[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6077795,"mediaKeyId","2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06","parentId",2963169,"title","Long-running dispute over nightclub at 214 West Commercial Row draws neighborhood opposition; council hears testimony but takes no final vote","audioSeconds",855,"startMs",10695000,"endMs",11550000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06&start=10695&end=11550","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06/thumbnail_10695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077795/Nevada/Long-running-dispute-over-nightclub-at-214-West-Commercial-Row-draws-neighborhood-opposition-council-hears-testimony-but-takes-no-final-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077795-3861b30cdd429e8e1f5b82592d49f038/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749057&Signature=g3fnoHdbpnIwJ863O83LekeAohLv1tnWweuPcrUisyPrg2E2FqmM5xLpROT7oC4G5bxqUrNJioCnCWsWdQ6rW0fjMvu4tDkyaDhPxglkUpPQFqieqwlT4eMNuSmgyiABuwr7c3ZUr2gdhXNkFHRP~H-emSo479IXqS86Z~y6O7bz-MX7DIkvPwZ157dAfkXg00Kj21ymcXgxE6y5yh~3VipXOwb55-MlPT0-83-RvLlzMi~v8qGTlwDhPsb7RAKgy83ljO1MohZw61T5NgSBkG~281VoeQrEfzrMtWMALOQcBh0Bq07zSBs3miqhSTc4c0FovBq~-i8A2kdCWnqDiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-11T16:12:11.883Z","article","A contested application to allow extended late‑night live entertainment at 214 West Commercial Row drew lengthy testimony for and against at the April 9 Reno City Council meeting; the council heard both the property owner's appeal and a separate appeal from the Montage owner group but did not record a final council decision during the evening's session.

Background: The property was previously operated as a nightclub known as \"1 Up.\" An earlier special‑use permit had lapsed when the prior operation stopped and more than a year passed, so the current applicant submitted a fresh conditional use permit (CUP) application seeking live indoor entertainment to run past the city's 11 p.m. baseline and — at the applicant's request — as late as 5 a.m. on select nights.

What staff said: Carter Williams, associate planner, told council that the zone (downtown mixed‑use entertainment district) allows bars and accessory live entertainment, but live entertainment beyond 11 p.m. requires a CUP. Staff recommended the council affirm the Planning Commission's decision to approve the CUP with conditions (the Planning Commission had approved live‑entertainment hours until 3 a.m., not the applicant's full 5 a.m. request), and included recommended sound‑mitigation measures and a security plan as conditions.

Arguments at the hearing
- Opponents (including Montage North owner Mary Babbis and several condo owners): urged denial, citing noise, vibration, off‑site crime and parking/traffic concerns. Babbis argued the permitted nightclub use would \"damage the character or quality\" of nearby parcels and could impede future redevelopment that she said might be sensitive to having an active nightclub next door.
- Applicant (Fadi Mahana) and supporters: said the applicant has made significant sound‑proofing investments (vestibule, sealed roof and sound walls) and presented a consultant sound study that reported measured decibel levels well below nuisance thresholds at nearby receptors during a test; the owner said the business is economically infeasible without the later hours and that the location has been vacant for years following a lapsed lease.
- Technical testimony: Sound engineers and experienced event operators explained directional subwoofer and line‑array techniques that can reduce low‑frequency propagation to nearby buildings; others argued that one measured event in the exact building had produced high indoor decibel readings reported by some residents and that the sound study's weighting method should be considered.

Status and next steps
At the transcript cutoff the council had heard public comment from both sides and multiple council members had asked staff and applicants technical questions about the CUP conditions, noise monitoring and public safety. No recorded final council vote appeared in the provided transcript excerpt.

