City of South Lake Tahoe
City Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
City Hall - Council Chambers – 1901 Lisa Maloff Way, South Lake Tahoe NOTE: The Meeting Minutes represent actions taken during the meeting of the City Council.
Complete Council member discussions on Regular Session meeting items can be viewed in archived video recordings on the City’s website at http://www.cityofslt.us Public submittals on items are retained in the administrative record and can be viewed in the City Clerk’s repository at http://www.cityofslt.us
Land Acknowledgement
Mayor Wallace read the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Land Acknowledgement.
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Wallace called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m., then led the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call
Present were Mayor Wallace, Mayor Pro Tem Bass, and Councilmembers Robbins, Jinkens and Roberts.
Also present were City Manager Irvin, City Attorney Stroud, and City Clerk Blankenship.
Closed Session Update from the August 12, 2025 Meeting
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) Kyle Printz v. City of South Lake Tahoe, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos. ADJ16686341 and ADJ18748809.
Action: This case was settled by compromise and release for the amount of $165,000.
Proclamations
1. Proclamation Recognizing September 17-23 as "Constitution Week" Action: Issued a Proclamation to Jini Becktell, Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution, recognizing September 17-23 as "Constitution Week" Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
2. Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Month"
Action: Issued a Proclamation to Reverend Nathan Wheeler, and Angie Reagan of Access Tahoe recognizing September 2025 as "Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Month"
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
Public Communications
General Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Ed Mosur- City financial policies, sale of Osgood and Blue Lakes lots, Whole Foods project audit, former IT Manager dismissal.
2. Melissa Soderston- Treatment of bears in the City, Labor Blackout Week, need for support of disabled populations.
City Commission Reports
None.
Consent Agenda
Note: City Clerk Blankenship noted the legal publication dodument added to Item 14.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Bass/Jinkens
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Action: Passed the consent agenda.
3. South Tahoe Joint Powers Parking Financing Authority and City Council Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes
Action: Passed a Motion 2025-072 approving the minutes from the August 12, 2025, South Tahoe Joint Powers Parking Financing Authority meeting and the August 26, 2025, City Council Budget Workshop meeting.
4. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quarterly Financial Status Report - Quarter Ending June 2025 Requested Action: Receive and file.
5. Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Investment Policy and Authority Action: Passed Resolution 2025-067 delegating investment authority to the City Treasurer and adopting the City Investment Policy for the fiscal year from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
6. Investment Portfolio Report - June 30, 2025
Action: Receive and file.
7. Agreement with Freemotion Fitness, Inc. for Purchase and Installation of Exercise Equipment for New Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatic Center Action: Passed Motion 2025-073 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Freemotion Fitness, Inc. (C-189-2025) in the amount of $120,021.47 for the purchase, delivery and installation of the exercise equipment for the new Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatic Center.
Written Public Comment was received from the following people:
1. Steve Rose
2. Scott Loberg
8. Grant of Temporary Construction Easements to Caltrans Action: Passed Motion 2025-074 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute Easement Agreements granting temporary construction easements to Caltrans for the U.S. Highway 50 Pavement Preservation Project as follows: Parcel No. 029-470 -016 for $7,000 (C-190-2025); Parcel Nos. 027-081-002 -005 -006, and 029-150-012, -008, and - 009 for $4,000 (C-191-2025); and Parcel No. 027-690-001 for $3,500, (C-192-2025) for a total amount of $14,500 to be paid to the City.
9. Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans for City-Owned Traffic Signals Action: Passed Motion 2025-075 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans (C-193-2025) to maintain the City traffic signals at Pioneer Trail and Ski Run Blvd., Pioneer Trail and Al Tahoe Blvd., and Al Tahoe Blvd. and Johnson Blvd. for a total cost estimated at $3,000 per year.
10. Accept Donation from South Tahoe Parks Foundation & Award Batting Cages Contract for New Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatics Center Action: Passed Resolution 2025-068: 1) authorizing and directing the Mayor to accept $30,000 in donations from the South Tahoe Parks Foundation into the New Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatic Center FF&E Account; 2) authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Grand Slam Safety (C-195-2025) in the amount of $85,844.67 for the purchase, delivery and installation of the batting cages and other equipment; and 3) authorizing the City Manager to execute the two acknowledgement letters.
