Denise Davis – IVCB Community Forum Moderator
Good morning, forum. I’m Denise Davis, your moderator. Ronda Tycer is our forum recap editor, and John Crockett is our tech guru.
As a reminder, our meeting is being recorded. Before you begin speaking, please state your name. While speaking, be respectful—personal attacks will not be tolerated. You can disagree without being disagreeable. For those online, if you’d like to share URLs, post them in the Chat Box and they’ll be included in the meeting recap. We partner with IVCB Community 1st.org and IVCBA.org to get information out. So, be sure to visit their websites and sign up for their newsletters. To sign up for our forum meeting notices and recaps, send an email to us at ivcbcommunityforum@gmail.com. And just a reminder, if you’re here in person, we have donuts! So come join us in person.
I see Eric Crump is here this morning. Did you have something you want to share with us Mr. Crump?
Eric Crump – Washoe County Community Services Department Operations Division Director
Thank you. I just wanted to check in. We’ve had a few snowstorms, so I wanted to provide a list of resources for the community. We have a couple of storms coming in this weekend for which we’re getting ready. I apologize for not being in person but I have a couple of other meetings down here so I couldn’t make it up there. I’d much rather be up there. It looks like a beautiful day. We still have the “Where’s My Plow” map for the Incline community. That is on our website. I’ll post the URL in the Chat.
We often get questions about the removal of snow on our pathways. So, just so everybody knows our focus and our priority is on the roads. Once we get the roads cleaned up and widened, we jump on paths. It depends on storms, but this last storm, I think it took us 3 days to get to the paths. We started on Tuesday and finished up yesterday. So, all the paths are cleared. We did bring another piece of equipment up there that we’re going to be trying out for the coming snowstorms that might allow us to get on the paths a little earlier. Historically, the piece of equipment we use to clear those little pathways is the same piece of equipment that we use up in Crystal Bay due to the tight road constraints we have up there. So we have to get Crystal Bay done before we can pull it down and get on the paths. I make no promises, but we’re trying to get to the paths a little bit earlier than we have in the past. Again, just a reminder, we are in “red” in terms of parking. There’s a number, 775 833-5555 folks can call to determine whether it’s a red or green parking day. We also list that on our website which is the same URL in the Chat. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, you can call our number 775 328- 2170. That is answered 24/7; or you can call 311. I’m happy to answer any questions.
Denise Davis
Okay, any questions for Mr. Crump? Seeing none, I thank you for joining us today. We appreciate that. Kari, do you want to fill us in on what’s happening at IVGID?
Kari Ferguson – Incline Village General Improvement District Communication Coordinator
Good morning. You don’t want me there in person. This is week 3 of being sick. Be careful out there, people. I guess wash your hands a little more than I did. I am still home with a bug. I will report as much as I can.
I don’t know if everyone saw the news. I want to let you know about the news story. A lot of news outlets have been coming to Incline because of the situation that happened due to one of the storms breaking a dock made of Styrofoam beads. It was moored to some buoy somewhere. We don’t know where it came from. But, unfortunately, it landed on our beautiful beaches. Hundreds of thousands of Styrofoam plastic beads are all over the beaches. We had Colin West—and a huge shout-out to him—who mobilized his team. And to our Parks and Rec Director, Sheila Leijon, who got some volunteers together to organize an emergency cleanup and try out different methods. They got about 95% cleaned up, but that still leaves hundreds of thousands of beads, which is incredible. The moral of the story is to watch what we bring down to the water – to anyone’s beaches— know that this type of material, if it’s made of Styrofoam, can break and get into the lake. It’s a big hazard.
We also want to thank Tiffany Clements from the Washoe County Sheriff Office, for her help in mobilizing a unit to come out to the beaches yesterday to help clean up that last 5%. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is. Our Parks crew has been there everyday working on the problem. I think it was yesterday they were going to add some sort of static fencing on the beach. The winds are kicking up this afternoon due to another storm, so hopefully it will contain some of those leftover beads. The Parks and Rec Director is organizing a program to “clean up whenever you can.” That will be announced in the next 24 hours. Our ambassadors will be down at the beaches and we’ll have supplies that people can borrow while they’re down there with their dogs or whatever. If you just want to take a few hours of your day to go down there and pick up beads, we would love any and all help. That’s the update on that.
There is a special IVGID Board of Trustees meeting January 25th. That was just posted to the website a few days ago and the agenda isn’t up yet. I will send the link to post in the recap.
The 55+ ski clinics are on Wednesdays. If you haven’t been to one of these clinics, they are a blast. You meet new people who love to ski. You get to learn a new skill. You’re accountable. You’re there early on a Wednesday so there are no crowds. It’s great. It’s a fun program. I worked it for a few years and really enjoyed it. So, I highly recommend it. That’s every Wednesday.
