Las Vegas council briefs

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 10:30 a.m.

Tips from clubs are still illegal

Taxi drivers who bring fares to adult businesses in exchange for tips from club owners will still be violating city law.

A proposal that would repeal the city code that bans such practices was stricken from Wednesday's City Council agenda after council members raised concerns about Mayor Oscar Goodman's proposal.

Goodman said he is asking city staff to redraft the proposal.

The new measure will repeal the law for both taxis and limousines only as it applies to adult clubs. Restaurants and casinos will not be included, Goodman said.

Goodman proposed repealing the law in the first place because he said it can't be enforced.

Lease approved for boneyard

Plans for a neon museum in the city's cultural corridor received a boost from the city on Wednesday when the council approved a land lease agreement for a proposed sign boneyard.

The Neon Museum will pay the city $1 a year for five years for a 1.14-acre parcel on the southwest corner of McWilliams Avenue and Encanto Drive near Cashman Center.

Museum officials have two years to begin work on the project, under terms of the agreement.

Museum official Nancy Deaner said she expects ground to be broken on the site within two years.

The museum plans to build a sign boneyard, or storage area for signs in need of restoration. After the boneyard is complete the museum hopes to open a cultural center.

Deal approved with Wells Fargo

City officials who travel on business will soon be bringing expense cards along on the trip.

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to provide travel card services to the city. All travel expenses will then be sent to the individual city employee for their review and payment.

The city enrolled in the program through a Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority contract.

In another travel-related item, the council approved $342,000 to use the Clark County Travel Service Agreements for flight and lodging services.

Petition drive falls short

A citizens initiative petition drive designed to amend city ordinances related to adult bookstores and sexually-oriented businesses fell short of the required signatures to place the item on the November ballot.

The petitions collected by Pornography Only in Zone (POIZ) needed 7,809 signatures to qualify for the next general election. City Clerk Roni Ronemus said the petition's original 829 signatures fell to 795 after duplicate signers were removed.

Citizen initiatives must have signatures equal to 15 percent of those who voted in the previous general election.

The City Council on Wednesday certified Ronemus' findings that the POIZ initiative was insufficient.

Enus named new director

Veteran personnel director Claudette Enus was hired Wednesday as the city's human resources director.

Enus, a lifelong Las Vegan, has more than 20 years experience in the field and has been human resources manager of the Las Vegas Housing Authority for the past four years.

She currently serves on the Nevada State Personnel Commission and the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council.

Enus will begin work Sept. 11 and make $94,000 plus benefits. She replaces Rick Anderson, who retired to pursue business opportunities.

Northwest facility moves forward

Plans for a city golf course in northwest Las Vegas took a step forward Wednesday when the City Council pre-approved $50,000 in design and engineering services at the proposed facility.

The council previously approved the sale of bonds for the construction of the Northwest Golf Course at Cheyenne Avenue and Durango Drive. The engineering services approved Wednesday will help the city determine how to prepare construction bid documents.

The Las Vegas City Council

on Wednesday approved the sale of $8 million in medium-term bonds to build a community facility and senior center near downtown. The proposed project will be built on the site of the former armory at Eastern and Stewart avenues.