John Crockett – Washoe County Library, Head Librarian
Let’s start with announcements.
Kari Ferguson – Incline Village General Improvement District – Communications Coordinator
I’d like to remind everyone about the July 3rd festivities before July 4th. On Saturday morning July 3rd the NLTFPD will host a free pancake breakfast. Find details at: https://www.nltfpd.org/events/eventdetail/5/-/community-pancake-breakfast
And Saturday at 10:15am there’s a Children’s Bike Parade starting on Incline Way. Find details at:
https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/events/july-4th-kids-bike-parade
Then on July 4th the Veterans Club will be hosting their free pancake breakfast from 8-10 in Aspen Grove.
The Local Heroes Parade starts at 10am at on Incline Way and ends at Sierra Nevada University.
Also on July 3rd NLTFPD is also offering free Janssen one-dose COVID vaccinations at the Fire station.
IVGID is hosting “Guys and Gals on the Green” at the Mountain Golf Course. And one more thing—IVGID is still looking to hire more staff for all of our venues.
Jack Dalton, MD – Incline Resident
I notice we have no one here from the Fire Department or the Sheriff’s Office, but I’d like to bring up a problem. I regularly walk from Tunnel Creek to Sand Harbor on the East Shore Trail—usually in the late afternoon about 6pm. I’ve noticed that some people on bikes—not all—but some are simply out of control. The trail is relatively narrow at only 12’. Some bikers are obnoxiously aggressive. At that time of day there are families with little kids and dogs—some of which are tiny— and they are likely to get hit. The bikes need to be regulated. I spoke to the Fire Department, the Park Rangers and the Sheriff about it. It’s really a hazard. The governors on the electric bikes go to 20 mph but downhill you can go quite a bit faster. One mid-30’s- something woman biker passed me near Tunnel Creek, which was appropriate. I was way over to the right, and that was fine. But another biker was coming down the slope as fast as she could and said, “Get out of my way, I’m not slowing down.” The woman who passed me did the right thing but the woman coming down the hill was out of control. And somebody’s going to get hurt.
Joe Farrell – Incline Resident
I concur with Jack. I walk the trail a few times a week. The other thing that happens on the trail is that groups walk 6 abreast. It’s just a matter of time before someone’s going to get seriously hurt there. Maybe we could have a sign put out with rules of the trail. I really appreciate it when bikers say, “On your left.”
Jack Dalton
That happened one time—one time. But I walk so far over it’s not an issue. The Sheriff said the bikes don’t have right of way. But if kids walk 6 abreast I think that’s appropriate for walking but not if the bikes are out of control. The walkers are right; the bikers are wrong.
Joe Farrell
So who do we talk to about maybe setting something up to rectify the issue before somebody gets seriously hurt?
Jack Dalton
Well, I don’t think it’s the Park Ranger, the Fire Department, or the Sheriff Office because I spoke to all three a few nights ago about 7pm. They said it’s up to Washoe County and IVGID.
Kari Ferguson
IVGID does not have any jurisdiction over the path. That trail is operated by NV State Parks.
Denise Davis – Incline Resident, Ordinance 7 Committee, Member, CAB, Alternate
At last night’s Q&A, Alexis Hill discussed bikes on the Lakeshore path. It doesn’t pertain to the East Shore Trail. But Lt. Miceli checked the regulations and said bikes and e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks and walkways. That confused me because I understood our paths are not the minimum width for bikes. If anyone knows the answer to that, it would be helpful. But pedestrian space is an issue that Lt. Miceli and Commissioner Hill are investigating. For the East Shore Trail, you might contact the Tahoe Fund since they were a big part of getting that developed.
Nancy Parker – Incline Resident
I’m attending the meeting for the first time today. [Welcome!] My concern extends beyond the East Shore Trail to Lakeshore. We’re getting more e-bikes on the Lakeshore path where people are slowly walking with dogs. I think the path is narrower than the EST. It should also be part of this review for safety.