Also going on now, is Ullr Fest sponsored by the Diamond Peak Ski Education Foundation. It’s the Diamond Peak ski team’s event. There will be a torch-light parade, festivities, music, and that sort of thing on January 26th. I’ll put the link in the Chat.
Also on January 27 is Ski Safety Day in response to the incident at Palisades Tahoe. We’re trying to direct everyone for ski safety. Most of our information comes from Ski California, a group in which we are included. That is a group of ski resorts with avalanche information. We’ll push out more information about that.
I also want to remind everyone about Community Appreciation Week at Diamond Peak, which begins on Monday January 29 until February 4. That is a fun week where we have a lot of stuff planned. There will be tables staffed by different departments there. They’ll be passing out information. You can ask questions. And there are a whole bunch of things you get. So, I’m putting the link in the Chat for that.
Okay, Denise, what did I forget?
Denise Davis
The Audit Committee meeting that was scheduled for January 17th did not happen and will be rescheduled, but I did not see any new date for that yet.
Kari Ferguson
I don’t have that date yet either. Because of the MLK holiday, the posting didn’t happen on time. We didn’t want to violate Open Meeting Law. As soon as I have that date, I’ll share it with you all.
Denise Davis
IVGID is still working on the Waterline Survey. I have the link, which I’ll get in the Chat in a few minutes. Please respond to that survey.
Kari Ferguson
Yes. We’re definitely trying to have people check their own water service line. I know it’s probably not a fun thing to do. But, it’s now required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And everyone in the United States is doing this. So, each community is taking charge of their area. To help as much as we can, we created a video that will be uploaded today or tomorrow, that gives a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this. So, it will be doable by anyone. We have an email and phone number, which I’ll include in the Chat, if people need assistance or can’t get to their water service line. Jim Youngblood, one of our supervisors in Public Works, wanted me to mention they haven’t seen lead in any of our pipes ever. So, we are probably fine, but we have to prove we’re fine like everyone else in the United States. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible. We’re trying to get everything online so when people fill out the online survey it automatically computes the data, and it’s a lot easier for staff and takes less staff time. We’re trying to curb staff time. Having someone go out and do this will cost a lot more, so we’re trying to get people to do it by themselves and giving them the tools to do that with videos and information.
Denise Davis
That’s great. I see Sheila Leijon online. Do you have anything you want to add?
Sheila Leijon – IVGID Parks and Recreation Director
No, Kari did an amazing job as usual.
Denise Davis
All right. Any other questions for IVGID? Seeing none, thanks for joining us Kari and please rest up and get better. I have everyone who keeps us safe from the Sheriff Office. There are three officers out patrolling, but we do have several of our WCSO officers here today. So, Lieutenant Cola, what’s going on?
Joseph Colacurcio – Washoe County Sheriff Incline Office Lieutenant
As of next week, we’ll be only one deputy short for regular patrol in Incline Village. Three deputies will be getting off training: Deputy Courtney Slamon will be working the weekends along with Deputy Jerow and Deputy Hugh Shook. Shook and Jerow will be working at the beginning of the week and on graveyard and one on base. They will be finishing the program as of Sunday so will be assigned up here fully trained and ready to go.
I’ll piggyback on Mr. Crump talking about the red/green parking days. I will start directing deputies to issue citations—not just providing a red notice on the motor vehicle. We’ve done a pretty good job of letting people know. We think there’s been a good enough campaign. If you leave your vehicle during a snowstorm on a roadway and it will cause a problem for snow removal, we will issue you a citation. We’ll deal with it that way even if you’ve been noticed. We will probably attempt to get you to move your car. But if you do not, or don’t answer your door, you will probably see a citation. If you want to complain about that, feel free to complain to me because it will be under my direction. Just let the deputies know you’d like to have a conversation and I’ll deal with it. That’s it for today… So please drive safe, slow down, don’t crash into each other. That’s very important. It creates paperwork. [laughter]
Denise Davis
There was a question on your Facebook page. “Do red days count for containers, trailers, and equipment stored on the road?
Joseph Colacurcio
Yes. We are working with, and have been dealing with those. If you wish to call in you can file a service request. We’ve been working with companies and talking with them about having them removed. Normally what we’ll do is call the company with the trailer or dropbox or whatever, and advise them. They’ll give us the person who it’s rented to or the construction company. Then we’ll issue a citation for those individuals for not having it removed.
Joe Farrell – Incline Village Resident
I have a quick question. Starting this last summer, we have a big remodeled house being built on our cul de sac. And from experience up the road from us on Tyner last winter, it was a nightmare with construction workers parking their cars. And plows could only get a single lane plowed. So, I’m assuming you’re going to be pretty strict on this so we can get in and out.
Joseph Colacurcio
Getting in and out is one thing. Also, working with the locals getting their houses completed, and having their construction completed, and things like that. We understand parking is probably one of the top five issues in the Tahoe Basin. I think it is something that we will work on with the construction companies. ‘Hey, you guys need to get your cars out of the way.’ Obviously, if they tell us ‘We’re not doing that,’ then we have to have a way of dealing with them, and they can talk to the judge. I‘ll set up an appointment for them with a nice piece of paper so we have no problem.
