Oh, okay. Um, I move to recommend move to
approve the regional transportation commission FY2027 interlocal cooperative
agreement. Second. >> All right. I have a motion, a second.
Any discussion? I see some lights on over here to my right. Vice Mayor,
» just ready to vote, ma'am. I'm sorry about that. Yeah. [laughter]
» All right. I'll I do have discussion. I just want to say um you know, I do think
that um we have a um
a lot of need for infrastructure in Ward 4. I think everybody's aware of that. Um
we have extreme congestion. I know that there's widening happening on the 395. I
know that there's going to be widening on North Virginia, but um we need to
really look for ways to bring more infrastructure and access to the North
Valleys in general. So, I just want to um ask for support from the RTC. I'm
going to support this, but in the future, I hope to see more focus um in
the North Valley's community. We currently have two access points to get,
you know, 40,000 people from the North Valleys into the rest of of Reno. So
just hoping to see more of that, you know, in future plans and also hopefully
someday more public transportation as well. So thank you.
» All right. Uh so all those in favor say I.
» All those opposed. >> Motion carries unanimously. All right.
Good job, Ku. >> And now we're going to head back to C1.
Madam clerk, is that correct? >> Yes, ma'am. Item C1.
» All right. C1, any public comment? >> No public comment. And no correspondence
was received. >> Oh, yes. So, we will now open up the
public hearing. Um, no public comment and no correspondence was received.
» Is it a public comment? >> No, it's not. Oh, sorry. Sorry.
» No, you're good. >> I'm I'm ahead of myself. Okay, Vicki, go
ahead. Take it away or Miss Van Beern. >> And council members, um Vicky Van Beern,
director of finance for the record. I have a just a very brief update for you
today on the general fund. This aligns with your strategic plan through fiscal
sustainability. Uh today I just want to talk about where
we are in the current year. So this would be July through January, the seven
months in this fiscal year and then just give you a brief outline of what you're
to expect next week for the budget workshop that we're going to have on
March 4th. So fiscal year 26, this is the current
fiscal year. Um again, this is seven months worth of information that we have
so far for this year. Revenues and expenditures are tracking in line as
discussed last month. There's really nothing really to highlight here that's
much different. Property tax is still trending about 2% above budget. Right
now it's at 1.8% above budget. Consolidated taxes are trending 5% above
budget and uh that's with the December distribution. Then franchise fees are
tracking 13% below budget for the reasons that we've talked about before.
usage, um, weather, um, and that as such. The slightly higher revenues from
property tax and consolidated taxes are covering the shortfall in franchise fee
revenue at this time. This is in line with what you saw last month. And then
salary and benefits are trending 4% below budget. Supplies are trending 8%
below budget. Again, this is the exact same um, information as last month. It's
still trending exactly the same. savings are trending higher right now due to the
number of positions that have been vacant. Many of those are public safety
positions and they've either started the academy with police or they will be
starting with fire. So we will see those rates decline a little bit. Um so they
are a little high right now but really no different from the information that
was presented in January. Cax just to give you an idea of what
consolidated tax looks like. Again, this is so critical because as the highest
revenue source in the general fund, we have the December allocation. December
is the highest month of the year given holiday shopping and such. Um that we
did receive this week. You can see overall we're still trending 5% above
budget. As I mentioned, again, we're only halfway through the year with this
data point. We still have, you know, six more data points to close out this year.
right now. Um, it's on track with the way we're developing the budget for next
fiscal year for fiscal year 27. So, really nothing to highlight here as
well. We're just on track. So, next week, so next week is going to
be a budget workshop. It's going to be held on March 4th. It's going to have a
budget overview that presents all the funds and more detailed reviews of the
general fund, the special revenue funds, enterprise funds, and and the internal
service funds. So, all of those. And then we're going to have discussions
that will also include a review of the fee schedule and presentations from
departments on the proposed capital improvement projects for next fiscal
year for fiscal year 27. So your role as council in the budget workshop is to
guide decision-making and provide transparency by reviewing the proposed
revenues and expenditures, asking questions of me, of staff, you know,
identifying funding priorities and providing the strategic policy direction
so that we can shape the city's financial plan for you based on that.
Following the budget workshop next week, we'll have many other opportunities
after that. So there'll be financial updates on March 25th as you see on the
slide. April's 22nd. Then on May 6, we're going to have a whole another
budget overview again. And then budget adoption on May 20th. So in between now
and budget adoption. Clearly changes can be made and we are going to be talking a
lot of budget during this time. So just wanted to give you a preview of what
that looks like and how you'll know what's rolling out and when. So that
concludes my presentation. Uh this is a discussion only item. So it does not
require a motion, but I'm glad to answer questions
» or a public hearing. [laughter] >> Okay. All right. I'm going to start with
you, Randy. You have any anything? >> No, I'm well prepared for this workshop
and I'm looking forward to our discussion on how we're going to move
forward this year. >> All right. Good. I don't see any green
lights. Nope. Over here, Councilman Ree. Ever so briefly, Vicki, I just want to
say thank you for the pre-preparation. Um, it's really been helpful to have the
frequent meetings with you, so I feel very prepared as Miss Anderson said. Uh,
I know that this was on the agenda and you're coming up to update us all the
time, but we're talking at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. So, I I
thank you for that kind of overemphasis of it because I think it's very
important. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, thanks. I had a
question on slide four. Um, if you could go back to that. So, this is the summary
of how things are trending. And I was wondering, you said franchise free fees
13% below budget. And I was wondering if you've calculated the the
I don't want to say the change that we voted on uh last meeting where we were
going to up the franchise fee to 14%. Have you calculated how much that would
bring in as compared to this trend here? >> Uh thank you for the question. No,
that's actually not included here. Um, it hasn't been the budget hasn't been
amended to include that with the next. >> Right. Right. But I'm just saying, have
you calculated is it a four and a half million
» be around one $1.2 million? Um, right now we're trending four.5 million down.
So that would be >> help offset.
» It would help offset >> but not fully offset.
» Correct. >> Okay. And then on that, just so the
council knows, um I had sent an email to um Jackie, uh I have been considering
reconsidering that item. And the reason was is since we voted, I got a lot of
input or some input, not I wouldn't say a lot, but some input that adding the
CPI um is sort of percentages on percentages. and rather than have us
reconsider it, um Jackie recommended that we discuss it during the budget
workshop and that we can set the number despite us voting. Uh the first the
first uh outing was just going to be the going to 14% anyway. The CPI would come
in next time. So she said rather than reconsidering the whole item that uh the
council has the ability to set the number each time in our fees. Um, and I
talked to Jonathan as well. Would our vote somehow conflict with our ability
to set the budget each time? And he said no. So that is why I did not pursue it.
I just wanted to tell you that, you know, I'm supportive and it's a hard
decision uh to increase any fee, but um apparently the the CPI would have
really, you know, ramped up in in a way that people felt was not sustainable.
So, I I I heard them and I wanted to have the conversation with council. So,
I'm having it right now so that you know on next Wednesday, which I'll be
participating on Zoom, you'll know what I'm talking about. Um, once we get to
fees, I assume we'll cover fees. And then the other question I had is will we
also be I didn't see in your list I think it was a previous page where we
would be covering uh the RDA the redevelopment agency or is that in a
separate item or >> redevelopment will be discussed with the
redevelopment agency? Yes. And that will be on the 4th as well and it will be a
separate presentation on the same day. >> Yes. Same day.
» Okay. But you're not giving us that report here, right?
» No, this is just the citywide. Um but redevelopment will come on um same day.
» Okay. Now Vicki, can you be can you are our budget? You know, you are our CFO
for the whole city including redevelopment I assume. Will you help us
set the stage for that conversation too in terms of cash flow and opening
balances and those kind of things? Um, Ashley Turney is actually leading the
» right I have spoken to her, but I'm just looking for apples to apples so it's
presented in a similar way so we know what the opening fund balance is and all
those things. >> Okay, I will circle up with Ashley and
» that'd be great. Thank you. >> Okay, Councilman Eert.
» No. Okay. No. And I just wanted to appreciate council member Derer for
bringing up the the um CPI uh increase on the um the franchise fee for waste
management. >> And if I may, Madam Mayor, yeah, the
reason I was I heard my colleagues. I mean, three of you did not vote for
that. That's troublesome to me. I don't think that on financial matters we
should be having like four three votes and stuff. And that's why I wanted to
consider it because you seemed worried about the CPI. Miguel seemed worried
about the CPI. The mayor was also concerned. And so I thought, well, I'd
rather have peace and harmony and do something we can all support than have
division. I mean, this is truly what was driving me. Immediately after the
meeting, I talked to Jackie. It wasn't I it wasn't that people sent in letters.
They did send in letters, but I first talked to Jackie and I talked to the
mayor and I said, "I'm uncomfortable. I don't like this kind of result when
we're talking about the budget." And that's why I wanted to revisit it. So,
thank you. >> Yeah.
» All right, Council Neighbor, your lights on.
» Oh, yeah. I was just >> Okay, you're just seconding.
» Okay. >> I was just responding to her. Thank you.
» All right. Well, thank you so much. Great job. We'll see you soon
» next week. >> Okay.
Okay, Madame Clerk. >> All right, moving on to item C2. This is
also a presentation. Okay,
this is always a good one. Work with comp.
» I know it's not sexy, but it's really, really relevant.
» So, okay, the forers. Nice to see you. You're going to do great.
» Thank you. >> Okay,
» so good morning, mayor and council members. I'm Adria White and I'm the
risk manager here and I am here to talk to you guys and provide you an update on
the city of Reno's workers comp program for fiscal year 25.
So this aligns with our strategic plan of fiscal sustainability and governance
and organizational effectiveness. So what is workers comp? So according
[clears throat] to the division of industrial relations definition, workers
comp is a no fault insurance program which provides benefits to employees who
are injured on the job and protection to employers who have provided coverage at
the time of that injury. So how does workers comp work? So when
an employee is injured on the job, they're required to fill out state
required forms, give those to the risk management department here at the city,
and then those are sent to the third party administrator for the city for
review. And then a claim can either be accepted, denied, or denied pending
further medical. Now, denied pending further medical means that they didn't
receive all of the medical documentation at the time within the time frame that
they needed to make the claim determination. So, it's it's essentially
a pending status until they get all of that medical information and they can
make a final decision. So, what governs workers comp? So here
in Nevada, we are an exclusive remedy state and so all of the uh benefits are
set for forth in statute. An exclusive remedy means employees give up the right
to sue for injuries obtained on the job in exchange for guaranteed prompt
payments for those injuries. And here are the NRS's that govern our workers
comp here in Nevada. And then we also have some city policy as well.
So, what about insurance coverage? So, NRS does state that self-insured
employers have to carry an excess insurance coverage of up to at least
$2.5 million. So, the city is a self-insured program and our workers
comp coverage is a $5 million coverage. So, we are responsible for anything up
to that $5 million mark and then it goes over to the excess coverage.
So what is covered under workers compensation?
So we have medical treatment. So for example, an employee slips and falls,
goes to the doctor, that initial treatment and anything thereafter while
the claim is open is going to be covered under the claim.
Lost time compensation. So for example, if we have an employee that falls,
breaks their arm, they have to have surgery, they're going to be out for two
weeks, they're unable to work during that time. There is a calculation of
average monthly wage that is done and an employee is given 66 and twothirds
percent of their salary for those days that they are certified off of work.
Permanent partial disability. So for an example of this, say an employee jams
their finger in a door frame. The doctor says they can return to full duty.
They're cleared for they're cleared medically, but maybe their finger slants
just slightly to the right. um they can be sent for this disability
rating and the doctor will rate them give them a certain percentage and then
they are given a lump sum based on that percentage
permanent total disability. So this is when an employee actually can no longer
perform the functions of their job. So an example of this say an employee is
diagnosed with PTSD. the treating physician says they can no longer return
to their pre-injjury position because it triggers, you know, those memories,
things along those lines, then they can no longer unfortunately work here at the
city or in that position. So, they are um granted this or able to apply for
this permanent total disability benefit, which is a monthly sum that they get for
the rest of their life. Um, along those same lines, vocational
rehabilitation. this is something that they can choose instead of the permanent
total disability. So going back to that PTSD example, say that employee has
always wanted to be a welder and they can now say I want to be trained to be a
welder. Vocational rehabilitation will take them through the program, train
them and also help them with job placement.
We have death benefits for dependent. So unfortunately if we have an employee who
does pass away um under you know the course and scope of their employment
there are death benefits that will go to their dependence and that is a coverage
for a lifetime as well. And then other claim related expenses
those can be things like if an employee slips and falls hurts their back they
need to see a spine specialist. Maybe the only one available is in Utah. We're
covering those travel expenses for those employees to go there.
So what exactly is our FY25 citywide workers compensation report? So risk
management creates this annually and we distribute it distribute it to
directors. This analyzes the trends in our workplace injuries and offers some
insights on those injuries. And then just keeping in mind this report is
FY25. So it's July 1st 2024 to June 30th 2025.
So going into some highlights from the report itself. So our reported injuries,
you'll see here we have claims, incidents, and then total reported
injuries. A claim is when an employee actually has gone to the doctor and they
are getting treatment for that injury. An incident only is when they are
essentially putting the city on notice that they received an injury and they
may be going to the doctor. They do have 90 days to seek medical attention. So an
example, say a paper cut. I'm gonna fill out the form. Say I hurt myself. Maybe
that paper cut gets infected. I'm gonna go to the doctor and I have 90 days to
do that. And then that total reported injury is the the total of the claims
and the incidents incident only together. So you'll see from FY 24 to 25
we have had increases in all of those categories. So 14% in the claims, 19% in
those uh incident onlyies and then 15% overall increase.
So our top three departments for that FY25 year are police, fire and
maintenance and operations. And these are pretty standard across um
the nation just due to the high risk of these positions that that these
employees are in. Um again the reported injuries is the total of those claims.
So those employees went to to the doctor and then those incident only. So they're
just kind of putting everyone on notice.
So our top three leading cause type and body part for all those injuries. So our
leading cause we have absorption, ingestion, inhalation. So for an
example, a firefighter, you know, breathe in smoke. That's going to fall
into that category. Mental stress, lifting, pushing, and pulling. our
injury types, brain strain, contusion and mental stress. Our body part, lungs,
mental stress and hands. So body part and um injury cause are going hand in
hand together. Um and just a note from um FY24 to FY25 mental stress has moved
up in the categories um which we were anticipating based on legislation.
So our overall claim costs um you can see the difference here between FY 24
and 25. So our new claims that is just the claim for that period. So July 1st
through June 30th. So that is the cost just for that period. Ongoing claims are
any claims that are continuing treatment going into the new period. So from FY24
to FY25, those would be rolling into that ongoing claim. And then our
reserves are um if we had to pay every single claim today, this is what it
would cost us. So again, this is consistent with our increases in our
injury rates. And so our increase in the claim cost is going up as well.
So some key factors we have influencing our claim liability. So, injury
occurrence. So, just a larger workforce, um rising medical costs, which we see
that nationwide, not only in our workers comp, but as well as our personal
benefits as well. Uh cost of living increases, and that's just um the two,
you know, 2.3% that we get roughly every year. Um and then also legislative
impacts. There is also a 2 I think 5% increase for um those employees that are
see receiving the death benefits or the permanent total disability benefits. And
then we have legislative impacts that we see um usually every legislative
session. And I know this is kind of a small slide
um but these are the some of the legislative impacts that we've seen
since the 2017 session. Um so you can see that that we do have a a good amount
that comes up every year or every bianual year for those um legislative
impacts.
