City Council briefs

Thursday, Nov. 18, 1999 | 9:46 a.m.

Council to consider New Year's changes

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday sent to a recommending committee a proposed ordinance that will ban unaccompanied minors from the downtown area after 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The ordinance, similar to one passed by Clark County to ban unaccompanied youths from the Strip after 6 p.m. on New Year's Day, will be heard by a recommending committee of Councilmen Michael McDonald and Larry Brown on Nov. 30.

Ordinances in the county and city have long outlawed children from downtown and the Strip after 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. However, with a much heavier turnout expected in Las Vegas to celebrate the end of the 20th century, city and county officials are taking further precautions.

Youths who are accompanied by responsible adults will be allowed to enjoy the Fremont Street Experience, Strip and other nongambling attractions. Both amendments are for this year only.

Silver State pact approval delayed

The City Council held until its Dec. 1 meeting a proposed service contract with Republic Silver State Disposal to remove sludge from the city's Water Pollution Control Facility.

At Wednesday's public hearing, Silver State requested the item be held from consideration while it prepares an accurate list of ownership interests. The request comes in the wake of a city ordinance, adopted Oct. 1, which requires disclosure of all persons and entities holding more than a 1 percent interest in any company with whom the city enters into a franchise agreement or sale of land.

Republic's Environmental Technologies of Nevada is seeking a five-year contract valued at $1.5 million a year with 6.5 percent increases annually over the life of the deal. The contract also has three five-year options to extend the deal -- bringing the life of the agreement to 20 years.

Meeting urged over former railroad land

Although the Clark County Commission has decided to give Metro Police first consideration on a 10-acre parcel adjacent to the county government center for its new headquarters, the Las Vegas City Council is not giving up on its efforts to have the land considered for a performing arts center.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to have city staff approach the county and set up a meeting to give the city's input on how it feels the former Union Pacific Railroad property should be used.

"I'm disturbed we were not involved in the process," said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who supports the Las Vegas Performing Arts Foundation getting that property. "I would like the opportunity for the city to meet with the county to give them input on our position."

Police officials also would be invited to that meeting according to the measure passed by the council.

The County Commission, while not committing to either group Tuesday, voted 6-0 to give Metro first crack at the land.

Genzer new No. 2 in planning

A Las Vegas city employee with 26 years experience in the Planning Department has been promoted to deputy director of that arm of city government.

Robert S. Genzer, a former planning supervisor, has assumed the role of No. 2 man in the Planning and Development Department.

A graduate of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, with a degree in city and regional planning, Genzer has supervised zoning administration, subdivision functions of the current planning division and annexations, among other duties.

Genzer also is involved with several civic activities including being a member of the Jewish Family Service Agency of Southern Nevada, Allied Arts Council and Nevada Special Olympics.