All right. Good morning, madame vice mayor. We are ready to go. >> Okay. We are going to open the Wednesday, October 22nd city council meeting. Welcome everybody. We are going to start with the pledge of allegiance. And I've asked um Tyler Shaw to lead us today, please. Tyler. >> Thank you very much. Can we please have roll call? >> Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor. We're calling roll for Wednesday, October 22nd. Vice Mayor Taylor >> here. >> Council member Der >> here. >> Martinez here. Eert >> here. >> Reese >> here. >> Anderson >> here. >> Mayor Shivy >> here. >> You do have a quorum of the Reno City Council. >> Okay. Thank you very much. We will move into public comment. >> Madam Vice Mayor, first item today is opening 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 agenda is on today's agenda. When you're called on for public comment, please state your name for the record and begin speaking. The timer will begin when you've stated your name and you will be afforded 3 minutes. For those participating in chambers in accordance with council rules 6.3.11. While in this room, please be respectful. Disruptive behavior from audience members like clapping, yelling, whistling, etc. which impede the meeting may result in a warning issued by the presiding officer. If the 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. Our first public commenter today is Terry Brooks, followed by Steven White, followed by Steve Mccerk. >> Good morning, Terry. My thoughts on physiological changes in age and what seniors go through. As we all grow older, our bodies begin to change in a different way than when we were young. And it might feel a bit strange. When we were younger, we were somewhat hyperactive, but when we grow older, we become less active. As we grow older, our bodies begin to ache, and if we're in an accident, our bones will more easily break. We may get arthritis which can lead to a lot of pain especially in a humid environment and during a lot of rain. We might begin to realize that our joints such as our hip or knee are not quite as functional as they used to be and that our muscles in our leg or arm are not as strong as they used to be and not as able to prevent possible harm. We're not quite as physically active after we retire and we're not able to do some things that we might desire. And when we're old, our balance isn't what it used to be back when we were young and thought that we were accident free. Now that we are getting old, we're more likely to fall down and it's harder to get back up after falling down. The weight of our body is hard enough to carry so it's difficult to have anything else to carry. And the weight of our body is hard enough to balance. So it's difficult to have anything else to balance. Our own body becomes quite the burden to bear which can put us in a state of despair. I would like to thank you all for listening to me today and I look forward to coming back if I'm able to walk here that day. Thank >> Stephen White followed by Steve Mccerk followed by Paula Mcdana. Good morning, folks. I got something here for you today. Figured I'd put my money where my mouth is. And oh, my name is Steven C. White. I'm a notorious artist and defender of self-expression through the oldest forms of human self-expression, the fine art. I've created a sculpture for you that I'm donating to the artist of the city of Reno. Really, the artists of the world. And I titled the sculpture mushroom of the butterfly effect. And here's a picture of it. Get this set up here. Because it's a sculpture, I'm hoping that you will gather with me or join with me in my artistic vision. Just like mushrooms grow in different clusters in the forest, I'm hoping that you will provide funding that we can reproduce my sculpture at least 10 times and place them in sculpt in in groupings in v various public parks around the city. Um, I enlisted a an apprentice artist to help me put this up down here in the park a couple weeks ago. you might know who this guy is. And he absolutely loved it. And [clears throat] we he's invited Nathan's invited me to speak before the uh gathering of all the park administrators for the state of Nevada in April. If we can get this done before April, I can present the, you know, uh, this entire package, the art in the park, uh, legislation from the state, the court rulings, and the sculptures of these displays in the parks around the city. And maybe we can spread this to parks all over the state of Nevada. And in do so doing, maybe Nevada can become the example for cities all over the country because the mayor then can take this entire package to the national mayor's conference and therefore the butterfly effect. Maybe we can spread that all over the country and give young people and old people and everybody a chance a venue to share the beauty of their artwork to with their community. There are no venues for fine artists, painters, sculptures, you know, photography, drawings. There are no venues for them anymore. Think about it. They can't do festivals anymore. All these young people, young artists, seniors, they can't do these festivals. They cost too much. And it's just impossible to do it. But putting these up in the park, all it takes is a little, you know, S-shaped hook that they can make out of a coat hanger to be able to hang their artwork on these displays. And each one of these sculptures can accommodate four artists. Each artist taking a wedge 56 square feet to be able to hang their artwork on. These will be anchored to the ground with spikes that'll hold them all down. They're a framework that'll go around the top of the panels that the umbrella will be attached to. And the umbrella is actually made out of bamboo, which is stronger than uh metal and stronger than regular wood ones. And also in winter time you can take these umbrellas down of course leave the sculptures up. >> Thank you. >> So I'm sure hoping you folks would maybe find this one cost me 10 cost me,000 lot of money. You can use some of the 2% of the annual budgets allocated for the arts. Maybe you can take part. >> Thank you. followed by Jerry Misbud. >> Good morning, uh, Mayor Shivian, and council members. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Steve McCur. I'm District Manager of Operation. It is one of our green trucks. That's my responsibility. Uh today I'm excited to share some key updates that reflects our ongoing partnership with the city of Reno. I'm proud to first highlight our collaboration with the city streets department specifically with Matt Tim Hris was tasked with updating outdated concrete containers and black septicles that are downtown. In their place they deployed Big Belly solar compactors which offer triple the capacity improved efficiency. This is we were able to to make sure that these um containers were serviced promptly and and swiftly during the deployment as those changes were being made. I have a picture here for the next uh part if you can zoom into that one a little bit. Um as you know our city's historic layout narrows roads and alley with narrow roads and alleyways can be difficult for modern service vehicles to manage. To meet this challenge, we're piloting a smaller collection vehicle based on the Ford F600 platform that allows us to maintain viable service in areas with limited access without compromising safety or efficiency. This is a picture of one of those vehicles right there. Um, as you can see, it's a little bit smaller than next to the the garbage truck that's next to it, but uh exciting new uh piece of equipment we have. Reno is a city that thrives on events from Hot August Nights to the Italian Festival, Santa Crawl to to Chicken Wing Festival. Our crews are working very hard behind the scenes to make sure that waste is managed seamlessly. We coordinate bin delivery and removal around the clock by navigating street closures and even the creative parking situation that we have to get around on a day-to-day basis. Our goal is to keep Reno clean and welcoming no matter the occasion. I also want to recognize the outstanding work of the housing and neighborhood development team, especially Roberto Lara and Corey Fischer. Their coordination with our operations managers ensurers ensures that those ward cleanups are executed professionally and efficiently. These events involve staging full disposal sites within a matter of an hours and make sure we get hundreds of residents through that uh safely and smoothly. These efforts also help prevent illegal dumping, which is a win for the entire community. As the weather begins to cool around Reno, you may be hearing more reports of bear activity in residential neighborhoods. One of the key recommendations for the Nevada Department of Wildlife to reduce bar encounters is securing your trash. Uh, waste management offers locking wildlife resistant containers within the city of Reno. These carts are serviced at a rate of $6 more than your standard carts. Demand for these carts has increased significantly. And while our current inventory has been depleted, we expect stock to be in by the end of next week and begin deployment again on that. Thank you again for your time and continued partnership. We look forward to sharing more updates in future meetings and the support of the city of Reno and to keep our community clean, safe, and sustainable. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for your partnership on our cleanups, too. We really appreciate it. >> Madam Vice Mayor, if I may, >> Mr. Mccor, thank you so much. I wanted to echo the vice mayor's comments about our cleanups. Um I think as you know a couple of months ago we were planning these cleanups for the fall and we didn't have the hazardous or e-waste component but thanks to waste management's partnership with the city we were actually able to pivot rather quickly and add those components and I can tell you from each of the members on this dis how very grateful we are for that um they have been very well attended in terms of what is happening there and you're right it's about keeping that stuff out of our uh desert it's about keeping them out of the rivers so it really has been a very great partner partnership and um we owe you a a deal a a great deal of gratitude. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. Absolutely. Our pleasure. Thank you >> Paula Mcdana followed by Jerry Miffs. >> Morning Paula. >> Hi. Uh thank you. My name is Paula Mcdana and I live at 100 North Arlington Avenue. Um anyway, um I I want to report that uh the Plaza Resort Club Hotel, which I believe might be under new management, has been killing pigeons downtown. I've lived in the downtown area uh on Arlington Avenue for about 20 years. Until about 10 days ago, I've never seen a dead pigeon, never in downtown Reno. In the last 10 days, I have seen at least 20 to 30 dead pigeons. they land on the sidewalk or on the curbs or something like that. Uh I live in Arlington Towers overlooking looking the rooftop of the resort uh Plaza Resort Club Hotel uh which is in the rooftop is divided into two parts and uh outdoor lounge area accessible to its guests and a rooftop containing the glass rooftop of an indoor swimming pool and the sorts of mechanical devices normally found on a commercial on a commercial rooftop. Pigeons often occupy the mechanical area, usually [clears throat] perching on the roof edge and of course occasionally pooping. The hotel has been poisoning the pigeons with food. I have I have one of the dead pigeons uh in a bag in my freezer. Um, so an autopsy could be performed to verify this statement and I would like to know if you can suggest what departments I could take uh this to with my concerns. Apparently pigeons are not protected by the wildlife act, but uh poisoning um them is against the law. So >> thank you Paula. We're going to have somebody meet with you and the city manager is also looking into it. Thank you for that. >> Oh, are they? Okay. Absolutely. Thank you. >> Great. >> Okay. Thank you. >> What a minute. >> Gary myth said >> you want it. >> I'll take your last name here. I'm lonely. I'll take this. My [clears throat] name is Jerry Myth, aka Jerry the Pizza Man. [clears throat] At 4:08 in the morning, 80 years ago, my mom gave me birth. Um, so I'm [clears throat] I'm 80 years old today. >> Come on, give it up. Um [snorts] Um, the doctor said to my mother, "Marian You have seven sons. Guess what? You got another one. My mom said, "I've run out of boys names." So Dr. Jerry said, "Name them after me." [clears throat] So [snorts] 80 years. [clears throat] What What have I learned? Well, the thing is [clears throat] I I'm learning something every day. Kindness goes a long way. Listening speaks volume. Um there's no room for hate. Give, give, give, give, and all comes back to you. But don't look for it. [clears throat] Um [clears throat] I I I remember the last day of my mom's life. She asked me to come and visit her. She had all these problems. She put up with a lot of BS for my dad. He was in a lot of pain. So I went and I knelt in front of a picture of the sacred heart of Jesus and I said, "Jesus, take my mom home. She's suffered enough. She'd given everything. Please take her home." [clears throat] [snorts] I went past and sat with mom and she was funny. >> [snorts] >> When I hugged her goodbye, [clears throat] I had this sinking feeling it'd be the last time I see you. 4 hours later, I got a phone call. Your mother just had a fatal heart attack. [clears throat] I went and I sat in the beach that night and and the clouds opened up and the moon shine right on me. There's my mom. [clears throat] >> I'll see her again someday. Tada. [clears throat] >> Art Rangel via Zoom. Okay. Can you hear me? >> We can. >> We can hear you, Art. >> You can. Okay. Uh, for the record, Art Rangel, 255 North Sierra Street. Uh, Alicia Barber had a good article referenced in today's This is Reno. I was also referencing that article as an appellant to the Glow Plaza CUP. So, I will speak to items agenda items C5 and C6 on on your council agenda. She referenced her book uh Reno's Big Gamble published in 2008, well before the so-called Neon Line Development Agreement between the city of Reno and Jacobs Entertainment, which as it turns out appears to be yet another big gamble. I'm still amazed that eight years after the approval of the so-called development agreement, we still have no idea what Jacobs proposes to do with the 100 plus properties under his control which make up much of downtown Reno. >> In my many decades of working for various municipalities as a city planner, economic and redevelopment director, and consultant, I've never seen a city give up its land use authority to a developer. But this is what happens when the city gives up that land use authority. Michael Leonard also published an article this morning related to Jacob's control properties which should give us an insight to the effects of the development agreement. On Monday, I watched President Sandaval state of the university address and was very impressed by the accomplishments the university has made over past few years. From the recent opening of a state-of-the-art business building to the workforce housing 400 unit public private partnership housing project for graduate students and faculty on the south side of I80 in downtown Reno. The UNR agreement with GSR for the state-of-the-art arena was truly transformative and a catalyst project of of the right project at the right location justifying the use of tax increment financing. In addition, the arena project will set a very high bar for future projects to aspire to. My point is that [snorts] the premier institution in northern Nevada because of its vision and execution should be a model for the city of Reno to follow. I want to make one more project. The thing that h that needs to be done downtown on the vacant properties under the not only in the control of Jac but anybody needs to be high floor to area ratio which is what generates tax increment not flat fields or vacant parking lots. The whole objective of redevelopment is not just to set not just eliminate blight but to introduce in uh vitality economic vitality which and generate tax increment. Thank you for your time. Madame vice mayor we have no additional public comment registered. For the record, we did receive seven comments which were general in nature um submitted to our online public comment form or to my office prior to 4 p.m. yesterday, October 21st. One letter of support and six letters of concern. Those have been distributed to the Reno City Council and are part of the official record. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll close public comment and ask the ma madam manager if we have any uh changes to the agenda before approval. >> We do. Thank you very much. Uh we will pull item seven. Pardon me. We will pull item C7 regarding sewer user rate increases. Um we will also have a attorney client meeting between 12 and 1 today. That's time certain. Also our rapid rehousing pilot program uh will begin no later than 2:00 other than that. Um and the RDA will come right after pulled consent items. We will open the RDA. hear both items, close the RDA, and then move into item C1. Then we'll hear everything in the order presented. >> Move to approve. >> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion, a second. All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Um, next we're moving on to item A5, which is approval of the minutes. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion or changes? All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Okay. Um, we are moving into the consent agenda. Madame or clerk, do we have any public comment? >> We do not have any public comment registered and have not received any correspondence. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm going to start with online. Do um, Council Member Eert or Madame Mayor have any items that they would like to pull on consent? >> Uh, yeah. Council member Eert, for the record, I'd like to pull uh B14 and also B15 and also uh B16. Thank you. >> Thank you for >> Madame Mayor. >> Oh, okay. >> Nothing. Thank you. >> To my right. >> Nope. >> To my left. Okay, perfect. Move to approve all remaining items. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor? I >> I motion. >> We'll now move on to pool consent items. Starting with item B14. Council member Eert. >> Yes. B14 is a uh grant for trees along Silver Lake Boulevard. And I just wanted to um kind of see if there's if there's any presentation or discussion we can have on this just because um you know I really appreciate um this happening at this location. I know I've taken a tour with our urban forestry um uh guy Matt and uh he's done a great job and also Nathan from parks and wreck. Um so just want to kind of talk about how this came to be and what the plans are for this area. Council member Eert, we don't have a person right now to answer your questions. Can we move on to item B15? Is that okay? Or do you want to uh approve it and get some backup information, whichever you prefer? >> Uh yeah, let's we can move on to B15. So, this is just I like to make sure everybody's aware if they're watching this now or later, what what's going on with these streets? So, we're accepting streets. These are streets that um you know are built by a developer, need to get up to I believe city of Reno code and then we um um accept them and then we become responsible for street sweeping and snow plowing if needed and those types of things. So if there's anybody here that can just kind of talk about what this this change means. >> Looks like we have somebody approaching the podium. >> Great. Thanks. >> We have somebody for B15. >> No. >> Okay. We We're gonna go back to B14. >> Okay. And we'll get your B15 here in the queue. >> Great. >> Back to trees. Landed. >> Back to trees. Hello everyone. Sorry for the technical problems here. I was watching on Zoom and then every and then we got up here. But uh Landon Miller, fund development manager for Parks and Rec for the record here. Uh here to talk about item B14. Um, do you have any specific questions, Council Member Eert, on this one? >> Yeah, just kind of if you can explain the process here because I know I've, you know, brought up trees, the importance of trees to me in my award uh, many times. So, I just want people to know like what kind of work you did to get this grant and, you know, what are some of our limitations? I know we can't plant trees where we don't have park space or irrigation. So, just want to kind of hear like how how we picked the spot and how how we were able to get this funding. >> Yeah. So, we were uh lucky in the fact that the company actually reached out to us. They're Impact Envy. They offered a donation of $7,000 to get those trees planted. There's going to be about 35 total. And then we're also working with Swire Coca-Cola to actually plant those trees during a like an employee give back kind of a day. That's going to be on November 1st. So Matt Brazina and Matt Basil, our urban forester, went out to the site. They made sure that it was suitable for the types of trees and everything there and they determined that it was a good location. The trees will survive and uh that's kind of how it works. So this was all a communitydriven effort. They were the ones who reached out to us and uh we're grateful for their partnership and we're grateful for their support. >> And uh Council Member I for the record, can you tell me if if they picked the location or how did we end up on this street in this section? Yeah, they are the ones that picked the location, I'm pretty sure, with um uh with confirmation from our our urban forester. So, uh I can get you that that answer specifically, but my understanding is that's how it worked. >> No, I just like people to know because I do um you know, like I said, it really >> want to highlight the need for trees in Ward 4. So, I just want people to understand what happened here and how we got here. I have had some people reach out to me about it. I had people at my coffee with your council member uh kind of ask questions about it on Sunday. So, just wanted to give people an opportunity to hear how we how we got here. Um and not everybody has access to the same kind of information we do. Um so, just wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about that. So, um I don't have any other questions. If anybody else does, go ahead. >> I think we're ready for a motion, Council Member Eert. Okay. >> All right. I'd like to make a motion to accept. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I motion carries. Okay. Do we have anybody for We're going to move on to B16. >> Okay. >> We're still waiting for B15. Council member Eber. >> Okay. Yeah. We could just talk high level about what this is, but I don't know if there's any kind of presentation or >> I don't think there's a presentation. Is somebody coming up? Are you here for B14 or B16? >> We're 15. >> Okay, come up, please. >> Come on up. >> Good morning, Douglas Buck with uh development services. >> Great. >> And we're on B15, you said? >> Yes. Okay. So, the reason I want to pull this one, I always like to pull out um pretty much everything that's in W 4 except a business license usually, but um I've had people reach out to me from new developments um upset that city of Reno is not um maintaining them yet and they just haven't been um you know, accepted by the city yet. So, can you just kind of say what happens once a street transitions from the developer to city arena? like what what happens at that point? >> So, in a in a public street, uh once the developer completes the improvements, there's a one-year warranty and um the developer's contractor, the developer maintains the street during that period. At the end of the warranty, uh public works will do another walkth through and maintain the street um after that once it's accepted by the city, of course. Okay. So, does that mean the city would be responsible for the sidewalks along there or is it just actually the street like like I mentioned the street sweeping and potentially snow plowing depending on where it is >> for a public street with public sidewalks that are in the ride ofway. Uh the adjacent property owner is typically responsible for maintaining the street uh sidewalk. Other than that, everything you said is correct. the uh city will perform snow plowing, street maintenance, uh whatever's necessary. >> Great. All right. Thank you so much. Like I said, I just I have actually had people um you know, upset that some things weren't done by City of Reno, and I just want everyone to know that there's you know, until we accept them there, we don't really maintain those areas. And uh it just comes up because I have a lot of of new housing developments coming into my area. Um, so some people just are are not aware of the process. So, thank you so much for providing that information. >> Absolutely. >> Was there any other question? Oh, go ahead. >> Yeah, I have a question. Um, if I may. Yeah. Okay. Um, my question is before the street is accepted by the city during that warranty period or even after you know it's built, are they clearing the sidewalk? I I mean the street with snow plowing and those kind of activities like who is doing it in this interim time? >> That is my understanding. carry. Yes. Yes. >> Okay. They have their own snow plow. They're responsible. >> Yeah. They would hire a contract. >> Okay. And just to be clear on what maintaining the sidewalks means, what you're saying there is from that time on the residents have to snow clear snow off the sidewalk. I think that's a requirement within a certain amount of time. >> Correct. >> Do you recall? Is it 24 hours? >> Don't know. >> Okay. And then it's come up quite a bit recently in my ward that when the sidewalks need to be replaced, we seem to be setting up sads to to then charge residents that live at the sidewalks for that. Is is that correct, Miss Kosski? >> Hi. >> Carrie Kosski, your director of public works. Um the the responsibility of the sidewalk is the property owners. the property owners cause the damage. >> So if >> or people walking by their house, I mean >> if the sidewalk is c if the damage to the sidewalk is caused by the property owners, they're responsible for it. Yes. >> But what if not it's just you know use it's you know like we're you just did I believe a big project over in California. >> So like for instance for ice melt. So a lot of times people don't understand that ice melt does cause problem to the surface of the the sidewalks. So, in all of our news uh uh neighborhood street projects, we send out notifications and we educate the property owners, we've even sent out things on our social media to let folks know that some of the things that can happen when you use certain products. Now, if there is no um if it's not if the damage is not caused by the property owner, then the city of Reno like sometimes we'll see sidewalks panels lifted. Yeah. you know, so um we will come through and either public works will put it on our contract or we'll have our maintenance and operations folks address those. We have a significant backlog of sidewalk repairs as you can imagine. Um but we do try to hit all of the priority areas um first. >> Okay. Well, going forward, maybe for um for the manager, I' I'd love to get a memo on when the sidewalks are the city's responsibility and when they're the residents. It would help me a lot. I'm sure all the council members because these are questions I get a fair amount and it's just it's a little bit confusing to explain. Yeah, actually I think we can go in further and do a presentation about kind of a tutorial about the care and feeding of a sidewalk and what is and isn't okay and also the order of priorities and and how the public works teams prioritizes them and then we can publicize the order. >> That'd be great. And when you decide that there's an SAD needed versus when it's going to be done by the city at our expense. >> We we can certainly do that. >> That'd be great. >> Thank you. Okay, Council Member, back to you for a motion, please. >> All right, I'd like to make a motion to accept. >> All those in favor? >> I motion carries unanimously. We'll move on to item B16. >> You're up. Council member Eert. >> Yeah. Um I I think I said earlier just looking for some um context and just a little brief explanation about what this is. >> Okay. Uh Matt Taylor, assistant finance director for the city of Reno. Um this is an annual resolution that uh the finance department brings to council every year um for um to designate which funds are going to be uh classified as major funds in our annual act for and there's a series of calculations that go through to determine which funds are considered major and this year the the funds remain the same as from the prior year as the general fund which is always considered a major fund um the street fund cabela's debt fund um the general capital projects fund and then both the sewer and building enterprise funds are included in it. >> And just for process, I know I asked this last year, but just how what kind of criteria determines what's considered a major fund. >> So we have to look at two um different calculations and there's different elements that we compare to each other. We're looking at governmental funds and enterprise funds and we compare their assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Um the first test is if they meet the 10% of either the governmental funds or the enterprise funds. Um they pass that first step and then they have to combine governmental and enterprise funds together. And if any of those elements um exceed 5% in total, they would pass the second. So these funds have have passed both the 10% test and the 5% test. >> Great. So I just want to put that on the record that this is not something like we are making a decision on this. There are criteria that are put into place and that is how these um accounts are determined. Right. >> Correct. The council does have the ability to add additional funds. Um most of the time that would be done for comparative purposes. If one year was classified as a major fund, but then the next year it fell off the list, we might want to con include those as a major fund again, so our financial statements are comparative from year to year, >> but for 2025, all the funds are the same. So there's no request to add additional funds. >> Great. Thank you so much. I really just wanted some information on on process to be on the record. So I appreciate uh appreciate that and your time. Um I don't have any further questions. >> Okay. You want to make a motion? >> Sure. Motion to accept. >> We have a motion, a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Thank you very much. Uh Madame Clerk, we are now going to open the RDA. >> All right. Madame Vice Mayor, um we will call role for the Redevelopment Agency board. Vice Mayor Taylor >> here. Council member Der Martinez Eert >> here. >> Reese >> here. >> Anderson >> here. She's >> Thank you. Uh madam vice mayor, you do have a quorum of the redevelopment agency board. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Do we have any public comment? >> We do not have any public comment registered. Additionally, have not received any correspondence for the redevelopment agency board item A3. >> Okay. Okay. I don't think we have any changes to the agenda. Do >> move to approve. >> Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Approval of the minutes item A5. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. Okay. We are moving on to a presentation. Very exciting. Welcome. Thank you. Good morning. Putting on your other hats as your redevelopment agency board members. Ashley Attorney, assistant city manager for the record. Here today to discuss the Reno Redevelopment Agency's rebranding efforts. Why are we here today? I think that's always a nice place to start. Uh we're starting here because the redevelopment agency was created in 1983 because there was a need to identify fixing downtown. that had gone into a state that was needing revitalization. And we find that that's continuously still happening. After a period of about 25 years of boom and opportunity in the revitalization redevelopment space, we ran into the great recession and economic hard times and the agency went dormant for nearly 20 years. Through the leadership of this body, you re-energized the agency last August where we brought forward the status agreement and identified the five programs that the agency would be focusing on. What we find right now is that the RDA's mission is very clear. This body has told us and we've heard from the public, we don't need any more plans. We don't need anything else other than to execute. What's missing from our opportunity is to storytell regarding the execution. Rebranding is hugely important for any organization. It signals renewal, energy, and relevance. Uh this is an opportunity for us to define how the agency is different from the city. As I mentioned, you are sitting in a different posture and a different capacity. The redevelopment agency is a separate entity from the se the city of Reno. Um, as we look to rebrand and reimagine our identity, we're really guided by a fundamental question. How do we clearly communicate our purpose and our value to the community that we serve? To that end, we take some inspiration from just up the hill. President Sandaval earlier this week in his state of the university address indicated that the university will begin their rebranding efforts this next year and he stated that the importance of rebranding is to help us explain what we do, why we do, and why the world should care. So, how did we get to today? In December of 2024, we posted a request for qual qualifications. Uh through this process and a scoring a consultant company residents was engaged. We brought this to the redevelopment advisory board with their recommendation. Residents came into town did stakeholder interviews, roundts, a community survey. They met with many of you as board members. Over the summer they built out a brand strategy and this was taken to the advisory board earlier this month where they gave a recommendation to this body uh from three brand options that will be presented to you today. So today you will be asked to walk away with hopefully giving us more direction on one of those three options presented to you. When we start talking about this process, the importance of understanding who are the storytellers in our community is essential for this. Each agency that we started to review has their own platform and their own audience and these are all incredibly vital to Reno's success, but each one does a little bit different work. Uh this is not a comprehensive list, but this is something that staff started looking at. As we know RSDVA, they market tourism. Their focus is selling the destination, which is hugely important for room tax and visitors, but not necessarily the lane that we occupy. Secondarily, we looked at Edon. Their focus is business retention, startup week, which we know was wildly successful for this community and workforce development. And then our very own city of Reno. Shout out to our amazing comm's team that does a wonderful job of highlighting resident impacting activities. They're the first to let us know when there's a snowstorm coming, when we have senior services available, when we have parks and recck services. These are wonderful, but again, not the same message of what the agency work does. And we find that the message is oftent times intertwined and not necessarily the appropriate pathway. We like to call this the big C versus the little C. What we found is that there's no single entity that is really dedicated to telling the stories of our neighborhoods, the impacts that we're making, the revitalization, and really the quality of life, which is what we all like to live here for. Enter in the redevelopment agency. This is our role and this is the importance of why we need to rebrand. Um, as we mentioned, storytelling is an important part of the work that this body is doing and the investment that you're making. And we reference that the redevelopment agency is responsible for placemaking. Term that's used in the industry quite a bit, but something that's not as widely known. Placemaking really comes down to how do people interact with the spaces? What makes them want to come to a park? What makes them want to come to the river and access things that are available to everybody? Storytelling is really essential also for inducing development which is a core principle for our 1990 plan that we're implementing. The agency is not new. It's just renewed. And that's an important distinction today. What is your current brand? A super rad swish. That's what I call it, the swish. Uh you might have seen this on a solo cup or a backdrop in Save by the Bell. And while we all love Zach Morris, uh this may not necessarily be consistent with what our community expects from our redevelopment agency as a catalyst, a brand is more than a logo. This is a promise that we're making to our community. And as I mentioned, the RDA currently does not have a standalone website, social media platform, or any platform to tell the story of the incredible investment that you are making. This body will be investing more than $400 million over the next 18 years in our community. And right now, we have no way to tell that story. And the reason why is because the agency was created before the internet existed. That's the punch line. So, >> I really thought that one would get a bigger win. There was no internet when we did this. uh this body is very forward thinking and you've often tasked staff with identifying what are other cities doing and so we look to other forwardthinking cities and other redevelopment agencies that are very successful in the space. We're all quite fond of Boise and we know that Boise is often a comp for Reno in a lot of ways. This agency has undergone modernization and rebranding actually three times in their history showing the importance of being dynamic and shifting in that space. Each one of these agencies is very successful in the redevelopment space. Cincinnati, Ohio has undergone an incredible change in their redevelopment agency face. Each of these designs are clean and sleek and forwardinking. We look to Calgary, which is really a mainstay from a marketing standpoint as well. We believe that the best path to success is a combination of global experience and expertise with local knowledge. Reno's revitalization story is both strategically sound and authentically grounded in our community. Through the RFQ process, Resonance was selected because they specialize in the marketing of redevelopment agencies, cities, and destinations across the country. As a global agency, they help to guide this body on the big picture and strategy. But something that's crucial to our organization is over the last year and a half, we've been hiring local companies and local brand and content creators that will be helping to produce the content that will eventually go on our website and social media channels once we have direction from this body. Uh groups like Mapp Media, Reno After Dark, and many others have created wonderful content for us, and we're excited for a platform to debut it. At this time, I would now like to turn it over to Dominic Pvost, who is the vice president of creative for resonance, to go through the brand strategy and allow for discussion from this body. >> Yeah. Go forward. >> Perfect. Hi everybody. Thank you for having me. I'm super super thrilled to be here to return to Reno. Um, I want to walk you through our process, talk to you a little bit about who we are, what we do, and ultimately present three logo options, and ideally we can land on something that works for all of us. Uh, so Resonance is uh a consultancy that specializes in places. While other creative agencies, design shops might be able to brand the pet shop next door or a beer company, uh, we only work with places. And our goal is to make places more livable, more lovable, and more prosperous for all. We've worked with a variety of destinations, of cities, uh, of countries around the world. We've done some fantastic tourism work for Visit England. We've helped create a tourism strategy for San Diego. We've rebranded and unified all the government bodies of Houston under one cohesive narrative, you know, to make sure the money works as hard as it can and the story is being told as powerfully as possible. and we're happy to work with uh the Reno Redevelopment Agency to do something similar. Uh I love Reno personally and we're no stranger to Reno. It was the number one city in our America's best small cities report. The thing that defines residents as well is our research arm. Not only do we make pretty things, we also have, you know, big brains who work in research and help find different kind of opportunities where business and vision can kind of coalesce. So coming into this program to this process we already had a lot of ideas to bring to the table. Our process as Ashley mentioned uh is broken down in a couple of different steps. We started with research which involved uh thorough stakeholder interviews. We had a site visit brand workshop where we tried to find a unified vision to work towards. We worked on naming. We developed our brand platform which really outlines what we are all about, what our vision is, what we stand for, what we promise to all who encounter our brand and who work alongside it. And then branding which is where we are right now. Uh I've got a couple of uh slides here to just set up this vision that I talked about and I'll just read it as is here. So we believe that Reno's greatness is already here and we're here to bring it all together. More than a city agency, we are a force for transformation. fastm moving, forward thinking, and relentlessly committed to progress. We're just not facilitators. We're the shapers who are perfectly positioned to help the city pivot and thrive. We're the storytellers who help presidents see themselves in the city's evolution. And we are the partners in progress who maintain the energy and momentum needed to realize our shared ambition. We're not here to play it safe. We're here to raise a bar together. move away from that solo cup logo, you know, from a stall downtown to an energized metro. In a city that's always evolving, we're here to guide us through the next chapter. We are REUP, the Reno Redevelopment and Urban Placemaking Agency. I love that name. Uh REIUP holds a lot of meaning. REI, of course, stands for Reno. It stands for redevelopment, but also rev revitalization, reinvest, reimagine, repurpose, rediscover, revamp, reignite, and up urban placemakers obviously, but upgrade, uplift, update, upsell, upside, upriver. There are so many stories that we can tell from our name alone. And I'm excited to see it all kind of come together in our brand. Our targets as a whole, public partners, developers, Reno residents of course, and opportunity seekers. everyone who's willing to start a business, invest in the city from here or from other states. Our principles is that we are trailblazing together. We have to have this strong vision but we have to be proactive. We have this boundless ambition and everything is done with intention and our personality is opti optimistic, driven, imaginative and focused. Now all of these things helped inform our design approach. Right? So because we are all these things, our design approach, our brand needs to be modular, needs to be bold, clear, legible, needs to have a sense of intelligence and structure. It's not just pretty for pretty sake. And my vision, you know, having heard everyone's kind of uh pain points and and sharing in the vision is to create a brand that will really grow with the organization, that will grow with the city as it changes. And I hope that you'll see this in the work today. This is my favorite slide in the entire deck. Uh we are really bringing you in the kitchen here. Nothing is fully baked. And you know the reason why I'm here is to make sure that your opinion helps inform our process. You know, this is not a final dining room experience. We're still trying different things. We're still adding some spices. You know, putting our fingers in pots and tasting. And I expect you to do the same in your feedback today. So, let's look at our options here. The first one starts here. Reup simple. It's friendly, very clear, very legible. Uh, nice little green. The colors are a little odd, but we can see it here. Uh, but something's kind of missing, right? It's it's very clean, very corporate. But I feel like our column, our colon can really become our creative tool that can help showcase how we engage with all the parts of Reno. So what we've done is we've turned a column into a series of little icons that can create different expressions of the logo. And every single icon can help symbolize an initiative that RIUB takes on. Right? So there's going to be as many expressions of our logo as there are projects happening in our city. Now all these logos were still in progress. We're still in the kitchen right now. They're not finalized, but they could evoke a river, factories, buildings, commercial spaces, creating a bridge, connecting to nature, connecting to community, rebuilding parks. And what's great about all of this is that with every single project that we create, that we add to our catalog, we are creating a brand that builds, that evolves, that changes. a bit like Boy Scouts and boy uh Girl Scouts that have these little badges, you know, with everything, every project or every accomplishment that they make. I'm seeing a brand evolve with a suite of icons that will help tell new stories about about the city and about all the initiatives that are being taken on. We've also got an alternative option here which uses capital letters uh where the first option is a bit more vibrant, the next one's a bit more solid. you know, we go from fresh to established, something that's a bit more friendly to something that's a tad more authoritative. Um, I like them both, but I think they were worthwhile exploration. You can see how this one shapes up. So, again, we're using the same principle of uh little iconographies uh elevating our logo whether we go with lowerase or uh uppercase here. And does this deliver on the brand villagen? I I believe so. I think it's got this sense of trailblazing together. I love the fact that this brand is proactive. It always changes, always updates with every single project. It has this sense of imagination of drive and the language, the grid, the, you know, the overall design colors are very kind of, you know, transparent and uh very functional as well. That was our first option. Let's look at our second option here, which is reup. Uh what I like about this one is that we've used the colon as these uh little arrows that point up. uh signaling, optimism, vision, momentum, and we've paired it with a shape that kind of expands on uh you know on the little colon arrows here uh to create a nice little block that we can use as a visual device. So what I like about this block is that it's got kind of a an architectural character to it. We can all also use it as kind of color blocking. So whenever you see the shape, you know Riop is talking. I like that it evokes kind of like perspective, something that expands in a 3D space. Uh, so it does also embody the sense of trailblazing together. It feels proactive. It's moving up and it has this kind of like bold, bright optimism, a touch more corporate, not as flexible as the first one, but very friendly and functional nonetheless. So these are the three options for consideration. Thank you. And with that, we'll turn it over to the body for questions or recommendations that you have at this time. >> Thanks so much. Uh I'm going to start with Council Madison. >> Thank you. This is my favorite part of this job so far. Um, these are really I I love the thought process behind this. I love the this >> strategy and the um the spirit and the storytelling that this these logos intend to set up. Um I'm usually a fan of capital letters. I I don't know why. They're just easy to read for me. Um but I don't that's my least favorite in this example for some reason. Um, it doesn't it it takes I don't know it takes the imagination out of it. I know that I think that >> the way that I look at logos with marketing and my background I >> I just want to caution everyone in this room. Don't think a logo is the brand the logo don't ask the logo to do more than what it is actually supposed to be doing. Um, but these two logos that I like are doing a lot more for the brand than most logos would. The iconography is very interesting to me because of the trailblazing and the storytelling. >> Um, I'm very drawn to mapping and how redevelopment, we're going to be able to watch these projects pop up around town and be able to see the thoughtfulness and the spirit and the potentially uniqueness of that area and what creative, you know, resources we brought to that area. So, I think that that option A is very interesting to me because it can also be evolved symbolically. Maybe the, you know, we've been here for 30, what is it, 30 years with the redevelopment agency. If we don't get to update the logo again, these icons and the style of the icons could be evolved, >> keep things fresh every single time. Yeah. >> Gives it legs and but with option two, that logo is the brand. I mean, you've you've done two things with that, which is really powerful and consistent, and it gives you the ability to tell the story um with typography and with the images that are going to be so special. Um, so those are my beginning comments here. I think I'm definitely leaning one or two and I think that, but both of them have very different characters, so I'll be very interested to see what my colleagues think. >> Lovely. Thank you so much, >> Councilman Martinez. >> Thanks so much, Madame Mayor. Thank you for the presentation, all the work you've done uh on this logo. I think at first glance when I just, you know, opened my eyes and sort of looked at each one in particular. Um option two to me really captures sort of that forward and upward trajectory. Some of the words that you've been using as trailblazers, uh reimagine or revitalization sort of is captured to me in that sense. But I also like uh the different iconography that is available in option 1A and how uh as council member Anderson said there's an ability to sort of tailor the logo depending on what topic is being discussed whether it is we're talking about housing or we're talking about uh commercial uses or the river there is that sort of specialized or focused >> flexibility. >> Yeah that flexibility that we would have um at looking at each. So, um I do think that the the option 1B does come off a little bit more authoritative and established just because it is those capital letters. Um and so with uh with uh the redevelopment agency sort of being in uh not a new space but definitely a re-imagined sort of space and um re-energizing the redevelopment agency. I think that that option 1A sort of captures that to me a little bit more and that ability to sort of start fresh and start from the beginning and sort of reimagine what we can do. So I don't know if there's a way to sort of use the iconography in option two and sort of um move those arrows uh a bit a little sort of like what you have been doing in option 1A. But if there is that, I guess a 2A with those uh options would be something that I would be sort of in favor of looking at just because again I think the way that you if you go back to slide I believe it's 45 that has that the one you were just at that one still sort of you could still tell that it's all reup there without having to necessarily have the full name. So I guess in if we were using more official, we could use the second logo that has everything in it, but the others sort of give us ability to play with that logo and be able to use it in a fresh perspective and still capture the imagination or the use of the redevelopment agency and portray that to whoever is looking at it there. So those are sort of my thoughts on it. Now, I do want to hear from the rest of the council and sort of what everybody's thinking, but that's just what I think had a first brush of it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Councilwoman Taylor. >> Thank you. I love it. I love it all. Thank you so much. Welcome back to Reno. I love everything I heard. Um I am just going to give a very simplistic feedback on it. I'm looking at it. I love option 1A. Hands down 1A. And the reason why is um I don't hate the other ones, but when I look at option two, it looks like a periodic table to me. It looks a little bit more s scientific, a little bit more confusing. And when I look at the placement of that logo, I think it might be a little bit more tricky than number one. So, I like the simple, clean. Um and this just says it all to me. And it it is a little bit edgy, but phenomenal job. Hit it out of the park. I can't wait to use it. I want to start printing it on everything and putting it in every window downtown in our RDA. So, hurry up, move forward. I love 1A. Thank you so much. >> Lovely. Thank you. You made my day. >> Councilman Ree. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, for my part, because I am not, um, Miss Anderson who has a depth of knowledge in this area, um, or the mayor who also spends a lot of time thinking about brand um, I'm thinking about it sort of more basically. And so for my part, I um if we're I was being asked to choose one, um I think that uh 1A appeals to me as does option two, maybe in that order. Uh 1A being primarily the one I'm interested in and option two being the second one. I suppose um I think though Miss Anderson had the most um thoughtful comment and it reflects sort of my idea too, which is that the brand uh and the logo only do so much, right? is more about the idea behind it. And so when I saw some of the earlier presentation about some of the cities that you've worked with, I just spent some time before the presentation to look at those cities. And what I saw was a lot of opportunity for um engagement with not just placemaking and place, but also with people. I I think ultimately um our community is made up of lots of different um areas and parts of town and the river is certainly one of the most important. the downtown area and the revitalization areas are a specific place, but those neighborhoods of course are made up of people. And so I want to make sure that whatever we do with the call it the logo, the brand uh reflects that deep connection to the people who live here uh and not um to any particular word or or thematic representation of it. And so um again I I think the work that's been done and the uh research and the getting us to this point uh fantastic and the work that you all have done at residence I think does resonate with me personally um it's what we do with it beyond this right and again um I am by profession a lawyer uh for the folks at home who play a drinking game when I say that you know it's time to drink um but it is really the reflection that we can make a decision about a logo but that gets us only one step in the direction that we want to go. Um I think like you the slide said Reno already is an amazing place. Um and we are poised to continue that kind of um greatness. The best days ahead of us is my sort of philosophy. Uh and I think the logo if it can do anything is to help us make that story to other people here. I'm not sure it's so internally focused like how does it resonate with our residents? I want it to reflect who we are, but I also want it to be able to attract a broader interest in the community to create the economic engine that will drive those decisions forward. Uh, and so there's a lot going on in the space. Uh, we are tasked with taking something which was long dormant, uh, dusting it off, rejiggering it, and then using it to grow the community in a responsible way. And I think this will help us to do that. whatever one we align or or light to uh will help us to do that. So, I'm looking forward to it and I'm very grateful for my colleagues comments uh because it is very instructive. >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah, thank you. Um thanks so much for the work that you've put into this and also I know you got a lot of support and idea generation from our own team. Um I loved your explanation of the creative process. Um it was very revealing you know what the steps you went through, how you thought through this. I like where you ended up. Um I am drawn to number option one A uh for a couple reasons. One, the colors. Um green has been actually associated with sparks and they've adopted that even though people wear green. I mean it's just sort of part of their whole branding and theme. Um but even if you did option two, which I like the um the shape aspect of it, I really do. Um, I think you could do it in a different color, but it's particularly hard to read the name of the organization in that one because it is so small relative to the overall. So, I think it is more useful to be able to read. Most people won't know reup for a couple years, right? And so, you have to tell them what that is, not just have reup. So, I think it it reads a little easier. Um, unlike a comment earlier, I am not a fan of capital letters. In fact, I used to work years ago when we had the old computers where everything was printed out in capital letters, incredibly hard to read. But in a short version, obviously, they work. But, um, the one the two things I would add is that in the first uh way you showed one a if I got it, and I wouldn't mind you going back to the slide. >> Um, the the icons I found actually kind of confusing. The um Yeah. So I think if you could reduce them um I I understand the value of expanding them because it's covers so many things but you also have to have it be immediately explanatory right and so like the travel suitcase or I think it's under commercial that doesn't really read commercial that reads travel to me um I love the nature one that's instantly understandable but the mountain one I saw mountains was even more understandable because mountains are used in so many brands around here um so And like um the Truckucky I'm not sure I really read the blue as Truckucky River. Maybe more of a squiggle uh is usually used for the Truckucky River, you know, like a >> an S-curve, sideways S-curve. Um and so on. So I like them, but I think they're a little bit confusing and I think it would if we could start with just if you did use them very fewer, you know, and get those established on whatever the main themes are, maybe four of them. Um, but anyway, if you could go back to the icon um, sorry, the branding. Um, I think that um, I I what I was going to suggest is that I still think that you could use this shape from option two in with the branding. Um, I loved how you showed the pictures, you know, filling in the blanks and the concept of going up. All of that I think is very useful. So, I feel like there's a a second layer maybe of combining 1 A and two to to get the best of both without necessarily using the words, but maybe using that as whenever we're showing pictures or laying out uh documents and that kind of thing. >> It's a great note. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Counciloman Eert. You see there unmuted. Can you just give her for me? Hello. >> Hi. >> Hi. So, sorry. Uh, technical difficulties on my end. Um, yeah. Um, can we can we look at some of the logos again? I'm having a difficult time seeing them here. I don't know if they could be more full screen on the the video. >> Uh, certainly I can show you. Let me >> That might be something that the clerk can help with, too. >> Um, this is as big as I can make them. This is option one here. Can you see? >> Yeah, I don't. Yes. Yes, I can see this. Um, so I I totally understand the need for it to be kind of simplistic just so it's easier to read. Um, just don't know. to me tells me what it's supposed to be for. Like if um I don't know this is specific enough for me and I don't I'm probably [clears throat] in the minority here, but I just I kind of like a logo to be a little more explanatory, especially if this is something brand new. Um we want people to see it and and what it is and what it means. Um, you know, and just examples of of the best logos out there, like Amazon is a smile, but it's an arrow really drawing from A to Z because they're supposed to handle everything from A to Z. And FedEx has an arrow in the logo, you know, letting you know it moves things. And uh, BaskinRobins has the the 31 in a different color in their name because it's supposed to have 31 flavors. this to me it doesn't really say Reno and it doesn't really say what we're what it's for um and I don't mean to sound harsh um in and of itself the logo is very good to read um also the colors I love green it's my favorite color but Reno's colors are more blue and and kind of gold as well so I'd like to see more incorporation of um more kind of city of Reno branding kind of involved in this so That's my feedback. Obviously, I'll support what the rest of my fellow council members think is best, but that's just my personal feedback and I don't know if anybody else um you know would share that uh sentiment um if we should you know kind of revise and try some new things. But that's my feedback. Again, I don't mean to be um this isn't negative comments. This is just kind of um you know, just just general feedback. um just due to what what this is specifically. Thank you for your time. >> Okay. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Isn't it funny how the eye for some people will go immediately to the uppercase letters versus the lowercase letters. And I always think that especially logos are incredibly subjective. I think they're a lot like art. some people are going to love them and resonate with them and others um aren't going to feel a thing. And also color can sort of make um a big difference. I do think Councilwoman Dur you made a good point. What's that >> with the green and and the association with sparks? >> So um that was very keen. >> Okay. >> I I immediately I apologize. I'm finding a bad migraine. So if anyone has a good migraine hack, let me know. Um, and also, uh, your background is really impressive in this space. Um, and so, uh, you know, I like your enthusiasm and and what you're bringing to the table. And I think that that, um, always means a lot, especially with other groups that we work with. I'm really pleased to hear that you're also working with, um, the local community. We're very, very sensitive to um, our branding. We always have been. Um I I don't remember if you were on the council at the time, but whenever we did the biggest little city campaign. >> Oh yes. >> Okay. Remember? [laughter] >> Oh yeah. >> You mean with the arch? >> Yeah. Remember? >> Well, we were very split, just so you know. Four and three on the colors of the arch. We all felt super >> We kept the logo. We made it the mayor's mark, so it's still alive. Um, but uh, you know, so just know that some people are really going to love it and embrace it and others are going to have strong feelings, but I'm sure you know, you've been doing this a long time. >> That's why, you know, the kitchen slide is so important to me. This is what it's for, right? >> You know what I love? I love that analogy because I think we always tend to jump the gun on, oh, it's the final final or this is the way that it has to be. And I think good work is always in progress. you're you're never done, especially if you're a perfectionist. It's never good enough and it's it's never enough. But um really appreciate you involving the local community. I would um encourage you to continue to do that um as you move along. But um it seems like we could make you an honorary citizen. >> I love this city. >> Enthusiasm. I do hear a little bit. Is it a French? >> It's a mix of everything. So I I come from Montreal originally, but I've lived in the in London for about two years. I lived in Paris, lived in Italy, and I was in Australia living there before I came back to live in Vancouver. So, bit of cheers. >> You speak French, >> but I speak French. Yes. >> Being from Montreal. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. I'm going to hand it back to you. Um, just by the way, I am like you. Um, I really like the bigger letters. They just sort of pop and stand out. But again, it's subjective what other people like. >> Very very If I may just build on this. >> Go ahead. I think that the value in option 1A is that we will continue building upon it. Something I interactive map with different icons showing the projects that are happening. I'm imagining social posts that will use this tapestry of icons to lead people towards the thing that they care most about. Right? And as far as color is concerned, to me green means go. Right? Blue is a color that we've associated with Reno for a long time, but reup is here to get things done and green means go >> and revitalize. >> Exactly. So I I stand very strongly by this like >> like the beautiful sweater Brandy has on. >> Yeah, I like it. Go ahead, Councilwoman. >> Okay, so brilliant work. The fact that you have been able to get the consensus even on 1A here is amazing. So well done. Um, I didn't want to get too committed to the icons or too comfortable with them until I heard my um, council members feedback. I think um, I wanted to um, just mention to council member Eert, it is not uncommon to have this exact response that you are having to these logos that they don't tell you enough, they don't say enough. That is the absolute natural response to this. What we need to know is this is just the symbol of what the agency represents. The storytelling is in the visible or is in the you know the things that are going to be paired with this. The images, the words, the icons are so cool because if we have these icons up all around town and that semicolon, this is what this this option 1A logo is working much harder than it looks like it's working because as soon can you pull up one of these logos where you have the icons in it. Now, these symbols, these icons that have the different symbols for what they represent, what this project represents, it becomes a new story all around town for the people that are actually following the story. This has so many legs. It is brilliant. I think it it fits right into the middle of all of the branding that our region is doing together. Um, I just the fact that you were able to get, I think, fiveish people to lean on this logo is exceptional. So, I hope that we can support this and then whatever evolutions come with it. >> Yes, means a lot. Thank you. >> All right, Councilman Martinez, your light's not on, so would do you want me to skip you? >> Okay, Councilwoman. >> Oh, I don't have a ton more to say. I was just going to say I like the idea that it is I think is completely separate from the city of Reno. That is the what we're trying to do with this. And um I was going to try and make a motion whenever we were ready. I wasn't sure if we had more comments. >> I'll come back to you. Thanks to make the motion. Um but for now, let me just check on everyone else. Go ahead, Council. >> One more very brief comment. I I like the um icons. Um I think they are a way to tell a story. Um obviously [clears throat] you've indicated that there could be other ones and maybe some of these are not speaking to me. Just like Miss uh Der said, I think there could be ones about art and entertainment, right? It could be a musical note. There's lots of different icons that would be um helpful. Um uh again, maybe it's that we have an evisceration about our mountain and our river and maybe those are not iconographic in that way. Um but I do think housing um you know the even the placemaking uh teardrop uh or upside down teardrop, I don't know what it's called. I I like them. I think it's fantastic and I'll be supportive of uh vice mayor's motion. >> Okay, councilwoman, go ahead. The only thing I wanted to add, this is actually one of my most favorite colors, teal. Nevertheless, um since we're talking color, and since we talked about sparks, I did want to just say, you know, we went through a tremendous effort to establish our flag. And um it does have like a a dark blue navyish color. It has gold. But I just wondered if if you should take a next step while you're evolving. I mean, let me rephrase this again. This is one I use this in my own brand. Okay, this deal >> I use capital letters in my own brand, you know, right time, right place. But in this case, I just wonder if we do want it more associated with Reno, perhaps the reup could be on on a part of the flag or the colors of the flag could be incorporated, the the blue or the gold or there's some other colors in there. I I just wonder I mean, one perspective is have it completely separate from Reno. I don't actually agree with that. I think it should be yeah tied to Reno because it is the Reno redevelopment agency. It's not the Sparks or Wo Countyy's Alfred or Carson City or anywhere else. So I just I in as you evolve um you know the gold really stands out in these icons but maybe uh the blue and gold and I know blue and silver that's the university but and I love it but I don't want to repeat it because that's part of their brand. Um, so just some things to think about as you're going through this if there's a way to incorporate some elements of the flag or or not. Maybe you make a conscious decision to not >> call out. Yeah. >> You know, just something to think about. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um, Councilwoman Eert. [clears throat] >> Yeah. Thank you. Um, couple things. One, um, I I just agree with Council Member Der on this. I think we should incorporate city of random colors. This is a city of Reno redevelopment. This isn't like a separate, you know, entity. It's not a regional project. It is a city of Reno um redevelopment. I think that's important. um you know that is a part of branching and and also um I appreciate council member Anderson's comments but I will say part of the reason why I think this could go so many ways like to your point about having legs is because it's so vague. I don't I don't think it really conveys what we're trying to convey. think if you show this to people and ask them what it means, I don't think the top 100 responses are going to say it's Reno redevelopment. That's all I'm getting at. I think a logo should, you know, communicate what it is specifically so people can see it and know what that means. I don't think that we should have to have an education campaign to explain to people what our logo stands for. Um, I feel like it's supposed to be like a, you know, it's branding. it's telling you what it is and it shouldn't be vague and it should be um easily uh understandable like that. That to me is the point of logos and I know you've worked in marketing but I will say like I have a lot of background with marketing as well and this to me just does not communicate what it is. So it's not so much like does this look nice? Yes, it does. Does it tell me what it is? No, it doesn't. So, that's that's all my comments. Um, again, I don't mean to be offensive to anyone, but that's those are my thoughts on this. Thank you. >> No, it's okay. Like I said, it can be extremely subjective. >> Yeah. >> You know, I I do agree with her in the sense that um the color I think should stay within um sort of city of Reno. I don't believe that the redevelopment agency is separate from the city of Reno because I think you need those two to blend together to identify city vitality. >> Makes sense. Yeah. >> You know, um so I do think um that sort of makes sense there. >> Yep. Um anyway, I'm going to send it to Councilwoman and have her give us a motion and I'm going to be supportive of uh what the body wants to do as a whole. I think um collaborating with each other is important and really appreciate your enthusiasm. >> Thank you. >> So, go ahead. Uh, Councilwoman Taylor, maybe there is a way for you to bring back maybe some other color that might look a little bit um identifiable with Reno. >> Yeah, I'm happy to do that. This is again, that's why we're in the kitchen, right? It's quite easy to swap an ingredient with another. So, I'm happy to happy to try. >> Um, can I just ask really quick, would you be willing to bring back pallets? >> Yeah. Like maybe different. Yeah. The reason I'm asking is when you change the color blue, it changes all of the hues of every other color in the brand palette. So, it'd be great for if you're if you're that interested in the color palette to be able to look at how that color changes the rest of the palette, you know what I mean? And then make that choice. That would be >> I mean, and the council might decide they want to go back to the green and that's, you know, what what it is. But I would love to see um some flag as a turning point, right? I don't I don't necessarily know that, but the synergy with our colors that we already identify with, >> you know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Um to maybe give it more of that identifiable feel. >> But um you know, again, it's super subjective. There are people that are going to love this and there are people that are going to be so critical. Um and that's the hard part about art and creativity. >> Yeah, I totally agree. I think that the power of this logo as well is that it's there to promote all these different projects and initiatives. I don't want it to take the spotlight. I just want it to be a a proud cheerleader essentially, right? Because the project will be or whatever the initiative is is going to be the hero and we're just there supporting it, accelerating it, getting it done. And so if the logo can wink to what's being made and if it can feel connected to the brand of the city, even better. Yeah, these are all >> an I like the analogy. It's good. >> Oh, yeah. I've been getting a lot of [laughter] wings. >> Um, okay. Go ahead, Councilwoman Taylor. >> Okay. Thank you. And I'm just very appreciative of the conversation and the discussion we had. I think this was a a great great um discussion for everyone. Thanks to our team and I would like to approve option what I heard was 1a to take it back to the kitchen and start start cooking with some different stuff. And um that would incorporate the board's input into developing the final brand package. >> Okay. >> Okay. I have a motion. I have a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Wait, I have a I have a Yeah, this Council Member Eert. >> Okay, go ahead. One one second, Councilwoman um Anderson and Okay. All right. Thank you. I just didn't know if you have more comments. Go ahead, Councilwoman Eert. >> So, I just want clarification on the motion. Is this asking for um like additional work on colors, but we're using the uh kind of the graphic format of 1A. I just want to make sure I know know what exactly it is we're doing. >> That's how I understand it. >> Ashley, attorney, assistant city manager. For the record, uh the direction that staff believes that this motion is today is to take the premise of 1A with the direction given by the body. We'll look at color palette options and then bring back to you for final adoption to incorporate into the brand. So yes, council member. >> Okay. I I'm so sorry. I just I can't support it just because as I think about it more, you know, it just needs to be more um I think it should explain more what it is. I don't think it's um enough information in this logo. Um, so I I'm not going to support I am happy to hear that the um motion includes kind of re-evaluating color palette, but I just I don't think this conveys what we want it to convey. So, I'm very sorry. I appreciate your motion and uh incorporating that feedback on the colors, but I'm not going to be able to support it. >> Okay. All right. Any other comments? Seeing that there are none, I have a motion. I have a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion. Motion carries. Thanks so much. Thank you. We look forward to seeing you soon. >> Yes. Um, tell me where you would like us to go. >> C3 and >> Okay. So, um, we are going to open C3 and the RDA B1 together. Madame clerk. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. We have no public comment registered and have not received any correspondence on this item. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um, hold on one second. I got to skip through agendas. >> How are you? >> I'm good. How are you? >> It's good to see you. >> You, too. >> Um, and he can just go if you want to see. >> Go right ahead. >> Matt Taylor, assistant city or assistant finance director for the record. Um today I'm here to present the updated investment policy for the city of Reno and the um redevelopment agency of the city of Reno. Um the changes to the investment policy align with the fiscal sustainability and government's and organizational effectiveness outlined by council. Um why does the city have an investment policy? It's for our legal compliance with what we're investing in. It safeguards public funds. It promotes um uh financial stability. Um it's also transparent and accountable of what we are investing in. We try to maximize returns and it uh facilitates oversight over the the money that we have. Um the proposed changes are to align with NRS and there's only two changes with the current investment policy. Um the first is to um reallocate the portion of commercial paper increasing it from 10% to 25%. And there's still a limitation of a 5% that any one investment can be of the overall portfolio. The second change is to um allow for medium-term obligations of local governments are now allowed where previously was only short-term negotiable bonds. So, this will allow the city to invest in other um 10 years or less bonds that are issued by any municipality within the city of Reno or local government. Um it'll allow for higher flexibility of our investments and and allow for higher returns. Uh this was taken to the financial advisory board on September 11th and they approved it and I'm here for any questions if you have them. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Um any questions? I don't see any lights on. Councilwoman Iver, do you have any questions? >> No, not at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm going to hand it over to Vice Mayor. >> Thank you. I move to adopt the revised investment policy for the city of Reno and redevelopment agency of the city of Reno. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries unanimously. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, we are actually going to move around and I because I'm going to be um sensitive of our time commitment to our attorney client privilege and I would like to move to item C5. Madame clerk, >> can we close the RDA? >> Oh, we have to close the RDA first. Sorry, one second. We have to actually I think we have a couple items on there, don't we? >> That's it. >> All right, Madame Clerk. Um I think we need to What do you need? >> Motion to adjourn the RDA. >> I think we have to say um item C1. >> We have no public comment for the redevelopment agency board. >> All right. And we have no items um for C1. So at this time I have a motion um >> from Councilwoman Taylor, a second from Councilman Reese. All those in favor say I. >> All those opposed. Motion carries. Okay, we are now going to head into item C5. Um, and madame clerk, do we have any public comment on that item? >> Madame Mayor, we do have pub or we do not have any public comment registered. We did receive correspondence as one letter of neutrality or concern that has been distributed to the Reno City Council and is a part of the record. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Uh, then I'm going to allow Mr. Gordon to give us your presentation. >> Hello, Madame Mayor. >> Council, nice to be here. Yeah, nice to see you. For the record, Garrett Gordon, uh, >> legal counsel for Jacobs Entertainment. Uh, at the pleasure of council, I have a presentation that comp combines C5 and C6 and happy to answer any questions for both items. >> Okay, >> so we're here today for a review of both the J Resorts Glow Plaza and the Reno's Neon Line District Development Agreement. Also with me today is uh Richard Jacobs, assistant director of group sales and special events. So why are we here? Uh the Reno's neon line development agreement um was approved in November of 2021. Uh in that agreement there was requirement to come back and provide updates. Uh there was initial update required a year later after approval. So I was here in 2023. Then subsequent to that I come back every two years with an update. So, this is our first two-year update today. Um, street lights, uh, development agreement allowed for a specific design of street lights in the district. We've been working with RTC over the last few years and happy to, uh, report to you that when RTC does its upgrades on West Fourth Street that our street light and the design standard in the agreement will be installed. So, very exciting sustainability. Um, I think this was this condition was actually added by council at the time I appeared before you. A requirement that at a minimum projects provide one charging station for every 50 parking spaces with a minimum of one space provided on each project that has 10 or more parking spaces. Reporting to you today, we are in compliance at both the J Resort upgrades as well as the Arlington Apartments uh that just opened earlier this year with charging stations. Speaking of the apartments, very exciting. Uh the two 245 North Arlington apartments are open. Uh 60 apartment units open March 1st, 2025. Currently 80% leased. We're very excited and I thought this would happen, but all units facing the festival grounds were rented first. So folks love being on the back side of the building, love being on their patios and listening in their balconies and listening to uh the music. So it's been great there. Uh I pulled this from the website. I thought it was great. Your new urban oasis. Discover modern living at 245 North Arlington, where comfort meets style in the heart of downtown. So, a nice new brand new um apartment project in the heart of the district and downtown Reno. Also, uh Jacob's family continues to expand and reinvest in the old sands. We don't see that anymore. It's now the J Resort. Um, as you know, uh, considerable resources have been deployed to bring it into what I like to say is the nicest property in in Reno, if not, um, Nevada at this point in time. Um, as you know, Mr. Jacobs has said in the press a few times, we need a front door. So, now we're working on uh the north expansion, which will, as you can see here, bring the front door off of Fourth Street along with um a portico. some of his Italian car collection will be showcased in the valet area and we're excited that's currently under construction and should be wrapped up by the end of next year as well as some interiors. You can see uh uh the lobby will be larger and we continue with the entertainment and arts district, a brand new art piece, the Goya Tornado will be the vocal um the the focal standpoint uh of the lobby as you come in off of Fourth Street starting next year. So very excited about more art into the district and into the Jay. Part of this presentation is to provide an update on the Glow Plaza. I'm required every year to come here and provide you um with what happened uh the following year at the um the Glow Plaza facility. So 2025 concert series, seven events. Um you can see very it's a broad spectrum events that have occurred there. three in May. Uh concert venue for Common Kings, Nappy Roots, Montel Jordan, which was a favorite favorite infamous string dusters, bingo logo, so loco. So very diverse, uh very exciting year there. A lot of people, a lot of new folks that we hadn't seen in prior years who plan on coming to the 2026 concert series. And when this body approved that use permit, it was important to all of you that we also um included and incorporated community events at no charge. So, just to name three here, we hosted the Reno Running Company race 178 and had, I believe it was a record over 3,000 runners kind of start and stop at this facility, which was great to bring maybe new folks who haven't been downtown lately um to enjoy downtown and see um certainly that it's uh in a very good place in this particular district. Two, the Junth celebration. We hosted that event. over 700 attendees. That was very special. As well as the Asian Moon Festival, we've done the last couple years over 3,000 attendees for that community event. So, we continue to incorporate community events as folks contact us. J Resorts Festival Grounds that's open this year uh located in the heart of downtown Reno. J Resorts Festival Grounds offers a festival experience like no other. this 5 acre venue with ample parking. Natural grass. Let me say that again. Natural grass. Really exciting to have some green space, natural grass in downtown Reno. Uh with ample parking, um Reno cityscape as a backdrop and worldclass staging and production make this place to be this summer for music festivals and more. And here's been the itinerary so far. And we have been absolutely um it's not surprised, absolutely ecstatic about the number of folks who have attended to date. As you can see here, we've gotten through about five events from reae to uh to country. Uh it's been all over the board and we have already over 22,000 folks come to downtown Reno to attend a few of these festivals. You can see here we have one Halloween night which is already selling out uh quickly. uh another one in November, one New Year's Eve, and then already you're planning for for March or for uh 2026 um neon night series that'll feature juvenile. So, we're very excited. It's been a huge success, and we can't wait to build on it later this year and into 2026. So, top of this screen, you can see uh some language right from the development agreement. Um dynamic