The North Las Vegas City Council convened for its regular meeting on May 20. The evening’s proceedings commenced with an invocation delivered by Elder Gregory Williams of Mountaintop Faith Ministries, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the Mojave High School Student Council. The session featured civic commendations, the presentation and adoption of the final municipal budget for the upcoming fiscal year, the passage of strict regulations governing electric mobility devices and expansive progress reports from both the police and fire departments.

Civic commendations and community recognitions

Preservation of municipal history

Councilwoman Ruth Garcia-Anderson presented a formal Certificate of Recognition to Jeff Alpert, designating him as the city’s “resident historian.” The certificate honors Alpert’s long-standing passion and commitment to documenting the local heritage of the region. Alpert, who referred to himself as “the official unofficial historian of North Las Vegas,” expressed his gratitude to the council and detailed his literary contributions to the community.

Alpert has authored three books focusing on regional history. His first publication focuses on the Kyle Ranch, which represents the oldest historic property in North Las Vegas, having been established more than 150 years ago by Conrad Kyle. His second book provides a comprehensive chronicle detailing the political and structural evolution of the municipality and its successive mayors. Alpert’s third book offers an exploration of the early foundational pioneers of Las Vegas—including the farmers, doctors and lawyers who settled along Fremont Street. He noted that these individuals arrived when the area was a complete dustbowl devoid of air conditioning, forcing families to relocate to California each summer to escape the extreme heat.

National Public Works Week and infrastructure awards

Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black read a formal proclamation declaring May 17 through May 23 as National Public Works Week in the City of North Las Vegas, marking the 66th annual national observance. Black invited Jed Wheeler, representing the Nevada Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA), and Mike Hudgeons, P.E., of the North Las Vegas Public Works Department, to accept the recognition. The proclamation highlighted the foundational contributions of public works personnel in protecting public safety and maintaining community quality of life.

During the presentation, it was announced that the North Las Vegas Public Works Department was awarded the APWA Project of the Year in Nevada for the construction of the Apex Elevated Water Tank. The facility features a 1.25-million-gallon elevated storage tank designed to guarantee reliable fire protection to the Apex Industrial Park prior to the completion of the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s primary water lines.

Wheeler emphasized the competitive nature of the accolade, noting that projects completed during the previous year undergo intensive interview presentations at the APWA spring conference. He confirmed that the Apex Elevated Water Tank project will advance to be contested on a national level rather than just the state level. Hudgeons credited the department’s success to internal collaboration, stating that the achievement would be impossible without the cohesive support of the entire public works team.

Educational excellence

Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown presided over the presentation of the Mayor’s Innovative Teacher Awards. Recognizing the conclusion of the academic year, Mayor Goynes-Brown commended the assembled educators for their dedication to local students. A total of 31 teachers, each selected by their respective school administrators, received certificates honoring their exceptional instructional contributions and service to the youth of North Las Vegas.

City Council ward updates and community initiatives

Members of the City Council provided individual updates regarding recent civic outreach efforts, ward developments and upcoming community programming:

Councilman Isaac Barron reported on his May 13th canvassing efforts alongside the municipal Redevelopment Team to promote the Commercial Facade Improvement program. The initiative aims to revitalize and improve businesses located within the downtown area by establishing stronger connections with local merchants. Barron also highlighted his participation in the Delores Huerta Resource Fair, which featured community resources, food, and live mariachi music. Additionally, Barron announced that his annual community pool party is scheduled to take place at the city pool on June 20th.

Councilman Richard Cherchio of Ward 4 announced the upcoming grand opening of Dynamic Dental, a state-of-the-art, family-owned dental practice located within his ward. The facility features advanced in-house fabrication technologies capable of manufacturing and placing permanent crowns within a single patient visit while the client remains in the office. Cherchio designated the practice as his upcoming “Business of the Month” for June.

Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black highlighted a collaborative environmental initiative held on May 9th in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department and Nevada Plants. The event successfully distributed nearly 300 free trees to residents as part of the city’s ongoing investment in establishing a robust urban tree canopy to mitigate extreme heat and provide neighborhood shade. Black also reported on his participation in a Career Day event on May 12th at Steve Cozine Elementary School, where he spoke to second- and fourth-grade students about civic engagement and community service.

