Anjeanette Damon

adamon@rgj.com

As Uber wages a legal battle against state transportation regulators to do business in Reno and Las Vegas, it picked up some key political support from the Reno City Council.

In a stealth move that apparently went unnoticed by the taxicab industry, Uber lobbyist John Griffin convinced Mayor Hillary Schieve to bring a resolution in support of the company before the Council on Monday.

Rather than actually naming Uber, the agenda listed a resolution declaring support for “urging the State of Nevada to quickly adopt a creative and flexible approach to modern and convenient transportation solutions.”

Griffin sat in the audience, but did not testify on the resolution. No one spoke against it.

Schieve, who ran on a platform of encouraging technology start-ups, said ride-sharing technology should be embraced by the city.

“I used the technology all week long in Texas and it was fantastic,” Schieve said. “This is something Reno needs to look at when we talk about being progressive and innovative. I know other cities are having issues but I think competition is good.”

Council members Oscar Delgado and Neoma Jardon also spoke in favor of the resolution, which passed unanimously. Council member Jenny Brekhus and Paul McKenzie said local governments should take the lead in developing a new regulatory framework to govern both taxicabs and ridesharing services such as Uber.

The Nevada Attorney General has asked three Nevada judges to issue a restraining order against Uber from operating against state regulations in Nevada. The Nevada Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on which jurisdiction will hear the case.

Las Vegas Judge Douglas Herndon refused to grant the temporary restraining order. Reno Judge Scott Freeman has schedule a hearing Tuesday on whether to issue an injunction against Uber while the lawsuit plays out.

Uber drivers appear to be operating in Reno as the legal battle plays out. A check of the Uber app Monday afternoon showed two drivers within a mile of Reno City Hall.

Uber spokeswoman Eva Behrend told the Associated Press on Monday that thousands of passengers have used the service since it launched Oct. 24, and the company stands behind its “driver partners.”

The head of Reno’s business license division said Monday that Uber drivers are required to obtain a $60 business license. So far, he said, no one has paid for a license.