Public Meetings - Las Vegas, Nevada

The Las Vegas City Council met on August 6, 2025, beginning with ceremonial recognitions: Mary Fairhurst was named Citizen of the Month for her work with the neighborhood preparedness team, and the Latin Chamber of Commerce was honored for its 50-year legacy. The council then proceeded to the regular agenda, approving several major items including a crossing guard service contract expansion, a ground lease for a hotel in the medical district, the sale of a downtown parking garage, a land acquisition for a large-scale development near the Upper Las Vegas Wash, and the establishment of a regional council of governments. Public comments were heard on various agenda items and during the citizens' participation portion. Consent Calendar - Items 10 through 38 were approved en bloc, with item 14 pulled forward for discussion. - Items 55 through 57 (routine planning items) were approved on the consent agenda. Public Comments & Testimony - Eric Melchizedek Christ Nimrod spoke on agenda items 25 and 63, expressing support for repairs to the fire fleet garage, and later questioned the sale of the Neonapolis parking garage (items 40/44) below market value. The city explained that additional funds would be paid if the assessed value is successfully appealed. - Phoenix, a nine-year-old resident, requested more safe place sites for children, describing designated locations where kids can go if lost or scared. She urged the council to help expand the program. - A speaker on item 62 was informed that the item had been held in abeyance to the September 3, 2025 council meeting. Discussion Items - Item 14 – Crossing Guard Services: Councilman Knudson pulled the item to discuss expanding the program to middle schools. Public Works Director Joey Paskey presented data on school zone crashes and results from a pilot program at a middle school and high school, which had zero crashes during the pilot. The council approved the contract (not to exceed $2.4 million annually, with a corrected amount to be brought later) and expressed support for adding middle schools at an estimated additional cost of $415,000 for the next school year. - Items 39/43 – Ground Lease for Hotel in Medical District: A public hearing was held on the fair market value and a resolution to lease city parcels to Mulkey Holdings LLC for a Hilton Home2 Suites near UMC. The lease is for seven years at $4,000 per month, with proceeds going to the RTC allocation. The council approved the lease, with Councilman Knudson requesting the developer keep nearby residents informed. - Items 40/44 – Sale of Neonapolis Parking Garage: A public hearing was held on the sale of the subterranean garage at 450 Fremont Street. The purchase price is $9,718,472, slightly below the $10.03 million appraisal, with a potential additional payment of up to $300,000 if the assessed value is successfully appealed. The buyer, Panther Acquisitions LLC, plans to maintain parking operations. The council approved the sale. - Item 41 – Upper Las Vegas Wash Land Acquisition: City Manager Mike Janssen presented a purchase agreement for 939.52 acres from the BLM for $94 million ($100,000 per acre) to develop up to 6,000 housing units, including military housing for Creech and Nellis Air Force bases. The Paiute Tribe has filed an appeal and petition for a stay. The council approved the agreement, with the buyer acknowledging the city has no liability for the BLM process. - Item 42 – Southern Nevada Council of Governments: The council discussed and approved a cooperative agreement to replace the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition with a new Council of Governments (COG) to foster regional collaboration on issues like housing, water, and economic development. The city will initially staff the organization. Council members expressed support for more intentional, data-driven regional cooperation. - Item 45 – Appointment to Arts Commission: Trish Truesdale was appointed to the Ward 2 seat on the Arts Commission, replacing Pauline Lee. - Item 46 – Appointment to Strong Start Academy Board: Laurie McGoy was appointed as the YDSI director's designee to a two-year term ending August 6, 2027. - Item 47 – Electric Bicycle and Scooter Ordinance: The council approved the first amendment to LVMC Title 11 and Title 13, adding provisions for the use of electric bicycles and electric scooters, including penalties for violations. - Item 63 – Emergency Procurement Report: Purchasing and Contracts Manager Tanya Kemble reported on emergency repairs to the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Fleet Garage after a July 1 storm damaged the roof and roll-up doors. Total estimated repairs are about $500,000, with two contracts awarded: Crawford Door Sales ($54,807) and Commercial Roofers Incorporated ($406,652). No action was required; it was a report only. Key Outcomes - Approved: Items 14 (crossing guard contract), 43 (ground lease), 44 (parking garage sale), 41 (land acquisition), 42 (COG agreement), 45 (Arts Commission appointment), 46 (Strong Start Academy appointment), 47 (e-bike/e-scooter ordinance), and the consent agenda items 55–57. - Stricken/Tabled: Items 48 and 49 were stricken; items 58A–C were held in abeyance to August 20, 2025; items 59 and 60 were tabled; items 61 and 62 were held in abeyance to September 3, 2025. - New Bills Assigned: Bills 2025-31 through 2025-33 (Special Improvement District No. 819) were assigned to the August 18, 2025 recommending committee (Councilmen Knudson, Seaman, and Polenski). - Future Dates: The city clerk was instructed to set public hearing dates for appeals and abatement matters. Item 62 is scheduled for the September 3, 2025 council meeting.

