Regular City Council Meeting – April 28, 2026

The Mesquite City Council met on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial items, public comments, consent agenda approvals, a discussion on short-term rental (STR) regulations, a presentation on city funds, a report on the police contract impasse, adoption of an ordinance amending hours for a cannabis dispensary, approval of a tentative map, and a liquor license approval. No minutes were available; the summary is derived from the agenda and transcript.

Consent Calendar

• March 25, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes, April 7, 2026 Technical Review Meeting Minutes, and April 28, 2026 Agenda – Approved unanimously (Mayor recused, Councilwoman Gallo excused via phone).
• Notification of Bills Paid and Purchase Orders – Approved as part of the consent agenda.
• Resolution No. R26-011 (Supplemental No. 7 to Interlocal Contract 1350 with RTC for traffic signal software) – Approved.
• Resolution No. R26-012 (Interlocal Contract 3266 with RTC for Sawtooth Roadway Project) – Approved.
• Designation of gymnastics equipment at old high school gym campus for auction – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opening Public Comments (non-agenda items):

  • Mary Mathis (Mesquite Fine Arts Center) updated on upcoming events, including the student showcase reception and First Friday art walk.
  • Gary El Gordon praised the smooth road surface on Mesquite Boulevard and thanked the council for rejecting a proposed truck stop.
  • Nick Esposito questioned the cost of a lawsuit settlement and asked about plans to sue those responsible.
  • Rich Buller defended realtors against ethics complaints and urged respect for property rights regarding campaign signs.
  • Lindsay Piazza, a business owner, expressed support for the police department and urged fair pay increases.

• Public Comments on STR Regulations (Item 3.1):

  • Sherry Hollandback, a committee member, urged the council to honor the committee's recommendations without further delay, noting the committee's thorough fact-finding.
  • Dominic Olivetto proposed zoning new areas for STRs and suggested requiring 60% neighborhood approval for new STRs.
  • Rick McIntyre argued that distancing would likely be struck down by courts, citing constitutional protections for homeowners.
  • Nick Esposito raised concerns about zoning changes and the proliferation of STRs in single-family neighborhoods.
  • Doug Reath, a rental property owner, supported the committee's communication-focused solution and noted pending lawsuits on distancing.
  • Jacqueline Flores (Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association) urged tabling the ordinance, citing ongoing lawsuits and injunctions against Clark County and the state.
  • Doug Reath (second appearance) clarified that the committee's recommendations were a good starting point.

• Public Comments on Police Contract (Item 3.4):

  • David Baldwin criticized the use of an out-of-state attorney and urged settling the contract locally.
  • Donna Vanita echoed concerns about the attorney and emphasized the officers' dedication.
  • Andrew Reaganbaum (NAPSO) noted the fact finder wrote a 27-page decision that was not included in the agenda packet, and urged a vote on the recommendations.
  • Jason Brown, a police officer, said he left a larger department due to defunding and hoped Mesquite would not follow that trend.
  • Del Slosser (MPOA president) reminded that the fact finder did not rule in favor of the union on all items, and urged valuing the officers.
  • Ian McComy, a sergeant, highlighted wage disparities and recruitment challenges.
  • Several other residents (Dave Price, Jackie Bolkley, Claire, and others) spoke in strong support of the police and fair wages.

Discussion Items

• Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations (Item 3.1):

  • The STR committee, led by Jeslin McNamara, presented recommendations including: eliminating unlimited children (16 guests max), increasing guests per bedroom, requiring a qualified local operator (QLO) available 24/7 with 60-minute response, requiring neighborhood notice within 100 feet, and stricter fines. The committee did not include a distance requirement, leaving it to council.
  • Staff (Simon Kim) recommended removing the economic purpose language (F and G) from the ordinance, requiring a 660-foot spacing between STRs, and removing the phrase "addressed and/or" from the QLO response requirement. Staff argued that STRs are commercial uses and distancing is justified to prevent clustering.
  • Council members expressed confusion and diverging views. Councilman Wallace supported the committee's work. Councilman Parrish said the council was not ready to vote and called for a special meeting. Councilman Ennis opposed the commercial characterization and noted existing STRs should be grandfathered. Councilwoman Fielding questioned staff's authority to contradict the committee. Mayor Whipple clarified that the original intent of STRs (owner-occupied) had evolved into investor-owned businesses.
  • Outcome: Council voted to hold a special meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM to continue discussion. No formal action was taken on the recommendations.

• Presentation on City Funds (Item 3.3):

  • Finance Director Bryce presented an overview of fund accounting, explaining that a $25 million increase in net position was largely due to capital assets, not cash. He outlined the general fund budget and restrictions on fund usage. Council accepted the presentation unanimously.

• City Manager’s Report on Police Contract Impasse (Item 3.4):

  • Labor attorney Paul Denham presented the fact-finder’s recommendations: a 7.65% wage increase (MPOA’s final offer) vs. the city’s 3.3% offer. The fiscal impact of the union’s proposal was $899,619.43 (including PERS), while the city’s proposal was $644,019.71. The difference was $255,427.72. The fact finder also recommended increasing union representatives from 4 to 6, adding bilingual pay ($35/pay period), and increasing canine pay from $125 to $250 per pay period (cost increase of $3,250). The city had offered a settlement after the fact-finding, but the union declined and made no counteroffer.
  • Council took no vote; the item died for lack of a motion. Multiple public comments criticized the use of an out-of-state attorney and supported the fact-finder’s recommendations.

• Adoption of Ordinance B26-002 (Deep Roots Harvest Hours) (Item 5.1):

  • Staff recommended extending hours of operation from 8 a.m.–9 p.m. to 8 a.m.–11 p.m. for the cannabis dispensary, citing no public safety concerns from police and regional consistency. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.

• Approval of Tentative Map TM-26-001 (Suntero Phase 4 Sub 8) (Item 6.1):

  • The applicant reduced the subdivision from 25.49 acres and 75 lots to 14.49 acres and 46 lots. Staff recommended approval, and the council approved unanimously.

• Restaurant with Bar Liquor License for Vinny’s Little Italy (Item 6.2, moved earlier):

  • Vinny’s Little Italy, located at 31 E. Mesquite Blvd., met all requirements for a restaurant with bar liquor license. Council approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved unanimously (Mayor recused, Councilwoman Gallo excused).
• Vinny’s Little Italy Liquor License – Approved.
• STR Regulations – No final action; special meeting scheduled for May 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
• City Funds Presentation – Accepted.
• Police Contract – No vote taken; item died for lack of motion. The council did not accept or reject the fact-finder’s recommendations.
• Ordinance B26-002 – Adopted, extending Deep Roots Harvest hours to 11 p.m.
• Tentative Map TM-26-001 – Approved, allowing 46 lots on 14.49 acres.
• Proclamation – Declared May 2026 as Building Safety Month.
• Mayor’s Announcement – Bethany Green named Grand Marshal for the Mesquite Days Parade on Saturday.