economic development

It is an exciting time to live on the South Shore – during a critical point in our region’s evolution and potential. It is time to set our course: moving away from bickering and blaming, exclusionary special interests and single-industry dominance to consensus-building and proactively choosing progress. Whether we live in Nevada or California, everyone benefits from uniting towards a sustainable vision for the South Shore.

My name is Tamara Wallace and I am a candidate for South Lake Tahoe City Council. To begin with, I have vowed to not accept the pay that comes from holding office.

In a letter to City Clerk Susie Alessi, it was officially stated that if elected I would not accept the recently doubled Council salary of almost $1,000 per month. Being a fiscal conservative, I feel being careful with taxpayer dollars should start with me.

Tamara Wallace’s campaign slogan is “it’s Time.”

I believes that the voters feel as I do.

Here is what I am not:

She's been a Regional Director with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, PR and Marketing with Kautz Irontstone Vineyards and Banquet and Conference Manager at Copper Mountain Resort. She earned a Doctor of Law degree, and, for what most in South Lake Tahoe know her as, she's been the Executive Director of the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce. As of today, she's left the Chamber and is now preparing for a new career in coaching, leadership and training.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has hired a new Development Services Director to replace Shawna Brekke-Read, who left the position in December after a year on the job.

City Manager Nancy Kerry today announced the selection of Kevin Fabino for the position. Fabino will be leaving his job as the head of the City of Reedley's Planning, Building and Engineering Divisions and will start the new job in South Lake Tahoe later this month.

The Tahoe Prosperity Center received an award on Thursday, March 31, 2016 from the Placer County Economic Development Board for “Best Collaboration to Encourage a Prosperous, Sustainable and Healthy Lake Tahoe Basin.”

Certificates of recognition were also presented to the Tahoe Prosperity Center from Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, Senators Ted Gaines and Jim Nelson, and Congressma=en Tom McClintock and Douglas LaMalfa.

For the first time in seven years, those owning businesses in El Dorado County are being asked to take a survey to help enhance the economic climate for both employees and employers in the County.

The El Dorado County Annual Business Survey is available at the following link until March 19, 2016: www.surveymonkey.com/r/JSK9ZG7.

Galt City Council members on Dec. 15 were expected to name an experienced administrator in smaller jurisdictions as Galt’s next city manager.

Eugene Palazzo, who started his career in 1989 as a planning technician in Nevada County, has served as Crescent City’s city manager since 2011.

The council vote was not known at press time.

Galt city staff wrote in the council report that Palazzo has more than 27 years of experience in local government.

There will soon be a new Fanny Bridge in Tahoe City now that the Tahoe Transportation District has secured all of the $33 million needed to complete the State Route 89/Fanny Bridge Community Revitalization Project and Meeks Bay Trail Project.

Residents go to the City for a number of requests, and in order to make sure procedures are followed on those requests, new policies were created Tuesday during the South Lake Tahoe City Council meeting.

A Champions Plaza Recognition Policy was created in order to know how to handle the expected requests for names to be placed at the new venue at the corner of Highway 50 and Lakeview Avenue. The sculpture was selected earlier this summer.

The theme for Monday's 19th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit was “Connecting Lake Tahoe’s Environment and Economy through Innovation and Transportation.”

“The Tahoe Prosperity Center is thrilled that Senator Dean Heller of Nevada, and the Lake Tahoe Summit’s host this year, recognizes the importance of Tahoe’s economy as well as the environment and included it in this year’s theme,” stated executive director, Heidi Hill Drum.

Reno is experiencing an explosive growth with the addition of such major companies as Tesla and Microsoft. What does this mean for Lake Tahoe?

Join the Tahoe Chamber and Tahoe Prosperity Center on August 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel to discuss the implications of Reno's this growth on the Tahoe region and how Tahoe can prepare for what's coming next for the local economy.

What will Reno's economic growth mean to the South Shore?

Join us to discuss the implications of Reno's explosive growth on the Tahoe region and how Tahoe can prepare for what's coming next for the local economy.

