City council report: Economic growth, legal settlements and resident advocacy

The North Las Vegas City Council convened on February 18, 2026, for a comprehensive session presided over by Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown. The meeting, held in the Council chambers, began with an invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black, who expressed gratitude for the region’s religious freedoms and prayed for wisdom among the city’s elected officials. Following the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Cherchio, the council moved into a detailed review of ward-specific initiatives, economic milestones, and significant legal resolutions.

Community outreach and ward initiatives

Councilwoman Ruth Garcia-Anderson of Ward 2 provided updates on several local developments aimed at supporting seniors and improving public health. On February 5, she toured the Pearson Pine Senior Apartments, an affordable housing community managed by Nevada Hand for fixed-income seniors located at 2530 Morton Avenue. She praised the facility and the Neighborhood Services Team for their commitment to providing high-quality housing. Additionally, Garcia-Anderson highlighted the Soran Health Center, which opened last October at 3060 West Lake Mead Boulevard. She noted that the primary care facility features a fully bilingual medical staff to better serve the diverse local population. Her report concluded with a summary of a recent Farmer’s Market at the Dolores Huerta Resource Center and an announcement regarding the upcoming Ward Two Neighborhood Clean-up. Scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., the cleanup will focus on the area between Cartier Avenue and West Avenue, with a community gathering featuring coffee and information sessions held on West Avenue.

Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black and Councilman Isaac Barron also shared updates regarding cultural and educational programs. Black noted the success of a Black History Month luncheon at the Silver Mesa Recreation Center and a family culture night at Simmons Elementary School, where residents participated in traditional tamale-making and dance performances funded by the city’s micro-grant program. He further detailed the “Ride to Read” challenge, which encourages elementary students in Ward 3 to read at least 400 minutes between March 2 and March 31 for a chance to win a BMX bike. Councilman Barron, returning from his duties at the Clark County School District, commended the staff at the Neighborhood Recreation Center for a recent Chinese New Year event and highlighted the “Pan Dulce with the Cops” outreach program hosted by La Bonita on February 11. Meanwhile, Councilman Cherchio reported on the Valentine bingo event at Skyview YMCA and his experience judging student presentations at the Northeast Career and Technical Academy.

Economic Development and Capital Investment

City Manager Micaela Moore delivered an expansive report on the city’s economic trajectory, announcing nine major business wins that are projected to generate $127 million in capital investment. These developments are expected to create 521 new jobs with an average hourly wage of $26.12. The roster of incoming or expanding businesses includes IF Global, the Eye Doc, Alo Yoga, Crocs Hey Dude, Findlay Machine Tools, Sunshine Metals, MasterBrand, Diesel Core, and Columbus Vegetable Oils. Moore attributed four of these wins to direct outreach efforts and commended the various city departments for facilitating the necessary infrastructure and permitting to get these businesses operational.

Legal Settlements and Public Safety Funding

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of the Consent Agenda, which included a $1,200,000 settlement involving Andrea Hollingsworth and her two minor children. The settlement resolves a federal civil rights and ADA lawsuit stemming from a 2021 police call involving Ms. Hollingsworth, who is deaf. In addition to the financial compensation funded by the Self Insurance Fund, the city has mandated annual Deaf Sensitivity Training for all officers and maintains a contract with ASL Communications to ensure professional interpreters are available for future emergency calls.

Public safety infrastructure also received substantial funding through several approved measures. The Council authorized a $1.38 million agreement with Forge Fire and Company, LLC for the purchase and installation of a new fire training structure at the Fire Department Training Center. Furthermore, two grant awards from the Southern Nevada Health District totaling approximately $32,353 were accepted to purchase Power Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) and a decontamination tent for the North Las Vegas Fire Department. To enhance law enforcement capabilities, the Council approved a $434,776 increase to the city’s body-worn camera agreement with Utility Associates, Inc., ensuring additional cameras, warranties, and technical support for officers and marshals through early 2029.

Public Comment and Infrastructure Concerns

The public comment period brought several localized grievances to the Council’s attention. Gregory Sitar, President of the Aries and Nova Point HOA, requested that the city hold builder D.R. Horton accountable for repair costs by withholding their bond release, arguing that homeowners should not bear the financial burden of construction defects. In a separate matter, Thomas Garbin of Sedona Ranch West reported a ten-month struggle to locate a water leak in a common area. Garbin stated that the city had not provided the necessary irrigation plans to resolve the issue while continuing to issue fines for water loss. Mayor Goynes-Brown directed both residents to meet with specific council members for immediate follow-up.

Safety concerns were also raised by resident Terrance Maria, who described ongoing issues with illegal drag racing and “donuts” on Coleman Avenue. Maria alleged that the activity occurs from late afternoon until the early morning hours and noted that school buses frequently fail to stop at designated stop signs in the area. Additionally, Silence DoGood spoke during the comment period to voice opposition to anti-racist doctrines within municipal policy.

Correctional Reports and Administrative Actions

The city provided a mandatory report on in-custody deaths at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center for the latter half of 2025. The report detailed the death of Gregory Ausburn, who experienced a medical episode while in custody on October 23, 2025. Despite life-saving measures and transport to Valley Hospital, Ausburn passed away on October 30.

Administrative approvals concluded the session, including property maintenance contracts with CGI Development of Nevada LLC totaling $950,000 over five years and various liquor and gaming licenses for businesses such as 7-Eleven, WSKY, and Agave y Sal. The Council also moved forward with zoning reclassifications for the Greystar Craig/Commerce project and the Hollywood Speedway Commerce Center, as well as an ordinance change to allow mixed-use residential components on properties currently zoned for commercial use.

Upcoming Community Events

The meeting concluded with reminders of upcoming city-wide events. A Black History Month Community Celebration is scheduled for February 21 at the Aliante Nature Discovery Park, and donations for the Mayor’s Black Hair Care Drive will be accepted through March 12. Mayor Goynes-Brown’s annual State of the City address is set for Thursday, March 26, at the Aliante Casino, with the formal program beginning at 12:45 p.m.