City of Reno, NV
11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 18:35
November 12, 2025 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.8 - Future Purchase of City-owned Parcels for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
Council approved an agreement giving the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) the first opportunity to buy three City-owned properties next to the 4th Street Station in downtown Reno. This step supports RTC's long-term plans to expand the station and make improvements such as adding electric bus charging stations and upgrading facilities. The parcels are a total of 31,500 square feet of vacant land between the 4th Street Station and the railroad trench between Lake Street and Evans Avenue. The agreement reflects both parties' intent to move forward with a sale once pending litigation related to the parcels are resolved. The official sale of these parcels to RTC would need Council authorization at a future Reno City Council Meeting.
B.10 & B.11 - Consulting Agreements for Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
Council approved a consulting agreement and amended another related to the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility. A consulting agreement was awarded to Brown & Caldwell to provide engineering and design services for Motor Control Centers 25, 26, and 27. These centers, built in 1987, provide power and control for motors and other electrically powered equipment. They have a typical service life of up to 25 years and are in need of updating. The contract is for up to $253,516, with Reno's share at $173,988.03 from the Sewer Fund. Council amended a consulting agreement with Carollo Engineering, Inc. (Carollo) for services to the facility's heat loop. The original contract was awarded by Council back in June 2024. During construction, a heat exchanger failure and underground piping conflicts caused significant damage and delays, requiring extra work from Carollo. The amendment adds $80,000 in services, bringing the total contract to $506,175. Reno's share of the contract is $347,387.90 from the Sewer Fund.
B.12 - Historic Preservation Fund Subgrant for Citywide Historic Context Report
Council accepted a $21,000 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) subgrant to hire a preservation consultant to begin a phased approach to developing a citywide historic context for Reno from its founding in 1968 through the year 1980. The funding was recommended by the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and will cover Phase one of the project, which will take place from Nov. 25, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026. Overall, the project will compile existing research and produce a comprehensive report that will help guide preservation efforts efficiently. This grant requires $14,000 of matching funds, which will come from the General Fund allocation to historic preservation. Phase two will expand this work with a survey of historic properties and districts to create a citywide historic context statement to support local, state, and national historic designations. Phase two, along with associated funding, will be announced at a later date, following phase one completion.
C.1 - Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Presentation
Council heard a presentation from the RTC's Executive Director Bill Thomas that included several studies and initiatives, including the RTC Maintenance Needs Study and the Guinn Center Bridging the Gap Policy Report, along with other current street and highway projects. Council praised successful projects and also discussed community concerns regarding others. A key issue discussed was the challenge of funding roadway maintenance as hybrid and electric vehicle (HV/EV) ownership increases. Because HV and EV owners purchase less or no gasoline, revenues from the traditional fuel tax, which funds much of the transportation network, are declining. For example, in 2019, taxable gallons sold reached nearly $185 million, but in 2024, taxable gallons sold dropped to just under $175 million. That number is expected to continue to decline year-over-year as more people drive EVs or HVs, in addition to gas-powered vehicles becoming more fuel efficient. The RTC mentioned proposed policies that could include a "Vehicle Miles Traveled" tax, increased sales tax, and supplemental government services taxes to support roadway funding.
D.1 - South Valleys Park Zoning Map Amendment
Council approved a zoning map amendment for the existing South Valleys Regional Park. The 69.2-acre site, located on the east side of Wedge Parkway about 800 feet south of Arrowcreek Parkway and bounded by Whites Creek Lane, Interstate 580, and South Virginia Street, will be rezoned from Mixed-Use Suburban (MS) to Parks, Greenways, and Open Space (PGOS). This update reflects the parks, recreation, and public facility uses occurring now at the site and supports further expansion of the park in the future. The Planning Commission reviewed the zoning change request back in October 2025, with staff noting that updating the site to PGOS would align with the Master Plan. The Planning Commission recommended that Council approve the change. This zoning map amendment is not project specific. Any future improvements within the park must comply with applicable City codes and standards.
D.2 - Luella Garvey House Historic Resource Designation
Council moved to adopt the local Historic Resource Designation for the Luella Garvey House at 589/599 California Avenue and referred an ordinance assigning the Historic Landmark zoning designation on the site. Built in 1934, the house is the earliest Reno commission of noted African American architect Paul Revere Williams. While it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004, it had not previously received official local designation. The Historical Resource Commission recommended adding the property to the City Register and establishing a Historic Landmark (HL) overlay zoning district. With Council's approval, the ordinance will proceed to a second reading at the December 3, 2025, meeting for final adoption.
B.8 - Future Purchase of City-owned Parcels for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC)
Council approved an agreement giving the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) the first opportunity to buy three City-owned properties next to the 4th Street Station in downtown Reno. This step supports RTC's long-term plans to expand the station and make improvements such as adding electric bus charging stations and upgrading facilities. The parcels are a total of 31,500 square feet of vacant land between the 4th Street Station and the railroad trench between Lake Street and Evans Avenue. The agreement reflects both parties' intent to move forward with a sale once pending litigation related to the parcels are resolved. The official sale of these parcels to RTC would need Council authorization at a future Reno City Council Meeting.
