OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mesquite City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

City Council & Committees — Tuesday, April 14, 2026
BodyMesquite, Nevada
SessionCity Council & Committees
DateTuesday, April 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:47:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

All right, good evening, everyone.

0:02

Um, welcome to the Tuesday, April 14th uh City Council meeting for the uh City Mesquite 2026.

0:10

Um, we're gonna start off with an invocation by Father I do it wrong, Joe G of the La Virgin de Guadalupe is Guadalupe or Guadalupe Guadalupe Catholic Church.

0:22

Thanks, Father.

0:25

Let us pray.

0:27

Faithful and loving God, we come before you today with grateful of the opportunity to gather as a community dedicated to service.

0:37

We thank you for our city for the work that sustain our city, and for the shared vision that guides its future.

0:46

We ask your blessings upon our mayor, all the city council members, as they lead, grant them wisdom to make thoughtful decisions, hearts that attend to every voice, and the courage to choose what is right and just we remember all those who work for the good of our city, our first responders, officers, city employees, and all those who quietly serve behind the scenes, keep them safe and strengthen them in their duties.

1:18

We lift up every resident of our community that our home may be filled with peace, our streets with safety, and our relationships with kindness and respect.

1:32

As this meeting begins, guide every discussions and understanding, every decisions with fairness, and every action with a desire to build our city and remain united in our care for the common good.

1:49

May our city continues to grow in hope, to stand strength in challenges, and share us a place of opportunity and compassion for all.

2:09

In your holy name, amen.

2:12

Thank you, Father.

2:20

Pledge.

2:26

And to the Republic for which it stands.

2:30

One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:40

Thank you.

2:40

Um we are gonna start off with opening public comment.

2:44

Um, this comment period is for things that are not on the agenda.

2:47

I realize a lot of you are probably here for a certain item or two.

2:51

So if that's what you're gonna comment on, you'll just need to wait until that comes up on the agenda.

2:56

But this will be just general things, anything that's not on the agenda.

2:59

So please come forward.

3:00

You have three minutes.

3:08

Good evening, Mayor and Council.

3:11

My name is Judy Harman, and I wanted to speak on a little known program.

3:17

It's the respite program through the Mesquite Senior Center.

3:22

I've mentioned this program to people, and I'm very surprised just how many are not aware of the program and not familiar exactly what it is.

3:32

But this should be an important program in our community.

3:37

The respite program gives caregivers some much needed time and relief to refuel and attend to their own personal needs.

3:46

Caregiving can be very, very isolating and exhausting.

3:52

The respite program is available three days a week for approximately three hours each day.

4:00

This also gives the participants some very valuable time in a new environment.

4:09

They participate in many activities like drumming, chair exercises, crafts, and most important, much needed socialization, which helps keep their minds and bodies stimulated.

4:26

Also, the program serves a very nutritious lunch to the participants and caregivers are always invited.

4:36

As our city continues to grow, so does the respite program.

4:42

Much needed larger space and facilities will also become an issue, something that is already being felt at this time.

4:54

The respite program is a form of city responsibility.

5:00

It reflects on our community choosing to support one another, not only when it becomes a personal need.

5:06

Please, this program needs the support of our council and our city.

5:12

Thank you for your attention, and please stop by some time for lunch or to see how what the program's like.

5:19

Thank you.

5:20

Thank you, Judy.

5:23

Mayor and City Council, I'm Kathy Chatlin, and I'm going to give a more personal talk about the senior center.

5:31

First of all, I want to thank the city for having the respite senior day program in Mesquite.

5:35

I have personal experience with the program because my husband participated for three years before he passed away last year.

5:42

The respite senior day program gave me peace of mind knowing he was in a safe environment.

5:48

It gave me relief from the stress of being a caregiver and the opportunity to keep myself healthy both physically and mentally.

5:55

The activities the program provides gave him the opportunity to socialize with others, stay active with exercise, and use his cognitive skills with games and memory activities.

6:07

He looked forward to going to the senior center and made new friends there.

6:11

His favorite activity was the drumming class.

6:13

He loved the music, and he'd often sing along with Chrissy.

6:16

The projects and crafts he completed with the group were very important to me, and I saved every one of them.

6:22

I showed shared them with my children and my great grandchildren, especially they looked uh looked, enjoyed looking at them.

6:29

He always came home with a smile on his face.

6:32

We have a large and growing senior population, and many of them will or are struggling to care for their loved one.

6:40

There's a growing need for this very important program in our community.