mixeduse entertainment district. We have the Globe Plaza. We have the festival grounds. We have the J Resort. Uh what does our downtown action plan say? We need to build on tourism assets, outdoor recreation, infill and redevelopment, revitalization of downtown economy. With those downtown action plan policies combined with our dynamic mixeduse entertainment district, what's next? Amateur sports. You may have saw in the paper this morning, we're very, very excited about an announcement of up to 12 turf uh flat fields starting off with phase one uh four fields. Why? Youth soccer tournaments generate a significant economic impact primarily by bringing sports tourism to local communities. The boost in revenue comes from visiting families spending money on hotels, restaurants, transportation, retail purchases. Sports EA, a local trade association for sports events and tourism industry, released a study just um in 2023. The report underscores the strength of sports, excuse me, sports tourism sector showcasing direct spending impact and this is a big number 52.2 billion dollars of impact which generated a total economic impact to communities in our nation of 128 billion. That's a big number. And I we want Reno to have a piece of that and how and we'll find out when I put this battery back in this clip. And particularly youth sports, youth sports in general in our country is about 19.4 4 billion industry and had shown consistent growth year overyear despite economic downturns making it an ideal catalyst for economic development through participation in tournaments and other programming sports tourism destinations draw thousands of attendees to their communities each year. This often creates a positive impact for these municipalities, driving hotel stays, as you've heard through RSCVA, those words, heads and beds, and spending in local shops and restaurants, generating hotel and sales tax revenues. I can say as a father of two girls who have played club soccer. Uh, for the last decade, I've spent a lot of my time and money in Roseville, and Sacramento, in Fresno, all over Northern California. and I can't wait to stay here at home and spend time and money in our local community and bring those Californians over here and have their spend their hard-earned money in our community. So, it it's very exciting and I can attest to I can attest to it firsthand. Uh when families travel for youth sports, they spend money on local hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and shops. On average, families spend about $1,000 per trip when they come into a community. again on hotels, food, restaurants, um and and here likely gaming. Uh this influx in visitors can be a lifeline for local businesses. So, we're very excited here to focus on soccer and lacrosse. Why is that? Well, you can see soccer reigns supreme and overall economic development for youth sports. You can see that graph there on the left really talks about the annual spend which is over $5 billion annually for for youth soccer. Why is because it's so broad both boys and girls. It's an international sport and $5.2 billion annually spent across this country. Again, Reno should get a piece of that pie. And how are we going to do it? So, Jacobs Entertainment has announced today that a new traveling youth sports initiative in affiliation with J Resort, we've created the downtown Reno Amateur Sports Association. This association will construct up to 12 soccer lacrosse fields over the next six years with the first four expected to be open next summer. So, we plan to have our first tournaments next summer in June, hosting it in downtown Reno with families from all over the West Coast enjoying downtown Reno. As of now, we've ser we've uh secured land for three of the four fields. So, this is the block second street to the south, the tracks to the north between Washington and Rston. So you can see a soccer field there that runs parallel to Washington and then up in the northwest corner there that abuts um Washington on the left, rston on the right. We those currently will be 7 by seven and 9 by9 fields. Those are for middle school kids, you know, elementary school kids. As we get from four fields to 12, we have hopefully more space to get to 11 by 11 for the more high school fields. But for now, we have 7 by seven, 9 by9s also fits lacrosse. We've been working with the lacrosse community, which is now in Nevada, a distinction sport, and we're excited to be able to host tournaments for lacrosse. The third field fits very nicely south of the festival grounds between the apartments and the Gibson building. It's also exciting that we have the festival grounds and the Glow Plaza. We envision the Glow Plaza and have a medal ceremony. Let's go have a trophy ceremony um for amateur sports. So the fourth location. So you can see here my slide I showed earlier. There's a a field that we're exploring a public private partnership with them in red to add a fourth field or third field on this block. A fourth field overall. As the number of fields and fields and teams grow, we anticipate demand for downtown hotel rooms to exceed a thousand rooms per turn at night. Certainly, the J Resort cannot handle all of those rooms. So, we're excited that there'll be other opportunities for other downtown hotels to partner with us to meet this demand. We're confident that downtown Reno can accommodate 25 to 30 youth sports weekends per year. We're also happy to announce our community partners. Uh today with me is Randy Ritter from Reno Apex Soccer Club. Uh co-founder of that club along with the Great Basin Youth Soccer League President. uh formerly the Nevada Youth Soccer Association League Commissioner, Director of Northern Nevada Olympic Development Program, Rob Range, uh Reno Apex Executive Director, licensed and formerly a co-director of Northern Nevada Olympic Development Program and Nevada Youth Soccer Association vice president and Justin Cutler, president of High Sierra Lacrosse. We have the best of the best in this community uh and the experience that they have both in soccer and lacrosse. So, we may not be I might be an expert in traveling soccer teams, but everyone Jacobs Entertainment as a whole is going through a learning process and they've pulled from some local talent uh to make sure that we're operating these tournaments correctly, we're managing the fields correctly and that we are uh a gem of local youth sports uh tournaments as we move forward next year. The resort's first traveling youth soccer weekend is scheduled for June of 2026 with approximately 140 to 150 teams. So just do the math. 140 150 teams times 11 to 15 players per team times around $1,000 per family. That number adds up pretty quickly for economic development opportunities uh in our downtown area and in Reno as a whole. We also anticipate about 25% of the teams will come from the Reno area. So, it's not just out of state, but we're bringing in local teams to participate uh downtown as well. So, with the opening of J Resort's expanded front entrance in the spring, featuring several dramatic new art sculptures, I showed you one, a full concert season ahead, we're proud to showcase the play element of our vision to make downtown Reno a true regional live, work, and play destination. And with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Madame Mayor, for the time. >> Okay. Um, very, very exciting. I I think one of the best things that you can do for our youth is get them outdoors and sports is I don't think there is a better way. It absolutely saved my life. I would be a total disaster today if I did not have sports in my life. Um, I think it's fantastic. It's super exciting for downtown. It really changes the landscape on so many different levels because this typically wouldn't be this is not traditional and I absolutely love that. And if we can get more people um outside and playing sports, uh we're going to be a lot better off for our mental health and um and our physical well-being as well. Um, I think people crave that more than ever now with um, going through a pandemic. And I think as parents, you know, you're always trying to find more ways to keep your kids um, doing something healthy, getting them off these things, right? Um, and so I think it's phenomenal. And you know, it's so funny because people will be so critical. I I don't know how you win in any capacity because, you know, you could say, "Okay, we're going to build four more casinos." And I think people would be like, "What?" You know, so I I think this is really out of the box and um it's exciting, especially it sounds like you're doing some investment in in a youth sports initiative association, which Do you want to talk a little bit about that? Because I see you getting up saying, "Yes." Um which is so cool. >> I appreciate that, Madame Mayor. Um, I was so excited about the fields and uh I skipped this particular bullet point so I'm glad you mentioned it. Um, so all four fields are within walking distance of the J Resort of course, but which is also one of our tenants and one of our building is Redirect Athletics. You haven't heard about this organization, it's fantastic as far as youth and empowering youths who may have trouble backgrounds to get into sports, boxing, soccer, lacrosse, whatever it might be. Jacobs has certainly contributed uh both time and monetarily to this nonprofit organization. Uh this organization provides a mentorship and a healthy kids outlet to kids of all ages via sports and physical activity. Our nonprofit reflects Jacob Entertainment's ongoing investment in supporting growth oriented activities for Northern Nevada's youth. So we're very excited that our tenant, our partner Reno, Reno Direct Athletics will have great proximity and access to these fields to expand upon where they are and grow where they're headed. So thanks for the opportunity. >> The divers I think the diversity in something like this um is really really exciting. Really exciting. Um so what are you thinking? June, first game. June, we're gonna play the city of Sparks. >> Absolutely. >> The Reno City Council against the City of Sparks. Let's bring >> Yeah. Council versus council. How about that? >> What do you think? >> City council versus city council inaugural game. How about >> there you go. And then the the winner will get to play the county. >> Um, no pressure. >> We had a couple of people on their team though, >> I think. So, no pressure on the development team or on Mr. Ritter who will be operating it behind us. But uh we are scheduled and he's already planning for about 150 teams June of next year. So we have some work to do between now and then. But we're very excited. >> But you know what? If memory serves me well, >> we did play when Moana opened. When those um fields [clears throat] opened, I believe I played against Bob Cashelle and someone in the back over here. [laughter] Um, and they're fierce players. So, I think we'll have to do a redo of that whole match, but very cool. All right, I'm gonna send it over to Councilwoman Anderson. >> Thank you. This is really this is really exciting. Um, the development. I know that, you know, I read in the some blogs and in the in the paper and I read editorials of really respected opinions on, you know, land use development and things and where communities have been in the past and how what Reno isn't doing um that to replic replicate what people have done in the past. This is exactly where I think our community needs to go and especially where downtown needs to go. This is pure activation. This is humans in downtown doing something healthy. We're going to have a noise or ordinance because of the whistles that are being blown. It's going to be fantastic. I am a mom that has spent I will be working until I'm 75 because all of my riches have gone over the mountain whether it was hockey, football, basketball, baseball. >> The truth. This is real wholesome activation in downtown Reno that I know people aren't going to understand it until they're living it. This is fantastic. It'll bring local businesses down to downtown. Mom and pops. If you have ever been in in South Reno, we have a um South Creek um it's a little business village and there was a you know an event center down there that got activated and people had great events there but a church moved in and every Sunday that center is just filled with families and they are they're supporting those businesses. This is real activation for downtown and I'm really excited to see it. So, thank you. Thank you for the update. >> All right, Councilman Martinez, you don't have your light on, but I assume you want to >> Yes. weigh in. >> Thanks so much, Madam Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. Um, I agree with a lot of the comments that Council Member Anderson has said. I'll just add that I appreciate the fact that you're focusing on uh our younger uh children in the community. It seems like there's a lot of opportunities for those bigger fields that are build being built and developed uh and designed in other parts of our town. So the fact that you're focusing on smaller fields first and making sure that we have sort of that pipeline for individuals to continue to play soccer or lacrosse as they age. Uh we'll give folks an opportunity to not just experience downtown like in this example, but also maybe on the eastern parts of town where we'll have um hopefully some larger fields soon and we can start uh providing those opportunities. So, I'm really excited to hear about those flat field opportunities. Uh, from what you said, it sounds like there's going to be 12 and forwards just to start. So, excited to see what other opportunities can happen either between uh the city of Reno and Jacobs or other public partnerships that you can establish to get these going. I'm really appreciative for Reno Apex for being here and being willing to partner with you all to bring this uh these facilities on site. So, thank you for bringing more green spaces into downtown and making sure that we have activation and recreation for our youth. >> Council Taylor, >> thank you. I'm going to go ahead and give you guys a third third party endorsement. One of my neighbors, I live in Arlington Towers obviously and I live downtown, sent me this this morning before I even saw it. They said 12 downtown soccer fields. Whoop whoop. Green grass. absolutely brilliant solution appealing to traveling soccer clubs and ugly empty asphalt parking lots disappear. So that is what I'm hearing from the community that lives down there. Um, one thing you mentioned was the public private partnership and I think that's really important right now where we're at in the city. So I would like to see where we can partner with you in that too and just anything that we can do to move this forward. Again, I my kids are a little bit older now, but I too travel back and forth and back and forth. And with two kids in different ages, you're you're trying to go in different states and different cities. It's This is going to be fantastic. We're I'm very very excited. But I can't You brought up the whistles and I I just can't wait to hear that people talk about the whistles. [laughter] Thank you so much, >> Council Ree. >> Yeah. Thank you so much for the presentation, uh, Mr. Gordon. A couple of things. Um, first, uh, like you, I have lived youth sports, right? And so, and like Miss Anderson, spent most of my waking hours and every weekend and every dollar traveling over the hill to play basketball and soccer and softball. And so I always uh wondered when that moment would arrive when our community would have the type of resources necessary to be able to keep those kind of resources here and to attract other people to come here because I think it's it's for both, right? It's for those folks growing up here to have adequate spaces to play. That's why in this community you can see an incredible coalition of folks from the lacrosse folks to soccer. uh the Sierra Youth Football League, which is I think now merged in with Pop Warner. We all these kids need places to uh play and practice. Um we're tapped out at our parks. We're our YSA is often having to, you know, wrestle with uh the very limited demand we have. I I think this is why you see Councilman Martinez and Miss Dur leading the charge over at the Mill and McCarron area. There's a huge robust discussion there. Madame Mayor has been really working hard on the Pemrook area. We've refreshed some of the Miraloma parks. We know there's a lack of consistent access to um sports and activity fields. So, it's a very exciting opportunity I think for Reno. I I also think um you know, Jacobs Entertainment, Mr. Jacobs um and Mr. Jacobs Jr. It looks like here today. Um look, we I I believe in the work that Jacobs Entertainment has done. uh the commitment of this community is pretty unmatched in terms of the investment uh the philanthropy that's come along with it. I mean people like to forget about some of the interim things that have happened about uh the creating of the Willie JW win housing complex for example. Um all of these things come with significant costs and uh personal capital and uh it has not always been a very gracious spotlight to be you know quite candid. But what I think is is our community is um coming to figure out that when Jacob's Entertainment says it's going to do something, it does it right. And that is the mark that invites our community in to participate fully in the the success, right? We want for your success too on Forest Street because as your success goes, that several hundred acres um it really drives the the region's opportunity. So, I'll have more to say in maybe a second round, but I I just want to say thank you for the investment in Reno. Thank you for believing that our children deserve to have places to recreate. Um, we at the city of Reno are very grateful for people who are making those investments. And if you look, Reno is on the map. You have a new arena at the GSR. We've been able to participate in that. You have a new USL soccer league over at the former Corwin Ford, Jones West Ford dealership. things are happening here. Uh I think the ACES are probably next on deck to uh really start thinking about the critical investments in our region and I know that they're thinking about it too. All of these things are working in concert together to create brilliant opportunities and bright future for Reno. >> Yeah, thank you. Um really an astonishing presentation. Thank you so much. Um we have known I'll just speak to the fields part for a minute. we have known in Reno for not just 5, 10, 15 years, but really 25 years going back to Miss Frazza's time on council when the Moana pool was torn down and she had the vision to say let's build flatfields and that then was very controversial but it has borne out tremendous activity in that region. I live right off Moana. I have seen it every day. And then the consternation when we move forward with the Moana pool and how to take away some of those flat fields that people have become accustomed to. Um and recently we had our pros plan which is our um our parks recreation open space plan which said we're 51 fields short. I don't know if you can say that's the exact number but let's just say we need a big number of fields. Um this is certainly a start. You said three to four fields um in that direction. And I really think that you've hit on something important, which is bringing people of all ages downtown and making, you know, prior to this, nobody under 18 was allowed, right? It was all about casinos and um you were ushered out of any building if you were younger than that and even younger than 21, you know, for drinking. So, um, you know, it's incredibly important this vision and and whether it's an amalgam of the Jacobs family or your consultants. Um, I really think it's a move in the right direction. It's really phenomenal. Um, I want to understand a few details if you wouldn't mind sharing. Um, I didn't hear someone said grass, but is that what your plan is or is it um artificial turf or what? What is the plan? >> Uh, for the record, Gary Gordon, thank you for the question, Councilwoman. Uh, it would be artificial turf. Certainly very nice high-end. For example, Golden Eagle has worn very well on turfs. Manoke High School has a very nice turf field, so it'll be turf. >> So, um, artificial turf. >> So, the more you know, I would encourage, and I know that they've had challenges with the youth soccer on keeping their grass alive, but they've done a phenomenal job. And, um, you know, thinking about the environment, the grass would do much better. I've discouraged a lot of the developers from putting in artificial turf for a couple reasons. Has to be cleaned. think it's hard on the skin. Um I mean falling on anything is hard, right? If it's cement, if it's dirt, um but artificial turf, um has its own challenges. I perhaps it's something where you can start with artificial turf and over time it takes a few years for real glass to grow in, but it would do a great things for the environment. It would allow water to soak in. It would actually help cleanse the water that's so near the Truckucky River. Um I just think it's something that as they get into it, they should consider. people just like grass, you know, it's just how it is. Um, the other thing I wanted to ask you, I wasn't really sure from your pictures where this was located. I couldn't tell where's the railroad, where is the, you know, if you could just lay it out for me. >> Sure. So, uh, this picture on the bottom of the screen is uh, Second Street. And then on my right hand, actually, is there a Does this work? Here we go. Okay, perfect. Here's Second Street. >> Okay. Here is Rston. >> Yeah. >> Here is the Glow Plaza. Excuse me. Here is the festival grounds. >> Yep. >> Here's the Gibson building. >> So, across the street are two current vacant lots and the field would be located. >> Got the trenches north. >> The trench is north >> right there. >> There's a long rectangled shaped um parking lot. This is Bell Street that bisects the block. Second field would be located here on the western side of this large rectangle parking lot. And then the third site, which I don't show here because we're still um working with the school district, but would be located here uh on their site, the top say twothirds of it. >> So Bethl Beth Bell Street, is that where the Bethl AM church is? >> That would be uh the church is located right here, Councilwoman. >> And then uh well, I'm out of time, so sorry. Thank you for explaining. Um, Councilwoman Eert. >> Yeah, I just want to say this is fantastic. I'm really um happy to hear about the the fields, you know, the five acres of of grass that are um at Jacob's um location. I would like to kind of um reinforce what Naomi said. I would really like to see if there's a way that we could have natural turf um for these fields just better for the environment, better for um all of us to be on, you know, more natural um surfaces. Um so, just wanted to say that, but also really happy to hear about that um nonprofit for youth sports. Um it's something that is uh particularly lacking uh in Ward 4. We don't have um any community center or place for the children that live in the city of Reno out here to recreate. So, I would like to find out if there's any way to um bring that organization out to the north valleys if there there's a way to provide transportation because our kids out here um they're finding stuff to do and unfortunately it's it's not always um it's not always productive. Um so um just really interested in finding out how we can make this accessible to everyone in the city of Reno and also um just really happy to see things happening. I know there's been a lot of um kind of um uh unhappy opinions about vacant lots and things like that. So I'm just happy for um development to come in and I think this is great um for activation of all the hotel spaces. Um I mean you're absolutely right. It won't just affect um the Jay. Other other um locations downtown will be used or even not downtown. People go to Peppermill or um Atlantis. Um so I I think this is great. I know that, you know, if we are able to bring any kind of sports out to the North Valley's area, maybe we could work with um the county uh regional parks. Um I would love to see that. And again, anything that happens out there, Ward Florida doesn't have any hotels in it. So, anytime we have an event out here, it will also increase the um room nights in um in the downtown area. So, just wanted to throw that out there. Thanks so much for the youth sports. Um we had um a gentleman that was trying to get a a soccer stadium built in my ward as well. There's some been some hold up there. So, I'm happy to see that that a project of this nature is going forward in the city of Reno. So, um that's kind of it. No real um heavy feedback. Um and I just do also appreciate the noise factor. Um you know, but I assume hours of operation uh will help mitigate uh those types of issues. and just want to um you know reiterate that we do have certain codes in the city of Reno and they do apply to everyone. So um I'm I'm hopeful that that doesn't disturb anybody, but um also looking forward to to seeing this um come together. So thank you. >> Okay. Thanks so much. All right, Councilwoman Anderson, your lights on. >> Um I just was wondering I was just thinking about our experience in this in this world. the ability to book entertainment around a ma a major sports tournament is a huge draw to this area. I could just being able to have a concert of some kind and this is like the opportunities are really endless to rebrand this whole area. I'm this is exciting. I'm just sorry that's pretty cool. >> Okay, councilor, you're live on. >> Thank you. Um, I just wanted to also, um, shift gears for a minute and compliment you on the art that's in the lobby. That's a phenomenal piece. Um, and I have no idea what it cost, but it had cost a lot. And, um, it's it's a it's it's statement making, right? I mean, it's really that. Um, I also wanted to just say a few words about the artificial turf. This is not about this project. I've been on this theme for at least five years in part because I serve on Tamwa. And what I just want to go on record is saying we know we're the fastest warming city, but what they have identified with artificial tur it says that it can um you know that it gets extremely hot. So it it will further concentrate our heat. The it has the microplastics and the POS and as they break down through abrasion that then gets um put into the air and then ultimately into the water. Um and then the injury risk that I was mentioning it is documented. I'm just asking you to take a really hard look at it. Real GL grass has challenges as well with water, mowing, all of that. There's no perfect answer, but I hope that when you get into looking at it, um that you'll lean on that side. You've already put in a real grass field for your uh festival. And I don't know how it's working. Hopefully, it's working well, but you you listed it as an appealing thing. You know, it's it's something that draws people. They like it. Um so, I just wanted to encourage you to really take a hard look at it. I certainly have worked with uh Mr. Doredto and down south Reno to not uh put in plastic. He was originally doing that um in their front yards and then stopped after he checked into it. So, it's just something really to take a look at. You have such a phenomenal opportunity here to do something not just good for downtown but also good for the environment. Thanks. >> Okay, Council Ree. >> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Um Mr. Gordon or uh Mr. Jacobs, either one are welcome to come up. I I wanted to ask a couple of things about um this sort of confluence of sports available fields downtown. So, it makes sense to me what happens on the weekends. What happens on a Tuesday night? Can the DRAA and the redirect will they have access to utilize the fields on some basis? meaning I'm hopeful that it's a not just a weekend thing and and certain six weekends a year, but more like all the opportunity that could be there because we we are in an area where there's quick access to great food options. Uh there's a lot of resources along the I80 corridor that are very close to there. So, it seems like the businesses in this area would benefit from having people there with some frequency. What happens there? >> Yeah, thanks for the question, Councilman. Um for the record, Gary Gordon. So, we're hopeful uh to hit about 20 to 25 weekends uh per year, which should be fantastic. And hopefully long weekends, you know, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Um on the downtimes, yeah, we look forward to working with local organizations and seeing if there's