The Las Vegas City Council convened on December 17, 2025, for a regular meeting that began with ceremonial items including the swearing-in of a new municipal judge, recognition of the Employee of the Month (Tom Burkhart), and the Citizen of the Month (The Just One Project). The council addressed a wide range of land use, public hearing, and administrative items, with notable discussions on veteran housing, transit-oriented development, and a comprehensive urban forestry management plan. The meeting lasted from approximately 9:30 AM until late afternoon.
We will be convening the City Council meeting in one minute. Okay, by the time I finish reading all this, they'll be here. This meeting has been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the open meeting law. These proceedings are being video recorded and can be viewed live on City of Las Vegas TV on Cox Cable Channel Two. You can also watch the meetings live online and access other city content by visiting Las Vegas Nevada.gov slash connect. This building is protected by a state of the art fire detection and suppression sprinkler system. If alarms should activate during today's meeting, please evacuate using the exits at the back of the chambers, out to the mezzanine, proceed out the double doors to the terrace and down the back staircase. For anyone that has difficulty with stairs, please check with a marshal or fire official for assistance. Once outside, assemble on the northeast corner across the street from City Hall at Lewis and First Street. Employees wearing safety vests or our city marshals will inform you when it is safe to re-enter the building. For public comment related to the items on the agenda, citizen participation and public hearing items, we have available a speaker card, which you can complete and submit to the city clerk. Cards are available in the clerk's office or in the rear of our chambers. If you do not submit a card, it does not prevent you from speaking under public comment, citizens' participation, or specified public hearing items. If there is anyone present today that is in need for hearing impaired equipment, please see city clerk staff. And please note if you are parked in the parking garage across the street. A self-validation machine is located in the foyer between council chambers and the security desk you walk through to enter these chambers. You must have your ticket with you to use this machine. If you do not have your ticket, see security personnel when exiting for a validation coupon. Before we proceed with the agenda, would everyone please please rise and remain standing for the invocation given by Rabbi Shia Harlik, Chabad of Southern Nevada, and please remain standing as our district attorney, Steve Wilson leads us in the pledge. Rabbi, I'm in charge of this. Thank you. So when I see a podium, I always think I'm in charge. Thank you for the honor. So I say Rabona Shalola, Master of the Universe, source of wisdom, justice, and compassion. We stand before you to acknowledge the human authority as a sacred trust, and that leadership carries a moral responsibility beyond law alone. We ask for your presence and your guidance as this council's gathers to serve the people of the city of Las Vegas. We gather these during these sacred days of Hanukkah, a season that recalls the courage of the Maccabees, men and women who stood few in numbers but firm in spirit. When faced with violence, forced conformity, and the desecration of our holy temple, they refuse to surrender their faith or the consciousness. The victory was not only militarily, but it was also moral. And when they returned to our holy temple, restored what had been broken, they found a single curse of pure oil, enough for one day, yet it burned for eight days. From that moment forward, Hanukkah stood as a testament that light, once kindled, can endure far beyond all expectation. In our time, we are reminded that darkness still seeks to assert itself. Our hearts turn to Australia, where fifteen innocent lives were taken, including two Chabad rabbis in this recent terror attack. We mourn those who were murdered simply for who they were. We pray for healing for the wounded for comfort for the brave and the strength for the community shaken by violence. May their memories be a blessing, and may their loss deepen our resolve to stand against hatred, cruelty in all forms. Our tradition teaches Nehravaya in the Shmasodim, the soul of a human being is a lamp of God. Every life is sacred flame. Terror seeks to extinguish that flame and to spread fear. But Hanukkah teaches us that even one light, protected and shared, can push back overwhelming darkness. Jewish tradition also teaches that long before there were nations, governments, and faith communities, humanity was given the shared moral foundation. It's called the seven Noah Hard Laws. These universal principles affirm the sanctity of life, the rejection of violence and theft, blessing of God, and the obligation to establish systems of justice. They remind us that law is not merely about maintaining order, but above all, advancing moral responsibility and human dignity. The message of Hanukkah resonates deeply here in Las Vegas, a city known throughout the world as a city of lights. Hanukkah's connected to lights. May these lights never own may these lights never be the only symbol of brightness and spectacle, but reflect the vigilance, warmth, and care for one another. May this city shine as a place where diversity is respected, safety is cherished, and light stands for life rather than loss. Bless the members of this council with wisdom, patience, and moral clarity, help them govern with hum with humility, to listen with empathy, and to act with courage. May their decisions uplive the vulnerable, strengthen the community, and reflect the highest value upon which a just society is built.