Ending
Because the transcript ends during council discussion, the council's final disposition (if taken later in the meeting or on a subsequent date) was not recorded in the available text. Councilmembers asked staff for additional details about prior permit history, complaint records and proposed enforcement procedures for any extended‑hours authorization.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Reno City Council Meeting | Captions Available | April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Reno council heard competing appeals April 9 over a conditional‑use permit for a late‑night nightclub at 214 West Commercial Row; opponents tied to adjacent Montage ownership urged denial over noise and safety concerns, while the applicant said upgraded acoustics, security and an economic case support extended hours.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings , Reno, Washoe County, Nevada","taxId",69270,"location","Nevada","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077800,"Council affirms Planning Commission approval for Jay Resort festival grounds after debate over noise, traffic and hours",548,3207000,3755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06&start=3207&end=3755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06/thumbnail_3207000.jpg","/articles/6077800/Nevada/Council-affirms-Planning-Commission-approval-for-Jay-Resort-festival-grounds-after-debate-over-noise-traffic-and-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077800-2c75e7bf8be924c7b907651652b8eb1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749057&Signature=Itm119c71ULNmQ6uwLWecgy4EJailSHDvU~51kjao58kTUMA1DDBV498IwGv6zBemVrzTEzHQASuPoOfBeAfEcQ1-Nirq1-~phFftetoeJTYoWriSa7w~OwafVT47xBfyllBIpuibBhlsz0Nfn5Q5i4Hw9Lkl6ZOwz9NY2A-c~pscqRrLD7eezingt-96dG3-8ZAEpJJnwouiU0YGQ2Dp6FVEcaZv2E44dKlsNPt5he3u6xAQhUWiq6j2LGR0h3PtgkQTd28hMobbJq245g5sNA6Z34G68Zf5UGVIO-GgoXbYQQ4WAPy641KqNlUma0TlpG2jJa9hlj7ci7KkoiDQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Reno City Council on April 9 affirmed a Planning Commission decision allowing the Jay Resort Festival Grounds, a proposed 4.5‑acre outdoor event site immediately south of the resort.

What was approved: The Planning Commission had approved a conditional use permit that allows an outdoor festival venue with up to 15,000 attendees and asked for a traffic and event‑tier mitigation plan. The applicant asked for live outdoor entertainment to run 1 hour later than normally allowed in the downtown entertainment district (staff noted outdoor live entertainment typically ends at 10 p.m.; the CUP asked for Fridays and Saturdays to exceed that limit by one hour). The Planning Commission granted the request with conditions; at council, staff advised the CUP mirrored Globe Plaza conditions and that each event would be reviewed through the city's special‑event permitting process.

Council debate and staff analysis
- Staff: Leah Piccati, associate planner, told the council the site is in the downtown mixed‑use entertainment district and that police, fire, public‑works and event staff had reviewed the proposal and had not objected given the condition set the planning commission required. She said the operation will include a tiered traffic‑mitigation plan keyed to event size and that every event will require a separate special‑event permit with event‑specific mitigation.
- Support and opposition: Supporters stressed economic impact and downtown activation; opponents focused on noise, vibration and compatibility with nearby residential towers. Sound engineers and event operators addressed technology that reduces low‑frequency propagation (cardioid subwoofer arrays and directional line arrays) and said properly implemented systems reduce sound levels behind and beside stages.
- Council action: Councilmember Taylor moved to affirm the Planning Commission decision; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously to affirm.

Why it matters
The site approval allows a large new outdoor venue in downtown Reno that operators anticipate will host festivals, concerts and multi‑use events. Staff and the applicant say the special‑event permit process will be used to tailor protections — including traffic control, security, and sound mitigation — for each event; opponents at the hearing said they wanted additional, event‑level noise monitoring and spoke repeatedly about past instances of disruptive late‑night events.

Outcome and next steps
Council affirmed (unanimous) the Planning Commission approval. Staff and the applicant said they will continue event‑level coordination with police, fire, public‑works and code enforcement, and the applicant said it plans to use directional audio systems and scheduling practices to limit impacts. Councilmembers asked staff to track public complaints and to ensure public notice and thorough event‑level reviews.