And then some of our mitigation recommendations, we are priator
prioritizing wellness initiatives to focus on mental health and stress as
we've seen that just continue to rise over the past couple years. um enhanced
training for our employees and our supervisors for early detection for that
mental health and then just emphasizing ongoing training and workplace safety.
So looking for those hazards, making sure we're aware of those and then also
correcting those hazards. >> Okay.
» And that is all I have. >> I think you did a phenomenal job. How do
you think? Do you think you did well? >> Okay. Yeah.
» I think you did fantastic. >> Oh, thank you.
» Were you nervous? I was. >> No, you could not tell at all. I thought
you did phenomenal. Um, first of all, I'm gonna send it over to Councilwoman
Der. >> Oh, sure. Thank you. That was a great
presentation. Um, the one statistic that I might have missed was for the number
approved, uh, sorry, number filed, but number approved is, did you show a
statistic on that? Like what percent of workers claim comp uh, sorry, um,
requests are approved? Um I don't have that in the presentation but it is in
the report that was connected to the staff report. Um,
» so you don't have anything off top of your head of
» I if you give me >> the
» the reason I'm asking just so you know is that historically
um since I've been here in the beginning our third party administrator denied
virtually every claim for workers comp >> which is very stressful to the people
that know they were injured on the job experienced the injury I mean adds to
their mental stress that you're highlighting was be that it's just
denied denied and they had to appeal and uh both the mayor and I got involved I
spent a lot of time with our previous CFOs on the issue of workers comp, what
we were budgeting, what was getting approved, how how are our employees
doing. It was a big issue with our labor groups, which is that they were getting
so hassled, >> you know, to the point that they're
like, "All right, we'll just drop it." Which what seemed to be the goal. Uh, so
do you have any feelings about that? And I do have a second question, which is
once it is approved, you mentioned a number. is do we have insurance for this
or are we completely self-insured? How does that work?
» Um so for your first question um on page nine of the report just so you have the
number it does say um the percentage of denied claims and we have one out of
every 10 in FY25 specifically. So it's about 9.7%. [snorts] Well, this is much
better that And did they have to go to appeals to get there or I mean do you
know what they're >> are they still appeal uh denying most
things right off the off the immediately?
» So we did switch our third party administrator four years ago. Um and
that has helped um with with that situation. Um and we do work very
closely with the labor groups and our partners with um all of the claims. So,
I think we're on a much better page with everyone. Yeah.
» Okay. And then as far as do we do we have any external insurance that helps
us cover this or is this all on the city's dime?
» We do have um a self or I'm sorry an excess insurance coverage. Um we are uh
up to $5 million. So we are sorry we are self-insured up to 5 million.
» That's per case or total? How does this work?
» Per claim. >> Per claim.
» Yes. So, we have to handle the first five
million of each claim and after that uh insurance would kick in.
» Correct. >> Okay. And then you mentioned something
about legislative impacts. I I didn't know what that meant.
» Yeah. So, sorry. Let me go back to that one now.
» I I didn't know what is a legislative impact. Do you mean they adopted
something that changed what we do? >> Yeah. So changing in statutes like so
for example uh AB410 which was in the 2023 session that in instead of having a
single event for um stress to point to that it changed that statute to say
cumulative events. >> Oh that's interesting.
» So those types of legislative impacts. So it's it's changing the word
» the statutes they never inform us of those ones.
» But I [laughter] mean that makes sense. So, it would be hard to tie a mental Oh,
I >> should say situation to one incident.
Maybe it's like somebody died and then your dog died and then something
happened at work and by the time you're done, you're full of
» stress. I'm going to cut you off. No, that's fine.
» Okay. Uh, Councilman Taylor, go ahead. >> Oh, thank you. Thank you for the
presentation, Adria. This is really important. Um, my question is about our
liability, our future liability looking forward. If I look at, you know, ongoing
claims and 25 of about $10 million and that's a 15% increase and it looks like
there's a trend to keep going up. Um, your last slide talked a little bit
about the mitigating mitigation recommendations. So, could you talk a
little bit more specifically on what we are doing to try and prevent some of
these things within the organization and is there anything that you need from us
to help implement that? And then what would be the follow-up measures? How are
we going to look at these mi these mitigations and how effective they are
moving forward as a data point I guess? >> Yeah.
» Thank you. >> Um so one example is we are really
trying to emphasize early reporting right now. Um and that's not just for
injuries themselves but for example a near miss. So if someone just trips on
on the carpet or we'll say a cord but they don't hurt themselves and but we
see that as like a consistent thing that early reporting can help us come out and
maybe get rid of that cord that cord shouldn't be there or you know we see a
constant place where people are getting injured or a certain type of injury
someone's pulling something and they're you know our 20 shoulder claims right so
that early reporting helps us come out look at those types of things do
assessments and help with that mitigation strategy. Um, and then the
training, we we deploy trainings um online so employees always have access
and we have hundreds of different training programs that we can um deploy
to employees and then we are able to track the um employees that take them
and then also follow up and see if there's any, you know, in-person
trainings they want, things like that. So that's kind of what we're emphasizing
right now. Yeah. And I think
» I would be super supportive if anything that we could do even before the
reporting process. So prevention is is key.
» Yeah. >> Thank you so much. Thank you, Madam
Mayor.
» Questions? >> No. Okay. I just want to say I am so
glad that you are putting such an emphasis on mental health. I think it's
it's so long overdue across the country anyway. Just not here. But it shows me
that you're really paying attention to it and it's something that um I just
don't think we ever put enough resources in. Something we don't even talk about.
The stigma is very real. So I want to commend you guys for really saying this
is important. Um and by doing that we'll have a much healthier organization. And
then we also help um sort of debunk the stigma that it doesn't matter who you
are, where you are, what you're doing. all of us in some capacity can take
better care of our mental health, but our employers have to give us those
opportunities as well. >> So, I just want to say thank you to you
guys for really recognizing that. >> Thank you.
» Great job. >> Thank you.
» Okay. Anything else? All right. And by the way, in my next life, I want to come
back with your hair. So, thank you. Thank you so much. Okay. Bye, you guys.
Um, do we have to do I have to It's just presentation only, correct? Okay.
Awesome. Okay, Madame Clerk, what's up next?
Is >> this item C3
» for the record? Item >> C3.
» 3C3. Okay,
Travis. Yay, it's Travis. Okay, this is very cool. Travis is going
to get into the meat and potatoes of the arch. That's
» what we're going to try to accomplish. >> Okay, love it.
» Uh, for the record, my name is Travis Trum. director of maintenance and
operations. Um, this sorry, where's my little pointer? There we go. Um, really
today we're just trying to provide this body with some information regarding the
arch in advance of the RDA and CIP discussions you'll be having next month.
So, I also know that there's been a lot of questions by members of this board to
just where are we with the arch? What's been going on? I see a lights out. Why
is it out again? That kind of thing. So, I'm hoping to get into that a little bit
and uh hopefully help you all out with a better understanding of what challenges
we have. Um, this aligns with our our strategic
plan in public safety and infrastructure.
Um, providing just a little bit of background and and I'm going to talk
about we're on version three um of our arch right now. And one of the reasons
why I wanted to kind of give a little history as to where we're at now is
because I think it's important to understand that our arch that we have is
not a historic landmark. It's it's an icon. It's something that everybody
recognizes. We see it in TV. We see it in movies. Um but it is not a historic
landmark. So we're not held to the same restrictions that you would see normally
with that designation. Uh the original arch was actually built in 1926, but it
was uh used for um celebration of the um national uh or pardon me Nevada
transatlant or trans uh sorry I got it right here. Transcontinental highway and
um it was then in 1929 uh Reno adopted the slogan of Reno,
biggest little city in the world. And uh as you can see in these photos the it's
beautiful lettering on it and you can still see the uh upper two photos the um
torches on it. Next iteration was removal of the torches. Um funny story
about the slogan after uh it was adopted. A citizen group came out
complaining they didn't like the slogan. It was removed and it just said Reno for
a while. Then another group came back out saying we want the slogan back.
Slogan was put back. So again, a lot of changes occur with this arch.
In 1963, the version two was erected. Uh this is
honestly my my favorite arch. I think it's just 1960s cool. Um very very neat.
Um not a lot to be said about this. It was uh when it was removed, we later
donated it to Willlets and they still have it at this point. Um I think the
slogan said something about um gateway to the redwoods or something to that
effect. And then in 1987 uh what we know as our
current arch was was constructed. Um
in about 2009 there was changes to remove really to try to start updating a
little bit and all the old incandescent bulbs that were within the arch were
removed and LED bulbs were installed. Uh this is where we're pretty much at
today. A few years ago, I think it was 2017 2018, uh the legs of the arch were
um really the sheet metal on the arch uh were updated to a silver instead of the
gold. And um we really became I think a little more proactive in uh in trying to
uh use the arch for events specifically where we started changing out the bulbs
different colors to promote uh special events over each um over these different
events that would come to us. Um average maintenance is relatively low on the
arch. We're spending about $20,000 a year to maintain it. And that's of
course with no catastrophes or anything that happens to it. Um, a lot of that
the average maintenance is just cleaning uh repairing um damaged sheet metal when
that comes up. Uh performing lighting inspections. We have the 276 individual
bulbs on that. That's not including the neon Reno that's there. Um then it's
also taking care of minor electrical and bulb socket replacements as necessary.
Um, average annual repairs we saw recently in December where we had the
high winds. It caused a sheet metal to be ripped off from the underside of the
uh uh the arch. That's about a $15,000 repair that luckily only comes up every
few years. So, nothing uh um nothing catastrophic there. Uh for everybody's
knowledge, this is still in process. Unfortunately, uh the sheet metal was
damaged to a point where it had to be refabricated. We're still looking at a
few more weeks before it'll be installed.
um with the city of Reno currently contracts out with ESCO uh to help the
maintenance uh team be able to maintain the arch. We're spending about 1,500 a
month and they along with our staff are inspecting the lettering, repairing
lettering. Um Reno Star tends to be a problem because it's an old motor system
that's constantly running and that goes out. Uh and then also uh repairing the
electrical wiring and and other minor repairs. Um,
one of the things that I did want to bring to everybody's attention is that
the with the special events that we put on that I was talking about earlier, uh,
Reno right now, um, charges most of these promoters over $4,000 to change
the color of the arch. It's not an easy process. Every single one of those
little bulbs has to be unscrewed, new ones put in, and then at the end of the
event, those ones removed, new ones put back in again.
» You mean they don't magically appear? >> They don't magically appear.
» I feel like they magically appear, Travis.
» What we're hoping for is something that is more magical, though, and something
along the lines of an LED system that would allow a remote control to change
those lights, >> hopefully eliminating that $4,000 cost
every time we do one of these events. Um, one of the problems we see again on
the maintenance side is as we remove a bulb, change a bold, remove a bold, ch,
we're seeing damage to the outlets. Um, it's just wear and tear. The electrical
wiring gets brittle because of the the changing. Um, so it's in a nutshell, the
the arch is it's not super problematic maintain. It has some shortcomings. The
neon lettering um in the Reno has been very problematic over time. It's been
something that our contractor and our staff have been able unable to
completely repair. Um so we still will see um problems during high rain events
where it shorts out and when it dries up again then it comes back on magically.
Um then we still have the uh expense of
changing out bulbs. So >> yeah,
» that is really that is it >> the presentation. Um no actions needed
by this body. I just wanted to >> okay
» kind of fill you all in in what's going on. Well, Travis, I think you did a
fantastic job. Um, I always thought that we should give those bulbs, like when we
do the pink ones, give the bulbs to the organization that they can sell and
raise money for breast cancer or whatever, childhood cancer or things
like that, um, other cities and they put them in like acute momento. It's just a
really good idea to sort of, um, signify the the event and it's it's special when
you have a piece of your city's, you know, arch. Um
» if I may speak on that real fast because I think that's important point. Um the
the lighting itself, we reuse the bulbs. So some events we'll have a couple
events both use blue for instance. Um >> I think uh it's it's um
» for our peace officers use blue and then also for turn the arch blue for the UN
and our events. >> We'll reuse those bulbs. Um we have I
think pink bulbs, red bulbs. >> Yeah. So you do recycle them. Yeah,
» we do recycle them. The thing about it is when we change colors to something we
don't have currently. Yeah. It's over $4,000 in bulbs to buy those LED bulbs.
So, >> I would urge you to not give them away.
» No, you're right. You're right. Bad bad idea. Um, and the other thing is I get a
little bit of PTSD when I'm down there and we do 5 4 3 2 1 [laughter]
» and you're like, is it going to work? Is it going to work? Right? you I like
seriously um because everyone's waiting in baited breath so you're like oh
please work um I so I have a little bit of history with this and I I am going to
and this is nothing against you >> we went through something very similar
when we were doing the refresh of the arch and I this was the very thing that
I brought up that the LED is so important so that we can actually do it
digitized and through technology and that was my biggest concern is the
ongoing maintenance of those bulbs, changing it for you guys, it's not
effective. I mean, we do need to bring it into the future, but um I was, you
know, I was the bad guy and I and this is just the only reason I'm saying this
so that everyone can realize on this council that sometimes you need to make
the initial investment so that it doesn't trickle trickle trickle. Now,
here we are and the contracting and all of that stuff is I'm sure it's much more
expensive than what we had looked at and um you know it it just became that
people didn't want us to spend the money and make an investment and it's a very
iconic piece of our history. It is probably the most iconic every I mean I
I would be interesting I bet Rebecca would know and I could find out the
impressions that the arch gets. So, it is the most identifiable piece um in our
city, the people, visitors, and community members. And it's a big place
of gathering. I think it always should have had the the time and attention and
the investment that it truly deserves. It represents us. And I I hate it when I
drive by and I see half of it like there's like a few names. You're like,
"Oh, you know, [laughter] we're, you know," and we make a lot of
fun of it. But in a lot of ways, you know, when visitors come here and they
want to take a picture under the arch and it's not looking great or whatever
that is, I just think um it is sort of part of our front front facing
perception of what we do. And so I would just say be really careful and
thoughtful about and and Travis, you're you're great at this. You know how to do
it. So you're going to know the best way to make this happen. But I just think
it's should not be peacem we did that before. Um, I was against it and uh I
was really worked up over it. Um, so now that it's coming back, I'm glad, but I'm
disappointed that we're here. Um, because it should have been taken care
of a long time ago. Anyway, okay. Um, I'm going to hand it over, Councilwoman
Dur. Yeah. Um, thanks for the attention to the issue. Um, it is iconic and
representative at the same time of us. Um I just wondered you're bringing it
today for information but is there going to be a subsequent item in the budget or
what what's today's timing about >> this? So the timing one it was really a
couple things. Um I've heard from you guys different people over the last year
or so two years about just hey what's going on with this? So we knew that was
important to follow up with you on. Um secondly RDA is going to be bringing
this as one of their items in their CIP proposed lists. So, in the budget next
Wednesday, >> next Wednesday, correct?
» We should expect to see a proposal, >> I believe. So, yes.
