Culinary appeal on court fast track

The Nevada Supreme Court has agreed to fast-track an appeal concerning two ballot measures that supporters want placed before Las Vegas voters June 2.

In an order posted Wednesday morning, justices set an appeal schedule but did not rule on whether they could allow more time for voting on the measures or schedule a special election.

Culinary Local 226 backed a petition drive for the two measures, which would repeal Las Vegas' existing redevelopment plan, give voters control over future redevelopment actions and require a public vote to pay back "lease-purchase" finance agreements, which is the type of financing being considered for the proposed new city hall.

The City Council voted not to place those items on the ballot, saying they were legally defective and aimed at destroying the city's redevelopment plan, which uses incentives to attract development downtown. Union representatives have said the measures would affect future projects only, not existing ones.

That vote set off the current litigation. A District Court judge agreed with the city, and the union appealed.

Ballots for the June 2 election have been printed, and absentee ballots already have been sent. Early voting starts May 16, which is before all documents in the expedited appeal will be filed.

Only the City Council Ward 4 race is on the ballot. The ballot measures would require a citywide vote.

The court might have the authority to extend the voting deadline or order a special election, the justices' order said, but "we decline to decide these issues at this time."

The city will have until 4 p.m. May 11 to file the next brief in the case, after which the Culinary union's attorneys will have until 4 p.m. May 18 to reply.

Contact reporter Alan Choate at achoate@reviewjournal.com or 702-229-6435.