City Of Reno: December 8, 2021 Reno City Council Meeting Highlights

Press release from the City of Reno:

12/08/2021 5:31 PM

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

B.6 - Finance Resolution 

Council adopted a resolution authorizing staff to begin the process to issue general obligations of the City to finance projects including, but not limited to, a portion of the acquisition, construction, improving, and equipping of a Public Safety Center; a portion of the cost of the design, acquisition, construction, improving, and equipping of an Aquatic Center at Moana Springs; and preliminary work to design a Fire Department Headquarters. This resolution directs the City Clerk to notify the Washoe County Debt Management Commission of the City’s intent to issue such general obligations.

B.18 -  Grant Acceptance from the National Endowment of the Arts 

Council accepted a $500,000 grant of American Rescue Plan funding from the National Endowment for the Arts for the City of Reno to sub-grant to local Reno arts and culture organizations affected by COVID-19. Funding will support staff salaries, artists’ contracts and rent utilities; the application for organizations to apply for funding is scheduled to open in late January 2022. 

D.1 - E-scooter Share in Reno

After a staff presentation, Council approved an Exclusive Franchise Agreement with Bird for an e-scooter share program in Reno for a three-year term. Staff will seek approval from Council on a program launch date once specific conditions are met related to the length of the agreement, enforcement, and outreach.

Background: Micromobility options like e-scooters are alternate forms of transportation that reduce the effects of vehicle emissions by offering options for short trips taken by residents and visitors. Furthermore, micromobility can help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and provide safe, affordable transportation options to residents in the Downtown and Midtown areas. 

D.4 - Community Housing Land Trust LLC Agreement 

Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate the terms of a Loan to Grant Agreement with the Community Housing Land Trust LLC, Series 1, for the purpose of purchasing 96 units of dormitory-style modular affordable housing in an amount not to exceed $500,000 from Community Development Block Grant Fund. The units will be made available to people who earn less than 60 percent of the Area Median Income.

Background: In 2019, the Village on Sage Street project opened, offering 192 units of affordable housing utilizing surplus modular workforce housing units. The City contributed to this project in a variety of ways, including donating the land and $300,000. 96 units from the same surplus have recently come available for immediate purchase. The purchase of the 96 units creates a benefit to the public by increasing the permanent affordable housing stock, and partnering with the Community Housing Land Trust for the purchase creates an opportunity to expand a current successful project for 96 additional individuals. 

F.1 - Packaged Alcohol Beverage Sales Ordinance Adoption

Council adopted an ordinance related to Package Alcohol and Safe Scape development regulations (Title 18).

F.2 -  Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance Amendment 

Council referred an ordinance to be heard for a second reading and adoption, related to Package Alcohol and Safe Scape code regulations (Title 5). The following amendment was made to the ordinance: businesses in the Downtown Safe Scape Area will be prohibited to sell beer, malt liquor, wine coolers, and similar alcoholic beverages in containers less than 20 ounces not in original factory packages of four-packs or greater. 

These updates to Reno Municipal Code Title 18 (Annexation and Land Use Code) and Title 5 (Privileged Licenses, Permits and Franchises) address Council’s previous direction to staff to review package alcohol regulations, research best practices, and prepare amendments to address identified concerns related to public health and safety.

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

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