City Council briefs for May 4, 2000

Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

Spending

Here is how the Las Vegas City Council voted Wednesday to spend taxpayer money:

To Oracle Corp. for automated computer systems.

To Eddie General Construction for a security wall at Bonanza Village.

To Cytec Industries for liquid polymers used at the Water Pollution Control Facility.

To Friendly Ford for 10 pickup trucks.

To Compaq Computer Corp. for technical support.

For agreement with the Las Vegas Valley Water District for relocation of a water main in the path of the planned City Hall parking garage.

Fines proposed for violations

Tired of receiving unsolicited circulars in your mailbox even after you requested delivery to stop?

A bill introduced by Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack on Wednesday would make such deliveries a misdemeanor.

Violators would face fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.

The proposal will be heard by the council's Recommending Committee at 4 p.m. May 15 and will come back before the full council in about a month.

Volunteers sought for fire issue

Las Vegas residents are being asked to volunteer for the committee that will write arguments for and against a fire safety ballot question.

Voters in November will be asked:

"Shall the city of Las Vegas be authorized to levy an additional property tax for fire protection of up to $0.095 per $100 of assessed valuation for a period of 30 years?"

Twenty percent of the amount levied will be applied to capital projects such as new fire stations and equipment purchases.

The tax hike on a $100,000 home would be about $33.25 a year.

Residents interested in serving on the committee should call the city clerk's office at 229-6311.

Proposal calls for higher fees

It's now more expensive to open a pawn shop in Las Vegas thanks to an ordinance passed Wednesday by the City Council.

The ordinance establishes a $60,000 declaration of interest filing fee and initial origination fee for new pawnshops. Councilman Michael Mack, who owns several pawnshops, abstained from the vote.

Unauthorized use made a crime

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday made it illegal to use the city's seal and flag without the board's consent.

Councilman Michael McDonald's bill makes it a misdemeanor to use the seal or flag in ways not authorized by the council or specific ordinance.

The ordinance came as a result of the use of the seal in last year's municipal election. One of McDonald's foes for his Ward 1 seat, Steve Miller, used the seal in campaign material.

Snelding to take over in June

New Las Vegas city auditor Radford Snelding will begin work in early June after the council approved his contract Wednesday.

Snelding, currently the city auditor in Shreveport, La., will earn $91,000 a year plus benefits.

Las Vegas has been without a full-time auditor since the firing in March 1998 of Susan Toohey. Toohey's wrongful termination suit is expected to be heard in court in July.