Ending
With the council's affirmation, the Jay Resort Festival Grounds approval stands; any specific event on the site will still require a city special‑event permit and the city will review traffic, security and sound requirements on an event‑by‑event basis.","The Reno City Council affirmed a Planning Commission decision April 9 to allow a 4.5‑acre outdoor festival venue at the Jay Resort, subject to event‑level permits and mitigation plans for traffic, public safety and sound.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077805,"Sewer fund staff recommend 8% rate increases two years running; council directs public feedback and expands utility assistance program",814,5246000,6060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06&start=5246&end=6060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06/thumbnail_5246000.jpg","/articles/6077805/Nevada/Sewer-fund-staff-recommend-8-rate-increases-two-years-running-council-directs-public-feedback-and-expands-utility-assistance-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077805-55c2942986433908551f87a863aaf123/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749057&Signature=IX3X6Ich3ixssYT9PxgfgOo~BPboSFRsUUaX7tawdNrBrEOXUEISlDN670h95kbRuiHtLeC02KjqDSpkwMWj-WaIJquayWuI0kZwhrDYLJs8QJJbwauYY1j~CcwTRPEIMLeRe73PM5MlMV-3Ad~wmAsNO-EycKqLIztstWrSBzLJnmb6hIsBbScoUXczULorvnidSpngujZzOzFBjXy4BoenW2g~fMD5b4fXYXABvNl7znr8RH-P~i8u0n-xsCaj1i~FzsF2FACfkAOOTxageri9BgQifDE2XXAxLDrYQ36Hn21cDkkVzKjTsxx121xCi~hMMvTO7S0mPaYTT9yreA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Reno officials told the City Council on April 9 that escalating treatment and construction costs have left the Sewer Enterprise Fund on a path to insolvency unless rates are raised.

Key finding: Regional Infrastructure Administrator John Flansberg said construction costs for water and wastewater projects have risen about 41.4 percent since 2019 and that chemicals such as chlorine have jumped significantly (Flansberg said, \"chlorine ... the cost of chlorine since 02/2019 has gone up by 300%\"), driving a capital program that totals nearly $1 billion over 20 years. Flansberg said staff and consultant Dow recommended an 8 percent user‑rate increase in October 2025 and another 8 percent in October 2026, followed by CPI indexing thereafter; the two‑year package would maintain operating reserves and keep the fund solvent under the current capital plan.

Affordability measures and assistance
Flansberg proposed renaming and expanding the existing sewer rebate program to a \"sewer utility assistance program,\" adding SNAP eligibility to the qualifying benefits, making the application available year‑round instead of a two‑month window, and initially increasing the program budget from current levels toward a proposed $200,000 to start (\"we thought we could do it maybe go 200,000 at first,\" Flansberg said). He said the program has historically issued one‑time annual credits (the single‑family credit was about $221 in the most recent year) and that roughly 86 percent of households would still fall under a commonly‑used 2 percent‑of‑income affordability threshold under the proposed increases; staff estimates the median household income used in the analysis at $78,448.

Council direction
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to initiate a community‑feedback process on a potential rate increase and to bring back an ordinance for consideration with the public input. Council also unanimously instructed staff to return with a resolution to formalize the sewer utility assistance program and to consider expanding the program budget; staff proposed a first‑step increase to roughly $200,000.

Numbers and impacts
- Proposed rate change: 8% increase in Oct 2025 and 8% in Oct 2026, then CPI annually. Staff said that equals roughly a $14 per quarter increase for a typical single‑family account in the first step and about $15 the next year (approximately $5/month).
- Fund health: Without the proposed increases, staff model shows the Sewer Fund falling below minimum reserves by 2028 under the current capital and operating plan. Staff proposed some CIP timing reductions and cutbacks to collection system replacement to preserve essential near‑term work while limiting the rate request.

