Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
The Mesquite City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and ceremonial recognitions of EMT students and championship flag football players. The council heard public comments on e-bike safety, crossing guards, the upcoming Parade of Lights, and several concerns about vacation rentals. The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Major action items included the approval of a conditional use permit for a 10-stall DC fast EV charging station, a tentative map for 75 residential lots (Suntero Phase 4), a bid award for Horizon Boulevard and Canyon Crest Boulevard roadway improvements, and the relocation of a community piano. Three contested vacation rental conditional use permits (CUP-25-005, CUP-25-004, CUP-25-009) were all approved despite significant public opposition, with conditions including privacy fences, bunk bed removal, and enforcement of occupancy limits. The council also discussed a future moratorium on vacation rentals.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (motion by Councilwoman Fielding, second by Councilwoman Gallo) included: approval of the October 21, 2025 Technical Review Meeting minutes and the November 18, 2025 agenda; budget transfers, amendments, bills paid, and purchase orders; monthly financials; designating vehicles as surplus; and five resolutions (R25-048–R25-051) adopting interlocal contracts with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada for backup power, street improvements, traffic signal software, and a mill and overlay project.
Public Comments & Testimony
- E-bike safety and crossing guards: Multiple speakers (Mike, Ron Shackleford, Jeff Reynolds) urged the city to address unsafe riding of e-bikes, scooters, and motorcycles by children and adults, citing near misses and fatal accidents. They also criticized the removal of volunteer crossing guards and asked for better enforcement and education. Chief Tracy Fells and Councilman Wanless noted ongoing work with other cities and schools.
- Parade of Lights: Debbie Benham announced the 11th annual Parade of Lights on December 4, 2025, with 31 entries and a food drive goal of 25 pounds per entry.
- Vehicle damage from golf balls: Francisco Lavanos, a teacher at Mesquite Christian Academy, asked the city for guidance after golf balls from Falcon Ridge Golf Course shattered his windshield and dented his car, with no response from the golf course manager.
- Vacation rental opposition: Residents from Desert Rose and Santa Fe Vista subdivisions (Dominic Oliveto, Sebastian Graf, Loretta Corp, Gary Plumby, David Giebink, Doug Honschell, Clark Strong, Cindy Strong, Karen Taylor, and others) spoke against the three vacation rental applications, citing noise, parking, transients, and degradation of neighborhood character. They requested denial or a moratorium.
- Support for Hollenback vacation rental (CUP-25-009): Several neighbors and associates (Sherry Hallenbach, Michelle West, William Mitchell, Russ Westwood, Brett Hughes, Jonathan Tavares) spoke in favor, noting Sherry Hallenbach’s responsible management, positive neighbor letters, and the property’s suitability for groups like sports teams.
Discussion Items
Public Comments (non-agenda)
- Dave Baldwood urged the council to appoint Tracy Fells as permanent police chief, arguing that waiting for the new city manager was unnecessary.
- Nick Alfonsetti and Ron Shackleford highlighted e-bike dangers and offered to volunteer for education efforts.
- Clinton Brooks requested wind screens for Hafen tennis courts (Director Randy Lobb responded that replacement screens cost ~$10,000 and are being evaluated).
E-bike and scooter enforcement
- Chief Fells outlined ongoing work: a draft code with restrictions, flyers to schools, and enforcement of e-motorcycles (treated as motorcycles requiring licenses). He discouraged negative contacts with young children on scooters, emphasizing education. Councilwoman Fielding argued for accountability even for kids. City Attorney cautioned against further council discussion as it was not an agendized item.
Item 3.1 – Audit Report
- Director of Finance Nikki Thorne stated the item was moved to the December 9, 2025 City Council agenda, so it was pulled without discussion.
Item 5.1 – CUP-25-006 (IONNA EV Charging Station)
- Project description: 10-stall DC fast EV charging station with lit canopy at 920 W Mesquite Boulevard (CR-2 zone). Staff recommended approval. Public comment: Sammy D. questioned public benefit; Laura Andrews and Sebastian Graf supported for tourism and non-Tesla EV drivers. Applicant Tony Celeste (Hinton Burdick PLLC) confirmed the station is not Tesla-specific. Council approved unanimously (motion by Fielding, second by Gallo).
Item 5.2 – TM-25-008 (Suntero Phase 4)
- Proposal: Subdivide 25.49 acres into 75 single-family residential lots within Anthem at Mesquite PUD. Staff noted a parcel number change. Public hearing had no comments. Council approved unanimously (motion by Gallo, second by Fielding).
Item 5.3 – Bid Award (Horizon & Canyon Crest Roadway Improvements)
- Six bids received; lowest responsible bidder Trade West Construction at $3,055,548.28 (engineer’s estimate $4.4M). Fully funded by RTC. Council approved unanimously (motion by Gallo, second by Ennis).
Item 5.4 – MPAC Piano Relocation
- Proposal: Use $1,000 from Charitable Trust Arts Sub-Trust to move a piano from STEAM Center to Fine Arts Center pavilion for public use. Councilwoman Fielding expressed concerns about weather and vandalism; Councilman Wanless and public commenter John Rosen supported. Council approved (motion by Ennis, second by Gallo).
