City Of Reno: March 9, 2022 Reno City Council Meeting Highlights

Press release from the City of Reno:

03/09/2022 3:48 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:

Affordable Housing Projects

D.5 - Council heard a presentation and in two separate motions, approved the allocation of $9 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward two affordable housing projects by the Reno Housing Authority: Dick Scott Manor and purchase and/or rehabilitation of the Bonanza Inn. Combined, these projects will produce 70 permanent affordable housing units to the Reno market.

C.1 - Council approved a request for an affordable housing fee reduction of $837,168.75 in sewer connection fees for the Vintage at Washington Station Senior Apartments. The complex is located on a ±2.24 acre site situated east of Vine Street, west of Washington Street and north of Winter Street, and will add a total of 205 senior affordable housing units to the Reno market. 

C.2 - Council approved a request for an affordable housing fee reduction of $22,316 in building permit fees and $217,800 in sewer connection fees for the Orovada Street Senior Apartments. The complex is located on a ±1.75 acre site situated on the southeast corner of the Silverada Boulevard/Orovada Street intersection, and will add a total of 40 senior affordable housing units to the Reno market. 

In 2020, Council adopted an ordinance setting affordable housing fee reduction standards and criteria, allowing projects such as Washington and Orovada to happen.

D.2 - Parks and Recreation Projects (ARPA)

Council heard a presentation and approved the allocation of $3 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds to the following Parks and Recreation Department projects:

• Dorothy McAlinden/Mayor’s Park - Phase III (includes sports fields)

Projects may also be supplemented with funding from Residential Construction Tax as appropriate and as needed to address rising construction costs.

D.3 - Proposed Use of Geothermal Energy at Moana Springs

Council heard a presentation regarding a term sheet that would be used to enter into agreements with Avalon Geothermal to drill one or two wells on City of Reno property, located at 240 West Moana Lane. This is the site of the new Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center. Council directed staff to move forward with the drafting of a revised term sheet to present to Council in the next several months. The City of Reno would receive revenues related to a lease agreement for land use, royalties, and franchise fees, in addition to becoming a customer to use geothermal resources to heat the new facilities.

D.1 - Ballroom Facility

Council heard a presentation and accepted the Downtown Management Company, LLC, Marketing Plan, Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for the Ballroom Facility for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2022. Caesars Entertainment talked about tentative plans to bring new restaurants and live acts to The Biggest Little City, and generally help boost tourism in Reno.

D.4 - Downtown Reno Partnership/Business Improvement District

Council heard a presentation and accepted the Downtown Reno Partnership's (DRP) FY 22/23 Downtown Reno Business Improvement District (BID) Operating Plan and Budget.

G.1 - Citizen Appointments to Boards and Commissions

G.1.1 - Council appointed Harris Armstrong, Lindsay Sessions, and Brian Wadsworth to the Financial Advisory Board.

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.