Sara Schmitz – Incline Resident, IVGID Trustee
To follow up on Denise Davis’s comments, last night Alexis Hill did touch on the concern about speeding bikes on the Lakeshore path. She said she’d experienced the problem personally. E- bikes are new. While regular bikes are allowed on walkways, there needs to be new regulation for e-bikes because of the speed at which they travel. I bike and walk both trails and also the trail from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley. It has a middle line on it. When I was biking it was clear pedestrians understood that the line was there for a reason so bikes could safely pass. I made that suggestion for the EST. Even if they just drew a line, it would help people remember that they’re sharing the path with others. You do get large groups. Sometimes there’s a group of 20—and while riding my bike—I have to come to a complete stop and wait for the opportunity to clear. I have written and asked that they evaluate putting a line and some signage to remind everyone that this path is shared and can’t be monopolized by large groups.
Kathie Julian – Incline Resident, Citizen Advisory Board, Member
I checked the sign on the Lakeshore path and it specifically says bikes are allowed. I don’t know about e-bikes. I notice on the EST the bikes are predominantly rental bikes. They have some company name on them. They ride in packs of tourists. I think we might also reach out to the owners of those bike rental businesses. We can caution them to do a better job of advising their clients on that path, and that families use it, and people should bike with care or even use the street.
Shirley Appel – Incline Resident
I’m from Southern California where all beach bike paths have lines down the middle. They don’t have so many pedestrians. The line down the middle works pretty good.
Sara Schmitz
I’m piggy backing on Kathie Julian’s comment. I too have noticed a great number of bikes have pouches on the front that say Bay City Bike. I thought they were bringing them up from the SF Bay Area, but I just Googled it and earned that it is the Hyatt.
Kari Ferguson
There are two rental companies: the Hyatt and one at Tunnel Creek, and I definitely think it would be good to reach out to them about giving some rules—similar to the jet skis—just so people understand the flow of traffic. I think people think just anything goes up here— and stop signs aren’t real—that sort of thing. So it would be very helpful if we gave them perhaps just a little postcard of information, or check in with them at the very least to make sure they’re telling folks to obey rules, and that slower traffic stays on the right, and to say “On your left” when passing, and other trail etiquette. I’ll be happy to help put something together and reach out to those shops. I don’t know the owners personally but I can walk in and touch base. Let me know if you need any help with that.
Jack Dalton
It’s really distressing because the people aren’t at all careful.… I thought about painting a line. There’s only one halfway through where you go through the tunnel because it’s a corkscrew. There’s also a problem that people cut the corner that puts gravel on there. At the rate the bikes go someone will go down. I think the WCSO should post speed limits. If the bikes violate it, say the bike traffic on the trail will cease. That will get the Hyatt’s attention and—I think there are three rental companies. If you see what goes on here with the e-bikes, what will they do to the forest’s dirt trails? I don’t want to think about potential accidents and the amount of erosion. These bikes are like motorcycles. They go 20 mph. That’s very fast for that environment. I think they should be prohibited. Put speed traps up and put signs up saying if you violate the speed, that’s what will happen.
John Crockett
So it sounds like Commissioner Hill and the Washoe County Sheriff Office (WCSO) are aware of this and Kari will work on communications.
Joe Farrell
I think this is a great example of educating our tourists. Most of us grew up hiking and backpacking in the mountains and we learned “Pack it in – Pack it out.” This is another example. If you’re going to pass, say, “Hey, on the left,” and slow down.
Nancy Parker
We have lots of visitors renting STRs and I have a question about safety. I’ve noticed that more and more rentals are so full of people that even if renters notice there is a bear box into which they should put garbage, the boxes are overflowing and they can’t put it all in, so garbage is left in front of houses and garages. In my area alone, we’ve had more bear encounters. They grab the garbage and spread it throughout the neighborhood, which then attracts coyotes. So I don’t know if there’s a regulation or someone to call for enforcement— perhaps the Sheriff? I hate to take up resources. But this is endangering us. We’re encountering bears that are accustomed to food coming in front of garages. It’s likely you will encounter wildlife because the garbage is everywhere. I’m hoping that someone will speak to this issue — issue fines for those who are renting. The transition is every couple of days. So I don’t know—with 10 people per household or whatever in these big rentals—you won’t have trash cans or bear boxes that accommodate that turnover in large groups. They just leave the garbage outside. I’m hoping this is part of community safety. And we’re educating them. There has to be some recourse. We’ve tried to contact the rental companies. I don’t see any of our agency representatives here today, but I’m hoping we can make it worthwhile for visitors to pay attention.