6:45

We would like to invite you to come to the senior center, see the respite senior day program, and see what a wonderful program it is that we have it in this community.

6:56

You should all be proud and know, and who knows, someday you may need the help.

7:01

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety██████████████████18%
Historic Preservation███████████████15%
Economic Development█████████9%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Procedural████████8%
Zoning████████8%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Pending Litigation██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Mesquite City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Mesquite City Council met on April 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of items including approval of consent agenda, a quarterly transit report, a presentation on historic building restoration, budget approval, a proposed QuikTrip development (which died for lack of motion), an extension for a senior affordable housing project, and settlement of litigation with the former police chief.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (minutes, bills paid, purchase orders, and Resolution R26-009 for an ITS Master Plan interlocal contract) unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Judy Harman spoke in support of the respite program at the Mesquite Senior Center, emphasizing caregiver relief and the program's need for larger space.
  • Kathy Chatlin shared personal experience with the respite program, noting its positive impact on her late husband and urging council support.
  • Karen Miskimmons (Mesquite Public Arts Commission) updated on the Poet Laureate program, the Iron Cactus unveiling, and a roundabout art project at Wingate.
  • Ronald Shackleford raised concerns about roundabout striping on Oasis Boulevard and fire station signage.
  • Donna Vanita promoted the 5th Annual Spring Festival.
  • Nick Alfonsetti asked about ethics commission findings and a full-time city attorney.
  • During QuikTrip public hearings, many residents (e.g., Amy Bauken, Bob Peterson, Winter Delamar, Dominic Olivetto, Lance Parker) opposed the project due to roundabout safety, traffic, noise, and lack of need. John Swanson and Jeff Hoyt spoke in favor, citing the company's quality and need for business. Steve Bailey, Ray Harkey, Jaron Pay also expressed opposition.
  • During the Falcon Ridge extension discussion, Dominic Olivetto questioned whether the affordable housing would benefit local residents; Rick McIntyre argued the land could be sold for more commercial value (approx. $3 million) rather than a 90% discount.
  • On the settlement, Ron Shackleford criticized the delay in settling, noting the cost grew from $345,000 to $1.425 million.

Discussion Items

  • Southern Nevada Transit Coalition Quarterly Report (3.1): Executive Director Mike Jackson reported ridership changes (-14.6% fixed route, + paratransit and Vegas Express). A free fare sponsorship program starts May 1 for three months, funded by sponsors including Three Bears Air Conditioning, Desert Pain Specialist, Eureka Casinos, Juniper Outpost, and Reliance Connect. Council accepted the report.
  • Rock House and Relief Society House Presentation (3.2): David Anderson presented historical context and restoration needs for the two historic buildings (built 1880). Staff identified phased funding: $150,000 reserved in city budget, with potential state grants ($75,000 per phase, up to 4 phases, no landscaping). Council directed staff to focus on the Relief Society House first, obtain bids for inside and outside, and plan to use RDA funds. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Mayor's Comments and Council Reports (4.1-4.2): Mayor reminded of Mesquite Days (April 29 family night, May 2 parade). Councilwoman Fielding announced an ethics complaint against her was dismissed by the Nevada Commission on Ethics, clarifying she can vote on land deals but will abstain if a conflict arises.
  • Introduction of Bill B26-002 (5.1): Staff recommended extending Deep Roots Harvest hours from 9 PM to 11 PM, consistent with regional allowances and no police safety concerns. Council introduced the bill and set a public hearing for April 28, 2026. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Interlocal Agreement for Breaching System (6.1): Police Chief explained the purchase of a steel training door for emergency forcible entry, funded by a JAG grant. Council approved the agreement unanimously.
  • Tentative Budget FY 2026-2027 (6.2): Staff presented the tentative budget for approval by April 15 deadline. Councilwoman Gallo requested clearer departmental breakdowns for the final budget. Council approved the tentative budget (with Councilwoman Gallo voting yes, noting it is tentative).
  • QuikTrip Zone Change (6.3): Staff recommended approval of rezoning 1.41 acres from RE-3 to HT for a convenience store with fuel. Council members (Wallace, Fielding, Ennis, Gallo, Parrish) expressed opposition based on roundabout safety, traffic concerns, and proximity to residential areas. The applicant spoke to the project, but after public comment the item died for lack of motion (5-0 informal no).
  • QuikTrip Conditional Use Permit (6.4): Also died for lack of motion.
  • QuikTrip Sign Variance and CUP (6.5): Died for lack of motion.
  • Falcon Ridge Parkway Property Extension (6.6): Applicant Dan D'Francesco requested a one-year extension to close escrow for a 50-unit senior affordable housing project (first phase of up to 150 units) due to not receiving tax credits. Council discussed value vs. need. Motion to extend closing to March 2027 passed 4-1 (Parrish opposed, citing density concerns).
  • Settlement of Chesley v. City of Mesquite (6.7): City Attorney requested approval of a $1,425,000 settlement for three state cases and an EEOC claim, with all amounts paid by insurance. Councilwoman Gallo noted the case could have been settled for $345,000 earlier. Council approved the settlement (5-0) with caution on comments due to pending litigation.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously.
  • Southern Nevada Transit Coalition report accepted.
  • Direction to staff: prioritize Relief Society House restoration, obtain inside/outside bids, use RDA funds.
  • Bill B26-002 introduced (public hearing April 28, 2026).
  • Interlocal agreement for breaching system approved.
  • Tentative budget for FY 2026-2027 approved (submitted to Department of Taxation).
  • QuikTrip items (zone change, CUP, sign variance) all died for lack of motion.
  • Extension for Falcon Ridge senior housing closed to March 2027 approved (4-1).
  • Settlement of Chesley litigation approved (5-0), contingent on final settlement agreement or court order.
  • Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified].

