Mesquite council adopts sign code rewrite, reclassifies rec-center fee revenue and approves Holiday Inn liquor license; July 4 band funding fails

The Mesquite City Council on April 22 handled a cluster of municipal business items, adopting a rewritten sign code, reclassifying incremental recreation center fee revenue into the unrestricted general fund, approving a liquor license for the Holiday Inn Resort, and recording other routine actions. A proposed $7,500 budget add for a July 4 band failed for lack of a second.

Sign code: The council adopted Ordinance B25-004, a comprehensive rewrite of Municipal Code Chapter 10 (Signs) and related provisions in Title 9 (Unified Development). Planning staffer Simon Kim summarized the main changes as clarifying rules for noncommercial signs, permitting certain movable signs with liability releases, treating murals separately if council-designated as art, and simplifying temporary sign permits. Councilwoman Karen Fielding moved adoption; the ordinance passed after a second and roll-call.

Recreation-center fee revenue: Council approved a staff recommendation to move the incremental recreation-center fee revenue—roughly $60,000–$70,000 annually—out of a restricted portion of the general fund and into the unrestricted general fund balance. Director Thorn explained the city currently “walls off” a portion of the fee increases to be used only for recreation-center purposes; the change will allow those incremental receipts to be used for any lawful general-fund purpose. Councilmembers debated whether the rec center would be disadvantaged; staff said the general fund already pays for larger repairs and that rec-center needs could still be funded from the general fund.

Holiday Inn license: The council approved a restaurant-with-service-bar license and a beer-, wine- and spirit-based product off-sale license for the new Holiday Inn Resort at 333 North Sand Hill Boulevard. Planning and police staff confirmed distance and seating requirements were met; the council approved the licenses following a motion by Councilwoman Guillermo and a second by Councilwoman Fielding.

July 4 band request: Councilwoman Fielding moved to approve a $7,500 budget add to contract an out-of-town band for the July 4 celebration. After public comment strongly urging use of local talent or private/casino sponsorships, the motion failed for want of a second.

Other business: The consent agenda, which included multiple sets of minutes, budget transfer notifications, purchase orders and gaming-license approvals for local casinos, was approved by roll call at the start of the meeting. The council also approved Resolution R25-013, directing the statutory notice process for the potential sale of property subject to lien in the Canyon Crest and Anthem special improvement districts; staff said one delinquent parcel had been paid and a second was expected to be paid by the mortgage company prior to the advertised sale date of May 20, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance B25-004 (Signs rewrite): Adopted. Motion by Councilwoman Karen Fielding; second by Councilwoman Wallace. Council vote: passed (roll call). Effective: ordinance adoption at meeting.

- Recreation Center fee increment revenue reclassification: Approved. Motion by Councilwoman Patty Gallo; second by Councilwoman Fielding. Vote: passed. Notes: Staff estimated incremental receipts of roughly $60,000–$70,000 annually; change makes that amount available to the unrestricted general fund going forward.

- Resolution R25-013 (delinquent-assessment property sale notice): Approved. Motion by Councilwoman Fielding; seconded. Vote: passed. Notes: One parcel in Anthem paid; Canyon Crest parcel delinquent amount $387.09; sale advertised for May 20, 2025 if unpaid.

- Holiday Inn Resort liquor licenses (restaurant with service bar; off-sale beer/wine/spirit products for gift shop): Approved. Motion by Councilwoman Guillermo; second by Councilwoman Fielding. Vote: passed.

- July 4 band budget add ($7,500): Motion to approve died for lack of second (no formal vote in favor).

What’s next

Staff said the sign-code amendments will be implemented through the city’s permitting process and that the recreation-center accounting change will appear in the next budget cycle and fund accounting. The licensed Holiday Inn Resort may now operate its restaurant/bar and gift-shop alcohol sales once licensing paperwork is completed with the state.