Town Council Considers Sales Tax Increase to Fund Trails TRUCKEE
Truckee Town Council is considering a quarter cent sales tax ballot measure to fund the construction and maintenance of trails within the town of Truckee. Polling results indicate approximately two-thirds of potential Truckee voters would support a trails tax measure.
Town staff is reaching out to potential stakeholders and the business community to provide information regarding the potential sales tax ballot measure. Town staff will report the results of this outreach effort at the Jan. 14 town council meeting. A town hall meeting was held Jan. 7 on the topic. Info: Becky Bucar, (530) 582-2932, bbucar@townoftruckee.com
Free Christmas Tree Recycling TRUCKEE
Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal will provide free curbside pickup of Christmas trees the week of Jan. 13 to 17. In order to participate, trees must be cut into three-foot segments and be clean of all decorations including tinsel, flocking, lights, stands, and nails. Trees should be easily accessible and placed curbside next to the trash. Free curbside pickup is for one week only.
New this year, Christmas trees may be dropped off for free recycling. Drop locations include the Tahoe Donner Northwoods Clubhouse, the Glenshire Clubhouse, and the Old Middle School located on Donner Pass Road. Drop-off locations are available through Jan. 27. The dumpsters are for clean, undecorated trees only. Please do not place trash and/or recycling in the bins. Info: (530) 583-0148
No New Invasive Species Entered Tahoe’s Waters Last Year TAHOE BASIN
According to watercraft inspection data and scientific reports, Lake Tahoe’s waters remain free of new invasive species introductions. During the 2013 boating season, Tahoe Resource Conservation District watercraft inspectors performed more than 7,000 inspections. In total, more than 14,000 vessels launched at Lake Tahoe, including both newly inspected vessels and those with intact Tahoe-issued inspection seals.
This summer, Nevada Department of Wildlife confirmed establishment of New Zealand mudsnails in sections of the Truckee River from Mayberry Park in Reno to the Sparks area. In 2013, 36 watercraft were found to be harboring aquatic invasive species including plants, mussels, and snails, and 4,221 watercraft were decontaminated with hot water.
Tahoe RCD watercraft inspectors also staffed Boca, Prosser, and Stampede Reservoirs and partnered with the Truckee Donner Recreation & Park District to provide watercraft inspectors at Donner Lake. Truckee inspectors screened more than 3,500 vessels for aquatic invasive species.
Prevention efforts for over 7,000 paddlers occurred at U.S. Forest Service kiosks, boat ramps, and Fallen Leaf Lake. Info: (888) 824-6267, tahoeboatinspections.com
Placer Approves Funds For Lake Tahoe-Area Infrastructure Projects NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Funding for a multitude of projects using Transit Occupancy Tax dollars in North Lake Tahoe was recently approved by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. The projects are:
North Tahoe Public Art: As part of the Kings Beach Commercial Core Improvement Project, some of the funding will be for footings and utilities in the roundabouts, and some will be used with private donations for the first public art installation, which is expected next calendar year. The remaining funding will be used for installation of a second piece of art.
North Lake Tahoe Water Shuttle: This three-year pilot project will enter its third year next summer. The funding will assist with the operation of a ferry shuttle, which links four points on the North Shore, including Homewood, Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay, and Tahoe Vista. It is envisioned that this short-trip water shuttle system will ultimately link into the larger North Shore-South Shore ferry system.
Performing Arts Center Feasibility Studies: This funding is for an initial feasibility study and business plan for cultural arts facilities in the region. Vail Resorts, Northstar’s owner, has re-entered discussions about a regional performing arts hall and amphitheater.
Dollar Creek Shared Use Trail/SR 89 Community Revitalization/Fanny Bridge Project: The Dollar Creek Trail is a 2.2-mile extension of an existing North Lake Tahoe bike trail system that will ultimately connect to the Regional Park in Tahoe Vista. The Fanny Bridge project will make significant improvements to traffic circulation and bicycle and pedestrian access south of Tahoe City.