The Las Vegas Recommending Committee convened on August 4, 2025, at 4:59 PM UTC. The meeting covered several agenda items, including a public comment period, approval of minutes, and action on four bills. Notable actions included the striking of two bills, approval of ordinances related to e-bikes/e-scooters, pet shop regulations, and updates to development codes. The meeting also included a brief period for citizen participation. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public comment portion of the agenda. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The committee approved the final minutes of the July 14, 2025, meeting by reference. The motion was made, voted on, and passed. Discussion Items - Bill 2025-13 (Pet Shop Regulations): This item, sponsored by Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, was stricken from the record by motion. It would have amended LVMC Title 7 regarding animal enclosures, disease control, and warranties for dogs under 12 months. - Bill 2025-14 (Pet Shop Penalties & Prohibitions): Sponsored by Councilwoman Nancy Bruney and Mayor Shelley Berkeley, this item was also stricken from the record. The proposed ordinance would have amended Title 7 penalties and prohibited new pet shops from selling dogs, cats, rabbits, or pot-bellied pigs. - Bill 2025-28 (E-Bikes and E-Scooters Regulation): This ordinance amends LVMC Title 7 to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters. Chief Jason Potts of the City of Las Vegas Department of Public Safety expressed support, noting safety concerns in parks and potential damage to grass. He confirmed that Metro Police also supported the bill. A question from a councilmember about helmet types at different speeds led to a clarification that the ordinance mirrors the county's regulations (which do not specify helmet designations) to ensure consistent enforcement across jurisdictional lines. The bill passed and will be eligible for adoption at the August 6, 2025, City Council meeting. - Bill 2025-29 (Development Code Clarifications): Proposed by Public Works Director Joey Pasquier, this ordinance amends LVMC Title 19 to clarify deferral of public improvements, remove unused roadway cross sections, and add used ones, along with clarifying private street width requirements. A committee member summarized it as "cleaning up language." The bill passed and will be considered for adoption at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting. - Bill 2025-30 (Condominium Hotels): Sponsored by Councilman Brian Knudsen, this ordinance amends the Uniform Development Code to allow condominium hotels, mirroring neighboring jurisdictions. Peter Lowenstein explained that rental units must be booked through a hotel operator and rented for less than 31 days. Councilman Knudsen noted the change was driven by a project in Ward 1 near Grand Central Parkway. The bill passed and will be up for adoption at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting. Key Outcomes - Bill 2025-13: Stricken from the record. - Bill 2025-14: Stricken from the record. - Bill 2025-28: Approved; will be eligible for adoption at the August 6, 2025, City Council meeting. - Bill 2025-29: Approved; to be adopted at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting. - Bill 2025-30: Approved; to be adopted at the August 20, 2025, City Council meeting. - The meeting was adjourned after no citizens stepped forward during the citizen participation portion.