Ending
Council asked staff to stage robust community outreach (public meetings, QR code survey, mailers on sewer bills) and return with the ordinance and sewer‑assistance resolution; staff said the ordinance would be brought back with the public feedback for council consideration.","Reno officials told council April 9 that rising construction, chemical and power costs are outpacing current sewer‑user revenues and recommended an 8% user‑rate increase in October 2025 and a second 8% increase in October 2026; council unanimously directed staff to solicit public feedback and return with an ordinance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077810,"Council approves contracts to let customers pay credit‑card merchant fee; city will add outreach and waivers for ACH/auto‑pay",660,4020000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06&start=4020&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","/articles/6077810/Nevada/Council-approves-contracts-to-let-customers-pay-creditcard-merchant-fee-city-will-add-outreach-and-waivers-for-ACHautopay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077810-19ee635c9bb3ba27fe0ed11f3d3b79d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749057&Signature=mONNz1e7G2zGVLa6MT10qBjMKSvfJeojDrjEVymw0pW3eVHdb0kQMNnvh~0TOi-Pd1Mw4YHhnQAvFDw3NxrRV3pwyg29NlCMjGmsQmuy3b5IQR3MaJA2a2QwppJd~Eic8DbxHdEWrnLpzdh5e5s9VZoqZ6nSGl78ieCdkqxuR7bybmvjQz9HeXsZZ-GfwfOaidaGQlzq2WsUpM0f8mG9~IMuYxPcRer~3x0xVA13IHETNrZAZRNSKnUYB1NMAxkeyKSS8ygStdP5omqr0xx59YNSTgiDE2gq824HH2KEOJnrszgk5uKQgOfwgfQDlDLg4Q3eJGBdpY21io1LI~Xjhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Reno City Council voted unanimously on April 9 to approve two addenda allowing the city to pass credit‑card merchant fees to customers who choose to pay with credit or debit cards.

What changed: The council approved an addendum to the city's Wells Fargo merchant services agreement and a parallel addendum with Infosend/PACE for sewer billing platforms. Matt Taylor, assistant finance director, said the policy would place a 2.7 percent convenience fee on credit‑card payments while keeping cost‑free options available for customers who choose ACH/bank account payments, mailed checks, or in‑person cash payments.

Why it matters: Taylor said merchant fees totaled roughly $1.1 million in 2024 and that passing the fee to paying customers would save the general fund about $300,000 annually, the building enterprise fund about $200,000, and the sewer fund roughly $525,000. \"These savings have not been included in the budget forecast for next year,\" Taylor told council, so if implemented they would lower next year's projected budget gap.

Consumer protections and outreach
City staff said the change will be phased in, with targeted notices for customers, multilingual website messaging and bill inserts for utilities. For sewer billing the city plans customer outreach during July and October to let customers know they can switch autopay to ACH to avoid the fee; sewer auto‑pay customers will receive email reminders in November and December ahead of the fee going into effect in January 2026.

Council and vendor negotiation
Council members asked staff whether the city shopped merchant rates; staff said the Wells Fargo relationship came through the city's existing merchant contract and had been negotiated in prior procurements. Vice Mayor Taylor urged staff to continue negotiating with other vendors (Chase, others) to seek lower fees.

Outcome
Council motioned to approve two addenda (Wells Fargo; Infosend/PACE) and both motions passed unanimously.

Ending
City staff said they will finalize messaging and vendor onboarding and that customers will be able to avoid the fee by switching to ACH/bank‑account payments or paying by check or cash.","Reno council approved two addenda that allow the city to pass credit‑card merchant fees to customers for several payment channels, a move staff said would save roughly $1.0+ million annually across funds. Officials said they will add customer communications and provide ACH/auto‑pay guidance and multilingual notices.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6077814,"Reno staff say proactive cuts and hiring freezes close current-year shortfall; next-year budget still faces roughly $25 million gap",671,1904000,2575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06&start=1904&end=2575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2963169-6c77e988d290ca6ff88c34b98622db06/thumbnail_1904000.jpg","/articles/6077814/Nevada/Reno-staff-say-proactive-cuts-and-hiring-freezes-close-current-year-shortfall-next-year-budget-still-faces-roughly-25-million-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077814-0b745b9d1d3fd644238a523de98279d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770749057&Signature=RIiZ3Lxv2NlICyHFg7-NeLUT3ahLMYNofo9numIIhKTEl1zqd8u7Hbtyp3pHb1bVMWaL6SxrG5~dCIYgBvboDN~FWvRud5-ad4xGm1nrWsTDmByG2h9PY58BibNc~sMFhYp6wAhl2zsfbVwqCubaVkX1wSGpZZQbqTysjCEEewLKSLXtmglMOACVuJESEpc6VhUSERq9w6Q7eTVPbzD3OHtgDcygUN~7yhS8mH0VGo8AiYjaTuvrAp0kL7ydMvxQyTHLQko-c6x8ejezSy4vdPPhY2r2kzl56JgrMD50i2P8km4KNiT6Bem-tpBqXNdV7Bt3~MJ0sZM3W1uMDTHQcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Reno finance officials told the City Council on April 9 that the city expects a roughly $8.6 million general-fund revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year but also projects about $10 million in expenditure savings, creating a small positive variance for the year.

