City council briefs for October 5, 2000

Thursday, Oct. 5, 2000 | 10:39 a.m.

City spending

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

To Las Vegas Paving Corp. for Jones Boulevard road improvements between Rancho Drive and Centennial Parkway.

To purchase the home of Jesse and LeeAnn Ferrer to make way for a Durango Drive S-curve project.

To share in the cost of a park at Joseph Neal Elementary School on West Azure Drive. Clark County and the Clark County School District will also help pay for the park.

To Berlin Industries to print the City Talk newsletter.

To Shared Technologies Fairchild for telephone system maintenance.

Parking planned for city workers

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday agreed to spend $430,000 to buy a rundown parcel that has been cited numerous times for code violations.

The idea behind the purchase of a pink motel at 708 Las Vegas Blvd. South , between Garces and Gass avenues, is to clean up an eyesore and give the city a lot for employee parking.

The authorized cost does not include closing costs or the demolition of the building.

The lot will be used for employees of the nearby Development Service Center building.

Councilman Michael Mack abstained from the vote because his brother owns property across the street.

Council approves resolution

Sport shooters in the Las Vegas Valley can set their sights a little closer on a regional shooting range.

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution supporting creation of a regional shooting range in Clark County. The County Commission has passed a similar resolution.

The resolution states that in addition to serving a recreational need for residents, the range would encourage national and regional shooting events that draw tourists.

Shopping center gets another boost

The Wal-Mart supercenter planned for Charleston and Decatur boulevards got a new neighbor Wednesday when the Las Vegas City Council approved a Home Depot for the shopping center.

The Wal-Mart at the 571,410-square-foot commercial center was previously approved by the council on the south side of Charleston, east of Decatur.

The Home Depot will be located immediately to the west of the Wal-Mart.

In addition to approving the site development plan for the Home Depot, the council also authorized a special use permit for a lumberyard.

City to answer a cattle call

Moo.

A bill introduced Wednesday allows residents to raise bovines in certain zoning districts of the city north of Cheyenne Avenue.

As the proposal was read into the record, Mayor Oscar Goodman could be seen telling a puzzled-looking Councilman Michael McDonald that bovines are cows.

Then Councilman Michael Mack, who sponsored the proposal, commented that bovines are also cattle and bulls.

Another zoning proposal would require special use permits to establish new motor vehicle sales. Planning Director Tim Chow's proposal would thus give the City Council greater control over the location of such businesses, and would prohibit them within 1,500 feet of residentially zoned areas in the northwest.

Other proposed bills would clarify the conditions under which a smog facility is allowed; establish the districts in which dental labs are permitted and allow desktop publishing in all commercial and industrial zones.

All of the items will be discussed at a public hearing Oct. 16 in the eighth-floor conference room at City Hall.

Redevelopment area holdings listed

A state law requiring city officials to disclose property in which they have interest in the redevelopment zone gave Mayor Oscar Goodman a chance to rant about one of his pet peeves.

Goodman chose the announcement of such disclosures to reiterate his belief that he should be allowed to invest in downtown redevelopment projects.

"I still disagree with this whole concept that we who are in the best position to make a difference cannot invest our own money in the area that needs it most," Goodman said.

The actual declarations of interest in the redevelopment area are designed to make the public aware of potential conflicts of interest.

Goodman declared interest in property at Casino Center Boulevard and Bonneville Avenue and 1000 E. Sahara Ave.

Councilman Gary Reese listed 2341 Bonanza Ave., where he leases space for his barbershop. Councilman Michael Mack listed a store he owns at 324 Fremont St.

Other city employees or board members who declared having interest in property are: Neighborhood Services Director Sharon Segerblom; Planning Commissioner Rick Truesdell; former Planning Commissioner Marilyn Moran; City Centre Development Corp. members George Kunz and Marty Keach; building inspector Patty Jacobs; Deputy Planning Director Robert Genzer and Deputy City Attorney Robert Sylvain.