The North Las Vegas City Council and Redevelopment Agency held a joint meeting on August 6, 2025, at City Hall. The meeting included presentations, recognition of community partners, public comments on a proposed camping ordinance, approval of a major interlocal agreement for a Nevada State University downtown campus, and a zoning change for Delta Academy. Key actions included unanimous approval of the university partnership, adoption of Ordinance 328 restricting public camping, and approval of the Delta Academy expansion. Consent Calendar - Redevelopment Agency: Approved the consent agenda consisting of two items (items not specified in transcript) without discussion. - City Council: Approved the consent agenda consisting of items 6 through 21 (specific items not enumerated) without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Opposition to Ordinance 328 (Camping Prohibition): Six speakers addressed the council during the first public forum: - Kaylee Mace (ACLU of Nevada): Argued the ordinance criminalizes homelessness, raises due process and equal protection concerns, and exposes the city to legal liabilities. - Esther Wu: Shared a personal story of a close friend who overcame homelessness and teenage motherhood to become a Harvard graduate and nonprofit CEO; stated the ordinance would have villainized her. - Isabella Haddad: Said the ordinance does not address root causes and urged focus on outreach and resources rather than misdemeanors. - Crystal Steinbeck (President, Southern Nevada Chapter 5051): Urged the council to consult nonprofits and not pass the ordinance, emphasizing boots-on-the-ground knowledge. - Samar Jolly (Next Gen Politics Nevada): Cited statistics (about 10% shelter bed availability, 7 supportive housing openings per month) arguing the ordinance's promise of connecting to shelter is hollow. - Savannah Hodges: Argued that arrest for sleeping is inevitable under the ordinance, given rising rents and stagnant wages; questioned why low-income residents should fear arrest for being unable to afford housing. - Delta Academy Public Hearing: One comment card in opposition and three in support were received; no speakers appeared in person. The council closed the hearing and approved the item. Discussion Items - Recognition and Presentations: - Business of the Month (Summit Tavern): Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black presented a certificate to the family-owned smoke-free tavern, located at 7960 North Decatur, for community involvement and support of organizations like St. Jude's Ranch, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Safe Nest, and Ronald McDonald House. - Swift Water Rescue Recognition: Six North Las Vegas Police officers and a dispatcher were recognized for rescuing a woman who was swept eight miles through a flood channel on July 18, 2025. Sergeant Justin Miller described the multi-agency effort involving stop sticks and hobbles to pull her to safety. - Councilmember Reports: - Councilman Churchill: Attended a veterans roundtable with Congressman Horsford on July 28; held a back-to-school giveaway at Skyview that had lower turnout due to competing events; acknowledged firefighters responding to a fatal fire on North Fifth Street. - Councilwoman Garcia Anderson: Attended a quarterly community meeting at Alexander Library on July 22; spoke at the groundbreaking of Joseph Neal Apartments (192-unit affordable senior housing, completion expected end of 2026); reported a back-to-school health screening event at Dolores Huerta Resource Center on July 31 (20 sports physicals, 15 vaccinations, 52 vision tests); highlighted HOME Team assistance to a family facing eviction, securing emergency housing within 24 hours via Clark County's family non-congregate shelter program. - Mayor Pro Tem Black: Co-hosted a back-to-school event at Silver Mesa Rec Center with Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, serving 900 snow cones; recognized Parks and Rec staff. - Redevelopment Agency: Interlocal Agreement with Nevada State University (NSU): - Economic Development Director Terry Sheridan introduced the item, noting Mayor Goines Brown teased the idea at the State of the City in April. The agreement provides a partial rent subsidy not to exceed $7,528,222 for a 30,000-square-foot, three-story campus in downtown North Las Vegas. - Dr. Amber Lopez Lasseter (NSU Chief Officer) presented: 21% of NSU's students live within five miles of the proposed location; the campus will remove commuting barriers (currently a 20-mile drive from North Las Vegas to Henderson) and offer career-aligned programs with customized curriculum; the $7.5M RDA investment leverages $2.5M from the state legislature and additional philanthropic funds from NV Energy; projected enrollment growth; timeline includes Board of Regents action in September 2025. - Council members expressed strong support, calling it a "game changer" and an investment in the community's future. Motion to approve passed unanimously. - Public Hearing: Delta Academy Expansion (AMP-04-2025 & ZN06-2025): - Applicant Lexa Green presented a comprehensive plan amendment and zone change (M2 to Public Semi-Public) for 2.21± acres adjacent to the existing Delta Academy at Brooks Avenue and Revere Street. The expansion will add facilities and amenities for the student body. A neighborhood meeting showed support from nearby residents. Construction is planned in three phases starting mid-October 2025, with a drop-off/pickup plan during construction. Council approved both items unanimously. - Ordinance 328 (Camping Prohibition): - Homeless Services Manager Jason Lilly presented the home team's proactive outreach approach: 779 persons enrolled in street outreach program; 99 enrolled in emergency shelter; 87% success rate for individuals, 93% for families; 27 completed substance/behavioral treatment and transitioned to permanent housing; coordination with COP team, Care Court, and community correctional center. - Council discussion: Councilwoman Garcia Anderson emphasized the ordinance is about public safety and connecting people to services, not punishment. Councilman Churchill acknowledged speakers' concerns but stressed the need for balanced approach; referenced contribution to the "Campus for Hope" project. Mayor Pro Tem Black repeated the importance of outreach and balanced approach, noting one-in-four homeless persons engaged by HOME Team are helped off the street that day. - Motion to approve Ordinance 328 passed (vote tally not specified but implied unanimous). Key Outcomes - Redevelopment Agency: Unanimously approved the interlocal agreement with Nevada State University for a partial rent subsidy up to $7,528,222 for a downtown campus. - City Council – Delta Academy: Unanimously approved: - AMP-04-2025: Comprehensive plan amendment to change land use designation from mixed-use employment to public semi-public for the expansion site. - ZN06-2025 / Ordinance 3250: Zone change from M2 General Industrial to Public Semi-Public for 2.21± acres. - Ordinance 328 (Camping Prohibition): Adopted (final action), adding a new chapter to Title VIII of the municipal code prohibiting encampments, camping, lodging, and similar activities on public rights-of-way and other public areas. - City Manager’s Report: Noted: - 8 veterans graduated from the Care Veterans Treatment Court, bringing total to 39 graduates. - Alexander Dennis opened the only double-decker bus manufacturing facility in North America in North Las Vegas. - Back-to-school giveaway scheduled for August 9, 2025, at the Neighborhood Rec Center. - Ride the Wave pool party at Silver Mesa drew hundreds of residents.