Las Vegas City Council Meeting - February 4, 2026
Las Vegas City Council Meeting - February 4, 2026
The Las Vegas City Council convened on February 4, 2026, at 16:58:51 UTC for a regular meeting that included ceremonial recognitions, public comments, and action on several agenda items. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rabbi Philippe Goodman, a moment of silence for former councilman Michael Mack and Alex Epstein, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Ceremonial items included recognizing Captain Adam Seely as Citizen of the Month, proclaiming February 4 as Raise the Future Day, and a Lunar New Year celebration with lion dancers. The council then addressed routine consent items, discussion items, and public comments before adjourning.
Consent Calendar
- Item 9: Final minutes of the January 7, 2025, meeting were approved by vote.
- Items 11 through 28 were approved as part of the consent agenda, with Item 10 pulled for separate discussion.
- Item 38 was approved on the consent agenda, but the council later noted the item was held in abeyance to the April 15, 2026, meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sebastian Crawford (first appearance): Expressed strong opposition to the housing crisis, stating that housing prices have risen 60% in five years and that wages have not kept pace. He criticized the council for profiting from the crisis and called for ordinances to limit housing price increases.
- Eric Melchizedek Christ Nimrod: Supported Item 29 (Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program), suggesting the $45,000 allocation for 45 youth projects was appropriate but could be increased. He also offered religious commentary.
- Nathan Atkins (Executive Director, Veteran Advocacy Council): Announced a veteran pinning ceremony on February 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Dolores Huerta Community Center in North Las Vegas, honoring Black veteran leaders during Black History Month.
- Shoshana (no last name given): Criticized the inclusion of religious elements in the meeting, such as the Pledge of Allegiance’s “under God” and the invocation, arguing they violate the separation of church and state and marginalize non-religious residents.
- Sebastian Crawford (second appearance during citizens’ participation): Continued his criticism of the housing market, comparing high home prices to selling a used car at new-car prices, and argued that zoning adds 20-25% to housing costs. He urged the city to sell city-owned land to developers for affordable housing.
Discussion Items
- Agenda Item 10 – Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas Life Contract Extension: Deputy City Manager Sabra Newby and CEO Sally Dobler presented the request to exercise the first option term for one year at $466,000 from the general fund. Council members discussed governance challenges, budget constraints, and the fund’s role in leveraging private donations. Councilwoman Rooney expressed concerns about governance and voted no; Councilwoman Kelly suggested a reduced contribution. Councilwoman Francis-Alan Pelansky and Councilwoman Summers Armstrong praised the fund’s impact. Mayor Pro Tem Knutson made a motion to approve as is, which passed after a vote.
- Agenda Item 29 – Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program (YNAP): Dr. Tammy Malich, Director of Youth Development, introduced the program. Youth board chair Ayana Castro and vice chair Chloe Camarillo presented the grant review board’s recommendation to allocate $45,000 for 45 youth-initiated projects. The projects span all wards and include community service, education, and improvement initiatives. The council commended the youth and approved the recommendation unanimously.
- Agenda Item 30 – Appointments to Sewage and Wastewater Advisory Committee: The council approved appointing city employees Tom Hornsby, Fred Rue Techlow, and Taylor Fischel as members and alternate, replacing former employees who no longer work for the city.
- Bills 31 and 32: Ordinances adopting development agreements for the former Cashman and Grant Sawyer properties were introduced and approved by Councilman Knutson.
- New Bills (Items 33-37): Five new bills (2026-4 through 2026-8) were read and assigned to the February 17, 2026, recommending committee. Topics include compensation for alternate municipal judges, redevelopment plan amendments, and bond issuances for various projects.
- Item 40: The council set public hearing dates for appeals and required hearings from the planning commission and dangerous buildings/nuisance abatements.
Key Outcomes
- Item 8: An abeyance request for a special use permit extension was approved, moving the item to the April 15, 2026, meeting.
- Item 10: Approved (Mayor’s Fund contract extension), with a vote showing majority support despite some opposition.
- Item 29: Approved unanimously, funding 45 youth projects at $45,000 total.
- Item 30: Approved.
- Items 31-32: Approved.
- Items 33-37: Assigned to committee.
- Item 38: Initially approved on consent but later noted as held in abeyance to April 15, 2026.
- The council also set public hearing dates and concluded with councilmember recognitions and announcements of upcoming community events.
Meeting Transcript
We will be convening our meeting in thirty seconds. The February fourth, twenty twenty-six meeting of the City Council is called to order. 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 meeting live online and access other city content by visiting Las Vegas Nevada.gov slash Connect. The proceedings will be rebroadcast on City of Las Vegas TV on Wednesday of the meeting at eight PM, also on Friday at four A. M., Saturday at seven PM, Sunday at seven A.M., and the following Monday at five PM. This building is protected by a state of the art fire detection and prevent and suppression sprinkler system. If alarm 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, please 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 of hearing impaired equipment, please see the city clerk staff. Please note if you are parked in the parking garage across the street. A self-validation machine is located in the foyer between city council chambers and the security desk you walk through to enter these chambers. You must have your ticket with you to use the 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 rise for the invocation given by Rabbi Philippe Goodman of Temple Beshalom, and please remain standing. Ribonos Shalolam, Master of the Universe. We pause before the work of this day to acknowledge something both simple and sacred. That gathering for the sake of the public good is holy work. Justice, justice shall shall you pursue. Not once but twice, because justice must shape both our goals and the way we reach them. Not only what we decide, but how we decide. A city unlike any other, here in Nevada, a place built in the desert by courage, imagination, and hope. A place where languages, cultures, faiths, and stories meet each other on every block, where diversity is not a slogan, but daily life. In Jewish life, we say, call Israel Araim Zebese. We're all responsible for one another. Today we widen that circle. All who dwell in this city are responsible for one another. Help us, oh God, remember that every policy touches a family, that every budget line touches a human life, that every vote carries a weight of trust. Grant these leaders wisdom to listen deeply. Grant them the humility to disagree with dignity. Grant them the strength to seek the common good over personal gain. Bless the city of lights, that it may also be a city of light, a beacon of cooperation, creativity, and compassion. Bless the people of this community, longtime residents and newcomers alike. Bless this country we love the United States of America. We renew faith in one another and confidence in a future we build together. And may the work begun here this morning. Help us beg us continue to be not only a place where people come to dream, but a place where people truly belong. Kenya Ratson, may this be God's will. Amen. Thank you, Rabbi. Uh Rabbi, before we proceed to the pledge, I'd like to ask you to say a few words and lead us in a moment of silence. Uh this community lost two very important leaders over the last few days, people that I know you know very well because they're part of your congregation. I understand that you married Alex. Um you were the officiant at her wedding, and the Mack family has been a part of uh the Temple Beshalom family for decades. Um would you mind acknowledging and leading us in a moment of prayer for Michael Mack, former city councilman, and for Alex Epstein, who is the executive vice president of the El Cortez Hotel.
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