TCPUD Votes to Start Rate Increase Process
TAHOE CITY
The Tahoe City Public Utility District Board of Directors on July 18 voted to start the process to increase water and sewer rates for the next five years. A mailer will go out to customers at the beginning of September, followed by a public hearing on Oct. 17. If the move to raise rates is successful, it will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Sewer rates would increase by 5.7 percent, from $36.34 a month to $47.93 a month. The average TCPUD customer would see a water rate increase of 6 percent, from $73.94 to $96.57.
The last time the district voted to raise rates was in 2009, but the rate increase was never fully implemented. A rate hike is necessary, however, to fund the district’s infrastructure improvement projects.
“Nobody wants a rate increase, but we are still trying to get to a one-year replacement of infrastructure that is 40 to 50 year old,” said TCPUD General Manager Cindy Gustafson. ~ Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
School District Puts $62 Million Bond on Ballot
NORTH SHORE
On June 25, the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District board unanimously approved placing Measure E on the Nov. 4 ballot, which would benefit lakeside schools only. The $62 million bond would cost property owners an average of $29 per $100,000 of assessed value annually, costing the typical homeowner approximately $89 a year. The funds would be used to upgrade technology infrastructure; upgrade existing building systems and utilities; construct new classrooms, science labs, and career technical education facilities; modernize classrooms and labs; upgrade student safety and campus security; and improve outdoor learning and play spaces. Measure E must receive 55 percent of the vote to pass. Only residents of the North and West shores will be able to vote. Info: Superintendent Rob Leri, (530) 582-2550
New Section of Legacy Trail Opens
TRUCKEE
The newest section of the Truckee River Legacy Trail will open Aug. 8 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community bike ride. The new segment, called Phase 3B, is 2.2 miles and will connect the current trail to Glenshire, making the entire trail approximately 5 miles long. Two more phases are planned.
Public Hearing on Coldstream Project
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Town Council will hold a public hearing on the Coldstream Specific Plan (PC-1) on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at Truckee Town Hall. Meeting materials will be available the week before the hearing. The 300-unit development project includes an infill and mixed-use development on the west end of Truckee, east of the Donner Memorial State Park. Info: Jenna Endres, project planner, (530) 582-2922
Environmental Review Process Under Way for Community Plan Update
TAHOE BASIN
With the release of the notice of preparation (NOP) for the environmental impact statement/report, the ongoing update to the complex Tahoe Basin Community Plan continues to make progress. The NOP comment period, which began July 16, will remain open until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15.
The Community Plan Update will be discussed on Aug. 14 at the North Tahoe Regional Advisory Council, Tahoe City Public Utility District Board Room, 221 Fairway Dr., Tahoe City, 6:30 p.m.
Written comments should be submitted to: Environmental Coordination Services, Community Development Resource Agency, 3091 County Center Dr., Suite 190, Auburn, CA, 95603, (530) 745-3132, or cdraecs@placer.ca.gov.
Community House Opens to Serve North Shore Families
KINGS BEACH
The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation opened the Community House in July in Kings Beach. The initiative raised $2.2 million in public and private dollars, transformed a blighted 1950s hotel into a welcoming center, and now families and individuals can access a variety of services all under one roof. Services include professional counseling, informal support groups, enrichment classes, and more. The goal of Community House is to move families away from crisis and toward long-term self-reliance and resilience. The agencies housed at Community House include Tahoe SAFE Alliance, the North Tahoe Family Resource Center, and Project MANA. “The Community House approach gives community members access to all of the resources they truly need, not just those a single agency is set up to address,” said Karen Carey, executive director of Tahoe SAFE Alliance. Info: ttcf.net
Placer County Sheriff Names New Tahoe Commander
NORTH TAHOE
Lt. Dennis Walsh has been promoted to the rank of captain and has assumed command of the North Lake Tahoe Station. Captain Walsh most recently led the transition team that coordinated the recent opening of the South Placer Adult Correctional Facility.
Captain Walsh started working at the Placer County Sheriff’s Office in 1993, when he first worked in corrections and patrol. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003, and worked assignments in patrol, corrections, and supervised the Crimes Against Persons Unit in investigations. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2010, and has worked in corrections since then. Walsh took over the Tahoe command position that had been filled by Capt. Jeff Ausnow, who recently retired after 27 years of service.
Sand Harbor Boat Launch Closes Due to Low Water
EAST SHORE
Sand Harbor’s boat ramp closed for the season on July 28 due to low lake level. This closure will prevent watercraft from being damaged during a launch and protect the end of the launch lanes from damage. The parking lot will remain open for carry-in boat access only. All other boaters will be directed to use the Cave Rock boat ramp facility.
District 5 Satellite Office Opens in Tahoe
TAHOE CITY
An office suite in a Placer County-owned building in Tahoe City was recently retrofitted and now provides shared office space for Fifth District Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery; County Executive Officer David Boesch; the Tahoe manager for the county executive office, Jennifer Merchant; and Tahoe Field Representative Steve Kastan, among others. The meeting room will be the ongoing site for the monthly “Coffee with the Supervisor” held the fourth Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. Info: 775 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City
Placer County Addresses Truckee River Trash Impacts
NORTH SHORE
Although the commercial rafting companies closed in early July, there is at least another month left in the rafting season, so Placer County created a management plan to cover river cleanup for the remainder of the summer. The plan includes trash pickup, dumpsters, and portable restroom facilities.
“While the rafting companies collect a user fee and are required by permit to cleanup during their commercial rafting season, after they shut down, the responsibility for ensuring the cleanup has historically fallen to no one,” said Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery.
The Tahoe City Public Utility District agreed to take over the river portion of the cleanup for the county. Later this fall, Montgomery will convene a multi-jurisdictional meeting to plan for long-term management of the rafting portion of the Truckee River.
Truckee Police Adds Anonymous Tip Line
TRUCKEE
The Truckee Police Department is working to expand ways people can report crimes or other incidents. The department activated a feature on its Nixle public alerting system where the public can anonymously report crimes or incidents. Either text 888777 with the keyword TPDNIXLE, go to the department’s website at townoftruckee.com/departments/police and click on the Nixle link, or call (855) 847-7247. The tip line is a resource for ongoing issues like drug use or when someone wants to remain anonymous and has information on a past crime.
Graffiti Clean-up Team Created
TRUCKEE
In response to a rash of graffiti in the Truckee area, a graffiti abatement team has been created. These individuals will work to remove graffiti in and around the Truckee area. The team will be under the supervision of Group Supervisor Hope Claar and under the guidance of Deputy Probation Officer Jodi Tucker. To have graffiti removed, call the Nevada County Probation Department in Truckee, (530) 582-7804.
