At Lake Level December 2022 The official newsletter of the City of South Lake Tahoe

Join us for the Festival of Winter Lights

The City invites the community to gather, connect, and be inspired for the holidays! The second annual Festival of Winter Lights is Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 from 4-8pm.

The City has partnered with the Lake Tahoe Historical Society for this FREE family-friendly winter celebration. Come out to celebrate our history, welcome winter, and shop for the holidays.

The two-day event will be staged in the parking lot of the Lake Tahoe Historical Museum at 3050 Lake Tahoe Blvd and will feature the following activities:

• Borges Winter Carriage Rides
• Holiday in History at the Museum
• Kid's activities with the Tahoe Art League
• Photos with the Christmas Fire Engine
• The Trail of Lights
• Visits to Santa's House

Parking is limited. Please carpool, consider taking public transportation, or a free Lake Link shuttle to and from the event. To book a ride with Lake Link, visit their website: www.tahoelakelink.com or download the app on your smartphone at https://onelink.to/4pwtu5.

For event details, entertainment schedule, vendor list, parking information, and much more, please visit our website.

Lastly, this event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, Winters Electric, and Sierra Lighting.

Hope to see you there!

Article submitted by Lauren Thomaselli, Director of Parks and Recreation.

A message from Fire Chief Jim Drennan

Thanks to several storms over the last month, fire season is over in the Tahoe Basin. For our city residents that means solid fuel (charcoal and wood pellets) is allowed for barbeques. For the fire department, it means that we can breathe a little easier for a few months, as the threat of wildfire is very low. As a reminder, the City still maintains an ordinance prohibiting open burning. This means no wood fires in the City limits are ever allowed, except at Campground by the Lake.

Internally, the Fire Department Prevention Bureau is wrapping up our defensible space inspection program for the year. Our inspectors are still out in the community, but inspections are winding down and will be complete for the season by Christmas. As they wrap up, they will be busy gathering data and finalizing their reports. This is a seasonal program that has been made possible through funding provided by the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD). We hope to bring TRCD back on board early next year.

We are pleased to announce that a second neighborhood in the city limits has received their certification from the National Fire Protection Association as a Firewise USA neighborhood! Congratulations to the Tahoe Meadows neighborhood on this accomplishment!

On the suppression side, our engine companies have been very busy with project work around the stations and responding to calls. The crews manage a heavy training schedule every day which focuses on topics like paramedic skills, auto extrication, ladder work, firefighting tactics and strategy, and building construction.

Our fire boat is out of the water for the season, and it will be cleaned, winterized, and inspected for any maintenance needs before the next boating season. With the winter weather now in full swing, we would like to remind everyone to slow down on the roads, make sure your vehicles are well maintained, and give yourself extra time to get around town.

Our famous Christmas fire engine will be cruising the streets of South Lake Tahoe starting Friday, December 9, spreading holiday cheer to all who love the season. The schedule of routes is available now (see below) and can also be found on the City's website. In addition to our schedule below, we will be at the Festival of Winter Lights by the Recreation Complex on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10.

Holiday Fire Engine Schedule:

• Saturday, Dec. 10- Al Tahoe Blvd.
• Sunday, Dec. 11- Sierra Blvd.
• Monday, Dec. 12- Ski Run Blvd.
• Tuesday, Dec. 13- Barton/Tahoe Island neighborhoods
• Wednesday, Dec. 14- Tahoe Keys Blvd. / State Streets
• Thursday, Dec. 15- Tahoe Keys Blvd. / Venice Dr.
• Friday, Dec. 16- Springwood Dr./Bijou Pines neighborhood
• Saturday, Dec. 17- Glenwood Way
• Sunday, Dec. 18- South Y / Tata Ln.
• Monday, Dec. 19- Heavenly Valley neighborhood
• Tuesday, Dec. 20- Stateline/Pioneer Trail
• Wednesday, Dec. 21- Gardner Mountain neighborhood
• Thursday, Dec. 22-Stateline Area/Hotel corridor
• Friday, Dec. 23- Lake Tahoe Blvd. (Hwy 50)
• Saturday, Dec. 24- Lake Tahoe Blvd. (Hwy 50)

By the end of the year, we should have a few new faces at the fire department as well as a couple of retirees. We will have a new Battalion Chief and a new Fire Marshal selected in the next few weeks. I continue to be proud of our department, as they live our mission statement every day. “Serving our Community with Compassion, Professionalism, and Honor.”

