LV officially approves two new wards

Erin Neff

Thursday, Oct. 7, 1999 | 11:23 a.m.

Although the Las Vegas City Council approved the creation of two new wards Wednesday, the actual boundary changes and swearing in of new council members won't happen until next year.

The city is following the exact letter of the law passed by the state Legislature this year, which required the council to expand by two seats and fill those positions by Jan. 1, if voters approved the measure.

But the council is wasting no end-of-the-century time in abiding by the mandated change.

Mayor Oscar Goodman said Wednesday that he will nominate people for appointment to the Ward 5 and 6 seats at the Oct. 20 council meeting.

Some argue the council shouldn't rush such a politically important decision, but Councilman Gary Reese said he wanted to make the appointments as soon as possible.

"We can wait to the last of December," Reese said. "But I don't want to wait."

"Get it over with," Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said.

Wednesday's approval simply created the new wards.

Ward 5 is generally located in historic West Las Vegas and includes a portion of downtown north of Fremont Street.

Ward 6 contains the northern and westernmost boundaries of the city, starting roughly at Cheyenne Avenue, and including numerous islands of unincorporated county land.

The ward changes won't take effect until Jan. 1 so that residents affected by the new boundaries don't have to switch council members immediately.

Jockeying for the council positions is in full force, as several residents vying for appointment came to Wednesday's meeting.

Although the council has not labeled anyone a favorite, several have drawn tremendous community support.

Reese's ward liaison Lawrence Weekly, 35, and Clark County mediation specialist Uri Clinton, 27, have been talking with community leaders and asking for their support for the Ward 5 seat.

Planning Commissioner Michael Mack, 36, and the city's Building Services Director Orlando Sanchez, 36, have drawn the most support for the Ward 6 seat.

Dozens of other residents have met with council members and Goodman in an effort to win the appointment.

Redistricting will cost $550,240 annually and $170,000 in one-time renovation costs to City Hall to make room for the new council members.

Voters approved the council expansion in June.