Las Vegas set to reconsider how city funds art projects

By Conor Shine

Monday, May 13, 2013 | 5:15 p.m.

Las Vegas could scale back its funding for the arts under a bill up for approval by the city council this week. Council members will also consider a $600,000 fine against a property owner and hear plans for upgrades to the Las Vegas Convention Center when they meet Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St.

Percent for the Arts

The city has spent $1.1 million on art projects since it began diverting 1 percent of its capital improvements budget into a dedicated arts fund in 2005.

The funding has led to many small and large-scale projects around the city, several of which were done by out-of-state artists.

A bill up for approval by the city council Wednesday would end the city’s mandatory contribution to the arts fund and instead gives the council discretion over how much to allocate for the arts.

The bill’s sponsor, Councilman Bob Beers, said he doesn’t want to see the city’s arts funding go away entirely. Instead, he wants to make sure any money spent by the city goes to local artists.

Steep fines for out-of-code condos

The poor condition of three condominium complexes near Valley View Boulevard and Sahara Avenue prompted an intervention by the city, which sent staff in to clean up the properties in 2008.

The city spent $28,698 rehabilitating the properties, which had numerous code violations including tall weeds, waste and pests outside the buildings and leaky fixtures, holes in interior walls and broken windows inside. The lack of response from the properties’ owner also led to an accrual of $596,050 in civil penalties levied by the city.

Only $6,000 of that fine has been paid so far and on Wednesday, the properties’ new owners will come before the city council to ask the city to reduce or outright waive the fine as they make needed improvements to upgrade the complexes.

Energy code complaints

Anytime a building in Las Vegas undergoes a large-scale renovation or major modification, the changes must comply with an International Energy Conservation Code, which sets standards for energy efficiency and is enforced by local governments.

The code was most recently updated in 2009 and some argue the current standards are too strict and drive up the cost of renovations, especially for older buildings downtown.

A bill being considered by the city council would allow buildings built before 2009 to skirt the current minimum energy conservation standards and instead comply with the less-stringent standards in effect at the time of the original construction.

The bill, which has the support of downtown property owners, will be discussed 9 a.m. Tuesday at the council recommending committee meeting and could come back for approval before the full board in early June.