Meeting Transcript

All right, good evening, everyone. Um, welcome to the Tuesday, April 14th uh City Council meeting for the uh City Mesquite 2026. Um, we're gonna start off with an invocation by Father I do it wrong, Joe G of the La Virgin de Guadalupe is Guadalupe or Guadalupe Guadalupe Catholic Church. Thanks, Father. Let us pray. Faithful and loving God, we come before you today with grateful of the opportunity to gather as a community dedicated to service. We thank you for our city for the work that sustain our city, and for the shared vision that guides its future. We ask your blessings upon our mayor, all the city council members, as they lead, grant them wisdom to make thoughtful decisions, hearts that attend to every voice, and the courage to choose what is right and just we remember all those who work for the good of our city, our first responders, officers, city employees, and all those who quietly serve behind the scenes, keep them safe and strengthen them in their duties. We lift up every resident of our community that our home may be filled with peace, our streets with safety, and our relationships with kindness and respect. As this meeting begins, guide every discussions and understanding, every decisions with fairness, and every action with a desire to build our city and remain united in our care for the common good. May our city continues to grow in hope, to stand strength in challenges, and share us a place of opportunity and compassion for all. In your holy name, amen. Thank you, Father. Pledge. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Um we are gonna start off with opening public comment. Um, this comment period is for things that are not on the agenda. I realize a lot of you are probably here for a certain item or two. So if that's what you're gonna comment on, you'll just need to wait until that comes up on the agenda. But this will be just general things, anything that's not on the agenda. So please come forward. You have three minutes. Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Judy Harman, and I wanted to speak on a little known program. It's the respite program through the Mesquite Senior Center. I've mentioned this program to people, and I'm very surprised just how many are not aware of the program and not familiar exactly what it is. But this should be an important program in our community. The respite program gives caregivers some much needed time and relief to refuel and attend to their own personal needs. Caregiving can be very, very isolating and exhausting. The respite program is available three days a week for approximately three hours each day. This also gives the participants some very valuable time in a new environment. They participate in many activities like drumming, chair exercises, crafts, and most important, much needed socialization, which helps keep their minds and bodies stimulated. Also, the program serves a very nutritious lunch to the participants and caregivers are always invited. As our city continues to grow, so does the respite program. Much needed larger space and facilities will also become an issue, something that is already being felt at this time. The respite program is a form of city responsibility. It reflects on our community choosing to support one another, not only when it becomes a personal need. Please, this program needs the support of our council and our city. Thank you for your attention, and please stop by some time for lunch or to see how what the program's like. Thank you. Thank you, Judy. Mayor and City Council, I'm Kathy Chatlin, and I'm going to give a more personal talk about the senior center. First of all, I want to thank the city for having the respite senior day program in Mesquite. I have personal experience with the program because my husband participated for three years before he passed away last year. The respite senior day program gave me peace of mind knowing he was in a safe environment. It gave me relief from the stress of being a caregiver and the opportunity to keep myself healthy both physically and mentally. The activities the program provides gave him the opportunity to socialize with others, stay active with exercise, and use his cognitive skills with games and memory activities. He looked forward to going to the senior center and made new friends there.

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