B.10 & B.11 - Consulting Agreements for Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility
Council approved a consulting agreement and amended another related to the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility. A consulting agreement was awarded to Brown & Caldwell to provide engineering and design services for Motor Control Centers 25, 26, and 27. These centers, built in 1987, provide power and control for motors and other electrically powered equipment. They have a typical service life of up to 25 years and are in need of updating. The contract is for up to $253,516, with Reno's share at $173,988.03 from the Sewer Fund. Council amended a consulting agreement with Carollo Engineering, Inc. (Carollo) for services to the facility's heat loop. The original contract was awarded by Council back in June 2024. During construction, a heat exchanger failure and underground piping conflicts caused significant damage and delays, requiring extra work from Carollo. The amendment adds $80,000 in services, bringing the total contract to $506,175. Reno's share of the contract is $347,387.90 from the Sewer Fund.
B.12 - Historic Preservation Fund Subgrant for Citywide Historic Context Report
Council accepted a $21,000 Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) subgrant to hire a preservation consultant to begin a phased approach to developing a citywide historic context for Reno from its founding in 1968 through the year 1980. The funding was recommended by the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and will cover Phase one of the project, which will take place from Nov. 25, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026. Overall, the project will compile existing research and produce a comprehensive report that will help guide preservation efforts efficiently. This grant requires $14,000 of matching funds, which will come from the General Fund allocation to historic preservation. Phase two will expand this work with a survey of historic properties and districts to create a citywide historic context statement to support local, state, and national historic designations. Phase two, along with associated funding, will be announced at a later date, following phase one completion.
C.1 - Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Presentation
Council heard a presentation from the RTC's Executive Director Bill Thomas that included several studies and initiatives, including the RTC Maintenance Needs Study and the Guinn Center Bridging the Gap Policy Report, along with other current street and highway projects. Council praised successful projects and also discussed community concerns regarding others. A key issue discussed was the challenge of funding roadway maintenance as hybrid and electric vehicle (HV/EV) ownership increases. Because HV and EV owners purchase less or no gasoline, revenues from the traditional fuel tax, which funds much of the transportation network, are declining. For example, in 2019, taxable gallons sold reached nearly $185 million, but in 2024, taxable gallons sold dropped to just under $175 million. That number is expected to continue to decline year-over-year as more people drive EVs or HVs, in addition to gas-powered vehicles becoming more fuel efficient. The RTC mentioned proposed policies that could include a "Vehicle Miles Traveled" tax, increased sales tax, and supplemental government services taxes to support roadway funding.
D.1 - South Valleys Park Zoning Map Amendment
Council approved a zoning map amendment for the existing South Valleys Regional Park. The 69.2-acre site, located on the east side of Wedge Parkway about 800 feet south of Arrowcreek Parkway and bounded by Whites Creek Lane, Interstate 580, and South Virginia Street, will be rezoned from Mixed-Use Suburban (MS) to Parks, Greenways, and Open Space (PGOS). This update reflects the parks, recreation, and public facility uses occurring now at the site and supports further expansion of the park in the future. The Planning Commission reviewed the zoning change request back in October 2025, with staff noting that updating the site to PGOS would align with the Master Plan. The Planning Commission recommended that Council approve the change. This zoning map amendment is not project specific. Any future improvements within the park must comply with applicable City codes and standards.
D.2 - Luella Garvey House Historic Resource Designation
Council moved to adopt the local Historic Resource Designation for the Luella Garvey House at 589/599 California Avenue and referred an ordinance assigning the Historic Landmark zoning designation on the site. Built in 1934, the house is the earliest Reno commission of noted African American architect Paul Revere Williams. While it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004, it had not previously received official local designation. The Historical Resource Commission recommended adding the property to the City Register and establishing a Historic Landmark (HL) overlay zoning district. With Council's approval, the ordinance will proceed to a second reading at the December 3, 2025, meeting for final adoption.
Board Appointments
- Councilmember Miguel Martinez was appointed to serve as Reno's Vice Mayor
- Megan Bavaro, Stephanie Mazza, Melissa Olsen, Megan O'Reilly, Lain Snyder were appointed to the Arts and Culture Advisory Board
- William Reich, and Joseph Tuvell were appointed to the Reno Urban Forestry Commission
- Daisy Miller, Geo Kim, Lily Bridges, and Tristan Martinez Valcher were appointed to the Youth City Council
Other Headlines
- Councilmember Martinez ($1,000) and Councilmember Reese ($400) donated discretionary funds to the MidTown Reno Foundation
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 November 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 13, 2025 at 00:35 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]