» Okay. Yes. >> And then one other thing, um, most
people here don't know this, but at some point, council was requested to vote on
the colors of the arch, and it's not about the bulbs, it's about the paint,
and it's about um the paint and the silver that you mentioned. And uh I was
on the losing side of that vote, but three of us uh wanted to retain the
colors that it was, which included a lot of red. Um which is the re the reason
for the red. Well, historically it was red. You showed some pictures, but the
reason was that it shows up very well against a blue sky. And when it's blue
and silver, it doesn't show up very well as a contrast with a blue sky. It kind
of blends in. So, if you have to redo the colors, I mean, it was very close
vote, just so everybody knows, and we had community input and everything, but
you know how those UNR students are when they want something, they're going to
send in thousands of votes. And they wanted the arch to represent silver and
blue, which I totally understood. It's just from a artistic point of view or
photographic point of view, um, it just doesn't show up as well. So, I'm hoping
in the future if there has to be a conversation, which I won't be
participate, you know, I won't be here. Um, that we reconsider, you know, I love
silver and blue. I'm a graduate of the university, grad, undergrad, all of it.
Uh, but it also could be helped by some contrasting color that would make it
stand out even more from my perspective. So, I just want to share that if it
comes down to it, if we end up polling the community again, uh, we'll see.
Okay. Thanks. All right, Councilwoman Eert.
» Yeah, just >> Sorry, your lights on.
» Yeah. No, no, no. Just um happy to have some uh maintenance on it and
improvements and, you know, anything we do to downtown, I'm excited to to
support. So, it was all Thank you. >> Um Travis, a couple Oh, no. Go ahead. I
see a green light coming over here. >> Yeah. Go ahead, Mr. Mayor. I didn't want
to cut you off. >> No, no, I didn't know if you were going
Yes or no. Go ahead. >> Yeah, I I appreciate the history lesson
and everything that uh you showed. Obviously, the pictures uh are worth
more than a thousand words, and so it really depicts where our history's from.
I'm wondering if you can talk about, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I
think on your third slide, the bottom picture,
that arch is still erected, right, in town, or am I mistaken?
» No, you're not incorrect. This one here, this was moved to Lakeside over by um
the museum. >> Yeah. And I think most folks obviously
know the iconic version, the one on Virginia Street, and that's the one
that's most photographed. But for those that may not be aware, obviously on near
Lake and Mill Street, that intersection that that arch is still erected over
there for those who may want to see it and see that piece of art history um
still up. So, I just wanted to call attention to that. And again, thank you
all for your uh overview of what's happening and looking forward to the
discussion tomorrow. I mean next week, sorry. On the CIP. Yeah.
» For this. >> And a little bit of history. You may not
know this. So the arch that came after this is actually now in a small city in
California. And they they took it apart and obviously made it, you know,
tailored to their city, but it kind of went to good use. So not kind of. I
think it did. I of course I would have loved to have held on this one. This one
is my most favorite. And if you go into my office, you see the R. And a lot of
people don't know that the R is the a throwback from from back in the day. And
so and all those little pins with the R pins um that that's what they're from. I
you guys probably knew that. But this art ended up in a small city in
California and they tailored it to their city. So it did get recycled. So very
cool. Um Travis, just a couple questions I have heard. Um, tell me, are we going
to go out to RFP or are you already just how does that work? Because I know
Yesco, you mentioned them. Are they doing it? Give me a little background
» on the ESCO contract. >> Yeah. So, their contract actually uh is
up again for renewal in July. >> Okay.
» Um, >> can I can I ask you is a bond required
when someone does our um when they do this type of signage because it's
expensive? Give me a little background about that.
» Frank, do you want to >> speak? There's a
» Franka, maintenance operations. >> Frank, good job. I get I get such nice
comments about both of you. >> Oh, yeah.
» But I get a lot about you. >> I do. Um, so it's a it requires a
certain license to work on the arch. >> Is that a bond where you have to It
costs money? >> I believe so. Yeah. Okay. So, it's not
not every sign company can work on the arch.
» Yeah. And um just because I know Yesco has worked on it for many many years and
I know we're going to go up to contract and I know that possibly you know it's
intricate. They've worked on it for many many years. Um and so it's got it's
pretty intricate. Yeah. >> It's got a lot of
» I mean I've heard stories about what's inside.
» It's complex. Yeah. >> We could start some fun rumors of what's
inside the arch. What do you guys think? [laughter]
» Might be creepy. So, if I can add >> might be some money in there.
» Might be something we [laughter] don't want to see. So, if I if I can add real
quick, I get a lot of calls over the years from um uh middle schools and
nonprofits that can't afford >> the $4,000 to change the arch and stuff.
So, there's a bit of a a bit accessibility issue.
» Yeah. And it leaves the community very negative.
» Yeah. >> Yeah.
» And I thought it'd be really fun to get kids and everything more downtown. So,
» I love it. I love it. I just wanted to understand that process of how we select
someone because a lot of our smaller sign companies always say that they feel
um that they haven't been included. And so I wanted to kind of just
» let them know um you know what our process is and how that works and how we
can work with smaller sign companies so we can spread the love. But I also know
like I said it's very um that >> that arch is pretty intricate. So we
when we advertise, we pick up the phone, we I call people. This is going to come
out for an RFP and stuff. Let everybody know. And u last time we got only one
» contractor. So >> yeah. Well, thanks Frank. Really
appreciate it. >> And Madame Mayor, um before the folks
leave, I just want to be clear on the process. You you acted as if we're
moving forward, but this is something that we have to consider amongst all
priorities in the RDA budget for RDA1, right? And so we haven't decided to move
forward or we haven't decided if we can afford to move forward this year. I
mean, it's obviously urgent. We've talked about for a long time, but I just
wanted to be clear. We have to adopt a budget for RDA that would include this
project, right? >> Travis Fuel, director of maintenance
operations. That is correct. This is this is not a commitment by this body
right now to move forward with anything. Um, really, it's just providing the
information, an update. >> Appreciate it. Okay. Thanks. Let's just
say it it does get approved. Travis, when would you start and when would it
be finish? >> Well, I am delighted to say that I would
probably not be managing the project. It would it would be coming through RDA and
um they have a project manager who's very competent, Dan Presley, and I
believe he would be taking the lead on that. Um I can't really answer time
frame questions right now. I'm not >> super uh
» Miss Tney probably knows. I can't see her over there. What do you What are you
thinking? What's the time frame? or you can just yell it to me and I'll
put it on the record. [laughter]
» It's a whole thing. >> It's a whole thing. Um Ashley, attorney,
assistant city manager for the record. Uh Madame Mayor, as Travis mentioned, it
is listed as one of the many options for this body to review next week on your
CIP plan. Um, in theory, if you were to move that up in the list and vote to
move forward, those funds are available starting July 1. And based off of
importance from this council and how you rank those things, we would move forward
with putting out that bid pretty quickly.
» Do you know how long it would take as >> Yeah. Do you know how long?
» So, we have an estimation. We've learned we could probably get it turned around
within four to six months. So, it's something that we could move forward
pretty quickly if the body decides to move it up in the list. As I mentioned,
there are a lot of needs. Um, so that will be going to the RAB on Monday and
then coming to you next Wednesday to discuss.
» Okay. And do you have to close off the street and stuff like that? Like what
does that entail? So because I don't think it's just that easy, like we just
get to work and you're good to go. >> Correct. Yes. Um, so it would be pretty
significant. We would have to shut down the road for some period of time. We
would need to redo a lot of the sidewalk as well from the electrical. Um, much of
the electrical that goes to the arch actually runs halfway up Hara from a
property line standpoint. So there'd be some sidewalk replacement involved. and
we would work closely with public works and RTC for the microobility project to
make sure that we're working in tandem around that timeline if you choose to go
this route. >> Okay, got it. And cost
» uh we have an estimate right now about a million and a half dollars is what we
anticipate. >> Wow.
» And as a reminder that is not a replacement for the arch. This is just a
modernization of the lighting components. Um does not include a
reskin, does not include movement, change any of the exterior. It is purely
just the modernization of the light functionality to replace two LED lights
that we could change with an app and then re-evaluating that neon to decide
if we go to phone neon and then have one of our local artists do something with
the existing neon. >> Wow. Well, we should pull up those past
documents because I think it was half of that when we looked at it.
» Yes, we've seen massive increases in that time period.
» I mean, I know things are much more expensive and all of that. I'm just
saying like again it speaks to you know don't let it drip drip drip invest in it
and then you're not jaw >> things are not getting any cheaper.
» Okay. >> Could you explain about the neon? I I I
didn't follow that part with the electrical.
» So as u director Truh Hill mentioned whenever we get so much as a due the
neon shorts out there is no known solve for that. We've looked at uh neon
artists, collectors using Yesco as our contractor. No one has been able to
figure out how to fix it. And that's just due to the nature of
» Can they put the picture back up? Uh just tell us which part is the neon?
» Reno. >> The Reno.
» Reno word. >> Yeah. So it's the Reno part. You can see
here on the top left hand side of the pink neon. Uh when we [snorts] get a
little bit of moisture in the air, you'll drive by and it will say retro.
And [laughter] uh so Scooby-Doo is sad. front row.
» And so there is no known fix for that. There technology has come quite a ways
since we first looked at this. And there's some really incredible faux neon
that's an opportunity for lighting and we would have the ability to change that
lighting as well as the LED under lights as well.
» Um and then we would propose taking that original neon and turning it into
something a cool art project if we could find I'm sure Will would have
» and when you present this if you do because I don't know where it is in any
number. Um, can we separate out the light the light bulb part of the project
from the neon part? It may be possible to do one without fixing the whole
thing. I mean, in other words, break it into components that are manageable
instead of this million and a half. Yeah, we can ask um if that's the
direction of the body, we can look at that. And just as the reminder, the
there is no known fix for when it shorts out, but we can
» No, but I mean versus it's just going to short out from time to time, but versus
replacing the whole making the neon decision right now as part of the LED
decision, it may be that we have to break it into two pieces.
» Yep. We'll see if we can get some updated quotes going into that or once
the body gives some direction. >> Okay.
» Yeah. And um I think you know we don't talk about a lot. We talk about the
appearance of it, the aesthetics and actually you know it with a lot of
people that cross there and drive through there the infrastructure and the
whole structure of of that arch is really important to keep in good working
order so that you don't have pieces that are flying off and those kinds of
things. We rarely talk about that. you again it everyone wants to see it shiny
and and we love that but there's another component which is the safety component
too but I think you guys have done a phenomenal job because I know that it's
um been outdated for so long and you've just made it work curious how long how
how long Travis does it take to I'm curious how long does it take for um
someone from your department to change those bulbs that should be a trivia
question >> fuel director maintenance operations.
Um, what I've seen, so we're our department is not actually doing that.
We don't have the ability just to tie up people to do it.
» We have the bucket trucks and equipment, but we found out that it's more cost
effective to hire that out. So, that's part of work we'll hire out.
» Yeah. >> Typically, it's Yesco. Um, and it's
taking a good good part of a day >> change out.
» You think eight hours? >> Yeah.
» Yeah. Okay. All right. Thanks so much. Okay. Any other questions for Travis?
No. All right. We are not taking any action, but we really appreciate the
presentation. Good job. Exciting. >> Okay. Good job, Frank.
» Okay. >> All right, Madam Mayor. Moving on to
item C5. Charlie 5. >> Perfect.
» Madame Mayor, I had a briefing on this as I think we all did. I'm not sure we
need a presentation unless my colleagues disagree.
» Okay, I'm fine with that. Um, anything? Okay. Um, can I get a motion?
» Move to approve. >> Thank you. I have a motion. I have a
Second. >> Second. All those in favor say I. All
those opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Okay.
» Madame clerk, >> are we doing a break or we just
» No, we're going to keep move. We're going to keep moving on. We're not going
to take a break. If you want to get up and take a break, please do so. Just um
pay attention and I don't want to lose quorum, but we're not going to stop
today. >> Okay.
» All right, Madame Mayor. Moving on to item F1 in ordinance adoption to be read
by the city attorney. >> Okay. Mr. Carl Hall, take it away.
» Thank you, Madam Mayor. Ordinance adoption. Ordinance number 6735,
ordinance to amend title 5, chapter 5.90, article 2 of the Reno Municipal
Code entitled collection and transportation of solid waste and
recyclable materials repealing section 5.90.070
entitled franchise fees together with matters which pertain to or are
necessarily connected therewith. >> I have a a a motion second.
» I have a second. All those in favor say for comment. I just want to make sure
everybody knows it's not about the fee. It's about that removal of that section.
Okay. Okay. All those in favor say I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries
unanimously. >> Madame clerk.
» Item G1, which is uh an appointment or reappointment of two individuals to the
Truckucky Meadows Regional Planning Commission.
» Okay. May I have a motion? >> Yeah, Madame Mayor. Um, I looked I I
don't see council member Eert unless she's just in the facilities, but um I
looked at the staff report, but I also checked in in past practice and it seems
like this is about appointing a member from the planning commission to the
regional planning commission. And um my understanding is that some of the
members of the um commission have not yet served. And I think that proposal
from the planning commission was to or possible was to reappoint Mr. Velto who
I think's done a great job. Okay. >> But I also think that um we should give
everyone a chance. >> I don't believe that's the
recommendation. >> No, I'm saying
the recommendation. >> I'm explaining
» whatever the recommendation is. >> Yeah. Okay.
» Yes. Move to approve the >> recommendation. A second. Please don't
interrupt me. I'm still in my time. >> Okay. No, no, go ahead. I'm just saying.
» Hold on, Councilwoman. >> Yeah.
» I I asked for what the recommendation was and I didn't I I wasn't intended to
skirt you. I was listening and then I heard you say yes, whatever the
recommendation is. So, that's where I jumped ahead. So, go ahead. Take it
away. >> I was saying despite the recommendation.
» Got it. Oh, I thought you said no. I'll go with the recommendation. Okay. So, um
I asked um some folks like it sounds like there's a seniority thing at play
as well and um you know who's been there longest, the second longest, and who's
already served and who hasn't served. And I I'm just going to share my
perspective that I think all of our boards, whether it's this board or the
NABS or any board that we have, a lot of them are for training. A lot of them
have um experience component. So anyway, um you know, I I would support the
Christina Delvr um and I guess she was recommended for a short threemonth
appointment or something is what I read. And um I would recommend Manny Basera.
And look, the group I I heard some discussion may not agree with me, but
that I just went into seniority and who hasn't served yet. I don't think it's a
popularity thing. >> Who hasn't served?
» Um well, Manny. Um, I talked to my representative who declined to serve
again to be reappointed. >> Okay.
» Um, and >> and you're on the board.
» No, no. >> Oh, no. Okay. I have two council members
that are on the board. >> No, no. This is Megan is the liaison.
» Oh, okay. All right. >> Okay. All All I'm saying is my
perspective. People don't have to agree with me, but
» totally. All right. I'm coming from um Councilman Ree. Uh, Madame Mayor, I'll
move to appoint Christina Del VR uh to the unexpired term of the prior member
who declined to be appointed and Miss Tina Gofantini.
» Second. >> Okay. I have a motion and a second. All
those in favor say I. >> I. All those opposed.
» Motion carries unanimously. >> Okay. Uh, Madame Clerk.
» Item G2, appointment five.
