Las Vegas council briefs for April 18, 2002

Thursday, April 18, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

How to select Valentine successor

The council next month is expected to decide how to fill the shoes of outgoing City Manager Virginia Valentine.

Councilman Michael Mack asked for an item to be placed on the May 1 agenda to decide what type of search should be conducted to look for a new city manager -- national or in-state.

Valentine said she is resigning effective May 31. In the last several weeks, Mayor Oscar Goodman has met with potential candidates, including former lobbyist Rose McKinney-James and political consultant Terry Murphy.

Decision delayed on sidewalk sales

Main Street business owners will have to wait two more weeks for a possible reprieve from an ordinance that prevents sidewalk sales.

The City Council on Wednesday was scheduled to decide whether to suspend for 90 days enforcement of an ordinance that bans display of merchandise on sidewalks, but it postponed a decision for two weeks.

Councilman Gary Reese represents the area, but because of the redistricting process, Main Street could get a new council member. City Attorney Brad Jerbic advised the council to wait two weeks until it was clear which councilman would represent the area.

The owners have been fighting the city since 1999 over a recently enforced 1985 ordinance that bans display of their wares on the sidewalks.

Store owners argue that their business has dropped significantly since the ordinance was enforced, threatening to drive them out of business.

City ownership expected soon

The city of Las Vegas could be the new owner of the city's historic first federal courthouse building by next month.

The council on Wednesday authorized Mayor Oscar Goodman to accept the deed for the downtown post office from the U.S. General Services Administration.

Lesa Coder, the city's Business Development director, said the city could have ownership of the building on Stewart Avenue in two weeks.

Over the next several months, city staff will work on determining the best use for the building.

Barbara Jackson, director of Leisure Services, said she would have an agenda item at a future meeting for the council to consider hiring a consultant who specializes in museum and cultural affairs.