Las Vegas City Council Meeting – January 7, 2026

The Las Vegas City Council convened on January 7, 2026, to conduct ceremonial recognitions, consider routine consent agenda items, discuss key personnel and development matters, and hear public concerns about parking in the Arts District. The meeting opened with proclamations declaring January 7, 2026 as Craig Galati Day and Nevada School of the Arts Day, followed by a moment of silence for former city employee Roger Bailey and his wife Christine.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda items 10 through 18 (with the exception of item 15) were approved en bloc as routine matters recommended by departments. These included various administrative approvals and contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several members of the public spoke during Citizens’ Participation (agenda item 30) opposing planned parking price increases in the Las Vegas Arts District. Speakers included Becky Miller (Las Vegas Arts District), Tony Chavez, Elise St. Pierre, Brian Janay (Associate Producing Director, A Public Fit Theater Company; Artistic Director, Fallout Fringe Festival), Scott Gibson (salon owner), Troy Heard (Artistic Director, Majestic Repertory Theater), Alex Ferrati (business owner), Jennifer Hunter, Margo Beauty (student, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts), and Liliana Beckstrom (Arts District board member). They argued that higher parking costs would reduce foot traffic, harm small businesses, burden workers and artists, and make the area less accessible. Several requested that a community meeting on the issue be held in the Arts District rather than at City Hall. Councilwoman Diaz acknowledged the concerns, noted that the city had paused the rollout of paid parking on the north side of Charleston Boulevard, highlighted existing reduced-cost permits ($10/month for over 700 residents and employees) and free on-street parking from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and committed to exploring solutions such as additional employee/resident lots, partnerships with private lot owners, and improved transit.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Item 15 – Modified Employment Agreement for City Attorney Michael Jansen: Councilmembers discussed the importance of retaining Mr. Jansen for leadership continuity and succession planning. All speakers expressed strong support. The agreement, with a salary of $360,000 plus benefits from the general fund, was approved unanimously. Council also thanked outgoing Human Resources Director Vince Zamora for his service.
• Agenda Item 19 – Boards and Commissions Reappointments: The council approved reappointments to the Community Development Recommending Board from a list of nominees submitted by council members, along with two new appointments (Ali Caliendo, Ward 2; Kathy Freeman, Ward 5).
• Agenda Item 20 – Appointments to Southern Nevada Council of Governments: Councilmembers Brian Knutson and Francis Alan Polenski were appointed as representatives to this newly created regional board.
• Agenda Item 21 – Ordinance 2025-43 (Ward Boundaries): An ordinance updating descriptions of ward boundaries (Wards 2-6) to reflect precinct adjustments by the Clark County Election Department was approved.
• Agenda Item 22 – Ordinance 2025-44 (Revenue Bonds): An ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $90 million in various purpose revenue bonds (Series 2026 A tax-exempt and 2026 B taxable) for building projects was approved.
• Agenda Item 25 – New Bill 2026-1 (Monument Hills Master Plan Community): A new ordinance adopting a development agreement for the Monument Hills Master Plan Community was introduced. It was assigned to the January 20, 2026 Recommending Committee.
• Agenda Item 26 – Summerlin West Development Report: The required 24-month review of the Summerlin West Development Agreement was presented. The master developer (Howard Hughes Company) reported that approximately 13,600 homes have been built out of 30,000 planned, with significant commercial development anticipated. Staff noted some outstanding responsibilities but recommended approval. The council approved the report.
• Agenda Item 27 – Report by Nevada Housing Coalition: Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition, presented on housing progress and 2026 priorities. Key points: 63 housing bills were introduced in the 2025 legislative session (up from 5-7 in 2019), with 27 passed (40%). The state has dedicated over $2 billion to housing since 2021, producing nearly 5,000 affordable units. Priorities for 2027 include expanding the state low-income housing tax credit (current credits will run out by end of 2026 or early 2027), increasing the state housing trust fund, preserving existing affordable housing (up to 1,000 units at risk), addressing construction defect laws and insurance liability, and promoting transit-oriented development. No action was required.
• Agenda Item 28 – Report on Good Word Market Hall and Shared Downtown West Side Project: City staff and Cherry Development provided an update on the workforce housing project (102 units, now topped out, leasing begins February 21, move-in in May) and the adjacent Good Word Market Hall (an 8,700 sq ft food hall with four stalls, mezzanine, and bar). Total investment is $8.7 million from the Redevelopment Agency and a Neighborhood Services grant. Groundbreaking for the food hall is scheduled for next month, with completion expected in fall 2026. The project includes an incubator program for emerging small businesses. No action was required.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Modified employment agreement for City Attorney Michael Jansen: Approved unanimously.
  • Boards and commissions reappointments: Approved unanimously.
  • Appointments to Southern Nevada Council of Governments: Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025-43 (ward boundaries): Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025-44 ($90M bonds): Approved unanimously.
  • New Bill 2026-1 assigned to Recommending Committee.
  • Summerlin West Development Report: Approved unanimously.
• Directives/Next Steps:
  • Councilwoman Diaz committed to continued community engagement on Arts District parking, with a public meeting to be held in the district at a date and location to be announced.
  • The Good Word Market Hall groundbreaking is scheduled for February 2026, with completion in fall 2026. Workforce housing interest lists open February 21, 2026, at the Love on Jackson event.
  • The Nevada Housing Coalition will work with the city on local housing policy discussions and prepare for the 2027 legislative session.