» Thank you so much. >> Reese, go ahead. Madame Mayor, I'll move
to appoint Abby Logtog to the um body. She was previously an alternate. And
then my two alternates will be James Cooper and Veronica Gearhard.
» Okay. Thank you so much. I have a motion. I have a second. All those in
favor say I. All those opposed. Motion carries unanimously.
» Madame clerk. >> All right, Madame Mayor, if you would
like to go into city council comments. We're on item H1.
» All right. Any comments? All right. We're going to move on. Madame Mayor.
» Yes. Go ahead. >> May I ask, did you make the appointments
to the regional planning commission? Can we please reconsider since I'm the the
liaison to the board? I didn't realize that was going to happen. I had to run
to the restroom. >> Sure. We we can reconsider. Um we did
vote so I don't know if it'll change anything. Okay.
» We had a little bit of discussion. Naomi has some very very good reasoning. Okay.
Okay. Um, but if you want to and I think we would have to re
» Can we take a motion for reconsideration? Yes.
» Well, can we also say what the vote was? It was for Miss Gill and Tini and for
Miss Delv VR. >> Okay. For which terms?
» Miss Delvr was for the unexpired term which is three months and then Miss
Goffini was for a full term. >> Okay. Yeah. I'd like to ask for
reconsideration. Thank you. >> Go ahead. Uh, what do you couns?
» Uh, yeah. Motion. >> I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries.
» Oh. Um, >> no, that's okay.
» No, I'm going to give her the um floor and so you can
» I'm sorry. What was that vote? >> We we're doing a reconsideration.
» Everybody voted yes. >> Yes.
» Okay. Sorry. Thank you. So, um I just as the council liaison to
that board and um with Christina being nominated last time and the council um
not supporting her um the planning commission's nomination to move her to
the regional planning commission last year. I would like to support her uh
appointment to the three-year position um uh based off of uh seniority and
again she had been um nominated last year and the um council for some reason
disregarded the planning commission's nomination. So um again based on
seniority um I would like to move her forward on the planning commission um
and uh com uh commissioner Bera for the three-month term.
» Okay. Thank you so much. All right. Um, Miss Eert has made a motion. All those
» second. >> In favor say I.
» All those opposed. >> Voted I.
» Okay. >> Motion carries.
» Do you want another motion? >> I'm sorry. Motion Motion fails. Okay. Go
ahead. >> You want a second motion for Mina?
» We I I I don't know if we should entertain
another motion unless you're willing to give one. Councilwoman Eert. Do you want
to give a different motion? Um well uh
» the board the commission sorry the council suggested Tina um Gianianti tini
I'm sorry I'm messing the word up. >> Yeah. Um okay I'll make a motion for uh
commissioner Delvr for the three-year term and um I'm so sorry. Can you help
me pronounce >> Gavianini for the remainder of
» you have actually a longstanding name here in Reno. Yeah, for the remainder of
uh Commissioner Roar Meer's term. >> Okay, I'll second.
» So, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.
» I. >> All those opposed?
» Nay. >> Okay. So, we're going to go back. I'm
going to make a motion for um the um Miss I I'll make the motion. So, I would
like to make a motion for Miss Gy and Tiny and
uh is it Delvar? >> Delvr.
» Delvr. Is that how you pronounce it? >> Okay. Um,
» Geoffentini for the full term and Delvr for the
» remaining term. >> I'll second.
» Okay. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I.
» All those opposed. >> Opposed.
» Motion carries. >> Yeah. I'd like to make [clears throat]
comments, too. I'm just ahead. um extremely disappointed in um just kind
of
not going with the norm of appointing the members of seniority and also um not
allowing [clears throat] more representation for W 4, which remains to
be um the ward with the most area um geographically and um the most
development coming in. And I think it's the area that it that um deserves the
most representation and um I'm just disappointed in this board's decision to
not um provide more representation for that community. Thank you.
» Thank you for the comments. Okay, moving on, Madame Clerk.
» All right, Madame Mayor, we're going to open the redevelopment agency.
» All right.
» Okay. My favorite part of the day, >> the redevelopment agency board for
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. >> Rachel,
» loving the pink. Okay. Um, >> our first item today is roll call.
» Okay. Yes, please call the role. >> Council member Taylor
» here. >> Dor
» here. >> Martinez absent at this time. Eert
» here. >> Reese
» here. >> Anderson
» here. Sheavy >> here. Madame Mayor, you do have a quorum
of the redevelopment agency board. Moving on to item A3, which is public
comment. I do not have any registered and have not received any
correspondence. Item A4 is approval of the agenda.
» Move to approve. >> I have a motion. Second. I have a
second. All those in favor say I. All those opposed. Motion carries
unanimously. >> Item A5 is acceptance of minutes. Move
to approve. >> I have a motion. Second.
» I have a second. All those in favor say I.
» All those opposed. Motion carries. Okay, we are going to uh move on to B1
and um this is the adoption of the rebrand. I'm hearing really really good
things about this. So, I'm super excited to see what what it looks like and and
all the razledazzle before I want to um I do want to recognize how hard you guys
worked for Western Lights. Rachel again like hit it out of the park. Poor Ashley
knows. I mean, I think Ashley and I have had knockdown dragout fights about
downtown activation, activation, activation. And I know she's like, I'm
gonna do it. I'm gonna get it done. And I just, again, you knocked it out of the
park. Um, I got to see some of the installations. It was fantastic. Um, I
was incognito because I was so cold, so I bundled up a ton. But I just I I can't
um stress how it's becoming such a highlight in the community and bringing
people together of all walks of life and all different artists. And so I know
Ashley's feeling like a proud mama. Am I right? Right. She is. [laughter] So um
thank you. And uh I would just say any way we can possibly bring in more and
more artists and be inclusive and just I just think you just put on such an
incredible display. I didn't get to see Come on up. I didn't get to see you guys
and maybe um you did. I know Kathleen went and uh Devon,
» but at the church, >> which was super exciting. Can you just
talk about that because I do want people to realize that their effort to really
make that space um be something special? So maybe you could talk.
» Yeah. U Madam Clerk, I think we're probably still on public comment.
» We are. So we're good. >> That's my thought. um Ashley Attorney,
assistant city manager for the record and I have Rachel McIntyre,
[clears throat] placemaking manager with me who can talk in more detail about
Western Lights and what we saw from people number of artists and the work
that she did. This is truly her brainchild of uh she came to me and
said, "I want to create something in the shoulder season and we have our downtown
action plan that this body adopted that recommended creating a new legacy event
in downtown." And so I'm very proud of the work that Rachel's done because this
is her grit that has pulled it off the ground and turned it into something
truly magical and the support of this body as you have
» long commented on the importance of activation in downtown and especially
outside of our typical event season. Uh, one of the things as you mentioned,
Madame Mayor, is the old movie theater is now known as a project called
Reforma. And we're very excited about this project is it's actually going to
be nine different tenants that will be going into that space. Uh, there'll be
obviously a worship space, but there's also going to be retailers and coffee
shops and a restaurant, uh, childcare facilities. And they did a wonderful
job, I thought, of really opening up that facility to the community. And they
really integrated in as part of Western Lights. They had the biggest little
circus was present. Uh renderings of what they're planning on doing with the
project. Had Shushboom serving local beer in the back corner and lots of DJ
options for kids. >> So they are really proving to be an
active part of the downtown fabric and want to make sure that they are
incorporating in and bringing in a lot of the things that we've been asking for
from some of the businesses in our downtown core. So, we're excited about
that project. And then I'll let Rachel talk more about the work that she's done
with Western Lights and our artist count, what we had this year, the
expanded footprint. Um, and then you can give them some news about the board and
where that's transitioning to. >> Okay. Awesome. Love it. Are did you get
rest? >> Yes.
» I I [laughter] always feel like you don't sleep for a few weeks before and
after. >> That is very accurate. Um, I'll start
first with just some gratitude to this board. um none of this would be possible
without your vision, direction, and trust. And then of course the financial
contributions. So we greatly appreciate being able to get an event in an
organization like Western Lights off the ground to benefit the entire community
of Reno. Um and I think that for us as an organization and as a city uh was is
my favorite part is when you look around downtown Reno and you see folks that are
truly representative of our entire community. Um it's it's a highlight.
It's a glow. Um, and so thank you. Uh, this event wouldn't have been possible
first and foremost without your support. We also had tremendous support from the
Downtown Reno Partnership and snow removal. Uh, Naom out there like salting
the sidewalks for us. >> Yes, I was so worried for you.
» You should have been [laughter] very people realize how much you stress.
» It um, it was fascinating. We lost effectively 2 and 1/2 days of build um,
just removing snow. And so I also would like to uh recognize City of Reno and
our street supervisor, specifically Matt Bo, for all of his support and resource
and helping us pull that off. We were shocked that we actually opened on
Thursday, but we did. >> And on Thursday, in, you know, we had
two record-breaking snowfall days. And despite that, we still had preliminary
numbers. We'll have final numbers next week, but on Thursday, in the middle of
a snowstorm, we had just over 5,000 people from our community come out. Can
you believe that? >> In the middle of a snowstorm.
» In the middle of a snowstorm. Um this year we were really excited to expand
with more time we had the opportunity to expand our community partnerships. One
that we wanted to highlight is we had an informal partnership with UNR. We had
three departments from the University of Reno, Nevada represented this year. We
worked with the art department um on projection arts um inside of one of our
vacant retail storefronts downtown. And we were very grateful for that and um
grateful to the property owner who allowed us the use of his space and his
power to bring that space to life. We also had um UNR athletics. We did an
activation in partnership with the Whitney Peak on the climbing wall. We
had UNR cheer football and basketball represented. Um and then last but
certainly not least, um the planetarium took over the projection mapping dome at
West Street Plaza on Thursday. So, we're excited about bringing the university
more into the downtown core as this body is set as a priority. Um and we're
excited to continue that work through Western Lights Festival. In addition to
that, the support of the small business community in the downtown core uh was a
big priority for us this year. Hence the partnership with Reforma, Sierra Tap
House, Bull Bridge Pub, um goodness, the Eddie. Uh I'm going to miss a bunch. Um
the spot. Um and we're really grateful for their support both in donations of
lunches and meals to our volunteer and build crew uh and also opening up their
spaces in the middle of winter to take a risk on a very cool event. So, [snorts]
um, we are still awaiting final numbers, um, on attendance, but as it shows right
now, preliminary, we're looking somewhere around 60,000, trending
similar to last year, which we're very excited about. Um, we had over 50 art
installations this year. Uh, we had 51 to be specific art installations. 65% of
those were from local Reno artists. Um, we also represented three countries this
year, bringing in international art, helping to put Reno as a public art hub
on the map. Um, in addition to the physical and visual art that we had, we
had 82 live entertainment performances. Um, and that's everything from nonprofit
circuses like Biggest Little Circus to bands and DJs and buskers. Um, it was
truly a sight to be seen for Reno. So, thank you all so much for your support.
Uh, Western Lights is now establishing as an independent 501c3 as a result of
the support that it's received from the community. Uh they have an incredible
board that they've assembled. Um I'll be able to be an amazing volunteer and
continue to support. Um and we're excited. Um but yeah, the board that
they're putting together is phenomenal. They do have open board seats. I would
be remiss if I didn't just share that publicly. So if you're interested, stay
tuned for more information on that. Um and we're very excited to work with this
body on what the future of the event looks like for the community throughout
the year and expanding into the Midtown District and Brewery District in 2027 as
well. >> Yeah, that's awesome. Who's the
executive director? >> Uh, we are waiting to vote on that.
Right now, our project director is Megan Miller. She served as the comm's
director for Burning Man or for 12 years.
» I know Megan very well. She's amazing. I didn't know that.
» Yes. So, she is also um she has her background in place making and urban
development. So, she is phenomenal asset. Um, and we have a ton of other
folks. We have Ian Xavier is a creative director. Uh, he's from the Grand
Artique. He also serves on the board. Luca Starmer, who's a professor at UNR
in digital production, Marbel Garcia, uh Miranda Carter, Steve Emmerick, uh who
is just a staple in our community for music and culture. So,
» oh my god, I think that is incredible. And Megan actually um spoke has spoken a
few times at the Conference of Mayors. She's she's impressive and she's kind
and she loves art and she is just an a shining star in our community. That's
amazing. We would love um to do something special for them. So maybe we
can talk about having them come to council and talk a little bit about the
project and things that they need in the community because I think a lot of
people are seeing something like this for the first time. Um except if some of
us have been to Burning Man, Ashley's been to Burning Man, Devon's been to
Burning Man. But I think a lot of people say it's so great. I could never afford
to go out there. It's not accessible or whatever. I've been working. you know,
they they said this just feels like it's a piece of Burning Man that they get to
experience, though it's not Burning Man, but it they feel like, is this what
Burning Man's like? And so, it's a core ethos for the organization is really
learning to inspire our community and specifically our youth at the
intersection of art and technology, and that's, you know, they're on a mission.
And to see kids walk up to Hot Shot the Robot and be like, "Wow, mommy, that's
so cool." And also in their minds to know like you too could create a robot.
Um, and that child may have had no other access to that art or that magic or that
technology before and this festival gives them that opportunity. So,
» well, I think it's fantastic. Go ahead, Councilman Ree.
» Thank you so much. Um, I think you know how very inspired I was by the work that
you and all of the people that you've mentioned have done. Uh, you especially
though have carried the torch and so thank you for that. I was one of those
weird people who was there all three nights and I um wanted to go on
different nights at different times to sort of understand what the different
feel was. And certainly the first night there was an element of magic to it
because there had been this snowstorm. It was snowing at various times and it
added uh to all of the sparkle. It was incredible. But I share with my
colleagues a couple of comments. One is I ran into folks who live here in town,
lived in Demani Ranch and they re laid to me that they had chosen to uh rent a
hotel room downtown for three nights uh because they wanted to be present for
all of the festival and they wanted to be you know didn't want to miss a minute
of it. So that tells me that it struck a cord if people are going to stay
downtown although they live in town. Um that really is anecdotal but I think
represents the broader buyin that's happening in the community. And then the
second one was I had a conversation with the artist who is from Canada who had
just come from Portland and he Paul I think and he did the Venus fly trap
which is was lit up. Um and we had a lot of conversations about his different
experience between his time in Portland and his time here because they had just
come from Portland and first of all in Portland it rained the whole time so at
least we had snow and not rain. Um and he just said what an incredible
community that this is. It's welcomed him the enthusiasm. Um he said it was
quite well organized. He said artists aren't always real good about like
signing the right forms and doing all the things. And he said that uh you all
had helped all these artists to really showcase their art. I I was also uh
really encouraged. Um I don't know all the musical artists that you had. There
were so very many and there were I think at least I think I counted five
different stages different types of music. I went from everything from
regatone trap music uh bandas music. there was um some different kinds of EDM
music. So, it seemed like it appealed to a very broad cross-section. Um I saw
Josie Rock was there um and had was doing art and and selling art. Uh Jerry
Snider's uh iconic piece which was along the river outside of the uh Ren Reform
» Reform uh was the stained glass series. It's stunningly beautiful. I saw someone
who comment about the lit up palm treeesque things and of course last year
we had a different version of it but both of those would be like perfect
permanent installations. I look everything about it was just incredible.
