June 10, 2026 Reno City Council Meeting Highlights

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 meetings of the Reno City Council. Staff Reports with more information are linked below.

B.6 - Contract Awarded for 2026 Sewer Lift Stations Improvement Project
Council approved a construction contract to Gerhardt and Berry Construction Inc. For the 2026 Sewer Lift Stations Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $1,033,717, which includes a $75,000 contingency for unforeseen items encountered during construction. Funding for this project is included in the FY26 Capital Improvement Plan and will be funded through the City's Sewer Fund. The project includes improvements to the ReTRAC Lift Station in Ward 1 and the Panther Valley Lift Station in Ward 4, two of the 29 lift stations in the City's sanitary sewer collection system. A comprehensive assessment completed in February 2020 evaluated the condition of all City lift stations and identified prioritized rehabilitation needs. The ReTRAC Lift Station, built in 2005, received a priority score of 3 due to minor electrical deficiencies and the need to replace its access lift system, while the Panther Valley Lift Station, rebuilt in 2015, received a score of 5 but has since experienced operational and maintenance issues. Planned improvements at the ReTRAC Lift Station include replacing the access lift and hatch, installing a variable frequency drive and emergency float, enhancing site security and completing minor electrical upgrades. Planned improvements at the Panther Valley Life Station include replacing the access hatch, installing ventilation and electrical control equipment, constructing an access driveway, enhancing site security and completing minor electrical upgrades. The construction start date has not yet been determined; however, the project is anticipated to be completed by June 2027.

B.8 - Contract Awarded for 2026 Consolidated Sewer Rehabilitation Project
Council approved a construction contract to F.W. Carson Co. for the 2026 Consolidated Sewer Rehabilitation Project in an amount not to exceed $4,026,006, which includes a $350,000 contingency for unforeseen items encountered during construction. Funding for this project is included in the FY26 Capital Improvement Plan and will be funded through the City's Sewer Fund. The project aims to repair and/or upsize approximately 2,630 feet of sanitary sewer pipe and install 17 manholes at seven locations in Reno. The City's sanitary sewer system requires ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation to ensure reliable service and adequate capacity for Reno residents. These seven locations were identified as high priority based on deteriorated condition and/or insufficient capacity. The project areas include Stead, Northwest Reno, 4th Street, Carville Drive, Marsh Avenue area, the intersection of Plumas Street and Plumb Lane, and North Virginia Street. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be complete by winter 2026.

B.15 - Designation of Assistant Chief of Police Position as Critical Labor Shortage Position
Council approved to designate an Assistant Chief of Police position within the Reno Police Department (RPD) as a critical labor shortage position for a period of two years. The Reno City Council has statutory authority pursuant to Nevada Revised Statute 286.523 to determine whether a critical labor shortage exists for a position and to designate the position accordingly upon making the findings required by statute. Such a designation allows a retired public employee to be re-employed in the position under the conditions authorized by state law. The Assistant Chief of Police is a public safety position of extreme need for the City. The individual serving in that capacity plays a critical executive leadership role within the RPD. The position provides oversight of major departmental functions, assists with the identification and implementation of strategic initiatives, supports departmental operations, and serves as a key member of the department's executive leadership team. Funding for the Assistant Chief of Police position is included within the approved RPD budget. Following this approval, RPD selected retired RPD Commander Sean Garlock as its new Assistant Chief, ending the Interlocal Agreement with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

B.19 - Interlocal Agreement to Partially Fund Park Ranger Program
Council approved an extension to an Interlocal Joint Funding Agreement between the Truckee River Flood Management Authority (TRFMA) and the City to partially fund the Park Ranger Program for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. This funding is equal to 20 percent of salaries and benefits, up to a maximum amount of $200,000. On July 1, 2024, TRFMA and the City entered into the Park Rangers Interlocal Joint Funding Agreement pursuant to which TRFMA provided funding for Reno's Park Rangers program, and Reno's Park Rangers patrolled the TRFMA property a minimum of five times per week, enhancing public engagement, education and safety.

B.23 - $3 Million Grant Acceptance from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center Remodel Project
Council accepted a Fiscal Year 2026 Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant in the amount of $3 million for the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center Remodel Project. This grant award was allocated by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Senator Jacky Rosen under the FY2026 EDI CPF initiative and is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The modification and remodeling of this aging community center will allow for the creation of a comprehensive whole health and wellness hub, including opportunities for physical and mental health through recreation, connection, and workforce development. The remodel will allow the City to continue providing essential services and amenities while also promoting new opportunities for social inclusion, community engagement, and overall well-being. The project scope will be finalized following review by a qualified architect but could include a reconfiguration of the existing weight room and cardio room, updates to the east wing of the building to allow for expanded programming, and updated fixtures and repairs throughout the building.

