At Lake Level February 2023 The official newsletter of the City of South Lake Tahoe

city announces new arts, culture, and Tourism Microgrants Program

The City of South Lake Tahoe and the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission are pleased to announce the first Arts, Culture, and Tourism Microgrants Program. The Microgrants Program will fund free and publicly accessible artistic projects within South Lake Tahoe city limits including visual, performing, and literary arts, and cultural events. The pilot program is to act as a catalyst by providing multiple, small grants to the South Lake Tahoe community by investing in local arts, culture, and tourism projects. Up to $15,000 in grants will be awarded for the 2023 pilot year in amounts between $500-$5000. Funds must be expended within one year from the date of the award.

The application period opens February 15 and closes on April 17 at 5pm. The City encourages individual artists, arts-oriented groups, event organizers, civic groups, non-profits, public and private school teachers and programs, and cultural groups to apply. Applications will be reviewed by the grant review committee and awards will be announced on or by Tuesday, May 9.

For full program guidelines and the grant application, visit: www.cityofslt.us/ACTmicrogrant.

Interested parties may also email grantprogram@cityofslt.us with questions.

cITY SEEKs INPUT ON THE tAHOE vALLEY aREA pLAN AND THE tOURIST cORE aREA pLAN

The City is seeking your input on the Tahoe Valley Area Plan and Tourist Core Area Plan at the next Planning Commission Meeting on Thursday, February 23 at 3pm. This is the first of multiple public hearings that will be held to discuss the amendments and to gain feedback from stakeholders and the general public.

A topic at the forefront of state and City discussions is affordable housing. To accommodate affordable housing, increased allowable densities are proposed for multi-family developments in and around town centers.

The City is also pursuing partial exemptions to commercial floor area for outdoor dining to remove barriers to economic growth for local businesses. Areas where allowed uses should be changed are being explored, as well assessing if Area Plan boundaries should be adjusted to incorporate parcels with high development potential.

Other amendments, such as coverage exemptions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, will aid the City in achieving our sustainability goals.

For further details and to see the amendments in their entirety, view the Planning Commission Meeting Agenda (2.23.23) at: https://www.cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.

Article submitted by Anna Kashuba, Assistant Planner.

Calling all South Tahoe Middle School Students!

There's still time to enter the Mayor for the Day Essay Contest. Essay submissions are due by Monday, February 20 at 5pm.

The winner will serve as honorary mayor at the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 28 at 5:30pm. Prior to the meeting, the winner will also spend the afternoon with Mayor Creegan and will have a tour of City Hall and the airport, a visit with the Police K-9 unit, and a tour of a fire engine with firefighters. To participate, students will write a 500-word essay sharing what they would do if they were the Mayor.

Ready to enter the contest? Just go to our website to fill out an application at: www.cityofslt.us/MayorfortheDay.

Questions: Contact the City Manager's office at 530-542-7950 or email us at publicrelations@cityofslt.us.

The City is Hiring!

To view jobs and apply, visit: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/slaketahoe.

pARKS AND rECREATION IS HIRING FOR THE sUMMER

Join the Parks and Recreation Team this summer and make memories in America’s All Year Playground! The City of South Lake Tahoe’s Parks and Recreation Department is recruiting for a variety of positions for Summer 2023. Applicants must be available to work on weekends, evenings and holidays.

Pool Lifeguards / Head Lifeguards / Recreation Instructor (Aquatics)

Work at the community pool as a lifeguard or swim instructor. This is a great opportunity in a community setting, while teaching swimming and ensuring a safe experience for visitors and residents. Work part-time with flexible schedules in a fun environment!

Recreation Coordinators

Build your career in Recreation Services by overseeing one of our many recreation programs. Seeking coordinators for the Bijou Golf Course, Special Events & Rentals, Recreation Programs Operations, and more. Coordinators work directly with the department manager to organize, train, schedule, and coordinate a variety of different recreation programs for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Cashiers

Work is available in multiple locations including Bijou Golf Course, Campground by the Lake, and the Recreation and Swim Complex. Work up to 40 hours/week or part-time with a flexible schedule. Parks and Recreation is a dynamic environment, creating safe, fun, and memorable experiences for residents and visitors.