11. Ratification of Organizational Authorized Agent Appointment for Cal OES Listos CERT Grant
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-069 Ratifying the Appointment of the Director of Parks and Recreation as the Organizational Authorized Agent and Signatory of the City of South Lake Tahoe for the current CalOES Listos Grant Award# LC23 01 7994, for all Subaward Agreements, Amendments, and all applicable Grant Submittals.
12. Use of General Fund to Cover Facility Rental Fees for Boo Bash Event Action: Passed Resolution 2025-070 authorizing the Use of General Fund to cover facility rental fees for Ever After Productions for the rental of the Gym, Aspen, Cedar and Douglas Rooms to produce the Boo Bash event totaling $5,828.
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
13. Reimbursement Agreement with South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) for Bijou 1 Waterline Replacement Repaving
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-071 1) authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Reimbursement Agreement with STPUD for Bijou 1 waterline replacement repaving (C-196-2025); 2) accepting $530,000.00 with 25% contingency of $132,500.00 to reimburse the City for the STPUD utility work; and 3) amending the 2026 Road Rehabilitation Project Budget (301-50005-48030).
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
14. Ordinance Amending South Lake Tahoe City Code to Lower Speed Limits on Sections of Sierra Boulevard (Second Reading)
Action: Passed Ordinance 2025-1201 Amending South Lake Tahoe City Code Chapter 4.25 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Article IV (Operation of Vehicles), Sections
4.25.160 and 4.25.170 to Modify the Speed Restrictions on Sierra Boulevard.
15. Reimbursement Agreement with Liberty Utilities for Tahoe Keys Blvd.
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-072 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Reimbursement Agreement with Liberty Utilities (C-197-2025) and accepting $85,905.00 into the Street Overlay Program.
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
16. Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Stateline Complete Streets Project
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-073 authorizing the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute all Restricted Grant Agreements and any amendment thereto with the California Department of Transportation, and authorizing the Finance Director to appropriate funding once executed.
Public Comment was heard from the following person:
1. Ed Mosur
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Scott Loberg
17. South Tahoe Parks Foundation Community Tile Fundraiser Donation Acceptance & Sponsorship Approval
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-074: 1) authorizing and directing the Mayor to accept $34,320 in donations from the South Tahoe Parks Foundation (C-198-2025) into the New Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatic Center Donations Account; 2) authorizing and directing the Mayor to approve the tile sponsorships; and 3) authorizing the City Manager to execute the acknowledgement letter.
18. Hazardous Fuels Reduction Agreement with Acres Forestry Action: Passed Motion 2025-076 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Acres Forestry (C-199-2025) in an amount not to exceed $398,909.30 for the City of South Lake Tahoe SNPLMA R18 Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project.
19. Agreement with Lake Tahoe Unified School District to Provide School Resource Officer
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-075 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Memorandum of Agreement with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) (C-200-2025) regarding the operation of the School Resource Officer (SRO) for the 2025-2026 School Year and approve budget for reimbursement from LTUSD to the City in the amount up to $82,484.00.
20. Ratification of Subcontractor Addition for the Tahoe Valley Stormwater and Greenbelt Improvement Project, Phase 2
Action: Passed Motion 2025-077 ratifying the addition of a concrete subcontractor (Morgan Concrete) to the construction contract with Herback General Engineering for Phase 2 of the Tahoe Valley Stormwater and Greenbelt Improvement Project, pursuant to Public Contract Code section 4109 and the written finding of public necessity in the staff report.
21. Amendment No. 8 to Agreement with Jordan Knighton Architecture Engineering for Architectural and Engineering Services for the Multigenerational Recreation and Aquatics Center
Action: Passed Motion 2025-078 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 8 to the Professional Services Agreement with Jordan Knighton Architecture Engineering (C-201-2025) for an additional $50,000.00 to cover design changes requested by the City for a total not-to-exceed amount of $5,110,303.00, and extending the term until October 2026.
Written Public Comment was heard from the following person:
1. Steve Rose
Regular- New Business
31. Extension of City Manager Employment Agreement
Note: Councilmember Jinkens requested this item to be brought forward after the consent agenda (Council provided consensus).
Action: Moved/ Seconded: Jinkens/Bass
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-079 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement with Joseph D. Irvin (C-202- 2025), extending the term of his employment for an additional six years, until April 14, 2032.
