February 25, 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 and Redevelopment Agency Board. Staff Reports with more information are linked below.

B.5 - Horse Protection Project - South Phase Contract
Council awarded a contract to Soil-Tech, Inc. for $702,354, with a $16,019 contingency, for the Horse Protection Project - South Phase. The awardee will install fencing, cattle guards, and access gates along NV 341 from Kenneth Way to Toll Road, closing gaps in previously completed barriers. The funding will come from the General Capital Projects Fund, with reimbursement from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for work conducted within their right of way and private donations. This project aims to keep drivers, pedestrians, and Virginia Range horses safe as the Reno area grows and encounters between vehicles and horses happen more often. The North Phase of the project was completed in May 2025 and included fencing improvements from Mira Loma Drive to Kenneth Way. The South Phase of the project will start in spring 2026, with estimated completion in summer 2026.

B.11 - Reno Rodeo Association Grant for Idlewild Park Splash Pad Accessibility Improvements
Council accepted a $120,000 grant from the Reno Rodeo Association to support accessibility improvements at the Idlewild Park Splash Pad, expanding inclusive play opportunities for children and families of all abilities. The funding will be used to improve, expand and add new features specifically designed to better serve individuals with disabilities. Planned upgrades will enhance usability, safety and access at one of Reno's most popular summer amenities. The grant is funded through the Reno Rodeo Association's Special Kids Fund, which is supported by voluntary tips collected during the annual Reno Rodeo. Proceeds from the fund are reinvested in community projects that benefit children and individuals with disabilities across Northern Nevada. Grant funds will be distributed in two installments in 2026 and will be used exclusively for the Idlewild Park Splash Pad accessibility project. Construction is expected to start in September 2026, with improvements completed by spring 2027.

B.12 - State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant to the Reno Fire Department
Council accepted a State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grant in the amount of $28,000 to support the Reno Home Wildfire Fuels Reduction Program. In 2021, the Reno Fire Department established the Reno Home Wildfire Fuels Reduction Program to reduce wildfire risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface. Through this program, residents will have access to dumpsters to remove excess vegetation from their properties and create defensible space. Establishing defensible space increases the likelihood of home survival and provides firefighters with a safer area from which to defend structures during a wildfire event. Using the newly adopted Community Wildfire Protection Plan, the Fire Marshal and designated representatives will prioritize and assign dumpsters to Reno's most vulnerable neighborhoods. In addition, Waste Management has committed a $14,000 in-kind match to support the Dumpster Program, further enhancing the program's reach and impact.

C.3 - Reno Arch Maintenance Project
Council heard a presentation on ongoing maintenance efforts and challenges associated with the Reno Arch, emphasizing its constant exposure to weather and heavy event use. Annual maintenance costs average about $20,000 and is funded through the City's General Fund. Staff detailed the work required to keep the arch operational and visually prominent, including routine inspections, bulb replacement, electrical troubleshooting, cleaning, neon repair and limited structural upkeep. Maintenance is performed by City staff and a specialized contractor, Young Electric Sign Company, LLC. Staff said changing lights for awareness campaigns and community events requires additional labor, increases wear on sockets and wiring, and leads to more repairs. The City is currently looking into a modern color-changing lighting system could reduce the need to swap out bulbs, as well as lower long-term costs and improve efficiency. Built in 1987 and refreshed in 2017 after prior Council actions, the Reno Arch remains one of the City's most recognizable landmarks. The Reno Redevelopment Agency is expected to bring an item before the Reno City Council on March 4, 2026, during budget workshops to discuss future improvements for the arch through the RDA budget. The agency estimates a lighting upgrade would cost about $1.5 million. The project would replace the existing neon and upgrade to LED lighting that can be controlled through a mobile app.

C.4 - Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) Interlocal FY2027 Program of Projects
Council heard a presentation on Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 projects included in the RTC's Interlocal Cooperative Agreement (ICA) with the City and approved three projects slated to move forward. The agreement is required under state law to identify responsibilities for projects within city limits and to authorize the RTC to acquire right-of-way to exercise the power of eminent domain, as necessary. The FY 2027 projects include preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, traffic signal intersection improvements, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) traffic management, active transportation improvements and roadway rehabilitation and reconstruction. The three major projects identified for the ICA include the following: O'Brien's Pass Safety Project, Keystone Avenue Safety Improvements, and South Virginia Reconstruction and Virginia Line BRT Improvements. These projects are included in the adopted 2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). RTC fuel tax revenues are the primary funding source for these projects, and no financial contribution is needed from the City. To learn more about the three selected projects, view the staff report.

RDA B.1 - Adoption to Rebrand the Reno Redevelopment Agency
The Reno Redevelopment Agency Board approved the rebrand of the Agency to do business going forward as the "Reno Redevelopment and Urban Placemaking Agency", also known as "Re:Up," and a new brand asset color palette and icon style. The rebrand is intended to better distinguish the Agency as an action-oriented entity while improving clarity, consistency, and effectiveness across communications, projects, and partnerships. The Agency started the rebranding effort in Dec. 2024 with Resonance Consultancy, Inc and presented the proposed branding kit and name at the Oct. 22, 2025 RDA meeting. The process included stakeholder engagement and public outreach. At the Feb. 2, 2026 Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board meeting, the advisory board recommended the adoption of the name and brand asset color palette option 1 and icon style option A. Today, the RDA Board adopted the recommended name, along with brand asset color palette Option 1, named 'Ponderosa Pine,' and Icon Style Option A. To view the selected brand option, please view the staff presentation.

Board, Commission, or Committee Appointments

• Christina Del Villar (partial-term) and Tina Gonfiantini (full-term) were appointed to the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Commission
• Abbie Laugtug was appointed to the Ward 5 Neighborhood Advisory, with James Cooper and Veronica Gerhard named as alternates

Other Headlines

• Council accepted a donation of artwork by artist Paul Ford to the City's Public Art Collection
• Council accepted a $5,000 subgrant award from Move United to support the City's annual Military Sports Camp
• Councilmember Taylor donates $3,059 in discretionary funds to Rita Cannan Elementary School to support their Scholastic's Book Fair

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.