Jr Giants League Ambassador

Junior Giants is a free non-competitive and coed baseball program for children ages 5-13. The program offers equipment, uniforms, program incentives, and coaches' training. Junior Giants helps kids lead, succeed, and have fun. Anyone can play! Ambassador position is from April 24 - Aug 31 at 25-35 hrs. a week.

Seasonal Park Attendant/ Maintenance Worker II/III

If you enjoy working outdoors independently and have a love for parks, please apply to be a part of our Park Maintenance team as a Seasonal Park Attendant or Maintenance Worker. Our seasonal staff assist in keeping our parks well-maintained and beautiful throughout our busiest months of the year. As a seasonal worker, you will acquire the skills necessary to routinely maintain a wide variety of park assets, while spending your days in some of the finest parks in the region.

Park Ranger Program Coordinator

The Park Ranger Coordinator, plans, organizes, and coordinates parks and recreation programs with multiple functions. This is a journey level, technical/paraprofessional class within the parks and recreation series. Employees in this class may plan, organize, and coordinate parks and recreation programs specific to park ranger programs, campground operations, golf course programs, and general operations.

Park Ranger I/II

The Park Ranger perform a variety of professional, technical and maintenance duties related to parks, trails, and other public recreation facilities, with an emphasis on public relations, visitor services, and providing consistent communication to Park Steward(s) and the public, regarding park rules, codes, and ordinances. The Park Ranger shall assist and support the Park Steward(s) with direction regarding day-to-day operations and during special events.

Park Steward

The Park Steward position is only open to students enrolled at Lake Tahoe Unified School District and are required to provide a student transcript at the time of application. The Steward is responsible for performing a variety of duties and assignments related to parks, trails, and other public recreation facilities with an emphasis on positive public engagement. Duties may include proactively interacting with the public to provide information on park rules, codes, and ordinances, encouraging environmental stewardship, assisting with special events, and may perform park maintenance duties as assigned.

Article submitted by Lauren Thomaselli, Director of Parks and Recreation

February/mARCH City Council and Commissions Meeting Schedule

All meetings are held at City Hall in the Council Chambers-1901 Lisa Maloff Way. For meeting agendas and details, visit: https://www.cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.

Plastics and Polystyrene ordinance is now in effect for the new year

The City’s new updated Plastics and Polystyrene ordinance eliminates exemptions for things like foam trays holding raw meat, and it went into effect in the new year. Single-use plastics are a significant source of waste and pollution due to the sheer volume of these products and the long amount of time they exist in the environment after their short, useful life ends. Discarded plastics are particularly damaging to water quality as they do not break down or decompose. Expanded polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) quickly breaks apart into tiny pieces that end up washed downstream into waterbodies.

To further reduce costs and waste from local restaurants, condiment cups and packets have been added to the current list of items that can be provided only upon request: cups, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, clamshell containers, cup lids, utensils (forks, knives, spoons, and sporks), chopsticks, straws, stirrers, splash sticks, and cocktail sticks.

Visitors and businesses can contribute to the stewardship of Lake Tahoe by abiding by this ordinance. If you would like to encourage the City to help educate a particular business, you can let us know by emailing publicrelations@cityofslt.us . Additional information can be found at www.cityofslt.us/PlasticWaste.

Cheers for Peers

The Cheers for Peers Program recognizes employees for going above and beyond in their job roles and exemplifying one or more of the City's Values (Accountability, Communications, Honesty, Innovation, Equity and Inclusion, Vitality, Efficiency, and Sustainability).

January winners:

• Steve Olivas, Public Works
• Justin Gomes, Public Works
• Danny Chavez, Public Works
• Francisco Rodriguez, Public Works
• Phil Harwood, Public Works
• Sgt. Scott Crivelli, Police Department

January Nominees:

• Dustin Anino-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Steven Castillo-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Danny Chavez-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Scott Edwards-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Patrick Giardina-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Justin Gomes-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Luis Gomez-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Jerry Heath-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Kyle Henderson-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Jesse Kravchuk-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Joseph Meno-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Luis Olmedo-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Joseph Setsodi-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Danny Youngblood-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Jesus Zepeda-Public Works (Snow Removal)
• Brian Belser-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Greg Fisk-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Garth Givens-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Phil Harwood-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Roy Luefkens-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Joseph Nuckols-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Francisco Rodriquez-Public Works (Motor Pool)
• Luis Garcia-Public Works (Park Maintenance)
• Adan Puildo(Park Maintenance)
• Dennis Churchill-Public Works (Facilities)
• Neil Eldridge-Public Works (Facilities)
• Steve Olivas-Public Works (Facilities)
• Andra Burnam-Public Works
• Sgt. Scott Crivelli-Police Department
• Michelle Schoonveld-Development Services
• Sonia Wheeler-Police Department
• Detective John Spaeth-Police Department
• Travis Shindelbower-Public Works (Facilities)
• Ben Hannah-Administrative Services