Joe Farrell
Great.
Crystal Martoca – Washoe County Sheriff Office
I do a lot of the street patrol out here. To answer your question, we are doing a lot of… We are actively working with the construction workers. There are limited parking spots out here. We are enforcing that, too. A lot of it is education to our community.
Joseph Colacurcio
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Yolanda Knaak – Incline Village Resident
I’m not sure if it’s for the WCSO or for Eric Crump. In the past, hasn’t it been ‘no parking on roads during winter time’? And my second question is, “Are they doing the red-days/green-days to prove that we do have street parking so they don’t have to require as much parking for the new developments that are being built?”
Eric Crump
Thanks for the question. So the red and green days have been around for as long as I can remember. This is not something new. Parking on the road really impacts our ability to plow snow and widen roads. It slows everything down for everyone and causes potential accidents. Like I said, it’s been in place for a long time.
Crystal Martoca
If they’re in violation of the law, we will [inaudible 20:18].
Denise Davis
All right. Any other questions for the WCSO? Seeing none, we will move along to our North Lake Tahoe Fire District. Chief Sommers or Tia?
Ryan Sommers – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Chief
We’re pretty much status quo right now. We’re going to finish up some pile burning around town. Yesterday we planned on burning; however, we did not because of the stagnant air and lack of wind. We need a bit of wind to get the smoke out of the basin. So we did not do that. Online, I’d like to introduce our fairly new Fire Marshall. He’s been with us now a couple of years. He’s just figuring out how this fire district works. [chuckle] John James is online. I’ll give him a chance to say hello. If you guys have any fire prevention issues or questions, he is who you’ll be talking to.
John James – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Fire Marshall
Yes, please feel free to ask any questions. I’m usually going to be online for these meetings, but I’m always available if you need anything. I’ve been here for about 1½ years. I’m getting a little bit more comfortable with the district and enjoying working with everybody. So, if anybody has any questions for the district, bring them to me and I’ll try to get it figured out for you. Thank you.
Ryan Sommers
Thanks, John. I have one last thing. We received a FEMA grant almost a year ago for new self-contained- breathing-apparatuses (SCBAs). We made a collaborative effort. Five fire agencies went in together. We were awarded the grant and just received them. Every agency involved has received them and we just put them in service and just got our funds for them. So FEMA funded $1.7 million to us for these SCBAs we need to utilize when we go into structure fires. It’s pretty awesome that we got that.
We just got word of another grant awarded for Zoll. They’re Zoll auto-pulse machines. They’re basically going to be used for CPR for paramedics in the back of the ambulance. We’ll be the first agency in the State of Nevada to get these. So, there will be a big press release coming out when those are out and in service and on all of our rigs. I’ll be happy to answer questions, or Tia may have something to add.
Denise Davis
Tia did a great post about starting at the A’s—Alerts, Adopt a hydrant, and Ash cans. Do you want to say anything about that, Tia?
Tia Rancourt – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District Public Information Officer
I’m just reminding folks that it’s that time of season. Alert notifications are always top of mind to stay informed and to sign up for Code Red. And ashcans… For folks that have wood-burning appliances for heating their homes, come by our administration office at the fire station and fill out a form, and we’ll give you a free ash can. And for “adopt-a-hydrant,” the weather’s been a little warm lately with snow melting down a bit, but we do expect more. So, we just ask folks if they can help us out. Our crews are out there in between their training to get to the hydrants as quickly as they can especially in the upper subdivisions. We could always use your help. A separate release was about the avalanche situation to remind folks to really be aware in the backcountry. When backcountry skiing, take a class, be knowledgeable, know what you’re doing before you go out there, go with a buddy, and all that kind of thing.
Linda Offerdahl – Incline Village Crystal Bay Community and Business Association (IVCBA) Executive Director
I’ve been gone for a month, so I haven’t just been ignoring your meetings. IVCBA is busy planning for this next year. We’re reaching out to our members to see the kinds of activities they suggest to improve and reach our goal of building a thriving community. We do this primarily through education and convening different groups. The first meeting of the year will be our Annual Meeting February 29 at 6 pm at the Chateau. Washoe County Manager Eric Brown will be the featured speaker.
We’re starting to gear up for the 4th of July activities. At this time, there’s nothing definite to report. The Visitor Bureau has taken the lead the last couple of years for the drone show. There’s a lot of negative thought about fireworks even though they are very popular because of their impact on the lake and the environment. So, we’re looking for other activities. If you have any ideas, let us know.
Yolanda Knaak
I’m just curious about what happened with that grant you were awarded. Has there been any progress?
