Mesquite City Council Regular Meeting - October 13, 2026

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the Mesquite City Council held its regular meeting in City Council Chambers at Mesquite City Hall, 10 E Mesquite Blvd. The agenda listed a 5:00 PM start. The council heard ceremonial presentations, took public comment, approved the consent agenda, received department reports, and acted on six administrative items. All recorded motions carried; the transcript does not provide individual roll-call tallies.

Ceremonial Matters and Presentations

• Pastor Craig Janson of River Valley Bible Church gave the invocation; the council and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
• MPAC introduced the first City Poet Laureate, Russ Westwood, and Junior Poet Laureate, Callie Walker, a sophomore at Virgin Valley High School. Eureka Community Initiative awarded Callie a $1,000 scholarship payable upon graduation and $250 each to Callie and Russ for travel expenses during their two-year terms. They recited poems and will appear at city-hosted events; Callie is scheduling youth poetry workshops with 4-H.
• Senior Center staff (Michelle Timmons, Chrissy, and Leora Helius) reported on programs: homebound meal delivery runs Monday-Friday with frozen weekend meals, averaging 6,500 meals/month with three drivers; about 275 people come through the center daily; the Caregiver Respite program has 16 participants receiving roughly $1,200/month in value; staffing is 4 full-time and 8 part-time employees, with about 30 volunteers/month contributing 550 hours. The center serves about 245 homebound and about 100 congregate meals daily and cooks enough food for about 400 people each day. The community Thanksgiving meal will be November 25 from 11 AM to 3 PM; about 15 volunteers are being sought.

Consent Calendar

• Mayor Whipple recused himself from the consent agenda vote, stating his company does business with the city.
• With no council questions or public comment, Councilman Ennis moved and Councilwoman Fielding seconded approval of the August 25, 2026 Regular City Council meeting minutes, the September 15, 2026 Technical Review Meeting minutes, the October 13, 2026 Regular City Council meeting agenda, notifications of bills paid and purchase orders, and Resolution R26-028 adopting Supplemental No. 4 to Interlocal Contract No. 3098 with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and partner cities for CCTV camera replacements (Lot B). The motion carried.

Public Comments and Testimony

• Gallo Dingalo, a Mesquite resident, asserted that the city had blocked hiring a full-time city attorney for 10 months, referenced the Chaffin report, and alleged police interference involving juvenile sexual assault interviews; he called for referral to outside authorities and criticized the mayor and city attorney.
• Debbie Benham announced the 12th annual Parade of Lights and community food drive, set for December 3 at 5:30 PM on Mesquite Boulevard between Arrowhead Lane and Willow Street, with the theme Home for the Holidays. She reported 14,769.5 pounds of food, personal care, and household items collected so far for the Salvation Army, which is still helping over 300 families and more than 100 seniors.
• Donna Vanita commended Mesquite police officers and asked the council to enforce the public comment content rules.
• Sherry Brooks shared observations about an empty jury duty summons and the ballot.
• Richard Ulick raised concerns about a City Council candidate who reportedly removed signs critical of him, received citation MPD 079714, and claimed a city official authorized the removals; he asked the city to clarify sign-removal authority and ensure rules apply equally.
• Dominic Olivetto, representing Vietnam Veterans of America, promoted the November 14 chili cook-off and asked for community participation and donations.
• Ronald Shackleford praised the Senior Center and Mesa View hospital.
• James Anton praised Public Works for paving the Ivy League Crest/Canyon Crest road, noting no mud or water came over the road after rain.
• Freeline Schiffano (as transcribed) played a 911 call reporting an infant at the Zone nightclub, raised concerns about police response, cameras, and an unidentified third officer, submitted a formal complaint, and asked City Attorney Anderson to recuse himself from matters involving the Zone, Nordic Beach, and Red Hills due to an alleged conflict of interest.
• In the final public comment period, Marsha Jackson asked how the council handles complaints such as the infant-in-bar report. City Attorney Anderson explained the citizen complaint form and police department process, adding that outcomes may not be public when discipline or privacy is involved.

Department Reports and Announcements

• Councilman Ennis reported the Veteran Center has been certified as an ATLAS telehealth site after 12 months of work with the VA; veterans can teleconference with providers instead of driving to Las Vegas or St. George, and Silver Rider can provide transportation. An event with food trucks, a mobile clinic, and a ribbon cutting is planned.
• Mayor Whipple reminded the public that affordable housing committee applications are due by the end of October, with at least six members needed; November and December will each have one council meeting, with November's meeting on November 17.
• Councilwoman Gella highlighted the October 24 Alzheimer's walk at Mesa View at 9 AM and the Duck Derby fundraiser at CASA from 12 PM to 2 PM, and promoted animal shelter pets.
• Councilman Wandless asked about Virgin River flows; Public Works Director Travis reported the river is at 3,000-4,000 cubic feet per second, compared with 20,000-30,000 cfs during the 2005 and 2010 flood events, and forecasts suggested 5,000-6,000 cfs. Gauges at Littlefield and Bloomington provide 12-18 hours of advance warning.
• Travis gave project updates: a Pioneer Boulevard traffic shift onto gravel is scheduled for October 14-15 after rain delays, with paving targeted for October 26; Flat Top Mesa water line repair paving is scheduled for October 15; and Horizon Boulevard/Falcon Ridge Parkway will be closed October 26 through November 6 from Sidewinder to Canyon Crest for utility work serving new Sun City/SunTero developments.
• City Manager Becca noted citizens review board discussions are continuing and announced a City Hall open house October 29 from 3 PM to 5 PM; City Hall will be closed for Nevada Day.
• Chief Fells described the SMART recovery program in the correctional facility, the Mesquite Police Department app, and the need for donations to help fund about 50 community events per year.

