In our ongoing commitment to keep residents and media informed we’ve summarized the outcomes of a few key agenda items from Wednesday’s Regular Meeting of the Reno City Council. Staff Reports with more information are linked below.
B.7, B.8, & B.9 - Rivermount Street and Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Council approved the following actions for the Rivermount Street and Sewer Rehabilitation Project:
Council accepted a $3,095,137.50 grant from the State of Nevada Grants for Water Conservation and Capital Improvements Program to help fund the project’s sewer improvements. Council awarded Peek Brothers Construction a construction contract in an amount not to exceed $4,505,693.60 for roadway reconstruction and installation of new sanitary sewer infrastructure Council awarded a consultant agreement to DOWL in the amount of $784,417.26 to provide construction management support, including inspection, materials testing, surveying, traffic control oversight, and preparation of record drawings for the Rivermount and East University Phase 2 Street & Sewer Rehabilitation Projects. The Rivermount neighborhood is in west Reno, off West Plumb Lane and east of McCarran Boulevard. The project will be completed in two phases and includes reconstruction of Carter Drive, Suda Way and Frandsen Circle, along with installation of sanitary sewer mains and targeted storm drain improvements. Phase one is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with completion expected in December 2026. Phase two is set to begin in spring 2027. Funding for this project will come from the state grant, along with contributions from the City’s Street and Sewer Funds.
B.10 - Colorado River Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements Project
Council approved a contract with Powerhouse Construction Inc. in an amount not to exceed $491,096 for the Colorado River Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements Project. This project is funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and is located on Colorado River Boulevard between Wells and Yori avenues in Ward 3. The neighborhood currently lacks continuous sidewalk connections between major arterial streets, limiting safe and convenient pedestrian access. This project will include construction of new sidewalk segments and rehabilitation of existing sidewalk sections to improve safety and ADA accessibility. Construction will start upon approval and is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
C.1 - Interlocal Agreement with Washoe County Sheriff’s Office
Council approved an interlocal agreement (ILA) with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), authorized under NRS 277.180, which establishes a framework for the WCSO to provide interim law enforcement leadership to the City of Reno. The ILA authorizes the WCSO to designate an acting Chief of Police for the City of Reno. Additional WCSO personnel may be designated to serve as acting Assistant Chiefs or in other administrative roles as needed, subject to City Manager approval. The agreement runs through December 31, 2026, with a total not-to-exceed value of $2,000,000. Up to $25,000 is available for immediate use upon administrative approval by the City Manager and the Sheriff, prior to full ratification by the governing bodies. The WCSO will bill the City quarterly based on actual hours of service. Funding will be drawn from the City’s General Fund. The City retains all labor relations obligations for its represented employees and will indemnify WCSO-designated personnel against claims arising from City employment matters. Either party may terminate with 30 days’ written notice.
C.3 - Live Entertainment Regulations Discussion
Council heard a presentation as part of its ongoing discussion on potential live entertainment regulations within the City, and recommended a trial period to eliminate the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement for businesses while still requiring them to put together a security plan and obtain a cabaret license. Businesses have expressed frustrations with the requirement to go through a CUP process, due to the cost ($5,000), time it takes to process and the uncertainty of not knowing what additional standards would be applied. Staff will return to Council in April with a Resolution that outlines what a temporary stay on the CUP could look like. While the CUP process will have a temporary stay, additional requirements for enhanced security plans will be added, so that protections are put in place for residents and to create another enforcement tool for staff. Current rules require conditional use permits for late-night entertainment, which business owners view as restrictive, while residents have raised concerns about excessive noise impacts.
C.6 - Resolution Revising General Rules and Standards for Boards and Commissions
Council moved to adopt a resolution revising the general rules and standards for the City’s advisory boards, commissions, and committees, repealing and replacing Resolution No. 9417. Prior to August 2025, the City’s advisory board, commission, and committee structure was fragmented, with inconsistent or conflicting governing documents, costly meeting practices, and uneven participation and support models. On August 13, 2025, Council adopted Resolution No. 9417, consolidating and restructuring advisory boards, commissions, and committees under a single framework. The resolution centralized administrative oversight, standardized governance practices, and replaced contract minute-taking with a volunteer secretary model to improve consistency, compliance, and reduce costs. These updates created an annual cost savings of approximately more than $24,000 for the City. This new resolution updates the following:
- Meeting time limits: increase to three hours for all advisory meetings, with a City Manager approval process for exceptions.
- Empowered officers: new language enabling presiding officers to better manage meeting progression, similar to council rules.
- Administrative clean-up: clarify intent, correct drafting oversights, improve consistency, and support implementation.
With the acceptance of the revisions, the Agenda Management Team will connect with all boards and commissions to update them on these newest additions.
F.1 - Whispering Road Zoning Map Amendment, Second Reading
Council adopted an ordinance for a zoning map amendment from Public Facility (PF) to General Commercial (GC) on a ±0.23-acre parcel north of Crystal Park Road, approximately ±60 feet north of its intersection with South Verdi Road and Quilici Ranch Road. This is the second reading of the ordinance. This amendment allows the proposed maintenance, repair, and renovation use and maintains standards for outdoor storage and potential future expansion.
Board, Commission, or Committee Appointments
- Brett Jenkins and Nicolas Oliver were appointed to the Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board
- Councilmember Naomi Duerr was reappointed to the Western Regional Water Commission
Other Headlines
Reno City Council meetings are streamed live at Reno.Gov/Meetings and televised live on Charter Spectrum - Channel 194. Past public meetings can be viewed on YouTube.
