News briefs for July 22, 2004

Thursday, July 22, 2004 | 11:02 a.m.

Rhodes review accepted

The Clark County Commission accepted a review of the Rhodes Ranch Development Agreement that included a dedication of 10 acres for a school site that the developer promised years ago.

Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald said the deal still hinges upon Rhodes Homes getting approval and paying for water service to the site.

Clark County School District officials have said time is running out for the developer to provide the land and utilities for a school site in Rhodes Ranch, which was originally to be "age restricted" to seniors before the developer changed the marketing strategy to open the development to families with school-age children.

Boggs McDonald said the project, and a proposed 668-unit condominium in the development, will come back before the county commission Sept. 22.

"That is the key deadline," she said. If Rhodes Homes fails to bring water service to the school, then the developer will find it difficult to build more homes in the community, she said.

"Then we're going to use whatever means necessary to make them conform with the agreement's master plan," she said.

NLV city attorney receives raise

North Las Vegas' city attorney will receive a $9,500 raise during the next six months, bringing his annual salary to $149,500.

The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the pay increase for Sean McGowan, who has been city attorney since December 1999. McGowan will receive a $5,000 raise at the beginning of August and a $4,500 raise on Jan. 1. In the future years McGowan is scheduled to receive a raise based on the consumer price index.

The council also agreed to reduce the severance pay McGowan would receive if he is fired to four months' salary from six months' salary.

The council vote followed a 25-minute closed-door meeting between the council and McGowan, after which Mayor Michael Montandon said, "in general the council is pleased with the performance of the legal department."

There was no council discussion of the proposed raises during the open part of the meeting.

McGowan said the raises, and reduction in severance pay, were proposed by him to the council members. McGowan said the council did not discuss the raises during their closed meeting.

Dog alerts family to garage fire

A howling dog alerted a Henderson family that its garage was in flames late Wednesday, a Henderson Fire Department official said.

Firefighters arrived at the home in the 200 Jann Drive, near Greenway Road and Horizon Drive, just before 5 p.m. and found a single-story home with smoke and flames shooting from the garage. Family members tried to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose, but firefighters put it out in five minutes, Battalion Chief Robert Maroney said.

There were no injuries among 26 firefighters and family members weren't hurt. Damage is estimated at $50,000 and confined to the garage.