Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - September 23, 2025

The Mesquite City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting began with an invocation, pledge of allegiance, and a proclamation declaring October 2025 as National Arts and Humanities Month. The council considered consent agenda items, received quarterly presentations, approved multiple resolutions and ordinances, and acted on site plan reviews, liquor licenses, bid awards, and cost-of-living adjustments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes from the August 12, 2025, Regular City Council meeting, the September 2, 2025, Technical Review Meeting, and the September 23, 2025, agenda.
• Approved budget transfers, amendments, bills paid, and purchase orders.
• Approved monthly financials.
• Approved designating surplus vehicles for donation to Iron County and Lincoln County, with the explanation that the vehicles are used for training and the counties will allow Mesquite officers to use their training facilities.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nick Fanetti (resident): Criticized the mayor for comments made at a prior MPOA meeting, accusing him of calling a resident a "devil" and suggesting the mayor should resign.
• Karen Murphree (Public Arts Commission): Announced the first "First Friday Family Art Walk" on October 3rd, 4–7 PM, with music, food trucks, and activities along Yucca Street.
• Mary Mathis (Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery board member): Updated on gallery hours and October exhibits.
• Unnamed resident: Called for Councilwoman Fielding’s resignation over behavior during a prayer at a prior meeting; also expressed frustration with the fire chief regarding a photograph.
• Patty Erns (resident): Described a severe rat infestation on a neighboring property at 574 Condor Street, noting pigeons, rats, and unhygienic conditions. Code Enforcement Officer Simon Kim responded that pest control began that day, landscaping is scheduled in two weeks, and follow-up assessments will occur.
• Gail Pfeiffer (neighbor): Confirmed rat problems and requested regular updates; Kim provided his email (skim@mesquitenv.gov) and said updates would be on the city website.
• Mary Ellen Maglish (neighbor): Asked about liability if rats cause property damage or illness; interim city attorney Adam Anderson advised consulting a private attorney.
• Rosio Delgadillo (resident): Urged the community to help the homeowner instead of bullying, suggesting volunteer efforts.
• Ron Shackleford (resident): Warned about unlicensed contractor scams, noting that down payments over $1,000 or 10% are illegal without a special bond.
• Marcus Bender (Nordic Beach Holdings): Challenged Code Enforcement Officer Kim’s interpretation of parking codes related to the NB Nightclub, demanding a public debate and alleging code misapplication.
• Railine Schiffano (Nordic Beach Properties): Disputed Kim’s requirement for a final map, arguing the nightclub is not on the recorded final map and that the city should enforce codes fairly.
• Erica Nicholas Bender (Nordic Beach): Stated that easements must be clearly defined under Nevada law, that the nightclub’s conditional use permit was based on false square footage and parking counts, and that the permit should be void.
• Rosio Delgadillo (again): Commented on the Vision 2045 presentation, supporting natural landmarks and family-friendly tourism.
• Railine Schiffano (again): Expressed positivity about the city’s future and requested code enforcement for safety near the nightclub.
• Mary Gleason (resident): Thanked the Master Plan Committee and suggested clarifying the target year in the vision statement.
• John Rosen (Master Plan Committee member): Praised the Vision 2045 process as inspiring.
• Marcus Bender (again): Criticized city officials for lack of diversity and inclusion as an interracial couple.
• Dominic Olivetto (resident): Noted the economic opportunity from a side-by-side rally in April 2026.
• Bill Cole (resident): Opposed the LDS church building height (131 ft roof, 170 ft steeple), calling it excessive and larger than the Casablanca hotel; cited Texas town’s fight with LDS church.
• Becky Peterson (resident): Opposed two church buildings on one lot; concerned about traffic and size.
• Valerie Morgan (resident): Supported the LDS church, noting chapels with two buildings are common, and that they benefit the community with event space.
• Quincy Edwards (Sun City HOA rep): Confirmed the height dimensions from church drawings.
• Dominic Olivetto (again): Clarified the buildings are churches, not temples; supported a smaller building.
• Jared Halling (LDS stake president): Explained the need for a second stake center due to growth; initially one building would be built; the buildings are stake centers, not temples.
• Daryl Garlic (LDS member): Supported the project, citing the church’s article of faith on worship freedom.
• Gary Elgort (residents, email read): Opposed the Falcon Ridge driving range with a 12-foot fence, arguing the city should protect citizens; waiver of liability does not prevent injury.
• Ron Shackleford (resident): Agreed the fence is insufficient; urged council to prioritize community safety.
• Karen Dukowski (resident): Supported Elgort’s letter; noted difficulty identifying which golfer hit a ball.
• Dominic Olivetto (again): Argued a 12-foot fence is inadequate; recommended at least 75 feet given the berm height.
• Ronald Gera (Falcon Glen HOA president, Oregon attorney): Advised denying the application as presented; stated a waiver does not prevent lawsuits and the city could still be sued.
• Ken Cox (HOA president, resident): Suggested the council could increase fence height to 25 feet; noted the slope adds effective height.
• Rob Wurst (Falcon Ridge GM): Defended safety measures: limited flight balls, 64 ft effective height at 170-200 yards, cart attendant monitoring, AI cameras; stated golfers are liable for their balls.
• Marcus Bender (again): Rebutted Kim’s presentation, demanding a public meeting with the city attorney.
• Erica Nicholas (again): Stated they have provided documents to the city attorney and want code enforced fairly.

