On the Agenda: A City of Reno Podcast

In this episode, we continue the conversation on housing by breaking down how affordability is calculated, what area median income means, how subsidies help keep rents lower and why long-term affordability requirements are an important part of affordable housing projects. Guests Elaine Olson, Housing Administrator for the City of Reno Housing and Neighborhood Development team; Angela Fuss, Assista...

In Part 2 of Off the Agenda: Ask Reno, we continue the conversation on homelessness and housing by focusing on affordable housing, eviction prevention and the programs available to help residents stay housed. Guests from the Reno Housing Authority and the City of Reno Housing and Neighborhood Development team discuss public housing, housing choice vouchers, rental and deposit assistance, housing c...

We're kicking off a special summer series of "On the Agenda" focused on answering common community questions that matter to residents. The series will bring in City, County and regional partners to help explain who does what, how local government works and how different agencies collaborate to serve the community. We're calling it "Off the Agenda: Ask Reno," and the fir...

One of Reno's beloved community centers, the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center, is about to get a makeover! In this episode, we sit down with Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Ullyot to discuss the City of Reno’s recent $3 million federal Community Project Funding award that will help support future renovations and upgrades to the community center. The conversation explores how the fundin...

On the latest episode of “On the Agenda,” we sit down with Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran to discuss a recent Reno City Council investment in firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and why that equipment matters both on emergency scenes and long-term firefighter safety. The conversation takes a closer look at the gear firefighters rely on every day, what it protects them from, and why regul...

In this episode of On the Agenda, we sit down with newly sworn-in Reno Police Chief Corey Solferino to discuss the future of the Reno Police Department and what residents can expect moving forward. Chief Solferino shares his background growing up in Reno, his leadership philosophy, and the priorities he plans to focus on as Chief, including community engagement, visibility, and trust.

After recently discussing the City of Reno’s proposed balanced General Fund budget (meaning the City is not operating at a deficit), we’re tackling another budget topic that often gets confused with it: the Redevelopment Agency, or RDA. While the General Fund pays for services like public safety, streets, and parks, RDA funding is separate and can only be used for redevelopment projects within spe...

On this episode of On the Agenda, Director of Finance Vicki Van Buren joins the show to explain the City’s projected FY26 savings, what a balanced budget really means, and how those decisions impact services across Reno. Plus, a quick preview of what’s ahead at the next Council meeting!

In this episode of On the Agenda, we take a closer look at something you might not always notice but one that plays a big role in how people move safely through Reno: Pedestrian Ramps. After a quick recap of recent Council items, we’re joined by Monica Kirch from Housing and Neighborhood Development and Jon Smith from Public Works, who break down how the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) pr...

Live entertainment has been a hot topic lately in the Biggest Little City, with some residents raising concerns about noise while some businesses say the rules can be too restrictive! In this episode of On the Agenda, we are joined by Angela Fuss, Assistant Director of Development Services, to discuss the presentation she gave to the Reno City Council last week and how feedback from residents and...

In this episode, Neighborhood Coordinator Roberto Lara stops by to talk about Love Your Block, a resident-led neighborhood improvement program funded through a national grant partnership with the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. After a successful first year in Ward 3, the program is expanding to Ward 1, where residents can apply for mini-grants to support projec...

In this episode, we recap recent Council highlights, including a Reno Rodeo Association grant to improve accessibility at the Idlewild Park splash pad, an update on the Reno Arch, and the rebrand of the Reno Redevelopment Agency to RE-UP. Then we are joined by Kerrie Koski, Director of Public Works & Khalil Wilson, Assistant Dir. of Public Works, to hear about the RTC Interlocal Cooperative Ag...

On the latest episode of On the Agenda, we cover wildfire preparedness as Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran and Fire Inspector Talina Sky join the show to discuss the City’s newly accepted 2026 Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). They explain how the plan identifies wildfire risks, strengthens coordination across agencies, supports grant funding opportunities, and provides a five-year roadmap fo...