Item 5.5 – CUP-25-005 (Vacation Rental at 697 Lolita Lane)
- Staff presented detailed regulations. Applicant sought to operate a 3-bedroom home (max 8 guests). Public overwhelmingly opposed. Councilman Parrish proposed a six-foot privacy fence as condition. Approved (motion by Fielding, second by Ennis) with condition of a six-foot fence on the west side.
Item 5.6 – CUP-25-004 (Desert Mountain Vacation Rentals at 950 Santa Fe Drive)
- Property: 2-bedroom home with casita (max 8 guests). Staff noted the applicant agreed to remove bunk beds and install a six-foot privacy fence. Public opposition was strong. Councilman Parrish and others discussed RV hookups; City Attorney noted equal protection concerns after approving the first permit. Approved (motion by Fielding, second by Gallo) with conditions: six-foot privacy fence, removal of bunk beds, and removal of RV hookups (cleanouts to be capped) and correction of marketing to not advertise RV parking.
Item 5.7 – CUP-25-009 (Hollenback Vacation Rental at 475 Parkview Drive)
- Property: 5-bedroom, 5-bath home (max 12 guests). Staff discovered the property was listed for rent and had a review (later explained by applicant Sherry Hallenbach as a marketing reward stay by a team member). Public comment divided: neighbors supported, citing good management; others cited violations and high occupancy advertised (up to 16). Staff noted violation could be cited but recommended council decision. Council approved (motion by Fielding, second by Ennis) based on positive neighbor feedback and applicant’s promise to comply, with ongoing enforcement.
Final Public Comments
- Dave Baldwood warned about Overton Power District’s proposed demand-based rate structure for residential customers, urging opposition.
- Nick Alfonsetti suggested motorcycle safety training programs for e-bike riders.
- Jeff Reynolds reiterated the need for enforcement of e-bike laws, especially for children.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- CUP-25-006 (EV station) approved unanimously.
- TM-25-008 (Suntero Phase 4) approved unanimously.
- Bid award to Trade West Construction ($3,055,548.28) for roadway improvements approved unanimously.
- MPAC piano relocation approved (vote: 4 in favor? need exact – but passed).
- CUP-25-005 (Lolita Lane) approved with six-foot privacy fence condition (vote: passed).
- CUP-25-004 (Santa Fe Drive) approved with conditions (fence, bunk bed removal, RV hookup removal) (vote: 3-2? Councilman Parrish and Ennis voted no? Wait, transcript says
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. And welcome to the Tuesday, November 18th, uh 2025, regular city council meeting minute. Regular City Council meeting. We're going to start with an invocation by Pastor Craig Jansen of the River Valley Bible Church. Thank you. Let's pray. Father in heaven, I am very grateful for uh the city of Musquite. And while I understand that no city goes without its unity, Lord, I'm grateful for the peacefulness of this place that we live. I'm grateful for those who keep our city clean and safe for a mayor and council that sees fit to invoke your name, your wisdom, your goodness for the city. And I ask for that wisdom tonight. That uh any decisions that would need to be made would be made in accord with uh your desires, that our city would desire to be to be and abide uh by you and and bring you honor, and we thank you for being a good and gracious God, and it is in Jesus' name I pray, amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. And can we all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all right. We have a few ceremonial matters matters to get out of the way. Um first of all, uh Chief Andrus, could you please come forward? Good evening, Mayor Whipple, members of the city council, members of the public. Really quick, I want to just take a few minutes and highlight our EMT basic course students that uh the City of Musquite, Musquete Fire Rescue, and uh College of Southern Nevada have been have created a partnership on. We want to thank CSN for their contributions and all they've done for this course. Darlene Montague, who uh retired on Friday, uh was a big part of this. Chantel McAllister uh is is picking up where she's left off and helping us move forward. So we want to thank Chantelles who's sitting in the back as well. Really quick, I would just ask that we uh want again recognize these EMT students as I read their name. I'd ask that they stand up and face the crowd, please. Go ahead. So as they prepare, uh this is a nine college credit course. They started in August, August 28th. They complete this course on December 11th. They've been at station three every Tuesday and Thursday night from 5 to 10 p.m. Uh to complete this course. And so uh they'll complete this course on December 11th, a few days before our next city council meeting. So, really quick, just wanted to recognize them for their outstanding effort and achievement. We've got 12 with us uh and eighteen started the course, and so uh not everyone has finished it, but we're proud of these individuals who have completed it. Really quick, Kean Abbott, uh Dominic Costa, Maggie Doyle, Fabian Escobito, uh Uriel Gonzalez, Wyatt Hafen, Marco Juezo, Kay Litzenberger, Keely Moore, Emmanuel Plancarte, Daniel Ramirez, and Misael Rodriguez. We just want to again uh recognize them for the outstanding work as they uh uh prepare to take this EMT, go into the military law enforcement. We hope they all become firefighters, but that may not uh occur. Uh there's a lot of ways and avenues that they can use this education uh moving forward, and we're proud to offer this with CSN here in Mesquite. So thank you. Uh Mayor, I would make a huge mistake if I didn't think our instructors, Huck Ton, Eric Brinkerhoff, and Kennedy Alexander down at the end. This would not be possible without you. Thank you, Chief. They gotta go to class. Get out of here, you guys. Um, Judy Cole, could you please come forward? Cole White. Sorry, Cole White. Judy.
openpublica.com