Councilwoman Ruth Garcia-Anderson shared details of her community attendance over Mother’s Day at the North Las Vegas Neighborhood Recreation Center, where she enjoyed a luncheon. She followed this with a visit to the Alexander Library, where she reviewed design concepts presented by University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) graduate students outlining proposals for a new library facility. On the morning of May 20th, Garcia-Anderson attended a senior citizen emergency preparedness symposium hosted by the fire department at the Martin Luther King Senior Center. She concluded by announcing a co-hosted public pool party at the Walker Pool on Saturday, June 6th, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring complimentary food and prizes.

Mayor Goynes-Brown noted the extensive array of community activities planned throughout the summer season. She advised residents to stay informed on municipal scheduling by subscribing to the official city newsletter and visiting the city’s various social media pages.

Adoption of the final fiscal year 2026-27 municipal budget

Chief Financial Officer Will Hardy presented the final City of North Las Vegas Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget for council review and approval. The comprehensive fiscal plan outlines a total of $1.05 billion in total appropriations, a figure that excludes depreciation within proprietary funds.

The finalized financial framework distributes the $1.05 billion in total appropriations across three core areas of municipal governance. The largest single component consists of $1.02 billion dedicated specifically to the general operational expenditures of the City of North Las Vegas. The remaining funds are allocated to specialized local districts, with $17.5 million explicitly earmarked for the North Las Vegas Redevelopment District and $5.3 million allocated to support the ongoing operations of the North Las Vegas Library District.

The approved budget accounts for a mandatory Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for municipal employees and designates $7.5 million in General Fund expenditures directly toward Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). Financial metrics indicate that the city is maintaining structural fiscal sustainability, targeting a balanced General Fund Ending Balance of 39.83%.

During the presentation, Hardy noted that municipal expenses have temporarily grown at a faster rate than incoming revenues due to the rapid physical and demographic expansion of the city. He advised that the administration must focus on managing and moderating expense growth moving forward, though he affirmed that the overall financial posture of the city remains structurally healthy.

Councilman Barron commended the collaborative approach utilized by current municipal leadership, contrasting it with historical periods where individual city departments actively competed against one another for funding. Hardy praised the budget team for their intense work ethic and execution. Following the presentation, the City Council voted unanimously to approve and adopt the final fiscal budget.

Public safety annual reports

North Las Vegas Police Department progress report

Police Chief Jaqueline Gravatt delivered a comprehensive statistical presentation detailing the law enforcement agency’s operational performance, crime reduction metrics and community engagement successes over the course of the preceding year.

Crime and traffic safety statistics

The police department reported significant downward trends across major criminal categories and traffic-related incidents during 2025. Traffic fatalities decreased by 40%, while fatal collisions saw a 44% reduction. Enhanced traffic staffing resulted in stricter roadway enforcement and dedicated driving-under-the-influence (DUI) operations.

Property and violent crime metrics experienced concurrent drops. Homicides decreased by 6%, robberies fell by 15% and burglaries declined by 34%. Sexual assaults dropped by 33%, aggravated assaults decreased by 3% and motor vehicle thefts fell by 26%. Conversely, law enforcement interventions yielded a 37% increase in robbery arrests and a 60% increase in shoplifting arrests. Chief Gravatt emphasized that shoplifting remains a serious economic issue rather than a victimless crime. The department’s Detective Bureau Property Unit was recognized for its field efficacy, receiving a Professional Excellence Award from the Nevada Organized Retail Crime Association for its high-visibility ‘cruise mode’ patrol strategy.

Departmental training and community outreach

Chief Gravatt reported that the Citizens’ Academy recorded its highest historical attendance in 2025. The department expanded its reach by hosting specialized bilingual community connection events and women’s safety awareness forums throughout North Las Vegas. In March 2026, the academy graduated its largest operational class on record, consisting of 34 police officers and two corrections officers.

Technological implementations included the deployment of the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system, which has optimized communication speeds and reduced emergency response times. In specialized operations, the Canine Division secured top agency honors during regional trials in March 2026 against 50 competing law enforcement agencies.