availability for for practice schedules or local games. Um certainly like any other field there's you know they're rented out and they're maintained but we would certainly work with our community partners with Apex and that group and others to make sure that we are fully activating um these fields. They're they're not cheap. So activation is certainly important as much as possible. >> Yeah. And and look, I am not asking for commitments. They're not public parks, right? I I want people not to be confused by what is happening. It's a redevelopment play that allows for us to really benefit regionally by the activation, especially with regard to a par an area of town that has had, you know, some history. So, I think it's very important to be upfront about it. I I'm very supportive and and think gosh, there's just a million different permutations that are running through my mind about what this might also spin off and result in because I think that there are the you've identified four. Now your vision is for at least eight more meaning potential other sites that could be examined. I think there's ways to um you know footsaw for example is another example of one where we have over at Paradise Park installed some of those a very fast growing sport and game. Obviously there's pickle ball maybe pickle ball would be something that would be considered in phase future phase. I I'm not suggesting that I know the answer, but I'm just saying that this area of town has all the infrastructure needs already there. It has great roadway networks, good parking, uh I think uh connectivity to the river is very close. Uh and then there's food options for these families and of course the hotel uh option. So I think that's great. Let me ask, you were here of course as well to talk about just the update and you gave some broad updates. And Madame Mayor, if I go over just slightly, I want to be able to ask um what what else is aside from some of the great uh uh sportsbased tourism opportunities are there? What's still on the plate? Are there uh and I know you said that the Jay Resort was going to have a new front face. Um but I know that there were also conversations about some placemaking, wayfairing signage. There was also discussions in the past about housing opportunities, which I think in this environment economically, I I'm not sure anyone can really be doing some of that, but I think there's a long-term opportunity here that may still play out in these spaces. Uh the area looks fantastic. When I drive through it, it's activated by art and great lighting, all those things. What else might you share with the public about that? >> Yeah, thank you for the question. Um, let me touch base on on signage. You may or may not have known when the redevelopment agreement was approved, there was attached to it the ability to add some signage and particularly some signage up on the freeway to bring people downtown to get them to come into the district. Scenic Nevada had filed a lawsuit on that. And I'm happy to say after three years and a Nevada Supreme Court opinion, um the court upheld what this body did and said this city council was absolutely right and had the ability to approve these signs. So, now that we're through that litigation, we're currently in design of those signs and those should be coming um later next year, I would say. Um yeah, continuing to look at other opportunities of expanding the Jay uh residential opportunities along Second Street. Um so, I'll be excited to come back next year and provide more updates, but at the moment, we're certainly focused on getting these soccer fields up and running. >> Well, and let me, if I may, Councilman, just mention one more slide. You know, I mean, I my undergrad's in urban planning and I love that word urban placemaking. We heard a minute ago from the redevelopment agency and just, you know, here you have the mixeduse entertainment district we've always wanted. You have brand new hotels market rate, excuse me, you have a brand new apartment market rate. You have the Gibson, which is affordable, right? So, we have diverse housing uh in the area. We have a soccer field to activate youth sports. We have a festival grounds that has played all types of music to bring people um and tourists alike to come down. We have the uh Jay Resort with a hotel and restaurants. So, this mixeduse entertainment district that this body approved, we're only in year three, by the way, of this development agreement. I think folks forget that it's a 20-year agreement. So, I would argue we've done a lot in the first uh in the first three years and have 17 years to go and happy to continue to provide updates to this body as we hit every year. >> Well, and Mr. Gordon, I do think you have done a lot. I think this community uh expects a lot, right? And so that's sometimes what happens is we um we on this body see an incredible amount of investment and again I I don't think it can be overstated. We're talking about nearly a billion dollars in investment in this area. Maybe more than that at this point in time. I'm not sure. That kind of stuff does not happen uh by happen stance and it certainly doesn't happen without someone having a vision even larger than our own. Right. And so I'm excited about it. What I what I want to make sure we're doing is we're continuing to add those pieces to it. Uh I think the Gibson's a good example of a renovation. You've got some still some uh uh homes that were moved uh to near the I can't remember it's an Nstrom house is over there. Correct. A couple of those pieces are still moving. I'm not saying you have to tell us everything today. That's not what the check-in is about. But we of course want to make sure that we are good partners with you in that endeavor too so that we are asking the right questions that we're we're not um sherking any responsibility we have as a council. and today you've shown another renewed commitment. And so again, thank you to Jacob's Entertainment, Jeff and and Richard, of course, um for being here. That means a lot to me, right? So, thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman. >> All right. Um I believe everyone's had two rounds, correct? Um, you know, one thing I did want to point out because I think that people try to put things in a box or set them in stone is that things are always meant to evolve and to change and instead of I like that um you have the ability to do that. I know that people have been critical of, oh, it should be this, it should be that. But if you think about it, times have really changed, especially in a pandemic and how people want to um utilize their cities and open space and sports and those types of things. And so um I'm really glad that you have been visionary and left an incredibly open mind. I think it changes downtown because if you go to a lot of big cities, you do see um a lot of plans like this and it's so cool to be in that environment in those heavily populated urban environments where you have people actually experiencing um you know sports and community and and things that are healthier. That's why I'm a big believer in, you know, the bicycle tracks and getting more people outside and we have this beautiful river downtown and so adding these amen amenities make a a city really stand out. But I I did notice that because I was in um New York City not too long ago and right in the middle of the city they just had this beautiful pickle ball and soccer area and you're like wow right in a downtown. And so, um, and I also think people overlook the children that live in downtown. We have a lot of kids that live in downtown and they don't get the same opportunities as other children because a lot of a lot of times their parents don't have cars. We don't know their situations. And so, um, I'm really excited to see uh this come to fruition. So, all right, game on. Uh, I'm going to send it to Councilwoman Taylor. It's your work. >> Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. I move to accept the annual report. >> Uh I quick I didn't actually have a second round. >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. Go ahead. >> That's okay. Um yeah, just again want to piggy back on council member Dar, please um try to incorporate um real turf, not um artificial turf. Um we do have an issue with PAS contamination currently. I believe the city's involved in a um class action lawsuit over that. Um so just want to reiterate, we don't want to contribute to that um happening in our environment. Um and it does help cool us to have um you know plants and and open spaces that are not um covered with imperous surfaces. So just want to piggyback on that again. Excited for the sport. We do need these flat fields. Um, I understand it's not just a park for public use, but I think it's a great um, addition to the city. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Can I send it back to you? >> Thank you. Do I don't know if we need two motions, but um, I move to accept both reports, the annual report and the status report. >> Okay. So, I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion carries unanimously. Okay. Thank you so much. >> Hello. >> Okay. We are going to go into attorney client privilege. Um, did you say something, Councilwoman? >> Yeah, I was trying to have some discussion real quick. I didn't I didn't vote. I didn't realize it was going to be both items at the same time. I thought it was just for the youth sports arena or the sports arena. >> Okay. >> No, we opened both items simultaneously. So, that's why we took them both together. >> What was that? >> Oh, I said we opened them both items together. Okay. I would like a little more detail on the um you know how how the um how it performed, if there was any um concerns from staff or uh calls for code enforcement or anything before we approve that. >> I think we've we've already voted. Um if what I'm going to do is have staff get with you and then um did you put I will go back to our city attorney um if her vote is not on the record. >> I didn't vote. So I there shouldn't vote on >> that's why I said that. So I'm that's why I'm asking Mr. Shipman. >> Um >> yeah I mean I I think the vote is over. I mean, so the next thing that could happen would be like a a motion to reconsider if that would >> Okay, I'm gonna we will open it so you can put your vote on the record. So, I will do a motion to reconsider. >> Second. >> I have a a motion and a second. Um, all those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed. >> Oh, wait. I'd like discussion on it. I I'm not comfortable voting without any additional information from staff regarding any type of um code enforcement issues or um you know calls. I'm not saying that there are u but I just would like to know that for sure how how it's um interacting with the community around it. Um so I I'm going to ab abstain from this vote because I don't have enough information. >> Okay. Well, listen. I will get you the information you need. I'm asking um city manager Bryant uh to weigh in so that you have everything that you feel comfortable with uh whether you vote or not or moving forward. Go right ahead. >> Thank you, Council Member Eert. This is not a city staff presentation, so we don't have that those figures right now. Um we can certainly pull them and and email them to you, but it's it's not our presentation. So, we weren't prepared to present on anything. >> Okay. I just feel like in the future it's relevant to include that when we're doing a report um kind of a followup on what's happening to have, you know, a little bit more information um from the community and the city of Reno. So, I just wanted to to record um I'm I'm going to stay still just because I think it's relevant to the you know um discussion. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Did let me just ask one thing because I need to make sure that you get the information that you need before you come into a council meeting and that information would be um when you have a staff briefing and I assume that you had a staff brief briefing because I understand that all council members get a staff briefing like I do. >> I have I have asked for this information to be included. I think it's relevant. Okay, that's what I'm trying to get at is that I want to make sure in your staff briefing if you need um any >> information or you need any um staff here to answer those questions if you could ask in that staff briefing because then today we could have asked them to come forward and answer those questions. Did did you ask during that time? Um, I have asked, yes, I've spoken, um, I believe it was with Miss Fouse, and I think Council Member Ree was on that, um, briefing with me. It was a while back, but I've asked for this to be, um, included in in the presentation or have have also a follow-up presentation by staff. >> I guess I'm not clear. Did you ask for it in your last briefing? Uh, I don't recall if I asked for my last, >> but I did ask for it the last time. Um, >> okay. I just want to get clarity so that I can have the information for you so you can always make the best possible decision. So, I'm just going to ask um city manager Bryant um to make sure that if council member Eert needs anything in your briefings that we'll make sure we have staff here so she can uh best weigh her decisions. Okay. All right. Thank you everyone. We have to go into a >> Do we have to revote? >> We do. >> Oh, we do have to revote. >> Do we want to do different ones on C5 and C6? City attorney said we can combine them and >> I know but then it prevents Miss Eert from being able to vote on the one that she agrees with. >> Okay. Well, >> that was all I'm suggesting. >> Okay. >> Five. >> C5. I >> Jonathan, how would just give us a outline what you'd like to see for the record? >> I mean, just for simplicity, just if you would vote on each one separately, that'd be great. >> Okay, I'm going to hand it to you. Go ahead. >> Okay. On item C5, I move to accept the annual report. Second. >> I have a motion. I have a second. All those in favor say I. All those opposed. Motion carries. Okay. >> Attorney, I'm not sure. Do I say I'm oppo or did I just say I'm obscene? >> I'm going to have to look at that. I mean, I it might come down that you you're opposed to it because I think there's a requirement that you have to vote if you're in the meeting. So, unless you're out of the meeting currently, I think it goes down as a >> But I can get back to you on that. You can clarify that. >> I would appreciate that. Yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. Give me >> Okay. So, in item number C6, I motion that we accept the status report. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion carries. >> Okay. >> CL. >> Uh, now we're going to go into an attorney client. >> We need an hour, please. >> And we are going to need an hour. So, what time is it? It's, let's just say it's 12:30. We will be back at 1:30. Thanks everyone for your patience. Hi, I'm Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran. It's an honor to connect with you as we look back on 2024, a year of innovation, strong work, and unwavering dedication to protecting our community. The Reno Fire Department reached incredible milestones, overcame challenges, and made a real impact on the biggest little city. Let's look back at 2024 and the achievements and highlights of the Reno Fire Department. 2024's wildland season tested our region with incidents like the Gold Ranch, Davis, and Callahan fires straining resources from across the West. Although these fires happened just outside Reno city limits, our firefighters stepped up to assist while ensuring our Reno community remained well protected. In 2024, RFD deployed 264 resources to more than 100 wildland fires, contributing over 65,000 hours of work. These efforts brought nearly $2 million in reimbursements back to the department. Right here at home, we responded to 51,737 [music] calls for service, an increase of over 2,000 from the previous year. Our commitment to service continues to grow along with our community. The safety and training division saw impressive growth in 2024, paving the way for a stronger, more skilled team. We proudly promoted 11 captains and eight operators, hired 25 new firefighters, and welcomed five single roll EMS personnel. This year we ran two three-week fire equipment operator enginemies, one two-eek fire equipment operator truck academy, and a two-week acting captain's academy. These intensive programs help sharpen our skills and prepare our teams for any situation. We also expanded our monthly company level training sessions, [music] introducing specialized active shooter training and wide area search exercises. And through partnerships with surrounding fire departments, [music] we enhanced our response capabilities for wildland fires and hazmat operations. Additionally, we [music] upgraded the training facilities at station 11 with new technology to improve the delivery of our programs, ensuring our team is always ready to [music] meet the demands of our city. The Reno Fire Prevention Bureau experienced significant strides this year in 2024, starting with the appointment of a new fire marshal, three fire captains, and three new fire inspectors. Our team saw great success in our arson investigations, achieving an impressive 80% conviction rate, and completed over 6,000 [music] building inspections to help keep Reno safe. For the fourth consecutive year, we hosted our dumpster program thanks to a grant from State Farm. This program helps neighborhoods in the wildland urban interface clear dry vegetation [music] and debris, creating defensible space. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped reduce wildfire risk in our community. In 2024, we were also thrilled to receive nearly 245,000 from FEMA's fire prevention and safety grant to develop a community wildfire protection plan. This comprehensive framework will prioritize wildfire mitigation efforts, improve emergency [music] preparedness, and ensure long-term safety for Reno's residents and infrastructure. Keep an eye out in the coming months for ways to get involved. We're excited to collaborate with you in 2024. We work closely with our community partners to update the regional hazard mitigation plan. The plan assesses the potential impact of all prioritized hazards to the region and provides mitigation strategies and actions [music] to reduce such risks. The update ensures the plan remains effective in addressing the evolving needs of our communities. We also prioritized firefighter health with initiatives like our fourth annual cancer screenings [music] and the introduction of the coronary calcium scan. These proactive [music] prevention programs are vital in detecting early markers of heart disease and cancer. Critical steps for firefighters facing heightened risks associated with their profession. Additionally, [music] we launched a groundbreaking pilot program with the Epic Brain Center exploring enhanced mindbody performance treatments. This innovative approach supports firefighters dealing with PTSD and other mental health challenges while empowering them with improved [music] executive function to perform at their best. >> 2024 was a landmark year for the Reno Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Division with 30,649 calls for service. Collaboration played a key role in 2024 as we joined forces with regional partners to strengthen our unified response to medical emergencies. We were excited to welcome our new EMS management assistant and expand our specialized training for our single role program. Ensuring our EMS team is always prepared to meet our community's high demand for advanced emergency medical services. We conducted division level training on new [music] medical equipment, including cutting edge video lurendoscope blades that are vital and life-saving situations and new [music] medications that can be used to treat various patient presentations by our mid and advanced level [music] providers. We also implemented a new medical charting platform, further enhancing patient care. >> Reno Fire Department's support services division achieved significant milestones in 2024. enhanced vehicle maintenance and repair, increased apparatus safety, and equipment modernization. Through our apparatus replacement program, we added two new brush trucks designed for firefighting in rugged terrain, and a state-of-the-art ambulance, ensuring our fleet meets the diverse needs of our community. We also enhanced operations by refining the use of fleet cameras throughout our vehicles. These systems capture critical moments during incidents, training, and daily operations, [music] providing insights that improve safety and support crew education. Our logistics team continues to push innovation forward, adopting advanced [music] battery powered tools on our fire engines and ladder trucks, and improve personal protective equipment. These enhancements extend equipment lifespan, improve functionality, and prioritize firefighter safety. Looking ahead, we're excited to introduce a new heavy [music] rescue apparatus in 2025. The first of its kind for our department since 1986. As an all-risk fire [music] department supporting many different types of incidents, this addition ensures our crews are ready to respond to [music] any emergency no matter the challenge. As we reflect on 2024, the Reno Fire Department has much to celebrate. From our interlocal agreement with the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority, enabling us to assume firefighting services across all airport properties, and our partnership with Truckucky Meadows Fire and Rescue, which now provides automatic aid to ensure the closest resource response to emergencies, no matter the jurisdiction. We're building the foundation for continued growth and excellence. I'm pleased to share that we also received the keys to 455 East Second Street, our future central fire station. We're excited to begin serving you from this state-of-the-art facility in [music] 2027. At RFD, we believe that being part of the community is just as important as responding to emergencies. Whether it's hosting fire safety programs, participating in local events, or building relationships with residents, we strive to be more than the first responders. We're your neighbors, partners, and advocates for a safer region. None of our work would be possible without the dedication of our team and unwavering support of our Reno City Council, state, and federal representatives. Their commitment ensures RFD is always ready to serve and protect our community. On behalf of the Reno Fire Department, thank you for your trust and support. Together, we accomplished so much in 2024, and we look forward to an even brighter and safer year ahead. Thank you for standing with us. My name is Robert DS. I'm a field specialist with Rise. And this experience with Bonnie Pace and the Pathway Pilot has been awesome and tremendous and I'll never forget it. I'm free. Sorry. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Insane. What's up? Heat. Heat. As we move into [music] the next budget year, we're excited to share some of the key accomplishments this past year in the biggest little city. Whether working to ensure a [music] safe and welcoming community, planning for responsible growth, or maintaining strong fiscal accountability to our residents, our team is dedicated to building a [music] community that people are proud to call home. >> Running a city is no small feat. It takes seven dedicated council members and over 1,700 committed employees to make this [music] city thrive. While you see some of them every day, many are behind the scenes. >> But we all have one thing in common. We make Reno more than just livable. >> We make it loable. Ensuring the infrastructure in our community stands the test of [music] time is critical to obtaining a vibrant and resilient city. >> The utility services team oversees storm water, waste water, and recycled water throughout the city, including the sanitary sewer system. I know sewer is one of those things that people don't often talk about, but sewer systems play [music] a crucial role in protecting public health and our environment. One important element in the sanitary sewer system is lift stations, which are needed in low-lying areas to pump sewage up to a gravity sewer line. All of our sewer lines convey sewage and ultimately end up at our wastewater treatment facilities. Over the last 5 years, our team evaluated 27 public lift stations in our community and determined that some needed major rehabilitation. Since the evaluation, the city has [music] successfully rehabilitated five lift stations and completed the design improvements for those seven remaining stations in need of rehabilitation. These remaining lift stations will be constructed in the next two years to ensure the sustainability of the systems for years to come. Since 1995, City Reno Council has made street maintenance and rehabilitation a major priority. The public works team maintains a pavement management system to evaluate the condition and serviceable life of over 755 miles of streets. This system allows us to plan for preventative maintenance and major rehabilitation projects based on priority. Maintaining infrastructure such as roads is the job of the maintenance and operations team. This last year, the streets division maintained 755 miles of paved roads. That includes 37,000 miles of road being plowed, over 6,000 potholes repaired, and over 12 million square feet of cracks sealed or filled. Our teams work around the clock when needed to ensure that residents can get where they need to go safely, rain, snow, or shine. At City of Reno, and our sewer and storm drain division, there's 50 of us that take care of just over 800 miles of sanitary sewer that includes 35 lift stations. Our sewer and storm drain division in the city of Reno ensures safe maintenance for over 600 miles [music] of storm water lines. It's our aggressive preventive maintenance program that ensures that your system will respond properly to prevent overflows and flooding, keeping our residents and our environment safe and sound. The fleet management team maintains over 850 pieces of equipment, including police cars and other emergency response equipment. This year, the fleet management team was ranked in the top 100 best fleets in the Americas. And doing work in-house saves the city millions of dollars each and every year. And our final areas of responsibility is facility maintenance. We perform a wide variety of repairs and remodels and preventative maintenance on over 200 city-owned buildings. And just this last year, we completed a seismic retrofit of city hall, which ensures the safety of both staff and the public during earthquakes. Parks, recreation, and open space are vital [music] for creating healthy, sustainable, and vibrant communities. Last November, the Reno City Council adopted the parks, recreation, and open space master plan. The plan identifies top priorities and an implementation strategy to improve existing parks, trails, [music] and recreational facilities, identifying and acquiring land for new parks and recreational spaces, activating the Truckucky River Corridor and downtown spaces, and expanding recreational programming. >> But the crowning achievement this year for the parks team is the Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center. Opening in August, this 52,000 square foot facility will include a 50 meter indoor competition pool, multi-use indoor recreation pool, an outdoor soaking pool, 5,000 ft² fitness facility, and more. This project represents a vital investment in the health and well-being of our community for generations to come. As we approach the completion of two major projects in our community, the public safety center and the Moana Springs [music] Aquatic Center, it's important to highlight the clean energy components of both projects. At Moana Springs, the city received a community project funding award to install solar and was selected by Envy Energy to be a community-based solar resource host site at the same location. [music] The Moana Springs parking lot features solar covered parking to support this project. and the public safety center will include rooftop solar as well as battery storage to provide energy savings. By investing in clean energy, we are moving towards [music] a cleaner, more resilient and equitable energy future for our community. Reno is one of the best places to live, work, and play. So, we know that growth in our community is inevitable. At the city, we are focused on responsible growth to achieve balanced and long-term development that benefits all residents. [music] Last year, the city of Reno completed the ward redistricting