John Crockett
This has been a major topic for a while now. Washoe County passed a STR Ordinance in March. The permitting process has begun, and any STRs in Incline must be registered with the County by August 1st. The Ordinance includes a lot of regulations and stipulations on trash, cleaning, and penalties. I don’t know all the details nor do I know the central number to call. NLTFPD Chief Sommers mentioned yesterday if you see anyone burning solid fuel or charcoal, you call 911. For trash I’m not sure who to call.
Kari Ferguson
I just put the link in the Chat Box with all the information about zero-tolerance trash. [For trash violations please email solidwaste@ivgid.org or call Public Works 775-832-1203.]
Kathie Julian – Incline Resident, Citizen Advisory Board, Member
Kari is there a regulation that says a person putting garbage out unattended next to their bear box can be cited?
Kari Ferguson
Yes, there is a fine, as indicated on the webpage.
Kathie Julian
And specific to that, I think one point we need to make to all our neighbors, is that you must be willing to stand up and make citations and agree to sign a citation. You need to take a stand. You can’t just complain and walk away. You have to be willing to back it up. You have to say, “This is me and I’m complaining about this and I will sign a citation.” That’s the only way we will hold these people accountable. Some people may be living here full time. But some of them are simply running a business. It’s a cost of doing business. They don’t care.
Kari Ferguson
I put the other page into the Chat Box as well. [https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/public-works/waste-not/bear-wildlife-awareness/bear-awareness-program.] It also has information about violations—what’s acceptable or not acceptable. The whole link and the phone number are in the Chat Box.
John Crockett
For people who are attending for the first time, any links posted in the Chat Box come out with the minutes.
Joe Farrell
I don’t think it applies just to STRs—much as I’m adamantly opposed to them. I have neighbors who usually put out garbage on Wednesdays, but not everyone has a bear box. I don’t know if there’s been a movement to require them. But twice in the last month I’ve seen a huge brown bear about 9:30 am walking along on Knotty Pine just sniffing garbage cans. Some neighbors have regular cans—and those bears go can-to-can—“nothing in there… boom”—“this one has food in it… so take two bags out and take it down the street and eat it.” So I think that the problem also relates to our fellow residents. I don’t know if there’s been a movement to require bear boxes. I personally believe they should.
Jack Dalton
I never had a bear on my property, although my neighbors have. But I have a bear box. The garbage is either in the bear box or it’s in the kitchen and the windows are closed so they can’t climb in. I had talked to IVGID a few years ago, and when Waste Management came by, there was a guy supervising the garbage collections making sure things were done right. Is that person still working?
Kari Ferguson
It’s not the same person, but there is somebody in that position.
Jack Dalton
I don’t see Washoe County is going to do anything for us including the Ordinance regulations. Would it be possible for Nancy to call an IVGID person when she sees that? They could come and say that’s a violation.
Kari Ferguson
Absolutely. That’s the number I’m trying to find and post in the Chat Box.
Jack Dalton
The other thing is the suggestion that all STR properties should be identified. I believe I saw a Tahoe Luxury phone number on a bear box when I was canvassing neighborhoods in 2020. It said, “Any garbage left outside of the bear box is subject to a $1000 fine.” There’s no reason why STRs can’t put up those signs.
A problem is—like Judy Miller mentioned with the current licensing—there is no indication of the number of people allowed in a STR.
So I have suggestions for issues with garbage.
One – require a bear box.
