On the Agenda: A City of Reno Podcast

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) program works, how funding decisions are made, and why accessibility improvements like ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps matter for everyday life in Reno.

The conversation covers how project locations are selected, what makes a ramp ADA-compliant, and where residents can expect to see upgrades happening across the city!

From safer crossings to better accessibility for all, it’s a look at how thoughtful infrastructure improvements help make Reno more connected and easier to navigate.

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 businesses is informing potential updates. The goal is to strike the right balance between a vibrant live entertainment scene and livable neighborhoods.

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 projects like cleanups, landscaping, public art, and other neighborhood improvements!

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 Agreement. They explain how the agreement allows major transportation projects to move forward in Reno, including pavement rehabilitation on Keystone Avenue and Smithridge Drive, smart traffic signal upgrades, active transportation improvements, and over $90 million in major roadway projects entering design.
The best part? These projects are funded through RTC fuel tax revenues, with no additional cost to Reno taxpayers.
Plus, a preview of what’s coming up at the next Council meeting.