In this episode, we take a closer look at the future of baseball in Reno following the City Council’s approval of a new stadium agreement between the City of Reno and the Reno Aces. Assistant City Manager Norma Santoyo steps in this week to recap highlights from the January 28 Reno City Council meeting, including the approval of a $25,000 grant to the Reno Police Department from Grace Church. Late...

In this episode, we look into childcare with a discussion on Council’s approval of a reimbursement agreement with The Children’s Cabinet. Joining the show are Parks and Recreation Director Nathan Ullyot and Fund Development Manager Landon Miller, who explain how the Sierra Kids program provides before- and after-school care and summer camps for children ages 5–12, and how this partnership helps se...

We're taking a look back at the topics and decisions that shaped the City of Reno in 2025 on a special edition of On the Agenda that we're calling "Off the Agenda." From housing and public safety to infrastructure, childcare, utilities, parks, and City finances, we hear highlights from episodes about the issues residents cared about most and the work tackled throughout the year!

In this episode of On the Agenda, Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance joins us to discuss the City’s newly approved Drone as a First Responder program. The episode begins with highlights from the last Reno City Council meeting of 2025, including investments in park improvements, the next phase of the Storm Drain Master Plan, and acceptance of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Chief Nan...

In this episode, we take a look at a recent ordinance introduction aimed at improving standards and reducing barriers for childcare providers in Reno. Guest speaker Grace Mackedon, Senior Management Analyst with Development Services, explains why the City brought this ordinance forward, what challenges residents and providers are facing, and how the proposed updates would expand childcare options...

In this episode, we dig into one of the most talked-about topics in Reno lately: noise. Assistant City Manager Ashley Turney fills in this week to recap highlights from the 11/19 Reno City Council Meeting, including a $100,000 state grant for new Rapid Flashing Beacons, public safety presentations from RPD, and updates on negotiations with the Reno Aces. Then, Assistant Director of Development Ser...

In this episode, we recap a few items from the latest Reno City Council meeting, including a new historic preservation grant, two ordinance introductions, and the appointment of Ward 3 Councilmember Miguel Martinez as Reno’s new Vice Mayor. Then we’re joined by Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran for a closer look at the Reno Fire Department’s regional partnerships, including a Cooperative Agreement with...

In this episode, we recap recent City Council actions, including new safety bollards at the Reno Event Center, tree-planting grants, and updates on housing and downtown operations. We also sit down with April Wolfe , our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, to talk about more than $40,000 in new grants supporting adaptive recreation programs for veterans. April shares how programs like Fit But Not F...

In the latest episode of On the Agenda, we’re joined by Development Services’ Grace Mackedon to talk about what the new ordinance means for residents, how it supports housing affordability, and what steps to take if you’re interested in adding an ADU to your property. Reno City Manager Jackie Bryant also recaps highlights from the most recent Reno City Council meeting, including new public safety...

In the past 5 years, the City of Reno has assisted in adding more than 2,200 new affordable housing units, including the new Eddy House Transitional Living Community, the Carville Park Senior Apartments, the Marvel Way Long-term affordable sober living complex, Dick Scott Manor, and more. In this episode of On the Agenda, we learn how fee waivers are helping bring more affordable housing to our co...

In this episode of On the Agenda , we dive into a big topic: Nevada’s unique property tax system. First, we cover highlights from the latest Council meeting, including acceptance of key public safety grants, updates on the Reno Police Department’s Mobile Outreach Safety Team, the annual economic outlook, and the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. Council also approved a new ordinance on...

In this episode of On the Agenda, Reno Fire Chief David Cochran, Fire Inspector Sean O’Brien, and Boston the Arson Dog join us to explain the 2024 International Fire Code and the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. They share what these updates mean for our community, why regional collaboration is so important, and how Reno is preparing for new challenges like lithium-ion battery storage...