The Community Engagement Division reported high participation rates across neighborhood initiatives. The “Faith in Blue” collaborative events drew more than 200 participants, while the annual Dia del Niños celebration recorded an attendance exceeding 500 residents. Chief Gravatt attributed the city’s falling crime rates directly to the transparent relationship maintained between law enforcement personnel and local residents, stating that effective policing relies entirely on community trust. Mayor Goynes-Brown lauded the presentation, offering formal thanks to the entire department for their daily operational commitment to city residents.

North Las Vegas Fire Department progress report

Fire Chief Joe Calhoun presented the annual operational retrospective for the North Las Vegas Fire Department, focusing on emergency response compliance, infrastructural expansions and specialized medical programs.

Response time compliance and infrastructure

The fire department operates under an established four-minute emergency response time standard to accommodate the demands of a growing urban population. Chief Calhoun noted that while the department met its response criteria on roughly 70% of high-priority medical emergencies in 2022, consecutive operational changes drove a 20% performance improvement by 2025.

The department currently manages nine active fire stations. Emergency coverage was expanded with the commissioning of Station 58 in the Tule Springs master-planned area to address regional residential growth. Chief Calhoun confirmed that construction is progressing on Fire Station 51, which is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2026. To bolster medical response capacities, the department deployed its eighth Advanced Life Support (ALS) Rescue unit alongside an Intermediate Life Support (ILS) unit. These medical deployments contributed to eight documented cardiac arrest saves over the course of 2025.

Paramedic training and specialized crisis intervention

The nation has been navigating a persistent paramedic shortage, prompting the city to proactively invest in training its own specialized emergency medical personnel. The success of this internal recruitment and educational pipeline is evident in the department’s graduation metrics over the past decade. In 2015, the City of North Las Vegas successfully graduated 15 certified paramedics from its program. This foundational effort expanded substantially over the subsequent four years, during which a total of 42 paramedics graduated from the internal academy. Looking forward, the city’s training momentum remains strong, with an additional 15 paramedic candidates on track to complete their certification and join the active ranks in 2026.

The department’s fully grant-funded Crisis Response Team, utilizing the Collaborative Outreach and Evaluation (CORE) program model, dispatched specialized social workers to handle acute behavioral health emergencies. In 2025, the team conducted 547 formal mental health crisis assessments and administered 1,215 comprehensive follow-up welfare checks. Due to these field interventions, 40% of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis were successfully stabilized at home or diverted directly to dedicated treatment facilities rather than being transported to emergency rooms.

Emergency management, capital training facilities, and technical operations

The Emergency Management Team integrated StarLink satellite infrastructure into its operational array and introduced the Ready and Resilient Program to improve disaster preparedness. The agency reinstituted the Emergency Management Council to align emergency protocols across all internal municipal departments. Public outreach initiatives succeeded in training 575 individuals in CPR during the prior year, with an established goal to increase training metrics by 20% in the coming year to save more lives.

The department achieved several milestone developments in facility infrastructure and tactical training operations. Ground was broken on a centralized Training Center, with construction wrap-up slated for late June 2026. Additionally, the Southern Nevada Health District donated a 5,400-square-foot building to serve as an educational classroom, expected to be fully operational by October 2026. A specialized Fire Skills Training Structure is scheduled for installation by Spring 2027.

The department onboarded a new fire investigations commander to manage active cases. The Special Operations Unit managed several complex incidents within municipal boundaries and provided mutual aid to neighboring jurisdictions. Operating in tandem with the police department to address severe trauma injuries through Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC), police officers successfully executed field interventions seventeen times in 2025 using training provided by fire department staff. Staff also formulated new containment techniques and suppression policies to safely manage electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery fires. Finally, the department opened a centralized logistics warehouse featuring an integrated preventive maintenance workshop. All field personnel have been equipped with individualized thermal imaging cameras to safely navigate zero-visibility structures.

Following a query from Councilman Barron regarding potential funding expansions for the Crisis Response Team, Chief Calhoun confirmed that the program is operating under a two-year state grant following its initial federal launch, and emphasized that staff remains committed to expanding the resource. Barron commended Chief Calhoun for providing long-term stability to the department.

Legislative action: regulation of electric mobility devices

City Attorney Andy Moore presented a draft ordinance to amend current municipal codes to govern the rising volume of electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric motorcycles operating on public roadways, sidewalks and park facilities.

