Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026
Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting – May 12, 2026
The Mesquite City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, approval of the consent agenda, introduction of two ordinances, extension of a short-term rental moratorium, and award of an airport road project. The Mayor was absent; Mayor Pro Tem presided.
Consent Calendar
- 2.1 – Approval of Minutes and Agenda: Minutes from March 10, 2026, March 24, 2026, and April 21, 2026 Technical Review Meeting, and the May 12, 2026 agenda were approved unanimously.
- 2.2 – Bills Paid and Purchase Orders: Notifications of bills paid and purchase orders were approved.
- 2.3 – CEAB Budget Proposals for FY 26/27: The CEAB budget proposals for fiscal year 2026-2027 were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Donna (resident) spoke during initial public comment, recognizing National Police Week (May 10–16) and urging support for police officers.
- Bob Bradbury (resident) commented on a lawsuit against the former police chief, noting the incident occurred two years ago and questioning the timing after a $1.4 million settlement. He urged the council to focus forward.
- Gary El Gordon (resident) expressed disappointment with the extension of the senior low-income housing project, stating that only 10% of 50 units were reserved for locals and that the city was giving a multi-million dollar property for $100,000.
- Ronald Shackleford (resident) spoke against Ordinance B26-003, arguing that lowering standards for workforce housing would change neighborhood character and that projects should meet existing codes, not the other way around.
- Nick Elf and Suddy (resident) shared concerns about workforce housing affordability, noting that HUD projects in New York became vacant, and emphasized the need to define actual workforce pricing.
- Lenisa Baca (trade coordinator) asked about downtown development and airport projects, was directed to staff for follow-up.
- Rick McIntyre (resident) supported extending the short-term rental moratorium by 180 days to avoid gaps.
- Gary El Gordon (second comment) argued that 180 days is safer than a short extension because it expires automatically upon adoption of new regulations.
- John Rosen (resident) criticized the council for not addressing zoning enforcement for short-term rentals, stating the citizen advisory committee’s recommendation was ignored.
- Dominic Olivetto (resident) agreed with John Rosen, urging zoning enforcement rather than more rules, and warned of homeowner lawsuits.
- Bob Bradbury (second comment) suggested a temporary roadblock on Canyon Crest to prevent wrong-way driving after lane changes.
- John Rosen (second comment) praised the road improvements but criticized poor public communication about closures and lane changes.
Discussion Items
- Ordinance B26-003 – Affordable/Workforce Housing (Item 4.1): Simon (staff) presented the ordinance allowing flexible development standards (reduced park/open space, parking, setbacks) for projects with at least 20% affordable/workforce housing. Council members expressed strong opposition: Councilman Parrish called it reminiscent of failed projects; Councilman Wanless worried about removing parks for children; Councilwoman Gallo questioned the origin and fairness. The council voted to make no changes to the existing zoning code, effectively denying the ordinance. Motion by Councilman Wanless, seconded, passed with 4 ayes and 0 nays (Councilman Ennis voted no, but the motion was to leave code unchanged).
- Ordinance B26-004 – Downtown Design Standards and Facade Improvement Program (Item 4.2): Simon presented the ordinance to align parking, signs, and create a grant scoring system for the downtown central business district and Mesa area. Councilman Wanless supported it. Public comment was limited. The council voted to introduce the bill and set a public hearing for May 26, 2026. Motion by Councilman Parrish, seconded, passed unanimously.
- Resolution R26-014 – Extension of Short-Term Rental Moratorium (Item 5.1): Simon explained the extension of the moratorium on short-term rental applications for up to 180 days, which would expire upon adoption of new regulations. Debate ensued: Councilman Wanless argued it was unnecessary given the timeline; Councilman Parrish stressed the need to avoid a gap. Councilwoman Gallo favored a 30-day extension. After public comment, Councilman Parrish moved to extend 180 days, seconded by Councilwoman Gallo, and passed 3 ayes (Parrish, Gallo, Ennis) and 1 nay (Wanless).
