Las Vegas City Council briefs for Nov. 7, 2002

Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 | 9:18 a.m.

ACLU warns against limits on meter ads

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada told the Las Vegas City Council Wednesday that the city cannot discriminate against anyone -- including adult business operators -- who wants to advertise on new parking meter advertising boards.

ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein warned that the city cannot decide what types of businesses can advertise on the three-sided placards that will be located just under the meters.

The council voted 6-0 to approve a contract with a private company that will sell the ads.

Las Vegan Scott Allan, sole owner of Embeck Advertising, said after the hearing it was his decision to not seek adult-oriented ads, not the city's. Allan said he canvassed potential clients to determine feasibility. The potential advertisers' top concern, he said, was that their ads not be placed next to meters that advertise for outcall services and other adult entertainment.

"I did not want to alienate my potential core advertisers," Allan said. He also said he would listen to proposals from all potential advertisers.

Under the contract, Allan will pay the city $6 per parking meter per month. He initially will be allowed to place his ad boards on the 1,200 meters on the streets but not in metered lots or garages.

Moratorium placed on loan businesses

A 60-day moratorium has been placed on new license applications for businesses that offer high-interest loans, check-cashing loans, payday loans and auto title loans.

The move was made to give city staff time to determine what course of action the city will bring back to the council to address what some constituents say are excessive fees and to address concerns that some companies paint their buildings bright colors, detracting from the surrounding neighborhoods.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said the moratorium affects only those companies seeking new business licenses. All license applications that were submitted before Wednesday will be given standard consideration by the city's business licensing department, officials said.

The city's Planning Commission tonight is scheduled to weigh the issue of the appearance of the loan companies buildings.

Grants to help with new museum

The City Council accepted a pair of state grants to replace the air-conditioning system in the historic downtown post office, which is slated to become a museum.

The unanimous vote gave the project $170,000 of the $203,000 needed to replace the old "chiller" unit on the roof with a state-of-the-art ground-level air conditioning system. One grant was $150,000 from the Nevada Commission on Cultural Affairs. The other was $20,000 from the state's Historic Preservation Fund.

City officials say they have applied for a third grant to complete the air-conditioning replacement.

The city obtained the lease on the property earlier this year from the federal government and is calling it the Downtown Heritage Center. A study is under way to determine the type of museum and programs that will be offered at the facility. Work has begun to create a 5-acre city park around the building.

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