City Council briefs

Tuesday, April 27, 1999 | 10:22 a.m.

In response to residents' concerns about the proximity of tattoo parlors to neighborhoods, the Las Vegas City Council amended its zoning code Monday to create a new district in which those businesses are permitted.

The amendment -- sponsored by Councilman Michael McDonald -- allows tattoo parlors to open in either industrial or commercial-industrial zones. Tattoo parlors can also open in general-commercial zones by means of a special-use permit.

During a committee meeting last month at which testimony on the amendment was heard, residents asked the council to add body-piercing salons to the proposed ordinance. The bill approved Monday does include body-piercing salons.

Fed grant helps start career program

Three middle schools will soon benefit from a partnership between the city of Las Vegas and UNLV to sponsor early career awareness programs.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a new program started with a $2 million federal Department of Education grant. The program, approved Monday by the City Council, will provide early information to students and parents about college options, required courses and financial aid.

The city will donate $327,700 worth of Department of Leisure Services and Neighborhood Services staff time and the use of its current after-school programs. The federal grant is for $2 million a year through 2003.

Charles I. West, J.D. Smith and Roy Martin middle schools will take part in the program, with 2,500 students expected to take part during the first year.

Three abstain on Catholic Charities

Three Las Vegas councilmen had to abstain Monday from a vote involving Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada for the fourth time in six months as a result of an ongoing dispute over an item that presents a perceived conflict of interest.

Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and Councilman Arnie Adamsen cast the lone votes in favor of the item.

Councilmen Larry Brown, Michael McDonald and Gary Reese all abstained Monday because they have not yet paid attorney Harold Morse, who represented them in an unrelated ethics matter. Morse's law partner, John Mowbray, serves on the organization's board.

Adamsen had the conflict for two of the four votes, but publicly announced March 8 -- prior to another vote on a Catholic Charities item -- that he had paid his bill Jan. 8.

Under Nevada law, a board is reduced in size for a particular vote when any of its members are forced to abstain from voting because of potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, the quorum shrinks -- if necessary down to a lone board member.

Dating back to last October, Jones has twice cast the lone vote on a Catholic Charities-related matter. Adamsen cast the lone vote on a Catholic Charities item March 8.