Two – the people/owners who are making all the money can put up the sign about fines
Three – if owners don’t want to do that, they can bring their own pick-up here and take the garbage, or pick it up themselves, or tell their renters to take it with them. [“Pack it in – Pack it out.”]
Kathie Julian
I did a quick look at the website. There appears to be a gap in the website. It says you can be cited for garbage and your fine will be refundable with installation of a bear box or bear shed. But this doesn’t address the issue of people willfully ignoring the bear shed. It doesn’t address the willful ignorance of the rules. There doesn’t appear to be a phone number on there that says, “If you see this happening, call this number.” It gives a customer service number for Waste Management. I suggest the website be improved to show “If you see this happening, call this number to report it.”
Sara Schmitz
Just a point of clarification. There are bear-resistant bins as well. For some people the bear box size or location doesn’t work. Waste Management does have wildlife-resistant bins that people can request. I don’t believe there’s an additional fee.
Joe Farrell
They have to request those. A lot of people in my area in the Ponderosa neighborhood don’t have bear resistant bins or boxes.
Sara Schmitz
When we first discussed the Waste Management contract there was discussion about requiring those, but at that time WM didn’t have enough in stock. So enough time has gone by that this may need to be re-evaluated to ensure wildlife and the neighborhoods are being protected.
Shirley Appel
Is there a reason why the STR enforcement process doesn’t begin until Aug 1st?
Sara Schmitz
It has to be permitted by Aug 1st. Last night they were encouraging everyone to put in their applications. They had only 200 permit applications submitted. In last night’s Q&A a STR owner asked, “Can you give us to the end of the busy season to apply?” The answer was, “No, get your application in because the permits need to be issued by August 1st.” That’s the deadline for being legitimately permitted.
Shirley Appel
It should have been done by June 1st for the summer season.
Sara Schmitz
From the County’s perspective there is a lot of work to be done. They are doing inspections of the properties. That takes time. They just implemented the Ordinance in May. They know that there are roughly 1000 STRs so you need a reasonable amount of time for the application process to work. That was discussed last night. I hoped there would be a representative of Washoe County here today.
John Crockett
They were all on the Q&A last night, so I think they thought they’d given us their time for the week.
Ronda Tycer – Forum Recap Editor
Please go ahead and ask your questions. What we’ve done in the past, if someone has a question and it can’t get answered during the Forum, we send the question to the person and ask them to answer it before the next Forum. It often happens they answer right away so we distribute it to the Forum list.
Shirley Appel
I live on the corner of Southwood and Oriole. There is an easement alongside the apartments on Oriole. It is a pig sty—with discarded couches…
Ronda Tycer
You know why? They actually reserve their parking places by putting out stuff like a couch, or a tricycle, or broken furniture…
Shirley Appel
There are two broken children’s bicycles leaning up against a tree. That’s the tree where the limb has been hanging down for 2-3 years. You can’t see the walking path. It’s just… and we have 4 to 5 cars parking there at night. Why put “No Parking” signs there if people can park right smack dab in front of them? My question is, “Is that Washoe County property? If so, something needs to be done.”
Ronda Tycer
Yes, it is Washoe County responsibility. The complaint has been made. And according to the WCSO, they will be aggressively looking at that in the near future. But I’ll pose the question and let them answer.
Shirley Appel
Okay. Thank you very much.
John Crockett
Doug Flaherty asked in the Chat Box, “Does anyone know who is responsible for maintenance of the Lakeshore path—IVGID or Washoe County?” I think that is Washoe County. And Kathie Julian has a question in the Chat. “Do the STR rules require bear resistant bins or sheds? As of the Ordinance passing in March we had some estimated 900-1200 STRs in Incline.”
Sara Schmitz
I have two questions for people who are not in attendance. My first question is, my understanding is along Village Blvd at McCloud there is I believe an NV energy easement, and there have been trailers and things parked there for a long time. My question is, does WCSO have any authority to enforce parking of vehicles on and under those power lines. Or can they simply not do anything about it because they’re parked on an NV Energy easement?