Linda Offerdahl
Last summer the Board of Washoe County Commissioners awarded IVCBA a $75,000 grant to work on community initiatives. That’s the Main Street program, housing, and other various ways we bring the community to collaborate with the nonprofits. Processing those grants is extremely difficult. We are still in the process of getting all of the paperwork figured out. We’ve moved forward with activities in those areas, but we have yet to see any grant money.
John Crockett – Washoe County Incline Library Head Librarian
We have two events at the library next week. We have our Pokeman party on Wednesday January 24th at 3 pm. I know everybody is really into Pokeman. We’ll have some games and crafts and play Pokeman. Then on Thursday the 25th please check out Jacqueline Cimento’s art. We’re having an artist reception at 1:30 pm. Please come and check out her beautiful artwork all around the library. It’s of birds from all her travels around the United States and the world. Then we have the Presidential Preference Primary voting going on here at the library both early and on Election Day, which starts January 27th. Please check the link in the Chat to Washoe County Registrar of Voters to get complete information for the Presidential Preference Primary.
Denise Davis
You guys had a “Lunch-and-Learn” about online scams and such. Do you have any report about that?
John Crockett
I didn’t attend. So I’m not sure. But it went really well. Yolanda, you were there. Did you have any takeaways from that you might like to share? We had a “Lunch-and-Learn” with an expert from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau talking about how to avoid scams. We intend to offer more of these talks.
Yolanda Knaak
That was a really good program. And there were people who also joined on Zoom. The prime takeaway is to make sure you have a really good password so people can’t crack it. Also, if anyone has any questions about the upcoming Republican caucus, I am volunteering, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
Denise Davis
The Presidential Preference Primary is February 6, and the Republican caucus is February 8.
John Crockett
Where is the caucus going to be held?
Yolanda Knaak
It will be February 8 at the Incline Elementary School here in town. The front door will be locked. You have to access the school from Village Boulevard to get in. It’s from 5 pm-7 pm. People can come and vote or people can come and participate. And a legal ID is required.
Denise Davis
Thanks, Yolanda. The Incline Citizens Advisory Board (CAB), which operates through Washoe County, is having a meeting Monday January 22nd. We moved the CAB meeting to the 4th Monday of the month now. The meeting is here at the library and online. The Commissioner will join us in person or online to give us updates. We also have an update from Washoe County Manager Eric Brown. We have an update from TRPA sharing information on their Vision Zero plan. We will also continue review of a presentation the CAB is putting together to speak to each of the county commissioners. So, I urge you to join us Monday evening at 5:30 either here at the library in person or online.
Our Board of Washoe County Commissioners will be meeting at 10 am on January 23rd. There are two Incline- specific items on their agenda under the consent calendar. They’re recommending approval of a license for snow storage in Incline Village and Crystal Bay. All the APNs are listed: Crosby Court, Wilson Way, Boothill Court, Charles Court, Susan Court, Ida Court, Dorcy Drive, Douglas Court, Cynthia Court, Allison Drive and Amagosa Road. The license is for an initial term of 5 years and includes one extension for one additional term of 5 years. The contract is for $3,000.
Item 14 on the agenda is an “Introduction and First Reading of an ordinance amending WCC 110.220, Sec. 110.220.275 in the Wood Creek regulatory zone to add schools kindergarten through secondary as a permitted use subject to a Special Use Permit (SUP) on those parcels in size equal to or greater than 3 acres within the Tahoe Woodcreek regulatory zone, and all matters necessarily connected.” If supported they will set the public hearing for the second reading and possible adoption of the ordinance for February 20, 2024. This Tuesday will be the 1st reading. Possibly February 20 would be the 2nd reading. After the 2nd reading it would pass and go into effect.
I think we covered the Presidential Preference Primary and the caucus, but if you have questions, please go on the Washoe County website. The URL is in the Chat.
I saw a notice that our local hospital has a new CT scanner and X-ray machine up and running. Also, the DMV kiosk is at Raley’s over near the produce section. One of the things you can do there is get your tag for your license. So take advantage of that.
The Tahoe Transportation District had a meeting on January 12th. The Program Implementation Committee… Did anyone attend? I was out of town so I’m going to catch up on it. Contracts were reviewed. They had a couple of updates on TTD’s Federal Transportation Administration’s triennial review, and an update on TTD’s Capital Improvement Program projects. The TTD will have the next round of regular meetings beginning in February. We’ll talk about this more in our next forum meeting.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) today at 1:30 has a Transportation Performance Technical Advisory Committee Meeting. Information can be found on the TRPA website. You can be in-person or online. On their agenda is “A review of high -level transportation metrics to track implementation of Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction (VMT) and the achievement of other Regional Transportation Plan Sustainable Community Strategy goals.” So VMTs—our favorite term that gets tossed around a lot.
The second item on their agenda is, “Provide guidance on program, policy, and project modifications necessary to attain and maintain Transportation and Sustainability Community’s threshold standards.” That is today starting today at 1:30 pm.