Discussion Items

• Silver Rider Quarterly Update (Mike Jackson): Reported an 8% employee wage increase, ridership stable (~5,000–6,000 fixed route, ~500 paratransit), secured $2.7M in operating grants for 2025-2027, and a plan to sell ad space on buses to offset fares with a goal of free rides. Presentation accepted by council.
• Clark County School District Quarterly Update (Lindsay Tomlinson, Maurice Perkins): Presented data on student safety perceptions (94.9–95.6% elementary, declining at middle/high but above district average), chronic absenteeism (up from 23.7% to 24.9%, but improvements at JL Bowler and Virgin Valley High), and discipline (increased suspensions for special ed and ELL students). Celebrated student achievements including a National Merit Semifinalist. Presentation accepted.
• Mesquite Vision 2045 Presentation (Simon Kim): Reviewed nine-month process including mental mapping, surveys (444 responses), and committee work. Key findings: residents prioritize safety, small-town charm, recreation, arts, and smart growth. Economic development goals include diversifying retail, enhancing healthcare, and boosting tourism. Noted declining visitor numbers despite high satisfaction. Branding statement proposed. Presentation accepted.
• Conservation Element for Master Plan (Dan Catron): Presented Resolution R25-036 to adopt a conservation element required by state law, covering geology, hydrology, climate, air quality, flood hazards, endangered species, and 10 goals including water conservation, energy efficiency, wildfire mitigation, and protection of the Virgin River. Approved after public hearing.
• LDS Church Site Plan (ASR-25-011): Proposed two 24,043 sq ft church buildings and pavilions on 18.39 acres. Provided 754 parking spaces (753 required). Height concerns raised (131 ft roof, 170 ft steeple). Staff recommended approval, noting need for conditional use permit for height later. Council approved with conditions to be addressed.
• Falcon Ridge Driving Range (ASR-25-009): Proposed 13.52-acre driving range with a 12-foot fence. Staff analysis showed balls could clear the fence at higher speeds. Staff recommended approval with conditions: fence height responsibility on operator, waiver of liability/indemnification, separation of golf carts and pedestrians, and shielded lighting. Council debated safety; some members felt 12 feet insufficient but expressed being in a tough position due to liability. Motion passed with the four conditions.
• Cost of Living Adjustments: Approved annualized COLAs of 7.6% for management (M3-M6), police and fire management, municipal judge, and non-represented employees (excluding city manager, attorney, and elected) to match previously approved union agreements.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved by unanimous vote.
• Silver Rider Presentation: Accepted by unanimous vote.
• CCSD Presentation: Accepted by unanimous vote.
• Mesquite Vision 2045 Presentation: Accepted by unanimous vote.
• Resolution R25-040 (Anthem SID delinquent assessment sale): Pulled from agenda; all properties current.
• Resolution R25-037 (RTC Interlocal for Canyon Crest/Horizon improvements): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution R25-038 (RTC Interlocal for Hardy Way/Falcon Ridge traffic signal): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution R25-039 (RTC Interlocal for Mesquite/Sandhill Mill & Overlay): Approved unanimously.
• Bill as Ordinance B25-014 (AB 241 compliance – multifamily in PB zone): Approved unanimously.
• Resolution R25-036 (Conservation Element adoption): Approved after public hearing.
• ASR-25-011 (LDS Church site plan): Approved with conditions to address height.
• Liquor License for L.A.M.A Peruvian Cuisine: Approved unanimously.
• Bid Award – Leavitt & Hafen Lane Roadway Improvements: Awarded to Trade West Construction ($4,019,992.23).
• Bid Award – Mesquite & Sandhill Boulevards Mill & Overlay: Awarded to Staker & Parson Companies ($6,649,558.25).
• Bid Award – Hardy Way & Falcon Ridge Parkway Traffic Signals: Awarded to LLO Inc. dba Acme Electric ($1,289,125).
• ASR-25-009 (Falcon Ridge Driving Range): Approved with conditions including a waiver of liability.
• Cost of Living Adjustments: Approved 7.6% for eligible non-represented employees.