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To City Manager of South Lake Tahoe, City Council

RE: motel housing

Honorable City Manager and City Council,

I am writing to you out of concern about the possible new ordinance regarding motel housing. In the past six years I have been involved with working for and advising various properties. The seven different properties opened my eyes to a separate part of our community that goes mostly unnoticed.

A tourism forum will be held in South Lake Tahoe April 21 to discuss the issues that may impact local tourism, recreation and the economy in the future as well as marketing and trends the South Shore should embrace.

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The following is a summary of accomplishments during 2014 by the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Strategic Priority: Fiscal Sustainability
The most important issue facing cities and local agencies is continued steadfast attention to the budget, both short term and long term fiscal impacts.

· Implemented “budget watch” approach to financial analysis; a year-long effort evaluating state, national and global economic impacts for South Shore economy, and capital investment opportunities

During last week's Loop Road open house, residents and businesspeople gave their input on what they felt the US Highway 50/South Shore Community Revitalization project should offer.

Results show that 82% of the people participating believe the most important goal is to beautify the corridor and create gathering spaces for locals and visitors.

Another 67% of the respondents believe there should be efforts to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility options, 60% said the project should revitalize the area and boost economic development.

Why should we care about investing in higher education in our local, state and national communities? According to a 2013 report by the Economic Analysis and Research Network in Washington D.C., "States can build a strong foundation for economic success and shared prosperity by investing in education.

Tahoe Chamber has a long history of Representing Business to Government via advocating for policies that provide a fair and predictable process for businesses of any size. This process is guided by our Government Affairs Committee (GAC), the
board, the Chamber CEO and our Government Affairs Liaison.

Shawna Brekke-Read has been named the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Development Services Director. She is heading to the Sierra from the Bay Area where she has been the Town of Moraga's Planning Director for the last three years.

City Manager Nancy Kerry made the announcement Thursday. “I am very pleased to announce the selection of Shawna Brekke-Read to join the City’s organization leadership team. We are fortunate to recruit a professional of her caliber, experience and tenacity. I am confident Ms. Brekke-Read will serve the community and City Council well.”

On June 17, 2014, the City Council held a workshop regarding the City’s five-year financial forecast and the overall economic forecast for the local community. While the forecast has improved, we need to attract substantial capital investment over the next ten years to grow the economy, meet the community’s needs and fund projects protecting the natural environment.

South Tahoe Now sent a questionnaire out to all of the candidates for El Dorado County Supervisor and Douglas County Sheriff. This is the last of the submitted responses. Candidates Sue Novasel, Kenny Curtzwiler and Angela Swanson were the only County Supervisor candidates to respond, and Douglas County Sheriff candidates Ron Pierini and Dave Brady were the only Sheriff candidates to respond. We thank those that took the time to reply.

1) What do you see as the Number 1 issue facing residents of District 5?

PLACERVILLE, CA - El Dorado Arts Council (EDAC) announced today that Kim Wyatt, publisher of Bona Fide Books, was appointed to the nonprofit arts organization’s board of directors.

“We are excited to have Kim Wyatt join our board as EDAC prepares to launch exciting initiatives in 2014,” says Dan Cattone, EDAC board president. “The support and nurturing of the South Lake Tahoe art community is critical to our mission of ‘More Art in More Places.’ Kim will help us energize that effort and insure that EDAC brings relevant support and value to the South Lake Tahoe art community.”

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors conceptually adopted a $587 million balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-14 at a special budget hearing held September 16.

Chief Budget Officer Laura Schwartz presented the numbers to the supervisors. Focusing on the General Fund which pays for many of the county’s discretionary programs, Schwartz highlighted an $11 million increase in fund balance from the initial budget approved earlier this summer. The change in fund balance represents a combination of increased revenue and decreased spending within county departments.

Nevada Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller have introduced the Douglas County Conservation Act of 2013 designed to promote conservation, improve recreation opportunities, and provide for sensible development in Douglas County.