Date: July 28, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM (approx.) Location: City of Las Vegas (room unspecified; future meetings to move to new civic center) The Centennial Commission met to review progress reports, consider grant requests, and discuss future initiatives. Key actions included approving a $57,431.61 grant for a new museum exhibit, postponing a three-year $607,500 parade grant to the September 29 meeting, and receiving updates on website content, a historic design guidebook, and a documentary film. Public comment was limited to an introduction from a new documentary filmmaker. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (Item 4): The minutes of the special meeting of May 12, 2025 were approved by unanimous voice vote (all ayes). Public Comments & Testimony - Ted Fay (Documentary Filmmaker): Introduced himself, noting his work with the Nevada Commission on Tourism and current projects in Nevada history. He praised the commission’s commitment to history. No action taken. Discussion Items Item 5 – Finance Department Budget Report (Postponed) - Staff representative Quinn appeared in place of Paul Bresnahan (ill). The report covered Centennial license plate revenue trends: approximately $1.72 million in the latest year, down slightly from $1.755 million and $1.781 million in prior two years. Commissioner Stodol requested data on total plates sold, renewals, and first-time buyers for forecasting. The item was postponed to the September meeting after discussion of open meeting law compliance regarding document distribution. Item 6 – Website Content Development (Jeffrey Carlson) - Carlson reported completing grant summaries (205 grants in 88 summaries) and researching missing early grants. A newly scanned end-of-year report from 2005 will be added. The historical timeline portion is underway with a draft due in October. Commissioners expressed support and noted the city’s Centennial Commission webpage (searchable via Google) currently only has a PDF of grants. Future updates will include hyperlinks and ward information for consistency. Commissioner Stodol raised concerns about the Eldorado Day history (origins vs. tourism) and requested hyperlinks to nonprofit websites. Dr. C. Brandt (city clerk) clarified that the 2005 year-end report covers vendor payments, not grants, and that the website will include both. Item 7 – Historic West Side Design Guidebook (KME Architects) - Melvin Green (KME) and team presented the final guidebook, funded by the commission. The book provides form-based code guidance for development within boundaries (Owings Ave to north, I-15 east, I-11 south, MLK Blvd west) for the 1940s–1960s architectural era. Community outreach included focus groups and canvassing. The guidebook covers historic character, transect zones, design guidelines for new infill, porches, storefronts, and case studies for Jackson Avenue. Commissioner Stodol praised it as a model for other areas. Questions addressed concrete masonry unit materials, flat roofs, and availability: the guidebook will be on the city’s historic preservation website and referenced in the West Side’s zoning document, with a hyperlink from the Centennial grants page. Item 8 – Home and History Event (Nevada Preservation Foundation) - Paige Bigam and Amy Raymer presented a recap of the May 1–4, 2025 event (10th annual). Highlights: 30+ events, 9 home tours, attendance from 12 states, 98% positive feedback, major media coverage (KLAS, KVDU, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Atomic Ranch), and social media reach (800,000+ Facebook views). The commission awarded a three-year grant (step-down: $171,500 year 1, then $130,000, then $100,000). Commissioner Helton noted cost per attendee of $107 and urged more affordable pricing. The presenters confirmed they rolled over unspent first-year funds. Commissioner Stodol defended the event’s neighborhood stabilization benefits. The next event is April 16–19, 2026. Item 9 – Old Spanish Trail Exhibit Final Report (Nevada State Museum) - Hollis Gillespie and Jessop Diaz reported on the exhibit (November 15, 2024 – July 7, 2025), which drew 115,000 visitors and a record 325 attendees at the opening. The bilingual exhibit featured 3,000 square feet of artifacts borrowed from seven Southwest institutions. The museum is exploring traveling the exhibit to the Gene Autry Museum (LA) and New Mexico History Museum. Commissioner Stodol asked about mapping the trail; the museum director noted the trail had multiple routes depending on water