I have a second question. I’ve noticed our community has had a number of homes torn down and then replaced with a home twice the size. I don’t understand coverage. Where are these people obtaining coverage? As a community, why do we not have any knowledge of this and some oversight? Homes are being built from fence to fence to fence to street. It is changing the character of our community. TRPA has coverage rules in order to protect runoff into the lake. If people are allowed to buy coverage, it seems counter to TRPA’s mandate to protect the lake. And I don’t know who decides it’s okay for developers to buy coverage and expand the size of these homes and increase to twice the coverage.
Steve Dolan – Incline Resident, Friends of Third Creek, Director
Yes, you can buy coverage. And you can buy coverage of a variety of sorts. It has to be from an area that is like the area you’re covering. So even stream zone coverage is available. It’s more expensive, but it’s there. In terms of who makes that decision—that may be a question for Kathie coming from the CAB. I don’t know if people noticed yesterday the Commissioner said the CAB meetings had been suspended. And they are considering replacing the CAB with a monthly Incline discussion group. We asked the Commissioner to empower the CAB, and now it seems they are completely disbanding the CAB. In the past, the CAB—although not too powerful—was able to render an opinion that people listened to regarding permitting large houses, and easements, and things like that. So it seems the Commissioner is attempting to completely nullify the CAB. I’d love to hear what Kathie knows about that. But the coverage problem is there. You’ve seen these huge places going up along the lakefront for 40 years. It’s really a legal loophole that is allowed by TRPA. Some of that coverage can be bought from the State, from individuals, and from IVGID. There’s a variety of ways in which one could make a very large house replace a smaller one.
Sara Schmitz
I understand coverage can be purchased. My question is who is the authority to approve this type of change to a parcel? If you go through Mill Creek and see what’s happening it’s truly changing the look and the feel of the community. What authority approves the use of coverage and the expansion on these parcels?
Steve Dolan
I can answer a little of that. I’m very familiar with the Mill creek issues past and current. There’s one person very concerned with that. I think just recently the authority for permits has been transferred from TRPA to Washoe County. It still goes through TRPA at a certain level and it ends up at the County. The County and TRPA have recently in the last 1-2 years consolidated their definition of our zones in Incline. You’re probably aware of that. Those were done somewhat through the CAB. But again, the CAB only makes a recommendation. It has been listened to in the past. But I don’t know what’s happening with the CAB anymore. So
Washoe County is the permit coverage entity that is making the determination about the legal status of these larger footprints.
Kathie Julian
On CAB, what I heard Alexis saying yesterday—and I will clarify with her office—and I know this from speaking with Alexis—she’s been frustrated by the CAB because she agrees the community should be talking about more substantive issues than tiny slices of permits every once in a while that happen to be delivered to them by the County staff on the agenda. And that there should be a greater flow of discussion about larger community issues on a regular basis. So I think that’s what has encouraged her to promote the concept of a larger community meeting on a monthly basis where broader issues can be discussed by the community. What I also heard her say was it was important to get feedback from the CAB or community members before applications are processed and essentially a done deal. The complaint of the CAB has been that we get these proposals and they are already done. They are expecting our stamp of approval or to say we can’t get behind it. But there is no feedback mechanism for our input to make it better. By the time it gets to the CAB it’s later in the process. On the County level we’re looking to change that so the input of a CAB-like entity is earlier on rather than at the end of the process. Now where we need clarification from Alexis is will this feedback on proposals be in a structured manner as with the CAB, with specific positions and a group of people who are asked to comment and solicit the opinions of other people in the community in terms of that review? Or what are you talking about? I heard her talk about two things—a general meeting of the community on a monthly basis, and community comments at an earlier stage on applications.
Nancy Parker
I used to see notices asking for resident comment that were sent out in an area where there was to be a huge change in a structure being built so neighbors had a chance to weigh in. I haven’t seen one for a long time. Neighbors had the chance to say, “Oh, the house they tore down was 1000 sq ft and the new one is 4000 sq ft, which perhaps could make a huge difference in the neighborhood. Now it just somehow gets approved and there are no notices. Houses just pop up and neighbors are shocked. There’s a need for a way to proactively give input.