Um I will also give great thanks to our RPD partners. Um officer Blount was down
there and um I'm a big fan. Um, but I got to check in with him and talk to him
about, you know, safety and related issues and it was just um, everyone was
happy to be down there. There wasn't a lot of uh, mischief going on and and it
it really was exceptional. Um, I will say one thing for um, what I think there
would be a great opportunity at some point in time to do a deep dive on what
worked, what didn't, all those kind of things. For my part, I think 10 was
maybe a little too early to cut off all the fun. Um, so maybe I'd be looking for
it to be later. Um, because it was interesting because the second night I
went, um, I was coming from another event. So I left that event about like
9:30 and then went down there. And by the time I had just gotten excited about
seeing all of it, it was over. And so, um, I I know there's some moment where
you have to cut off all the fun. Um, but it could go a little later. Uh, and of
course I'm excited at the opportunity to expand it into Midtown, into the brewery
district, up to the university. It really should be a a sort of a multi
maybe a week-long festival that celebrates a lot of that interplay
between technology and art. Uh because that's like cutting edge. It's not
happening other places. Um and again, I I am so grateful for you for your
leadership. You have taken the kind of things that we kind of had thought
bubbles about and actually now gone and done them. So tremendous job. I I just
couldn't be more excited. I didn't hear the numbers cuz you and you may not have
them all, but I wouldn't be surprised if we outgrew last year's event and um
obviously um numbers don't tell the entire story, but it is one metric. But
I every night I was down there, it was bigger than the first night and the on
social media it was just very popular. So, uh incredible job. Congratulations.
And if this body would like to encourage us to revisit the special event code
around what time special events have to end and get it extended till 11 p.m. I
know our proer community would be very happy about that. So you just let us
know. >> Yes, we have Miss Turney put it on the
agenda. >> Thank you so much.
» I love I see your face is all red, Rachel, but honestly fantastic job. You
should really know that. Um, I know I Devon does a really good job of
appreciating people. I always see that from you and um, so I just need you to
know that I'm just hearing wonderful, wonderful things throughout the
community. >> Awesome.
» So, congratulations. >> Thank you.
» You did it again. And I think you're getting tested with the weather and all
these things and you're like, "No, I got this. I got this. I can do it." So, you
make it look easy, which I >> moved a lot of snow.
» Yeah, I know [laughter] you did. You did. So,
» but next year maybe we can put the snow and make like I you know sculptures or
igloos or something with it. We'll have like that component if we get snow we'll
turn it into a little component of that. Right.
» I did see where they have these snow plows. I think it's in Europe and they
they take this. Did you see that? They do blocks and they take it in and then
they also do snowballs. >> Oh, that's cool.
» And so they line the streets with snowballs.
» You send that to me. We'll figure it out.
» Yeah. [laughter] We can't afford that truck but we'll be
out there. Brandy and I, we can roll and Kathleen, we can keep rolling the
snowballs. Anyway, >> awesome.
» Great job. >> Thank you all so much. We appreciate it.
» Love it. Okay, Madam Clerk. Sorry, I just needed to do that.
» That's okay. We're back on item B1, boy on the redevelopment agency.
» Okay, take it away, Brian. >> All right, thank you. Uh, good
afternoon. What time is it? Yeah, good afternoon, Madame Mayor. Uh, agency
board Brian Mardo Revitalization. >> 7 o'clock.
» It's not 7 o'clock. Yeah, that's for sure. Um we are bringing back before you
uh the one of the final steps in the agency rebrand uh and that is to
finalize the new agency name uh the color palette and some of the icon
options um so that we can uh wrap up the rebrand process and launch the new uh
agency brand. And so why rebranding the RDA uh is
important uh as the agency has been dormant for about 15 years. You notice
the only uh mark that we have at the moment is that I call it the save by the
bell logo up in the right hand corner [laughter]
or the jazz solo cup if everyone remembers the old solo cups. Uh this
logo sold we don't even have a digital copy. There's probably a floppy disc
somewhere uh in a box that actually has the the soft version of this logo. So I
think that's a a scanned copy. Um but as we come out of 15 years of dormcy, we
want to make a big splash. We want people to know what the redevelopment
agency is, what it's doing, and the role that it plays in the community. And so
it was deemed that a rebrand would be an option uh to do that. And so with this
rebrand, the agency will be uh modernized. It will be proactive. It'll
go out into the not only the local community but also nationally to attract
investors, developers, tell the story of what is happening in our region from an
investment placemaking uh redevelopment perspective and hopefully bring some
dollars and some interest and some new uh place-based economic development into
the region. And last, with the new brand, people will know what we do. We
can educate people on the the programs and opportunities. uh the tools that we
have drive engagement and so with a new brand is a great opportunity to
reintroduce ourselves to not only local community but national players uh and be
proactive in telling them about who we are as a region. And so what the agency
board is being asked to do today, uh when we brought this item board in
October, uh we settled on a logo um icon identity, but it was asked by this body
that we go in back in the consult and review some other color pallet options
that mainly incorporate some city of Reno uh existing color options. But the
items today before you is to formally adopt the new agency name. It would be a
doing business as the Reno Redevelopment and Placemaking Agency also known as
REIUP. And so it's just like RSCVA and Edon have have longer names but they
have shorter names. That's how we would operate in this scenario. So we'd be
known as REIUP but uh doing business as the Reno Redevelopment and Placemaking
Agency. Uh we're also asking you today to select the final visual identity in
the color palette and then the option A or B of the icon styles.
And so what is included in this rebrand? As I mentioned, it's a new name. Uh it's
adopting the color palette and those icons. What it won't do is the legal
name of the agency will not change. It will still be uh on paper the Reno
Redevelopment Agency, but it will be a DBA operating as the Reno uh
redevelopment placemaking agency. Uh so this doesn't change any statutory
authority, doesn't change the the plan at all. Uh no change to the programs and
policies. This is just essentially a rebrand in how we present ourselves to
the world. So the DBA uh I mentioned this a lot
already. Uh it allows us a great opportunity to reint reintroduce
ourselves uh to the world. Uh have a great approachable brand where we where
it isn't deemed completely as the city which is more institutional. It's more
proactive. Uh lets people know that we're willing to work with them and
achieve whatever plans that they have um within within the redevelopment areas.
These are the color palette options that residents put together after that
October meeting. Uh option one was the was the original one we brought forward.
Uh this body asked to go back and incorporate some city of Reno blue
color. So those are options two and three.
We call option one ponderosa pine. Uh I think Paul Klein the agency advisory
board chaired mentioned um that in his comments this morning.
Our consultant resonance uh recommends that we not go with blue uh mainly
because it it washes in with all the other existing logos throughout the
region. Uh we love our silver and blue. We love our Nevada colors. Uh there are
a lot of icons, logos and organizations that use this color scheme already. The
fear is that we would just be lost in the mix. Uh when we want to be
proactive, go out into the world, tell people what we're doing, want a splashy
logo, a splashy brand. uh this with going with blue would come across a bit
more institutional than what would be uh uh preferred. Uh it doesn't signal a lot
of change. It's kind of a bit of the status quo. And so resident's
recommendation was to go with the green color palette. Uh the RAB saw this
earlier this month. Uh the RAB recommendation of this body was
unanimous was to continue with this green color palette option. Um green
means go. Uh it highlights the sort of mountain town community that we're we're
starting to uh believe we are. Uh and with this new green color, it kind of
sense it gives the idea that this is something new, vibrant, and exciting.
» It's growing. >> It's growing. We're growing. Uh the icon
styles in your packet was the complete uh packet from residents that include a
lot of examples of how these icons could be incorporated from reports to street
banners uh to swag. Uh it was asked that we bring a couple options back. Option A
was uh closer to the original proposal. Option B is a little bit more expanded
block icon. Uh the RAB did see this as well and the RAB's recommendation was to
go with option A. Uh and so just to reiterate what the RAB's recommendation
of this body, the RAB recommended the approve this body uh adopt the Ponderosa
pine green color palette. >> Bless you.
» And then go with option A on the icons. And so that with that I'll put the
motion in front of you. Um >> okay.
» And I'm happy to answer any question. >> Thank you so much. All right. Any motion
to approve? Go ahead. So uh Councilwoman Der made a motion. Councilman Ree
second. All those in favor say I. >> I.
» All those opposed. Motion carries unanimously. Um, sorry,
» Councilwoman Anderson. >> Did you want to?
» No. >> Manager for the
» Sorry, your lights on. >> Yeah, I apologize.
» Clarifying that uh the redevelopment board would like to move forward with
option that the RAB recommended of Ponderosa Pine and option A for icons.
» Great. Thank you so much. That's what we >> Yeah, you've made staff recommendation.
» Yes. Thank you. Okay. >> Yeah. And I want to add that I think
it's a good job and thank you for taking the time to look at the options. Uh the
only thing I might have thought was where you're using the teal was to use
one of the colors out of the palette which is maybe the yellow because the
yellow is the biggest part of our current logo. Not blue, not light blue,
not silver, but the gold. But probably green and gold represents some team
somewhere that's some other city, some other university. And maybe that's why
they didn't even think about it. I don't know.
» I'll add that there is an expansive color palette that residence does have.
It incorporates a lot of the city of Reno yellows and blues. Okay.
» Uh as secondary color options. >> What I saw was a number of the icons,
too. >> Yeah.
» I I just think they did a good job. So, >> thank you.
» Okay. All right, we're good. Good job.
» Awesome. >> Okay. Um,
now we need this one. >> Two more.
» Yeah. >> Oh, we need two. Council Der,
» I'm sorry. >> B2.
Okay. What? Where? >> We're on item B2 on the redevelopment
agency board acceptance of the downtown action plan.
» Okay. Go ahead. >> All right. Uh, thank you.
» I'm wondering like are you waiting for me? I'm waiting for you. What are we
doing? Okay, go ahead, Brian. We've been waiting a month and a half.
» As far as your usual, you stay up there and then we go into the next, but you
sat down, so I'm like, what? >> Go ahead.
» All right. Uh, Brian Mard, >> getting all red. [laughter]
» Uh, revitalization manager. So, what we'd like to do now is bring an update
on the downtown action plan. Uh this is the the organizing document that uh was
done in 2016 that has directed a lot of the actions that we have taken over the
last decade uh in our downtown area. Uh many of you were around in 2015 16 when
this was approved. Uh I sat on the steering committee for this as well in
my role at Edon. Um but this was the the the plan to drive our downtown when
everyone says we need direction on where we are taking our downtown. Uh and Puma
was brought in from Denver. I remember uh Brad Seagull. Does everyone remember
Brad Seagull? >> Yeah.
» Um >> he came in with his team. Uh lots of
engagement, lots of discussions and this document
» had 52 implementation items when they left. Uh and this document um we've been
using to to identify what changes need to be done within the downtown area.
And so why review this plan? Now, uh, this we just want to note that everyone
hates to see a plan get done and no action be done against that plan. I'm
happy to say that we're about twothirds of the way done with everything
recommended inside this plan. So, it didn't sit on the shelf. There was
actually a lot of activities um achieved. Uh, this plan was essentially
uh proposed to drive the next 5 to seven years in downtown. It's been nine years.
If we take two years off for the pandemic, we're probably right where we
should be. Uh so it's been nine years. A lot of agencies have played their role
in achieving the goals of this plan from the downtown Reno partnership which
didn't really exist before this plan was adopted. RTC, University of Nevada, the
city of Reno, and now RDA has re-entered the space in the last year or so. And so
we're all doing things that that achieve the goals of this plan. Um I'll also
note that a lot has changed since 2016. Uh we didn't have a business improvement
district. We had a police special assessment and a maintenance special
assessment. And what the creation with the new business improvement district
did is it sunset the police special assessment, sunset the maintenance
special assessment, and created a new assessment for the downtown area. That
was the business improvement district. So, we have that created now. That is
managed by the DRP, the downtown re partnership. Um, this plan recommended
that housing could be one of the most transformative elements in achieving the
future of downtown. And so I'm happy to say we have we've had over a thousand
new housing units delivered uh since then. Uh no coincidence that that city
council this body uh approved that thousand homes initiative and we h now
have a thousand homes. Many of those were applicants in that program. Uh and
we have another thousand in the pipeline. So we're achieving a lot of
housing coming online. Some of it's affordable, some of it's for seniors. uh
but I call it mixed income multi-generational mixeduse housing
which is what we wanted to see. Uh river and public realm investments were
mentioned a lot. We're now seeing a lot of improvements to locomotion plaza to
West Plaza and we're about to start construction on future river
improvements. And then as you mentioned uh with Rachel coming on the scene uh
we've we've done a lot in the activation and event space within the area. I think
we're up 40% year-over-year. Uh Rachel's program brought 72 new events to the
downtown area. So um a lot has a lot has changed since 2016 when we were
wondering where where we take this uh our downtown. Some of the core values of
the plan. Uh there's five things. We want our downtown to be prosperous. That
means we want jobs. We want workforce. We want um our university to be a big
component. We want it to be safe and clean. That means essentially we want it
to be welcoming so that when people come down here they don't they don't feel um
that they're not welcome or that is in an unsafe environment. We want it to be
connected meaning bike lanes, transportation, people can get where
they need to go. They can find the parking they need. We want it to be
vibrant uh meaning it's active mixeduse retail a lot of a lot of those things.
And we want it to be livable. So, if you made the decision to live downtown as
you have, uh, do you have the amenities and the experiences to actually live a
as a true urbanite living in a downtown core? And so, those are the five core
values. And if you look at the plan, uh, we
don't have adopted districts. Uh, this map was incorporated into the city of
Reno's master plan referencing these areas. But when they looked at our
downtown, they essentially said, "We have six sort of quasi districts." And
one of those is the university district. Sometimes we call it the gateway
district. Uh now there's a proposed university village. Uh the downtown core
of the entertainment areas called the entertainment district. Something that
didn't really um percolate was this idea of an innovation district. It was a bit
soup during innovation districts. We have the
Riverwalk. We have pounding which is a historic district. And then we have the
northwest quadrant. Uh a little bit of a bland name, but that's has since uh
turned into sort of the neon line districts with J Jacob's Entertainment.
And so I just want to say that when we talk about our downtown holistically,
this is the broader downtown area. It was discussed how we could possibly
fund all the improvements that were included in this plan. The first one was
to create a new bid assessment and so that would be able to fund a lot of the
recommendations. Uh there's an opportunity that they identified to use
future parking revenue uh to fund ideas. Uh the city could use its capital
improvement program to fund improvements. At the time we didn't
really have tax increment financing, but now we do. So that would be an RDA
function using the property tax increment received to make investments
in the area. Uh liquor and marijuana revenues was propos were proposed. Uh
and then two things is using our uh redevelopment incentives to encourage
more infill development and then also looking at our fees uh and other
financial assistance and maybe some code changes to facilitate uh infill
development. So there are 52 implementation items. Um
I'm going to try to fly through a lot of those quickly, but the whole entire plan
is broken into three buckets mainly. The first one is the economy uh attracting
investment, jobs, housing. The second one is the environment. And when I say
the environment, I mean the physical environment, things people can feel,
see, touch and experience. That's the built environment. And so that relates
to key streets, uh bike lanes, improvements to the river, improvements
to the public realm. And then last one is experience. So when people choose to
come down to the area, whether it's to visit or live, uh do they feel welcome,
safe, are they having a good time? And so first and foremost, it must be safe
and clean. Uh we need things for them to do. So it needs to be active and
vibrant. And we need to have a way to get them through the area. So can they
find their way? Can they find parking? Uh do they have a great experience? So
everything in this plan correlates to those three big buckets.