On January 24, the TRPA committees and Board meetings will take place. They start at 8:30 am, and typically go all day. To see the exact schedule, go to the TRPA website.
The meeting scheduled for January 31st for the Tahoe Living Working Group has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. There’s no new date set yet.
On Tuesday January 23 at the Tahoe Science Center at the UNR-Tahoe campus, Dr. Catherine Hayhoe will give a talk titled “How to Address Climate Change by Talking About It.” At the present time there are still slots available to register to attend online via Zoom. That information is in the Chat. They have spots available only online, not in person. That’s all the meeting updates I have.
Eric Crump, Chris King had asked a question in the Chat. Are there any plans to plow the East Shore Trail parking lot? Who is responsible for that lot?
Eric Crump
Thank you. I was actually just typing a response to that question. During the original planning and design of that development it was always determined that it was a summer-only feature. So, there were no plans to clear the lot. There are some safety concerns with the use of that trail during the winter. And the permeable surfacing that they used for the parking lot makes it extremely challenging to plow snow, especially for Washoe County Road plows. We couldn’t plow that with the types of plows we use or we’d tear it up. And the second we plow that, it invites people to utilize the trail, which, again, has safety concerns. So, that’s the current status. That’s my understanding of the original design and there are no current plans. There have been some discussions about doing that, but they haven’t gone anywhere to date.
Kathie Julian – Incline Village Resident
May I ask what your position is with the county? I’m sorry I just signed on, so I may have missed that.
Eric Crump
Oh sure. I’m the Washoe County Community Services Department Operations Division Director.
Kathie Julian
Well, I’m very happy that the county has sent someone to sit in on these meetings. I think they’re very organic, productive meetings for our community. And I appreciate the county joining.
We’ve been following up with Alexis Hill with this for many months. And I think she once told me something about the impermeable pieces that were problematic. But what about the safety issue? There is no safety issue in the community’s view to the Tunnel Creek Trail just going up for the view of the lake and a little bit beyond. So, if folks were to voluntarily organize shoveling, or something like that, would that be a problem? Does the county want to prohibit parking there even if you can get in?
Eric Crump
You know it’s kind of that it’s not managed and it’s not cleared of snow in the winter. The safety concerns I’m talking about are on the East Shore Trail itself. If NDOT is plowing Highway 28 and blowing a bunch of snow over the side, that snow can be super heavy and hit people utilizing the trail. Also, there are “hanging bridges” with rails on that trail. You add a couple of feet of snow on the trail and all of a sudden, the rail that used to be at 3 ½ or 4 feet high is now at your ankles. That’s not a good situation either.
Kathie Julian
Sure. Okay. I misunderstood. It’s not the Tunnel Creek Trail you’re worried about. It is the actual East Shore Trail. Thank you.
Denise Davis
Mr. Crump, I live across the highway from the East Shore Trail and the parking lots. It doesn’t matter what the weather is. Every day somebody is on that trail—year round, every day. Just because the parking lot isn’t plowed, or the trail isn’t cleared of snow, doesn’t mean people are not using it. So, not plowing the parking lot just causes parking problems in my neighborhood. And not clearing the path just creates an icy slick mess for people who are going to walk on it every day of the year no matter the weather. So, I just want to pass that along to you.
Eric Crump
I understand completely. It’s a challenge. We can’t control everybody and that’s such a challenge for us for sure.
Steve Dolan – Incline Village Resident, Friends of 3rd Creek Director
This is just further information on the TRPA. On Tuesday January 23rd down in Carson City at the Nevada Assembly building Room 3137… This is a long title for the committee. It’s the Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the TRPA and Marlette Lake Watershed System. They are having a meeting pertaining to that subject. So, I thought everybody might like to attend that to discuss their opinion regarding the State’s interactions with and funding of the TRPA. Thank you.
Denise Davis
Yes, I followed that committee 2 years ago. It is an Interim Committee. As you know our Nevada Legislature only meets every other year. During the interim there are standing committees that meet. It is the TRPA’s opportunity to speak to the legislators and start working with them as far as projects they want to work on and funding they would like. If it follows the course that it has in the past, this first meeting will be the TRPA’s introductory “who we are and what we do” pitch. I urge everyone to participate. It is a subset of members of the committees that are active during the legislature.
Steve Dolan
There are two public comment sessions, one at the beginning and one at the end, if you’re interested.
Yolanda Knaak
How can I find out what legislators are on the committee?
Denise Davis
You can go on the Nevada Legislative Council Bureau’s website. Do you have the direct URL, Steve? [No.] You can probably Google the Committee for Oversight. Yolanda, I can give you more information. If anyone else wants the URL, send an email to me at: ivcbcommunityforum@gmail.com. Helen Neff said the agenda for the meeting is also on the IVCB Community 1st calendar. [See our Chat Log: The agenda and links are at: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2023/Meeting/34428.