Public Comment has heard from the following person:
1. Ed Mosur
Regular- Unfinished Business
22. Update on Vacation Home Rental Permitting
Action: Moved/Seconded: Wallace/Jinkens
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Jinkens, Roberts
No: Robbins
Action: Passed Motion 2025-079 directing staff to bring back two possible versions of an ordinance for a first reading that would amend the Vacation Home Rental Ordinance to:
• Version A:
o Remove 150-foot buffer and impose a cap of no more than 1200 VHR permits in residential areas
o Establish a minimum age of 25 to rent a VHR
o Allow attached condominiums to get a VHR permit unless the applicable HOA has rules prohibiting VHRs
o Require advertising platforms to include “family friendly” language for VHRs in residential areas
o Have appeals of permit denials go to an independent hearing officer instead of the Planning Commission
o Regulate commercial and recreational areas with rules applicable to Tourist Core Area Plan
• Version B:
o Remove 150-foot buffer but prohibit VHR permit adjacent to any property that already has an adjacent VHR
o All other provisions the same as Version A
Additionally, Council directed staff staff to provide refunds of the application fee to applicants who have been buffered out. Any inspection fees would only be refunded if the City had not already paid the outside inspector. Staff will bring this back for a first reading on October 21, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. If a first reading is held at that time, a second reading would be set for November 4, and the changes would become effective 30 days later, on December 4, 2025. The existing ordinance will remain in place until then.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Fabian Marino *written comment submitted
2. Scott
3. Lorraine D. Jackson
4. Caleb Fry *written comment submitted
5. Mark Salmon
6. Steve Teshara, Tahoe Chamber
7. Karen Lienert *written public comment submitted
8. Mark Brower *written comment submitted
9. Ed Mosur
10. No name provided
11. John Messina
12. Vince Haghiri
13. Andrew Pierce, Attorney for SLT Property Owners’ Group
14. Heidi Sandborn
15. Davy Chain *written comment submitted
16. Eric Lentz *written comment submitted
17. Duggan Smith
18. Lisa Underwood, Tahoe Keys Resort
19. Melissa Soderston
20. Nicole Ladd
21. Erick Asbury
22. Karen Budell Parsons
23. Peter Popov
Written Public Comment was submitted by the following people:
1. Cristy Roberts
2. Larry Reid
3. Jessica McBride
4. Dylan Hastings, South Tahoe Association of Realtors
5. Lorraine Jackson
6. Allyson Giordano
7. Andres DiGenio
8. Christopher Clare
9. Duane Wallace, South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce
23. Cannabis Revenues Grant Program Award Recommendations for 2025 Note: Mayor Pro Tem Bass recused himself from participating on this item due to finanical interest in the industry and left the meeting.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Robbins/Jinkens
Yes: Wallace, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Recused (Absent): Bass
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-076 appropriating an additional allocation of $46,415 of Cannabis Program Revenue toward the 2025 Cannabis Revenue Grant Program for a total amount of $446,415 and approving the grant awards list of projects recommended by the grant application review committee; with additional direction to bring back an agenda item to expand the grant application parameters eliminating the restriction related to cannabis associated harms.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Jess, Cannablue
2. Alex Gosselin, Cannablue
3. Melissa Soderston
4. Kimberly Peterson, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless
Regular-New Business
24. Cannabis Tax Rate Discussion
Note: Mayor Pro Tem Bass recused himself from participating on this item due to financial interest in the industry and left the meeting.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Robbins/Jinkens
Yes: Wallace, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Recused (Absent): Bass
Action: Passed Motion 2025-080 directed staff to bring back legislative changes to establish a new cannabis tax rate of 3%, identify the capacity of the current legislation to support a medical cannabis tax rate of 0%, engage with relevant lobbying and outreach organizations to lobby with the State on lowering the State tax rate; and, eliminate the public safety mitigation fee.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Jess, Cannablue
2. Tamara Allen
3. Jared Benvenuto, Aloha Ice Cream and Tahoe Club Crawl
4. Ed Mosur
5. David Turner, Tahoe Green
6. Tyler Strafford
7. Nick Beach, Cannablue
8. Alex Gosselin, Cannablue
9. Ross Rose
10. Cody Bass, Tahoe Wellness Center
11. Melissa Soderston
12. Jason Desimone
13. Justin Woodcock
14. Maryjane Solarzano, Cannablue
15. Josh Etherington
16. Mariah Ramblas
17. Alex Peace
18. Sarah Winner, Cannablue
19. Adam Kovalchik
20. Sara, Barton nurse
25. Grant Applications to Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization (TMPO) 2025 Regional Grant Program for Complete Streets Projects
Note: Mayor Pro Tem Bass recused himself from participating on this item due to real property interest and left the meeting.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Robbins/Jinkens
Yes: Wallace, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Recused (Absent): Bass
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-077 authorizing the Public Works Director, or designee, to submit grant application(s) to the TMPO for federal fiscal years 2027 and 2028 for the Stateline Complete Streets Project Design, Engineering, and Environmental Review ($2,700,000 grant requested with $309,690 local match); as well as to execute a letter of support for the Tahoe Transportation District’s request.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Ed Mosur
2. Jason Burke, Tahoe Transportation District
26. Mid-Town Area Plan Policy Review and Design Standards Discussion Note: Mayor Pro Tem Bass recused himself from participating on this item due to real property interest and left the meeting.
