Reno · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reno public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Vice Mayor election
The council's annual pick of who serves as Vice Mayor for the coming year — the person who steps in when the Mayor is absent.
Pawsitive Improvements Program
A pet relief area improvement program would be formally found compliant with NRS 279 and consistent with the Redevelopment Plan, with the Executive Director authorized to administer it.
2027 Meeting Calendar Approval
Reno is the only Nevada city whose Charter forces the Charter Committee and Council to meet jointly — which is hard to schedule with 20+ officials. A change could make the meeting optional and require Council to report back on the committee's recommendations.
Youth volunteer partnership with Spread the Word Nevada
The Youth City Council heard a pitch from Spread the Word Nevada about volunteering with the children's literacy organization. Members asked questions but didn't commit to a specific opportunity yet.
Joint meeting requirement with City Council
Getting a full quorum of the charter committee to show up at joint meetings with City Council has been tough. The committee is working on language that would let the chair and vice chair — or any members who can attend — represent it, without requiring a quorum.
Vice Mayor appointment timing
Reno requires the Vice Mayor be chosen at the first November meeting — before election results are canvassed, which could seat a member who just lost reelection. The committee is considering removing that fixed timing.
Selection of the City Attorney
The committee considered — then dismissed 9-2 — the idea of switching the City Attorney from an elected to an appointed position. Reno is unusual among Nevada's large cities in electing this office, and the office typically runs unopposed.
Assistant Fire Chief as appointed position
The Charter currently only lets the city appoint the Fire Chief; adding the Assistant Fire Chief would match how assistant police chiefs are treated and align with the firefighters' bargaining agreement.
Review of public art scoring rubrics for local artists
The Mayor asked the board to look at how it scores public art projects and whether local artists should get a higher scoring weight. Discussion comes back at the next meeting.
Honoring Rod Hollenbeek
The local tree community lost Rod Hollenbeek, author, tree tour leader, and keeper of Nevada's Big Tree Registry. The commission brainstormed memorials, from a memorial grove to a champion tree plaque.
Solar panels at the Reno Events Center
Staff estimated a 280-kilowatt solar array would cost about $1.4 million with a 19-20 year payback and only about 5.2 percent ROI — well below the 10-15 percent target — and the RSCVA, not the City, pays the utility bills, so the City wouldn't directly benefit. The committee agreed it wasn't a good deal for now.
Canyon Flats Video Wall artwork
Seven artists were selected to show video work on the Canyon Flats Video Wall, with up to $2,400 in funding. One applicant was excluded over content-appropriateness concerns.
Art Signals Task Force formation
A seven-member task force — three board members and four community applicants — was seated to guide art review in 2026.
Truckee River Fund grant for Construction BMP Field Guide
Reno is applying for a Truckee River Fund grant, due January 30, to update the Construction BMP Field Guide used for stormwater compliance training.
Microforest proposal for south Reno
Member Reich proposed planting a small but complete urban forest of 300-400 trees, possibly at Double Diamond Park, with UNR students involved and small grants to fund it.
Reno-Stead Airport Master Plan Update
Airport staff gave an informational update on long-term planning and future facility needs for Reno-Stead, and noted openings on the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority board for community members.
Citywide historic context and Powning district survey
The city hired a consultant for phase one of a citywide historic context and applied for a grant to survey the Powning historic district with UNR and HRPS — groundwork for future preservation decisions.
Aitken House historic designation
The Aitken House at 781 Mill Street is headed to the State and National Registers at the owner's request. The owner supports the nomination but isn't seeking local city designation.
Corwin Ford Sierra Center Remote Storage Lot
A conditional use permit was proposed to let Corwin Ford use a nearby 6.95-acre site for storing 12 or more vehicles for sale or rental.