Las Vegas council briefs for Dec. 19, 2002

Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

Internet traffic school approved

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday approved a contract that creates the city's first Internet traffic school.

The On-Line Traffic School Inc., of West Lake Village, Calif., will be the city's sole provider of the online service.

Under the contract, motorists who otherwise would take the basic five-hour traditional classroom traffic school that costs $35 could opt to take the online course in the privacy of their homes for $39.

Successful completion of either school results in three penalty points being removed from a driver's record.

Fire supervisor contract approved

The City Council unanimously approved a contract with the supervisory personnel of Las Vegas Fire and Rescue that calls for an additional $159,000 to be added to what was allocated for the current fiscal year's budget.

Earlier this year, the council approved a similar four-year pact with the firefighters' union that will cost taxpayers $3.8 million beyond what had been budgeted this year to maintain its fire services.

The four-year pact with the supervisors, who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1285, calls for a retroactive 3 percent raise to June 24, 2001, and an additional 3 percent retroactive to this past June 24. Additional 3 percent raises will be added next June and in June 2004 and 2005.

Moratorium set on kids' citations

The City Council set a 45-day moratorium on the Neighborhood Services Department issuing citations on violations of children playing in the streets of residential areas that are under the auspices of home owners associations.

The unanimous vote by the council prevents the citing of parents of children who violate homeowner association rules against riding scooters on residential sidewalks, playing basketball or participating in other similar activities.

Supper clubs slots considered

The City Council sent to a recommending committee a proposed ordinance that would permit supper clubs to have slot machines.

Currently, such facilities that primarily provide entertainment and serve food and alcohol are not allowed to have slots. If this ordinance is approved, such businesses with at least 5,000 square feet of floor space would be allowed to have up to five slot machines.

Also sent to a recommending committee was a proposed ordinance that addresses the zoning of money-lending companies in the city.

The bill limits such financial institutions to certain zoning areas and restricts signage, prohibiting temporary signs, balloons, pennants and streamers.

Council must find Walsh replacement

The council will decide at its Jan. 8 meeting how it will go about replacing Municipal Judge Jessie Walsh, who recently was elected to the District Court.

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald suggested that the city appoint a review panel to sort through the 50 or more resumes it has received, and narrow the field to three candidates from which the council could choose a replacement.

A governmental affairs consulting

contract with the Las Vegas law firm of Lionel, Sawyer & Collins unanimously received a one-year extension.The consulting fee of $90,000 was budgeted for the fiscal year.