Lastly, stay connected with SLTFR by following us on our Facebook Page. Get the latest news, photos of significant events, and valuable information about fire safety.

Stay Safe and happiest of holidays!

Jim Drennan, Fire Chief SLTFR

Interested in becoming A COmmissioner for one of the City's Boards and Commissions?

The following Commissions and Boards are now accepting applications to serve for 2023:

• Planning Commission (three seats)
• Airport Land Use Commission (two seats)
• Building and Housing Board of Appeals (up to three seats)
• Parks & Recreation Commission (five seats)
• Arts, Culture, & Tourism Commission (three seats)
• Police Advisory Commission (three seats)
• Independent Citizens’ Oversight Board (Measure P) (five seats)

Applications may be obtained at City Hall located at 1901 Lisa Maloff Way, South Lake Tahoe, between 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday. Applications can also be downloaded from the City's website at www.cityofslt.us, or emailed to interested parties upon request to the City Clerk's Office. Completed applications must be returned to the City Clerk's Office (email preferred sblankenship@cityofslt.us) no later than 4pm, on Thursday, December 29.

For details regarding Duties and Responsibilities of City Boards and Commissions visit the City Boards and Commissions webpage. For questions, please contact Susan Blankenship, City Clerk at 530-542-6005 or via email at sblankenship@cityofslt.us.

The City Council will make appointments at a regularly scheduled meeting in January 2023 (to be announced).

City Partners with the League to Save Lake Tahoe to maintain stormwater Treatment Wetlands

As the October 15 deadline to dig set by the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency approached, the Public Works Department and volunteers from the League to Save Lake Tahoe helped clean out and maintain stormwater treatment wetlands. The City has over 70 constructed infiltration basins and wetland filters, which play a critical role in removing fine sediment particles, nutrients, and pollutants in urban runoff known to impair the clarity of Lake Tahoe. These natural urban runoff treatment systems slow, spread, and sink dirty stormwater from City streets into constructed basins or ponding areas. Once inside these basins, native plants help remove nutrients through filtration. In addition, natural soil infiltration helps remove sediment and recharges groundwater.

Over the years, these natural filters can become choked with fine sediment that is not picked up by City street sweepers due to inclement weather. Also, traction sand applied to roadways during winter can become pulverized by vehicles and ends up in these treatment wetlands, instead of Lake Tahoe. As these natural filters fill with sediment, they must be maintained like any other filter. By using a tracked excavator to spread weight and reduce soil compaction, the Public Works Department is able to remove accumulated sediment from these stormwater wetlands. This process is required and ensures that the City continues to meet its obligations to remove 21% of sediment from urban runoff based on the 2004 Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) baseline set by the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board for the protection of Lake Tahoe.

Volunteers from the League to Save Lake Tahoe helped remove trash, dead vegetation, and spread biodegradable erosion control blankets on bare soils from the sediment removal process.

Thanks to the Public Works maintenance staff and community volunteers, these stormwater systems are now ready for winter to ensure they function properly, provide community drainage, and prevent pollutants from impacting the clarity of Lake Tahoe for another season.

If you would like to learn more about Stormwater Program, visit https://www.cityofslt.us/342/Stormwater-Program. For questions, contact Jason Burke, Complete Streets Program Manager, at (530) 542-6038 or via email at jburke@cityofslt.us.

