City briefs for January 3, 2002

Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002 | 8:56 a.m.

City delays application

The city of Las Vegas has postponed for 30 days an application to the federal government for temporary ownership of the historic downtown post office.

Lesa Coder, the city's business development director, said the temporary license would have allowed the city to occupy a portion of the building and begin exploring possible tenants and fund-raising opportunities.

The city expects it will take at least three more months to gain ownership of the post office by the federal government, which has declared the building fit for public disposal.

It would cost the city almost $11,500 per month for the building's upkeep if it gains temporary ownership.

LV joins fight against rate hike

The city of Las Vegas will fight a record rate hike requested from Nevada Power, a hike Councilman Michael McDonald called "shameful."

Already expecting a $12 million utility bill this year, city officials expect that number to rise by several million dollars if the request is approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

On Wednesday the council directed city staff to intervene in the case because of its cost to the city. The city will be allowed to sit in on discussions between Nevada Power and the PUC.

Before the discussion the city met a PUC deadline of Dec. 26 to submit a petition to intervene in the case.

Nevada Power is asking for a $921 million rate hike to cover increasing fuel costs.