North Las Vegas briefs for December 21, 2000

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Filing fees hiked for council

Candidates for North Las Vegas City Council and mayor in 2001 will face new requirements and will have to pay more to file for office.

The council Wednesday passed an ordinance that changes portions of the election code, now that the city is divided into four wards.

Last December the council reluctantly approved an ordinance that for the first time divided the city into four equal wards.

Residents in North Las Vegas will continue to vote for candidates at-large, but next year candidates must live in the ward from which they run.

Council candidates in 2001 have to live in their wards for 30 days before filings close. Candidates for mayor and judge have a six-month residency requirement.

Filing fees will increase to $100, up from $25.

Council members John Rhodes, Stephanie Smith, and Mayor Michael Montandon have terms that expire in May.

New light bars approved

North Las Vegas will purchase 28 vehicle light bars and accessories for the police department for $48,444.

The light bars will be installed on new police patrol sedans.The city will also purchase 13 hand-held and vehicle radios for $33,727.

Firm hired to find new money

North Las Vegas has hired Randall Funding & Development LLC. to help raise a minimum of $1 million in new grants.

The company will provide grant writing services to prepare and submit applications on the city's behalf. Randall will write grants in criminal justice technology and programs, housing, transportation, infrastructure, social services and health services.

If grant awards in excess of $1 million are received, 10 percent of the amount will be paid to Randall as an incentive.

The city will pay Randall $95,000 for two years plus $3,500 for drafting, copying, and mailing all proposals and solicitations.

Anonymous donor will help park

Tonopah Park will soon have some new play equipment, thanks to an anonymous donor and a nonprofit group.

KaBoom!, a national nonprofit organization that builds safe playgrounds, is facilitating a partnership between the city and an anonymous funding source that does business in North Las Vegas.

Along with city staff, KaBoom! has selected Tonopah Park as the location for new equipment. City staff will work with the organization to plan and build the playground. The contribution from the anonymous funding source will be approximately $20,000.

Low-income buyers get help

Low-income buyers looking to purchase homes in North Las Vegas will find themselves with more monetary assistance from the city.

The council approved a contract in April to give $100,000 to the Economic Opportunity Board of Clark County to provide a maximum of $2,500 down payment assistance funding to low-income residents in focus areas of North Las Vegas.

To be more competitive with other local governments, the city will now increase the amount of down payment assistance to $5,000 outside the focus area census tracts and a maximum of $8,000 in down payment assistance for those within the focus areas.