process that transitioned our community from five to six wards. Redistricting ensures that each elected official represents approximately the same number of residents. Final maps for the new wards were voted on by the Reno City Council following a community engagement process that spanned across four months and included 17 opportunities for residents to participate. The new ward maps will go into effect following the 2024 election cycle. We encourage you to visit our online mapping tool to learn more about the new wards. >> Responsible growth means long-term planning. In January of 2021, the city adopted a new zoning code. And in June of 2022, the city initiated an amendment [music] to address outstanding cleanup items. This includes everything from grammatical errors to accounting for updates [music] in state law. Development services has spent the past year working through these changes and seeking public input. Final adoption of an updated zoning code is anticipated early next year. >> The city of Reno is working with our regional partners to manage water resources sustainably for future generations through the One Water Nevada initiative. This program is working to ensure there is enough water available to meet the needs of all users while protecting and even improving the region's water quality and environmental integrity. A key element of this project [music] is the advanced purified water facility at American Flats. With construction expected to begin in the near future, this facility will apply state-of-the-art water purification processes and provide the region with the potential for over 2 million gallons of highquality drinking water daily. At the City of Reno, we are focused on ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. The city of Reno helps to improve housing stability by providing rental and deposit assistance for all residents, including seniors and veterans. [music] In the past six months, the team has assisted 584 households with rent, supported 175 [music] costbururden seniors, and dispersed $1.5 million in rental assistance. The city of Reno is a leader on the affordable housing front. Back in 2019, the state law changed and since then, the city has been allowed to enact an ordinance that has given us the right to wave or reduce fees for sewer connection fees and building permit fees as long as the project is associated with an affordable housing development. And to date, Reno has approved reductions and waiverss totaling almost 8 million. This has contributed to 1,800 new affordable housing units that are moving forward. City Council has also added conditional requirements for certain development projects and those are to help pay for affordable housing. This has been triggered on five development projects. This is estimated to generate over $4 million in funds which will support affordable housing. Last year, the city of Reno supported the development of 492 affordable units through funding programs and city incentives, including federal home funds, volume cap allocation, and sewer [music] fee reductions. Developments that were supported include the Marble Way Apartments, Copper Mesa [music] Apartments, Oravada Street Senior Apartments, and the Ridge at Sun Valley. And while increasing the number of affordable housing units is a priority, the team is also working to invest in low to moderate income neighborhoods. In the past year, the city funded $1 million in park and pedestrian safety renovations and supported key projects, including park improvements at Robin Hood, Dick Taylor, Paradise, and Mayor's Parks. Downtown Reno is evolving as our community transition from a region focused on tourism to a more economically diverse city that supports urban living, transportation, social gathering, and [music] small businesses. >> Many consider Virginia Street to be the heart of our downtown and the Virginia Street placemaking study reinforced that. Gil design firm over three phases of community engagement developed a strategy and a long-term plan of what our Virginia street and our downtown could look like. City Council approved the placemaking study last fall and identified $2.5 million in state and local fiscal recovery funds to implement phase one of the study. This year, state and local fiscal recovery funds were also utilized to create the Restore Reno facade and tenant improvement program. The program provided matching funds to property owners and tenants for facade improvements and interior upgrades. 39 businesses were awarded matching grants with the total economic improvement value of the combined projects being $5.7 million. >> At the same time, the team partnered with the regional transportation commission to develop the downtown micromobility plan, enhancing downtown roadway networks to improve safety for all users and create a more welcoming environment for pedestrians, [music] bicyclists, and other micro modes of transportation. Design is currently underway for this project and construction is anticipated in 2026. And no discussion of the downtown area is complete without addressing the Truckucky River corridor. This year, city council approved the use of state and local fiscal recovery funds to make improvements along the Truckucky River path, including activation efforts, enhanced safety with better lighting, paint refresh, path improvements, and more. Reno is committed to building a community where all residents feel welcome, safe, and able to fully participate in their government. Providing access to city programs and services [music] is critical to building a strong community. From improving ramp access to city hall to the addition of UBO3 and listen everywhere devices, we are working to make government more accessible for everyone. Throughout the year, our team works with community partners [music] to host celebrations that embrace, honor, and recognize the diverse cultures represented in the biggest little city. This includes the Black History Month celebration in City Plaza and the Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at Wingfield Park. Building a welcoming community requires intentional efforts to embrace diversity, inclusivity, and create opportunities for all residents to thrive. The safety, health, and well-being of all residents is our number one priority as we work to build a community we are proud to call home. >> The Reno Fire Department provides all risk service to the citizens and visitors of the biggest little city. Last year, the team ran almost 50,000 calls, a record high for the department. This includes everything from emergency medical response and water rescue missions to all types of fires, including structure, brush, and vehicle to name a few. The team continues to meet the needs of our growing community by increasing staffing and resources for the department, maintain the strongest training program in the region, upgrading equipment through the fire apparatus replacement program, and investing in proactive fire prevention measures. We are excited to announce that plans are already underway for construction of a new central fire station that will be located in the heart of downtown. The 70,000 foot facility will house administrative and fire personnel with the ability to respond with up to five separate crews to serve the busiest part of our city. We look forward to its completion in 2027. >> The Reno Police Department boasts 354 sworn staff members. To meet the growing needs of our community, we added 43 new and dedicated officers to the ranks along with the hiring of seven lateral officers from other departments throughout the country. Last year, our patrol teams responded to over 72,000 calls for service. The traffic team responded to 2,971 accidents. Victim services served over 2,300 victims and the investigation section was assigned 3,762 cases. These cases covered offenses from property crimes to crimes against persons. In September, the department launched a new data-driven initiative to improve crime and blight in downtown. The directed engagement, enforcement, and deployment strategy, affectionately known as deeds, has been in operation for just over 6 months. In that time, we have seen a 12% decrease in the citizen initiated calls for service, a 55% decrease in vehicle versus pedestrian crashes, and a 29% decrease in commercial burglaries. We excited to announce in August of this year, we will celebrate the opening of our new public safety center in downtown Reno. >> The public safety center will serve as the headquarters for the Reno Police Department. Located in the former Reno Gazette Journal Building, this facility will be able to provide a swift emergency response to our community. This state-of-the-art facility is double the size of the existing station and provides exciting new features such as expanded public parking, private interview areas, community engagement, meeting space, and improved safety and security features to ensure the building will stand the test of time. >> A fast emergency response would be impossible without the crucial work of our Reno dispatchers. Last year, our dispatch team answered over 500,000 calls, serving as the vital link between individuals in need of assistance and emergency service providers. And this last year, the cities of Reno and Sparks along with Wo County and REMA came together to identify a unified computer aided dispatch program that will deploy the nearest and most appropriate resources to an emergency. The technology will be launched in 2025, improving emergency response for the entire region. Our staff is made up of talented and dedicated [music] people who are passionate about the biggest little city. We've built a workplace filled with integrity, positivity, collaboration, and [music] diversity. an organization that has been nominated as one of the best places to work in Northern Nevada for three years running and was the first organization in Northern Nevada to be recognized [music] as one of the best places for working parents. Our employees have endless opportunities to make a positive [music] impact in our community. The people and stories behind our programs are [music] why we take pride in our jobs and why we love this city. When we proudly look at the community we've built, we know we are just getting started. We've had a lot of great accomplishments this last year, but the work isn't done. As we begin the next fiscal year, [music] be on the lookout for some major projects. >> Soon, we'll be opening the new public safety center and the Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center. These landmark projects will serve generations of Renoites for years to come. We hope you'll join us for both celebrations. >> And keep an eye on downtown as we continue to focus on revitalization using the input and feedback we [music] receive from our community. You'll see improvements to the Riverwalk, activation of Virginia Street, and improvements for pedestrians and microobility users alike. [music] >> To keep up to everything that's happening at the city, check out our website at reno.gov and follow us on X, [music] Facebook, or Instagram at city of Reno. until next year. You know how uh speeders got categories? >> Categories. Different types, different cars, wannabe race car drivers with zero talent and all the insurance claims. >> Go on. Yeah. So, you got the I didn't realize I was going 95 type. Like the car magically went 45 over just on its own. Ah, officer. I thought I was going 45. No, buddy. You thought about going 45. Well, then you got the uh I'm late for work guys. Like going 25 over is going to make up for the 30 minutes they spent laying in bed watching Tik Toks. Ain't nothing like risking a reckless driving charge to get to a job that you already hate. We can't forget the I was just keeping up with traffic folks. Oh, the if everybody jumped off the bridge defense. Just because everybody else is breaking the law doesn't mean that you get a free pass. Nah, but it does mean we all get to sit on the side of the road together while we trade live stories and I write this ticket at lightning speed. There's one. Yeah, we got a black Volkswagen uh headed your way, guys. >> Got him. In all seriousness, Reno, we need to slow down when driving on our roads. >> Speed and impairment are the two biggest factors in fatality crashes. >> That is why the Reno Police Department will be conducting proactive speeding enforcement on McCarron and around the city. >> Slow down, Reno. You got it. >> The I'm not from Nevada and pretty sure the speed limit signs all look the same everywhere. Do you want to make a [music] difference in your neighborhood? The city of Reno's six neighborhood advisory boards are your chance to shape the future of your community. From parks and public safety to development projects, your voice matters. Joining an NAB is easy, and it's a great way to connect with neighbors and city leaders while making Reno an even better place to live. Applications are open now. Visit reno.gov/nab to learn more and apply. Get involved and help make Reno not just livable, but lovable. I'm Corey. I'm a housing manager with the city of Reno. And we are here at our second Love Your Block project pop-up nursery for Yori Avenue residents. We had residents of this neighborhood apply. And we've got about 75 plants and trees here to give out to the neighbors to beautify the neighborhood, get a little more green here. One day of planting and a lifetime of shade and and beautiful greenery in the neighborhood. >> The Yori pop-up nursery is a project that my neighbor and I kind of came up with. People get to beautify their yards. [music] Sometimes landscaping is intimidating due to the cost. This initiative, this project helps kind of eliminate that obstacle for a lot of people. And so it'll be nice to see more plants in more people's yards and just make more of a beautiful neighborhood. Uh secondarily, I'm a huge fan of pollinators and native plants. And so getting more of those in the ground is just going to help the environment overall. It's super exciting. I love this project. I started the bee friendly campaign which was created to help people talk to their neighbors. So a lot of times when you start a pollinator garden in your front yard, it doesn't look like a traditional yard. So, I created these signs to kind of help with communication. [music] It's a great neighborhood gathering and I'm super proud to be a part of it. >> We're just so excited to be here in partnership with Reno Food Systems, Be Friendly Nevada, and the Nevada Division of Forestry alongside all these neighbors to to get in the neighborhood and get planting. >> My name is Maria Hernandez Pon. I am a graduate from the community court and I'm here to share my success story. >> About five months ago, you and I sat down for the first time and had a discussion. >> Yes. >> What do you need? What do you [music] want? And now look at you. Tell me I got bits of bits and pieces along the way, but share what that was like. What was what was it like right before I met you and what is it like now? Well, before you met me, I was going through a very hard time. Um, [music] I ended up, you know, having to give guardianship of my son to my brother. Um, I was trying to recover from drugs and here you came, you know, the community court. Um, and yourself. Um, and [music] I mentioned that to you and you told me about all these nice programs and resources that are available to me. Um, and I'm [music] thinking 5 months back like I would have never thought that I'd be here right now. That's for sure. >> Yeah. What what connection did you make in community court that helped you [music] achieve that? >> Well, taking accountability for my actions, you know, realizing um that I had a a problem. Um step one, you know, admitting that you're powerless and your [music] life has become unmanageable. That's definitely >> very important. Um and then reaching out for help would be the second most important I would say. >> Nice. >> That's so cool. You are the the image of what I want everybody that I meet at community court to to accomplish. It's you. >> Every box I intend [music] to check and rarely do. You do and you check all of them. >> I originally met Maria on our first day of work. [music] Uh we both had the first same start date. So we got to meet each other there and we immediately bonded. I immediately saw huge potential in Maria. >> [music] >> Um, she is really great. She's a people person and she she just strives [music] for the stars. >> If it wasn't for Community Corp, I wouldn't be where I am today. They pushed [music] me to get the help that I needed with my recovery. Um, you know, they helped me get my job. They've helped me [music] through every step of the way. >> Community court is an alternative to traditional court. And I [music] in in essence that's what is different about it is it's it's the alternative approach. Um I think in traditional court it's more cut and dry black and white. You've committed this [music] crime. This is the standard sentencing. Therefore here you go. Um in community court uh Judge [music] Hazel Stevens who I I couldn't say enough good things about him and the way that he is driving this court. It's started with the Nevada Urban Indians. her counselor Troy um knocked it out of the park with the substance use uh counseling uh job [music] connect Tim is our contact there and he did a great job of working with her. They did the uh the application process right away. [music] They met later that week. They completed all of the online applications uh sent out all the information they needed to who then linked her to the [music] placement agency that got her in here. Um, she also worked with Downtown Reno Partnership [music] who helped her get her IDs. She wouldn't have been able to get this job without uh those [music] IDs. And so it it was several people working together as one to achieve what uh we consider the perfect success with Maria. >> Hi, I'm Monica Kirch. I am the director of housing and neighborhood development for the [music] city of Reno. The rapid rehousing pilot program is a program that the city of Reno started in coordination with volunteers of America and the Reno Housing Authority. Programs like the rapid rehousing pilot program are important to volunteers of America [music] because it gives us an opportunity to catch individuals who are otherwise potentially falling between the cracks as far as services go. The Reno Housing Authority assists nearly 15,000 Wo County residents through its traditional housing programs. Yet, we know there are many more who need assistance. The Reno Housing Authority supports the rapid rehousing [music] pilot program in two ways. Uh the first way is through a financial contribution to support half the salary [music] of the service coordinator who works directly with clients at uh Village on Sage. The second way that we support the program is by um ensuring that clients are on one of our HA's weight lists [music] prior to being housed at Village on Sage. >> Program is new and we just started housing people within about the last month. We have several folks now staying at the Village on Sage working with a service coordinator. >> Partnerships like this give RHA the opportunity to assist [music] more families outside of our traditional programs. And it's these innovative partnerships that [music] create a stepping stone from temporary housing into long-term permanent housing. >> So specifically, [music] this program works with individuals who are on a fixed or low income who can't afford conventional rents. And they're eligible for a housing voucher, but they still have to take the time to wait for that voucher. So it allows us to support [music] them in that intermediary time frame so they can stay housed and have access to services. I know um specifically with this program, a lot of our folks are coming directly from the street and haven't had a rental in a very long time. Um specifically, Mikey hadn't paid rent in over a decade and so it was really exciting for him to come to the office with his money um and just celebrate that new experience that he got to have. >> Hi, I'm Mike and um welcome to Village on the Stage where uh Come on, let's go look around. This Yeah. Oh, Harold, welcome. And this is what we get. Um, I got a brand new television. It's [music] an element. This is one of the finer finer televisions. Um, you're welcome to bring your transportation inside with you. [music] Uh, nobody cares as long as you keep it neat and tidy. Um, what can I tell you? The doors open, the train's right there, you know. Uh, so if you like trains, excellent. [music] And this is where all the magic happens. This is where the happiness uh you know where we come to ground out. [music] This is just where uh you know we can be ourselves. I know it's cold out there. It's cold and you don't want to be homeless. And I deserve Guys, if you don't have a room, you want to get a room. Think about Village [music] on Sage. I know it doesn't look like all that from the entrance way, but you never judge a book by its cover, right? The village on Sage Street is ideal for the rapid rehousing program because we're in a transitional setting um by means that they're [music] month-to-month units, so they have their own space where they can find and build their comfort [music] and also build community while having access to a multitude of supportive services. program service coordinator [music] ensures that clients receive the assistance they need as they transition out of homelessness [music] and into village on Sage and then ultimately will help them through navigate through RHA's admissions [music] process. The program also helps clients prepare for permanent housing and the adjustments [music] that they're experiencing as they move out of homelessness and eventually into permanent housing. My hope for the future of this program is that we get folks housed [music] and off of the street and they're into safe permanent housing that they can afford in the long run. >> RHA [music] hopes that clients assisted through the program can find respbit from living on the streets and ultimately find long-term safe permanent affordable housing. >> On top of just having the a unit here at the village on Sage Street of their own, they also have access to community resources. Uh those resources include a community fitness room, a conference room, community lounge, a mail room, computer room, on-site laundry, and on-site vending unit. Here at the village, they're 555. So [music] in this instance that somebody is a can afford $300, the program would fill in the 255 monthly and then that would keep them housed until their [music] permanent unit came open. That would be subsidized to the amount of money that they make. RHA is always looking for opportunities to fill gaps in the affordable housing landscape and it's a partnership like this where [music] three community agencies came together to do just that. Volunteers America is grateful to have the opportunity to partner with the city of Reno and Reno Housing Authority to run this pilot program and provide additional housing for folks who are um on a fixed income and otherwise waiting for their permanent housing. community can support this program through donating to volunteers of America or making donations to the city of Reno. We have [music] had a donation from some of our local housing champions of $20,000 that is going to help extend it a little bit also. So that's those are the two ways that that folks can get involved and make donations to keep this program going. [music] >> [music] >> The community is really going to benefit from the new public safety center in a lot of ways. days. It's a state-of-the-art brand new facility that's going to allow the public access to us in a way that they've never had before in the city. >> It takes a lot of people, a lot of effort, and a lot of time. >> It takes every individual, all of us, on a daily basis to make this project work every single day. >> I grew up in the area. Wanting to make this city great and and keep this city safe was a big part of it. It's a great testament to the city of Reno, too, just that they would have the leadership uh and the guts to go forward with a project like this that's so important to the community. >> We needed something that was large enough for the uh expanding police department. The the current site that the police department are on would need to be demolished because the building has some real structural problems along with some hazardous materials that need to be abatement. The hazardous conditions that you can find in buildings such as this are things like asbestos, things that um were commonplace in buildings at the time when this was built. You have um old pipes in here. You have old um ventilation. You have dust. They're working in jail cells. The water quality is not good over at the other station. It's important for us in our community to realize that, you know, they're doing a great service for us. They're all protecting us and we need to we need to protect them as well. >> I have employees that work out of old jail cells on the second floor which is, you know, pretty much an abomination that you spend your life doing a service to our community in a jail cell. It's got bars on the walls, but we're not able to provide the space that these employees need and treat them with the respect and dignity that they deserve. when you work in a building that has issues that doesn't show the benefits that you are bringing to the community. We looked at the fact that we could reuse an existing facility. You know, there's a lot of character in the city of Reno and we do look at keeping some of that character. This building being the the Reno Gazette Journal had a lot of history. And I tell you, when I woke when I first walked into this building, I felt I felt the buzz of all of the media. Um, it was just it was really energizing. Justin came over and we took a look at it. We knew that that it would be a big effort, but to reuse the the same building, we thought that it would it made a good fit. >> There was a lot of a lot of challenges um a lot of work between [music] our architect and our police department on figuring out how to fit in a police department in this building. Police departments generally don't visit people on the best days of their lives. They're usually when they're having something going on that's creating uh some sort of trauma or some sort of experience that usually isn't positive. And then to come into a place that's not welcoming and inviting and comfortable and a place where we don't even have private rooms to talk to people currently uh is going to change that dynamic completely when they walk into the new public safety center. First step is is you've got to have an architect. We probably sat down for at least nine months going back and forth. Is this space the right size? Does this space have enough windows? Um how do we get [music] u access uh for video and surveillance and that sort of thing? They did an absolutely [music] fabulous job putting together a set of of plans for us. When I looked at the designs initially, I was so proud that they were already in that space where they needed to be. There were very few modifications that I even had to suggest. We looked at a it's called a design bid build because we already had the design. So, we put it out to bid to the public. Plentium builders, they were our selected bidder. >> Part of it is that we knew that the city needed this project. We knew this was a was a a community need and we knew it was a challenge. And so we sort of look at ourselves as someone uh or a company that is willing to step up uh in and take on a tough challenge. >> One of the things that we also looked at in in that time period is funding as as you all know everything doubled [music] in price practically a after co and that was a shock to us. >> The pandemic affected construction uh in so many different ways. all those things sort of you know conspired to go against the cost of the project. Uh so that was a challenge. Uh but you know I think we did a great job of of uh bidding out the project getting the right subcontractors on board vetting the pricing uh making sure that it was fair and reasonable based on the current economics. >> We sat in a room and we were like okay what can we do here? How can we provide you the community with [music] the facility that this community really needs? our project manager, Justin George, he actually came over here and moved his office here and it worked out really well because he had 115,000 square foot to himself. [music] >> One of the the major challenges early in the project is upgrading the the structure of the building. So, this building had to