And so let me start on the first one is the economy. Uh so the first one was
housing for everybody. In order to get housing, it says do we have incentives
and tools to drive more housing? And I will say now we do we have tax increment
financing. Uh we have incentives like the uh restore facade and tenant
improvement program. Uh we've made changes to the fees by not allowing the
sewer credits to expire. So those are all incentives to drive infill
development. Do we have amenities for people to live
downtown? One of the things recommended in the plan was that we needed a dog a
dog park downtown and I would say that that was achieved. uh the biggest little
dog park right on the north side of the Montage. Uh and we have other amenities
to public spaces like improvements to West Street Plaza and Locomotion Plaza.
Attract neighborhood retail. I would say this is one of the hardest although we
are focused on it. Um it's mainly a demographic issue. We do not have enough
people living in downtown to attract the grocery stores, the pharmacies, the the
dry cleaning. Uh but with those new units coming online, we we now have a
path to sort of see how we're going to get there. And then last one, if people
choose to live downtown, are we treating the river as an amenity for downtown
residents? And I would say uh we are. Um we have through ARPA funding, which was
a great gift, added new lighting to the area, painted some accents, and then
this fall uh we're likely to start on the phase one of the river improvements,
which is uh highlighted in the in the bottom right hand corner.
Jobs. Uh do we have incentives for new businesses? I would say small business.
Uh the Restore program is a great incentive for small business owners if
they're looking to move into a space. That program helps them with signage,
TIS, a lot of the hurdles they have as a small business owner. Um on the bigger
side, uh Edon has supports, uh programs and incentives often that come down from
the governor's office to attract companies into the area. Second one was
workforce. happy to announce that this region and the university was selected
as a as a tech hub by the economic development administration and that uh
provided I think $12 million of workforce funding to go into the battery
lithium battery um and material science field. So we did have some opportunities
for workforce expansion uh seeing the university invest in the
innovation district. As I said, the university district wasn't something
that really came to fruition, but we are seeing the university make investments
into that gateway district. So, now we have a new parking garage, we have a new
business school, we're going to get a new life science center. Uh, and then
the university purchased those 19 homes across the freeway, which will be a new
university village. So, we're seeing a lot of progress there. Um, connections
between sort of the University Gateway District and the river. Uh we're going
to see improvements to Evans Avenue uh with new bike lanes and so that
connectivity is going to be improved. So that is in progress. The last one I'll
mention is establishing an innovation district. I don't know if that's
something still worth pursuing. When this plan was originally adopted, the
promise of Apple coming into the area uh and I don't know if that, you know,
really got what we were expecting with with the Apple announcement.
Last is the on the economy is improving blighted and underutilized properties.
So do we have a tools and incentives what we would say carrot and sticks to
to achieve change down there. We do have a dedicated code enforcement officer in
the downtown. So we are uh keeping track of properties and making sure that
they're being maintained. But a lot of the things we've done in the RDA and
with ARPA funding the last few years is to drive improvement. And so the restore
program on the left hand side that is the Truckucky Lane building where Cafe
Capello and Marcelinos used to be. Uh they plan to redo uh that entire
building. And so they've received uh restore grants for that project. And
then on the right hand side is the Prospector Apartments which is at the
site of the former community assistance center. uh this body uh well city
council was able to do a uh purchase and sale agreement with them and then the
redevelopment agency supported the demolition of that site and so it
cleared the way for for opportunity on that site. So uh that we are achieving
um the goal of improving blighted properties. The next one is identifying
and rating historic properties. Uh since this plan was adopted, we've done
historic structures report on both the Lear Theater uh building and the
historic rail depot. Both Reno Historical, the app, and uh we now have
a historic map, historic markers map that Arts and Culture has put together.
And so we have identified all of our historic properties in the area.
Demolishing for redevelopment. I mentioned the prospector's apartments.
If you have the opportunity to demolish a building that could create potential
for a bigger, better, more expansive project, uh that plan recommended that
we we seize that opportunity. And the last one that we haven't really done is
creating a goal of for underutilized properties or a scorecard. And I think
that's something that we can consider in the new year is going through building
by building, site by site and identifying uh its needs uh the
potential for redevelopment or any challenges that that are existing on
that site. Moving on to the environment uh
connections and key streets. So this is can people get through the area? Uh can
people find parking? And so the first one was more bike racks. The Downtown
Arena Partnership did receive a Main Street America grant that allowed, I
think, a dozen new bike racks for the area. Two of those were artistic. So,
that's the one in the lower right hand, lower lefthand corner. Uh, I mentioned
improvements to Evans Avenue with bike lanes. Those will be coming within the
next year. Uh, enhancing streetscapes. I'll give a shout out to the downtown
arena partnership. Uh, they received some ARPA funding to do the planters and
new uh trash cans along the streetscapes. But we do have plans in
the future to expand uh streetscapes and enhance them even further. Two things
that weren't uh achieved just yet is a pedestrian bridge from Evans to museum.
This is also recommended in the Truckucky River Vision plan is to have
Evans continue through that ballpark south site straight to the river and do
a pedestrian bridge over to the auto museum. Um that is privately owned land.
So we'll have to see if if that land owner would be welcome to that idea. And
last is a bike ramp on Arlington and I80. I wasn't able to confirm if these
improvements were done um that bike ramp.
Going on to public spaces. So one of them says, you know, improve your public
spaces and give people things to do in those public spaces. And so one of those
was activate the retract lids. Uh the DRP had done some work uh along with the
city of Reno's participation in doing the landscaping on the side of the
retract lid. Uh they did Mark Carney did the mural on there. But this past year
with ARPA funding, locomotion plaza was completely transformed uh and now it's
being activated almost year round. Uh the plan recommended to launch a facade
and facade improvement program that has been achieved uh with Restore. It add
recommended adding wavefinding. Those will be installed either this fall or in
the next spring. Wfinding along the river uh as part of an Arbor project.
And then the last one that wasn't done is another pedestrian bridge connecting
from the Lear over to Barber Bennett Park. It's kind of a big span uh but
that was recommended in this plan. Uh there are no current plans to to to make
that pedestrian bridge happen. Next one was Truckucky River. Uh it
recommended opening City Plaza to the river as part of the Virginia uh street
bridge. We graded out the section of the plaza and now you can actually go down
to the river from city plaza. So that was achieved. Adding lighting and
wayfinding that has been achieved along the river. Adding more shade. Uh adding
more shade is the number one thing we've seen in all of our plans. Locomotion or
Westerry Plaza did get shade uh as did Locomotion Plaza. That's the picture in
the middle. Two things that haven't been done. It recommends that we do a bike
rental facility in City Plaza. Uh we haven't had a discussion about what the
long-term vision for City Plaza is. So we could get to that point. Uh we have
discussed potential tube rentals at city plaza but that could be explored in the
future. Uh and then the last one was enhanc enhancing pedestrian safety at
Virginia and and center street which is now university which is more flashing
beacons. Uh there are no plans to do that at the moment. So that is pending.
Safe and clean. Uh a lot of this goes down to the downtown arena partnership
and their efforts. So the first one was launch a new downtown partnership. So we
have that with the downtown arena partnership doing enhanced level of
cleaning. They pressure wash the the ambassadors are down town all the time
identifying their the cleaning needs uh and saving and clean needs addressing
loitering street vending sharing information to people who who need it.
Um they are the eyes and ears and the feet on the street.
The one we haven't done which is being discussed uh is assessing and increasing
lighting levels in downtown. Um we have done a lot of lighting but to actually
go through and do an assessment of how how dark are street corners and if
there's anything that we can do to improve safety via lighting that is
something we can pursue in the near future. All right I'm almost done. Arts
culture and entertainment create a marketing campaign for downtown. The
downtown unit partnership has launched their pro positively downtown campaign.
So that's been checked off. Listen market special events. As I mentioned,
we have 72 new special events that has been achieved. Establish one to two new
marquee events. We have achieved that with the Western Lights Festival that
you you just heard about. Consistent activation that has been achieved.
Expanding public art uh in the budget uh next year for RDA. We plan to uh propose
expanding a small walls program which is more murals throughout the area. That
was recommended in the public art master plan. And last one is history and
cultural culture tour tours. Uh we do have tours that occur now and then, but
there's no formal history or culture tour. If you were to just be a tourist
in in Reno for a weekend, uh there's not a consistent tour group that operates
either of those. So that could be something we consider in the future.
Last is parking and transportation. Number one was expand bus service for
students. RTC does have the ride program, so students at the university
do get access to the rapid transit that goes along Virginia Street. Assess
parking demand. We have done a parking study. We're also doing an operations
assessment of the parking gallery on First and Sierra. Evaluate bus service.
RTC is always evaluating bus service, so that is in progress.
» [snorts] >> um campaign to encourage multimodal use
is something that I don't think has been done. We've added a lot of bike lanes to
our urban areas. I don't know if we are encouraging people to bike more. Um so
that is something we could explore in the future. We do need more education on
parking. Um we have 17,000 parking spaces. 15 of those are structured in
downtown, but people do not know which ones are private, which ones are public,
which ones are free. Uh and so we could do some education around that. And then
last is, and this is forward thinking, uh, parking structures. In the future,
if people aren't driving and parking cars anymore, what do we do with all the
parking garages that were built that are hard to redesign? And so, a lot of
cities have adapted code that says that you have to futureproof your parking
structures, meaning big flat floor pads so that you don't have these ramps, so
that if in the future you were to take that parking garage and turn into
retail, office housing, it would be uh easier to do. So that is something we
could consider in the future. So I'll wrap it up here. Uh of the 52 items that
were recommended that plan recommended in that plan, 19 have been achieved or
completed. 17 with the gift of ARPA funding are in progress and about 16
have I wouldn't say pending have yet to be addressed uh and could be
reconsidered in the future. So that is the update of the downtown action plan.
We're not proposing a new plan at the moment. We just wanted to give you uh a
summary of what has been achieved. >> Okay.
And so we do have a motion which is okay >> to just receive and accept the update.
» Okay. Thank you so much Brian. Um first of all very good job and maybe you've
touched on it. One of the biggest things and I think it's such a big um
perception driver. Ashley knows this and and I really want to put it at the
forefront is what what the perception and appearance is walking from city hall
to the row when they walk down that side of the street.
» Yeah. And that was the goal of the Virginia Street Placemaking plan.
» Yeah. >> Is to improve our public spaces.
» Can you bring me something back? I know you're a genius with a AI. Um, you
» Yeah. >> Well, I don't know if I'm the genius.
» Bless you. Thank you. >> Bless you. Um, no, but I've seen you do
some incredible things of like what the possibility could look like and what
that looks like. But I keep hearing it over and over and again, I wanted to
talk to Rachel about this because and and Ashley, they really put in um the
antique mall. I kept saying we could have a vintage market. I know we can.
And they did that. And have I don't know if you guys came to see the vintage
market. It was amazing. Kathleen's house is all done in in the vintage market
stuff I I assume >> or just old.
» No, it's cool. It's cool. And so, but it goes to show you there is a lot that
gets activation, but in the time that it's not is whenever I think people have
this perception that it's looking um stale. Now I know things are happening
with um you know the old Harris project and all of that but that perception is
very real and there's also a perception that is very unsafe from that to that.
And so I want to um make sure everything we possibly can that because here's how
I see it. You should have parkletits and artists along the street and activating
that every weekend and um and I'm talking about on the sidewalk,
» not in the street where you have to close it down and it's expensive, but
there's a big perception there. Umbrellas, it should have flowers. It
should make you feel safe and excited to be right in the downtown core and you
have the arch right there. Um so it says a lot about who we are. It's our front
door and it looks the way it does. And so I actually think it is probably one
of the most significant ways to change the perception of when people have a
better experience and they're walking through it and they feel good about what
they see and because I would say right now I hear a lot about from there to
there and it this is our front door. >> So I'm just on my rant as you know.
» It's all right. I think that was the Virginia Street placemaking study was to
capture that question. and how do we improve Virginia Street from the river
all the way to the university? >> Um,
» I'll work on a presentation with you. I want you to bring back your AI rendition
of a few blocks and I'm going to bring I'm going to bring my presentation. It's
not about that, but it's about the shift in culture of why, you know, why it's
important and I think we could team up and have a good presentation.
» All right. >> Okay.
» Uh, we can always come back and give an update on the progress made on the
Virginia Street Placemaking study. >> Love it. Okay. Councilwoman Der. Yeah.
Um, first of all, Brian, I just want to tell you, you know, I've seen a lot of
presentations, but this was very targeted and I loved it because it's
very rare that we get to see here was what we recommended and here's what we
did. We hardly ever get to see that. And that really goes to the whole concept of
metrics, evaluating your performance. You know, unless you have this kind of
thing, it's very we, well, we're feeling better. We don't know. We failed on this
one. So, I just have to compliment you. This was very well done. I really
appreciated it. >> Wow.
» What? Oh, >> good job.
» Yeah. The other thing is that um in terms of simple you the mayor was just
mentioning it in terms of simple improvements. We had a lot more flowers
out on the street this year. I I know several things came together to make
that happen. Do you recall or >> what I will say that the the the gift of
ARPA funding was a unique opportunity to get a lot done. Yeah. Uh Rachel led the
initiative to uh the University Cesco Centennial was was happening and so if
you notice all new banners down Virginia Street were were replaced uh and when
those came down now the city of Reno banner the city of Reno flag banners are
up and they're new and they're fresh and they'll be probably up there for two
years. Yeah. >> Uh with the downtown partnership, they
did the planters. Uh I think they did something like 90 planters uh and double
the amount of trash cans in the area. So you're starting to see small elements.
Um we say there's a phrase 99% invisible. Uh the 99% of effort that
goes into a space you'll never see. Um it's just how you feel about it.
» And so there are small nuance things that have been done.
» Uh there's probably >> Well, I think Ryan, our horiculturist at
the city was involved in these planters um and grew a lot of flowers for the Is
that right, Rachel? Is that >> Oh, maybe Ashley knows.
» Yep. Ashley Turns the city manager for the record. Um the planters were managed
by DRP, but to your point, our city horiculturalist, uh he grows the flowers
that go in the hanging pots along the riverwalk and then on the south side of
the river where we converted the fountains that had been damaged into
planter boxes, they planted and grew all of those. So yes, so the city's involved
on that side. >> It's relatively flowers plants are
relatively inexpensive as compared to hard structural elements that are made
of concrete or whatever. And so I just I hope I hope to see more of it. I really
think it makes the city look like people are living here. It's kind of like
driving by a house and seeing nothing very colorful, just sort of nice house,
but and then driving by another one and they've put some effort into it with
the, you know, the irrigation and the flowers, let's say, and it looks like a
completely different thing. So I hope to see more of it this year. It's It's one
of those like I think you called it anyway a quiet thing, but it's not very
expensive, but it goes a long way. So, until we can afford all the bigger
things. And then we may also want to consider when you and the mayor are
doing your project, which I didn't totally follow. Um, but I'm sure it'll
be cool. That's what I'm saying. I'm sure it'll be cool, but maybe we can
start re replacing block byb block some of the sidewalks. you know, do the
remake that you've proposed, but not for 20 million, for a lot less than that.