A Message from Police Chief Stevenson

Be prepared for Winter Driving

Know your vehicle! Is it AWD, 4WD, 2WD (front or rear wheel)? If you don’t know the answers to those questions or what they mean do a couple internet searches and/or ask a friend. Know if your vehicle is capable of switching to different drive modes and be comfortable with how to do it. If you’re still not sure and need help call our non-emergency line and one of our officers will come out and talk it through with you to help maximize your vehicles driving capabilities in winter conditions.

If you are traveling over any mountain passes, know where to get road condition information in CA and NV and share it with friends and family who may be traveling to Tahoe. The official Caltrans and Nevada Dot  websites work well. Please do NOT call our dispatch center looking for this information! We check those same websites to get the information!

“I think I can make it over the center berm!” Uhhh... no, you can’t! When in doubt, please don’t even try. So many folks get stuck and tow trucks may take a long time to respond. You may also damage your car or cause an accident. When in doubt, drive up to the next intersection and find your way safely. And finally, slow down, be patient, be nice, help a neighbor, and be safe.

Respectfully,

Chief David Stevenson

Did you know?

Lake Link is a free on-demand rideshare microtransit service available from Stateline to Al Tahoe/Lake Take Tahoe Community College neighborhoods. Riders can easily book a trip via their mobile device by downloading the app found here.

Recently, the City committed $662,500 to help with the expansion of services, so that Lake Link can eventually cover the entire city limits. While further funding is needed for the expansion, this is one step closer to achieving this goal.

To learn more about Lake Link, visit: https://ss-tma.org/lake-link/.

The City and partnering agencies DEVELOP NEW SIGNAGE AND MAPPING TOOL TO IMPROVE THE CYCLING EXPERIENCE

The City is committed to promoting a bicycle-friendly community and enhancing the cycling experience within the city limits for users of all abilities. Thanks to the hard work of the Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition and partners, the idea of unified wayfinding and complete signage system has been started. As a Strategic Priority, the City Council allocated funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to determine locations for new bike repair stations and further promote bicycling as a way of life.

The City is working with the Bicycle Advisory Committee and Lake Tahoe Bicycle Coalition to continue development of a comprehensive wayfinding signage system that will provide clear and consistent information to cyclists by including a QR Code on the signage for quick access to the citywide bicycle amenity map, as well as adding new signs where gaps currently exist. In addition, the City intends to include new bicycle infrastructure in key areas along the bikeway system, including repair stations. This improved wayfinding signage system will make it easier for bicyclists to navigate the city, find their way to popular destinations, and feel confident on the roads and bikeways.

The Public Works Department is also exploring other initiatives that will encourage more people to take up bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation. This may include the creation of new bike lanes, bike-friendly routes, and programs that provide educational resources and promote bicycling culture.

The City is excited to build upon previous efforts to create a vibrant and engaged bicycle culture in South Lake Tahoe. Bicycling is not only a fun and healthy activity, but it is also an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. The City’s efforts to promote bicycle wayfinding and create a more bike-friendly community will not only benefit bicyclists but also contribute to a cleaner, greener future with fewer climate change emissions.

Article submitted by Jason Burke, Complete Streets Program Manager.

Holiday Closures

The City of South Lake Tahoe’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, February 20 in observance of President's Day.

The following municipal offices will be closed:

• The City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Human Resources, and the Finance Front Counter, all located at City Hall, 1901 Lisa Maloff Way
• Development Services, 1052 Tata Ln.
• Public Works, 1740 D St.
• Front counter/records of the Police Department
• Recreation and Swim Complex, 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd.

The following offices will operate with no changes:

• South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and dispatch will continue regular operations. Contact 911 for emergencies.

• The airport runway will be open with services provided by the FBO (fixed-base operator).

Happy President's Day from the City of South Lake Tahoe!