Joint Meeting of Clark County Board of Commissioners and Other Boards - May 5, 2026

The Clark County Board of Commissioners, sitting jointly as the Redevelopment Agency, Water Reclamation District Board of Trustees, University Medical Center Board of Hospital Trustees, and Liquor and Gaming Licensing Board, held a regular meeting on May 5, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting included multiple recognition ceremonies, public hearings on federal grant allocations, introduction of several ordinances, and business items including appointments and emergency bond issuance.

Opening Ceremonies

• Invocation led by Deacon Thomas Garcia of Light of the World Church.
• Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognitions

• National Corrections Officer Week (May 3-9, 2026): Proclamation presented to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Detention Services Division.
• Arbor Day: Proclamation recognizing Clark County's tree planting crew, who have planted over 900 trees in recent years.
• Cinco de Mayo: Proclamation honoring the historical and cultural significance, with special recognition of partnership with the State of Puebla, Mexico. Mayor Juan Carlos Vilares Lima of Palmar de Bravo attended.
• Air Quality Awareness Week (May 4-8, 2026): Proclamation to Danny Sanders, Chair of the Air Pollution Control Hearing Board, for over 30 years of service. A video highlighted improvements in air quality, noting that dust clouds that once hung over the valley are no longer present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Miguel Canales (Culinary Union): Commented on item 45, announcing a tentative five-year contract agreement with some DBE employers, but others have not yet signed. Urged commission support for DBE workers.
• Christopher Science (DBE worker): Supported the tentative agreement, stating a total economic package of $5.75 over five years, with wage increases retroactive at least one year, and new technology language.
• Shoshana (Resident): Cited the First Amendment, urging separation of church and state and asking to end prayer at meetings (spoke twice? first time briefly, second time with detailed criticism of Biblical passages).
• Eric King (Resident): Addressed urban heat island effect, mentioning 191 heat-related deaths in Nevada, and expressed interest in working with Desert Research Institute. Also highlighted Military Appreciation Month and his volunteer work with veterans and first responders.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8 through 42 approved unanimously. Included routine contracts, grants, and administrative items:
  • Bid awards for County Central Campus improvements (Monument Construction) and Carey Avenue paving (Las Vegas Paving Corporation).
  • Interlocal agreements for emergency shelter funding (CBE No. 607924-26), FAST traffic signal software (Supplemental No. 7), and roadway projects (Bruce Woodbury Drive, Decatur Boulevard, Residential Streets Reconstruction Nos. 108 and 109).
  • Grant acceptance: $13,506,013 for SMART mental health program, $8,131,503 for Extended Young Adult Support Services (17 new positions), $312,500 for whole-blood transfusion program.
  • Reallocation of $250,717 for Hollywood Regional Park DG Trail and $70,770 in ESG funds to multiple nonprofits.
  • Approval of minutes from April 7, 2026.

Public Hearings

• Item 43: CDBG Funds (FY2026-2028): Public hearing held; no public comment. Approved $17,101,918 total program funds ($8.5M per year), with approximately $14M allocated to nine organizations for public services and capital improvements serving low-income residents.
• Item 44: HOME/AAHTF Funds (2026-2027): Public hearing held; no public comment. Approved allocation of $6,837,216 in new funds plus reallocation of $4,788,805 in prior years' unspent/returned funds. Recommended $5.4M for four attainable housing projects, and $2.5M reserved for future qualifying developments.
• Item 45: Airport Revenue Bonds (Section 147(f) Hearing): Public hearing held; no public comment. Approved resolution authorizing up to $650 million in private activity bonds over three years for airport improvements.
• Item 46: UMC Governing Board Selection Process: Public hearing held; no public comment. Approved ordinance amending Chapter 3.74 to amend selection process for UMCSN Governing Board members.

Introduction of Ordinances

• Item 47: Ordinance to amend Air Quality Regulations (Sections 12.2-12.5) to incorporate 2015 ozone standards, EPA feedback, and portable source requirements. Public hearing set for May 19, 2026 at 10 AM.
• Item 48: Ordinance to repeal and replace Chapter 22.16 (Amusement Ride and People Mover Code) adopting national standards. Public hearing set for May 19, 2026 at 10 AM.
• Item 49: Ordinance to add Section 13.04.275 on single-lane tunnel systems (International Fire Code Chapter 42). Public hearing set for May 19, 2026 at 10 AM.
• Item 50: Ordinance to add water park regulations (Title 8) allowing liquor sales for water parks not open to general public. Public hearing set for May 19, 2026 at 10 AM.

Discussion Items

• Item 51: Emerging Issues: Commissioner requested revamp of CDBG/CDAC funding process, expressing frustration with lack of regional coordination and credit-taking.
• Item 52: Paradise Town Advisory Board Appointment: William Kephart appointed to fill remainder of term ending January 6, 2027.
• Items 53-55: Business Impact Statements: Approved for three ordinances (Amusement Ride Code, Single-Lane Tunnel Systems, Water Park Licensing). No public comments received on any.
• Item 56: Full Bar License for Cannabis Lounges: Discussion on amending Code 8.20.020.105 to allow full bar licenses at locations like Plan 13 (separate from cannabis consumption areas). Staff directed to draft amendments.
• Item 57: Emergency Ordinance for Airport Bonds: Adopted as if emergency exists. Approved issuance of Series 2026A refunding bonds (refunding 2015A bonds, estimated present value savings over $8 million, 13% of refunded amount) and Series 2026B new money bonds ($150 million total) for terminal improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All motions passed unanimously unless noted. Consent agenda (Items 8-42) approved. All public hearing items approved. Business impact statements approved. Emergency ordinance for airport bonds adopted. Appointment of William Kephart approved.
• Directives: Staff directed to draft amendment for full bar license eligibility at cannabis lounge locations. Commissioner requested revamp of CDBG/CDAC funding process; staff to report back.
• Next Steps: Public hearings for four introduced ordinances scheduled for May 19, 2026 at 10 AM. CDBG and HOME/AAHTF allocations to be included in HUD Annual Action Plan and submitted for approval. Airport bond documents to be finalized.