So, thank you. >> Okay. Any um further comments? I see
green light over here. >> Yeah.
» Thank you for the presentation. There's a lot of information in it. We've made
some progress. I really want to talk about the marketing campaign for
downtown in the metrics. we say we've achieved or ongoing and I think I'm
going to push back a little bit on that because um as the mayor was saying
there's there is a perception that downtown is not safe whether um you know
the data supports that or not. Obviously I I live downtown and I brought my
children downtown and I would not be living in a place with them if I thought
it was unsafe. It gets uncomfortable but um which is different than unsafe. My
question is, how are we going to use this rebranding effort to put that
marketing campaign to the next level and really target the local community?
Because I hear people who live here who say, "I'm not going downtown. It's not
safe. I'm not going to ride my bike downtown or bring my family downtown.
It's not safe." So, I think um there's things that we can do on on the other on
other fronts of that, but I think a marketing campaign using the rebrand
effort is really an opportunity. and I want to understand how that works. And
then um a while back we had talked about some of that using the alleyways and I
didn't see that anywhere in the plan. And I think our alleyways are are really
unique and we have so many of them that that it could be fun to um look at
those. I'm not trying to put any more on your plate, but I'm just wondering where
where that might have gone. >> Uh thank you for the question. So let
let me uh address the first one. Um the marketing campaign. We we do have a
downtown partnership who is the the district of our broader area and part of
their um effort is to do the more tactical beautifification and tell the
story from a district of small businesses of events and activities and
so they are the ones who will tell we are who we are as downtown. Um the
redevelopment agency is a bit broader than that because we have brewery
district, we have Riverwalk district, downtown Midtown, we have a much broader
area. What the rebrand will help us do is um tell the story of how the city's
changing, improving, h uh the investments being made, the
opportunities for investment, for growth. Uh it'll be a bit more bigger
picture. Um >> so Brian, are we relying on the downtown
Reno partnership to do all of the marketing for downtown?
» If you are talking about uh downtown who downtown is is sort of a district, then
yes, that would be that would be under the downtown Rena Partnership.
» Okay. I think I might want to understand a little bit more offline how we can
improve that effort. >> I can also add to that. Um, council
member, we will be bringing forward the budget to you next week for the
redevelopment agency. There is a line item in there for a PR campaign to help
to advertise the redevelopment agency in a broader sense. And I assume that that
will be part of the conversation. that is a line item for the budget this next
year >> cuz I sort of envision the rebrand tools
in all of the storefronts that we don't have stuff there now to help with a
little bit until we can get the retail until we can get to the other things. It
looks like it's more welcoming welcoming and things are happening at least. We
also have a line item proposed in the budget for a retail attraction campaign
for this next year. And so that will be something that this body will consider
of what your different options are. But that would be one of the available
options in that line item that we're bringing you next week.
» Thank you.
Um,
» just a motion. Okay. Uh, make a motion, >> please. I'll make a motion to receive
and accept the downtown action plan implementation progress update.
» Second. >> Okay. Have a motion and a second. All
those in favor say I. All those opposed. >> Uh motion carries.
» Thank you. >> All right. Good job.
» Good job. I see. Yeah. One more right here.
» Perfect. [snorts] >> All right. Uh thank you again. So Brian
McCall, rev revitalization manager. Uh so we're a little bit late on giving
this report, but we wanted to summarize the activities of the redevelopment
agency uh October through December of 2025. So we're a couple months late. A
lot has happened since then. So, some of this might um might seem dated uh but we
want to just memorialize what we what we achieved in that quarter. And so, just
summarize what our initiatives were for the past quarter. Uh we're in the
process of the redevelopment agency rebrand. Uh we had brought uh the logo
in front of this body in October. Had some conversations around that and
residents went back and started working on that color palette. Uh we announced
the restore facade and tendon improvement program awardees uh at the
neon museum and so we have awarded all the um we have announced all the
awardies for that program. I think it was 28 new storefronts, 11 new
businesses uh that received that. We've done a few tax increment financing
projects in that time. Uh there have been a lot of events in activation. I
think we ended our summer series and then rolled into some wintertime events
and then uh you all have been involved in in the capital improvement planning
process. So we'll summarize that. And so where we are at the agency rebrand is a
bit uh summarizing the the previous item. Um but with the uh adoption of the
color palette, we will have a formal launch of this new uh brand and then the
website will likely come in April or May of this year. And so we'll start
planning announcement activities and outlining how we truly engage with
people with this new rebrand. We announced the restore awards. Uh so
34 applications we awarded 23 projects. Um when you look at it building by
building uh that is 13 buildings that will see some sort of improvements. As I
mentioned this will be 28 storefronts that are currently blighted or currently
empty or currently uh you know in need of serious improvements. 28 new
storefronts and 11 new businesses. Uh this is a new business that hasn't been
in the area before. Um most of these businesses are moving into the former
Junkie building in Midtown called the Midtown Junction now I think is the the
short form of that project. Uh but we also have a new bakery moving in to the
Morris as well as a new music venue. >> Did they all get restore money at um and
that's Batwan's place, right? >> They they didn't all get it. the
building. We could say the building received the funds. Uh but the Seldon
» business Seldon, >> the Seldon is opening. The two that were
most immediately opening that were sort of the anchors is the Seldon which is an
expansion of Tyler's uh Emerson business and then drink coffee do stuff on the
corner uh looking out towards the round. >> So they both got Restore.
» No, Batawan is the building owner got the Restore funds
» to help the businesses. >> Correct.
» Do the businesses know that? >> They should. Yeah.
» Okay. >> Yeah, they should. Um, you know, we we
saw their building plans and their plans for the building, but as he as the owner
developer is doing a lot of the improvements, he's the one who's
receiving the funds to do the electrical and the windows and the signage.
» Yeah, I get it. But I've also seen where we've seen a a similar situation where
the retailer has an idea and then you guys know the retailer has an idea and
then the owner has a different idea and one of them says no I really need this
and the other says no I really need this and so it I just always want to make
sure that like that is cohesive because the goal is not for the landlord the
goal is for the small business right to get them open, get their doors open
because the landlords often times, not all of them, I'm just saying some have
intent to sit on it or improve the building and that actually helps them,
you know, the the uh property value, those kinds of things, and it doesn't
help the small business. So, just keep that in mind that there's ways that I
think you have to just pay attention to the landlord and retail retailer
relationship. >> Yep. Both small business owners and the
building owner themselves both have the opportunity to be the applicant and
sometimes it does take some negotiation. We do require them to sign an
acknowledgement letter stating that they both know what each side is planning to
do. So in your >> Well, they do, but then they don't.
Well, they know, but maybe they >> Yeah. Um but the big success here is uh
with the $1 million in restore, we are able to uh to incentivize $20 million in
private improvements. So for every dollar of ours that goes in, we see $20
come out of the private market. So this is one of the most impactful programs we
can do uh on a return on investment as well as all the new business activity.
So highly impactful program uh and we hope to expand it um in the new year.
Just highlighting a couple projects. So, the Trucker Lane building, uh, as you
see the rendering on the the right hand side, uh, they're going to redo the
storefronts, um, open up potential for three new tenants to go in, as well as
redoing the entire building. So, that is a a project that we've been hoping in in
a building we've been watching for for quite a while.
» I if I don't if I don't ask you this, then I'll forget. This is really
important. You're giving money to these landlords. And what I want to say is
you're improving them, but the problem is and and I just think about this
because maybe maybe you already have it as a qualifier. Um gosh, I've got a
really bad allergy and my eye just keeps watering so I apologize. Um so I'm
curious because think about this. Part of that should also be that those
rents or like market, whatever that is, so that you don't go in there and
approve them and then all of a sudden they jack up the rents, right? Because
you have approved them, they're in a better area, those kinds of things. So,
what I really think is um I think they're eating snacks over here. I'm
jealous. [laughter] No,
» they're rolling right through lunch. >> Yeah. Right. Right. I know. And I'm I
kind of got in trouble for it and I feel bad, but I hope everyone got up. Oh,
see, she's got red hots. They're my favorite. I love it. Brandy, you just
got caught passing sweets in class. And um unless you give me some. Unless I
know. Unless someone gives you some. Here you go, Brandy. I love you.
[laughter] Um that's my only thing is that
» here you go and you and you invest in them and they don't invest in a small
business, but it has to be an even playing field, I guess, is what I'm
saying. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. I mean, we want to remove blight
first and foremost. And then we want to make these spaces available for tenants
to move in. >> Exactly.
» We did ask, >> but too hard when they jack up the rent.
» And I bet this is one of them that has look at the rent before you give them
money. >> Yep.
» If they're not playing with what the um rental rates are going for right now,
the standard rental rate, and everyone knows what that is. You can look on up
on LoopNet. I wouldn't give them a dime. Forget it. If they want to honestly if
they want to hoard their properties, sit on them, meanwhile have blight and have
the city pay for them on the backs of the taxpayers, then that's a different
story. So all I'm saying is come in with major criteria. If they've already shown
that they've got these spaces for lease and they want $3 a square foot when in
that area they're going for $2 usually and $3 wouldn't be as bad, but
sometimes they're even way more than that. And that's why people get
frustrated with downtown. Why are they vacant? Quite honestly, you have
property hoarders. You have people that don't want to invest in their own
property, but they want you as a city to do it.
» And that's wrong. Anyway, Brian, sorry. I'll get off my high horse
» with them. We offer them an opportunity to meet us halfway. Uh that if it if
these buildings continue to sit blighted and empty, uh it does no one any good.
And so if we offer them an incentive or an opportunity, uh, the lease it could
do is is remove the blight and create some opportunity for
» to move in. >> Something about a sitting fee, vacancy
fee, registry. >> Um,
» yeah, >> we were told we don't have we're too we
don't have enough staff for that. So I think I don't buy it. That's just me.
» All right. >> Okay.
» Moving on to the next one. Uh, >> poor Brian. Like Hillary, I'm just
delivering the message. >> A lot of people say, you know, dealing
with downtowns, they call it civic therapy. Every downtown has these
issues. And so you're you're really true.
» You're really a civic therapist. So I I take that.
» It's so true. But you're doing great, right?
» Uh so the next one, so this is one uh it's been empty for a while, is the old
Reno Brewing Building, uh Chronicle Capital. They've done a lot of restore
projects. They are transforming Four Street. Uh they have more renderings of
this, but they plan on um making the old brewery building a multi-tenant space uh
and redoing it, adding lighting, redoing the sidewalks, everything. So, we're
happy to support that project. Next one, uh Paying Horn Accounting
Building. This is one where it's it's always been sort of an an odd building.
It's actually a building shell built around an old house. Very interesting. U
but Michael's Jewelry is is expanding. uh they purchased the site and they're
going to redo an entire refresh of the exterior of the building and then
remodel the inside for a brand new Michael's Jewelry. Um the next one is I
don't know if it's official, but Midtown Junction, the former Junkie building, uh
it was a Coca-Cola bottling plant at one point is getting seven new tenants. Uh
but the the building the building's been redone, all new electrical, HVAC, uh
framing, signage, windows, and and an exterior patio. So that should be ones,
right? Yep. That should be open in the next two, three months.
» I can't wait. Is everything going okay? >> I believe so.
» Okay. Because I hear he complains a lot about how bad the city is. So, I want to
make sure >> you call him and find out.
» He's doing a lot as well. So, >> and also he got restore money. So,
that's awesome. So, it shows that we are partnering. That's great.
» Next one. Next one I like to highlight is the Nevada right across the street
here. Um, so if you notice the Virginia, uh, the Virginia has se seen a lot of
improvements. They redid the signage, they redid the awning, and they did that
big mural from from Florida ceiling. Uh they plan on doing the same thing on the
Nevada side. So, recreating the same sort of signage that the Virginia has
and then doing a wraparound mural. Um not just on the Nevada, but on both
buildings. Uh and with that, the bottom left, they do plan to remove that that
big brown awning that I've had on my list for a long time.
» Um >> which one? Wait, wait, hold on.
» The old Burger The old Burger King awning that you can still see the Burger
King name even though they painted over.
» Um, with ARPA funding, we did receive a round uh we did uh restore round one.
There are three projects left that are yet to uh finish their improvements. I
want to highlight the Bington building, which is the Bodega Reno site down
there. Um they do plan on renovating that entire building. Uh they want
» We give them >> We haven't given them any money yet. Um
they plan on bringing the building back to the 1926 original building. Um
they've done all the demolition. Uh they are coming in for their permits to redo
it's going to get all new glass windows, all new awnings, and then after that
they do plan to move on to uh improving the rest of the building.
» So wait, the chalkboard outside is going to go away.
» That is temporary. Yes. >> And when is it going to go away? I ask
that question all the time. They do have a timeline. They do they do have a
timeline with the grant to get their permits in and to uh complete the
improvements. So, >> I mean, that is really an embarrassment.
It It really is a joke. >> And I we've seen this for I'm going to
take tell you is it been a year and a year and a half now, Brian? Like you
guys, I got to tell you, poor Ashley's sitting there and she doesn't want to
hear it and she follows the code and and all of that, but I have to tell you,
it's so embarrassing. And you guys know I called the Bingtons myself. Um, and I
was just I've just been beside myself and now here we are because if you
really go back to the history and I wish I could pull up the council meeting,
maybe I can find it. They came before us and told us, "Oh, it's going to be a
mini Whole Foods." And it's just been so painful and on a very visible corner in
right in downtown Reno. And I think we've given them plenty of time. Plenty
of time. I didn't call him back. I let you guys go and do the work um to, you
know, to follow up. And I've just been hearing honestly excuse after excuse
after excuse. I I think it's been way too long. And if we're really really
caring about the perception of downtown and how we change it, you can't have
chalkboard signage um or, you know, painted hand painted signage. And you
know, then I see the other code violations we give to people that are so
minor, but yet we have someone right in our face just saying it doesn't matter
downtown. And but this has been I'd say one thing if this was like and you're
hearing my frustration. If this was like I I could live with it for three months,
not a year, two years. I think it's almost two years. I think it could be
two years, Brian, since I called them and and we were sitting in that office,
all of us together, and it's just gone on. So, what can we do to change that?
Ashley, is there some way? >> Ashley, Attorney, assistant city manager
for the record. So, I think we have a couple of markers and milestones that
are very important. So, the first one is they have been given notice that they've
only got a handful of months left before the restore money will expire. Okay.
» Uh that's one of the benefits. So, they know that they are up.
» So, you have a time frame. >> We have a time frame that we've given.
That's good. Um, and as a reminder, we don't issue any money until the project
is complete. So, they've not received a penny of that money from us at this
time. So, that's an important distinction.
» And they shouldn't. >> Correct. And if they don't complete it,
they won't. Uh, generally, our practice has been when you have an open building
permit, it shows an attempt at compliance. And so, we don't continue to
push forward with code enforcement because it shows that you're doing
something. >> Yeah. when their current building
permits expire, that's a different story because that shows that the building is
no longer attempting compliance and then the city takes on a different posture.
So, the last communication I believe that Brian had with them is they're
awaiting some final information from the trustee. Um, this building in particular
is held in trust and so you have to get a meeting of the minds before they can
move forward. Uh so we let them know that if you do not get the meeting of
the minds then you are at risk of losing your funds and then we will proceed with
code enforcement as is our normal practice.
