City of Reno, NV
03/12/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2026 09:38
March 11, 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 Meeting of the Reno City Council. Staff Reports with more information are linked below.
B.7 - Purchase and Installation of Audible Pedestrian Signals
Council approved the purchase and installation of Audible Pedestrian Signal equipment using allocated Community Development Block Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $575,000. Audible Pedestrian Signals provide critical accessibility features for people who are blind or have low vision when using crosswalks at intersections. The purchase will upgrade approximately 75 intersections. The City currently maintains 285 signalized intersections, 197 of which have been upgraded with Audible Pedestrian Signals through prior Community Development Block Grant funding. Intersections are prioritized under the City's ADA Transition Plan using objective criteria, including proximity to transit and public facilities, pedestrian volumes, safety considerations and community input. Prioritization is conducted in coordination with the Reno Access Advisory Committee to support equitable implementation.
B.8 - Damonte Ranch Fencing for Horse Protection Project
Council approved an agreement between the city and the Damonte Ranch Drainage District for the construction and maintenance of floodway-style fencing across a portion of a parcel on Bucephalus Parkway, adding to the Horse Protection Project's North Phase. The City identified a gap in the drainage parcel that allowed wild horses to access neighborhood streets in south Reno. The Damonte Ranch Drainage District owns the parcel and granted the city access to install a section of fence across the gap, creating a continuous barrier between the Virginia Range and City development. The fencing spans about 55 feet and includes a pedestrian access gate. The Horse Protection Project consists of a North Phase and a South Phase. The North Phase was completed in May 2025 and included fencing improvements from Mira Loma Drive to Kenneth Way. The South Phase is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with estimated completion in summer 2026.
B.9 - Love Your Block Program Extended Grant Acceptance
Council accepted a $60,000 grant extension from Johns Hopkins University to further support the Love Your Block program. The program focuses on resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects through community-submitted ideas. In March 2024, the City's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department was awarded a $100,000 Love Your Block grant from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University as part of the 2024-2026 cohort. The program runs annually from Feb. 14 to Aug. 31. In the first year, staff focused on Ward 3, which was identified as having the highest number of residential code violations addressable through the Love Your Block program. During this period, five innovative, community-driven projects were completed. Applications for the second year, focusing on Ward 1, opened on February 13, 2026. Due to factors including staffing challenges and Reno's strong performance in the first year, Johns Hopkins University extended the grant timeline and awarded the City an additional $60,000 for staffing, allowing for more projects to be implemented in year two. Applications for the city's Love Your Block CommUNITY Mini-Grant program are open through March 31, 2026. To learn more about the application process, visit the City's Love Your Block page.
C.2 - Downtown Reno Partnership Operating Plan and Assessment Rate
Council heard a presentation from the Downtown Reno Partnership (DRP) on their proposed annual operating plan, budget, and assessment adjustment for the fiscal year 2027. The DRP manages the Downtown Reno Business Improvement District (BID) and is therefore required to present updates to Council. The DRP's proposed operating plan and budget for fiscal year 2027 is projected to be $4,146,188.18. The DRP Board decided not to increase the assessment rate for the year. During its 2025-2026 annual report, DRP highlighted several outcomes, including ambassadors collecting 468,000 pounds of trash, completing more than 3,000 pressure washes, removing 900 pieces of graffiti and providing 980 rides to shelters and other services. The organization also installed more than 100 planters. DRP's 2026 priorities include continuing clean and safe services, launching a campaign encouraging residents to pick up pet waste, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, hosting a Pack the Plaza event with Nevada Athletics, activating events with the United States Bowling Congress, publishing an updated State of Downtown report and continuing its retail opportunities booklet.
C.3 - Nonprofit Organization Registration Discussion
Council heard a presentation on potential nonprofit organization registration and decided to continue the discussion at a later date to gather more information. Back in June 2025, Council directed staff to gather community and stakeholder feedback before considering an ordinance on registration requirements for nonprofit organization in Reno. Nonprofits are usually exempt from business licenses because they don't operate for profit and aim to serve the public or a specific cause. However, this exemption has raised concerns in city planning and public safety. Without registration, the City is often not aware of nonprofit operations, which can lead to incompatible land uses or limited safety reviews compared to commercial businesses. The City hosted three virtual community meetings in November 2025 and an online survey to collect feedback. A total of 141 people attended the community meetings and 263 responses were received through the survey. The majority of nonprofit organizations that provided feedback opposed nonprofit registration requirements. Stakeholders and organizations cited concerns including financial burdens, privacy risks, and duplicative processes, noting that both state and federal requirements already exist.
D.1 - Whispering Road Zoning Map Amendment
Council heard an ordinance introduction 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, and referred the item for a second reading and possible adoption on March 25. If adopted, the amendment would allow the proposed maintenance, repair, and renovation use and establish standards for outdoor storage and potential future expansion.