Steve Dolan
Regarding the public notice, it is still required when a house within so many feet of your property is proposing a big change. That’s still required.
With regard to the Commissioner and the CAB, Kathie, many years ago the CAB actually had veto power over certain permits being requested. Then the Commission decided they’d only allow the CAB to have an opinion… without any veto power, and only address development topics. Then we asked that the CAB be re-empowered with the veto power because of big houses going up—like on Gonowabie—and their request to eliminate easements, which would ruin parking, etc. That’s my understanding of the latest iteration of the CAB’s request of the Commission.
You’re correct that Alexis was asking for larger community participation. But it was not under the guise of the CAB. It did not infer or imply that the people of IVCB would be allowed any say over those permits. So I feel it’s real doublespeak on the part of the Commissioner with regard to Incline having any input or veto power over these somewhat dangerous interpretations and also requests for release of easements from the roads. I’ve said it before, the reason for the huge Oakland fire in which so many houses burned down was that the streets were so narrow the fire trucks couldn’t get through the streets. If we eliminate our easements and allow more parking on the street, that same condition—in particular in Gonowabie—is a potential fire hazard. I really hope that we all try to go after the Commissioner with regard to empowering a legitimate CAB with veto power over some of these permits.
Joe Farrell
Steve, I couldn’t agree more. Another aspect of the coverage that Sara was mentioning is the
character of the home being built. I live 1/2 block from Dale. Right now they tore down a 2500 sq ft house and will build a 4000 sq ft home. It looks like it’s out of Star Wars. I don’t think it fits the character of the neighborhood. It’s another reason to have a stronger CAB.
John Crockett
We will wrap up this topic. We do have one comment from Doug Flaherty who asked TRPA to update us on the status of the temporary use permit for the East Shore Express. Hopefully we’ll have some TRPA folks next time to ask them that.
Tia Rancourt – North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District
[Tia has posted a link in the chat regarding fire restrictions.] Good morning everyone. I’m super excited about NLTFPD hosting our pancake breakfast Saturday July 3rd at Station 11 from 8-10am. We will be offering the Janssen one-dose vaccine during that event. Anyone who is interested can register at https://www.nltfpd.org/covid-vaccine.
We’re in fire restriction season. No solid fuels—no wood or charcoal—are allowed. We’re trying to get this information out there. I’ve gone by and spoken to managers at our retail outlets—Raley’s, Village Market, 7-11, and Ace Hardware. Some have pulled charcoal from their shelves, but some haven’t. It’s not our purview to ask what retailers can or cannot sell. But we’re trying to work with them. They have posted our fire restrictions flyer. Everyone was very accommodating, but for some retailers it’s a storage issue. So does anyone have any questions?
John Crockett
No questions, Tia. Before you came on we talked about STRs a bit. And some folks were on the Q&A last night. Chief Sommers gave us an update on fire restrictions then. You mentioned the Jannsen vaccine is being offered at the pancake breakfast on the 3rd.
Tai Rancourt
Yes, on the 3rd at the breakfast from 8-10 am. We hope to see you all. It’s been a while since we’ve done anything in person so we’re really excited about this in-person event. For the Janssen vaccine, we appreciate the appointments but you can also just show up when you come to the breakfast. Enjoy breakfast and then pop into the station for a vaccination if you wish.
Ronda Tycer
I wanted to comment that yesterday I was contacted by a resident. He had two big brown bears through his yard. The STR next to him had a bear box but they had not put the garbage into the box. He wanted to know who he should call. I didn’t know so I explored the process. I first called IVGID and was told to talk to Madonna Dunbar and was given her extension, but she wasn’t there. So I then called—and I want to make sure everyone does this—the Washoe County STR hotline (775-277-6701). The hotline worked as follows. An automated system asked what the problem was—it was trash—then a live person came on and asked for the address. So I gave her the address. And she asked for details. I said the trash is on the street and there were two bears walking through his lawn—according to the person reporting this—which were 300 lbs and 400 lbs—and it seemed there should be some immediate response. She said, “That’s a good point.” I said the resident sent me photos, and I asked if I should upload them. She said, “No I’ll contact the responsible person and they may want to contact you.” I said fine, and hung up. I then tried to call IVGID Waste Management—Public Works. They said they had someone who handled this for Incline, and put me through to that extension. I waited for 30 rings before I hung up.