Note: Councilmember Jinkens left the meeting at 4:34 p.m. and did not return.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Wallace/Roberts
Yes: Wallace, Roberts
No: Robbins
Absent: Bass
Absent: Jinkens
Action: Passed Motion 2025-081 providing direction to staff to: 1) bring an item to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to increase density on all income levels of housing, including market rate; 2) increasing maximum density of residential development; 3) increasing the height limit to 56 feet; 4) modifying parking requirements and establishing exceptions to a minimum parking requirement; 5) approve of the design standards and priorities that were presented to Council; and 6) confirm the proposed implementation strategies.
Public Comment was heard from the following person:
1. Heather Cade-Bauer
27. Grow and Diversify the Economy Strategic Plan Priority Update Note: City Council provided consensus to move this item to the September 23, 2025, City Council meeting.
28. Policy Regarding Disposition of Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Development Commodities Owned by the City of South Lake Tahoe Note: City Council provided consensus to move this item to the September 23, 2025, City Council meeting.
29. Emergency Shelter and Warm Room Discussion
Note: A PowerPoint that was not included in the published agenda packet was distributed to Council and the public.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Bass/Robbins
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Robbins, Roberts
Absent: Jinkens
Action: Passed Motion 2025-082 directing staff to pursue an establishment of a motel voucher program in partnership with local and regional stakeholders.
The following person addressed the Council:
1. Kimberly Peterson, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless
30. Pay for Success Contract with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless Action: Moved/Seconded: Robbins/Roberts
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Robbins, Roberts
Absent: Jinkens
Action: 1) Passed Motion 2025-083 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute Pay for Success Agreement with Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless in an amount not to exceed $40,000; and 2) Passed Resolution 2025-078 Authorizing $40,000 Budget Appropriations from General Fund Undesignated Excess Reserves for the agreement.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Nicole Zaborsky, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless
2. Kimberly Peterson, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless
3. Erick Asbury
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Marissa Muscat, Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless
Note: Item 31 was taken up after the Consent Agenda.
32. League of California Cities Annual Conference Voting Delegate and Alternate Action: Moved/Seconded: Bass/Roberts
Yes: Wallace, Bass, Robbins, Roberts
Absent: Jinkens
Action: Passed Motion 2025-084 selecting Councilmember Jinkens as the Voting Delegate and Councilmember Robbins as the Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference General Assembly.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Erick Asbury
Agenda Planning Calendar
33. Agenda Planning Calendar
Action: Received and filed.
Updates and Announcements (City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager) City Clerk Blankenship
1. Proclamation request from Sallie Ross of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department for “National Fire Prevention Week” (Council provided consensus) Councilmember Reports and Comments - Assignments to Boards, Committees, and Commissions
Councilmember Roberts
1. Request for a discussion item on the VHR citation process (Wallace seconded). Staff will include this in their report for the next VHR item brought to Council.
2. Request for a discussion item on Council opposition to CA Proposition 50 (Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment). (Wallace seconded).
Adjournment
Mayor Wallace adjourned the Meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Date:
Cody Bass, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Susan Blankenship, City Clerk
The presence of electronic signature certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy as approved by the South Lake Tahoe City Council.
Susan Blankenship (Sep 24, 2025 08:25:20 PDT)
Cody Bass (Sep 26, 2025 14:37:58 PDT)
Cody Bass Sept 26, 2025