Las Vegas council briefs for Nov. 21, 2002

Thursday, Nov. 21, 2002 | 9:30 a.m.

Council considers raising salaries

The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday sent to a recommending committee a proposed ordinance that would raise the annual salaries and benefits of the mayor and six council members by more than $15,000 a year.

The hearing is slated for 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the eighth floor city manager's conference room.

The bill, the first proposed council-voted pay hike in 16 years, would raise the council members salaries from $40,664 to about $56,000 a year. The mayor's pay would go from $53,422 to about $74,000 annually. Those figures include a first-ever car allowance of $600 for each council member and a $900 car allowance for the mayor, similar to what Henderson council members receive.

The raises, if approved, would not become effective until after the next elections for each council member. Four officials, including Mayor Oscar Goodman, are up for election in the spring. Three others won't run until 2005. When fully implemented in 2005, it would cost city taxpayers about $110,000 more per year to pay their elected officials.

Consultant to study city structure

The Las Vegas City Council approved $57,900 to hire a consultant to assess the effectiveness of the city's Leisure Services, Neighborhood Services, Parks and Open Spaces and Detention and Enforcement divisions, including the marshals and Animal Control offices.

The study by Kirchhoff and Associates would, among other things, analyze organizational structure, compare existing workload with current staffing levels, identify management and organizational improvement opportunities and assess effectiveness of managers and supervisors.

"It will determine if realignment of functions are needed," City Manager Doug Selby told the council. "We will look at city government and improve it anyway we can."

Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald urged "public involvement" be a part of the study because it will address Leisure and Neighborhood Services issues.

The final report from the study will be due March 1.

Castaways chopper pad ruling delayed

The Las Vegas City Council held until Dec. 4 a proposal that would allow a helicopter landing pad at the Castaways hotel.

The request was made by Silver State Helicopters, which wants time to meet with residents who oppose the landing pad.

Silver State and the Castaways want the landing pad in the hotel parking lot along Fremont Street, two miles east of downtown to launch tours of the Strip and perhaps the Grand Canyon. Opponents fear the noise would be a detriment to the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The request for the landing pad was unanimously rejected by the Planning Commission on Oct. 24. City staff has concerns about the safety of the site. Commission Chairman Craig Galati said the site is not an appropriate base for helicopter tours because it is close to residential areas.

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