Written comments can be submitted by email to: Tahoe@lcb.state.nv.us]
Steve Dolan
Two representatives are related to our local area: one is Lisa Krasner our senator, and then Mr. Settlemeyer.
Denise Davis
Mr. Settlemeyer left the State legislature. He’s working for the State so he’s not in the legislature anymore.
Steve Dolan
So I know that Lisa Krasner is on that committee.
Denise Davis
I know that last year the Committee Chair was Sarah—I forgot her last name. She is in Sparks. Also, the majority of members on the Oversight Committee are from southern Nevada. That’s getting to be our legislature. The majority of the population is in the south, so that’s where the majority of our legislators are coming from. They may or may not have history or experience with the Tahoe Basin. So please feel free to share with them your experience and feelings.
Helen Neff wanted to say that the time for today’s TTD is incorrect on the IVCB Community 1st website. The meeting is at 1:30 today. That’s the Transportation Performance Technical Advisory Committee. That just rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? Anybody else? Go ahead Ben. Come on up. Ben is rejoining us.
Ben Dosseff – Incline Village Resident
I came today to talk about the Styrofoam spill at Incline Beach. Many people know me as working on the trash problem in Tahoe. In 2017 spring and spring of 2018, I was at Incline Beach, and out in the water there were acres of trash floating, just like what you see in the ocean. I didn’t know what to think about it being new to the area, having moved here in 2015. So, I went to the TRPA and spoke my 3 minutes and I told them what I saw. I told them that if the problem wasn’t fixed, the lake would be totally polluted and there wouldn’t be anybody here anymore. Businesses would leave. Why would people come to a polluted lake? So, I set out to try to solve the trash problem in Tahoe. I came up with many solutions. So, last week I set up with Keep Tahoe Blue. I’m a Blue-crew member. I spoke to their employees about solutions because I need help. I can’t accomplish my ideas on my own.
Last Friday I got a text from Jennifer Moore, a friend of mine who works for IVGID. And then I got a call from Kari Ferguson asking if I could help out with the problem down at the beach. I said, “I can’t right now, I’m in Carson getting my oil changed and I have to do a little grocery shopping while I’m down here. I’ll check in on it. When I get back.” So, I got there around 3 pm that afternoon. I noticed 20 people—volunteers—and Colin West of Clean Up The Lake—a nonprofit organization. I spoke with him and I spoke with Sheila. I recommended that the TRPA be notified and news people be notified. It looked terrible. The beads were everywhere. The wind was blowing them everywhere. It’s going to be a huge undertaking. With snow being there on the beach you can’t see a lot of it. That was on a Friday. I went Monday morning to Incline Beach because it was a nice sunny day and the snow had melted. I’m kind of checking everything out. I’m seeing the beads everywhere. It’s a big problem. I saw one of the IVGID ambassadors on the beach and talked to him about it. He mentioned they don’t have much help this time of year. He called another employee down. I spoke to him. Same thing… not much help… nothing being done. And this was the time to get it done while the weather was good. It needs to be worked on continuously until it’s done. So, I tried to come up with some solutions. I called Colin West and spoke with him on the phone. He said, “I can’t help out. I’m busy. I’ve already spent $4000-$5000 on it.” I said, okay.
So, I got this idea. How about using something like a flame-thrower that would burn these little beads up? So I took a little thing down to the beach and I hit two of the beads and zap! They were gone. So, I went home and Googled this to see what happens when you do this. It said it lets off a toxic gas. So, I went to the fire department over on Tanager to talk to the firemen about it to see what they thought. I wanted to learn so I could relate to IVGID any viable solutions. So, I went to Tanager and rang the bell and nobody came. So I got in my car and phoned a friend of mine—a retired firefighter from Napa Valley and spoke to him about it. He thought it through and said, “You know, being outdoors, the gas shouldn’t be a problem. It’s just going to leave carbon after it’s burned.” He said, “I think that would probably be a good solution.”
So, I then called Tiffany Clements at the Washoe Incline Sheriff station and spoke with her about it. And she came up with the idea of maybe getting some of the prisoners to come up on a workforce and help with the problem. I said, “That would be great. Let me know if that happens.”
So, it was really bothering me the way things were going. So, the next morning I called the fire department and told the operator what was going on. And she said “I’ll ring the director so you can leave him a message.” I left him a voicemail. That was Tuesday, but I still haven’t heard anything from him. Tiffany got back saying it looks like they were going to be able to bring a crew up to help. The day before I had texted Colin West about burning the beads and he said, no, don’t do that. It lets toxic gas out— blah, blah, blah. I said, I’m just coming up with ideas and trying to figure out what will work and then I’ll relate them to IVGID because it’s their beach. It’s not my beach. I can’t go down there and do this. So, anyway I then called the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA guy says, “Let me look it up.” And he says, “It shows here that Colin West with Clean Up the Lake is taking care of that.” I said, “Okay. Well the job’s not finished.” He says, “It shows here they’re looking for the owner of the dock that broke loose that caused the problem.” I said, the way I think it should go, is the EPA comes up and takes care of the problem, cleans it up, and then finds the owner of the dock and makes him pay for the cleanup. That’s the way I thought it should happen. He didn’t say much because maybe he didn’t want to say too much about it.
