Las Vegas council briefs

Thursday, Nov. 8, 2001 | 9:15 a.m.

Homeowner groups can't ban displays

Homeowners associations will be prohibited from adopting codes that restrict the display of American flags on private property, according to an ordinance adopted by the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday.

The ordinance was sponsored by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who responded to several calls from residents after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The ordinance does allow the association to place restrictions on the size, placement and number of flags allowed.

City to deal with Evergreen

The city of Las Vegas will begin negotiating with Evergreen Alliance Golf Limited to operate a northwest golf course, after the council's first choice withdrew from the process.

The council last month awarded local golf course operator Billy Walters negotiation rights for operation of the Northwest Family Golf Course. The move was against the recommendation of a city evaluation panel, which unanimously favored Evergreen.

Walters withdrew his application after producing numbers he said showed his proposal would have gained more revenue for the city than the Evergreen proposal.

Mark Vincent, the city's finance director, said he expects the negotiated contract to be brought before the council by December.

Dump site will be transformed

A 17-acre parcel near Vegas and Buffalo drives in northwestern Las Vegas, which had been a dump, will be the site of a new park.

The council on Wednesday approved awarding a $2.8 million construction bid to Las Vegas Paving Corp. for the development of Pioneer Park.

City Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald said the parcel, at the corner of Pioneer Way and Braswell Drive, has long been used by people as as a dump.

"This has been a longtime coming," she said.

Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.

50 employees consider buyouts

At least 50 city employees could retire early under a "voluntary separation program" approved by the council.

The program will help the city save money on salary and benefit costs by allowing the city to buy out the contracts of employees who have worked for the city at least 20 years.

The buyout is expected to cost $1.5 million to implement, all of which will be recouped in the first five to six months, as some positions are left vacant or eliminated, said Claudette Eunus, the city's human resources director. At least 50 people have expressed interest in the program.

The buyout is expected to help counteract the economic downturn in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. City Manager Virginia Valentine estimated that the city would experience a $7 million to $15 million drop in revenue this year.

Hotel allowed on railroad land

A hotel will be allowed on the city-owned, former railroad land west of downtown, which is also seen as the site of an academic medical center, high-density residential and a performing arts center.

The council approved creating a gaming enterprise district on a portion of 61 city-owned acres downtown.

The district would allow a 300,000-square foot, 4,500-room hotel.