Clark County Board of Commissioners Joint Meeting - March 17, 2026

The March 17, 2026 joint meeting of the Clark County Board of Commissioners, Water Reclamation District Board of Trustees, University Medical Center Board of Hospital Trustees, and Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board considered a broad range of routine and significant matters. Key actions included approving the consent agenda (with one deletion and one item taken separately), authorizing an amendment to the Environmental Impact Statement contract for the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport, adopting an ordinance to regulate retail hemp sales, and approving a special events parade for Insomniac Holdings. The board also received presentations on habitat conservation measures, conducted several public hearings, and recognized community members and employees.

Recognition

• The board presented a proclamation honoring Irish American Heritage Month and recognized Beth Mulleny and Killian's Angels for their cultural contributions.
• A proclamation was presented to the Grassroot Girls organization for their work empowering young women in civic engagement.
• Three Clark County employees were recognized as Value Champions: Carla Benjamin (onboarding), Jennifer Brustel (social services), and Vincent Kelly (excellence).

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Items 7–49) was approved as amended: Item 7 was deleted, and Item 19 was taken separately. Routine approvals included contracts for marketing, mental health restoration, foster youth transportation, plumbing supplies, and various public works and transportation interlocal agreements. The board also approved the donation of a 0.27-acre parcel to Habitat for Humanity (Item 38), a telecommunications franchise amendment (Item 54), and a resolution to augment the FY 2026 General Fund (Item 53).

Public Comments & Testimony

• First public comment period: A resident (Rashana) urged the elimination of invocations at meetings, citing separation of church and state. She stated that 70% of Nevada cities and counties do not have invocations.
• Item 19 (Airport EIS): Multiple workers from airport subcontractors (Adrian Cosby, Jacob Ramos) testified that they cannot afford basic necessities due to low wages and urged that DBE companies provide livable wages. Brian Ayala, representing nine DBE companies, reported that a negotiation is scheduled for March 25, 2026, and submitted letters to Manager Schiller.
• Item 62 (Habitat Conservation Plan): Andrew Powell, planning manager for the City of Henderson, expressed support for the final Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs) and retention of the burrowing owl as a covered species, noting the work group's collaborative effort.
• Item 55 (Hemp regulations): Over 20 speakers testified. Supporters included State Senator Lori Rogisch, Nevada Cannabis Association representatives, the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, firefighters union, Nevada Resort Association, and several licensed cannabis businesses. They argued the ordinance protects consumers, levels the playing field, and closes a loophole for intoxicating hemp products. Opponents, including hemp manufacturers and retailers (Patrick Conlaug, Edwin Frymov, Caitlin Caturrier, and others), argued that the ordinance would eliminate non-intoxicating hemp products, cost jobs, and that existing state and federal regulations are sufficient. They requested a delay until federal rules are released in November 2026. A resident (Greg Gollens) shared an anecdote of a friend harmed by untested products. Another resident (Al Rojas) expressed support for strict regulation of intoxicating hemp but noted CBD's potential to reduce opioid use.
• Second public comment period: A resident (Rashana) again raised concerns about religious indoctrination and recommended the organization Recovering from Religion. Edwin Frymov argued that the hemp ordinance unfairly targets a federally legal industry to benefit the marijuana industry. Al Rojas praised the board's new encampment ordinance and requested a town hall.

