City of South Lake Tahoe City Council and South Tahoe
Redevelopment Successor Agency
Meeting Minutes
December 9, 2025 at 5:30 pm
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 Bass read the Washoe Trible Land Acknowledgement.
Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Bass called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and then led the pledge of allegiance.
Roll Call
Present were Mayor Bass, and Councilmembers Robbins, Jinkens, and Roberts Also present were City Manager Irvin, City Attorney Stroud, and City Clerk Blankenship.
Closed Session Report
Update from December 9, 2025, Closed Session Meeting
1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, Significant Exposure to Litigation Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2) Regarding Liability Claim from Chris Fanini Regarding Partial Refund of Inclusionary Housing Ordinance In-Lieu Fee Action: No reportable action.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation – Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)
Case: Leslie Asbury v. City of South Lake Tahoe, Workers Compensation Appeals Board Case No. ADJ18872105.
Action: No reportable action.
Public Communications
1. Lou Perini- Need for Measure T to go back on the ballot, American Legion Sees Candy sales
2. Larry Pedigo- Councilmember Jinkens serving as City Manager during “hole in the ground” creation, pledge of allegiance importance
City Commission Reports
None.
Reorganization of City Council
1. City Council Vacancy
Action: Moved/Seconded: Roberts/Robbins
Action: Passed Motion 2025-117 appointing Heather Horgan to fill vacancy.
Yes: Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
No: Bass
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1) Larry Pedigo
2) Heather Horgan, City Council Applicant
3) Erika Gonzalez, City Council Applicant
4) Melissa Soderston, City Council Applicant
5) Karen Steel
6) Coleen Bye
7) Bob Poet
8) Peter Fink, City Council Applicant
9) Ed Mosur
10) Bobby Gonzales, City Council Applicant
11) Hailey Mitchell
12) Aimi Xistra- Rich, City Council Applicant
13) Catherine
14) Judi Allen
15) John Messina
16) Erick Asbury
17) Allen Miller
Written Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1) Jarrad Andrews
2) Lauren Ashton
3) Owen Avila
4) Kristina Booska
5) Taylor Cole
6) Hailey Copp
7) Erin Donnelly
8) Miriam Dorsett
9) Kimberly Elsaesser
10) Josh Emilson
11) Lily Erwin
12) Tanya Fairclough
13) Michelle Flores
14) Jayme Forman
15) John Garcia
16) Rob Giustina
17) Leo Grover
18) Liz Hallen
19) Kevin Hubbert
20) Kristiana Livas
21) Maria Louvier
22) Alexandrea Maselli
23) Kayla Mays
24) Megham McFarlin
25) Sarah Metzler
26) Andrea Meyer
27) Patricia Paulin
28) Deon Pearson
29) Carl Ribaudo
30) Mils Rich
31) Daniel Rich
32) Saul Rodriguez
33) Martin Rubio
34) Martha Schoenfeld
35) Marcia Schultz
36) Iain Sievwright
37) Caitlin Thomson
38) Scott Threlkeld
39) Samantha Turle
40) Ayden Williamson
Note: Heather Horgan was sworn into office by City Clerk Blankenship and assumed office.
2. 2026 Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Selection
Action: Moved/Seconded: Horgan/Bass
Yes: Bass, Horgan
No: Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Action: Motion to appoint Mayor Bass as Mayor for 2026 failed.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Roberts
Yes: Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts, Horgan
Action: Passed Motion 2025-118 to continue this item to the January 13, 2026, City Council meeting and to appoint Mayor Bass to continue to serve as Mayor until that time.
Presentations
3. Black Bear Management in South Lake Tahoe
Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Bass
Yes: Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts, Horgan
Action: Passed Motion 2025-119 directing staff to establish a collaborative response protocol group including the City Police Department, bear groups, Department of Fish and Wildlife, South Tahoe Refuse, and homeowners’ associations, and other interested parties; and to report back to Council on findings and/or a draft of protocols.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1) Diane Lipovsky
2) Erika Gonzalez
3) Melissa Soderston
4) Anne Bryant, Bear League
5) Ed Mosur
6) Coleen Bye
7) Hailey Mitchell
8) Erick Asbury
9) John Messina *submitted written comments
Written Public Comment was received from the following people:
1) Kathi Zollinger, Bear League
Consent Agenda
Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Robbins
Yes: Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts
Abstain: Horgan
Note: Item 13 was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilmember Jinkens Action: Passed the consent agenda, excluding Item 13.
4. City Council Meeting Minutes
Action: Passed Motion 2025-120 approving the minutes from the November 18, 2025, City Council meeting. Receive and file amendment to Item 20 on November 4, 2025, meeting minutes, removing "...to continue to pursue the Heavenly area annexation" from the motion.
5. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quarterly Financial Status Report - Quarter Ending September 2025 Action: Received and filed.
6. Transfer of Unclaimed Check Funds
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-096 authorizing the transfer of unclaimed check funds from their respective fund(s) to the General Fund pursuant to California Government Code sections 50050 through 50057
7. Investment Portfolio Report - September 30, 2025
Action: Received and filed.
Public Comment was heard from the following person:
1. Melissa Soderston
8. Approval of City Salary Table and California Minimum Wage Increase Action: Passed Resolution 2025-097 raising the minimum wage for City employees to $16.90, effective January 1, 2026, as required by State law.
9. Agreement with AARP Tax-Aid for Senior Tax Assistance at the Recreation Center.
Action: Passed Resolution 2025-098 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a fee waiver and Agreement with AARP Tax-Aid for Senior Tax Assistance (C-297-2025) at the Recreation Center.
