Votes at a glance: Sparks council approves budget augmentation, contracts, housing selection and code updates

The Sparks City Council on April 14 approved a series of resolutions, contracts and ordinances covering budget augmentations, public-safety agreements, construction contracts, an affordable housing selection and an update to the citys building codes. Major enactments included a FY25 budget augmentation, selection of the Reno Housing Authority for an infill affordable housing project at 2026 I Street, forensic services agreements with Washoe County, two sewer construction contracts, a medic-unit memorandum of understanding with Local 731, and adoption of the 2024 model building and plumbing/mechanical codes with Northern Nevada amendments.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 3458 (FY25 budget augmentation): The council approved augmenting the FY25 budget by $21,617,293 to reestablish appropriations for capital projects approved but not completed in prior years. Motion: adopt Resolution No. 3458 (mover: Councilman Abbott; second: Councilwoman Scribe). Vote: unanimous. Key detail: largest augmentation portion was $14.5 million in the sewer fund; detailed project list attached to the agenda.

- Selection of Reno Housing Authority conceptual proposal for 2026 I Street (APN 031-184-08): The council selected the Reno Housing Authority (RHA) conceptual design for a 12-unit affordable housing development (studios and one-bedroom units) on a 0.207-acre city-owned parcel. Motion: select RHA proposal (mover: Councilman Abbott; second: Councilwoman Vanderwell). Vote: unanimous. Key details: RHA committed to serve households at 0-50% of area median income; all 12 units will have project-based vouchers; RHA estimated project cost $5,430,520 (per-unit ~$452,543); RHA expects 50-year affordability though the HMNI grant agreement requires a 30-year minimum; next steps include development agreement, assignment of HMNI grant and conveyance by quitclaim deed with reversion if not developed on schedule.

- Forensic services agreements with Washoe County (AC6100 and AC6101): The council approved a contract covering forensic services already provided for FY2024-25 and a second contract for FY2025-26, each in the amount of $1,000,000. Motions: approve AC6100 (mover: Councilman Anderson; second: Councilman Rodriguez) and approve AC6101 (mover: Councilman Rodriguez; second: Councilman Anderson). Votes: both unanimous. Police Chief Chris Crawford said the agreements formalize services the Sheriffs Office has been providing and that the Sheriff is developing an a la carte menu of tests to lower costs in the future.

- Construction contract AC6103 (G Street sewer improvements and TMWA water main relocation): Council awarded a $1,508,317.30 contract to Peak Brothers Construction (low bidder) to correct an overcapacity condition on a G Street sewer line and to relocate a TMWA waterline (TMWA will reimburse the city). Motion: approve contract (mover: Councilman Abbott; second: Councilwoman Vanderwell). Vote: unanimous. Project completion scheduled for mid-September.

- Construction contract AC6106 (Springland Sewer Improvement): Council awarded a $472,155 contract to Resource Development Company LLC to replace approximately 200 linear feet of sewer line and a manhole; work to start in May and finish by July 1. Motion: approve contract (mover: Councilwoman Bybee; second: Councilman Rodriguez). Vote: unanimous.

- Memorandum of Understanding AC-6102 with IAFF Local 731 (medic units): Council approved a memorandum with Local 731 defining medic unit staffing and a 5% special assignment pay retroactive to July 1, 2024. Motion: approve MOU (mover: Councilman Rodriguez; second: Mr. Rabbit). Vote: unanimous. City staff estimated the FY25 cost increase at $42,182, offset by about $355,000 in ambulance transport revenue to date.

- Resolution No. 3459 (TEFRA public hearing for Afton at Sparks Marina LLC): Council held the TEFRA public hearing required by Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code and approved the attached resolution to permit the issuance of up to $23,000,000 in tax-exempt revenue obligations for the benefit of Afton at Sparks Marina LLC; the city stated it would not incur liability for the bonds. Motion: approve Resolution No. 3459 (mover: Councilman Anderson). Vote: adopted (no public opposition recorded in the hearing).

- Bill No. 2831 (adoption of 2024 International Codes and 2024 Northern Nevada amendments): On second reading the council adopted an ordinance updating Title 15 to the 2024 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code, mechanical and plumbing codes, the 2023 National Electrical Code, the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (chapter 5 by local request) and the 2024 Northern Nevada amendments; effective date: Jan. 1, 2026. Motion: adopt Bill No. 2831 (mover: Councilwoman Vanderwell; second: Councilman Rodriguez). Vote: unanimous.

Procedural notes: Several items were introduced by staff with supporting materials included in the council packet. Where vote tallies were recorded as unanimous, the clerk cast the roll-call vote.

What to expect next: Staff indicated follow-up agreements or documents will be returned to council for formal execution (for example, the RHA development agreement, assignment of the HMNI grant and deed transfers). The City Manager's Office and department staff will oversee contract execution and project timelines.