Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Reno public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Valley Wood Drainage Restoration Project
Reno's drainage restoration project in the Valley Wood area is moving forward — a project aimed at improving stormwater drainage for that neighborhood.
FY27 stormwater program budget increase
The committee is poised to approve about $45,500 in invoices for stormwater monitoring and watershed assessments in FY2027, mostly reimbursed through the Water Management Fund and NDOT. This funding keeps tabs on water quality in local creeks and the Truckee River.
Plumb Farmhouse historic designation
A 0.39-acre single-family property at 1895 West Plumb Lane would get a Historic Landmark overlay on top of its existing SF-3 zoning, recognizing and protecting its historic character. The City Council is expected to take it up December 9.
Park District Framework
The department is laying out a framework for park districts and what comes next. This could shape how Reno parks are organized and funded in the future.
Pembroke Final Design
The board gets a look at the final design for the Pembroke park project. Design decisions made now will define what the finished park offers neighbors.
Parks and Recreation Department FY26 Financial Performance
The board reviews how many people used Reno parks and rec programs last fiscal year, plus how the department's budget is tracking in the first quarter of FY27. The numbers show which facilities and programs residents rely on most.
New Community Services Coordinator classification
The city is creating a new job class that supervises staff and coordinates constituent services and community engagement programs. Approving its minimum qualifications is a step toward filling the role and shaping how residents access city services.
2027 Arts & Culture Event and Project Grants
Up to $180,000 in city grant funding will be recommended for community arts and culture events across 2027 — everything from a quilt show and barbershop music to Dia de Muertos celebrations and ballet performances. The board will rank applicants and pass recommendations on to City Council.
Telephone Franchise Fee Audit Results
The board hears the results of an audit of telephone franchise fees — money telecom companies pay the city for use of public rights-of-way — plus updates on audits in progress.
Property Tax Structure and Distribution Overview
A presentation on how property taxes work, how they're structured, and how the money gets distributed. Informational only — no action, but useful context for residents watching where their tax dollars go.
Section 106 Federal Preservation Regulations Update
An update on proposed changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the federal review process that protects historic properties when federally funded or permitted projects affect them.
City Debt Position and Obligations
An update on how much debt the city is carrying. Debt levels shape what Reno can afford to borrow for roads, facilities, and other capital projects.
Residential deviation requests in Ward 5
Two homeowner deviation requests — a large garage addition and a six-foot front fence — will be previewed. They're small in scale but set precedents for what neighbors can build in single-family zones.
West 4th Street Roundabout Public Art Project
The City is commissioning public art for the West 4th Street roundabout, and three finalists — Barry Crawford, Gordon Huether, and Sean Orlando — are pitching their designs. The Task Force's artist recommendation is a key step in deciding what drivers and neighbors will see at this gateway intersection for years to come.
Proposed RPD / Washoe County Sheriff merger
A board member argues Reno and Washoe County should explore merging police agencies into one metro department under NRS Chapter 280, pointing to dozens of RPD vacancies and rising calls for service. It's a discussion-level idea for now, not a formal proposal.
Corner Lot Fence Height Deviations and Neighborhood Visibility
A homeowner at 931 Gordon Avenue wants a six-foot fence in a front yard where only four feet is allowed. Small on its face, but major deviations like this set the tone for neighborhood character.
Seneca Drive Warehouse Opposition (written comment)
Horizon Hills residents submitted written comments opposing warehouses, including a data center, planned near Peavine Mountain, citing impacts on quiet, air quality, wildlife, and frog ponds that feed Swan Lake.
Sutro Street rezone for Hillside Foursquare Church site
About 6.8 acres off Sutro Street currently zoned for single-family homes could be rezoned to mixed-use suburban, opening the door to denser development near US 395.
Redevelopment Agency consultant spending
The Agency plans to spend up to $1.8 million over three years on four consulting firms for analysis, underwriting, advisory, and financial work tied to redevelopment projects. This shapes which downtown projects get vetted and how redevelopment dollars are spent.
Martinez Landscaping Patent Easement Abandonment
A public hearing on abandoning about 14,500 square feet of roadway and utility easement at the north end of Koenig Road in Ward 4.
Public Art Master Plan Progress
Board members will discuss the ongoing implementation and overview of the Public Art Master Plan to integrate more artistic elements into Reno's public spaces.
Voting Machine Integrity
Reno's voting machines are officially in top shape, with local officials confirming everything is calibrated and printing properly. You can head to the polls knowing your vote will count without any technical headaches.
Shared Micromobility Safety and Bird Scooter Operations
Bird Scooters was scheduled to present on speed restrictions, geofencing, and safety commitments. improperly parked scooters on sidewalks are a recurring obstacle for blind and mobility-impaired pedestrians.
BRAIN Nevada Disability Support Programs
BRAIN Nevada was scheduled to present its programs and resources for people with brain injuries, neurological conditions, and disabilities, and their families — connecting the disability community with available support services.
Massage Parlor Regulations
Reno is hosting a public workshop to shake up the rules for local massage parlors, giving residents and business owners a chance to have their say. If you live or work in town, these upcoming changes could directly impact how these businesses operate near you.
