Greetings, District V! Welcome to our first annual newsletter! This digital newsletter will re-cap some of this past year’s successes and challenges, as well as provide some insight into some issues we will be working on in 2024.
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We’ve opened up two offices – one in Placerville and one in South Lake Tahoe. In our Tahoe office, we have created a "Zoom Room" which enables committee/commission appointees representing District V to participate in County meetings remotely. The building is ADA compliant and is located at 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 102 (this is the old Tahoe Savings & Loan Building for those of you who remember that building!).
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Tahoe Office "Zoom Room"
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In early March 2023, my office contacted the county's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to request help. We knew the "pineapple express" was on its way and with over 15' of snow on the ground, we knew we were headed for trouble.
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The County EOS sent 12 strike teams (over 120 people) to the area to assist. The OES was located and staffed at the Airport. Daily briefings included STPUD, the City of SLT, City Fire, Police, the County, Sheriff, Lake Valley Fire, STR, LTUSD, Calif. Conservation Corp and others who provided daily updates that then allowed the leadership to assign the crews where they were most needed. The team worked tirelessly to respond to roof cave-ins, elders in need of assistance, keeping government buildings open and much more.
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Our office received many calls from Basin residents stating concern regarding snow removal during this crazy winter and in some cases flooding issues.
We were able to convey this information to the County Department of Transportation who assisted in getting plows to areas where residents needed it the most.
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Two public forums were held: one in Meyers and a second in Tahoma where we gained a lot of public input on all sides of the issue regarding VHR's and the county's ordinance managing VHR's.
An Advisory Committee was formed comprised of 13 VHR stakeholders (residents, business owners, rental management personnel, etc.) from Pollock Pines and within the Tahoe Basin including Tahoma and Meeks Bay. We received 32 applications to be considered for a seat on this advisory committee. Zephyr Collaboration (hired consultants to assist with this effort) interviewed and made recommendations to pare the committee down to 13. The committee is well-balanced geographically and ideology-wise.
This advisory body meets to discuss current ordinance/policy issues and provides recommendations to me for consideration of possible program improvements and/or changes. The VHR Advisory Committee will be wrapping up in February 2024. They will hold a Public Forum in March 2024 to present and discuss their recommendations. Those recommendations will be considered by me, and together with county staff, we will then make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on May 14th, a regularly scheduled county board meeting that will be held in South Lake Tahoe at the City Council Chambers located at the airport beginning at 9:00am.
 My office hosted a Tahoe Delegation Tour which brought together our state-elected officials to tour Lake Tahoe. We invited our California Senate and Assembly representatives and included a variety of agency presentations. We took the group out on the lake where TRPA and the League to Save Lake Tahoe lead discussions regarding water quality and aquatic invasive species issues. The California Tahoe Conservancy showed the group the restoration efforts they are leading at Cove East (Tahoe Keys Marina). Chair Smokey from the Washoe tribe talked to the group about stewardship. The group toured the Sugar Pine Project (affordable housing at the Y) hosted by the City of South Lake Tahoe. The tour was intended to educate our newly elected officials on the importance of our region and foster unique perspectives and conversation about the basin.
Due to concerns regarding an abandoned Taco Bell restaurant in Pollock Pines, the county took steps to board up the hazardous building. The owner is unresponsive. In the meantime, the building caught fire in 2023. The county is now looking into steps to abate the property and place a lien on the property to eventually compensate the County for the staff time and materials in order to protect the community. |
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We dealt with Highway 50 road closure impacts in Pollock Pines, working closely with CalTrans, California Highway Patrol, and El Dorado Sheriff’s Department to mitigate the effects of traffic issues in the community. We will continue to work with CalTrans regarding the relocation of the road closure on Highway 50.
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The County is constructing pedestrian safety improvements on Pony Express Trail after 5 children were struck and injured while in the crosswalk. This Project proposes to improve upon pedestrian crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons. The crosswalk will also be relocated approximately 100 feet to the east. There are 3 other areas along Pony Express Trail that also will receive improved/relocated crosswalks with rapid flashing beacons (Forebay Rd, Cox St., Sanders Dr.).
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Forebay Park, located in Pollock Pines, is currently being developed. The Board of Supervisors has allocated $3 million dollars of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to begin construction. New construction will include two asphalt parking lot areas, restrooms, an ADA accessible playground, exercise equipment, ballfield renovations, a disc golf course and walking trails. This project is currently under CEQA review with construction anticipated for spring of 2024.
We will continue to work with the community to complete this important project.
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Meeks Bay: We are navigating a bi-county merger of Meeks Bay Fire Protection District with North Tahoe Fire Protection District to provide more efficient public safety response. |
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Tahoma: We are working with El Dorado Sheriff’s Office and the Tahoma community to provide a Deputy Sheriff that resides in the area and does not have to travel from Placerville to Tahoma each day.
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We created a District V Advisory Council, where each of the communities within District V have a representative. We meet quarterly in various locations within the district and via zoom. We talk about the issues that are affecting our communities and residents. We not only have the opportunity to meet our neighbors, but more importantly, we learn from each other and share our needs and successes.
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The voter approved Measure S went into effect January 1, 2023. The measure increased TOT by 4% within the unincorporated portion of the Tahoe Basin with the requirement that an oversight committee by established to ensure that the additional revenue be spent within the basin for snow removal & road maintenance. Transportation staff and the committee discuss community priorities when considering how the additional revenue should be allocated. The most important role of the oversight committee is to ensure this funding is in addition to the regular funding for the area and not supplanting regular funds allotted for the Tahoe Basin. They meet annually, or more, when needed.
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Community Funding Grants are one-time contributions of discretionary funds to non-profit organizations, public organizations, or community organizations for an event or effort that will benefit the residents of El Dorado County. So far, the following organizations within District V have received these one-time community grants:
- Meyers Community Foundation ($2500)
- Pollock Pines Community Center ($2500)
- Tahoe PAWS & TLC 4 Furry Friends ($5000)
- American Legion Post 795 ($5000)
- Lake Tahoe Historical Society/DAR ($5000)
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My office has been working to resolve a disparity between TRPA and El Dorado Sheriff's Office (EDSO) regarding speed limits within Emerald Bay. EDSO currently enforces a 15-mph speed limit while TRPA approved a 5-mph speed limit within 600 ft from the shoreline (which is the majority of Emerald Bay!). Stay tuned........
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In collaboration with Lake Valley Fire Protection District, we created an adopt-a-hydrant program for county residents. If you have a hydrant near your home that you can dig out in between snowstorms, not only will it make your neighborhood safer, but we will provide you with a coffee mug as our way of thanking you. Stop by the Lake Valley Fire Department on Hwy 89 to pick up your mug. |
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Here are some specific issues we are continuing to work on for our District:
- Fully funded VHR code enforcement division located in the Tahoe Basin
- KCRA television broadcasting throughout the District to provide better coverage of California issues (petitioning the FCC in January 2024)
- New crosswalk with flashing beacons on Pony Express in Pollock Pines
- New crosswalk with flashing beacons at Sierra House Elementary School
- New crosswalk on Hwy 50 & Apache (relocating the current crosswalk in Meyers close to the "bug station")
- Abating the nuisance of Taco Bell in Pollock Pines and Little Norway on Echo Summit
A lot has been done and there is more to accomplish. We will continue to work diligently on your behalf as we deal with the opportunities and challenges ahead.
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Brooke Laine, Supervisor District 5
Email: bosfive@edcgov.us
Phone: 530-663-3090
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