Sparks City Council Highlights July 27, 2026

Contact:
Julie Duewel
Communications Manager
[email protected]
(775) 353-7894

Sparks, NV - The following are highlights from the July 27, 2026, Sparks City Council meeting.

Announcements, Presentations, Recognition Items, and Items of Special Interest:

• Darcy Phillips, Executive Director of Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful, presented an annual update on the programs, partnerships, and accomplishments within the City of Sparks over the past year.
• Mayor Ed Lawson gave commendation to Creative Gardens in recognition of their generous donation of a new play yard at the Larry D. Johnson Community Center.
• Major General Ondra L. Berry, CEO of Liberty Dogs, provided an overview of the organization's mission to train and place service dogs with veterans living with PTSD, and discussed the life-changing impact these partnerships have on those who have served our nation.

General Business

Council approved:

• The appointment of Dian VanderWell for a two-year term ending November 30, 2028, and Joe Rodriguez for a three-year term ending November 30, 2029, to the Truckee Meadows Housing Authority.
• The Interlocal Agreement with the City of Reno for Fire Department Shared Leadership and Operational Coordination, establishing a shared Fire Chief model under which the Reno Fire Chief provides executive oversight of both fire departments, along with a framework for operational coordination and regional cost-sharing.
• The proposed change to the City of Sparks Group Health Plan benefit to include the current health plan and two alternative plans, effective January 1, 2027.
• The approximately $11,772,340 reimbursement Agreement between the City of Sparks and the City of Reno requiring the City of Sparks to pay for a proposed preconstruction services agreement amendment for the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility Dewatering Building Project. The City of Reno will reimburse the City of Sparks approximately $8,079,357.
• A $178,140.38 Interlocal Agreement with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, Reno Police Department, and Sparks Police Department for FY26-27 to equally share the total compensation for a work crew supervisor. Sparks' share will be $59,380.13.

Public Hearing and Action Items Unrelated to Planning and Zoning

Council held public hearings and approved:

• A Memorandum of Understanding with the Sparks Police Protective Association to provide law enforcement services at the Special Event Overtime rate for athletic or sporting events held at City facilities, for which the permittee will reimburse the City for the overtime costs.
• The City of Sparks Language Access Plan for FY27 and FY28 as presented.
• The bill draft request to amend the Washoe County Taxes on Transient Lodging Act of 1999 to enable the Sparks City Council to adopt an ordinance to add a surcharge of up to $10.00 per night to the rental of transient lodging within the City of Sparks.
• An ordinance amending Sparks Municipal Code to update the sewer bill appeals process and providing for other matters properly related thereto.

Planning and Zoning Public Hearings and Action Items

Council held a public hearing and approved a bill to amend a final approved plan for the Kiley Ranch North Phase 3 Planned Development to:

1. Modify the parking ratios applicable to medical uses.
2. Revise sign standards related to medical campus signage in Village 25.
3. Modify parking area landscaping requirements when covered parking is utilized in Village 25.