just doing a sound check. >> We can hear you. Can you hear us? >> Yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. 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 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 Shivi 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 three 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 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. 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. >> 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. >> 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. >> 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 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. >> Get to speed today. You get to do whatever you want. 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. 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. 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. 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, 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? >> Yeah, a little bit. >> I love it. >> Okay, then I'll introduce John Williamson. And Charlotte, >> Charlotte OD and John Williamson. >> Hi. Um, 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 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. >> 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. 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. 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 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. >> 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 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. 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 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 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. >> 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. >> 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 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%. 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 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 >> 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, 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? >> Might be creepy. So, if I can add >> might be some money in there. >> Might be something we 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. >> 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 get a little bit of moisture in the air, you'll drive by and it will say retro. And 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 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 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. 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, 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 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 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, 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 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. 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 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. >> 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. 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. >> 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. 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. 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, >> 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.