2027 Western Lights Festival Call for Artists
The board is considering the call for artists for the 2027 Western Lights Festival with a budget of up to $35,000 to support community light installations.
Kengott Residence and Detached Garage/ADU Project
The Thornhill ADU case reopened the question of how the city treats accessory dwelling units and private CC&Rs the city does not enforce. Commissioner Williams warned that approving deviations when there's 'nobody behind' a property sets a risky precedent.
Development Review Training and Public Engagement
The city reviewed how it engages residents — 700+ touchpoints last summer — and is rolling out a new engagement framework. The board was asked for input before the plan is finalized.
Judicial Election
Trying to figure out your ballot for the Reno Municipal Court race? Check out our quick Q&A with candidates Angie Gianoli and Jenny Hubach to see where they stand on the issues.
Financial Advisory Board Vacancies and Appointments
The board reviewed applicants to fill a vacant seat and recommended Shelby Harvey to the City Council.
Wingfield and Barbara Bennett Parks Master Plan
The adopted plan would realign the road through Barbara Bennett Park, flip the Wingfield amphitheater to face east, and add shade and a festival-scale connection between the three downtown parks — at an engineering estimate of $12 million and climbing. One board member questioned whether park improvements belong in RDA's mission at all.
Bear Management and Wildlife Interactions in Neighborhoods
Council Member Duerr's rebate program drew over 270 applications; NDOW explained that 90% of bear calls involve unsecured trash and about 700 of Nevada's 800 bears live in the Reno area.
Waste Disposal
Reno is hosting a free drop-off event this weekend for old electronics and hazardous waste like paint. It's an easy way to clean out your garage and keep toxic junk out of local landfills.
Arts & Culture Advisory Board Appointments
The board evaluated applications to fill a required architect or designer seat and recommended Danielle Dolan to City Council.
Wildfire and Growth Management
Reno's booming growth is colliding with the reality of increasing wildfires, forcing city leaders to seriously rethink how much more development the area can safely handle. As flames threaten expanding neighborhoods, the city has to figure out how to balance its booming economy with the safety of its residents.
Wildfire Evacuations
Good news for some Reno folks as Hawk Fire evacuations start lifting, but thousands remain on edge while crews fight the blaze. If you're in the area, you'll want to keep an eye on local alerts since the danger isn't fully in the rear-view mirror yet.
Wildfire Response
The fast-moving Hawk wildfire in Reno is currently sitting at 27% containment as local crews fight to get it under control. If you're in the area, keep a close eye on your phone for sudden evacuation alerts.
Idlewild Park Arboretum Designation
The commission evaluated the operational status and upkeep needs of the Idlewild arboretum to ensure healthy public green spaces.
Santerra-Quilici Water Storage Tanks
Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) received approval to relocate two 400,000-gallon water storage tanks to a more feasible hillside location to serve the approved Santerra-Quilici Ranch subdivision. The review addressed hillside grading, cuts and fills, and seismic safety standards.
Wilkinson Park Mural Public Art Project
A new public art project is coming to McAlinden/Mayors Park, with community input being gathered through a survey.
Fiscal Year 2027 Investment Policy Updates
The Financial Advisory Board reviewed proposed updates to Reno's investment policy aimed at aligning with state code. The board chose to postpone any formal recommendation to staff until their next meeting to allow for further review.
Historical Resources Commission Vacancy Appointment
The commission reviewed twelve candidates to fill an open seat on the Historical Resources Commission, ultimately recommending Brett Banks and naming Cory Munson as an alternate.
Emergency UPS repair and capital vs. operating cost responsibility
A failed power supply knocked out scoreboard and audio controls right before a tournament, costing $25,060 to fix. The committee paid RSCVA back but wants answers on where the capital-versus-maintenance line falls under the Downtown Event Center operating agreement.
HOME Project Monitoring and Compliance
Staff reviewed compliance monitoring for local housing projects, noting that most projects are meeting standards while a few transitional housing providers receive extra support.
Operations staffing shortages at TMWRF
The plant is down seven operations positions after recent vacancies and a retirement, but got approval to over-hire so eight new employees should be on board by early September.
NPDES discharge compliance
Staff presented charts showing how the plant is tracking against its Nevada-issued permit limits for nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved solids — the numbers that protect the Truckee River.
Accessible parks and recreation programs
Parks and Rec was scheduled to present its accessibility initiatives and programs, which shape whether residents of all abilities can participate in city recreation.
Regional Partner Infrastructure and Capacity Updates
NV Energy lost 15 employees including both engineers in six months, and TMWA lost two planning engineers to retirement. Those outside reviews can slow your building projects even when the city's own review is quick.
Surveillance Technology
Reno is catching heat from locals over the new AI license plate readers and security cameras popping up everywhere. If you value your digital privacy and hate the idea of your daily drive being tracked, you'll want to pay attention to this.
Youth City Council Annual Report and Operations
The council is drafting its annual report of accomplishments and initiatives to send to the Reno City Council. Members shared ideas but haven't approved a final version.