Las Vegas City Council briefs for Oct. 3, 2002

Thursday, Oct. 3, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

Contract for firefighters OK'd

Calling it a fair agreement, the City Council unanimously approved a four-year pact for the city's firefighters that will cost taxpayers $3.8 million beyond what had been budgeted.

The council, with little discussion, went along with staff recommendation to approve a series of 3 percent annual pay raises, longevity pay and a larger contribution to the health plan fund for firefighters, who have been working without a contract for the past 15 months.

The new contract includes $2 million in one-time retroactive pay hikes dating back to June 24, 2001, and $1.8 million in contractual increases.

The pact also includes $695,000 to augment a projected increase to the Las Vegas Firefighters Health and Welfare Trust.

Abolishment of ethics panel urged

Citing a duplication of services, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald on Wednesday called for abolishment of the city's Ethics Review Board.

They asked that the council consider their request at a future meeting after hearing a report from City Manager Doug Selby, who said the city ethics board and the Nevada Ethics Commission serve the same purpose. It was not an action item, so no vote was taken.

Selby reported that the city's ethics code has only two significant differences from state rules -- one restricting lobbying of council members and the other dealing with behavior of candidates in elections.

Under rules governing the city's ethics board, all complaints result in a preliminary hearing. The state board, however, uses a two-member panel to screen complaints first. The complaint is not released publicly unless it proceeds to a hearing or is dismissed.

Goodman also had argued that the city board does not allow for cross-examination of witnesses, and council members can't present evidence.

Way paved for Fremont taverns

The council voted 6-1 to create what it calls an "entertainment overlay district" on Fremont Street just east of the Neonopolis entertainment and retail center.

The bill waives the 1,500-foot distance requirement between bars for the six downtown city blocks bounded by Ogden Avenue, Carson Avenue, Las Vegas Boulevard and Eighth Street.

To get the limited liquor licenses the taverns must offer live entertainment.

Supporters of the bill envision a string of blues clubs, discos and supper clubs similar to City Place in West Palm Beach, Fla., or San Diego's Gaslamp District.

Councilman Larry Brown, the sole opponent, said he liked the concept but voted against the bill because of its vague definition of entertainment. He called it "alcohol-induced redevelopment."

Brown noted that a tavern could hire a piano player or bring in a karaoke machine several days a week and on other days operate a regular bar.