Las Vegas news briefs

Without public comment, the Las Vegas City Council introduced a new ordinance Monday that would create a Metro Police Citizens Review Board.

The proposed ordinance will next be sent to the council's Recommending Committee, which will hold a public hearing on the item Monday at 4 p.m.

Formation of the review board came after months of public criticism of the police department because of some highly publicized cases in which residents charged that officers were abusing their power.

Because Metro is jointly funded by the city and Clark County, both government entities must approve the review board before it is formed.

The proposed board will cost an estimated $200,000 a year and consist of 25 members -- appointed by both the county and city.

The board will be separate from Metro's Internal Affairs Bureau and will screen cases and consider requests for review.

New medical benefits plan for city employees approved

City of Las Vegas employees will have to pay more for dental coverage but will get more long-term disability coverage as a result of a new medical benefits plan approved Monday by the City Council.

A new co-payment structure for dental benefits will save the city about $145,500 a year, while the long-term disability coverage will cost the city $177,097.

Missing from the plan, however, was an anticipated move to offer medical benefits to unmarried domestic partners of city employees.

Outgoing Mayor Jan Laverty Jones has been the lone supporter on the council of benefits for domestic partners.

"I have to pick my fights and this isn't one of them," Jones said.

Fire department gets money for radio upgrades

The Las Vegas Fire Department received $165,247 in city funds on Monday for the upgrade of radio systems in the new communications center.

The upgrade in radio systems is needed so all communications equipment can be switched from the old center to the new center, which is currently being prepared on the third floor of the Fire Administration Building.

The city is paying 41 percent of the total upgrade cost. Clark County and North Las Vegas are also sharing the cost of the upgrade.

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