So at this point I’d actually made a record of the complaint with Host Compliance. But I wasn’t able to get hold of anyone to actually take care of the garbage that was on the street. I decided to broadcast exactly what people need to do if they have this situation.
It does include the dual approach. You need to call Host Compliance, because they need to know that these complaints are ongoing. I eventually got a call back from Washoe County Code Enforcement. The woman explained very clearly they are not enforcing any STR regulations until the 1st of August. I said, that’s fine. Let the bears know. But we need to have some way of dealing with this. She said to call the usual people: Waste Management, or the WCSO if there was immediate danger with the bears, or the Fire Department if it was something to be handled by them.
So we are still at this point getting no enforcement from Washoe County on STR complaints, nor will we until August 1st. We’re to contact the local authorities that would normally take care of these issues for us. After my experience—which took approximately 45 minutes—it occurred to me that very few of our residents are going to be willing to deal with this. And this was my concern about STRs from the beginning—there is no enforcement except for neighbors. Neighbors are the only enforcement we have. If neighbors don’t report the infractions, nobody knows they happen. So I encourage everyone to call the Washoe STR hotline and make the complaint.
John Crockett
I’ve posted in the Chat Box: for trash violations please email solidwaste@ivgid.org or call Public Works 775-832-1203.
Steve Dolan
As you’re aware, I’ve spoken with you about STRs—when my neighbors are there, they understand; but when STR renters are there, they don’t. As a result, renters recently left the garage door open and a bear went into the garage. There was food and trash everywhere out front. But the caveat I want to give people is, if you call the sheriff—and the bear is in the garage—it might be shot. I would call the Bear League before I call the WCSO. The bear is not interested in harming people and can be scared off easily. They really don’t want to have anything to do with humans—and are not dangerous—especially black bears. Other genera are. But the black bear is not really a dangerous animal in our community. Yes, they go into houses when invited in. But we need to be aware because the practice is typically to shoot a bear that’s gone into a house. So we need to be careful about that.
Kathie Julian
I think it’s important to put the Bear League phone number into the Chat Box. And I’m doing it right now (Bear League: 1 530 525 7297).
Joe Farrell
About the Bear League… Last summer there was a STR on Len Way where bears went in. The WCSO was called. The STR renters left the front door open. A momma and baby bear entered. And the baby bear tried to jump out of the top window and was hanging out the window. And they were yelling, “Shoot it! Shoot it!” Thank God, just two doors down there was a neighbor who’s a member of the Bear League. And he got the baby bear down a ladder. So, call the Bear League first, please.
Doug Flaherty – Incline Resident
I just want to thank the WCSO. Two nights ago I had to make a noise complaint close to midnight for some STR partiers. I think it was a whole 3 minutes before the Sheriff deputies arrived and took care of the issue. When I called dispatch, they asked if I would be wiling to file a complaint. My answer was, “Absolutely”—which we should all be willing to do. Then I followed up with Host Compliance on line to explain the situation. As was mentioned earlier, we need to all do our part whether they enforce the STR regulations or not until August to start getting on the record and making the calls that need to be made.
Sara Schmitz
Doug, I just want to say thank you for being willing to file a complaint. Understand that disturbing the peace can happen any time of day. It is not necessarily only during quiet hours. So if your peace is disturbed, you have the right to call and file a citation. But the officers’ peace “cannot be disturbed.” So you have to be willing to sign the paperwork. Know that it goes down as a violation against the individual and not the property owner. And they have to make a court appearance. If it is disturbing your peace, you have the right to call and request a citation. You have to be willing to put your name on it.
