Reno, Henderson councils meet to compare issues

Henderson will no doubt soon surpass Reno as the second most-populated city in Nevada, but at Thursday's joint meeting of the Henderson and Reno City Councils, the spirit was of cooperation rather than competition.

The 135-year-old city of Reno can serve as an example to Henderson as to what challenges face a city in Nevada as it grows, according to Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin.

"I think that the issues that have faced us in the last 135 years will confront Henderson, because there are issues that are unique to Henderson and Reno," Griffin said. "We represent Henderson's future."

During the meeting, the Reno City Council presented it 1999 legislative agenda, which included proposed amendments to include the review and placement of schools as part of the review of regional developments.

Reno officials said that this legislation is necessary because the placement of schools outside of already-populated areas has led to leapfrog development and urban sprawl in Reno.

Reno also is proposing changes in its City Charter, the most notable of which is the move of municipal elections from spring to fall--a move some Henderson City Council members were interested in, due to the low voter turn-out in spring elections.

Also included on Reno's 1999 legislative agenda are proposals to allow water utilities to oversize water lines in new and newly constructed street projects in order to provide for new growth, and to require utility companies to guarantee the quality of their delivery systems so that they are adequate to survive the life of a new street.

Another proposal would eliminate the need for local governments to track and report unclaimed property under $ 50.

While Henderson hasn't submitted a 1999 legislative agenda as of yet, Henderson Mayor James Gibson said that the city's needs as it grows will be addressed.

"We are part of the Strategic Planning Authority, and there will come a time when their recommendations will represent our voice," Gibson said after the meeting.

The funding and construction of infrastructure as well as educational issues such as the placement and structuring of schools will be top priorities for Henderson, according to Gibson, who added that the special meeting between the two city councils was very productive.

"I thought that it was a very good meeting in that Reno's experiences can really benefit us," he explained. "We will continue a dialogue with them."

Another meeting between the Henderson and Reno City Councils will take place next year.

Reno has also previously met with the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

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