Las Vegas City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Las Vegas City Council met on February 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation by Stephanie Phillips (Veterans in Politics) and the Pledge of Allegiance. Ceremonials included recognition of Employee of the Month Anthony Lambert (Strategic Analyst, Office of Strategic Services), a proclamation declaring February 18, 2026 as Southern Nevada Senior Law Program Day, and a proclamation declaring Meow Wolf Day in honor of Omega Mart's fifth anniversary. The council then proceeded to regular agenda items, including consent agendas, public hearings on land use entitlements, and votes on ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the final minutes of the January 21, 2026 regular meeting by reference.
• Approved consent agenda items 10–23 (routine items recommended by departments) and items 30–31D (Department of Community Development consent agenda).
• Items 33A/33B, 35, and 34 were held in abeyance or trailed until future meetings (March 4, 2026).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker (Shoshana, during Public Comment on agenda items): Read biblical passages critical of the invocation, calling for separation of church and state. Noted the source of the invocation is the Bible and urged the city to consider discontinuing the practice.
• Eric Melchizedek Christ Nimrod: Paid tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, called for unity and protection from “the thief.”
• Sandra Kinney: Sought clarification on public comment procedure; later spoke in support of the daycare (Minion Ranch) during item 38.
• During Citizens’ Participation (item 46):
  • Shoshana again spoke, reading further scripture and reiterating her request for separation of church and state.
  • Alan Snell (author of “Bicycle Man”): Urged the city to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety, citing nine pedestrian deaths in Metro area from Jan 1 to Feb 17, 2026. Called for integrated paved trails, protected bike lanes, and a joint city-county safety panel. Noted Las Vegas ranks 2,043 out of 2,901 cities for bicycling.

Ceremonials and Recognitions

• Employee of the Month: Anthony Lambert (Strategic Analyst) praised for training 460+ employees and leading 58 Smart Lab projects with 105,000 documented savings. The Smart Lab program was named a top finalist for the Cashman Good Government Award.
• Proclamation – Southern Nevada Senior Law Program Day: Recognized for serving seniors 60+ without income testing, growing 36% in 2025; seniors population in Nevada increased 42% from 2010–2020.
• Proclamation – Meow Wolf Day: Celebrated Omega Mart’s fifth anniversary (opened Feb 18, 2021).

Discussion Items

• Item 25 (Bill 2026-5 – Redevelopment Area One Expansion): Ordinance to adopt third amended redevelopment plan for Area 1. Approved.
• Items 26–28 (Bills 2026-6, 2026-7, 2026-8): Bond issuance ordinances for refunding and capital projects. All approved.
• Item 32 (Massage Establishment – Warwick 6340 W Charleston): Special use permit with waiver of distance requirements. Approved with staff conditions.
• Item 34 (Carport Variance – 86 Page Street): Appeal of planning commission denial. Applicant explained contractor misrepresentations, proposed aesthetic improvements (stucco wrap). Staff recommended denial, but council approved with condition to conform to updated plans. Motion by Councilwoman Diaz, carried.
• Item 36 (Alcohol Use – 926 W Owens Ave): Special use permit for indoor/outdoor alcohol use requiring waiver due to nearby childcare. Applicant agreed to conditions: hours 7 p.m.–midnight, one-year administrative review, age restriction 35+. Approved.
• Item 37 (Mini Storage Expansion – Hammer Lane): General plan amendment, zone change, variance (18 parking spaces required 19), major SUP amendment, street vacate. Approved with condition of no freeway signage. Unanimous.
• Item 38 (Group Home/Daycare – 5617 Grand Guinness Court): Public hearing on variance (2 parking spaces vs. 4 required) and SUP for group home. Neighbors opposed citing traffic, parking, and conduct. Supporters cited need for small in-home daycare, especially for children with trauma. Council debated; motion to table for 60 days (until April 15) to allow applicant to meet with neighbors. Approved (60-day tabling).
• Item 39 (Group Home – 5616 Alta Drive): Similar application by Care Access NV LLC. Applicant stated property is unoccupied and they are seeking approval before provider moves in. Councilwoman Knutson expressed concerns about busy Alta Drive. Approved with conditions: front yard to remain residential, administrative review after one year.
• Item 40 (Landscape Materials Yard – 5924 W Lone Mountain): Rezone from RE to C1, SUP for building/lumber yard. Applicant wants to convert home to showroom/botanical garden. Councilwoman Kelly recused due to prior contract. Approved.
• Item 41 (RV Cover Variance – 10435 Irish Cliffs Court): Variance for patio cover not meeting setbacks/height. Councilwoman Polenski requested neighbor signatures; tabled to March 4, 2026.
• Item 42 (Community Residence – 5933 Perfect View Street): SUP for home caring for elderly/disabled (up to 10 residents). Applicant clarified not a rehab. Approved.
• Item 43 (New Elementary School – Sky Canyon): Site development review and sign plan for 850-student school (CCSD 2015 bond). Condition revised for dedicated right-turn lane on Schamber Road. Approved.
• Item 44 (Rezoning – Harvey Mumford Street area): Complex rezoning of multiple parcels owned by Ahern Rentals/Don Ahern from RE/C1 to C2. Applicant argued area is commercial corridor, plans for future development (arena or medical district). Councilwoman Summers Armstrong proposed motion to rezone MLK frontage to C1 only, leaving sliver between two residential parcels. Motion failed 0-? (council divided). Second motion by applicant for C2 on all parcels passed. Council encouraged future collaboration between applicant and councilwoman.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved.
• Bills 2026-5 through 2026-8 (ordinances for redevelopment and bond issuances) adopted.
• Land use items 32, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 44 approved with various conditions.
• Item 34 (carport variance) approved with aesthetic condition.
• Item 38 (daycare group home) tabled 60 days for neighbor outreach.
• Item 39 (Alta Drive group home) approved with residential facade and administrative review conditions.
• Item 41 (RV cover) continued two weeks for neighbor signatures.
• Items 33A/B and 35 held in abeyance to March 4, 2026.
• Council directed staff to coordinate with state agencies on group home licensing to ensure city input is received before state approvals.

Council Emerging Issues

• Councilman Knutson raised need to address disconnect between state licensure and city land use approvals for group homes (childcare, elderly, drug treatment). Staff already scheduling meeting with DHHS.
• Councilwoman Summers Armstrong agreed, noting similar issues in Ward 5, and suggested potential legislative solution.
• Councilwoman Kelly questioned continuation of daily prayer/invocation; no consensus but discussed as future agenda item.