Discussion Items

• Item 19 – Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport EIS: Staff presented the second amendment to the contract with Landrum & Brown for the Environmental Impact Statement. The board discussed the importance of the project and coordination with RTC and NDOT for transit access. Commissioner Jones emphasized transit as a priority for access to the supplemental airport. The director confirmed that planning for LAS modernization is proceeding with a meeting with airline partners in April and a board update in June. The motion to authorize the director to sign the amendment passed unanimously.
• Item 57 – Ordinance to Modify Structural Barrier Requirement (Introduced): The ordinance would allow a written security plan in lieu of a structural barrier separating minors from bar/lounge areas. Introduced with a public hearing set for April 7, 2026.
• Item 62 – Habitat Conservation Plan: Avoidance and Minimization Measures (AMMs): Principal Environmental Specialist Kimberly Goodwin presented the work group's consensus on all but one AMM—the burrowing owl clearance surveys. Staff recommended retaining the burrowing owl as a covered species to provide regulatory certainty, avoid potential development halts if the species is federally listed, and because the cost-benefit ratio is favorable. A work group member had proposed removal due to the owl's prevalence and potential delays. After discussion, Commissioner Gibson moved to approve staff's three recommendations, including retaining the burrowing owl. Commissioner Becker initially deferred to hear from industry, but after noting that no additional public comment was offered, the motion passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing – Item 50: Latino Liquor Waiver: The applicant sought a waiver of the 1,500-foot distance requirement from a church; the distance was approximately 1,193 feet. A resident (Al Rojas) opposed, citing high homelessness and crime in the area. The applicant responded that the store would provide jobs and that existing stores are far apart. The board approved the waiver, with Commissioner Kirkpatrick moving for approval.
• Public Hearing – Item 51: Air Quality Regulations: The board adopted amendments to Section 12.0 and created new Section 131 regulating VOC emissions from emulsified asphalt as a contingency measure for 2015 ozone standards. No public comment.
• Public Hearing – Item 52: CDBG Reprogramming: Approved the reprogramming of $900,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the Southern Nevada Children’s Advocacy Center for tenant improvements. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing – Item 53: General Fund Augmentation: Approved a resolution to augment the FY 2026 General Fund with FY 2025 budgetary savings for capital pay-go funding. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing – Item 54: Metronet Franchise Expansion: Approved the first amendment to the telecommunications franchise to expand Metronet's service area into Sunrise Manor. No objections. Commissioner Kirkpatrick requested a meeting to focus on serving far east areas. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing – Item 56: Insomniac Special Event Preliminary Approval: Approved the “World Party Parade” on May 14, 2026, from 6 p.m. on Las Vegas Boulevard, with an estimated attendance of 30,000. The parade is free and family-friendly, with floats and a culminating celebration at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Metro and Fire departments confirmed safety plans. Commissioner Kirkpatrick highlighted the parade's community benefit and requested continued safety planning. Unanimous.
• Public Hearing – Item 55: Hemp Regulations: After extensive public testimony, the board adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 7.220 to Title 7 of the Clark County Code. Amended by staff: deleted subsection F (section 7.220.310) and extended the effective date from 90 to 120 days. Commissioner Kirkpatrick moved approval with an additional amendment to tie the THC limit in subsection B to federal law (0.3% or 0.4 mg per package, as in original) so that future federal changes would automatically apply. Commissioner Segerblom expressed concern about bypassing the 0.4 mg cap but supported moving forward. The motion passed (vote count not specified, but appears unanimous). The ordinance prohibits the sale of hemp-derived food products (like gummies) and intoxicating hemp products outside of licensed cannabis dispensaries, requires testing, age 21+ sales, and work cards.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved (Items 8–49, with Item 7 deleted and Item 19 heard separately).
• Item 19 approved unanimously authorizing the second amendment to the SNSA EIS contract.
• Item 50 (Latino Liquor waiver) approved unanimously.
• Item 51 (Air Quality Regulations) approved unanimously.
• Item 52 (CDBG reprogramming) approved unanimously.
• Item 53 (General Fund augmentation) approved unanimously.
• Item 54 (Metronet franchise expansion) approved unanimously.
• Item 56 (Insomniac parade preliminary approval) approved unanimously.
• Item 55 (Hemp regulations) approved with amendments: deleted original subsection F, extended implementation to 120 days, and referred to federal THC limits. Provides a 120-day period for stakeholders to propose modifications before effective date.
• Item 57 introduced, public hearing set for April 7, 2026.
• Item 59 – Daniel Bartlett appointed to Air Pollution Control Hearing Board for a three-year term.
• Item 60 – Nancy Dieckmann Matheny appointed to the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) for a two-year term.
• Item 61 – Resolution 26-002 approved by the Water Reclamation District Board of Trustees, authorizing up to $196,525,000 in refunding bonds, expecting $10 million in savings.
• Item 62 – Final AMMs approved, including retention of the burrowing owl as a covered species. Directs staff to continue developing implementation documents with stakeholders.