John Crockett
Thanks, Sara. Are there any other announcements? We do have the Bear League phone number in the Chat Box. I’m sure Peter is sorry he couldn’t make it today. And I’m sure he’ll be back next time. Our next meeting will be July 9 and we’ll continue to offer the zoom option and you’re also welcome to join us here in the Library. Have a great weekend. Thank you, folks.
CHAT BOX:
09:17:21 From kathie julian : The sign on the lakeshore path specifically allows bikes.
09:27:32 From IVGID Communications : https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/news/zero-tolerance-trash-enforcement
09:27:59 From Denise Davis : STR hotline 775-277-6701
09:28:03 From kathie julian : Is leaving garbage out unattended regulated by the county, and can we contact the Sheriff’s office about the garbage issue?
09:29:37 From IVGID Communications : https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/public-works/about-public-works/solid-waste-services
09:29:53 From Doug Flaherty : Does anyone know who is responsible for maintenance of the Lakeshore path. Is it IVGID or Washoe County?
09:32:08 From kathie julian : Residential Waste Service Customers:
1st offense: Results in mandatory upgrade to wildlife resistant cart service.
2nd offense: $100-999 fine, refundable with bear shed installation.
3rd and subsequent offenses: $500-999 fine, refundable with bear shed installation.
09:32:15 From kathie julian : Waste Management Contact Information
Customer Service
1076 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village NV 89451
Phone: (775) 831-2971
Hours: M-F 8:30AM to 5PM, Closed for Lunch 1-1:30PM
Transfer Station
1200 Sweetwater Rd, Incline Village NV 89451
Phone: (775) 833-6251
Hours: M-F 8AM to 4:30PM, S-S 8AM to 4PM, Closed for Lunch 12-12:30 PM
Website: www.wm.com
09:36:57 From kathie julian : Do the STR rules require bear resistant bins or sheds?
09:38:15 From kathie julian : As of the ordinance passing, we have some 900-1200 STRs in Incline/CB.
09:43:02 From IVGID Communications : Bike parade info: https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/events/july-4th-kids-bike-parade
09:43:29 From IVGID Communications : Vets pancake breakfast: https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/events/vets-pancake-breakfast-1
09:46:06 From IVGID Communications : NLTFPD Pancake Breakfast: https://www.nltfpd.org/events/eventdetail/5/-/community-pancake-breakfast
09:47:50 From Tia Rancourt : https://www.nltfpd.org/outdoor-burning
09:48:05 From Tia Rancourt : Link for info on fire restrictions
09:49:54 From IVGID Communications : For trash violations please email : solidwaste@ivgid.org or call Public Works 775-832-1203. The trash violation program is in transition and changing soon due to collaboration with the Clean Tahoe group. I will get those details to you when They are firmed up.
09:50:30 From IVGID Communications : This is why the trash violation number isn’t on our website currently. I will get the new info out as soon as it is all ready.
09:53:25 From Tia Rancourt : https://www.facebook.com/NorthLakeTahoeFire
09:54:17 From Doug Flaherty : Can we ask the TRPA to update us on the current status of the temporary use permit process for the East Shore express.
09:55:07 From kathie julian : Some of these notices, though, are called “courtesy notices”. I suggest we ask the County planning staff to explain better when a mandatory notice is required or just a courtesy notice, which may or may not be sent.
09:57:57 From IVGID Communications : https://www.nltfpd.org/events/eventdetail/5/-/community-pancake-breakfast
10:07:35 From kathie julian : Bear League phone number: 1 530 525 7297
10:07:48 From IVGID Communications : https://www.yourtahoeplace.com/public-works/waste-not/bear-wildlife-awareness/bear-awareness-program
10:08:53 From IVGID Communications : Bear league easy to remember number: 530-525-PAWS
10:10:09 From kathie julian : These STRs are businesses. Why do we not know the name and address of the businesses? Let’s hold them accountable.
10:10:28 From IVGID Communications : Have a Happy 4th!
iMac 2.7 GHz
Pete Todoroff
ptodoroff1@sbcglobal.net