Transit Phone Number Change TRUCKEE
The new phone number for Truckee’s Dial-A-Ride is (530) 550-7451. For questions, information, or to schedule a pickup on the Dial-A-Ride service, please use the new phone number. Truckee Transit apologies for any confusion this may cause.
January is National Mentoring Month NEVADA COUNTY & NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Nevada County and North Lake Tahoe is celebrating the 13th annual National Mentoring Month with a month’s worth of activities, including a Big Nite Out at Fireside Pizza on Jan. 22. This campaign is aimed at expanding quality mentoring programs to connect our community’s young people with caring adults. Research has shown that when matched through a quality mentoring program, mentors can play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible decisions, stay focused and engaged in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior like skipping school, drug use, and other negative activities. There are currently 12 children on the waitlist in Truckee and North Tahoe. Info: peggyy@bigsofnc.org, (530) 587-7717, bigsofnc.org
Placer County Seeking Feedback on Community Plan NORTH LAKE TAHOE
Placer County is soliciting feedback on the overarching goals and guiding policies contained in the Community Plan Policy Framework and the policies that will be incorporated into the Public Review Draft Policy Document. The policy framework is designed to provide overarching goals and guiding policies to guide growth and development of communities located in the Placer County Tahoe Basin, provide for the protection and enhancement of natural resources, and further attainment of environmental thresholds. The policy framework document is a result of a series of Topical Policy Workshops that the county conducted over the fall, where the county sought feedback and input on goals and policy initiatives related to various topics that will be addressed in the Community Plan Policy Document.
Comments received before Feb. 1 will be considered in preparation of the public review draft of the policy document. There will be additional opportunity to comment on policies after the publication of the public review draft of the Tahoe Basin Community Plan Policy Document in spring 2014.
The Tahoe Basin Community Plan Update Town Hall Meeting will be on Jan. 29, 6 p.m., North Tahoe Events Center in Kings Beach. The purpose of the town hall meeting is to seek public comment on the Tahoe Basin Community Plan Policy Framework document and to provide a report on the status of the Community Plan Update process. Info: Crystal Jacobsen, Placer County Planning Services Division, cjacobse@placer.ca.gov, (530) 745-3000, placer.ca.gov/departments/communitydevelopment/planning/tahoebasincpupdate
Washoe County Named As One of Six Drone Test Sites RENO
The Chairman of the Washoe County Board of Commissioners, David Humke, said the recent announcement by the Federal Aviation Administration that Nevada will be an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Development Center is good for both the county and the state.
“We are thrilled with the announcement this morning from Governor Brian Sandoval that the FAA has selected Nevada as one of six locations to be a center for UAV development in the U.S.,” said Humke. “In Washoe County, having the Reno-Stead Airport as one identified test site of six in the state will have both short and long term positive impacts for the state and Northern Nevada.”
Electricity Customers to See Rate Changes NORTHERN NEVADA & CALIFORNIA
Effective Jan. 1, NV Energy residential customers in Northern Nevada saw their monthly electric bills go up by, on average, $2.84, a 3 percent increase. For other classes of customers like commercial and industrial, the electricity rate actually decreased by 2.53 percent. NV Energy only serves natural gas to residential customers in Reno and Sparks, who received a 5 percent rate increase, or $2.43 a month on average.
California customers of Liberty Utilities will also likely see changes to their monthly utility bill this year that are the result of adjustments mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission. These include a new charge to recover mandated compliance costs with the Green House Gas Charge and Credit incurred in 2013 and 2014, as well as an on-bill credit known as a climate dividend. Liberty Utilities is currently seeking approval for its GHG implementation plan, where customers will receive the climate dividend credit on their bill twice a year to offset the GHG increase. The average climate dividend for an eligible small business will be approximately $73, and $55 for an eligible residential customer. The new charge and dividend is anticipated to be effective the first quarter of 2014. Info: libertyutilities.com/west ~ Melissa Siig/Moonshine Ink