10. Agreement with the Public Health Institute for Fellowship Donation for the CivicSpark Program
Action: Passed Motion 2025-121 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute an Agreement with the Public Health Institute for the donation of an 8-month fellowship for the CivicSpark Program (C-298-2025) for a total amount of $17,500.
11. Boat Safety and Enforcement Equipment Purchase
Action: Passed Motion 2025-122 authorizing the purchase and installation of two Mercury Verado 350 HP Outboard motors for the Police Department patrol boat from North Tahoe Marina (C-303-025), Inc. using existing budget appropriations up to $106,926.01.
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1) Lou Perini
12. Ratification of Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Walker Telecom to extend the Term to December 31, 2026.
Action: Passed Motion 2025-123 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute Ratification of Amendment No. 3 (C-300-2025) to Professional Services Agreement C-167-2020 to extend the term to December 31, 2026.
13. Three-Party Professional Services Contract with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Ascent Environmental Inc. for Environmental Analysis of the Mid-Town Area Plan Note: Mayor Bass recused himself on this item due to real property interest and left the meeting. Councilmember Roberts presided for this item.
Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Robbins
Yes: Roberts, Robbins, Jinkens, Horgan
Recused (Absent): Bass
Action: Passed Motion 2025-124 authorizing and directing Councilmember Roberts to execute a three-party professional services contract with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and Ascent Environmental Inc. (C-307-2025) for Environmental Analysis of the Mid-Town Area Plan.
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Melissa Soderston
2. Steve Teshara, Tahoe Chamber
3. Allen Miller
14. Purchase of Chevrolet 2500HD 4WD Crew Cab for the Parks Department Requested Action / Suggested Motions: Passed Motion 2025-125 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Purchase Order for One (1) Chevrolet 2500 HD (C-308-2025) in the amount of $63,400.80.
15. Type I Fire Engine Purchase
Action: Passed Motion 2025-126 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a purchase agreement with Goldenstate Fire Apparatus and Pierce Manufacturing (C-301-2025) for the purchase of one Type I Fire Engine for a total cost of $1,193,098.73.
Consent Agenda (South Tahoe Redevelopment Successor Agency)
16. Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Roberts
Yes: Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts, Horgan
Action: Acting as the South Tahoe Redevelopment Successor Agency Board, Passed STRSA Resolution 2025-003 approving the Recognized Obligation Schedule (ROPS) pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 34177 for the fiscal period commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
Public Hearing
17. South Tahoe Refuse 2026 Interim Year and Senate Bill 1383 Rate Increase Action: Moved/Seconded: Jinkens/Horgan
Yes: Bass, Robbins, Jinkens, Roberts, Horgan
Action: (1) Conducted a Majority Protest Public Hearing; and because less than a majority protest was received; (2) Passed Motion 2025-127 approving South Tahoe Refuse Interim Year Rate Increase of 5.10 percent and Senate Bill 1383 Increase of 5.08 Percent (totaling an increase of $4.38 per month for residential customers and $5.01 per cubic yard for commercial customers), effective January 1, 2026.
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Cathy Keesee
City Clerk Blankenship announced 39 protests were received.
Regular- Unfinished Business
18. Agreement with Heavenly Valley Limited Partnership for On-Street Parking and Amendments to Parking Restrictions in the Heavenly Valley Neighborhood Note: City Manager Irvin recused himself from participating on this item due to real property interest and left the meeting.
Action: Roberts/Jinkens
Yes: Bass, Jinkens, Roberts, Horgan
No: Robbins
Action: 1) Pass Motion 2025-128 authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute the Agreement with Heavenly Valley Limited Partnership for On-Street Parking (C-306-2025); and 2) Passed Resolution 2025-099 amending the seasonal parking restrictions on certain streets in the Heavenly Valley Neighborhood (replaces Resolution 2025-059).
The following person addressed the Council
1. Shaydar Eddleman, Heavenly Resort
Public Comment was heard from the following people:
1. Larry Pedigo
2. Melissa Soderston
3. John Messina
Written Public Comment was received from the following person:
1. Brian Bigley
Note: At 9:52 p.m. Councilmember Jinkens moved to extend the meeting past 10:00 p.m.
Councilmember Roberts seconded. Council passed the Motion 5-0.
Note: At this time, City Manager Irvin returned to the meeting.
Regular- New Business
19. City Council Assignments to Boards and Commissions
Note: Mayor Bass announced this item was pushed to the January 13, 2026, City Council Meeting.
20. Update to City Council Protocols
Note: Mayor Bass announced this item was pushed to the January 13, 2026, City Council Meeting.
21. Amended and Restated Purchase and Sale Agreement with NDC Lake Tahoe, LP for Affordable Housing Project at 3900-3908 Lake Tahoe Boulevard Note: Mayor Bass announced this item was pushed to the January 13, 2026, City Council Meeting.
Agenda Planning Calendar
22. Agenda Planning Calendar
Action: Received and filed.
Updates and Announcements (City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager) City Manager Irvin
1. Upcoming Festival of Winter Lights and Gingerbread House competition.
Councilmember Reports and Comments - Assignments to Boards, Committees, and Commissions Councilmember Jinkens
1. Attended Presbyterian Church Fundraiser
2. Request for update on the status of the Chateau project, Senior Plaza, El Dorado Beach Erosion Timeline for Action, Bear/Human protocols, Margaritaville and Beach Retreat Conversions (no second received). City Manager Irvin stated he would provide a written update to Council.
Councilmember Robbins
1. Visited emergency repairs at Lakeview Commons with Councilmember Jinkens Mayor Bass
1. Request to bring back the 2026 City Council meeting schedule for reconsideration (Jinkens seconded).
Adjournment
Mayor Bass Adjourned the meeting at 10:32 p.m.
___________________________ Date:________________________ Cody Bass, Mayor
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.