Discussion Items

• 4.1 - Enclave Apartments Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review (CUP-26-018 / Site Plan 26-007): Staff presented a 3-story, 70-unit apartment complex on 2.3 acres at 850 Smokey Lane in the MF-4 district. The density would be 30.4 dwelling units per acre, requiring a CUP because the zone's base limit is 25 units per acre. The project was originally approved in 2024; its one-year approval lapsed after a principal investor died, and no design changes were proposed. Features intended to buffer neighbors include a central courtyard/pool, parking and infiltration areas on the east, a screen wall, raised/smaller windows, and LED downlighting. In the public hearing, Mary Gleason asked whether rents would be affordable; staff said the units are market-rate, not affordable workforce housing. Lana Cooper, a Smokey Lane resident, voiced concerns about traffic on the narrow street, noise, the three-story scale, and the applicant's inactivity on the site. James Ireland clarified that the nearby property is Smokey Lane condominiums, not apartments. Council confirmed parking would meet code. Councilwoman Fielding moved to approve; the motion carried.
• 4.2 - Travel Nevada Special Project Grant locations: Staff requested revision of locations approved June 9, 2026. The grant provides five 10x10 single-post cantilever shade structures, seven trash bins, and ten concrete benches. Proposed placement: two shade structures at Pioneer Park ball fields, three at Hunter Park ball fields, one trash bin at Pioneer Park, and the remaining benches and trash bins at the Sports Events Complex. Councilwoman Fielding asked about the shade structure color; Travis said they are in boxes and likely tan or neutral, but he was not certain. Councilman Ennis moved to approve the relocation as written; the motion carried.
• 4.3 - City Charter Committee amendments: Committee chair Ron Gera reported that after eight months of article-by-article review, the committee unanimously recommended seven amendments to three sections of the City Charter. The council was asked to approve the recommended amendments and submit them to the Nevada Legislature as the city's measure for the 84th (2027) legislative session. Councilman Wandless said the changes were a start but only scratched the surface and urged continued work. Councilman Parrish, while commending the committee, cautioned against using the city's biennial legislative clout on minimal changes; City Attorney Anderson said smaller changes should not prevent future submissions. Several committee members, including David Balwick, Natalie Hafen, and Ronald Shackleford, defended the process and the baby steps approach. Councilman Ennis moved to accept and submit the amendments; the motion carried.
• 4.4 - Oasis Golf Course effluent reuse agreement assignment: City Attorney Anderson presented a proposed assignment, assumption, consent, and first amendment to the existing effluent reuse agreement among the city, Greencope 1, LLC, and the buyer. The agenda identifies the buyer as Par 42, LLC; the transcript also references PAR 44/PAR 142. The existing agreement runs to June 30, 2034; the proposal extends it to 2044 and allows the city to reopen the rate in 2029, 2034, 2039, and every five years thereafter. Public Works Director Travis said the sewer plant has no discharge permit for the Virgin River, so reuse agreements with golf courses are important; Oasis has been a reliable partner and the city currently breaks even at the existing rate of 27 cents. Councilwoman Fielding noted the relationship dates to a 1996 agreement. Councilwoman Fielding moved to accept the assignment; the motion carried.
• 4.5 - 2025-2029 MPOA/NAPSO police collective bargaining agreement: City Manager Becca reported a four-year agreement that changes 14 articles. Year-one general fund impact is $404,324.26; year-one More Cops impact is $157,372, which is reimbursable; year two would have COLA and step increases. Public commenters, including Jeff Reynolds, Donna Vanita, and off-duty officer Jamie Stout, supported paying officers fairly and also discussed accountability; an additional unnamed commenter expressed support and cautioned against holding police to impossible standards. Councilman Ennis moved to approve the agreement as written, Councilwoman Fielding seconded, and the motion carried.
• 4.6 - Virgin Valley Water District freeway tank artwork agreement: Councilwoman Fielding presented the agreement between the city and the Virgin Valley Water District for placement and maintenance of artwork on the freeway water tank. The design has been approved by the VVWD board, RDA funding of $15,000 was approved previously, the painter provided two bids, the contract includes a one-year warranty, and the paint is expected to last 8-10 years with annual inspections. Councilwoman Gallow asked about maintenance and the RDA amount. Councilwoman Fielding moved to approve; the motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved, including minutes, bills/purchase orders, and Resolution R26-028.
• CUP-26-018 and Site Plan 26-007 approved for The Enclave Apartments, a 70-unit complex at 850 Smokey Lane.
• Revised Travel Nevada grant placement approved for shade structures, benches, and trash bins.
• City Charter Committee's seven recommended amendments approved for submission to the Nevada Legislature for the 2027 session; continued charter review is planned beginning in February 2027.
• Oasis effluent reuse assignment and extension to 2044 approved.
• 2025-2029 MPOA/NAPSO collective bargaining agreement approved.
• VVWD freeway tank artwork agreement approved.
• Next operational steps include Flat Top Mesa paving on October 15, Pioneer Boulevard paving starting October 26, and the Horizon Boulevard/Falcon Ridge Parkway closure from October 26 through November 6. All recorded motions passed; no roll-call tallies were provided in the transcript.