Things We Got done

…and some we’re still doing

I am proud of the work that I have done along with my Reno City Council colleagues on a wide range of issues. I am running for State Senate-District 15 to continue this work, and to build on it. Here are some of the things that have gotten done, that we have been working on:

Healthy City Finances

  • We continue to pay down our debt, which is now lower by about $180 million in bond debt since the high in 2009. We reduced employee-related liabilities by another $40 million during my term by renegotiating labor contracts.
  • Increased Reno credit rating to A+

Housing, homelessness, and smart growth

  • Approved 1600 units of affordable housing – most of which has broken ground or been constructed
  • Approved four new affordable housing projects (in our ward) for veterans, seniors, and working families
  • Worked with state of Nevada to lease the Nevada Mental Health Institute on Galetti Way for use as a new homeless services campus
  • Approved a new Community Housing Land Trust to partner with for-profit and non-profit entities to create lower cost housing options
  • Initiated 200 transitional dorm-style units on city property
  • Initiated Tiny Homes project
  • Approved new Downtown Business Improvement District to reduce homelessness, keep city clean and visitor friendly
  • Supported Park Lane revitalization, with 50-acre residential and shopping district in the works
  • Supported Kings Inn renovation

Housing, homelessness, and smart growth

  • Approved 1600 units of affordable housing – most of which has broken ground or been constructed
  • Approved four new affordable housing projects (in our ward) for veterans, seniors, and working families
  • Worked with state of Nevada to lease the Nevada Mental Health Institute on Galetti Way for use as a new homeless services campus
  • Approved a new Community Housing Land Trust to partner with for-profit and non-profit entities to create lower cost housing options
  • Initiated 200 transitional dorm-style units on city property
  • Initiated Tiny Homes project
  • Approved new Downtown Business Improvement District to reduce homelessness, keep city clean and visitor friendly
  • Supported Park Lane revitalization, with 50-acre residential and shopping district in the works
  • Supported Kings Inn renovation

Addressing blight, sustainability, and the city’s appeal

  • Established Blight Reduction Fund to tear down aging structures, clean up properties
  • Passed ordinances to eliminate new Billboards and prohibit digital billboards altogether
  • Started Motel Improvement Program
  • Established new City of Reno License Plate to raise funds for parks
  • Initiated new Bikeshare Pilot Program with Lime Bike

Sustainability

  • Signed Mayor’s Compact on Climate Change
  • Started Re-Energize Reno Project to increase energy conservation
  • Releaf Reno – Initiated new program to double the trees in Reno within 20 years; Obtained about $100K in contributions and pledges for program; sponsored tree planting projects in throughout Reno.
  • Solar Energy – Successfully advocated to bring back roof top solar.
  • Established Pesticide Free Park Program – adopted 12 pesticide free parks

Sustainability

  • Signed Mayor’s Compact on Climate Change
  • Started Re-Energize Reno Project to increase energy conservation
  • Releaf Reno – Initiated new program to double the trees in Reno within 20 years; Obtained about $100K in contributions and pledges for program; sponsored tree planting projects in throughout Reno.
  • Solar Energy – Successfully advocated to bring back roof top solar.
  • Established Pesticide Free Park Program – adopted 12 pesticide free parks

Safety and health

  • Increased police on patrol on all shifts in central and south Reno by 50% (From 12 staff to 18 staff total)
  • Suing Opiod Manufacturers and Distributors to recover local funds spent on opiod crisis – (Nevada is 4th in Country in opiod addiction and loss of life)
  • Adopted new agreements for Fire Mutual and Automatic Aid to ensure rapid response
  • Reopened two Fire Stations with 2-person medical crews – Skyline and Sommersett

Outreach, planning, and good government

  • Adopted New Master Plan for the City with over 7000 residents participating
  • Reestablished the Neighborhood Advisory Boards
  • Initiated first municipal lobbyist registration program
  • Initiated first Human Rights Commission in northern Nevada
  • Initiated first quarterly donation reporting program for elected officials in Nevada

Water

  • Serve on both Truckee Meadows Water Authority and Western Regional Water Commission
  • Truckee Meadows Water Authority
    • Completed consolidation of Washoe County Water System and South Truckee Meadows General Improvement District (STMGID) with TMWA;
    • Encouraged TMWA to become preferred water provider region-wide;
    • Completed installation of water meters in region.
  • Western Regional Water Commission – Completed new 2017 Regional Water Plan.
  • Reclaimed Water to TRIC – Championed effort to provide 4000 acre feet of treated effluent to Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) to reduce pollution in the Truckee River and establish an instream flow for the Truckee River
  • Stormwater Management – Championing effort to establish a new stormwater management system for Reno