The ordinance introduces explicit statutory definitions to differentiate device classes based on speed capabilities and mechanical features rather than physical tire dimensions. An electric bicycle is defined as an electric-assisted bicycle with an upper operational speed threshold capped at 28 mph. Conversely, an electric motorcycle is classified as a motorized device capable of exceeding speeds of 28 mph that lacks operable pedals.

Under the updated framework, standard traffic regulations governing traditional bicycles will apply to electric bicycles and scooters. The law prohibits specific reckless behaviors, including performing wheelies, riding on handlebars and operating a device while distracted by a cellular telephone. The ordinance restricts the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on pedestrian sidewalks and mandates helmet use for all operators under 18 years of age.

Violations of the ordinance are classified as civil infractions rather than criminal offenses. The penalty structure establishes a $150 fine for a first infraction, $300 for a second infraction and $600 for each subsequent violation. Parents or legal guardians are held legally responsible for satisfying civil financial penalties incurred by minors. The ordinance also clearly outlines prohibited behavior across city parks and trail networks.

Mayor Goynes-Brown questioned whether physical tire width or size factored into the device classifications. Moore clarified that the regulations are strictly defined by operational speed capabilities rather than physical tire dimensions. Upon a motion introduced by Councilman Barron, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 3275, formally amending Chapter 10.60 and Section 12.16.020 of the North Las Vegas Municipal Code.

City manager’s operational report and public comment

Administrative updates

City Manager Micaela Moore presented administrative updates regarding local programming, infrastructure projects and departmental achievements:

The city’s 80th Anniversary historical exhibit remains open to the public during normal business hours outside the City Council chambers, tracing the chronological evolution of the municipality. On May 14th, the city accepted Nevada State University’s Community Partner Award. Construction is progressing on the university’s dedicated North Las Vegas campus, which is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2027 to allow local residents to complete degree programs within the city.

A Memorial Day Barbecue and Resource Fair was highlighted for Saturday, May 30th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Veterans and Community Resource Center. The library system’s Summer Learning Challenge, themed “Unearth a Story,” commenced May 18th and will run through July 27th. In internal achievements, HRIS Analyst Linda Pulido was congratulated for receiving the Emerging HR Professional Award from the Public Sector HR Association of Nevada.

The North Las Vegas Municipal Court experienced a significant increase in monthly service volume. The court served 13,608 customers in March, an increase from 11,189 in February. Formal court hearings rose to 3,019, representing a 17% increase over the 2,585 hearings conducted the prior month.

Final public comment

During the final open comment period, resident Terry Maria addressed the council to express appreciation for the newly installed “no parking” signs along Coleman Street. However, Maria noted that speeding vehicles and school buses remain an ongoing safety issue in the immediate area, requesting an increased traffic enforcement presence from the police department. Maria requested an opportunity to speak directly with municipal staff following the meeting to address specific school bus routing and speed concerns.

The North Las Vegas City Council approved:

City Council Regular Meeting Agenda of May 20, 2026.

Purchase of Claims and Risk Management Software Subscription from Clear Risk US Corp. in an Amount Not to Exceed $111,551.21 for a Three-Year Term. (Citywide)

Agreement with AAA Municipal Services, LLC for Financial Advisory Services, Including the Development of Financial Programs, for a Four-Year Term Ending June 30, 2030 in an Amount Not to Exceed $300,000. (Citywide)

Master Subscription Agreement with ImageTrend, LLC for North Las Vegas Fire Department Software Licensing in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $91,252.24 for a One-Year Term. (Citywide)

Agreement to Use Local Government Contract for Public Safety Medical Supplies, Equipment & Monitors with ZOLL Medical Corporation in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $1,000,000.00 ($200,000.00 Per Year for a Three-Year Term with Two One-Year Renewal Options) and Authorization for City Manager or Designee to Exercise the Two One-Year Renewal Options. (Citywide)

Addendum to Customer End User License Agreement with Benefit Technology Resources, LLC dba BTR for Employee Automated Benefit Tracking System and Services to Extend Agreement for One Year to June 30, 2027 in an Amount Not to Exceed $243,118.90. (Citywide)