sources. Commissioner Helton commended the reuse of materials and educational purchases. Item 10 – Grant Approval: New Deal Exhibit ($57,431.61) - The commission voted unanimously (voice vote after a motion) to approve a grant for "The New Deal in the New West on the Road in Nevada with Arthur Rothstein" exhibit scheduled September 26, 2025 – March 27, 2026. The exhibit features Arthur Rothstein’s 1940s FSA photographs and objects from the museum collection, focusing on New Deal impacts in Las Vegas and Nevada. Commissioner Stodol asked about 1939 “Old West” marketing reflected in photos; the curator noted not all images were shown in the sample. Senator Bryan asked about non-gaming downtown photos; the curator said only casino/gaming images were available. The grant was approved. Item 11 – Eldorado Day Parade Grant (Postponed to September) - Marja Bigas (City of Las Vegas) requested a three-year, $607,500 grant ($202,500/year) for the 2026–2028 parade. She reported the 2025 parade had 115 entries (largest since 2005), 37 school groups, and a 30% attendance increase. The budget includes $75,000/year for marketing. Commissioners raised concerns: Commissioner Stodol questioned the high marketing cost (40% of budget) and the parade route (Fourth Street vs. historic Fremont Street). Senator Bryan opposed the three-year term, preferring two years due to uncertain cost escalations. Commissioner Arnold suggested postponing to get more clarity on unused funds and marketing. The commission voted to postpone the item to the September 29 meeting, with direction for staff to consider a two-year option. The motion passed (voice vote) Item 12 – Documentary Film Final Report (1970s) - Dr. C. Brandt reported the premiere at the Plaza (May 17, 2025) with 60-70 attendees, noting a sound issue. The film is available on YouTube with 61,000 views (previous decades have millions). Commissioner Cennick and Mayor praised the film. Dr. Brandt announced the script for the 1980s documentary was approved. Future screenings will be held in May; commissioners requested early polling for scheduling. Item 13 – Executive Director Report (Completed Projects & Announcements) - Dr. C. Brandt listed ongoing projects: next rodeo event November 7–8; Paul R. Williams documentary due in August; Mob Museum Archives due December; UNLV Sports Oral History Project due December. The next commission meeting will be September 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the new civic center (directions provided). Item 14 – Future Agenda Topics - Commissioner Helton requested a strategic plan agenda item (previously scheduled but not on this agenda). Commissioner Stodol requested an election of officers (vice chair, secretary, treasurer) at the September meeting. He also raised the Old Timers Reunion grant issue: several members had received calls after the application was not forwarded to the commission. Dr. C. Brandt explained the application did not meet eligibility requirements (oral history component missing; no proper interviews or transcription; only party videos on website). She stated the group has been asked repeatedly for three years. Commissioner Arnold expressed frustration that commissioners were not formally informed about the issue. A discussion ensued about helping the group reapply with proper oral history methodology, possibly via a special meeting in August if timeline requires (Old Timers Reunion typically in October). Mayor supported preserving histories. Key Outcomes - Approved Grant: Friends of the Nevada State Museum – $57,431.61 for the Arthur Rothstein New Deal exhibit (Item 10) – unanimous voice vote. - Postponed Grant: City of Las Vegas – $607,500 for Eldorado Day Parade (Item 11) – postponed to September 29, 2025 meeting; staff directed to prepare a two-year option and provide clarity on marketing budget and unused funds. - Documentary Update: The 1970s film is complete; the 1980s script approved; a May 16, 2026 premiere is scheduled. - Old Timers Reunion: The current application was deemed ineligible; Dr. C. Brandt will contact the organizers to resubmit with oral history components. A special meeting in August may be considered if needed (requires physical location for at least one commissioner). - Next Meeting: September 29, 2025, 2:00 PM at the new Civic Center (location details to be provided). Agenda will include election of officers and a strategic plan discussion. - Website: Grant summaries for 205 grants will go live after final feedback; hyperlinks and ward consistency requested.