B.7 - Purchase and Installation of Audible Pedestrian Signals
Council approved the purchase and installation of Audible Pedestrian Signal equipment using allocated Community Development Block Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $575,000. Audible Pedestrian Signals provide critical accessibility features for people who are blind or have low vision when using crosswalks at intersections. The purchase will upgrade approximately 75 intersections. The City currently maintains 285 signalized intersections, 197 of which have been upgraded with Audible Pedestrian Signals through prior Community Development Block Grant funding. Intersections are prioritized under the City's ADA Transition Plan using objective criteria, including proximity to transit and public facilities, pedestrian volumes, safety considerations and community input. Prioritization is conducted in coordination with the Reno Access Advisory Committee to support equitable implementation.
B.8 - Damonte Ranch Fencing for Horse Protection Project
Council approved an agreement between the city and the Damonte Ranch Drainage District for the construction and maintenance of floodway-style fencing across a portion of a parcel on Bucephalus Parkway, adding to the Horse Protection Project's North Phase. The City identified a gap in the drainage parcel that allowed wild horses to access neighborhood streets in south Reno. The Damonte Ranch Drainage District owns the parcel and granted the city access to install a section of fence across the gap, creating a continuous barrier between the Virginia Range and City development. The fencing spans about 55 feet and includes a pedestrian access gate. The Horse Protection Project consists of a North Phase and a South Phase. The North Phase was completed in May 2025 and included fencing improvements from Mira Loma Drive to Kenneth Way. The South Phase is scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with estimated completion in summer 2026.
B.9 - Love Your Block Program Extended Grant Acceptance
Council accepted a $60,000 grant extension from Johns Hopkins University to further support the Love Your Block program. The program focuses on resident-led neighborhood revitalization projects through community-submitted ideas. In March 2024, the City's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department was awarded a $100,000 Love Your Block grant from the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University as part of the 2024-2026 cohort. The program runs annually from Feb. 14 to Aug. 31. In the first year, staff focused on Ward 3, which was identified as having the highest number of residential code violations addressable through the Love Your Block program. During this period, five innovative, community-driven projects were completed. Applications for the second year, focusing on Ward 1, opened on February 13, 2026. Due to factors including staffing challenges and Reno's strong performance in the first year, Johns Hopkins University extended the grant timeline and awarded the City an additional $60,000 for staffing, allowing for more projects to be implemented in year two. Applications for the city's Love Your Block CommUNITY Mini-Grant program are open through March 31, 2026. To learn more about the application process, visit the City's Love Your Block page.
C.2 - Downtown Reno Partnership Operating Plan and Assessment Rate
Council heard a presentation from the Downtown Reno Partnership (DRP) on their proposed annual operating plan, budget, and assessment adjustment for the fiscal year 2027. The DRP manages the Downtown Reno Business Improvement District (BID) and is therefore required to present updates to Council. The DRP's proposed operating plan and budget for fiscal year 2027 is projected to be $4,146,188.18. The DRP Board decided not to increase the assessment rate for the year. During its 2025-2026 annual report, DRP highlighted several outcomes, including ambassadors collecting 468,000 pounds of trash, completing more than 3,000 pressure washes, removing 900 pieces of graffiti and providing 980 rides to shelters and other services. The organization also installed more than 100 planters. DRP's 2026 priorities include continuing clean and safe services, launching a campaign encouraging residents to pick up pet waste, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, hosting a Pack the Plaza event with Nevada Athletics, activating events with the United States Bowling Congress, publishing an updated State of Downtown report and continuing its retail opportunities booklet.
C.3 - Nonprofit Organization Registration Discussion
Council heard a presentation on potential nonprofit organization registration and decided to continue the discussion at a later date to gather more information. Back in June 2025, Council directed staff to gather community and stakeholder feedback before considering an ordinance on registration requirements for nonprofit organization in Reno. Nonprofits are usually exempt from business licenses because they don't operate for profit and aim to serve the public or a specific cause. However, this exemption has raised concerns in city planning and public safety. Without registration, the City is often not aware of nonprofit operations, which can lead to incompatible land uses or limited safety reviews compared to commercial businesses. The City hosted three virtual community meetings in November 2025 and an online survey to collect feedback. A total of 141 people attended the community meetings and 263 responses were received through the survey. The majority of nonprofit organizations that provided feedback opposed nonprofit registration requirements. Stakeholders and organizations cited concerns including financial burdens, privacy risks, and duplicative processes, noting that both state and federal requirements already exist.
D.1 - Whispering Road Zoning Map Amendment
Council heard an ordinance introduction 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, and referred the item for a second reading and possible adoption on March 25. If adopted, the amendment would allow the proposed maintenance, repair, and renovation use and establish standards for outdoor storage and potential future expansion.
Other Headlines
- Council accepted a Battalion Chief (BC) Truck from the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) as part of consolidation of fire services with the Reno Fire Department
- Council received a presentation on the marketing plan, annual operating budget, and Capital Improvement Plan for the Reno Ballroom Facility
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.
City of Reno, NV published this content on March 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 12, 2026 at 15:38 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]