Article submitted by Jason Burke, Complete Streets Program Manager.

December City Council and Commission Meetings

To view the meeting agendas, visit: https://www.cityofslt.us/84/Watch-City-CouncilCommission-Meetings.

PHASE II of the Pioneer Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project starts in the spring

The Pioneer Trail Pedestrian Improvement Project Phase II is making headway. This important project will add ADA compliant sidewalks, dark sky compliant lighting, and drainage infrastructure to Pioneer Trail from Ski Run Blvd to Larch Avenue. These new sidewalks will connect the Ski Run neighborhood to the existing sidewalks on Pioneer Trail, which lead all the way to Stateline. The project also includes repaving the roadway and safety improvements at each of the intersections. The project is currently 60% designed and is beginning the right-of-way phase. The project is expected to begin construction in May 2024 and is primarily funded by federal grants.

For further project details, please reach out to Randy Carlson at (530) 542-6033 or via email at rcarlson@cityofslt.us.

Article submitted by Randy Carlson, Associate Civil Engineer.

City Manager Employee Excellence Awards

At the end of October, we celebrated our employees at the City Manager's Employee Excellence Awards. We are excited to showcase our outstanding team members from the award ceremony. Employees were recognized for their efforts in going above and beyond in their respective roles along with exemplifying the City's values in their accomplishments. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners!

Incense Cedar aWARD

Our individual award is named after the Incense Cedar tree. The Cedar tree is recognized for being one of the most valuable trees in the forest since they are durable and fire resistant. This award will be presented to an individual to recognize their efforts for going above and beyond in their respective role while exemplifying at least one City value in their accomplishment.

Incense Cedar AWARD WINNERS:

• Travis Shindelbower, Public Works Maintenance Manager
• Captain Kim George, Fire Department

Aspen Award

Our team award is named after the Aspen tree. The Aspen Tree is considered the largest living organism in the world and its roots are interconnected which make it one living system. This award will be presented to a team to recognize their efforts for going above and beyond in their respective roles along with working collaboratively as a team on an initiative or project. They will also exemplify at least one City value in their accomplishment.

Aspen Award Winners:

• Fleet Division, Public Works
• Patrol and Detectives Division, Police Department

Sugar Pine Award

Our top award is named after the Sugar Pine Tree, and it was given this name since Sugar Pines are the largest of the pines and truly majestic. This award will be presented to an individual as well as a team to recognize their efforts for going above and beyond in their respective roles while exemplifying multiple City Values. In addition, their accomplishment will align with the at least one or more of the City’s Strategic Priorities.

Sugar Pine Award winners

• Lieutenant Jeff Roberson, Police Department
• Housing Initiatives Team, Development Services

Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission approves Mural Design Project

Have you seen the new mural in town? If you haven't, be sure to check it out at Blue Dog Pizza (Midtown). The mural truly has to be seen in person to enjoy the vibrant colors and incredible design.

The mural was painted by artist, Annie Walker, and she did an amazing job getting it completed before the first snowfall.

The City's Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission is proud to be part of this project, commissioned by Tahoe Art League, and they look forward to supporting future arts and cultural programs in the community. To learn more about the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Commission, visit: www.cityofslt.us/ACTCommission.

Plastic Ordinance goes into effect on January 1, 2023

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, there are no more exceptions for polystyrene raw meat, fish, and food trays or for food prepared or packaged outside of South Lake Tahoe in polystyrene containers. This also includes plastic condiment cups, packets, and food service ware items. These items may only be provided to customers upon request.

The City has partnered with the League to Save Lake Tahoe in performing direct outreach to businesses to inform them of the updated ordinance. Outreach will begin in December 2022 and continue in 2023.

Full text of the Ordinance Amending Chapter 4.175 (Polystyrene and Plastic Food Packaging Regulations) of the South Lake Tahoe City Code to Establish Municipal Use and Commercial Ban on Single-Use Plastic Water Bottles can be found here.

