Las Vegas City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2026

The Las Vegas City Council convened on March 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting included ceremonial recognitions, public comments, and action on several items including appointments, land sales, and development variances. The meeting began with a moment of silence for fire engineer Kelly Brinkerhoff, who passed away, followed by an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ceremonials

• Citizen of the Month: Sergeant LaRosa (LVMPD) was recognized for heroic actions during an armed home invasion hostage situation. Summerlin Area Command reported crime reduction statistics for 2025: homicides down 50%, sex offenses down 7%, aggravated assaults down 10%, robbery down 15%, larceny down 6%, burglary down 20%, motor vehicle theft down 18%, and shooting victims down 23%. In 2026 so far, robberies are down 56%, larceny down 6%, burglary down 2%, and motor vehicle theft down another 28%.
• Proclamation: The council declared March 4, 2026, as "Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada Day" in Las Vegas, recognizing their 2,500 participants (60% girls of color, 43% from low-income households) and their four pillars: life skills, entrepreneurship, outdoors, and STEAM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Agenda items (items 29, 32, etc.):
  • A speaker (resident) expressed concerns about development standards for a proposed project in Symphony Park, noting the property is not currently maintained (trash and debris). She requested that the city ensure compliance with both the downtown overlay district and the form-based code, and that neighborhood meetings be held for new developments adding 508 potential voters.
  • Roshana spoke against the inclusion of prayer in government meetings and read scripture to illustrate what she described as violent texts, urging separation of church and state. The Mayor clarified that public comment must be limited to agenda items.
  • Steven Spawn (owner of The Doyle on the West Side) spoke in support of item 32 (historic west side) and described the Jackson Street Sculpture Garden, a community art space using recycled materials. He asked to work with the city to grow arts and cultural tourism.
  • Eric Melchizedek Christ Nimrod spoke in support of the Girl Scouts, Metro Police, and several appointments (Megan Delaney, Michaela Keller, Fire Chief Fernando Gray, Deputy City Manager Tim Hacker, and CFO Susan Hetzley). He also criticized cutting off public comment time.
  • Al Lasso (attorney, 25 years in Las Vegas) proposed that free-standing bars be made ride-share only (no parking except for handicapped) to reduce DUIs, suggesting zoning incentives.
• Citizen Participation (non-agenda):
  • Grace Albanese alleged that fast food restaurants in Las Vegas engage in illegal exchange of money for jobs, primarily hiring undocumented Hispanics, and called for a tax on such businesses.
  • Heather DeGrand (homeless, staying at The Courtyard) complained about disrespectful and aggressive behavior from security staff toward residents, calling for trauma-informed training.
  • Shaitan Daniels (homeless, staying at The Courtyard) reported being harassed about her gender identity by security, including being woken up and told she could only sleep in the transgender section. She identified as female and said her ID reflects that. She requested respectful treatment.

Discussion Items

• Item 40 – Appointment of Communications Director: The council approved Megan Delaney as the new Director of Communications. She has a background including work with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, College of Southern Nevada, as Governor Sisolak's communications director during COVID, and Nevada Energy. Mayor Pro Tem Knutson praised her past work. Unanimously approved.
• Items 39 & 42 – Sale and Development of City-Owned Land at Shadow Lane and Wellness Way (Ward 1): The city considered a proposal to sell 1.54 acres (appraised at $2.74 million) to Parting Seas Wellness LLC for $1.34 million to facilitate an $100 million investment. The project includes an 84,000-square-foot Class A medical office building, a 5-story parking garage (350+ stalls), and 2,700 sq ft of ground-floor retail. Timeline: 18-24 months for construction, escrow close in about 12 months. Councilwoman Summers Armstrong encouraged outreach to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority for pre-apprenticeship training. The resolution (Item 42) was approved. (Item 39, public hearing, no action required.)
• Items 41 & 51 – Held in Abeyance: Item 41 and 51 (R-15-2026 and 25-0096 VAR1/STR1) were held in abeyance to the April 1, 2026, city council meeting.
• Item 43 – Reappointment to Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission: Michaela Keller was reappointed to a Ward 3 seat, originally appointed in 2020. Councilwoman Diaz moved approval, carried.
• Item 44 – Appointment to Clark County 911 Emergency Response Advisory Committee: Fire Chief Fernando Gray, Deputy City Manager Tim Hacker, and CFO Susan Hetzley were appointed as alternatives. Approved.
• Item 45 – Ordinance 2026-4: Amendment to LVMC section 2.26.40 regarding compensation for alternate municipal judges. Approved.
• Consent Agenda (Items 10-38): Routine approvals, all passed. One item (48) had an amendment to condition 1 date to February 21, 2029, agreed by the applicant.
• Item 52 – Mixed-Use Development at Gas and 7th Street (Ward 3): Applicant Sheldon Collin presented a revised plan for a six-story, 56-unit mixed-use building (reduced from 70 units) with 2,001 sq ft commercial, waivers from interim downtown standards. Staff recommended denial, citing scale and numerous waivers. Councilwoman Diaz added a condition requiring an administrative required review three years after final certificate of occupancy to ensure greenery is maintained. The motion to approve carried.
• Item 53 – Variance for Patio Cover at 10435 Irish Cliffs Court (Ward 4): Applicant James McLaren sought a variance for a 13-foot tall patio cover (max allowed 12 feet). After discussions with a neighbor, the neighbor agreed on height and shadow but objected to roof-attached supports instead of posts to the ground. Staff recommended denial, noting no extraordinary circumstances. Councilwoman Alan Polenski moved to approve with the condition (height amendment to 13 feet, consistent with building permit process). The motion carried.
• Item 54 – Report on CCSD Operations: Dr. Reese Oswald, Region II Superintendent, reported end-of-year data for 2024-25: chronic absenteeism decreased 5.5% (three-year trend); suspensions resulting in removal decreased by 103; but increases in suspension rates for special education students and English language learners, and slight increase in discretionary expulsions for special education and Black/African American students. No compliance notices. Celebrations included student achievements (Hyde Park Middle NASA Tech Rise, Las Vegas Academy magnet school recognition, Clark High DECA winners). Report only, no action.
• Item 55 – Set date for appeals: City Clerk instructed to set future hearing dates.
• Council Member Recognitions (Item 58): Council members shared upcoming events, including office hours, park cleanups, and community events. Councilwoman Alan Polenski honored fire engineer Kelly Brinkerhoff and announced the Excellence in Teaching Award nominations. Councilwoman Summers Armstrong highlighted Black History Month events and Love on Jackson (3,000 attendees).

Key Outcomes

• Appointments approved: Megan Delaney (Communications Director), Michaela Keller (Parks and Rec), Fire Chief Gray, Tim Hacker, and Susan Hetzley (911 committee).
• Land sale to Parting Seas Wellness LLC: Resolution R-16-2026 approved for disposition and development of property at Shadow Lane and Wellness Way (Ward 1).
• Variance at Gas and 7th Street: Approved with additional three-year review condition for greenery maintenance.
• Variance at 10435 Irish Cliffs Court: Approved with amended height condition (13 feet).
• Consent agenda (Items 10-38): Approved en masse with one amended condition.
• Held in abeyance: Items 41 and 51 moved to April 1, 2026.
• Public comments: Recorded, but no action taken.