C.1 - Letter of Intent for City-owned Property to the Reno Housing Authority
Council accepted a Letter of Intent (LOI) to dispose of City-owned property at 14180 Mount Charleston Street to the Reno Housing Authority (RHA) for the public purpose of supporting affordable housing, for a fee of $10 plus closing costs. The City acquired the property in 1975 and has leased it to the Reno Housing Authority (RHA) at no cost since 1994. RHA constructed and currently operates a clubhouse on the site that serves Stead Manor, a 68-unit affordable housing community located across the street. On April 28, 2026, RHA submitted a Letter of Intent to purchase the property, authorized by its Board of Commissioners. Stead Manor consists of 68 two and three-bedroom townhome-style units under RHA's Public Housing program. Rent is capped at thirty percent of household income, ensuring long-term affordability. The clubhouse supports resident services, including youth, education, and workforce development programs, and serves as the hub for meetings, events, and community programming. Stead Manor is currently undergoing a $20 million rehabilitation, expected to be completed in July 2026. Funding includes approximately $18 million from the Nevada Housing Division's Home Means Nevada Initiative and nearly $2 million in Public Housing Capital Funds. The project includes significant upgrades to the clubhouse, which will continue serving as a community and programming space for residents.

C.4 - Fiscal Year 2026-2029 Strategic Plan Priorities Presentation: Well-Maintained City Infrastructure and Access to Natural Spaces
Council approved the Major Opportunity Areas (MOAs) for Well-Maintained City Infrastructure (WMI) and Access to Natural Spaces (NS) and directed staff to include them in the draft strategic plan for community review. MOAs are targeted, time-bound initiatives where focused effort and resources over the next three fiscal years can advance Council priorities, improve service delivery, and address root causes of community challenges. MOAs were developed based on extensive input gathered throughout 2025, including Council interviews and briefings, discussion at the October workshop, community engagement sessions, and results from the 2025 Community Survey.

The MOAs include the following initiatives:

• WMI.1 - Maintenance Assessment: Complete a full inventory, accurate condition assessment, and lifecycle analysis of all City-owned assets
• WMI.2 - Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Reform: Reimagine the general capital improvement planning process to prioritize, fund, and deliver infrastructure projects based on community and organizational needs
• NS.1 - Parks District: Complete the regional parks service plan and pursue a regional parks model to increase funding, provide streamlined governance and maintenance responsibilities to build, maintain, and enhance public parks, trails, and open space.
• NS.2 - Truckee River: Improve public access to and activation of the Truckee River by enhancing river safety, cleanliness, and accessibility

Now that all five of the Council strategic priority sections have been proposed and discussed, the final draft of the plan will be open for community review through the end of June. The City will invite residents to review and provide feedback on the final draft Strategic Plan. Feedback information will be released this week.

D.1 - Brinkby Studios Access and PUE Abandonment
Council approved the abandonment of a of a ±1,085 square foot portion of a 30-foot-wide access and public utility easement. The abandonment area extends 10 feet into the 30-foot-wide easement located along the southern property line of the subject parcels located at the southwest corner of Brinkby Avenue and Gentry Way. The abandonment will help facilitate the development of a studio apartment building intended to be affordable and targeted at residents who benefit from convenient access to nearby public transit.

E.1 - Ordinance Introduction to Update the City's Property Maintenance Code
Council adopted an ordinance for a second reading to amend Reno Municipal Code 14.05 by updating the City's Property Maintenance Code to the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). This includes regional amendments and new Redevelopment Area (RDA) Property Maintenance Standards. This update aims to modernize safety expectations, clarify enforcement tools, and support ongoing revitalization efforts. Key changes include stricter requirements for vacant buildings, graffiti removal, window maintenance, waste enclosure screening, sidewalk and alley cleanliness, queue line management, and property maintenance operations. This follows Council direction from December 2025 to move forward with the process. City staff then engaged in public outreach through newsletters, workshops, media outreach, social media, and the City website.

Appointments

• Yvette Myers was appointed to the Washoe County HOME Consortium Technical Review Committee

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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.