So, looking at the big picture—several balls have been dropped on this problem. Yesterday, I told everybody at the Conversation Café meeting on Thursday at Aspen Grove the same thing I’m telling everybody here. After the meeting Tiffany Clements and I walked down to the beach. The prisoners were just getting down there. They were grabbing tools and stuff. A couple of IVGID employees were down there. The process they’re doing will take months if not a year. There’s nothing basically that’s an easy fix picking up thousands and thousands of these pieces that are spread out everywhere. And in the meantime, the balls are blowing out of the beach area and onto our lands. It will more than likely be there as pollution. If you look it up, this stuff is made out of petroleum, which is plastic. And Tahoe is listed as one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world. Things just keep going bad for it. I just want everybody to know, so hopefully next time something bad happens, it gets fixed the right way. Thank you.
Denise Davis
Thank you Ben. I want to make a quick correction. Helen Neff found members of the Oversight Committee. There is a majority of northern Nevadans this time I believe. The members of the committee are Senator
Skip Daley, Senator Melanie Sheibel—she was the vice chair of the committee last time and may become the chair of the committee this time—Senator Robin Titus, Assembly Person Shannon Axelrod, Assembly Person Rich Delong, and Assembly Person Angie Taylor. If you’re looking for information, start at:
Does anyone have a topic they would like to bring up? If not, I have a quick visual. My tech guru is on it. Some who have attended TRPA meetings have seen this presentation regarding the 2020 Census reports. And usually it goes flying past, but it’s attached to one of their agenda items. So, I just wanted to show this to you. As you know, we only have a census every 10 years. Those numbers are the changes for the last four censuses.
1990 52,591
2000 62,843
2010 55,607
2020 55,836
So our Tahoe population stays somewhere in the mid 50-thousands. But the interesting thing from the last census in 2020 which was kind of during COVID—the interesting thing is as you can see from this next chart of population change—according to the 2020 Census, Incline Village had the largest gain in population. So, I wanted to share that with everybody. That might account for why we sometimes feel we’re being inundated. There’s the data. I just wanted to share that with you. As I said, it’s inside one of the attachments. It’s a presentation I’ve seen at least twice if not more at meetings. If you’re interested in the whole presentation, send me an email and I’ll send the attachment to you.
Anything else? Last call. Again, it was great to see everybody in person today. It was great to see everybody online. We appreciate everyone’s support. I remind everyone that due to the Presidential Preference Primary voting taking place at the library, our next Forum meeting February 2 is online only because this room will be used for voting. We’ll still meet but we will be online only. So, hopefully I’ll see you in 2 weeks. Please be safe. We have several storms coming in. Stay home if you can. Drive safely if you can’t. Slow down. We’ll see you in 2 weeks. Thanks, bye.
PARTICIPANTS
Aaron Vanderpool
Ann Nichols
Ben Dosseff
Beth and Jon Davidson
Chris King
Crystal Martoca
David Simon
Debbie Nicholas
Denise Davis
Edie Farrell
Eric Crump
Hans R Keller
Helen Neff
Jeff Church
Joe Campbell
Joe Colacurcio
Joe Farrell
John Crockett
John James
Kari Wingate Ferguson
Kathie Julian
Linda Offerdahl
Margaret Martini
Michaela Tonking
Nick Tone
Pam Straley
Ronda Tycer
Ryan Sommers
Sam Levine
Sheila Leijon
Steve Dolan
Tiffany Clements
Tina Rancourt
Todd Lowe
Yolanda Knaak
CHAT LOG
09:04:10 From Eric Crump : https://www.washoecounty.gov/csd/operations/roads/Snow%20and%20Ice/snow_ice_ops_incline.php
09:07:32 From Eric Crump : I included the wrong number for our Roads Line. It is actually 775-328-2180 or you can call 311
09:14:46 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : Thank you!!! 🙏
09:16:36 From John Crockett/Incline Village :
09:17:00 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : https://www.diamondpeak.com/events/
09:17:06 From John Crockett/Incline Village : Washoe Regional Emergency Information Center
https://www.EmergencyWashoe.com/
09:17:24 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : https://www.diamondpeak.com/event/ski-safety-day/
09:18:03 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : Community Appreciation at Diamond Peak: https://www.diamondpeak.com/event/ivgid-community-appreciation-week/
09:18:29 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : Ski clinic: https://www.diamondpeak.com/event/wednesday-55-ski-clinics/2024-01-31/
09:18:39 From John Crockett/Incline Village : Jan 19 – TRPA Transportation Performance Technical Advisory Committee meeting
09:19:17 From John Crockett/Incline Village : Jan 31 – Tahoe Living Working Group meeting – CANCELLED, will be rescheduled
https://www.trpa.gov/event/tahoe-living-working-group-2/
09:19:41 From John Crockett/Incline Village : Presidential Preference Primary info
09:21:38 From Kari Wingate – Ferguson : Public Works news. https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/uploads/pdf-public-works/01182024_Winter_2024_IVGID_PW_News.pdf
09:23:59 From John Crockett/Incline Village : https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/new-years-trivia-things-that-start-with-the-letter-a/
09:24:49 From Chris King : Eric – are there any plans to plow the East Shore Trail parking lot? Who is responsible for that lot?