be upgraded from a level two, which is what it was required for when RGJ occupied it, to be a level four risk category building. The upgrades that we did to the structure and foundation make this building able to withstand a a larger disaster and remain operational to be able to provide service to the community during a major event like an earthquake. Some of the elements involved with that upgrade um include upgrading the foundation, increasing the the seismic capacity. So, we had to add larger footings, larger foundations under the columns. We had to add some seismic braces to the building. We reused as much of the building as we can. We salvaged a bunch of steel and a bunch of concrete and a bunch of materials from being demolished and tossed into the landfill. We worked with the carpeting manufacturer to remove all of the carpet in the building and send that off to be recycled rather than, you know, 100,000 square feet of carpet being [music] removed and dumped in the landfill. replaced a lot of the old inefficient 40-year-old um HVAC systems with upto-date [music] um efficient mechanical systems. Not only does it have a backup generator, but it's also going to have solar and a battery system to provide resiliency in this building to be sustainable and better serve the police department and community. So sustainability is something we're thinking about from the beginning through from design through to the end in construction. we're able to expand our women's locker room areas um and allow for that growth [music] that we're hoping to see in our organization as we diversify and move forward. There's going to be space inside that facility that will allow us to conduct in-house training. We are going to have a much better access to things like a real-time crime center where we can actually see what's happening in day-to-day providing that privacy, that [music] space, bringing people in and then growing our department in a manner that makes sense. moving into that new building and having all that equipment and that ability to do it is going to be uh very important to help those goals happen. I believe that we through our partnership that we have with the contractor, the architect and my team, Justin and and his team, they work together so well that we are going to deliver an excellent uh facility to for this community. It's going to be a generational project. It is a generational project and I think that our police men and women [music] um deserve better than what they have now. I was very impressed with the [music] team that was on the building team, the design team, um our liaison that's working with the police department. Everybody really had a good working knowledge of what [music] we needed to put into a police department to make it modern but not trendy or flashy. Something that is going to withstand the test of time. I can't say enough about the hard work and dedication that all of the team has put forward and I'm just really excited to [music] see how all their work is going to pay off. >> Feels great to drive by and and be able to point at something like this and say, you know, we were part of that. We contributed. Uh we helped get that over the goal line. >> It gives me goosebumps. It really does. Being a part of a a legacy project like building a a police department, it makes me proud of the the work that I do and it makes me proud at the end of the day when I can go home and and tell my family about the the things we're doing here. >> I want to provide this city and this community what it deserves for the police officers to come to this project, come to this site, be able to grow with this site, and um a police officer deserves the best of the best. And that's what this building brings to them, the best of the best. I think about the people really when more than anything. [music] I mean, sure, I'm an engineer and that's what I do, but I think about the people and the people that are involved and that's what gets me right here because I think that there's so much heart in this community. I'm a public servant and and [music] I'm going to do my best and my team, they're going to do their best for the public. >> [music] >> One of the reasons why I joined RCI was just out of curiosity. city to know more about what the city of Reno does for everyone who lives here. It was a very genuine interaction with all of the people [music] that we were able to meet throughout this process. That experience was incredible. >> I'm a small business owner and so I definitely felt disconnected. Um not in a bad way, but in the way where I'm like, "Oh, if I have an issue, uh who do I call?" This seemed like a great [music] opportunity to get a lot of information in a relatively short period. You might touch the street department or you might touch the police department, the fire department for whatever reason, just being a regular citizen. But you wouldn't learn about almost all aspects of city government and how it operates. >> I have never seen a city that has been so peopleoriented. I mean, it really seems like they care and I love that about Rio. I love [music] it. >> This is definitely eyeopening, informative. It's a way to just learn how the city runs and to meet incredible people street by street, neighborhood by neighborhood. Getting people connected and, you know, running them through some kind of education and connection, I think, is incredibly valuable. >> You'll have an incredible time. You won't regret it. >> It's a benefit all the way around, I think. >> Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here this week with Reno Public Safety Dispatch to discuss calling 911. Erin, what tips do you have for the community? >> Well, definitely it's a life-saving, life-threatening emergency. You need to call 911. Things for immediate police, fire, or medical response. Make sure you know your location to give the call taker. And only use text to 911 if you can't make a voice call. >> This is good information to know. And what should the residents also know about dispatch? >> We do have a non-emergency number for all the rest of the calls that aren't emergencies. 334 cops. Those are things for like a parking problems or graffiti. It's also important to know that our call takers take over a half a million calls a year, so we get pretty busy, but we're always looking for more dispatchers. If you're interested, go to reno.gov/dispatch for a job description. >> Outstanding information. Thank you, Erin. And don't forget to follow the city of Reno on all of your favorite social media platforms. So now you know with Reno. I'm Chris Payne for the Reno Minute. Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here today to discuss community court. Judge Hazes Stevens, what exactly can you tell us about community court? >> Thanks, Chris. We hold community court each Wednesday here at the downtown Reno Library. It is an innovative approach to the justice system that offers services rather than jail time for our participants, many of whom are homeless. Services needed include those for substance use disorders, mental illness, chronic homelessness, and chronic unemployment. >> This is all good to know, but how does this differ from traditional incarceration? >> Community courts reduce crime, increase services to victims, reduce unnecessary use of jail, and save money by collaborating with service providers using a problem-solving approach instead of jail. We also recently implemented a treatment readiness program on site. >> This is all great to know. Thank you so much, Judge. And don't forget to follow the city of Reno on all of your favorite social media platforms. So now you know with Reno. I'm Chris Payne for the Reno Minute. Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here this week with the Reno Police Department to discuss the dangers of distracted driving. Officer Reza, what advice do you have on this topic? >> Thanks Chris. Distracted driving claimed over 3,000 lives in 2020. Here locally at the Reno Police Department, we would like to remind everybody that it is illegal to use any electronical handheld device while driving. Texting has become increasingly dangerous. >> Outstanding. And what other tips do you have for the community? >> If you do need to make a text or make a phone call, simply pull over on the side of the road where it's safe to do so. Once you've pulled over, it is now safe to make that text message or make that phone call. You can even put your cell phone in the back seat and the trunk or even in the glove box until you reach your final destination. >> Thank you, Officer Resa. And dig this. For more information, go to renopd.com. Also, don't forget to follow the city of Reno and RPD on your favorite social media platforms. So now you know with Reno. I'm Chris Payne for the Reno Minute. Hello, I'm Chris Payne and it's time [clears throat] for the Reno Minute. Today we're going to discuss making a fire escape plan. Joining us is Chief Mandel from Reno Fire Department. Thanks, Chris. A fire escape plan is essential because it lets everyone in your household know exactly what to do in case of a fire. Seconds matter in the event of a fire, and an escape plan can make a world of difference. Start by drawing a floor plan of your home and marking all possible exits from each room. Then designate a meeting point outside a safe distance from the home. Practice your escape plan regularly with everyone in your household, especially children. It's important to make sure that everybody knows how to operate windows and doors. It's also important to teach household members to stay low to the ground and smoke and to fuel doors for heat before opening them. Thank you, Chief Mandel. To create your own fire escape plan, scan the QR code on the screen or [music] visit reno.gov/fire. So now you know with Reno. Thank you for watching the Reno Minute. [music] Hello, I'm Chris Payne and it's time for the Reno Minute. From lab swimming and dropin sports to fitness equipment, the city of Reno offers many opportunities to get active and have fun. You may even be able to access these offerings at no cost. Kayla, [music] what should residents know about insurance reimbursement? >> Thanks, Chris. Our parks and recreation department recently expanded their offerings with insurance companies, offering memberships to them at no cost. >> Well, this is exciting. How does it work and who qualifies? >> Yeah, the program offers memberships through their individual insurance company. The insurance company then reimburse the city of Reno for each visit that they come and use our facilities. The expansion of this program is especially beneficial to our seniors. However, it qualifies anyone 18 or older. You just need to contact your insurance company. >> Thank you, Kayla. And don't forget to contact your insurance company to learn more. Visit reno.gov/parks andrec for more information. So now you know with Reno. I'm Chris Payne for the Reno Minute. Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here this week with maintenance and operations to discuss leaves. Tim, with fall being here, what advice do you have about leaf removal? >> Thanks Chris. This is typ typically the time of year we start to see the leaves drop and it's pretty simple. Property owners are responsible for the removal of leaves on their property and we ask them to do this in a timely manner to help from flooding or clogging drains during a rainstorm. >> This is good to know. What other advice do you have for the viewers? >> So, it is unlawful for homeowners or property owners to to rake or blow leaves out into the street. So, we asked them to please place them in their garbage cans or in a bag with the excess waste sticker for garbage pickup on their days. And if they could help out our street sweepers by trimming their trees and removing parked cars and garbage cans would be very helpful. >> Outstanding information. Thank you, Tim. And don't forget to follow the city of Reno on all of your favorite social media platforms. So, now you know with the Reno Minute. Hello, I'm Chris Payne and it's time for the Reno Minute. Today, we're [music] excited to spotlight the city's new rolling recreation center, a mobile recreation center designed to bring fun and activities to communities across the city. Here's Kayla [music] Snow to tell us more. >> Thanks, Chris. Our rolling recreation center is all about making accessible recreation for everyone in our community. Our mobile recreation center travels to various parks following the schedule of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada Kids Cafe summer meals program. This means that not only do kids get free recreational activities, but also a free meal. Our program offers a wide range of activities for people of all ages, including sports, games, arts and crafts, and so much more. The Rolling Recreation Center is free and open to the public. We welcome everyone of all ages to come out, have fun, and enjoy our city parks. >> Thank you, Kayla. Visit reno.gov/parks [music] andreck to find out when the rolling recreation trailer rolls through a park near you. So now you know with Reno. Thank you for [music] watching the Reno Minute. Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here this week with the Reno Police Department to discuss the SAVE volunteer program. Evan, what is SAVE? >> Thanks Chris. SAVE is an acronym that stands for Senior Auxiliary Volunteer Effort. It's a wonderful organization that comprises of seniors and they help the police department with additional resources and through their patrols they help with crime prevention and observations. >> Outstanding. Also, if someone wants to volunteer, how do they get involved? Basically, anyone in SAVE is 50 years of age or older, we ask that they volunteer 16 hours a month and they can, if you're interested, either call, email, or visit the website for Reno PD. Fantastic. Thank you so much, Evan. And don't forget to follow RPD and the city of Reno on all of your favorite social media platforms. So now you know with the Reno Minute, I'm Chris [music] Payne. Hello and welcome to the Reno Minute. I'm Chris Payne. We're here this week with public works to discuss street rehabilitation and maintenance. Jonathan, what can you tell us about this program? >> Yeah, thanks Chris. Our public works departments were working really hard to improve our neighborhood streets in our community. For instance, we're just finishing up a rehab project in Midtown where we included the replacement of our roadways, streets, sewer, and even out alleyway improvements. Well, this is good to know, but how are these neighborhoods? >> All right, madam vice mayor, if you're ready to >> rec. Good question. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We are um reconvening the city council meeting and we are starting with item number C1. >> Okay. So, we're reconvening and just for the record, Mayor Shivy and council member Eert are absent at this time. >> Okay. Do we have a presentation? A brief presentation, I think. Good afternoon, Madame Vice Mayor and council members. Vicky Van Beern, director of finance for the record. Today is your monthly briefing as I come back each month on to give you a financial update. Today's update is on the general fund as we continue to talk about the challenges there. This aligns with the strategic plan through fiscal sustainability. These updates serve as an important internal tool for assessing financial trends and informing policy decisions as we move forward. This agenda before you today has an update on the fiscal year 25 closeout which is last year and then a review of the first quarter results for this current year. for fiscal year 25. Just a general review of what we talked about at the last meeting in September that we had two major revenue challenges and those were in consolidated tax revenues and franchise fee revenues. Both of those were anticipated to be less than budgeted very early on in the budget cycle and actually at pretty much the same meeting a year ago in October. Uh that's when we had that discussion at that point. Um and moving forward through the year, strategic steps were taken to slow hiring and hold vacant positions open. And then manager Bryant also gave direction to the departments that they needed to find a minimum of 2% savings. And many departments found savings in excess of that using these strategic steps. And because this was done, expenditures were reduced and the budget was balanced through this process. This is an update on the slide that you saw last time. This may continue to change a little bit as we're closing out the books. This won't be final until the audit comes back to you in December. Excuse [clears throat] me. Um the main changes since you last saw this in September, we had to book some um accounting entries that related to software subscriptions and leases. These are according to some Gazsby statements. They have revenues and expenditures that are offsetting. There's no net effect to the bottom line, but those were booked. And then we had some adjustments to some revenue receipts that included corrections to calculations and then booking into the proper year. instead of being in this year, they should have been last year or vice versa. And so those are typical adjustments that we have during this time of the year when we come across them. They don't normally be of a material nature once you net them together or even alone. In this case, um the overall difference is uh 642 million. A little hard to read on this screen up here the lines, but um the total sources are at 370 million. The total uses are at 368 million leaving a difference of 1.9 million to the good for fiscal year 25. Do keep in mind that because as we talked about last time that Cax shortfall that timing gap between the June receipts and the July receipts that's on here so you can see it because we are short in the current year that 1.3 million leaving that difference of around $600,000 and that's really where we're at. Ending fund balance is at 12.2. 2% that's 38.5 million. We have a reserve fund balance of almost 9.5 million that was approved with the budget when we adopted it or when you adopted it. Um that was to fill that budget gap with some one-time monies and that's that 9 and a half million that we're bringing forward. And then the purchase orders that you see on here, purchase order carry forwards for to fiscal year 26. That also includes any contracts that were not encumbered with a purchase order. So anything that was already committed in last year but not finished during that year is brought forward to the current year, finished out and then paid. So we have to bring those funds forward. That will be on the item that you see coming up on C2. That's the augmentation that's coming before you. So in the general fund, that amounts to $4.98 million of things that have already been committed that we will pay in this current year. So if we move on to fiscal year 26, this is the current year we're in and I want to look at just the first quarter and just give you really highlights of this. So we're looking at July, August, and September. Just the first three months of the year. Really, we only have one data point for three of our major revenue sources. Property tax, we have one quarter. It's paid quarterly. Franchise fees, the same thing. It's paid quarterly. and seax. Although the allocations are monthly, uh we still only have one month for this year. Um revenues are trending as we anticipate. They're all on track this year. This was a time, as I mentioned, that we already started talking about last year where we thought uh franchise fees and consolidated taxes were looking a little iffy. This was the same meeting. I don't see that in these spaces, but we do still have some challenges with CAX. So, aside from CAX, everything else looks good at this point. I don't have anything to call out here. Uh, I did want to put this in front of you again. This is CAX. It's the same slide you saw last month because I don't have anything new on here, but I wanted to make sure that you were aware of it that that first payment is short when compared to budget. And we are anticipating any time now to receive the second payment. Department of Taxation did put out a memo on October 2nd and said that that would be delayed until the third week of August. That's really where we're at right now. So, it could be any time. Um, and then the ongoing, they anticipate paying it around the 15th of each month. So, what they said was around the week of the 15th of each month after this payment. So, we'll see how that rolls out. It hasn't been smooth. We all know that. Um, but we are rolling with it and we're giving you the best information that we have when we have it. On the expenditure side for this first quarter, again, if you're looking at just a quarter, we you would expect departments to be at least uh expended up to but not above 25% at this time period for where we're at in the year. And so, right now, all the departments are really, if you average them all, they're averaging around 21% overall. No one is standing out as above um for any reason that we don't already that we're not already aware of. Um typically it information technology does um stand out in the first quarter and they stand out this year as well because their contracts come due at the very beginning of the year. So they pay a lot of those contracts upfront but they're for the full year. So that was the only one that stood out. If you average everyone together, everyone's around 21%. And so we're seeing good um savings there and we continue to monitor that, monitor that actually month over month. There's nothing else really that's showing that I need to call out for you here. Um we are early in the year. We are building out the budget for fiscal year 27 at this point. So this is really where we we continue to watch revenues and expenditures daily, weekly, monthly, all the time at this point moving forward. Challenges that we still have, you know, them where the economy is uncertain, national policy, tariffs, federal shutdown, all of these things, there's just a lot of uncertainty. Consumers are uncertain, spending's uncertain because we don't have those those regular payments of sea tax that normally we have had in the past. it it's just a very uncertain time, but I do feel like we are in a stable spot right now to react and to continue to watch and make sure that we do the best things. Um, and I can give you the best information as it's available. Um, inflationary costs, we know that those are going to continue to go up every year. Everything costs more and that those costs are really outpacing revenue growth. We are going to have similar challenges balancing the budget for fiscal year 27 that we had for fiscal year 26. Next month I'll be at the November 19th council meeting. We will be bringing forward the fee schedule comparison and it's a comparison to other agencies. The mayor has asked for this in previous years and we've done this previously. We thought we would like to bring that forward earlier in this process since we know we're going into a budget that is challenging again. So, we wanted to get that in front of you so you could review the fees, have more time to look at those before we really get into those deep dives into the workshops and into a lot of other information. So it will have the comparison of all the fees that the city currently charges and if there is a relevant fee and another local jurisdiction comparison to that for you to review and we'll have some departments doing some very brief presentations just to get that going. Um and then at that same meeting I will have an overview of the fisc year 27 budget. It will be the first roll up, a very early roll up with all the details and everything at least for the general fund and that's going to be our starting point. So you will see that at the next meeting and we'll know exactly what we're dealing with. So that concludes my presentation. This is not an action item and um I'm available for questions. >> Thank you Vicki. Um starting to my right any questions? Comments? Questions? Comments? Questions? Comments? Council member Door. Okay. Thank you, Vicki. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move on to item number C2. >> Do we have any public comment on this item, Madame May or Madam Clerk? >> We do not have any public comment registered for this item. >> Good afternoon, council members, vice mayor. Uh Lindsay Hatfield, budget manager. Um today I'm bringing forward the first quarter augmentation. Um this is we we do augmentations every quarter. So we have four every year um to realign the budget with um any changes that have occurred and to the first quarter in particular to um carry forward prior year purchase orders. Um that is th this is my one slide for you today because there's just not much on the augmentation this quarter. Um 90 to 95% of it is just carrying forward all those purchase orders from the prior year. So um we don't budget for those in each year individually. We budget all of it in the first year and then if they don't spend it, we have to carry it forward so they can finish paying those invoices. Um so that's primarily what's included here. And then there were some grants and reimbursements for a few of the departments. Um but other than that, we're we don't have any changes. So that um I am here if you have any questions, but it's it's a pretty straightforward one this time. >> Thank you, >> Madam Vice Mayor. I'm prepared to make a recommendation. >> Okay. >> Okay. I move to approve the augmentations and revisions from July 1, 2025 through September 30, 20 25. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I motion carries unanimously. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, we will move on to item number C4. Welcome. Hello Just Okay. Good afternoon, Vice Mayor, Council members, and Manager Bryant. For the record, Elaine Weisman, Housing and Neighborhood Development. I am excited to be here today to give you an update on our rapid rehousing pilot program. Before I begin, I do want to acknowledge that we have several several of our partners in the room. So, we have um Devin McFarland and Caesar Garcia Ariano with VA and a board member Scott Wong with VA and we have Heidi Mckendry with Reno Housing Authority. Okay, let's get started. Um so the rapid rehousing program aligns with this priority of our strategic plan economic opportunity homelessness and affordable housing. So this PowerPoint is really just meant to walk through kind of tell the story about how we how the rapid rehousing program started and where we're at now. So first um the need was identified. So, um, while conducting outreach both internally and with our external partner agencies, um, it became apparent that there really is a subset of this population that are homeless and have income and are on the waiting list for either RHA or another subsidized waiting list. And so, they're also falling through the cracks because of their homelessness, right? So they go from the street, maybe go on to the shelter, they get on a list, and then they miss their mail, and then they're back on the street, and it's just this perpetual cycle that's very difficult to get out of. So, how did it begin? Well, city staff and our manager, Bryant, who's a champion, so grateful for her, um thought, "What if we could get a roof over this population's head, get them stabilized, and provide a short-term subsidy while they're waiting for their permanent housing." And so that's what we did. Um we identified Village on Sage as the temporary housing location. Um most of you are aware of Village on Sage. It's a natural partner um for this type of program. Not only is it extremely affordable, so we knew that the subsidies would last longer and we could serve more people, but Volunteers of America also has the ability to provide the wraparound services that are a necessary component for this program. We also knew that we would need Reno Housing Authority on board to help not only the case managers but also the clients navigate through the voucher system, right? Getting on to subsidized housing or receiving a voucher. It's a whole process. So, they also agreed to this partnership and they said, "You know what? We're going to step up even more and we're going to help carry some of the cost of this by providing um some money to pay for the service coordinator through Volunteers of America, which does provide those wraparound services. So, we established a two-year pilot program. So, this is your one-year update on that program. And again, this really is just designed to be a bridge from homelessness to permanent housing. This is a program timeline. Um, it came about fairly quickly in government terms. Um, in June of 24, this council approved $200,000 in contingency funds from the fiscal year 2324. Um, in August we came back with an agreement with VA to provide the placement wraparound services as well as the renting the units to participants of the program. In fall of 24, a potential client list was started by Clean and Safe and our first participant entered the program. In November, the housing coordinator, Mr. There's Caesar Garcia, Ariano, our um housing placement and person with VA. He's amazing, wonderful. You you'll hear more about him in a minute. Um he was hired by VA and that's really when we hit the ground running. This is how it works. So, individuals are identified through outreach as possible participants in the program. So, they they meet that criteria of having some income. they're homeless and they are on either the RHA waiting list or another subsidized housing waiting list. They are then given an assessment and we use the communitywide assessment. It's called the chat. Um so really we're assessing for acuity and why we do that is because some individuals may have such acute problems that it would be a misplacement for them to be in rapid rehousing. they may need more permanent supportive housing. And conversely, there are some people who may just need a deposit and they can be on their way without these services. So, we like to assess to make sure people are getting into the right program. So, they're assessed, accepted into the program, and they have a roof over their head at Volunteers of America Village on Sage Street and then that's where all the other benefits begin. So, some other program benefits once they're there. Um, this is really the meat of the program. They receive life skills training, financial literacy. First of all, they start paying 30% of their income toward the rent. So, that really establishes the habit of paying rent for when their name does come up on the list for housing, they have created a habit of paying rent. Um, some of the individuals in the program are employed, but they may be undermployed or low-wage workers. So, they also qualify for this program. Um, so if they want to look for new jobs, they're assisted with that. Transportation is also provided to and from work via bus pass, um doctor's appointments, housing appointments, you know, things that they may normally not have access to which would cause them to fall through the cracks in the system. And again, the ongoing service coordination um which provides the long-term stability once they get housed. So, this is really like learning how to be a tenant. you know, when you haven't been a tenant for a very long time, it's it's not that easy. We think it comes naturally. It doesn't. So, they learn to pay their rent. They learn conflict resolution um with their neighbors with they learn how to advocate for themselves with their landlord. So many different skills so that again they're ready for housing when their name comes up on the list. There's a little note on this slide I want you to remember. I'm going to test you on it. Um the average monthly cost of an unsheltered individual is over $3,600 per month to the community. So that includes um shelters, jails, institutions, um treatment centers, streets, you name it. It includes everything. That's that's the cost that um has that people use. Um and that came from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, $3,600. We're going to come back to that. Okay. So program growth um again the first person was placed in September, Caesar was hired in November. By February we were at 32% capacity. In May 72% and then in June we were at 100% capacity which is where we remain today. So with a modest waiting list. So we are ready as people exit the program. We have somebody ready to come in. So what do the numbers say? Um this is the impact. Um we've had 36 participants to date. 24 are currently enrolled. So we we have one person move out and another one getting to move in getting ready to move in. So we we are full at 25, but that's our max. Um of those who have left the program, five have been housed through a voucher um through Reno Housing Authority. Three have been permanently housed in other housing. So, that could be other subsidized housing, could be market rate housing, they met a roommate, they moved on there. Um, either way, they're in safe, permanent housing. Of these 24, eight have already completed their RHA interview process. So, this is where I think it it gets interesting and we're going to start to see some real outcomes. We knew when we started this program from the time someone gets on the RHA list to when they receive a voucher is about 12 to 18 months. So we're at the 12-month mark. Some of them had already been on the list. And so now we're starting to see a bunch of these vouchers start to come through. So I imagine then the next few months we're going to see quite a turnover in the program which is the intent of the program. Those are just the numbers, but what about the personal story? I want to share Christina's story with you hopefully. >> Okay. So, we'll go in. Perfect. Thank you. Volunteers America runs the village on Sage Street, which is a 312 dorm style unit housing facility, and we have regular renters. But about a year ago, the city of Reno and Volunteers America decided to collaborate and introduce a rapid rehousing program. The rapid rehousing program is a way for individuals who have income and are on a waiting list for permanent subsidized housing to be relocated to the village on Sage where they have a roof over their head. They have their [music] own place and they wait with full wraparound services for their name to come up on the waiting list. My name is Christina and I'm a rapid rehousing graduate. Um I went to our place women's shelter. I was there for 17 months. We applied for this place and uh I was accepted and then I came here and I they assigned me a new case manager. His name is Caesar. I had the pleasure of working with Christina here at the village on the safe street as our service coordinator. Uh she was one of our very first participants here. She came in from the women's center. uh and sparks [music] and made an immense growth here. I would like to say that this place um is an inspiration is definitely an inspiration. It's a step up from the shelter, you know, for others, you know. I got to shed a tear because I just really enjoyed working with everybody in the office. They were just so respectful and nice to me, you know, and I want to give you guys both greatest thank you ever for, you know, enlightening my life. The city of Reno in partnership with Reno Housing Authority funds [music] the program. So how we fund the program is individuals when they start living here they pay 30% of their income toward the [music] rent. Well the city of Reno covers the difference and the Reno Housing Authority helps pay for the service coordination which is [music] the wraparound services that are provided to the residents while they're staying here. It's it's a wonderful program if you if you take advantage of it. You have to want to do it. You have to just take advantage of it and and and want to get things done. Like I said, you it's this place is wonderful. I mean, it's it really is >> to see these individuals move through the program is phenomenal. To see from when they first got to Village on stage to when they're moving out to their own house. um to see the progress that they've made, to see their confidence, to see family reconnections, [music] you know, all of these amazing things. Uh the resilience, you know, it's pretty phenomenal. Very special. [music] Oh, okay. So, that $3,600 per month, I'm going to go back to that. Um, this program costs $560 per month per participant. That includes the rental subsidy as well as the wraparound services. So, a tremendous savings to the community. Um, the average length of stay is about six months per participant. So, as you can see, we're helping stop that cycle, getting people permanently housed for a fraction of the cost. Um, we did receive two large donations. Um, I was not given permission to name them publicly, but they know who they are. Thank you for that. Um, and anyone who is interested, who's watching this or is interested in getting involved, you can email us at housing reno.gov. Again, this is a collaborative effort as we know in government. We're not siloed. And we could not have done this without our partners, Reno Housing Authority, Volunteers of America, and our team led by Jamie Peak. Where are you? Great job. And of course, this council and manager Bryant. Thank you so much. Um, with that, I'll open it up to questions. Um, I'm available and then our partners are available as well. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Der. >> Yeah. Um, very inspirational, Elaine and team. um to see you know what's possible when we decide that we have a service gap really we we know that people are waiting for housing but they're on a list and that list seems interminable right I mean 12 and 18 months is as good as never right in in a lot of people's perspective um I I was really pleased to see that we have been able to help so many I do have a question I know village on Sage is single rooms so this program can't help married people I imagine people with kids. Another another category. >> Hi Devon McFarland with Volunteers America. Um to answer that question, yes. So for the collaboration at the Village on Sage Street, we are focused on serving the single occupant, right? >> Um so really the folks we're seeing um 60% have come out of our shelters, whether it be our place or CAR's campus. And so we're trying to get the ones out of the system who might otherwise get stuck in that revolving door. And >> no, totally um commend you on that. I just I also know there's other categories of people or cohorts I guess it's called, but um and I think at our place they I don't know if that's just single women or or women with children as well. >> Uh our place does service the families as well. So, >> so is it possible we could expand this program to beyond Sage Street to a different kind of living quarter like uh the nearby motel or the tiny home which I think can put can support two people I think. But anyway, that's my question. >> I I think that is a great aspiration and I think after we finish this pilot program um we can re-evaluate. I I mean I would love to but >> you know you guys hold the purse strings so >> no I understand. So I just but I mean >> really it is something I think to aspire to because there are couples and families that um and there are other supports in the community that have family re rapid rehousing programs other providers that do provide that. They may be slightly different but yes. >> Yeah. And then this runs out when is a two-year program I think. >> Yeah we have about a year left of funding. So, we're on track with our funding to to have it last the entire two years. >> Okay. Thanks, >> Council Member Reese. >> Thank you, Madam Vice Mayor. Let me ask uh first Miss McFarland, uh how is uh life with VA going? Just a sort of a broad brush question. You've got a lot of different programming. It's an organization I know a lot about and obviously give my best to Leo and and just let us know how are things going. Honestly, I think BOA has seen a lot of growth in the last few years and I'm very excited to be a part of the growth in the community. Um, I think we've had very positive change and a lot of great opportunities [snorts] for partnerships in the community and I think they've all been very needed steps. Um, and we're just happy to continue to be a part of the solution. >> Well, and there's a lot of pieces to it, right? because you've got the car's campus, village on stage, our place um and and and more than that or am I missing any components? >> We do have restart and I should have also mentioned that does capture some of the families for rapid rehousing need and I apologize for not speaking to that but we do have some of that support in the community through our restart program. Well, and I think what we hope for and what we communicated to Miss Bryant, I think, when she brought these ideas forward with the team is one of the things that we want to make sure happens is that people have an exit from the shelter and and that's the difficult part. Um, I understand it's quite full. Um, I was talking to Travis the other day about the shelter and if there's nohere to exit out of, there isn't really a plan. And so it just means that then people are being housed largely in a larger congregate facility which has an absolute role to play. And so I'm hopeful that things like this program and like um uh the adjacent uh more skilled uh long-term solution that's both we've opened part of it and then the next uh private operator will open that has some exit opportunities for us. What are we looking at there? So, um, for continuation, we also have the Highway 40 that is joining, um, the VA family. And so, we're making great strides and progress. It took a while to get that off the ground, but every day I drive by and it seems like we are just one step closer to opening another 27 community doors. >> Um, and so that will specifically be folks with a higher acuity. So ideally we are housing folks who wouldn't necessarily qualify for this rapid rehousing program and probably aren't suitable in sustaining their housing um and who are also just becoming stuck in the shelter systems and new criminal systems whatever it may be. So hopefully we will be able to be introducing a whole new stability for those individuals here. >> And then I did have a question about some of the numbers that I saw. Um the max is 25 at any given time. That means there's 25 rooms set aside is what you're saying. >> Correct. >> And they're currently at capacity. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um but the average length of stay is six months. And so does it kind of naturally fall off that someone is coming out and then someone is coming in? >> Yes. So the data we reported was 24 um occupants, but we do have we filled that spot um after we submitted the data. So we are at 25. We've got a couple individuals as we see someone gearing up to exit. We're interviewing the next three to see who's going to be able to come in. Okay. >> And get that next. >> Well, great update. Manager Bryant, if I may just ask one question. I'll leave it to you. Um these are dollars that came out of the general fund or are they >> They are they were um a reallocation of some contingency funds at the end of last year. Uh council graciously allowed $200,000 to kind of go to see if this would work. And I think by all accounts, it has it's been a beautiful >> Okay. I'll be interested to know when the reauthorization might have to happen. Thank you so much, Madam Vice Mayor. Thank you, Miss McFarland. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Elaine. I have a question for you really quick. Um I I think at the start of it, I'd love to see all of the collaboration for this, everybody coming together for the common good of the community because it is one of the biggest concerns that we hear. Um I'm going to skip right into the number part of it. If we're looking at $560 a month and we've had I don't know 36 36 participants, do we have we have a little bit over 50,000 left >> roughly? Yes. >> Is okay. So that's fantastic. That's that's great work. Um and it would be interesting to see it our rental assistance program that we got >> the dollars that we got at the legislature. Is that something that can be used for this program? >> No. I No. Okay. >> I don't believe so. >> I didn't think so, but I was I was hoping, but >> Okay. Well, just it's it's really a great great program, great opportunity. Thank you all for working together. I real quick I wanted to to embarrass um Heidi, could you come up >> and introduce yourself, please? >> Heidi Mckendry with the Reno Housing Authority. >> And you're the new assistant executive. I've been the deputy executive director for four years. >> Okay. So, we got we we added another deputy. >> We added JD. Yes. JD is the new Yeah, I'm the veteran. He's the new. >> So, just so everybody knows, I'm extremely pleased to say that uh you were the winner of the Nevada Housing Coalition's 2025 Culture of Leadership Award. >> Yes, I was. [applause] Thank you. >> Congratulations. Thank you so much. >> It was a great honor. It was great. It was a big surprise. >> You were very surprised. >> Very surprised. But yeah, it was wonderful. Yes. >> Well, you deserve it. And I think City of Reno was on the path the year before. So, I mean, just in this, >> we're doing really good work in this space. Thank you. >> Yeah. And absolutely. Just want to add that this was a great presentation. I think this is a great example of collaboration in the community. You don't see it often enough and housing authority, we're thrilled to be a part of it. >> Well, thank you, council member. The council members, other questions or comments? Council member. Yeah. So, um I arrived kind of at the tail end of this because I was actually speaking with somebody that's using some of these services um out front on my break or on our break. And um one of the um things they shared with me as a frustration um piece [clears throat] is um getting around basically. Um they were here to get paperwork. They have difficulty walking. um it's confusing to get into the building. They were really struggling and I stopped to talk with them because I I I wanted to check to make sure that they um didn't need assistance. Um they were, you know, pretty tired out from walking and needed a break. So, um, my concern is that people might have a little bit of, um, roadblock physically, uh, transportation wise to do the things they need to do to get into these programs, um, to get placed in housing. Um, do you guys have any kind of work that you do with RTC to help with like Ubers for people or getting paperwork to people? because I was I was kind of disappointed to see that somebody would have to go through this kind of journey to get paperwork. Um so just kind of if you can tell us what what you're doing to support that angle of it. >> Of course. So as far as folks who are in the program, um I'm going to take this in a couple pieces. Um they're checking in with our office every time that they need a bus pass. They're communicating. We use access to health care. We order lifts or Ubers when needed. if something falls through. We also work with other partners in the community who are able to pro provide transportation. Um we're partnered also with the RTC van over at the CARES campus. So that helps with driving folks to social security to medical appointments to the DMV office. So we're working really in collaboration with drivers to make sure that folks aren't having to struggle to get to appointments. We know how much of a burden that can be. Um, as far as folks who might be trying to determine their eligibility and meet those needs, it again is a very collaborative effort. We have folks with the city clean and safe team who have all been very involved in the process um even over at the shelters. And so we're working with them. We're also um able to in a pinch borrow a van that within the VA network and drive folks where they need to go. So, they've have great access to transportation within this program. Sometimes I know like right now upstairs that someone could be applying for rental assistance, which may be one of the services that you're referencing that they're coming down to. Um, and as you know, if it were someone who was just a standard lodger with the village, we might give them the directions on the bus. Um, but we wouldn't have as much additional services. But Caesar goes above and beyond to make sure all of his folks get from A to B. And again, I'm ordering an Uber in a pinch if we have to get somebody to their next place. >> That's good to know. And and I'm assuming this person just kind of fell through the cracks maybe, unfortunately. So maybe I could share this this person's contact info with you after. >> Yeah. If they're if they're a participant of the program, we'd love to know just because I know Caesar's very on top of their case plan um and making sure that, you know, we have somebody set up to go to DMV tomorrow at 9:30. We had someone go Monday. So, we're we're always playing shuffle and working and bothering our community partners to see who's going what direction so we can add our folks in. >> Great. And do you do any work with um Care Chest? >> We do. Yes. So, um I know for our ambulatory folks, I also have a staff member on our team who's very passionate about accessibility. So, she's actually um the wheelchair that you saw Christina in, she was able to get her for free and she's been able to secure um in the last few months about five of those wheelchairs for folks just in the community at the village. >> That's great. That's great. Council member, I think uh manager. >> Yes. Just for the record, if you wouldn't mind giving that person my number. Um we have purchased a van for I believe it was Karma Box. They will do transport. Great. >> Ambassadors do transport. The CARES campus does transport. Clean and Safe um can make arrangements and we have free bus passes so transportation should not be a problem. So if there is we'll figure out what it is and how to clear that hurdle. >> You bet. >> Council members, other questions. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Thank you for the work that you guys are doing. Really appreciate it. >> Okay. I think we're moving on to item F1. Do we have any public comment on this item? And then we'll ask Carl to read the ordinance. >> We do not have any public comment registered and have not received any correspondence on this item. >> Ordinance adoption. Ordinance number 6728, case number LDC 26-0000001 or Crest Drive zoning map amendment. Ordinance to amend title 18 chapter 1802 of the Reno Municipal Code entitled zoning reszoning a 2.36 acre site located on the north side of Orcrest Drive 450 ft east of its intersection with Carson Lane from Large Lot residential to mixed employment together with matters which pertain to or are necessarily connected there with W four. questions. Council motion >> second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I motion carries unanimously. Um Madame Clerk, I think we're moving on to item G1. >> Okay, Council Member Martinez. Yeah, I just like to thank everybody who applied and those that showed up to the interview and thank you to Director Ult for being with me for the uh applications and interviews. At this time, we'd like to fill both vacant positions. The first one is a reappoint of Jerry Wager. The second one is a new appointment for Lucas Ingvolstead. Sorry if I mispronounced your name, but those were the two recommendations to the body. >> You have a motion in a second. Any discussion? >> Madam Clerk, I didn't ask. Do we have any comment on public comment on this item? >> We do not have any public comment registered and have not received any correspondence. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries unanimously. And now we are moving on to item H which are council comments. Council member Eert. >> I do but I totally just lost my train if you can come back to me later. Council member >> I don't have anything. >> Council member Martinez make it play it out so council member can find a thought. Uh this Friday, the Truckucky River Flood Management Authority board of directors will meet to discuss the design plan to move forward on the Rock and Mill and McCarron parcels. So if anybody would like to watch or participate, you're welcome to do that. This Friday, uh October 24th at 1 p.m. we'll be meeting at the Sparks Chamber and you can participate online as well. Just want to put that on the record. >> Council member Doer. >> Yeah. So I do have one. Um, this last weekend, um, I was privileged to help lead a fall garden, sorry, f fall tree walk at Virginia Lake, and it worked out really well. I was able to borrow a golf cart from one of my neighbors, which served as the sag wagon, meaning there were a few people that were older that needed a lift. Um, I also put a microphone on there because you're outdoors and there was 35 participants. So, I know that we're all looking for ways to mix it up with our constituents, you know, make new connections and we've often talked about meeting in coffee shops, but this kind of meeting is just as good. and we got to talk not just about trees, water, the history of Virginia Lake, but a number of residents came up to talk to me about other issues such as the advanced purified water, storing water underground, generally water topics in general, um other decisions, ADUs, and etc. So, it's a great way, you know, if you can think of an activity, I'm not suggesting pickle ball because you're on the run, not not a chance to really have a chat, but um and I'm going to do something similar. I'm going to meet with some residents on Dickerson Road um at Oxbow. It's it's going to be like 45, but I'm bringing coffee and hot chocolate. Um and uh their preference was to meet outside. So, I'll probably have between five and 10 of those residents, but these are these are kind of good meetup opportunities. So, um just wanted to encourage everyone to keep looking for new ideas and share those. All right. Thanks. >> Thank you, Council Member Eert. Yeah, I [clears throat] did have something I wanted to ask if we can bring back on a future agenda, but I can't remember right now. I'm sorry. But I can't I also don't remember if I talked about the fall festival we had on my ward a couple weeks ago um where we gave out pumpkins, free pumpkins for the kids, face painting, free food um for the first hundred people. We had two food trucks and a coffee truck. Um rolling rack came out, gave out prizes and candy. We had um you know park games and things like that and station to decorate pumpkins. Um some different volunteer groups came out including uh Rena food systems which is um great timing with with this um event because they they bring their last harvest and give away um free fresh produce to the community which is awesome. Um and it was just a really great event. Uh a lot of attendance and um council member Taylor came out which was great. Um, she also stayed for a while, which was awesome. Uh, so I think that means she had a good time. So, I just want to say that, um, I'd like to find more ways to do things like this by partnering with the city of Reno throughout, you know, different wards, but also more in my ward. I think it's a really high impact event that in the scheme of things doesn't cost a ton of money, you know, so just looking for ways u maybe we could partner with other entities to help us with the cost of that. But it's just really great to um do familyfriendly things for kids and um economic times are tough for everyone. So, anytime we can kind of do a a free event, I think that would be great. So, if we could, you know, work on things like that, manager Bryant, if you could help, that would be wonderful. And also, huge thank you to staff for making it happen. It was wonderful. And also thank you to um Greens Feed for the bales of straw and also Grocery Outlet for helping us get um all the pumpkins we needed. We set up a really cool pumpkin patch so the kids could pick one out on their own and all that. So really great event. Just hoping we could do more of that. Just kind of smaller activations throughout the city right now. So that was it. Thank you. Um I'll just chime in real quick. Uh, I was at the Night Street Market, I think is what it was called, or maybe I got it wrong. And it was phenomenal. I mean, it was so much fun. I know you were there, uh, Council Member Anderson, on Friday. It was so good. It was exactly everything we want to see. There were families, there were strollers, there were dogs, there were food, there was light, there was music. It was really a good time. And then the antique mall fair was on Sunday. It was really fabulous, fabulous time downtown this weekend. So, thank you to our team who does all that. and Rachel, I don't know where you are, but it was it was really good. Great feedback. Thank you. I think we're looking for a motion to adjourn. >> Motion a second. All those in favor. >> Madam Vice Mayor, before we do that, can I just do >> Oh, public comment. Is there any public comment? >> We don't have any public comment registered, but we did receive one neutral letter of correspondence that has been distributed to the Reno City Council. >> Okay. >> And now we can take a motion to adjurnn. >> I think we had a motion in a second. All those in favor? I? Motion carries. Thank you, everyone.