» So have they had any code violations? They should
» with some of their open So they had open permits for demolition. So when they
have an open permit we don't enforce and find it.
» Okay. Can we change that? I would love to see that changed in the code because
they're not taking it seriously because anyone can sit on that and wait and
wait. How many times do we see people hey have an intent and they come in for
these things and they sit there and they sit there and they sit there and then it
never happens. How many times do we see projects that never happen and so they
come in and they can start the ball but that means it stops the the code
process. I think you know that is incredibly broken.
» We're happy to look at that. It's we try to give the benefit of the doubt because
we >> I know but we've been doing that. That's
the problem. when we were giving everyone the benefit of the doubt over
and over and over again. And that's whenever I say if if this if we're
frustrated about downtown, it's because we played a big part in in dragging our
feet and allowing people um to continue on with these lax policies. Go look at
the policies out of Las Vegas. It's very different. We need to mirror ours
similar to them if we want action. This has been honestly I just I get so worked
up over it because you know you guys know I make calls to these property
owners nothing happens and then that means on the city side we got to do
something. I mean the sound sundowner that place I I want to see the code
violations there. That place is so dangerous it's a tear down and what I
would say is you know what I want to do you guys? I want to invite these
property owners to the city council right here in front of us so we can ask
them what their intent is. otherwise they skirt, you know, go round and round
and round and um that, you know, then they avoid my phone calls and I'm just
I'm so tired of it. So, let's really see. I'd love to invite them to a
council meeting so we can all ask them questions. What's their intent? Um
because they're certainly making our our city very problematic. Um bad perception
and you have to be part of the solution. I'm I'm so over it. I can't I can't see
straight. As you guys know, you can hear my frustration, but this is So now we if
they're not going to act, we as a city need to be proactive and stop stop
allowing these passes because they've had they've had so many.
» Yes, we hear you loud and clear. >> You've been way too kind. I'll tell you
that. You've been way too kind. But that I think this council should say that
stops now. And I think we've been having that message. I know Councilwoman Taylor
has been saying it and saying it because she lives downtown and she sees it every
single day, day in and day out. So, I'm sure it it's even that much more
frustrating for her, but we've been nice. We've been saying it, but I think
today is where everyone should understand. Whether it's um our city
manager, Jackie Bryant, um our to the right of me, um JW Hajj, Ashley, Turney,
Norma Santoo, all of you need to understand this is
our our biggest priority right now is to change that. And we keep hearing, oh,
you can find, you know, this or that. And then we get these interpretations
from different attorneys, outside attorneys. I don't buy that either. I
think it's all actually And so I don't know how much more I feel like
we sit here and we sit here and we say it over and over again, but nothing
changes. And so this is where I'm at now is that I can't keep having
presentations that are really um just sort of, you know, talking. It's not
action. >> Okay,
» understood. Madame Mayor, we will work to bring something back for you.
» Thank you. I guess like I said, I feel like the council keeps putting in
policies and we haven't we're not do we're not getting there. I think there's
a lot of amazing work but when it comes to the code side and I and I want to
give you guys A+ on all that work, but when it comes to the code side, we've
let people just take advantage of us and it's painful, you know, and so I just
got to tell you that I just it's I just I say this over and over again with
code. >> Yep. We're working on some changes and
so those will come before the body shortly. Yeah. And Ashley, I I
apologize, but I feel like I've I'm just spinning my wheels and I don't know what
to do anymore out of frustration. >> We hear and share your frustrations. So,
that is something that we are working and looking at some potential changes
that have to happen at the state level, looking at what we can do locally. So,
» you should see some change. We've been working closely with the city attorney.
They're trying to >> I know you've pushed and pushed and
pushed, but I don't understand why we can't get there on that side of
» changing. We could take a vote and change the policy
» on some of them. Yes. So, that's what we're going to bring forward.
» Thank you so much. That's >> all right. With that, I will turn it
back over to Brian Mardell so finish out his presentation.
» Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Brian. >> I just want to mention the other two.
So, Yuzu Sushi, [laughter] >> this is why Brian Brian's been there
with me. I'm like, Brian, help me. I love you, Brian. You're amazing. And you
guys are doing an incredible job. Thank you.
» Yep. Yuzu Sushi is opening across from the Silver Legacy. Their sign is up.
They got their certificate of occupancy. You will be very impressed with the
space. >> Did you make that happen, Ashley? Thank
you so much. How long has that been? I love it. Finally.
» Yeah, she did it. She did it. small business from from round one to to get
their certificate occupancy. So, they should be open
» in the near future. Last one is Elcortez. It's not actually Elcortez
building. It's the uh smaller building next to it where Tonic and the and the
Mart is. They're going to do a reskin of the property, add more lighting to the
building, uh add more lighting to the alleyway next door. Uh so, those are the
last three projects that we're expecting to wrap up in the next few months that
were part of the ARPA funding related to Restore TIFF projects. um you were all
at the uh groundbreaking of groundbreings at the Grand Sier Resort.
I believe that was October 1st or 2nd. Um I don't know if we'll ever get a
groundbreaking like that again. Uh so that project is proceeding. Uh we did
have zero commercial row rows tiff application be approved by this body for
205 town homes along the river. Uh that is moving forward. And then we did
receive a new tiff application for a project on Lake Street uh just north of
the Reno Event Center for 7 micro units of um mixed income housing. So that one
is in due diligence right now. So we expect to bring that one back uh in the
next month or two. Projects that have already uh gone through the process. Uh
a project on fifth in Keystone, that one is on hold at the request of the
developer. Uh Red Retail is proceeding. Um they want to do that electric pickle
and some retail expansion over at the Reno Experience District. Uh we're in
due diligence on that one. The last two are uh being held at the request of the
developer. One is the expansion of RED to do more multif family on the project
they asked us to hold. And then as you have probably read uh Jacobs
Entertainment did have a TIFF project for the Bonanza and for a new project
next to Sazzarin Arms. Uh they're now demolishing the Bonanza Inn. So that
project is now on hold. if they do demolish that project, uh essentially
makes their TIFF application uh void and they'll they'll have to reapply in the
future if they would like to do uh future development
events and activation. As I mentioned, um Rachel's done a fantastic job
bringing more events and activities. A lot of these were funded through ARPA.
uh closing out the season uh in October. Uh we wrapped up the summer event series
which included Off the Rails concert series, the Flicks on the Bricks, which
is sort of a movie night. Uh Golden Hour on the Plaza, which is uh West Street
Plaza. And then the new one the mayor mentioned is the Reno Antique Fair was a
huge success as it kept going. It kept expanding and growing more participants.
And so that one was was unexpected in a in a great success and will continue on
in future years. Um what was unexpected was some wintertime activations. Uh we
saw the white tent go up on Locomotion Plaza. They held um a honky tonk there
with dancing lessons throughout the winter season. Uh we did have a film
premiere at the site and there was a planned New Year's Eve celebration on
Locomotion Plaza. Um the city hosted a lot of uh regular events that we've seen
in the past. There was a de los Muertos celebration on Locomotion. We did do the
Veterans Day parade downtown. The Western or not Western Lights, Holiday
Lights Festival was expanded to two weeks over a week and there was a lot of
participation from um other organizations and then the Monura
lighting was held. So, a lot of events took place uh in the fall. Capital
improvement projects uh of note um this body allowed us to demolish the uh
community assistance center proactively. I will say this project went smoothly.
uh we demolished the property uh they got their building permits and then we
closed on the property and transacted the sale within three weeks just before
the end of the year uh and within July January 1 they're already breaking
ground and planning to build so we had a groundbreaking on that uh site last
month uh you'll see a the riverwalk trail behind auto museum is in phase one
we're going through design now with our capital improvement plan under RDA uh we
would hope to fund that project to be started in the hall. And then we're
continuing with uh new bathrooms at the historic rail depot on the Amtrak side.
Uh but we could with that improvement, we could further expand and create
opportunities at the at the rail depot. Um rents downtown on office, multif
family, and and retail. Uh office, you know, we haven't built a new
office space in downtown in probably a decade. Um so we have no new square
footage under construction. Um, I'll notice retail. Uh, our average rents for
downtown are about $210. This does incorporate the new developments over by
the new In-N-Out on Keystone as well as the downtown crossing project on
Virginia Street where Teryaki Madness. So, those are all $4 a square foot. But
if you look at retail rents in downtown, it averages about $210. Uh, and we are
seeing absorption. So, uh, our vacancy is declining. So, that means businesses
are moving into downtown. uh and we are seeing people uh scoop up some some
spots. So that's that's a good sign. And then multif family, our rents downtown
are less than the market average throughout the Reno Sparks region. Our
average rent in downtown uh is $1,710 which is less than the the region at
1753. Uh we have low vacancy in downtown even though we've added a lot of
projects. Vacancy is really healthy and we do have more units under construction
at the moment. So that Oh, other updates. We're I I mentioned we're doing
the parking gallery assessment now. Uh so we do plan to make some improvements
uh at the parking gallery on First and Sierra. Uh new Riverwalk banners were
installed. The new Reno flag banners went up on Long Virginia Street. Uh
Riverwalk is going to see some new banners as well. So those should be
installed fairly soon. We continue to work with uh the Hara's revival project.
Uh they have some permits. They're they're lining up their financing. That
project continues to move on. And then as the mayor mentioned, the reformer
project uh on at the former Riverside Theater is very exciting. It'll be nine
uh additional uses. They're already under demolition and they're they're
they're going to um do a great project over there
coming in 2026. Some of these have already occurred. Uh but Western Lights
Festival uh was a huge success. We do plan on bringing proposals for a small
walls mural program as well as some additional retail retail attraction
initiatives that we'll bring to the RAB in the next uh month or two. Uh we're in
the middle of the CIP planning process. You will see that as part of the budget
and then we do plan to continue and and start the process of uh doing a forest
street area plan leaving off where the retract plan back in two 2007 ended.
So sorry that took a while. >> Okay. I think you did a great job. No, I
took up the most time because I was like going crazy, but I I love love love
this. Um, tell me just a little bit about small walls because Ashley knows
we've been to Windwood Walls um a few times and it's such an impressive
project. We wanted to integrate that. Do you want to tell me because I have a
feeling that Ashley had a lot to to do with putting that in place.
» So, we are Ashley Turney, assistant city manager. For the record, we're very
excited. We're actually going to be debuting the framework of small walls at
the RAB on Monday and then hope with their approval to move out for
application. Uh this actually came from this body wearing your other hat as
council approving the public art master plan for the arts and culture group. Uh
they recommended something called small walls and it's an opportunity for local
artists to be able to scale up. What we find is we have some incredible
muralists in our community and we have programs for them to be able to do the
utility boxes and there's not really anything that's in between a utility box
and a very large scale mural project. So this is something that is created in
order to help those artists scale their abilities and to get more art in more
places. So the idea behind this is that this will be a grant match program again
which is something that's been important to this body that you've recommended
that we put ourselves in a grant matching posture whenever we can for
businesses to come forward and say we're interested in having murals on our
building on the outside and then we help match them with local artists to be able
to put murals in more places. Uh we're looking at matches up to $10,000.
There's $50,000 available in RDA1 and $50,000 available in RDA2. So, we could
be looking at multiple art pieces going up in our community and those
applications with the RABS blessing uh what Rachel and Megan Burner have put
together that will be out on the street in the next two weeks.
» That's amazing. >> We're very excited about that.
» Oh my god, you should be so excited. >> Yeah, we've got some great things coming
in the RDA space. We're grateful you approved it as part of your budget this
year. It's taken us a little while to get some things off the ground based off
of the lean small team that we have, but we are very excited to launch quite a
few programs here in the next >> Everyone's going to love this.
» It's going to be great. It's going to make a big difference.
» All right. Um I don't see any green. No green. No. Okay. No green. All right.
Anything else, Brian, you want to put on the It's like
» I say we have a lot going on. So, you do have you have just so you know, I want
to I want to make it very very clear because I don't want to dismiss the
massive massive massive wins because they're really happening. It's super
exciting, >> right? I just think we could I think we
could help you with some policy up here to get to where you need to be and and
quicker and faster. So, you just let us know how we can help you.
» Thank you. >> But I think you guys are doing great.
» Good job. I'm super excited about the walls. Very good. Rachel, are you
excited? >> Super excited.
» Yeah, I know. That's great. Okay, we don't have to I don't think we have to
take any action. Just that we think it's amazing and uh good job. It's a lot of
work. He's like, "Yeah." Okay. >> All right, Madam Mayor. Moving on to
item C1, which is the Reno Redevelopment Agency board update,
which we had public comment from Mr. Klein.
» I was going to say Mr. Klein's and I think he just laid it out.
» He did. He gave during general public comment for the body just to remind you
of what the rep had been working on. And so I think with that you could move on
to your next item. >> Yeah. And he um they're going to see the
CIP and some other things on Monday. >> Correct. So, so they're vetting
everything before it comes to this body. >> Oh, yeah. Perfect. And you can always
zoom and jump in you guys if you want to um join those. They're really
informative and I I think the board asked great questions. They're doing a
good job. >> Okay, Madam Clerk.
» All right. Item D1, >> Councilwoman.
» No, you're good. >> I put my light on for D1.
» Oh, okay. >> Item D1 is redevelopment agency board
comments. >> All right. Anything? No, just a little
blah blah blah. Sorry. No, I wanted I just wanted to um save my praise for
Western Lights to now and to this part of part of the meeting. Um I won't
repeat virtuous gratuitously everything that everybody else has complimented you
on. Um but I will say that um
having humans in downtown is the most magical part of downtown and then you
also brought more magic. So, um, anything that we can do to help you
expand the number number of locals that are downtown next year, I would like you
to challenge us with some type of award, um, ward by ward engagement where we
challenge our ward to come downtown, whether it's on one of those days, but
you're going to need some time for us to plan that and conceptualize that. But
next year, I would just love it if we could be competing up here with how many
of our ward members were able to come downtown. So,
I'm looking forward to inspiration from you on that. So, thank you for your
work. >> Challenge accepted.
» That That's a really But you know what? >> She's
see this is also where I get like really worked up about Wonly voting, right? But
you know what? You you just brought up something so smart and I love it. You
know what you can do? Go out there, invite your whole ward and say, "Hey,
we're going to be in downtown Reno, Ward Six. Come join me and see if you can
pull I love that idea, Brandy. What? That's so smart. Great job. I love it. I
love it. Battle of the boards. I love it.
» Good job. Okay. All right, madame clerk. >> All right. Item E is closing public
comment for the redevelopment agency board. We have none registered, so I'm
just looking for a motion to adjurnn the redevelopment agency board.
» Okay. So moved. >> I have a motion. I have a second. All
those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries.
» Okay. Okay, we're going back to our Reno City Council meeting. We've already
taken care of item H1, so we're on um closing public comment item J1. I have
none registered. And for the record, we did receive two comments. They have been
distributed to the Reno City Council and are part of the permanent record. So, we
have no additional public comment for item J. So, we're on motion or item K,
which is a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn.
» I have a motion. I have a second. All those in favor say I. All those opposed.
Motion carries unanimously. You guys, it's two o'clock. Congratulations. I
hope you get to go enjoy your day. Oh, that's right. That's right. What's
up? >> I love it. Ry's on top of it. But thanks
everyone. Thank you so much.