Neighborhood Partners Fund Board recommends $5,000 grants for eight Las Vegas neighborhood groups; Lakeside award conditioned on contractor license

The Neighborhood Partners Fund Board voted June 9, 2025, to recommend $5,000 grants for eight neighborhood organizations in Las Vegas, with one award conditioned on contractor licensing and one award approved 12–1 after debate about funding bottled water.

Yohaska Ykasa Vieta, senior community program technician with the Department of Neighborhood Services, told the board that "funding for each application is limited. Applicants may not apply for more than $5,000." She said applications must include a match that meets or exceeds the grant request and that "a minimum of 25% of the match must come from volunteer labor valued at $33.49 this year." The board’s recommendations will be sent to the mayor and city council for possible approval at the July 16 city council meeting, Vieta said.

Board action and summary

The board considered applications in alphabetical order and approved funding recommendations for the following applicants (each award is the full $5,000 requested unless noted):

- Buffalo Coalition Neighborhood Association — motion moved by Member Matthew Tramp; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13). Evidence: Member Tramp moved to recommend the requested $5,000 and the board voted in favor.

- Crestwood Neighborhood Association — motion moved by Member Shannon Nordstrom to approve $5,000; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13).

- Fremont Street Loft Homeowners Association — Chair Becker praised the application and moved to approve $5,000; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13). Becker noted the group used a UNLV class to design neighborhood improvements.

- Lakeside Village Homeowners Association — Member Matthew Tramp moved to approve $5,000 with the condition that David's Gardening provide proof that it is a licensed landscaper. Deputy City Attorney Chris Levy Gallo clarified administrative requirements, saying the city would need a W-9 and a business license for any contractor the city works with. The board voted to approve the $5,000 award with that condition (motion passed unanimously; yes: 13). The department said it would verify licensing and that the applicant could substitute a different licensed contractor if necessary.

- Rainbow Family Park Neighborhood Association — Member Tramp moved to approve the full $5,000; Chair Becker proposed an amendment to remove $280 for bottled water citing a sustainability concern and saying "bottled water has PFAS in it." After a vote on the original motion to award $5,000, the motion passed 12–1 (yes: 12; no: 1). Chair Becker cast the lone no vote while stating support for the organization but opposition to funding bottled water.

- Rock Springs Vista 3 Neighborhood Association — Chair Becker moved to approve $5,000; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13).

- Tanglewood Homeowners Association — Member Shannon Nordstrom noted the applicant adopted a policy addressing prior questions; Member Tramp moved to approve $5,000; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13).

- Timberlake Street and Landscape Maintenance Association — Chair Becker moved to approve $5,000; motion passed unanimously (yes: 13).

Program rules noted by staff

Vieta reiterated program constraints the board applied while deliberating: applicants may request up to $5,000; the board may not recommend more than the requested amount; matches must meet or exceed grant requests; at least 25% of the match must be volunteer labor valued at $33.49 per hour for this year. The board scored applications in advance and exercised discretion in using those scores during deliberations.

Next steps

The board’s funding recommendations will be forwarded to the mayor and city council for possible approval at the July 16, 2025, city council meeting, Vieta said.