To learn more, visit our City's Sustainability webpage at www.cityofslt.us/plasticwaste. If you have questions, contact our Sustainability Coordinator, Sara Letton, at (530) 542-6175 or via email at sletton@cityofslt.us.

The City of South Lake Tahoe publishes their 2023 Annual Budget

The comprehensive Fiscal Year 2022-2023 electronic budget document was completed and published on November 18. The City’s Finance Department is responsible for coordinating the annual budget process and the compilation of budget documents. The Fiscal Year 2022-2023 proposed budget was presented to City Council on August 23 and was adopted at the same meeting with no changes. The adopted budget includes general fund expenditure appropriations totaling $56.9 million, including Measure S Sales Tax general fund appropriations of $6.0 million. Appropriated revenues across all funds totaled $121 million with total expense appropriations of $136 million (including Capital Improvement Program carry forward expenditures for projects that cross multiple fiscal years).

Did you know?

Every year, our department submits this comprehensive budget document to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. In order to receive the budget award, the entity has to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:

• a policy document
• a financial plan
• an operations guide
• a communication device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

The Finance Department has been a proud recipient of the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (GFOA) for the past 14 years. We believe our current budget continues to conform to requirements, and we have submitted it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award.

Earning this recognition helps to demonstrate that the City of South Lake Tahoe is consistently maintaining high budgeting standards that are aligned with the City’s vision and strategic priorities. The City strives for transparency and reporting excellence to ensure that the tax payers’ dollars are spent wisely and carefully.

The electronic copy of the FY 2022-2023 budget document can be found on the City’s website at www.cityofslt.us/budget.

Article submitted by Olga Tikhomirova, Director of Finance.

The First phase of Sugar pine Village is underway

On Monday, October 24, Related California, and development partners Saint Joseph Community Land Trust and the City of South Lake Tahoe commemorated the start of the first phase of construction for Sugar Pine Village (SPV). This phase features site preparation and infrastructure work that will support the vertical construction of 68 affordable housing units commencing in the Spring of 2023.

This event was also notable since it is the second project to break ground under Governor Gavin Newsom’s Excess Land for Affordable Housing Executive Order. A number of local, regional, and state officials attended the event, including Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Secretary of Business for the Consumer Services and Housing Agency, Gustavo Velazquez, Director of Housing and Community Development, and Ana Lasso, Director of Department of General Services. On the local side, our very own Mayor Middlebrook, spoke at the event, as well as Julie Regan with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.

While the official grading season in Tahoe has come to an end, construction of Sugar Pine Village continues in the Bay Area. In order to increase construction efficiency, Sugar Pine Village was designed as a “modular” project. This allows individual components to be constructed off-site at a factory during the winter season and then pieced together on-site when site work can resume in the spring and summer. This building technique is especially well-suited for environments such as Lake Tahoe that have relatively short building seasons.

To learn more about this project, visit: https://www.cityofslt.us/1222/Sugar-Pine-Village.

Happy hOLIDAYS FROM THE cITY OF sOUTH lAKE tAHOE

The City of South Lake Tahoe’s administrative offices will be closed for the following days in December and January:

• Friday, December 23 and Monday, December 26
• Monday, January 2

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

The following offices will operate with a limited schedule:

• The Recreation Complex will be open until 1pm on Friday, December 23 and Saturday, December 31. To view the hours of operation for the Recreation Complex, visit: https://www.cityofslt.us/217/Recreation-Complex.
• Development Services will have limited counter services over the holiday period. Please go to the following link to view their hours of operation: https://www.cityofslt.us/834/Development-Services.

The following offices will have normal hours of operation:

• South Lake Fire Rescue, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and dispatch will continue regular operations. Contact 911 for emergencies.
• Lake Tahoe Airport will have services available through the Fixed Based Operator (FBO).

For more detailed hours of operation for all departments, please visit the City's website.