Appointment of Zach Bucher as Director – Government Affairs. (Citywide)

Agreement for Purchase of Project and Task Management Software Licenses with Monday.com to Renew Licenses and Related Services in an Amount Not to Exceed $117,000.00 for a One-Year Term. (Citywide)

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba 7-11 Store #41837 Located at 440 E. Ann Rd. (Ward 4 – Cherchio)

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba Green Valley Grocery #72 Located at 2800 E. Tropical Pkwy., Ste 100 (Ward 2 – Garcia-Anderson)

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba Green Valley Grocery #50 Located at 3815 E. Craig Rd. (Ward 1 – Barron)

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba Green Valley Grocery #84 Located at 6379 N. Lamb Blvd. (Ward 1 – Barron)

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba Green Valley Grocery #42 Located at 5225 Camino Al Norte (Ward 4 – Cherchio

Restricted Gaming Business License for United Coin Machine Co. dba Century Gaming Technologies dba Green Valley Grocery #35 Located at 8390 N. Decatur Blvd. (Ward 3 – Black)

Professional Services Agreement with Civil Science Infrastructure, Inc. for Turf Conversion Projects and to Perform Landscape Design Services in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $93,500.00. (Citywide).

Supplemental Interlocal Contract No. 5 with City of Las Vegas, City of Henderson, Boulder City, City of Mesquite, Clark County, and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada for the RTC – Intelligent Transportation System Master Plan Project. (Citywide)

Annual Membership Fee for Participation in the Nevada 811 Underground Service Alert Program in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $32,135.34. (Citywide)

Final Acceptance for Maintenance of the Craig Ranch Regional Park New Amphitheater Roof Project (CIP Project Number 10617) and Authorization to File the Notice of Completion. (Ward 2 – Garcia-Anderson)

Purchase and Sale Agreement with William Lyon Homes, Inc. dba Taylor Morrison for a 0.45 Acre Vacant Parcel of Land Generally Located Northwest of the Intersection of E. Deer Springs Way and Palmer St. in the Amount of $40,000.00 Plus Escrow Fees; Additional Expenditure of $40,000 for the Purchase of the Parcel; and Authorization for City Manager to Execute All Documents Needed to Finalize the Purchase. (Ward 4 – Cherchio)

Purchase and Services Agreement with Huber Technology for Additional Parts and Services for the Repair of a Screen at the Water Reclamation Facility in the Not to Exceed Amount of $22,663.30 (CIP No. S0046). (Citywide)

Authorization for City Staff to File List of Delinquent Utility Accounts with the Board of Clark County Commissioners for Placement on County’s General Tax Roll. (Citywide)

Public Hearing and Approval of:

AeroTech Mapping Inc.’s Application to Vacate Public Drainage Easement on a Parcel Located Approximately 9,100 Feet North of the Intersection of Nadine Petersen Blvd. and Donald Lee Adams Way (APN 103-27-010-024). (Ward 1 – Barron)

Memorandum of Understanding with North Las Vegas Police Officers Association Amending the Collective Bargaining Agreement July 1, 2024- June 30, 2027 to Include Revisions to Health Insurance Coverage Options and Wage Scales. (Citywide)

Memorandum of Understanding with North Las Vegas Police Officers Association Amending the Corrections Non-Supervisor Collective Bargaining Agreement July 1, 2024- June 30, 2027 to Include Revisions to Health Insurance Coverage Options and Wage Scales. (Citywide)

Memorandum of Understanding with North Las Vegas Police Supervisors Association Amending the Corrections Supervisor Collective Bargaining Agreement July 1, 2024- June 30, 2027 to Include Revisions to Wage Scales. (Citywide)

Resolution No. 2751: A Resolution of the North Las Vegas City Council Adopting Findings Regarding Utilization of Revenue Generated by the Clark County Crime Prevention Act of 2016. (Citywide)

Resolution No. 2752: A Resolution of the North Las Vegas City Council Adopting Findings Regarding Utilization of Revenue Generated by the Clark County Sales and Use Tax Act of 2005.

Ordinance No. 3276: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.40 of the North Las Vegas Municipal Code by Repealing Provisions Related to the Records Management Committee and Providing for Other Matters Properly Related Thereto. (Citywide)