Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025
Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025
The Mesquite City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included ceremonial events, approval of consent items, several public hearings, and actions on a driving range, digital billboard, subdivision, labor agreements, property abatement, and a school budget transfer. Notable discussions included a rat infestation at 574 Condor Street and a disputed driving range fence height.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: August 19, 2025 Technical Review meeting minutes, September 9, 2025 agenda, budget transfers/amendments, bills paid, purchase orders, monthly financials, and Resolution R25-035 (RTC interlocal for ITS signal systems).
- Approved Resolution R25-034 (interlocal with LVMPD for P-25 radio system) unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Crosswalk safety: Chris Wall reported a near-accident at Mesquite Blvd and Arrowhead due to pedestrian-activated lights, urging improved driver awareness.
- Nordic Beach / Red Hills Commercial issues: Marcus Bender accused City staff (Simon Kim) of retaliation and failing to enforce parking codes against a nightclub. Erica Nicholas showed video of safety hazards and harassment, stating she owns the property and has a temporary restraining order against those targeting her. Rayleigh Schiffano (Nordic Beach HOA member) opposed the Elleve subdivision, alleging improper annexation and denial of records; she asked Council to pause approval.
- Falcon Ridge Driving Range: Several residents (Jeff Reynolds, Rayleigh Schiffano, Nick Elfansetti, Ben Martinson) argued a 12-foot fence on the driving range is insufficient to protect Pioneer Blvd, citing risks of golf balls hitting cars and pedestrians. Some cited examples from other courses and recommended higher nets (75+ ft).
- 574 Condor Street (rat infestation): Neighbors (Patty Aarons, Daniela Cortez, Dennis, others) expressed frustration over ongoing conditions and risk of rats spreading. Sandra Idavi (owner) disputed the scope, claimed she has been working with the city, and resisted additional intervention. Her mother, Phyllis Sinclair, accused a neighbor of killing a tree with diesel. Several public members offered to help and urged the city to act.
- CEAB budget: Jeff Fritz spoke in support of transferring funds to Hughes Middle School for student motivation tools (Nintendo Switches), citing chronic absenteeism.
- Firefighters CBA: Jeff Reynolds (ex-police officer) noted wages are not excessive and urged approval.
Discussion Items
- ASR-25-009 (Falcon Ridge Driving Range): Staff recommended approval with conditions (12-ft chain-link fence, waiver of liability, pedestrian/golf cart separation, shielded lighting). Council debated fence height: Councilwoman Gallo and Councilman Ennis wanted higher protection (24+ ft); Councilwoman Fielding noted other courses have lower fences and low-flight balls reduce risk. After public comment, Council tabled the item to allow the applicant (Rob Wurston) to discuss with ownership about increasing the fence to a total height of ~60-75 feet above the tee box.
- CUP-25-002 (Gunderson Media digital billboard): Staff reported the billboard meets all criteria (600+ ft from residential, auto-dim technology). No public comment. Unanimously approved.
- TM-25-007 (Elleve subdivision): Staff recommended approval after HOA concurrence and revised plans. Rayleigh Schiffano objected, claiming improper annexation and lack of membership vote. City Attorney Adam clarified the HOA governing documents allow this without a vote. Council approved unanimously after developer Dylan Jensen addressed dust control concerns.
- Item 6.5 (Firefighters CBA): HR and City Manager thanked negotiators; Grant Davis (union) recommended approval. Unanimously ratified.
- Item 6.6 (574 Condor Street): Staff detailed the timeline of rat infestation (over 260 rats captured), owner cooperation (signed lien agreement), and need for professional abatement. Owner Sandra Idavi objected to further city interference. Council directed staff to abate and lien the property. Motion passed (unanimous).
- Item 6.7 (ADA Ramp Improvements bid award): Public Works reported that the initial lowest bidder (Maile Concrete) could not obtain bonding. Following NRS, next lowest bidder Las Vegas Paving awarded at $1.875 million (still under engineer's estimate). Approved unanimously.
- Item 6.8 (CEAB budget proposal): Council approved rescinding a $7,225.98 check to JL Bowler Middle School and re-issuing to Hughes Middle School for student motivational items (Nintendo Switches). Principal J. Dell Wilson and CAB member Jody Thornley supported the shift. Unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda approved unanimously.
- Resolution R25-034 (LVMPD radio system) approved unanimously.
- Bill B25-014 (PB zone amendments to comply with AB241) introduced and set for public hearing September 23, 2025.
- ASR-25-009 (Falcon Ridge Driving Range) tabled until applicant returns with a higher fence proposal.
- CUP-25-002 (digital billboard) approved unanimously.
- TM-25-007 (Elleve subdivision) approved unanimously.
- Item 6.5 (Firefighters CBA) ratified unanimously.
- Item 6.6 (574 Condor Street) – Council directed staff to abate unhealthy conditions and place a lien on the property; motion passed unanimously.
- Item 6.7: Bid award rescinded from Maile Concrete and awarded to Las Vegas Paving Corporation ($1,875,000) for ADA ramp improvements.
- Item 6.8: CEAB budget transfer of $7,225.98 from JL Bowler to Hughes Middle School approved unanimously.
- City Manager appointment (Item 6.4) pulled from agenda without action.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:46 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Oh. Now it's on. And welcome to the Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 regular city council meeting for the city of Mesquite. It's five o'clock, and we're gonna get going. We're gonna start off with an invocation by Pastor Bob Brugman from the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. I won't say Bob. Don't see Bob. Did I see Pastor Tabor? Yeah. Would you be willing? Thank you. Oh, there's a good evening. Um Father, we thank you. We thank you that you are among us because we ask you to be here. We need help, we need guidance, we need wisdom. Lord, we need peace, and we need to be able to communicate to one another. And so, Lord, I just ask you to help us all to be polite, to be respectful, to be articulate, and to be able to share our concerns and even our ideas for help. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. Thank you, Pastor, for filling in for us. And I'd ask you to please all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. At this time, we are going to have a uh presentation by Mr. Michael Benham on for 9-11. Good evening, Mayor Council. Very emotional week for us, especially from the East Coast, who knew a couple of the guys who perished in the towers. I would like to read some thoughts that uh I put down about 9-11. First of all, my name is Mike Benham. I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to talk about 9-11. At the time of 9-11, I was a fire police captain in the New Egypt Fire Company in New Jersey. One of our police officers had a search dog. His name was Max. He was a black lab. He went to New York to help search. Within a year, Mac had tumors all over his body, and he passed away. His handler said his body was small. Let's see how long it takes for the first responders now to get sick. We all know the answer now, don't we? I have a photo here of John Stewart. Right there. He has a TV show. I don't know if many of you know John Stewart. Have you seen his show? John was a good friend of mine. I coached him in soccer for two years. John went to Washington on behalf of the first responders who were sick. His famous words were they did their job, now you do yours.
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