The shortfall is primarily tied to weaker-than-budgeted consolidated tax (C Tax) receipts, franchise fees and licenses and permits, Finance Director Vicki Bamgaren said: \"we're projecting that we're gonna have a revenue shortfall in the current year of about $8,600,000.\" Bamgaren added that work across departments to hold vacant positions and trim operating expenses produced roughly $10 million in savings.

Why it matters: City leaders said the combination of early spending restraint and hiring freezes has kept the budget balanced for the current year, but the outlook for fiscal 2026 remains challenging after the final property-tax numbers arrived. Bamgaren told the Council that final property tax growth came in at 6 percent versus the 7.7 percent used during the preliminary budget build — a change that added about $1.6 million to the projected shortfall. Using the most recent numbers, the city has a roughly $25 million budget gap to close for FY2026.

Key details
- Current-year: Finance presented a revenue shortfall estimate of about $8.6 million and estimated $10 million in expenditure savings (roughly $6 million of that in salary and benefits from frozen vacancies), producing an estimated $1.5 million positive variance for the year.
- Next year: Final property-tax figures reduced expected growth to 6 percent (down from 7.7 percent), widening the previously reported budget gap to about $25 million.
- Proposed balancing strategy: staff previewed a package that relies in part on about $8 million in available one-time funds, proposed reductions of roughly $17.6 million (mostly capital and operating), and an additional savings plan that includes freezing 20 currently vacant positions (estimated to save about $3.2 million) plus reductions to memberships, boards and commissions and council discretionary items.

Council reaction and next steps
Council and staff said they will continue the budget workshops: the next scheduled workshop is May 5 with final budget adoption later in the month. Manager Jackie Bryant and Bamgaren briefed members that staff expects to propose a mix of one-time funding and recurring reductions and that some savings will be achieved by holding vacant positions, delaying capital and tightening operating budgets.

What remains unresolved
Bamgaren and the manager noted there are still labor contract uncertainties and an unresolved federal FLSA issue that could change the final numbers. Council members asked for more detail on room‑tax allocations and whether some room‑tax funds could be reallocated to core municipal functions; staff pointed to a city ordinance (Ord. 5985) that governs some downtown room‑tax uses and said staff would return with clarifying legal language and options at upcoming workshops.

Ending
Staff emphasized the budget presentation was an update and that more refined proposals for closing the FY2026 gap will be brought to council in the remaining workshops. Councilmembers asked staff to provide more detailed, itemized lists of proposed capital and operating reductions before the May 5 workshop so members could assess programmatic impacts in advance.","Finance director told council the city expects an $8.6 million revenue shortfall this year but has identified roughly $10 million in expenditure savings; for next year final property-tax figures widened the build gap to about $25 million and staff recommended using one-time funds plus position freezes and cuts to capital and operating budgets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Long-running dispute over nightclub at 214 West Commercial Row draws neighborhood opposition; council hears testimony but takes no final vote

Council affirms Planning Commission approval for Jay Resort festival grounds after debate over noise, traffic and hours

Sewer fund staff recommend 8% rate increases two years running; council directs public feedback and expands utility assistance program

Council approves contracts to let customers pay credit‑card merchant fee; city will add outreach and waivers for ACH/auto‑pay

Reno staff say proactive cuts and hiring freezes close current-year shortfall; next-year budget still faces roughly $25 million gap