- Bid Award – Mesquite Airport Reconstruct Airport Road (Item 5.2): Travis (staff) recommended awarding the contract to WRX Contracting for $375,378, with 95% FAA funding. The project involves a service road and parking area. Council approved unanimously. Motion by Councilwoman Gallo, seconded, passed.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved all items unanimously.
- Ordinance B26-003 (Affordable/Workforce Housing): Denied; council voted to keep existing zoning code unchanged (motion by Wanless, carried 4-0, with Ennis voting no meaning he opposed the motion to keep code unchanged? Actually transcript shows Ennis voted no on the motion to leave code unchanged, which is a no vote to not change, so the motion passed. The outcome is no change to code.)
- Ordinance B26-004 (Downtown Design Standards): Introduced by short title; public hearing set for May 26, 2026. Unanimous.
- Resolution R26-014 (STR Moratorium Extension): Extended by 180 days. Passed 3-1 (Wanless opposed).
- Airport Road Project: Bid awarded to WRX Contracting for $375,378. Unanimous.
- Next Steps: Short-term rental ordinance introduction scheduled for May 26, 2026; adoption targeted for June 9, 2026. The new Canyon Crest roadway opened; traffic pattern changes were communicated.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the Tuesday, May 12th City Council meeting. We are gonna start with the invocation from Pastor Dennis Lee from the Living Waters Fellowship. Would you bow your head with me, please? Heavenly Father, we just come today, this evening, and we are asking for your help. Just as I look at what's going on in our world, in our nation, even state and city, Lord God. Just seems that things are just falling apart. Lord, you're the only one that can hold them together. So, Lord, we come today, and I come today just asking you for your help. I sometimes think about what that Canaanite woman said to you after three times she came and worshipped you, and each time she says, Lord, help me. And you said, I've never found someone with such great faith. And so, Lord, we are asking for your help. And even thinking about that, Lord God, I think about what King David prayed when he said, Hear my prayer, O God. Give heed into my cry. For the ends of the earth I cry to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me and a tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent in your tabernacle forever. And so, Lord, that is what we ask tonight. Lord, I ask that you would be with the council tonight, Lord, that you would give them wisdom from above. That's supernatural wisdom that they're going to need to make the decisions that are necessary for our community, that we as a community can live in peace and prosperity. And so bless this evening. Bless everyone that is here. And this I ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Will you please stand for the Pledge Allegiance? Pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which we stand. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have a few presentations tonight, and I'd like to welcome up the Southern Nevada International to do a presentation. Your name and speak into the microphone. Thank you. Um, Benny Gonzalez. Um, thank you, Mayor. Um, my name is Benny Gonzalez. I am the chairperson for the public outreach of the Southern Nevada chapter of the International Cove Council. Our chapter is dedicated to public safety in the built environment. One of the many ways the chapter supports our Southern Nevada community through our public outreach community committee is through our uh toddler swim grant program. Um currently, every year, the program gives a total of 25,000 dollars in a grant money in grant money in nine cities, including the Southern Nevada Child Drowning Prevention Coalition to prevent childhood drownings through free swim lessons, pool safety and education. Every year, almost 500 children under the age of four, school-aged kids and families benefit from our toddler swim grant program. Our chapter would like to commend uh the city of Mesquite for the dedication and efforts in providing water safety awareness and prevention to our community. And on behalf of the Southern Nevada chapter of the International Cold Council, we would like to present you with a check for the amount of 2,500. If I could just say real quick, uh these guys have been coming for many years, uh, Betty, they're your code counsel. We appreciate the donation. It does help the rec center a lot with kids that are looking for swim lessons, help us give the opportunity to help the community as well. Uh and the safety is obviously the biggest part. So thank you very much. Uh, I do want to tell our staff, Nicole Justin, uh, appreciate everything they do at the Rec Center with the Aquatics Facility. Uh they do a great job, and triathlon is this week, so if you guys want some good entertainment, can watch the kids do the triathlon. So I appreciate it.
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