News Brief, July 18

Now that Ned Thomas has had time to unpack a few things in his office and attend a couple of meetings as the new city manager, there’s been a list of things to tackle waiting for him in his new role.

It is hands down the most consequential action taken by the city council each year and yet it often happens without much in the way of public comment.

It was a pretty standard “happens every year” kind of presentation from the county.

A permit for building a single home on a lot that has sat empty (though graded and utilities run and ready for development) for some 40 years would not usually be fodder for a news story.

In the end it was a case of sound and fury signifying nothing. At least not until June 10.

“A growing number of individuals are occupying public space across the valley and in cities all over the nation — including Boulder City — and are storing personal property and belongings in public places in a manner that causes concern and creates a public nuisance.”