Las Vegas City Council Meeting - July 1, 2026
Las Vegas City Council Meeting - July 1, 2026
The Las Vegas City Council convened on July 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. (noted as 15:57:46 UTC) for a regular meeting that included ceremonial swearing-in of council members, recognition of a citizen of the month, a proclamation, public comment, and action on consent agenda, appointments, bills, land use items, and council member reports. The meeting was called to order, and the invocation and pledge of allegiance were led by Deacon Tomas Garcia of the Light of the World Church.
Ceremonials
- Swearing-In of Councilwomen: Councilwoman Frances Alan Polenski (Ward 4) and Councilwoman Nancy Bruni (Ward 6) were sworn in for new four-year terms after winning their primary elections unopposed. Both gave remarks emphasizing service, community, and continued focus on housing, livable communities, and neighborly care.
- Citizen of the Month: Colin McNaught, principal of Cimarron Memorial High School, was recognized as July's Citizen of the Month. Students spoke about his leadership, and he dedicated the award to his wife.
- Proclamation: July 1, 2026, was proclaimed "Nevada Child Seekers Day" in recognition of the organization's work locating missing children.
Consent Calendar
- Items 11 through 31 were approved by a single motion. These included routine approvals recommended by staff. No specific items were pulled for discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Karen Livingston (Ward 6 resident) congratulated Councilwoman Bruni, highlighting her achievements in resolving the Floyd Lamb Park lawsuit, opposing a Walmart near schools, and securing a new Metro police area command.
- Helena Strauder complained about untrimmed trees on public property near ERA that obstruct traffic visibility, stating Public Works gave her a runaround for three weeks.
- Eric Melkeza De Christ Nimrod criticized RTC bus drivers for passing waiting passengers in extreme heat and urged better training and accountability.
- Shoshana urged the council to end invocations and Bible swearing at meetings, citing separation of church and state and arguing that the Bible supports slavery and violence.
- Lenny DeForge, joined by wife Warren Wheatley, son Kelton Wheatley-DeForge, and family friend Aaron Lynn Reed, spoke about their disabled son Ray, a human trafficking victim. They alleged negligence by Opportunity Village and a cover-up, requesting a public investigation and better support for disabled individuals. They noted no attorney would take the case.
- Sean Bell called for improved road safety, pothole repair, and completion of construction projects, citing a family member's death in a drunk driving accident.
- Michael Miadovich opposed data centers and 5G towers, citing health risks, water consumption, and lack of benefit.
- Jay Hicks congratulated council members and expressed support.
Discussion Items
- Election of Mayor Pro Tem: Councilman Knutson moved to elect Councilwoman Olivia Diaz as Mayor Pro Tem. Council members praised Knutson's service and Diaz accepted. The motion passed unanimously.
- Appointments:
- Blaine Ents was appointed to the Ward 4 seat on the Senior Citizens Advisory Board (motion by Councilwoman Polenski, approved).
- Councilwoman Polenski was reappointed to the Southern Nevada Council of Governments board (motion by Councilman Knutson, approved).
- Bills:
- Bill 2026-22: Granted a non-exclusive franchise to Light Source Communications LLC for communication services. Approved.
- Bill 2026-23: Revised income levels for public utility refunds to tie to federal poverty guidelines and allowed the Finance Department to extend filing dates. Approved with a minor amendment (changed job title reference to Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs).
- Bill 2026-24: Amended accessory dwelling unit regulations to conform with Assembly Bill 396 of the 2025 Nevada Legislature. Approved.
- Land Use Matters:
- YMCA Modular Buildings (Item 39): Approved a major amendment to a site development plan for three one-story modular buildings and parking reconfiguration at 2900 North Torrey Pines Drive. The applicant described the project as a solution to a childcare desert. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including an updated color scheme. Councilwoman Summers-Armstrong moved to approve, noting the success of a similar YMCA project. Unanimous.
- P1 Padell Las Vegas LLC (Item 40): The council voted to remove Condition #1 from a previously approved review of condition, which allowed beer and wine sales only at limited special events. Removal allows the applicant to return for a special use permit amendment to serve beer, wine, and full alcohol as an accessory use at a private country club. Councilman Knutson moved to approve removal; staff had recommended denial. Motion carried.
- Other: Date for public hearings on appeals and abatements was set by the city clerk (Item 41).
Key Outcomes
- Councilwoman Olivia Diaz was elected Mayor Pro Tem, effective immediately.
- Consent agenda (items 11-31) approved in one vote.
- Board appointments and bill adoptions as noted above.
- YMCA modular preschool project approved with condition to update color scheme.
- Condition limiting alcohol sales at P1 Padell country club removed (step one toward full alcohol service).
- Public comments regarding tree trimming, RTC bus service, human trafficking investigation, road safety, and data centers were heard but not acted upon.
- Council members recognized upcoming Fourth of July events (America's 250th birthday) and encouraged safe, sane fireworks use.
- The meeting adjourned following council member recognitions and a reception for the re-elected councilwomen.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everybody. Please take your seats. The July One, Twenty Twenty Six meeting of the City Council is called to order. 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.gov. The proceedings will be rebroadcast on City of Las Vegas TV, the Wednesday of the meeting at eight PM, and also on Friday at four A.M., Saturday at seven PM, Sunday at seven A.M. and the following Monday at five P.M. This building is protected by a state-of-the-art fire detection 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 having difficulty with stairs, please check with a marshal or fire official for assistance. 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 could complete and submit to the city clerk. Cards are available in the clerk's office or in the rear of the 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 has a need for hearing impaired equipment, please see the city staff clerk. City clerk staff, please know if you are parked in the parking garage across the street. You walk through to enter the 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 Deacon Tomas Garcia, the light of the world church, and please remain standing for the pledge. Welcome. Thank you, Mayor. Almighty and gracious God. We gather today with grateful hearts, mindful that we come from many backgrounds, stories, and even beliefs. Yet we are united by a shared love for this city and a shared responsibility for its future. We thank you for the people of Las Vegas for the diversity that strengthens us for the resilience that has carried so many through hardship and for the hope that keeps neighbors building serving and starting again. We ask that you fill this chamber today with the spirit of profound reflection for the responsibilities of civic leadership are heavy. The choices made within these walls are not merely administrative. They ripple outward into every corner of our city, into our homes, our schools, and our neighborhoods. Every decision touches the everyday lives of families who simply want to live in peace and dignity. Lord, we confess that in our human strength, we cannot see every consequence. We need your help to choose what is right rather than what is merely easy. So we ask, fill this room with wisdom, grant our mayor, council members, and every public servant clarity of mind and steadiness of heart, integrity that cannot be moved, humility that truly listens, and courage that protects what is just and good. Where there are differences, grant respect. Where there is tension, grant patience. Where there is uncertainty, grant light. Those in leadership and those unseen, those who protect our safety, maintain our streets, strengthen our infrastructure, educate our children, serve visitors and residents, care for the vulnerable, and also for those who carry heavy burdens quietly. May our work today bear good fruit, and may Las Vegas be a place where people feel safe, valued, and able to thrive. In your holy name we pray, Amen. Amen. And may I ask you, Deacon, to lead us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you so much. We will now proceed to the ceremonials. This is a very exciting day at City Hall, where we have the opportunity and the pleasure to swear in two of our council women who have been re-elected by almost acclamation. We're very delighted. I can't think of any two more talented, hard-working city council people than the two women that we're honoring today. They join a group of city council people that work hard, understand their responsibilities under the law, uh, take care of their wards and the people that call their wards home, and more importantly, care so much about the city of Las Vegas. They do a very, very outstanding job and work hard every single day on behalf of their constituents.
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