Water

  • Serve on both Truckee Meadows Water Authority and Western Regional Water Commission
  • Truckee Meadows Water Authority
    • Completed consolidation of Washoe County Water System and South Truckee Meadows General Improvement District (STMGID) with TMWA;
    • Encouraged TMWA to become preferred water provider region-wide;
    • Completed installation of water meters in region.
  • Western Regional Water Commission – Completed new 2017 Regional Water Plan.
  • Reclaimed Water to TRIC – Championed effort to provide 4000 acre feet of treated effluent to Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) to reduce pollution in the Truckee River and establish an instream flow for the Truckee River
  • Stormwater Management – Championing effort to establish a new stormwater management system for Reno

Projects done in our ward, personal accomplishments

  • Pedestrian Safety – Improved road safety throughout Ward 2 with pedestrian-activated crosswalks, speed bumps, four-way stops, radar speed signs, new road stripping, etc.
  • Flooding – Sponsoring $1 million effort to provide flood protection to homes in Autumn Hills (near Huffaker Park), the Reno area most damaged by the 2017 floods.
  • Reduced speed on Rio Wrangler and Steamboat Pkwy – to protect kids and drivers
  • Wild Horses – Spearheaded effort to keep wild horses and drivers in south Reno safe, including installation of fences around developments, lowered speed limits, new signage, horse guards

Parks

  • Virginia Lake Park – Led effort to upgrade Park, including establishing new project to monitor, clean and re-circulate Virginia Lake water, significantly improving water clarity.  Initiated road safety program, with installation of radar speed signs, speed bumps, and  4-way stops.  Got parking lot paved and cracks in path repaired.  Completed path around lake. Installed new art.
  • Virginia Lake Dog Park – Facilitated public-private partnership to complete Reno’s first real dog park
  • Jack Tighe Park/Baseball Fields – Obtained funds to resurface large parking lot (for Babe Ruth and Continental Baseball)
  • Trail connectivity – Required installation of new connecting bike/walking path from Lakeside Drive to Delmonte Lane as part of Rancharrah Project
  • Comstock Park (Double Diamond)- Led major tree planting effort to restore park
  • Manzanita Park – Upgraded tennis courts and play areas
  • Washoe Co Golf Course park – Upgraded tennis courts
  • Robinhood Park – Obtained funds to renovate rundown park in low income area; Design planned for 2019.
  • Championing new Virginia Range Open Space Plan

I successfully advocated for new policies in the master plan, including:

  • Full WiFi/Broadband for Reno
  • More protection for floodplains, wetlands and natural systems
  • A new Stormwater Management utility
  • TMWA as a preferred water provider in region
  • More fire escape routes
  • Enhanced protection for historical resources

Major Infrastructure

  • City Parking Garage – Negotiated purchase of Reno City Garage, streets & air rights from Club Cal Neva for $10; led effort to improve, clean and paint facility, repair and upgrade elevators, increase security.
  • Virginia Street Bridge – Completed new Virginia Street Bridge.  Project was initiated by me while at Truckee River Flood Authority
  • I-580 Interchange Improvements – Improved I-580 intersections at Double Diamond Parkway and Damonte Ranch Road to ease traffic congestion

Major Infrastructure

  • City Parking Garage – Negotiated purchase of Reno City Garage, streets & air rights from Club Cal Neva for $10; led effort to improve, clean and paint facility, repair and upgrade elevators, increase security.
  • Virginia Street Bridge – Completed new Virginia Street Bridge.  Project was initiated by me while at Truckee River Flood Authority
  • I-580 Interchange Improvements – Improved I-580 intersections at Double Diamond Parkway and Damonte Ranch Road to ease traffic congestion

Arts & Culture

  • Arts and Culture Commission and Artown Liaison – “More Art Everywhere”
  • Bicentennial Sculpture Park – Supported establishment of new Rotary-sponsored art park along river
  • Burning Man – Helped expand Burning Man footprint in Reno (BELIEVE, Playa Art park, The Generator)
  • Arts and Business Awards luncheon -Collaborated with the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) to create new arts recognition program
  • Lear Theater – Championing effort to get theater renovated

Boards and Commissions

  • Washoe County Debt Management Commission – Chair
  • Washoe County Animal Advisory Board – Chair
  • Truckee Meadows Water Authority
  • Western Regional Water Commission
  • Regional Planning Governing Board
  • Western Nevada Development District
  • Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board – Liaison
  • Urban Forestry Commission – Liaison
  • Arts and Culture Commission – Liaison
  • Economic Development Authority – Alternate

Boards and Commissions

  • Washoe County Debt Management Commission – Chair
  • Washoe County Animal Advisory Board – Chair
  • Truckee Meadows Water Authority
  • Western Regional Water Commission
  • Regional Planning Governing Board
  • Western Nevada Development District
  • Ward 2 Neighborhood Advisory Board – Liaison
  • Urban Forestry Commission – Liaison
  • Arts and Culture Commission – Liaison
  • Economic Development Authority – Alternate

Please contact me at any time. naomi@votenaomi.com or (calls only) 775-224-4740