09:38:17 From kathie julian : IN THE NEVADA CURRENT:
Developers in charge of policy? Say it ain’t so! Just kidding. Yes, Nevada likes to think it’s unique, but policymakers around the nation and around the world kowtow to developers with deep pockets. Then again, policymakers the world over also kowtow to residents with deep pockets. The Lake Tahoe area is renowned for its beauty. And its deep pockets. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar has a question: “When you talk about tourism dollars, how many of those actually go back to the local communities versus the state or the county?” Cool question, Cisco. Now do the Strip. But I digress. Dana Gentry reports: Who’s protecting Tahoe? Regulatory agency enamored with development, say critics https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2024/01/19/whos-protecting-tahoe-regulatory-agency-enamored-with-development-say-critics/?emci=4beae600-ecb6-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&emdi=2d3d1f40-eeb6-ee11-bea1-0022482237da&ceid=91945
09:46:34 From kathie julian : NV Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System Mtg on Tues, Jan 23 at 1 pm via Zoom and in-person.
Written comments may be submitted by email to Tahoe@lcb.state.nv.us
Agenda & links at: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2023/Meeting/34428
09:46:51 From Washoe County Libraries : ivcbcommunityforum@gmail.com
09:47:18 From Eric Crump : Thank you very much. I have to run to another meeting.
09:47:22 From John Crockett/Incline Village : https://ivcbcommunity1st.org/event-calendar/category/community-events/
09:47:28 From John Crockett/Incline Village: Thank you, Eric
FORUM URLS
Our email is:
Washoe County Sheriff Office (WCSO)
non-emergency dispatch 775-785-9276
Incline substation Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Washoe-County-Sheriffs-Office-Incline-Village-Substation-143827955640457/
Red Day / Green Day info
775-833-5555
https://www.washoecounty.gov/csd/operations/roads/Snow%20and%20Ice/snow_ice_ops_incline.php
“Where’s My Plow?” real-time map
https://www.washoecounty.gov/csd/operations/roads/Snow%20and%20Ice/snow_ice_ops_incline.php
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District website
non-emergency fire dispatch (Grass Valley) 530-477-0641, then pick 7
Washoe County emergency alert sign-up
https://www.washoecounty.gov/em/RegionalAlerts.php
Washoe Regional Emergency Information Center
https://www.EmergencyWashoe.com/
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) free training begins Jan 18
https://www.washoecert.org/upcominginfo
IVGID water service line survey
https://bit.ly/IVGIDPWLeadandCopperSurvey
(URL is case-sensitive)
Jan 19 – TRPA Transportation Performance Technical Advisory Committee meeting
Jan 22 – IV/CB Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) agenda
https://www.washoecounty.gov/CABS/IVCB_CAB/2024/files/IVCB-CAB-Agenda_Jan.-2024.pdf
Jan 23 – Washoe County BCC agenda
Jan 23 – Dr Katharine Hayhoe presentation “How To Address Climate Change By Talking About It”
https://www.trpa.gov/hayhoe-climate-talk/
Jan 23 – NV Legislative Committee for the Review and Oversight of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and the Marlette Lake Water System
Agenda & links at: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/InterimCommittee/REL/Interim2023/Meeting/34428
Written comments may be submitted by email to
Jan 24 – TRPA Governing Board and committee meetings
https://www.trpa.gov/event/governing-board-meeting-7/
Jan 25 – IVGID special BOT meeting
https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/ivgid/board-of-trustees/meetings-and-agendas
Jan 31 – Tahoe Living Working Group meeting – CANCELLED, will be rescheduled
https://www.trpa.gov/event/tahoe-living-working-group-2/
Jan 31 – IVGID BOT meeting
https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/ivgid/board-of-trustees/meetings-and-agendas
Washoe County voting info
https://www.washoecounty.gov/voters/index.php
Presidential Preference Primary info
Washoe311 – request for service
call 311 or 775-328-2003
https://washoecountynv.qscend.com/311/request/add
all applications for Washoe County Commission District 1
https://www.washoecounty.gov/csd/planning_and_development/applications/apps_commish_district_one.php
Neighborhood Meetings for upcoming projects
https://neighborhood-washoe.hub.arcgis.com/
IV/CB Community 1st meetings and community info
IVCBA (Incline Village Crystal Bay Community and Business Association)
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